I think this government is dangerous:
Extracts from Huffington Post (today) By Paul Waugh
"Journalists Walk Out As Downing Street Tries To Ban Some News Outlets From Briefing
"Solidarity shown by political editors after they were split into two groups.
"Journalists have walked out of a planned Downing Street briefing in protest at “Trump-style” attempts by the PM’s communications chief to restrict it to selected media outlets.
"The incident happened after No.10 invited political journalists to a “technical briefing” on Boris Johnson’s plans for a trade deal with the EU.
"The briefing was set to be conducted by the PM’s lead Brexit negotiator David Frost in Downing Street itself. Paid for by the taxpayer, he is obliged to behave in a neutral manner.
"But when political editors from other newspapers and websites arrived with their colleagues, they were split up by a security guard into two groups in the foyer of No.10, directly behind its famous black door.
"Those on No.10’s favoured list were told to stand one side of a carpet, while everyone else – including HuffPost UK – was told to stand the other side and then ordered to leave.
Following objections from the journalists, communications director Lee Cain then arrived to declare: “Those invited to the briefing can stay – everyone else, I’m afraid, will have to leave.”
…." Cain said: “We’re welcome to brief whoever we like, whenever we like.” After he was challenged again to give reasons, Cain lost his temper as the entire group said that they were walking out as one and would not agree to a briefing on such divisive terms. Cain walked off without giving any reply.
.............."SNP culture spokesman John Nicholson said: “Downing Street under Boris Johnson is now banning journalists from briefings if they’re seen to be too critical of the prime minister. Boris Johnson already hides from interviewers he finds too tough.
"The incident was the second within a week when Cain had decided to hold a special briefing for selected political editors, while excluding key media such as the i newspaper, the Mirror, the Independent, PA Media, HuffPost UK and PoliticsHome.
"It’s the latest in a series of rows between Johnson’s No.10 and the media, including his decision to order ministers to boycott morning programmes like Today on Radio 4 and ITV’s Good Morning Britain."
This sounds like the sort of thing totalitarian governments do. The only light on the horizon is that all the political editors walked out - but I wonder if their proprietors will appreciate their integrity or will those editors, in the course of time, be quietly shown the door.