Back on 15 January sports minister Stephanie Peacock wrote in the Daily Mail about how great the Football Governance Bill was with standard ministerial guff. The copy went a quite punchy when it came to the bill’s critics:
“With change coming, it is no surprise that there continues to be a loud minority seeking to derail the debate, promote untruths and preserve the status quo. We have repeatedly said that this historic Bill will deliver a light touch Independent Football Regulator.”
West Ham United vice-chair Baroness Brady, along with Brighton chief executive Paul Barber and Arsenal board member Tim Lewis had given a big interview to The Times nine days prior strongly criticising the bill as basically a solution in search of a problem. Brady continues to be vocal in her opposition…
After a month Peacock has apologised to the three of them.
“I would like to make clear that it was never my intention for the Op-Ed to be perceived by anybody as impugning the integrity of Baroness Brady, Mr Barber and Mr Lewis and that whatever our differences on the right approach to football regulation, I do not doubt the sincerity and honesty of their opinions or their integrity. am happy to make this clear and apologise to Baroness Brady, Mr Barber and Mr Lewis for any distress caused.“
Not on the backbenches any more. Own goal…
Read the full apology below:
“On 15/01/25 I gave an Op-Ed to the MailOnline addressing concerns about the debate concerning the Independent Football Regulator. The focus of the Op-Ed was to set out the Government’s position on the importance of the Independent Football Regulator following criticism of the Football Governance Bill.
The Op-Ed was placed alongside a story by the MailOnline containing its own assessment of the debate relating to the Independent Football Regulator.
I would like to make clear that it was never my intention for the Op-Ed to be perceived by anybody as impugning the integrity of Baroness Brady, Mr Barber and Mr Lewis and that whatever our differences on the right approach to football regulation, I do not doubt the sincerity and honesty of their opinions or their integrity.
I am happy to make this clear and apologise to Baroness Brady, Mr Barber and Mr Lewis for any distress caused. I am glad to be able to clarify my intentions and now wish to see an end to this matter
Stephanie Peacock MP”
Speaking at his speech on how to achieve “progressive capitalism” Wes Streeting fired a dig and Andy Burnham:
“Bond markets are not bond villains and fiscal rules matter.”