The Chronicles of Rishi

[1andrew1]

Another investigation

William Shawcross, commissioner for public appointments, to review Richard Sharp’s appointment as chairman of the BBC

This is in addition to BBC review

Interview panel and DCMS committee did not know Sharp was involved in talks about Boris Johnson’s personal finances.

Source: Whitehall Editor of The Sunday Times - Gabrie Pogrund
https://twitter.com/Gabriel_Pogrund

[Mr K]

They need a new Ministry for Investigations, for all the investigations needed into this corrupt lot.

[daveeb]

Originally Posted by Mr K

They need a new Ministry for Investigations, for all the investigations needed into this corrupt lot.

And genuinely independant people to appoint all the "independant" committees they keep setting up all appointed and controlled by themselves.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by daveeb

And genuinely independant people to appoint all the "independant" committees they keep setting up all appointed and controlled by themselves.

That's the question, what are the parameters of these committees and panels and who sets them

[Kursk]

If a Minister requires an investigation, it will be administered by a professional and unimpeachable Civil Service. The continuity of our system of government is in safe hands.

[ianch99]

I think Zahawi is toast. The key to being a tax dodger is not to get caught.

Today's Tory Corruption story:

Conservative health minister has big stake in Covid testing firm

A Conservative health minister has a substantial financial stake in a private health screening and Covid testing firm, raising questions about the potential for a conflict of interest.

Nick Markham, a businessman who was given a peerage under Liz Truss and appointed to the health department, owns about 30% of Cignpost Investments and has done so throughout his first four months in the job.

The company was set up during the pandemic to provide Covid testing and health screening services to the private sector. Markham’s biography for the Department for Health website makes no mention of his private health sector interest, despite describing his previous private sector jobs at ITV and TopUp TV and as the founder of a charity.

Markham was made a health minister in September and declared the Cignpost investment on his register of interests in the House of Lords. Ministerial interests are meant to be overseen by an independent adviser but the post has been vacant for six months since Lord Geidt resigned under Boris Johnson

[Ms NTL]

One error

Ministerial interests are meant to be overseen by an independent adviser but the post has been vacant for six months since Lord Geidt resigned

Sir Laurie Magnus has been appointed.

Originally Posted by Kursk

If a Minister requires an investigation, it will be administered by a professional and unimpeachable Civil Service. The continuity of our system of government is in safe hands.

If the PM feels that it may require an investigation…

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...ters-interests

2. Investigation of alleged breaches of the Ministerial Code

2.1 Under the terms of the Ministerial Code (1.4a): “If there is an allegation about a breach of the Code, and the Prime Minister, having consulted the Cabinet Secretary, feels that it warrants further investigation, he may ask the Cabinet Office to investigate the facts of the case and/or refer the matter to the independent adviser on Ministers’ interests.”

[Ms NTL]

Correct.

Geidt was not allowed to investigate anything unless the PM asks him to do so – even if the prime minister is the person accused of wrongdoing.

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/dar...-arms-company/

[ianch99]

Originally Posted by Ms NTL

One error

Sir Laurie Magnus has been appointed.

The post was vacant when Markham was appointed a minister and so there was no oversight at the time that might have changed things. Saying that, any intervention from said ethics advisor has to be greenlit by the PM it seems.

Jobs for boys ...

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Another investigation

Source: Whitehall Editor of The Sunday Times - Gabrie Pogrund
https://twitter.com/Gabriel_Pogrund

I’m sure Mr Shawcross will be totally independent, and not be influenced by the fact his daughter is Head of the No 10 Policy Unit and that she is married to the Tory Peer Lord Wolfson…

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Hugh

I’m sure Mr Shawcross will be totally independent, and not be influenced by the fact his daughter is Head of the No 10 Policy Unit and that she is married to the Tory Peer Lord Wolfson…

This is a first for me. Your sarcasm is spot on.

[ianch99]

Seems even the Daily Mail has it in for Zahawi:

Revealed: Embattled Tory chairman Nadhim Zahawi's family lived in Cotswolds mansion in breach of planning condition for a decade

Originally Posted by ianch99

Seems even the Daily Mail has it in for Zahawi:

Revealed: Embattled Tory chairman Nadhim Zahawi's family lived in Cotswolds mansion in breach of planning condition for a decade

I think the mainstream right-wing press in this country is beginning the slow and painful process of making peace with the idea of a Labour government next year. The Tories are spent, bereft of ideas and talent and lacking a coherent vision for the country. They need to go into opposition, probably for two terms, while they take a breather and think about what they’re supposed to be for.

That being the case, the press, especially tabloids which don’t like backing the wrong horse, have no incentive to apologise for the failings of those whose ideological alignment they generally share and every reason to convince themselves they can tolerate the alternative, which is certainly easier with a Labour Party led by Keir Starmer than one under Jeremy Corbyn.

The Daily Mail seemed more of a Boris backer and then a Liz Truss backer and is less keen on Sunak. They defended Johnson long after most allies had given up, and dismissed the talk of parties whilst running 14 or 15 front pages in a row on Beergate. They backed Truss when Johnson did leave and laid in Sunak a lot for scaremongering on Truss' economic plans before defending her budget for longer than anyone else did.

I don't think it's Starmer they're easier with but instead waiting for Johnson to try and stage another come back.