I’m constantly refreshing the News sites

I think a real threat flagged up by M15 is a little more than a dead cat story Esspee don’t you? And furthermore I don’t think such a responsible and respected department would ‘save’ such findings to pull Boris out of a hole at what could be perceived as an appropriate moment.

Perhaps you think Prince Andrew being stripped of his HRH status today is another ‘look - there’s a squirrel’ release?

Presumably the spy story has been released in a pathetic attempt to take the heat off Boris. They are sooooo predictable.

Meanwhile Boris is hiding out at no 10 because a member of his family has tested positive. They really expect us to believe that twaddle? He is lying low in the hope it will all blow over.

In England what are the current rules if someone in your household tests positive? Thought it was that you didn’t have to isolate?

Has he resigned yet?

How can we vote for such numpties?
Honestly, the smell of money and they lose all common sense and integrity.

This is from the BBC website

And Mrs Lee’s nephew was working in Barry Gardiner’s office until today as his diary manager on a voluntary basis. I bet he bluddy was! Privy to all kinds of information. Who knows maybe the Chinese Communist Party paid the lad a handsome salary for his placement.

As M15 are involved this all isn’t just alledgedly. The Speaker of the House has been informed, Iain Duncan Smith (described just now by SKY news as a ‘Chinese hawk’) is particularly concerned about the ramifications.

Mrs Lee, a solicitor, has been involved with the Labour Party since Jeremy Corbyn was dear leader.

All very worrying.

In answer to yourself Marydoll in regard to NS (and others of course - I’m not singling her out!) I pick up and read/watch many news sites. I find reading 4 newspapers with articles on the same story from different sources gives a rounded flavour of events.

One of the BBC journalists (the Scottish one) reckoned that when Tory MPs go back to their constituencies this weekend, they may well be harangued by the Tory faithful, who will wonder why Johnson hasn’t resigned yet etc., etc.

I am not a Tory by any stretch of the imagination, but it would be nice to have a competent government led by a reasonably moral person who doesn’t take us all as fools.

I agree that some consistency over New Year would have been a good idea but did you want armed guards stopping people crossing from Scotland into England?
Can you imagine what Scots would say if armed guards and armed police were on the English side of the border stopping Scots coming over to enjoy NY in England?

Some people I know here wouldn't be able to get out of their houses if the borders were properly shut with armed guards as they did in Australia..

and then Westminster refused to close the borders..in fact they said there IS NO BORDER!!!

It wouldn't be possible.

On BBC News about Barry Gardiner. Not hidden and declared as MPs are expected to do! Why do some people make inflammatory comments without finding out more information?

According to the register of MPs' interests, between then and 2020, he received over £420,000 from her, mostly covering the costs of employing parliamentary researchers.

Urmstongran

Lucky to have her paddyanne? That’s certainly one way of putting it.

From where are you getting your facts, Urmstongran?
NS. by her actions, continues to highlight Boris as dishonest, incompetent and amoral. How on earth can anyone have respect for Boris.
I may not be a supporter of the SNP, but as a Scot, living in Scotland, I have nothing but respect for Nicola Sturgeon.

Lucky to have her paddyanne? That’s certainly one way of putting it.

Urmstongran

Well that’s not what I see on the news and in the press Esspee.

The only people I have heard criticising her slower approach to the easing of restrictions are the COVID deniers who want to party and those whose businesses have been impacted. (night clubs, pubs etc.)

Has he resigned yet?

Ah that gutter(unionist) press that loves to talk us down.Scotland has mainly been right with Ms Sturgeon all the way through the pandemic.We even thought we had got a handle on it with two months of no deaths and then Westminster refused to close the borders..in fact they said there IS NO BORDER!!!
Nicola Sturgeon is a well respected FM not only by the electorate here but worldwide as was recently seen during COP26 . And with the Swedish remarks about Scotlands NHS being a wonderful example at a Westminster committee much to the annoyance of the English MP's on the board.We are very lucky to have her

Urmstongran

BREAKING NEWS:

So Barry Gardiner.. a (very boring to listen to) Labour MP has received over £427,000 from a Chinese spy since 2015. For what?

And most worry about Partygate! Says it all.

It’s allegedly the offices of lawyer Christine Lee which are under suspicion.

The Speaker has alerted the House that Chinese agents may have been active in trying to influence a MP/s

Well that’s not what I see on the news and in the press Esspee.

In Scotland the feeling is that our first minister has led by example and most have agreed with her decisions to be a little wary about easing restrictions.
I have no idea where you got the idea that she was in big trouble for getting it wrong in the last few months Urmstongran.
I feel pride that we are represented by such a competent woman regardless of her politics especially when compared with your Prime Minister.
Has he resigned yet?

Urmstongran

Sturgeon was in big trouble for getting it all wrong for the last two months.
Rees Mogg has let her off the hook.

In trouble was she?

Well we'll see, won't we?

BREAKING NEWS:

So Barry Gardiner.. a (very boring to listen to) Labour MP has received over £427,000 from a Chinese spy since 2015. For what?

And most worry about Partygate! Says it all.

Esspee

Thanks Dinahmo. Someone told me that but up to yesterday those nice people at HMRC sent me an email reminding me it is due at the end of the month so I am not taking a chance.
Anyway I am off to spend February in the sun Inshallah so no excuses - it has to be done.

I hope they haven't phoned you and told you someone will be coming to arrest you if you don't pay what you owe NOW, Esspee !

Should we take bets - what are the odds he'll be gone by the end next week?

Sturgeon was in big trouble for getting it all wrong for the last two months.
Rees Mogg has let her off the hook.

As a Tory voter, I am disgusted with Boris, he should do the decent thing an resign, dont hold your breath though.
I find him a lying despicable man.

Yes. Surging towards independence I think.
Boris is hated north of the border anyway. I think the Scottish Tories regard him as a liability up there.
All grist to the mill.

Maybe I wasn't clear...

JRM told us that the person in charge of the Tories in Scotland doesn't matter. That all the Scottish MSPs don't matter. That the only one who matters is the minister appointed by the WM government.

I'm not a Tory voter, and the Scottish Tories may not be my cup of tea but I'll not see them maligned by Eton-boy. We know where we stand now, I guess.

I guess if your interpretation of 'liability' is putting a bit of backbone back into the Conservatives.

Well I'll mention it then.

JRM said that Ross was a lightweight. That the person who really mattered was the Scottish Secretary, whose name escapes me.

For the first time in my life I feel grateful to JRM.