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Has our country ever been in such a state?

(185 Posts)
Whitewavemark2 Thu 20-Jan-22 10:44:31

A senior Tory now urging other Tory MPs to report to the police because it appears that they were threatened with blackmail by the government for withdrawal of funding, public shame or boundary changes.

Casdon Thu 20-Jan-22 10:45:30

I’ve just read that story on ITV news. If it is true it’s appalling.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 20-Jan-22 10:51:23

Sue Gray has found the e-mail sent to Johnson by a senior civil servant to Johnson warning him not to go ahead with the party.

Peston reporting.

Hetty58 Thu 20-Jan-22 10:53:07

Disturbing - but as expected, sadly:

inews.co.uk/news/politics/tory-william-wragg-government-blackmailing-mps-boris-johnson-no-confidence-rebellion-1412957

Lincslass Thu 20-Jan-22 10:59:39

This is indeed very disturbing, and should be investigated.

MayBeMaw Thu 20-Jan-22 11:01:55

Whitewavemark2

Sue Gray has found the e-mail sent to Johnson by a senior civil servant to Johnson warning him not to go ahead with the party.

Peston reporting.

Gotcha moment?

MerylStreep Thu 20-Jan-22 11:03:17

I assumed it’s always been this way. I’ve never had very high expectations from the majority of MPs or those within that circle.

MayBeMaw Thu 20-Jan-22 11:06:33

From the i - also in the link given
The Government has been accused of blackmailing MPs to ensure they continue to stand by Boris Johnson.
Senior Tory MP William Wragg, the Chairman of the Commons Public Administration Committee, has claimed whips have threatened to withdraw Government funding from rebellious MPs’ areas.
He also claims some in Government have considered leaking harmful stories to the press about rebellious MPs

Why am I saddened, angered, but not surprised ?

Whitewavemark2 Thu 20-Jan-22 11:07:31

MerylStreep

I assumed it’s always been this way. I’ve never had very high expectations from the majority of MPs or those within that circle.

Good grief - my bar is set much higher and I expect those rules to be met.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 20-Jan-22 11:10:43

How much confidence do we have in the Met that they will investigate the blackmail?

Dear oh dear

Whitewavemark2 Thu 20-Jan-22 11:12:26

Peston’s tweet

Robert Peston
@Peston
·
46m
I understand Sue Gray has found the email from a senior official to PM’s principle private secretary Martin Reynolds warning him the 20 May party should not go ahead, as per Cummings’s revelation and my blog below.

MaizieD Thu 20-Jan-22 11:14:43

Oh, sorry WWmk2, I've just started another thread on this blush

I've posted a link to video of him actually making his statement to the Committee he chairs, if anyone wants to view it.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 20-Jan-22 11:16:34

Oh your post is better than I can manage what a bummer.

MaizieD Thu 20-Jan-22 11:18:07

MerylStreep

I assumed it’s always been this way. I’ve never had very high expectations from the majority of MPs or those within that circle.

Tory MPs weren't averse to making the same sort of threats to their constituents, either.

I'd post a link to remind you but as the said MP is now no longer with us and is regarded as a candidate for sainthood I'll leave it right here...

MaizieD Thu 20-Jan-22 11:18:57

Whitewavemark2

Oh your post is better than I can manage what a bummer.

I'm sure we'll both get some traffic, *Wwmk2) grin

MerylStreep Thu 20-Jan-22 11:18:58

Whitewavemark2

How much confidence do we have in the Met that they will investigate the blackmail?

Dear oh dear

Oh dear, that’s an even lower bar ?

Whitewavemark2 Thu 20-Jan-22 11:23:07

It is because I expect professionalism from the police that I doubt them.

ayse Thu 20-Jan-22 11:27:32

Appalling but not surprising! Corruption and bullying is rife.

M0nica Thu 20-Jan-22 12:21:49

Frequently

growstuff Thu 20-Jan-22 12:27:22

Have I got this right? The constituents of MPs who want higher standards are being threatened with having funding withdrawn? hmm

Urmstongran Thu 20-Jan-22 12:34:45

Who was it said ‘politics is a dirty business’.
They were right, of course.

Dinahmo Thu 20-Jan-22 12:35:47

Constituency funding is the reason why so many Tories gained the red wall seats, The govt has been depriving Labour controlled councils of funding for several years.

And still parts of the English public will not wake up to what the Tories are getting up to.

nanna8 Thu 20-Jan-22 12:36:39

Probably the ease of sharing news quickly makes us more aware of this sort of thing. I am absolutely certain it would have occurred before but it was easier to hush it up. It certainly happens here.

Mollygo Thu 20-Jan-22 12:45:25

nanna8

Probably the ease of sharing news quickly makes us more aware of this sort of thing. I am absolutely certain it would have occurred before but it was easier to hush it up. It certainly happens here.

I was just going to say something like that, Nanna8.
I’m sure it went on in the past, but truth or lies weren’t spread so quickly or so anonymously.
Most Grans’ opinions would have been shared “over the garden fence” and had less impact.
Now everyone has an opinion and can broadcast it. Everyone can claim to have known how to do things better or say what others are doing wrong.
Doesn’t make what’s going on now any more acceptable.

FarNorth Thu 20-Jan-22 12:51:27

From the i report :
threatening to withdraw investments from Members of Parliament’s constituencies which are funded from the public purse.

Actually threatening to harm members of the public in constituencies of some Tory MPs?

Have I got that right?