Starmer opened PMQs with a jibe at Sunak over government ministers’ actions against rainbow-coloured lanyards. Another story Guido was happy to kick off…
Sunak was quick with a riposte:
“Civil Service impartiality is an important principle that we’re right to support but perhaps he could ask his chief of staff about that…“
Cue loud jeers from Tory MPs as Sunak returned to his defence rhetoric. Sue’s no stranger to a stitch-up…
Tories of all tribes are up in arms over a new Labour party political broadcast which makes wildly untrue claims about BoJo. The video spins tired untruths over Labour’s partygate wheeze, which was of course hysterically amplified by The Guardian and BBC. A “foster carer” called “Jon” claims that while the Queen was mourning for Prince Philip on her own, Boris was partying in Downing Street. False…
Boris was, of course, at Chequers, where he observed a minute’s silence, and was pictured doing so at the time. As was extensively covered in the Sue Gray Inquiry and the Covid Public Inquiry, it has been established he was nowhere near and indeed unaware of the event. Not like Labour to let the facts get in the way of some election propaganda…
Boris’ former PPS Martin Reynolds has been speaking to the Covid Inquiry today. Apart from saying Boris blew “hot and cold” on lockdown decisions, Reynolds apologised “unreservedly” multiple times for organising bring-your-own-booze parties at Number 10 despite what Lee Cain said posed a “rather substantial comms risk“. Hugo Keith KC wrote that “for the public whose loved ones were dying in their droves this caused incredible offence“. Reynolds: “As I say I’m deeply sorry for that“. Sobering…
Guido understands the Metropolitan Police’s investigation into the Jenkins’ lockdown-breaking drinks party is proceeding with the Special Enquiry Team, who are contacting potential sources and witnesses this week. The Met launched their probe back in June, announcing they were “assessing information and new material” in light of alleged breaches in Parliament, including – as Guido first reported – the party held by Eleanor Laing to celebrate Anne Jenkin’s birthday in December 2020. Bernard Jenkin is still keeping schtum…
Guido hears detectives are now gathering new supplementary evidence, including WhatsApp transcripts. Ello, ello, ello…
Channel 4 is promising its upcoming Partygate dramatisation – yes, another Downing Street Covid drama – will be a “meticulously researched docudrama” which “takes viewers inside No 10”, as if there isn’t already a six-part series on Sky Atlantic which basically did the same thing. Almost the same thing…
While This England caked Kenneth Branagh with makeup that looked like he was having an allergic reaction to a bee sting, Channel 4‘s Partygate the True Story won’t feature Boris Johnson’s face at all. The show creators claim they took the “creative decision” to only show the back of his head whenever he appears on-screen. His voice will be provided by an impressionist. Groundbreaking television – this is the sort of thing that supposed to compete with the streaming giants…
A painfully awkward moment in the London Assembly today, as LibDem Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon quizzed Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley on the investigation into the “Shaun Bailey for London Holiday Party“… while Bailey himself, who remains a member of City Hall’s Police and Crime committee, was sitting just a few rows away from her.
Pidgeon was clearly in a mood to ruffle feathers, reminding Rowley about the new incriminating evidence of the “jingle and mingle save the date” invitations and a leaked video of the raucous event. Bailey said nothing, ashen faced as Caroline threw the cat among the pigeons…
