Robert Buckland’s official No. 10 profile lists music as one of his interests, something he proved to the world in December during a gung-ho performance of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, and last September with a rendition of Danny Boy for his constituents. Guido worries his love of music may be swiftly becoming a distraction from the day job however…
At the weekend a Linkedin listing for the job of “Head of Probation Communications” at the department was advertised as a role at the “Ministry of Sound”. While an MoJ source blamed the job agency used by the department, Guido can’t be sure Buckland isn’t leaving hints for a reshuffle switch to DCMS…
The Government’s interview boycott is clearly getting on GMB’s nerves. This morning they went to Westminster Green to accost Robert Buckland in the middle of his media round, in an attempt to secure an interview. Jonathan Swain almost came away successful, telling Piers and Susanna that Buckland said he’d return for an interview in an hour and a half. Hate to break it to Piers that Guido is informed he will be waiting quite a while for Buckland to return…
UPDATE: A source close to Buckland doubles down on the Government’s boycott of GMB, telling Guido:
“In his efforts to force Robert onto The Piers Morgan Show, Mr Swain told a little porkie that only Susanna was presenting this morning. It’s disappointing to see a programme which prides itself on so-called “straight talking” resort to such skullduggery to boost its tanking ratings.”
The feud continues…
Robert Buckland was sent out by No. 10 this morning to start lowering expectations that the Government is on course to hit its stated 100,000 tests-a-day target by the end of April, as projected by Matt Hancock at the start of the month. Buckland candidly told Kay Burley, “it’s probable we won’t, we will in the next few days hit that target.” He seems to have pushed the deadline back to “in the next few days”…
It’ll be a nail-biter of a finish if the Government are to pull it off, with just over 52,000 tests carried out yesterday, and capacity now at 73,000, there’s a some way to go today and the experts say it needs to be more systematic. It’ll make headlines when the Government falls short, it’s been an impressive ramping up in the last couple of weeks nonetheless…
Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland has been getting into the festive spirit, joining in with civil servants to sing carols at his office Christmas party last night. Wales-born Buckland, is well known for his dulcet tones, having been known to on occasion serenade constituents. Getting Christmas done the right way!
The Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland, will today reverse the decades-long trend of modernising the role of Lord Chancellor. Robert’s Bucking the trend…
Guido learns that Buckland will be reverting to the full wig, which was ditched in 2013 by Grayling after being told non-lawyers should not wear it.
Buckland will also be reverting to tradition by walking backwards after giving her majesty the speech – part of the ceremony ditched decades ago (however it was brought back by Jack Straw for a few years). Guido’s sure Her Majesty will appreciate it…
UPDATE: Buckland has gone back on his plan to walk backwards, deciding to walk back down the steps not facing the monarch. For shame.
