Lucy Powell’s aide gets in touch to complain about Guido’s article this morning saying that she alluded to VAT cuts last night at the Kebab awards. She might be in Reeves’ doghouse..

Afternoon,

I’m writing to complain about your piece about Lucy at the Kebab Awards and to ask you to correct the piece about alluding to VAT cuts. She did no such thing in her speech and your piece is incorrect. Lucy was speaking about what Labour was promising, on business rates etc, and in that context was talking down the prospect of any cut, not talking it up, saying it was a matter for Rachael and she runs a tight ship.

Lucy was not alluding to anything, it’s not what she said, or the impression she was giving. She gave a list of things she said Labour would do, and then something we were not (VAT). You have taken her words out of context, and the tone they were said in. She was saying she heard the business owners generally after some difficult years. Despite your reporting she hadn’t had a drink either.

I’d be grateful if you’d amend this piece to make it clear that she was not hinting about any VAT cut.

Thanks very much

Advisor to Lucy Powell MP | Shadow Leader of the House of Commons 

Nearly four hours after the event started, Lucy said this in her speech in response to Ibrahim Dogus’ earlier call for VAT cuts:

“I hear what you say about VAT. I can’t stand here and promise that because any of you who know the Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves will know I’m absolutely not allowed to tell you that. But I hear what you’re saying anyway”.

The dictionary definition of “allude” is “to call attention to indirectly; hint at.” Well she definitely called attention to VAT. Co-conspirators can watch the video and decide whether or not Powell had a drink…