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Damian Green was sacked because he lied, says Jeremy Hunt – Politics live Damian Green was sacked because he lied, says Jeremy Hunt – Politics live
(35 minutes later)
The former Labour MP Andy Sawford is one of various people on Twitter who have been making this point about the downfall of Damian Green.
In politics it is always the lie that gets you. #DamianGreen should read more political history
But Sean Kemp, a former Lib Dem spin doctor, points to the obvious flaw in this thesis.
People who say ‘it’s always the cover up’ never seem to think about all the times they don’t know about when the cover up worked.
I’m hearing that Brexit select committee will today publish the bulk of the “impact assessments” - or whatever the government would like to call them- today. But they are withholding parts of the documents after a committee disagreement.
The Labour MP Jess Phillips, a prominent campaigner on behalf of the victims of sexual harassment, told Sky News that she welcomed the decision to sack Damian Green. But she said she thought the inquiry took “longer than it needed to”. And she said she thought that the conclusions of the inquiry meant that Green might avoid being investigated by the new body parliament is setting up in the light of the sexual harassment scandal. She said:
The fact that he left for lying, essentially, about pornography on his computer does seem to be the slight get-out to stop potentially the new independent system in parliament that is going to be set up looking into this further. It does seem they are trying to protect him from any future claims of sexual harassment.
Andrea Leadsom, the Commons leader, will be making a statement to MPs about progress in setting up the new complaints process later.
Here are the main points from Jeremy Hunt’s Today interview.Here are the main points from Jeremy Hunt’s Today interview.
Hunt, the health secretary, confirmed that Damian Green had been sacked because he “lied”. Asked if Green was “sacked”, Hunt said: “Yes, I think that is clear, sadly from the letters that were exchanged.” And, asked if Green “lied”, Hunt replied:Hunt, the health secretary, confirmed that Damian Green had been sacked because he “lied”. Asked if Green was “sacked”, Hunt said: “Yes, I think that is clear, sadly from the letters that were exchanged.” And, asked if Green “lied”, Hunt replied:
He lied on a particular incident, yes. I think lots of people who understand the context would appreciated why that might have happened. But that doesn’t make it any more acceptable. And I think what this shows is that in our democracy we hold cabinet ministers to the very highest standards of conduct, rightly. But I think we should remember that those are standards that would probably not apply in many other countries. And those standards apply even to cabinet ministers who are the most senior, as he was.He lied on a particular incident, yes. I think lots of people who understand the context would appreciated why that might have happened. But that doesn’t make it any more acceptable. And I think what this shows is that in our democracy we hold cabinet ministers to the very highest standards of conduct, rightly. But I think we should remember that those are standards that would probably not apply in many other countries. And those standards apply even to cabinet ministers who are the most senior, as he was.
Hunt expressed concerns about the behaviour of the police in this episode. He said:Hunt expressed concerns about the behaviour of the police in this episode. He said:
I think if you look at what happened, some of the actions, particularly of a retired police officer, don’t sit comfortably in a democracy, and Theresa May made very clear in her letter that she was very uncomfortable with what had happened and that she was pleased that Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan police commissioner, also felt that which is why an investigation is happening.I think if you look at what happened, some of the actions, particularly of a retired police officer, don’t sit comfortably in a democracy, and Theresa May made very clear in her letter that she was very uncomfortable with what had happened and that she was pleased that Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan police commissioner, also felt that which is why an investigation is happening.
He praised May as “someone of the most extraordinary resilience in very, very challenging circumstances”.He praised May as “someone of the most extraordinary resilience in very, very challenging circumstances”.
He expressed regret about Green’s departure, describing him as “an outstanding public servant who did an extraordinary job in the various ministerial posts that he did”.He expressed regret about Green’s departure, describing him as “an outstanding public servant who did an extraordinary job in the various ministerial posts that he did”.
Health Secretary @Jeremy_Hunt says Damian Green was sacked because he "lied" but calls it a "sad moment" #r4today https://t.co/ABH1vaZdnP pic.twitter.com/s5XqqwkEmwHealth Secretary @Jeremy_Hunt says Damian Green was sacked because he "lied" but calls it a "sad moment" #r4today https://t.co/ABH1vaZdnP pic.twitter.com/s5XqqwkEmw
Tim Shipman, the Sunday Times’s political editor, thinks Hunt did his own career prospects no harm at all with his interview.Tim Shipman, the Sunday Times’s political editor, thinks Hunt did his own career prospects no harm at all with his interview.
This is a very sensibly frank interview from Jeremy Hunt. By admitting Green was sacked he gains space to take a pop at the police. He is now the official minister for the Today programme. Buy sharesThis is a very sensibly frank interview from Jeremy Hunt. By admitting Green was sacked he gains space to take a pop at the police. He is now the official minister for the Today programme. Buy shares
UPDATE: Sir Craig Oliver, David Cameron’s communications chief, was also impressed by the Hunt interview.
That was an adept interview by @Jeremy_Hunt - frank about Damian Green, critical of the retired police officer, loyal to @theresa_may, sounding reasonable on the NHS and a decent body swerve on the leadership. He is ending the year on a high.
And here is the summary that Number 10 last night of the cabinet secretary’s report on the allegations against Damian Green (pdf).And here is the summary that Number 10 last night of the cabinet secretary’s report on the allegations against Damian Green (pdf).
Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s communications chief when Blair was prime minister, says that if Theresa May wants to sack cabinet ministers who have told lies, other culprits spring to mind ...Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s communications chief when Blair was prime minister, says that if Theresa May wants to sack cabinet ministers who have told lies, other culprits spring to mind ...
If Damian Green resigned not because of porn but dishonesty, can someone tell me why @BorisJohnson is Foreign Secretary?If Damian Green resigned not because of porn but dishonesty, can someone tell me why @BorisJohnson is Foreign Secretary?
If Damian Green resigned because of porn not dishonesty, can someone tell me why David Davis got away with dishonesty about impact papers?If Damian Green resigned because of porn not dishonesty, can someone tell me why David Davis got away with dishonesty about impact papers?
If Damian Green resigned not because of porn but dishonesty could May now sack @michaelgove and all who promised £350m a week extra for NHS?If Damian Green resigned not because of porn but dishonesty could May now sack @michaelgove and all who promised £350m a week extra for NHS?
Here is the full text of Damian Green’s “resignation” letter (pdf).Here is the full text of Damian Green’s “resignation” letter (pdf).
And here is the full text of Theresa May’s reply (pdf).And here is the full text of Theresa May’s reply (pdf).
The interview now turns to the NHS, and maternity services.The interview now turns to the NHS, and maternity services.
Q: There are more than 100,000 mistakes with maternity services every year.Q: There are more than 100,000 mistakes with maternity services every year.
Hunt says mistakes happen. It is important for the NHS to learn from them.Hunt says mistakes happen. It is important for the NHS to learn from them.
Q: Does the NHS need more resources?Q: Does the NHS need more resources?
Hunt says:Hunt says:
It is a real mistake to say this is principally about money.It is a real mistake to say this is principally about money.
He says there have been improvements.He says there have been improvements.
One issue is litigation; doctors are worried about being sued.One issue is litigation; doctors are worried about being sued.
He says the professionals think they can make a massive improvement in maternity safety with the resources they have.He says the professionals think they can make a massive improvement in maternity safety with the resources they have.
Q: Simon Stevens, head of NHS England, asked for £4bn in the budget and did not get it. You probably want more money. Why don’t you ask for more money?Q: Simon Stevens, head of NHS England, asked for £4bn in the budget and did not get it. You probably want more money. Why don’t you ask for more money?
Hunt says he is always asked about this. The discussion today is different to the discussion five years ago. Five years ago the budget was frozen. Now the discussion is about how it spends extra money.Hunt says he is always asked about this. The discussion today is different to the discussion five years ago. Five years ago the budget was frozen. Now the discussion is about how it spends extra money.
In the last three years NHS spending has gone up by £8bn. That is because the economy is growing, generating more tax revenue.In the last three years NHS spending has gone up by £8bn. That is because the economy is growing, generating more tax revenue.
Q: You once said health was your last big job in politics. Are you sure? There is now a vacancy at the very top. It would suit someone calm, someone like you who voted remain but now backs leave.Q: You once said health was your last big job in politics. Are you sure? There is now a vacancy at the very top. It would suit someone calm, someone like you who voted remain but now backs leave.
Hunt says his job is very rewarding. “I’m a health man, full stop,” he says.Hunt says his job is very rewarding. “I’m a health man, full stop,” he says.
And that’s it.And that’s it.
Q: May has lost the people close to her. Who are her close advisers now?Q: May has lost the people close to her. Who are her close advisers now?
Hunt says leadership is lonely. Despite the most incredible pressure, May has carried on. She has taken big decisions, and made big progress. What is emerging is “someone of the most extraordinary resilience in very, very challenging circumstances”.Hunt says leadership is lonely. Despite the most incredible pressure, May has carried on. She has taken big decisions, and made big progress. What is emerging is “someone of the most extraordinary resilience in very, very challenging circumstances”.
He says people will be assured that someone like that is there leading the country.He says people will be assured that someone like that is there leading the country.
Hunt says we need to get to the bottom of the police’s role.Hunt says we need to get to the bottom of the police’s role.
Q: People will say this was not the fault of the police. They will say this happened because Green made a sexual advance to a young woman. Shouldn’t Green have been sacked or suspended then?Q: People will say this was not the fault of the police. They will say this happened because Green made a sexual advance to a young woman. Shouldn’t Green have been sacked or suspended then?
Hunt says a tough prime minister is a fair prime minister. That is why May ordered an inquiry.Hunt says a tough prime minister is a fair prime minister. That is why May ordered an inquiry.
Q: Was May worried that other allegations would emerge?Q: Was May worried that other allegations would emerge?
Hunt says everyone is entitled to due process.Hunt says everyone is entitled to due process.
Q: In other lines of work someone under suspicion would be suspended.Q: In other lines of work someone under suspicion would be suspended.
Hunt says Robinson is trying to castigate Green for allegations that have not been proven.Hunt says Robinson is trying to castigate Green for allegations that have not been proven.
Everyone has a right to a fair hearing, he says.Everyone has a right to a fair hearing, he says.
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Claire.Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Claire.
Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, is being interview on Today now by Nick Robinson.Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, is being interview on Today now by Nick Robinson.
Robinson says Damian Green was just one of two MPs invited to Theresa May’s 60th birthday party.Robinson says Damian Green was just one of two MPs invited to Theresa May’s 60th birthday party.
Q: Can you admit Green was sacked?Q: Can you admit Green was sacked?
Hunt says that is correct. He breached the ministerial code.Hunt says that is correct. He breached the ministerial code.
Q: He lied?Q: He lied?
Hunt says:Hunt says:
He lied on a particular incident, yes.He lied on a particular incident, yes.
Hunt says people will understand the context. But that does not make it acceptable. He says cabinet ministers are held to a high standard.Hunt says people will understand the context. But that does not make it acceptable. He says cabinet ministers are held to a high standard.
Q: Are you saying it is understanding he lied.Q: Are you saying it is understanding he lied.
Hunt says Green was an outstanding public servant.Hunt says Green was an outstanding public servant.
But people get pushed into a situation where they say things they don’t mean.But people get pushed into a situation where they say things they don’t mean.
Q: May did not want him to go.Q: May did not want him to go.
No, says Hunt. He says Green was valued by MPs on all sides of the House.No, says Hunt. He says Green was valued by MPs on all sides of the House.
I’m now handing over the live blog to Andrew Sparrow, who’ll bring you Jeremy Hunt’s Today programme interview, more Green fallout and the rest of the day’s politics news.I’m now handing over the live blog to Andrew Sparrow, who’ll bring you Jeremy Hunt’s Today programme interview, more Green fallout and the rest of the day’s politics news.
Thanks for reading and for the comments and tweets.Thanks for reading and for the comments and tweets.
And for all those commenters asking when David Davis will be handing in his resignation letter: don’t hold your breath.And for all those commenters asking when David Davis will be handing in his resignation letter: don’t hold your breath.
There has been speculation about whether the Brexit secretary, David Davis, could follow Green out of the door, given his previous threat to quit if his colleague were forced out.There has been speculation about whether the Brexit secretary, David Davis, could follow Green out of the door, given his previous threat to quit if his colleague were forced out.
However, the threat was caveated carefully:However, the threat was caveated carefully:
The Brexit secretary let it be known that he would resign in protest were Green to be forced out solely on the basis of allegations by former Met officers, although he accepted that other factors could lead to Green having to quit as first secretary of state.The Brexit secretary let it be known that he would resign in protest were Green to be forced out solely on the basis of allegations by former Met officers, although he accepted that other factors could lead to Green having to quit as first secretary of state.
And Davis appears to have let it be known on Wednesday night that he was going nowhere.And Davis appears to have let it be known on Wednesday night that he was going nowhere.
And here are those two statements made by Green last month that the inquiry judged were “inaccurate and misleading” and breached the ministerial code - as well as Green’s admission yesterday that they were misleading.And here are those two statements made by Green last month that the inquiry judged were “inaccurate and misleading” and breached the ministerial code - as well as Green’s admission yesterday that they were misleading.
4 November4 November
The police have never suggested to me that improper material was found on my parliamentary computer, nor did I have a ‘private’ computer, as has been claimed. The allegations about the material and computer, now nine years old, are false, disreputable political smears from a discredited police officer acting in flagrant breach of his duty to keep the details of police investigations confidential, and amount to little more than an unscrupulous character assassination.The police have never suggested to me that improper material was found on my parliamentary computer, nor did I have a ‘private’ computer, as has been claimed. The allegations about the material and computer, now nine years old, are false, disreputable political smears from a discredited police officer acting in flagrant breach of his duty to keep the details of police investigations confidential, and amount to little more than an unscrupulous character assassination.
11 November11 November
I reiterate that no allegations about the presence of improper material on my parliamentary computers have ever been put to me or to the parliamentary authorities by the police. I can only assume that they are being made now, nine years later, for ulterior motives.I reiterate that no allegations about the presence of improper material on my parliamentary computers have ever been put to me or to the parliamentary authorities by the police. I can only assume that they are being made now, nine years later, for ulterior motives.
20 December20 December
I accept that I should have been clear in my press statements that police lawyers talked to my lawyers in 2008 about the pornography on the computers, and that the police raised it with me in a subsequent phone call in 2013. I apologise that my statements were misleading on this point.I accept that I should have been clear in my press statements that police lawyers talked to my lawyers in 2008 about the pornography on the computers, and that the police raised it with me in a subsequent phone call in 2013. I apologise that my statements were misleading on this point.
For those readers who weren’t awake for the politics live blog’s early start this morning, a reminder of the key findings from the inquiry, issued by the cabinet secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood. (The bolding is mine.)For those readers who weren’t awake for the politics live blog’s early start this morning, a reminder of the key findings from the inquiry, issued by the cabinet secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood. (The bolding is mine.)
The investigation has concluded:The investigation has concluded:
that Mr Green’s conduct as a minister has generally been both professional and proper;that Mr Green’s conduct as a minister has generally been both professional and proper;
that with competing and contradictory accounts of what were private meetings, it is not possible to reach a definitive conclusion on the appropriateness of Mr Green’s behaviour with Kate Maltby in 2015, though the investigation found Ms Maltby’s account to be plausible;that with competing and contradictory accounts of what were private meetings, it is not possible to reach a definitive conclusion on the appropriateness of Mr Green’s behaviour with Kate Maltby in 2015, though the investigation found Ms Maltby’s account to be plausible;
that Mr Green’s statements of 4 and 11 November, which suggested that he was not aware that indecent material was found on parliamentary computers in his office, were inaccurate and misleading, as the Metropolitan police service had previously informed him of the existence of this material. These statements therefore fall short of the honesty requirement of the Seven Principles of Public Life and constitute breaches of the ministerial code. Mr Green accepts this.that Mr Green’s statements of 4 and 11 November, which suggested that he was not aware that indecent material was found on parliamentary computers in his office, were inaccurate and misleading, as the Metropolitan police service had previously informed him of the existence of this material. These statements therefore fall short of the honesty requirement of the Seven Principles of Public Life and constitute breaches of the ministerial code. Mr Green accepts this.
It goes on:It goes on:
The cabinet office investigation has not looked into the 2008 police investigation itself. That is a matter for the police, not for the cabinet office; and in any event has no bearing on Mr Green’s ability or conduct as first secretary of state.The cabinet office investigation has not looked into the 2008 police investigation itself. That is a matter for the police, not for the cabinet office; and in any event has no bearing on Mr Green’s ability or conduct as first secretary of state.
Mr Green continues to deny that he viewed the pornography found on his parliamentary computers and the investigation reaches no conclusion on this matter.Mr Green continues to deny that he viewed the pornography found on his parliamentary computers and the investigation reaches no conclusion on this matter.
Theresa May is prepared to challenge her Polish counterpart over his government’s controversial interference in the country’s judicial system, Downing Street said, as the prime minister flew to Warsaw on Thursday.Theresa May is prepared to challenge her Polish counterpart over his government’s controversial interference in the country’s judicial system, Downing Street said, as the prime minister flew to Warsaw on Thursday.
Her visit will come in the aftermath of an unprecedented decision by the EU to censure Poland for a “serious breach” of its values, which could ultimately see Warsaw stripped of its voting rights in Brussels.Her visit will come in the aftermath of an unprecedented decision by the EU to censure Poland for a “serious breach” of its values, which could ultimately see Warsaw stripped of its voting rights in Brussels.
May and senior cabinet ministers face a delicate diplomatic challenge for the visit, which had been intended to underline the UK’s defence and security cooperation with eastern Europe.May and senior cabinet ministers face a delicate diplomatic challenge for the visit, which had been intended to underline the UK’s defence and security cooperation with eastern Europe.
Ministers see Poland and other eastern European countries as potential key allies in trade talks, given their desire to retain close security cooperation.Ministers see Poland and other eastern European countries as potential key allies in trade talks, given their desire to retain close security cooperation.
In Warsaw, May will announce a new joint UK-Poland treaty on defence and security cooperation, only the second such treaty the UK has signed, after one with France. The governments will also jointly launch UK-funded offensives to combat alleged Russian state-sponsored “disinformation”.In Warsaw, May will announce a new joint UK-Poland treaty on defence and security cooperation, only the second such treaty the UK has signed, after one with France. The governments will also jointly launch UK-funded offensives to combat alleged Russian state-sponsored “disinformation”.
The UK has remained neutral in the growing rift between Poland’s hardline right-wing government and the European Union, concerned about the image of Brussels’ apparent interference with a country’s domestic affairs.The UK has remained neutral in the growing rift between Poland’s hardline right-wing government and the European Union, concerned about the image of Brussels’ apparent interference with a country’s domestic affairs.
However, May’s spokesman said she would not shirk a difficult conversation with the new Polish prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, but stopped short of saying the UK would vote to censure Poland when potential action against the country is put before EU leaders.However, May’s spokesman said she would not shirk a difficult conversation with the new Polish prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, but stopped short of saying the UK would vote to censure Poland when potential action against the country is put before EU leaders.