Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 36109603)

I should think so too. She should have downed the lot - what a waste of good booze. :D

Originally Posted by Damien (Post 36109617)

Another one: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politi...idays-25951853

Now I am actually going to go a bit OLD_BOY here and say, in isolation, I don't think this one is that bad.

Yes, it may be technically against the rules but if staff who are already there have a drink at their desks on a Friday then I don't care. I also don't think others would care as much if this was the full extent of it. Obviously it's not good taking into account all the other stories because more than anything you do wonder just much time they're drinking at No 10.

But it is not a specially organised party that people are invited to attend. The Garden Party was so absurd because it was a chain e-mail, you have a bring a bottle, and people had a literal bloody party.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 36109618)

Think writing the report is not going to be a career-enhancing move for her.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 36109618)

A true Old Boy reply would be to let's wait until Sue Gray's report is released.

What might that report say:

• Just publish the facts and let the politicians fight it out.
• Clear No 10 and severely damage the public's trust in British democracy.
• A halfway house leading to both above outcomes arising.
• Find Boris guilty and annoy the person who's commissioned the report.

Think writing the report is not going to be a career-enhancing move for her.

Originally Posted by Damien (Post 36109617)

Another one: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politi...idays-25951853

Now I am actually going to go a bit OLD_BOY here and say, in isolation, I don't think this one is that bad.

Yes, it may be technically against the rules but if staff who are already there have a drink at their desks on a Friday then I don't care. I also don't think others would care as much if this was the full extent of it. Obviously it's not good taking into account all the other stories because more than anything you do wonder just much time they're drinking at No 10.

But it is not a specially organised party that people are invited to attend. The Garden Party was so absurd because it was a mass e-mail, you have a bring a bottle, and people had a literal bloody party.

Originally Posted by GrimUpNorth (Post 36109619)

Wouldn't be surprised if she's drunk the best part of a suitcase full of wine tonight and is probably regretting not accepting the invites she had to the Downing Street parties last [insert any date you like]. She must be wondering who she pissed off to get this gig.

Originally Posted by Mad Max (Post 36109621)

How is she allowed to actually carry out this investigation, she's Gove's secretary, so Boris is basically her boss.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 36109618)

A true Old Boy reply would be to let's wait until Sue Gray's report is released.

What might that report say:

• Just publish the facts and let the politicians fight it out.
• Clear No 10 and severely damage the public's trust in British democracy.
• A halfway house leading to both above outcomes arising.
• Find Boris guilty and annoy the person who's commissioned the report.

Think writing the report is not going to be a career-enhancing move for her.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 36109618)

A true Old Boy reply would be to let's wait until Sue Gray's report is released.

What might that report say:

• Just publish the facts and let the politicians fight it out.
• Clear No 10 and severely damage the public's trust in British democracy.
• A halfway house leading to both above outcomes arising.
• Find Boris guilty and annoy the person who's commissioned the report.

Think writing the report is not going to be a career-enhancing move for her.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 36109653)

Yes, except that you are just too interested in the facts, are you, Andrew?

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 36109653)

You are reading too much into it. Publish the facts, I agree with.

---------- Post added at 02:16 ---------- Previous post was at 02:13 ----------



Yes, except that you are just too interested in the facts, are you, Andrew?

Originally Posted by Damien (Post 36109626)

I don't think she is going to a whitewash but, as a civil servant, I think she'll also be careful not to make any direct assertions about politicians. She'll condemn culture, practices and structures but decide that the exact culpability of a politician is beyond her scope.

Johnson will use that to claim some kind of vindication 'the independent report found no rules were broken by the PM', fire some staff and promise to 'clamp down on boozy culture' as if it were a force of nature he had no control over and attempt to move on.

Originally Posted by Damien (Post 36109626)

I don't think she is going to a whitewash but, as a civil servant, I think she'll also be careful not to make any direct assertions about politicians. She'll condemn culture, practices and structures but decide that the exact culpability of a politician is beyond her scope.

Johnson will use that to claim some kind of vindication 'the independent report found no rules were broken by the PM', fire some staff and promise to 'clamp down on boozy culture' as if it were a force of nature he had no control over and attempt to move on.