Boris Johnson referred to the police for suspected further breaches of lockdown regulations.

I am most certainly bothered - not by the OTT-ness of Lockdown or anything else other than the fact (to my way of thinking) that those in power should obey the laws they set, tell the truth and behave themselves. The Tories are continually saying 'Leave all of that, we need to get on with our task of governing.' Oh yeah! The task of governing needs to be carried out by people that have shown themselves to be honourable, otherwise how can any decision be trusted? Time and again Johnson has proved himself a stranger to the truth, an unprincipled narcissist. I would like to see him and his ilk removed from power and public life - dream on!

ronib

Growstuff we have moved on from worrying about permanent civil servants and moved on to Spads but all I think is if we had a trustworthy administration, we wouldn’t be in such a mess. I honestly don’t understand what is going wrong.

You don't make the rules about the posts I'm allowed to comment on.

I was responding to an earlier smear, which I've only just seen.

Quite frankly, I don't care if he broke more of the lockdown rules. We know Boris thought it was one rule for us and another for them so we really don't need to spend more money on a police investigation, etc.

You might not care, Icanhandthemback, but I suspect that the people who have been fined, sometimes very large fines, for breaches of the Covid Regulations, sometimes very minor breaches in comparison with Johnson apparently ignoring the rules altogether, will care a great deal.

Did you know that, because the tories have managed to seriously damage our criminal justice system, people are still being prosecuted and fined for breaches of the covid regulations? Plenty of money to spare for small offenders...

Gro stuff is it a smear to point out government connections to senior civil servants? Disability news isn’t too happy with Rachael Reeves.

The old expression "He's that sharp he'll cut himself" springs to mind . It's because his legal team is being paid for by the tax payers that the diaries were sent to the cabinet office as clients who were then obliged to turn them over to the police . If he'd paid for his own legal team this wouldn't have happened!
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/new-lockdown-breaches-came-to-light-because-johnson-got-taxpayer-to-foot-his-legal-bill-349311/

ronib

Gro stuff is it a smear to point out government connections to senior civil servants? Disability news isn’t too happy with Rachael Reeves.

Of course it's a smear, ronib. It is casting doubts on the integrity of the individuals concerned without any evidence to justify it.

MaizieD maybe have a little read around the subject.

ronib

MaizieD maybe have a little read around the subject.

Honestly ronib you certainly know how to be very rude.

I was serious

I am sorry that facts are rude.
Would you prefer untruths?

ronib

I am sorry that facts are rude.
Would you prefer untruths?

You haven't actually presented us with any facts, ronib. Apart, of course, from who Reeves is married to.

Insinuations aren't facts

ronib you’ll find this interesting - power couples, as they call them, are rife in UK politics. All parties, all persuasions within the parties. You’ve singled one couple out, what about the others?
www.politico.eu/article/britain-political-power-couples-ranked-valentines-day/

ronib

Gro stuff is it a smear to point out government connections to senior civil servants? Disability news isn’t too happy with Rachael Reeves.

It is, when the implication is that the husbands would have had anything to do with the matters in hand. BTW, the Guardian journalist, who previously worked for the Daily Mirros, is Pippa Crerar.

Rachel Reeves is on the right of the Labour Party and once said something about getting the disabled to work, which was retweeted umpteen times out of context. Before becoming an MP, she was an economist at the Bank of England.

She's been a frequent recipient of smears from the left wing of the Labour Party. She's probably used to it.

Oreo

They may have cared if it had come out at the time but not now.

I still care.

MaizieD, I appreciate that and I honestly feel that there should be an amnesty of fines should be made. I know those who have already paid would think it was unfair but life isn't fair. We have amnesties for all sorts of things and now the need has passed, I don't want anybody penalised.
Anyway, just had a call to say an ambulance has been called for my Mum so I am leaving this thread now.

NotSpaghetti

ronib - my understanding is that the diaries only came out because we are paying Johnson's solicitors.

Which Johnson has duly sacked😄.

Skye17

Oreo

They may have cared if it had come out at the time but not now.

I still care.

I think millions of people will care, he swore an oath on the bible to tell the truth about the goings on at 10 Downing Street, before the Privileges Committee. If they find that at the same time he was holding parties at Chequers it will put into question whether anything he has said is true.

undines

I am most certainly bothered - not by the OTT-ness of Lockdown or anything else other than the fact (to my way of thinking) that those in power should obey the laws they set, tell the truth and behave themselves. The Tories are continually saying 'Leave all of that, we need to get on with our task of governing.' Oh yeah! The task of governing needs to be carried out by people that have shown themselves to be honourable, otherwise how can any decision be trusted? Time and again Johnson has proved himself a stranger to the truth, an unprincipled narcissist. I would like to see him and his ilk removed from power and public life - dream on!

Yes

I agree with you too undines. I would like to reiterate the ilk I would like removed from public life, not just Johnson.

I remember when Thatcher was PM and disagreeing with almost everything she did, but I don't remember thinking that she held the public in contempt and played them like fools. I think she (and old style Conservatives) believed what they were doing was right for the country. I don't think this lot have any other concern than themselves and a small clique and they'll push every boundary there is to stay in power.

What I find unbelievable is not that BJ is in trouble yet again because everyone needs a scapegoat and he fits the bill in more ways then one.
The elephant in the room is that Rishi Sunak was also at the NO 10 parties during COVID, and he and/or his wife is also suspected of making millions at the expense of us mortals.
Now Rishi Sunak is PM, he has become squeaky clean and is doing a 'good job'. So much so when the media show the famous picture of BJ having a drink, RS has been air brushed out. Yet no one even mention that anymore.

I mentioned it earlier in this very thread!

freyja on 24/05/23 at 14.31 on this thread, I wrote :
It’s the Sunak versus Johnson factions battling it out .

I don’t know exactly how the battle is being fought but there does seem to be a power struggle between the two camps.
Would you agree?

freyja

What I find unbelievable is not that BJ is in trouble yet again because everyone needs a scapegoat and he fits the bill in more ways then one.
The elephant in the room is that Rishi Sunak was also at the NO 10 parties during COVID, and he and/or his wife is also suspected of making millions at the expense of us mortals.
Now Rishi Sunak is PM, he has become squeaky clean and is doing a 'good job'. So much so when the media show the famous picture of BJ having a drink, RS has been air brushed out. Yet no one even mention that anymore.

I’m no great fan of Sunak but as he’s tee total and just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Whereas Johnson is a known party animal who likes a drink. Let’s hope they properly investigate the ABBA Party this time.

Siope

I care. I care because this kind of casual and repeated lying and law-breaking damages trust in the government; because it has set the tone for current Tory politicians, including Sunak, who lies like a rug; and because I thoroughly despise anyone who thinks they are so important they are above the rules, whilst the rest of us are not.

I believe these gatherings and parties were happening - Johnson’s sister has already said she was there.

I hope the Privileges Committee do recommend a ten day minimum ban; I hope Sunak remembers his pledges about integrity and imposes it; I hope there is a by-election that Johnson loses; and I devoutly hope he never holds even minor political office again.

I agree with you and couldn't have said it better.

ronib

Growstuff we have moved on from worrying about permanent civil servants and moved on to Spads but all I think is if we had a trustworthy administration, we wouldn’t be in such a mess. I honestly don’t understand what is going wrong.

Boris Johnson went wrong in my opinion.