‘Ello, ‘ello, ‘ello, what’s going on here then? Humberside’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Paul Robinson used to be a Tory councillor before he landed the £45,000-a-year top cop job. At the time, fellow Tory and PCC Matthew Grove justified appointing his mate because he needed “someone who I have total trust and confidence in and who can fit this profile.” Jobs for the boys-in-blue…
As you can see above, Deputy Robinson’s Twitter ‘likes’ are bluer than a siren. The dirty perpetrator appears to have a penchant for MILF-themed porn, publicly ‘liking’ several photos of very x-rated pics. He also appears to be a fan of a dominatrix called Lady Sonia. Cuff him, boys…
Robinson has presumably committed a heterosexual version of Jack Dromey’s infamous error and forgotten his “likes” are there for all to see. Brings a new meaning to ‘roughing up the suspect’…
The Tory election expenses scandal is ramping up a notch. Grant Shapps made it crystal clear on the Daily Politics which of the two Tory co-chairman was responsible:
“I can tell you absolutely that compliance was not my area… compliance wasn’t my side of things, campaigning side was my side of things but not the money or the finance”
Asked who was responsible, Shapps replied: “Other people at CCHQ”. The co-chairman in charge of the other “side of things” was Lord Feldman…
Meanwhile the Electoral Commission is meeting with the CPS and police today to decide on applying to extend the limit on prosecuting election expense allegations. Stay tuned…
Last month Guido looked at the murky goings on around Tory MP Laurence Robertson, who was then referred to the Standards Commissioner over allegations of cash-for-access. Well, he’s at it again…
Robertson has received four fully-funded racecourse trips from bookmakers Gala Coral, Ladbrokes and William Hill, as well as two further trips from course owners The Jockey Club. In total, that’s £3,466 of free trips to Aintree, Cheltenham and Chepstow, with the priciest trip costing a whopping £800. Such generosity is only to be expected – in December Robertson raised a couple of helpful questions in the Commons in favour of the so-called “racing right”, a key issue for the racing industry and large bookmakers.
Last month it was cash-for-access claims, this month it’s completely coincidental freebies. Time for a stewards’ inquiry…
Feldman next?
Gary Gibbon points out that Miller was pushed after her PPS’s multi-vehicle pile up on Sky News. MacLeod went to pieces when confronted with her text message, revealed exclusively by Guido, citing a Leveson witch-hunt:
“I was told by one government source that Maria Miller’s PPS’s appearance on Sky News and her text message to Tory backbenchers saying the attacks on Maria Miller were a media witch-hunt were “the final straw.” This “should never have been said,” another government source said.”
The wheels were off by the time discipline had collapsed and anger led to leaking.
Once again Maria Miller has tried to use the threat of the post-Leveson age to shut down her expenses scandal. Mary Macleod, PPS to the fatally wounded Culture Secretary, today texted Tory MPs begging for support. Again Miller’s people have cited threats to press freedom. Mary Macleod said:
“I believe there is a media witch-hunt on Maria due to Levesen [sic]. How do you feel about it? Happy to answer any questions you may have. She would really appreciate your support. Many thanks Mary”
Too little too late, Guido fears.
