No10 on Mike Tapp:
“It is not for any individual Secretary of State to determine whether the Ministerial Code has been followed, it is a matter for the Prime Minister alone.
Mike Tapp has been reminded of his obligations under the Ministerial Code including collective responsibility and procedures relating to the clearance and presentation of government policy.”
Mahmood rebuked…
Tapp has also published a statement on his tweet comparing Mahmood to the Taliban:
“Earlier today I wrote a poorly judged tweet referencing previous experiences in my professional life. I realised very quickly that it could be misinterpreted and so I deleted it immediately. I apologise wholeheartedly for any offence I may have caused. I have a lot of respect for the Home Secretary and will continue working hard for our country.”
Mail commentator Dan Hodges – who was kind to Burnham during the Makerfield campaign – now concludes: “The truth is Andy Burnham doesn’t have a 10 year plan. He’s barely got a 10 week plan.“