[Politics] Sue Gray is Red

[DavidinSouthampton]

Didn't he appoint her?

Indeed he did!

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Unfortunately he may have, as there are a huge number of rules, regulations, checks, security checks and various other hoops that you have to agree and sign up to, to if you want to be a senior civil servant.

Interestingly enough, none of these rules, regulations or security checks apply if you want to be an MP, Minister of State, or even Prime Minister

Well, fine.

Do you really imagine that Sunak will block her appointment (if he can), though? It would be an act of petty vindictiveness. However he has already shown that he is just another gas-lighter with his pathetic attempts to paint Starmer as a stooge of Corbyn.

So Sunak will certainly do whatever he considers to be in his own self-interest. The rat.

 

[Gwylan]

I think it's a really smart move by Starmer. Not only does it show a degree of professionalism and responsibility in appointing someone for admin skills and knowledge of government, rather than a party flunkey but it's skewered the Tories at the same time.

It's exquisite timing: in the week of the lockdown revelations, we're reminded how carelessly Johnson took his own responsibilities. If the Tories want to bring up Sue Gray and the No 10 parties, it will remind voters, once again, of the mess that Johnson made of everything ... and by association, Sunak (who was part of the government and who was also fined).

There's also the little matter of all the statements put out by Conservative ministers about Gray's integrity, experience and independence. Are they going to deny saying all those things?

 

[Hotchilidog]

First things first, Boris was not stitched up, he was bang to rights and everyone knew it, he also appointed Gray to lead the enquiry himself.

That said this is not a good look for the civil service or Labour. Whether the accusations being levelled at Sue Gray have any validity or not it is not the point, the optics are not good. If it were the other way round and a top civil servant left to join the Tories the outcry would be just as loud from the left. The civil service should be seen to be above party politics. Not a clever move by Starmer.

That said, given that mortgages and fuel bills are set to rocket even higher in the upcoming months I cannot see the public being too fussed this story in a couple of weeks time.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Some extraordinary wing-nut conspiracy lunatics on radio 5 right now.

One prat is suggesting that Starmer bribed Sue Grey with the job he has now offered her in order to falsely find Johnson guilty of breaking his own Covid rules. Unbelievable.

 

[Rdodge30]

What are you talking about? The conservative PM has no role in the appointment of staff by the labour party.

It is in the purview of the PM whether or not too enforce a waiting period on an exiting permanent Secretary. Makes no difference if she intends working for the Labour Party or British Gas. (That’s what I’m talking about)

 

[pocketseagull]

All the information I can find says that ex-ministers/civil servants are asked to check new appointments with ACOBA, a purely advisory board with no basis in law to enforce any judgements. I guess the PM could try to bring in a new law but might be seen as a tad petty and out of touch?

 

[Thunder Bolt]

What are you talking about? The conservative PM has no role in the appointment of staff by the labour party.

David Frost was a civil servant, made a Lord and a Tory government minister.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Some extraordinary wing-nut conspiracy lunatics on radio 5 right now.

One prat is suggesting that Starmer bribed Sue Grey with the job he has now offered her in order to falsely find Johnson guilty of breaking his own Covid rules. Unbelievable.

They say these things because it works though surely.

Only I guess 0.1% believe these not job conspiracies the first time they hear them. But if you keep levelling them .... Repetition and message discipline over a range of medium, you'll gain serious traction. It's why a massive percentage of Americans think Biden stole the election. It's why swathes of Russia believe everything Putin says. Organised lying works.

We're in the early to mid stages of it here, but as a nation we need to seriously think about how we prevent organised misinformation being spread.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

First things first, Boris was not stitched up, he was bang to rights and everyone knew it, he also appointed Gray to lead the enquiry himself.

That said this is not a good look for the civil service or Labour. Whether the accusations being levelled at Sue Gray have any validity or not it is not the point, the optics are not good. If it were the other way round and a top civil servant left to join the Tories the outcry would be just as loud from the left. The civil service should be seen to be above party politics. Not a clever move by Starmer.

That said, given that mortgages and fuel bills are set to rocket even higher in the upcoming months I cannot see the public being too fussed this story in a couple of weeks time.

David Frost was that civil servant so it has happened.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Nonsense. She let Johnson off the hook.

Dry your eyes, your hero is finished.

A post you could have made in a different context to another prominent member of NSC

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Some extraordinary wing-nut conspiracy lunatics on radio 5 right now.

One prat is suggesting that Starmer bribed Sue Grey with the job he has now offered her in order to falsely find Johnson guilty of breaking his own Covid rules. Unbelievable.

You should see the front page of the Daily Mail. It’s hilarious.

 

[JBizzle]

You have to laugh but Ofcom need to get a handle on it. We can't have a channel with News in the title pushing conspiracy theories and showing zero neutrality.

Yeah, right. Ofcom doing their job protecting journalistic standards is about as likely as Ofgem doing their job protecting energy company profits consumers

 

[Nicks]

Strange how Starmer was cleared of partying in Lockdown by her

 

[nicko31]

You should see the front page of the Daily Mail. It’s hilarious.

Remember Dacre is still waiting for his peerage from the disgraced PM but one, maybe something for Ted Verity too. Need to show Johnson he's still loved

 

[Gwylan]

Strange how Starmer was cleared of partying in Lockdown by her

No he wasn't. That's something you've just made up

There was a separate investigation - two in fact - by Durham Police as to whether Starmer eating while he was working was in breach of regulations but that was nothing whatsoever to do with Gray

 

[BLOCK F]

Well, fine.

Do you really imagine that Sunak will block her appointment (if he can), though? It would be an act of petty vindictiveness. However he has already shown that he is just another gas-lighter with his pathetic attempts to paint Starmer as a stooge of Corbyn.

So Sunak will certainly do whatever he considers to be in his own self-interest. The rat.

Relax Harry,
I don’t think Sunak will block this appointment.
Anyway, looks like a good move by Starmer.

 

[Nobby]

I think it's a really smart move by Starmer. Not only does it show a degree of professionalism and responsibility in appointing someone for admin skills and knowledge of government, rather than a party flunkey but it's skewered the Tories at the same time.

It's exquisite timing: in the week of the lockdown revelations, we're reminded how carelessly Johnson took his own responsibilities. If the Tories want to bring up Sue Gray and the No 10 parties, it will remind voters, once again, of the mess that Johnson made of everything ... and by association, Sunak (who was part of the government and who was also fined).

There's also the little matter of all the statements put out by Conservative ministers about Gray's integrity, experience and independence. Are they going to deny saying all those things?

Chortle.

 

[nicko31]

David Frost was that civil servant so it has happened.

Yeap..

 

[clapham_gull]

Strange how Starmer was cleared of partying in Lockdown by her

I think that was the police....