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2 November 2020
The leak that wasn’t continues. As the search for the leaker(s) progresses there are more denials than from a Daniel Andrews government.
It appears there were 15 people in the know. This includes the four ministers, Johnson, Gove, Sunak and Hancock, science advisors and the infamous Cummings. All have denied leaking, although Sir Patrick Vallance, chief science advisor, gave a grisly off-the-record briefing to journalists an hour before the four ministers were due to meet to discuss the plans. He told the reporters that a two-week circuit breaker would not work as it was too late and that a four-week lockdown was the minimum needed to avoid dire consequences. This had the effect of bouncing the four ministers (The “Quad”) into making the decision to go with 4 weeks, and this was leaked to the press before cabinet had been informed of the decision. (Note – informed, not consulted).
A formal leak inquiry has been launched with police involvement being considered. As usual, it is anticipated that nothing will come of this; however, more ominous for the perpetrator(s) is the involvement of Sir Lindsay Hoyle the speaker of the commons.
Furious Speaker Lindsay Hoyle today demanded a personal apology if a Cabinet minister is found to have leaked the PM’s lockdown plan.
The Commons chief read the riot act to the government after the bombshell news spilled over the weekend, rather than being announced to Parliament first.
Both Michael Gove and Matt Hancock have denied being behind the leaks from the core ‘Quad’ that signed off the dramatic U-turn on Friday afternoon.
In a statement this afternoon, Sir Lindsay said the government had assured him that ‘the leaks were not from Downing Street’.
‘I expect the Prime Minister to keep the House updated on his leak inquiry,’ he said.
‘I also hope that if the leaker is identified and if a member of this House, that member will make a full apology to the House for the discourteous and unacceptable behaviour.’
Daily Mail
In UK parliamentary terms that is a first-rate rollicking and spells trouble for whoever is disclosed to be the leaker.
The proposed lockdown was discussed in parliament and will be voted on in the debate on Wednesday. The speaker has an aversion to parliament being side-tracked and decisions being made before proper consideration by parliament. Unlike the NZ speaker, Sir Lindsay is fair minded and will see that the correct procedures are followed impeccably, without bias.
The whole shemozzle is causing ructions within the Conservative party. There is mutiny in the ranks with displeasure being thrown at the advisors (political and scientific) and calls for action.
Some of those on the backbenches were even calling for Mr Johnson to go. “He’s on borrowed time, totally inept,” one source told The Times.
A minister told the paper: ‘He’s been overrun by the virus and by his ‘advisers.’ They are nasty, they misunderstand the parliamentary party, and above all are totally, totally sh*t. Over the last week — with the row over free school meals and this — I think we’ve lost the next election.’ (even though it is four years away!)
Daily Mail
With nothing better to do on a Monday afternoon, I watched the debate from parliament. Boris Johnson gave a lacklustre performance, looking haggard and worn out with a sense of resignation hanging over him. There was no bounce, no smiles, just a shell of the Johnson we usually see. If he were in control, he would have sacked Vallance for his unauthorised off the record briefing that was the start of the problems. I may make time to watch the debate today to see how much water the ship of state has taken on board from the leaks.
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