This afternoon saw a rare court victory for Jolyon Maugham as his Good Law Project won a case in the High Court against Matt Hancock, with the ruling:
“The Secretary of State acted unlawfully by failing to comply with the Transparency Policy” and that “there is now no dispute that, in a substantial number of cases, the Secretary of State breached his legal obligation to publish Contract Award Notices within 30 days of the award of contracts.”
Guido’s all for government transparency when it comes to how taxpayer’s money’s being spent, so has few bones with Jolyon over this one…
Behind the victory celebrations, however, Guido spotted an interesting ruling in the court’s judgement; admonishing lefty MPs Caroline Lucas, Layla Moran and Debbie Abrahams for adding their names to the case just to garner personal publicity and make the claim look political rather than legal:
“It is particularly important that this guidance is adhered to in cases where the parties sought to be added are politicians. No doubt, the addition of politicians as parties may raise the profile of the litigation. It may make it easier to raise funds. But these are not proper reasons for adding parties. In a case where there is already a claimant with standing, the addition of politicians as claimants may leave the public with the impression that the proceedings are an attempt to advance a political cause, when in fact their sole legitimate function is to determine an arguable allegation of unlawful conduct.”
Remainers? Showboating? There’s a first time for everything…
Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, who in 2018 was sacked from her frontbench role amid bullying claims, has announced her intention to launch a new All Party Group (APPG) for ‘Compassionate Politics’. Labour are kindly generating English irony even Zionists can comprehend…
The new cross-party group will “work to put compassion, cooperation, and inclusion at the heart of politics” – suggesting Abrahams has had a big change of heart since multiple bullying complaints were made against her and an investigation found she had “engaged in a pattern of bullying behaviour towards her staff.” Her former employees should be the first people brought in to give evidence…
Hat-tip: John Stevens
Standards Committee Chair Sir Kevin Baron resigned yesterday citing his frustration with the lack of transparency in Parliamentary investigations. Thankfully there are a good number in Parliament who are experienced in the field of standards investigations. As ever, Guido brings you the most experienced runners and riders to take on this auspicious role…
- Keith Vaz: On the two year anniversary of the formal investigation being opened into his conduct, who else has more experience of standards investigations? His litany of misadventures is like that of no other MP. Vaz seems to be the clearly most experienced for the post.
- Jared O’Mara: Although new to parliament O’Mara has already made a big impact. A rising star who the Standards Committee will already know well.
- Damian Green: Time on his hands now he’s out of the cabinet. Very driven. Hard worker.
- Stephen Crabb: Gets on very well with potential staff. Too well.
- Debbie Abrahams: Sacked from the front bench after bullying allegations. On the look out for a new job…
- Dan Poulter: Experienced with disciplinary investigations. Plenty of hands on experience.
- Ian Paisley Jr: Despite his 30 day parliamentary suspension beginning yesterday, he would be a perfect fit for the role. Once he returns to work.
- John Bercow: Had promised to retire from his current job by now. Knows how to get away with all sorts of shenanigans. He acts like a shop steward already…
- Clive ‘On Your Knees Bitch’ Lewis: Erudite, used to complaints, and out of favour with his party leadership after he and Owen Jones appeared to be manoeuvring to oust Corbyn last year. He has enough time on his hands…
Debbie Abrahams’ allies are doing a good job of convincing moderate Labour MPs and her friends in the media that she is the victim of a stitch up by the Leader’s Office. She is saying the bullying allegations against her are essentially a plot by Team Jezza to get rid of her after she publicly criticised him. The truth is that Abrahams’ behaviour towards staff has been the subject of much chatter among parliamentary bag-carriers for years. She has been looked at closely by broadcasters investigating bullying. Don’t believe the Labour moderates’ spin…
“Why the lychmob for Toby Young,… but not for Jared O’Mara?” @afneil asks @Debbie_abrahams #bbcdp pic.twitter.com/q72CNHq6pl
— BBC Daily Politics and Sunday Politics (@daily_politics) January 10, 2018
Shadow Cabinet minister Debbie Abrahams lost for words as Andrew Neil reads out John McDonnell’s record of violent language about women. Labour’s hypocrisy exposed…
At PMQs yesterday Jez took a swipe at DWP’s universal credit 0345 number helpline. But today Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Debbie Abrahams was caught out on LBC unable to explain why Labour uses exactly the same kind of premium rate telephone system to recruit party members:
“I don’t know. I think you make a very valid point. I had no idea about this and yes, we need to get our own house in order as well…”
Specifically asked if the use of the line represented double standards, Abrahams answered:
“I agree with you. So can we move on.”
Doh!
