Jolyon’s latest effort to grandstand failed in hilarious fashion today, with The Good Law Project’s legal challenge against the government over Matt Hancock’s handling of PPE contracts now discarded – after the firm managed to submit the claim form a day after the deadline had passed. Turns out they’d somehow sent it to the wrong email address.
According to the Law Society Gazette, The Good Law Project accused the government’s lawyers of playing “technical games” over the claim submission. In other words: “we cocked up, please give us an extension”…
Of course, no extension was granted. Instead, the judge said:
“The reason for the failure was a careless mistake made by the solicitors acting for the claimant. Extending time for service of the claim form would deprive the defendant of any accrued limitation defence.”
The absurdity of all this is that The Good Law Project claimed the government had rushed into making PPE procurement contracts “without any competition” – as though speed and efficiency weren’t relevant factors in an unprecedented global pandemic. The government was arguing that in the circumstances technical compliance was not something they had time to do. You’d have thought there’d be a lesson for Jolyon and his learned friends somewhere in there. Then again, accusing other lawyers of playing “technical games” would suggest they’re not exactly the most self-aware bunch…
Amidst all this amateurism it is the crowdfunders for whom Guido feels sorry. Perhaps they have a case for negligence against Jolyon?
Guido commends Richard Madeley for being the first TV host in the country to invite “Independent” SAGE’s Susan Michie on to their show and finally confront her about her hard-left politics. Madeley rightly points out that activist expert Michie’s love of national Covid restrictions may not be born from her concern for the nation’s health, rather the default policy position of a hard-core, state-loving communist. It looked like Susan didn’t appreciate this line of questioning…
It is expected that today Boris will announce an end to compulsory face masks from July 19th. However, not everyone is happy to see face coverings go; Labour mayors Sadiq Khan, Andy Burnham, Dan Norris and Steve Rotheram all seem reluctant to bin the masks. As such it’s unclear whether masks will continue to be mandated on public transport – which is under the remit of mayors. If Khan had his way, Guido suspects that no one would be boarding the freedom train any time soon…
Unite the union are also calling on ministers to keep face masks mandatory on public transport, writing that optional face coverings would be “an act of gross negligence by the government”.
Boris is expected to advocate people exercise their own judgement. However, Huw Merriman, Tory Chairman of the Commons Transport Committee has slammed the government’s “confusing” policy arguing that scrapping mask laws whilst simultaneously recommending they be worn is a “cop out.” He says guidance should be scrapped in its entirety…
Guido couldn’t noticing David Schneider also weigh in on the great mask-debate. Hardly surprising to hear he enjoys restrictions…
John Bercow’s desperation for screentime continues today, as it’s announced he’s signed up to a new TV reality show called Unicorn Hunters. The show, produced by the people behind The Apprentice and The Masked Singer, has announced the former Speaker will join the presenting team from August, alongside Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. Guido would have preferred Bercow to do the Masked Singer…
The show claims to be the “first in a new genre, know as ‘enrichtainment’, where viewers at home will also have the opportunity to invest in the companies and build wealth at home.” It essentially sounds similar to Dragons’ Den, where “Unicorns” – emerging growth companies aiming to reach a valuation of $1 billion or more have the chance to pitch their ideas to the “Circle of Money”, a panel made of – their words not Guido’s – “legendary entrepreneurs and experts” who will interrogate the subject. Bercow’s entrepreneurial expertise is questionable, though Guido can acknowledge his business savvy given he recently claimed up to £30,000 in furlough despite having £400,000 in the bank…
Co-conspirators will remember the huge row that sparked last month when a No. 10 presser was used to announce the delay to freedom day, with Matt Hancock’s Commons statement coming later in contravention of the Ministerial Code that dictates important announcement must be made to the House first. As Lindsay ranted from the Speaker’s chair that evening:
“I do not find it acceptable at all that members of all this house are elected to come here and serve their constituents, not to serve them via Sky or BBC. The question should be made here, the PM should be here.”
At the time it sounded like a meeting between Hoyle and Boris had resulted in a concession from the government, that statements would be made concurrently to the No. 10 press conferences, however a No. 10 source refused to confirm the terms of the agreement that had been struck, claiming “there were no specifics on how future announcements would be made.”
It’s now been confirmed that Saj’s statement to the Commons will be made at the same time as Boris tells the public of plans to go ahead with freedom day on the 19th, and level that it’s time for the country to learn to live with the virus. Turns out Hoyle’s convivial methods of negotiation are more effective at getting his way than Bercow’s – who’d have thought?
