This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2017/dec/21/damian-green-sacking-theresa-may-politics-live

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
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)
Here is some more reaction to the publication of the secret government Brexit reports. Open Britain, which is campaigning for a soft Brexit, has put out this statement from the Labour MP Pat McFadden.
The knots the government has tied itself in over publication of these reports says more about the state of politics and the government’s paranoid state of mind than it does about Brexit. There is little or nothing in them that couldn’t be learned from the annual reports of different trade bodies yet we were asked to believe that somehow revealing how many cars were made in Britain every year was an act of national treachery.
The government’s most ardent supporters on the select committee voted not to reveal the sections which showed the industry views of Brexit and what they hoped the outcome of the talks would be. You have to wonder what they have to fear.
This whole saga of whether or not there were impact assessments or sectoral studies, and what the difference between them may or may not be, has revealed that breezy busking won’t cut it when people’s jobs and livelihoods are on the line. Winging it should not be a matter of principle. The best way through this is to know as much as we can and put jobs and prosperity before the ideology that has driven much of the positioning up until now.
And this is from Eloise Todd, chief executive of Best for Britain, which is campaigning to keep open the option of reversing Brexit. She said:
These reports are the most useless and shoddy piece of work a government department has ever produced. Even the Iraq Dodgy Dossier had some useful information in it.
These are a shoddy mess that a sixteen year old wouldn’t be proud of. It is a masterclass in copy and paste.
David Davis has been shown up for the charlatan he is. He needs to consider his position.
This is from Sky’s Jason Farrell, who is with Theresa May on the trip to Poland.
Gap in the middle as we wait for PMs pic.twitter.com/1SxNNM5wQF
Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan police commissioner, has told the London assembly that the release of private police information about what was on Damian Green’s computer has been referred to the information commissioner, LBC’s Theo Usherwood reports.
Cressida Dick tells City Hall plenary session that Met has referred leak of investigation into porn on computer in Damian Green's office has been referred to the Information Commissioner.
Here are some tweets from journalists and specialists who have been looking at the government’s Brexit reports.
From the Guardian’s Dan Roberts
Based on my reading so far, the government's Brexit sector analysis reports are about as illuminating as an inflight magazine travel guide. Sample insight: "The food chain includes agriculture". Please tell me if you find anything more interesting. https://t.co/lIZpEEyh5N
Just in case anything accidentally relevant or interesting were to slip through, the government's official Brexit sectoral analysis reports include the following caveat: "The views in this section do not represent a Government position"
From the Centre for European Reform’s John Springford
39 sectoral reports on Brexit published. https://t.co/Cr4juVwOqh Have flipped through the aerospace one. It's entirely descriptive. Zero analysis of Brexit impact.
From the New Local Government Network’s Adam Lent
The just-published Brexit impact report on health and social care says nothing about the impact of Brexit on health and social care. Plus all views from the sector, which must have included councils’ views, are redacted. A pointless document. https://t.co/DJhnQbjH4G
From the BBC’s Ross Hawkins
Lots of detail in these Dexeu papers about stuff that won't be covered in these Dexeu papers pic.twitter.com/q3bM7u1HOB
Apparently the food and agriculture sector "is vital for consumers" #dexeupapersrevelations
From MailOnline’s Tim Sculthorpe
#breaking I have been excited to learn the 'parts of an aircraft' include the "nose, fuselage, wings, engine nacelles and tail"
But there is one dissenting voice. These are from the Institute for Government’s Jill Rutter.
Unpopular view time.. I think the sectoral reports @CommonsEUexit published are better than I expected. https://t.co/gyDWzrZM2K
what of course they are not is assessments of impact - still hoping Ministers really do have those for their discussions
At the regular Number 10 lobby briefing we had a few details confirmed about the process behind Damian Green’s departure.
Theresa May’s spokesman said the report was first received by May on Monday, and she then passed the findings to Sir Alex Allan, the former senior civil servant who is now her adviser on ministerial appointments.
Alex Allan reported back to the prime minister yesterday to say that he agreed with the conclusions and the fact that there had been breaches of the ministerial code, the spokesman said.
On a replacement for Green, he said there was unlikely to be an announcement before parliament goes into recess later today, meaning it will presumably happen in the New Year.
No cabinet committees which would have been chaired by Green are due to meet before mid-January, he added.
On the other investigation into a minister over alleged inappropriate behaviour, about trade minister Mark Garnier, there is no news as to when that might come.
“Once we are in a position to give you the findings, we’ll do so,” the spokesman said.
A very quick skim through the Brexit reports suggests their news value is minimal, if not non-existent.
They all seem to start with a blurb that includes this paragraph.
As the government has already made clear, it is not the case that 58 sectoral impact assessments exist. The government’s sectoral analysis is a wide mix of qualitative and quantitative analysis contained in a range of documents developed at different times since the referendum. This report brings together information about the sector in a way that is accessible and informative. Some reports aggregate some sectors in order to either avoid repetition of information or because of the strong interlinkages between some of these sectors.
Each report then summarises the size and nature of a sector of the economy, including reference to its relationship with EU regulation. But there does not seem to be any reference to the potential difficulties posed by Brexit, and in each document the section entitled “sector views”, which presumably says what relevant firms and trade bodies are demanding from the government post Brexit, has been redacted by the committee.
The Brexit select committee has just published most of the government’s secret Brexit reports. They were supplied to the committee after the Commons voted for Brexit impact reports to be published, although the government subsequently said that proper impact reports did not exist. These are described as sectoral analysis reports instead.The Brexit select committee has just published most of the government’s secret Brexit reports. They were supplied to the committee after the Commons voted for Brexit impact reports to be published, although the government subsequently said that proper impact reports did not exist. These are described as sectoral analysis reports instead.
The Brexit committee has published 39 of them. You can read them all here.The Brexit committee has published 39 of them. You can read them all here.
But you may well have better things to do. As Jessica Elgot reported earlier this month, MPs and peers who have read the documents have not been impressed.But you may well have better things to do. As Jessica Elgot reported earlier this month, MPs and peers who have read the documents have not been impressed.
Theresa May has been meeting the new Polish prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, in Warsaw.Theresa May has been meeting the new Polish prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, in Warsaw.
ITV’s political editor, Robert Peston, has written a good blog about the sacking of Damian Green on his Facebook page. Earlier this month he reported, on the basis of what he was told by his sources, that Green would survive. In the blog he explains what changed.ITV’s political editor, Robert Peston, has written a good blog about the sacking of Damian Green on his Facebook page. Earlier this month he reported, on the basis of what he was told by his sources, that Green would survive. In the blog he explains what changed.
I understand that at the time, the keeper of the government’s conscience, Sue Gray of the Cabinet Office, had only one example of Green making a misleading press statement about what he knew about the computer porn. And just one inaccurate statement could have been seen as an accident.I understand that at the time, the keeper of the government’s conscience, Sue Gray of the Cabinet Office, had only one example of Green making a misleading press statement about what he knew about the computer porn. And just one inaccurate statement could have been seen as an accident.
Green was expected by the prime minister to cling on because this one example of misleading the press could be seen as cock-up not conspiracy.Green was expected by the prime minister to cling on because this one example of misleading the press could be seen as cock-up not conspiracy.
But after I reported that Green was likely to survive, Gray was made aware of a second similar statement - and that established the lethal pattern of Green being systematically economical with the truth.But after I reported that Green was likely to survive, Gray was made aware of a second similar statement - and that established the lethal pattern of Green being systematically economical with the truth.
Which sealed his fate.Which sealed his fate.
Peston also argues that the departure of Green changes the balance of power in Theresa May’s administration.Peston also argues that the departure of Green changes the balance of power in Theresa May’s administration.
Whitehall, and in particularly the cabinet secretary, Heywood, have reasserted their authority, having for months looked like affection-starved poodles.Whitehall, and in particularly the cabinet secretary, Heywood, have reasserted their authority, having for months looked like affection-starved poodles.
Green’s exit also shines a new light on the political troika - the chief of staff, Gavin Barwell, the former chief whip and now defence secretary Gavin Williamson, and the current chief whip Julian Smith - who live and breathe to serve HER.Green’s exit also shines a new light on the political troika - the chief of staff, Gavin Barwell, the former chief whip and now defence secretary Gavin Williamson, and the current chief whip Julian Smith - who live and breathe to serve HER.
They did not die in a ditch to save Green. In fact their colleagues tell me they actively want to see the back of what they see as the “old men” like Green in the cabinet, so that the government can be remade in their “new Tory generation” image.They did not die in a ditch to save Green. In fact their colleagues tell me they actively want to see the back of what they see as the “old men” like Green in the cabinet, so that the government can be remade in their “new Tory generation” image.
This is from ITV’s Joe Pike.This is from ITV’s Joe Pike.
Damian Green just walked into Portcullis House: alone, no tie. Keeping visible on day one out of govt.Damian Green just walked into Portcullis House: alone, no tie. Keeping visible on day one out of govt.
Last month ICM did some polling for the Guardian to find out what people think of various types of sexual misconduct that MPs have been accused of. We weren’t asking about Damian Green, or any other individuals, and of course Green denies watching pornography on his office computer or propositioning Kate Maltby. But the findings were interesting because they show how seriously people take these matters. Voters are more unforgiving than some people might expect.Last month ICM did some polling for the Guardian to find out what people think of various types of sexual misconduct that MPs have been accused of. We weren’t asking about Damian Green, or any other individuals, and of course Green denies watching pornography on his office computer or propositioning Kate Maltby. But the findings were interesting because they show how seriously people take these matters. Voters are more unforgiving than some people might expect.
I wrote the findings up here. And Britain Elects helpfully turned them into a graphic.I wrote the findings up here. And Britain Elects helpfully turned them into a graphic.
Having legal porn on a work computer is unacceptable and should be career ending according to 54% of voters.via @ICMResearch, 10 - 12 Nov pic.twitter.com/OeBefN9D7QHaving legal porn on a work computer is unacceptable and should be career ending according to 54% of voters.via @ICMResearch, 10 - 12 Nov pic.twitter.com/OeBefN9D7Q
Theresa May not replace Damian Green as first secretary of state, the BBC reports.
No 10 source has told reporters travelling with PM to Poland that Green's departure is matter of sadness for the PM - his role of First Secretary won't' necessarily be replaced
Having a first secretary of state is very much optional for a prime minister. As Wikipedia points out, it’s a title that for many years was not used. Margaret Thatcher never had one, and when May first became prime minister she felt about to do without one. There are plenty of other people who can stand in for the prime minister if necessary at PMQs; in the past it used to be a job for the leader of the Commons.
Theresa May is not expecting to announce a replacement for Green until after parliament returns in January, a government source said.
The prime minister flew out this morning to Warsaw this morning, away from the crisis which forced her to sack her deputy, but has landed in Poland in the midst of another storm.
Her visit, with five senior cabinet ministers, comes less than 24 hours after an unprecedented decision by the EU to censure Poland for a “serious breach” of its values.
Philip Hammond, Amber Rudd, Boris Johnson, Gavin Williamson and Greg Clark are all meeting their counterparts in Poland for a trip aimed at wooing the Polish government seen as key allies in post-Brexit trade talks, given their desire to retain close security cooperation.
The timing is awkward so soon after the EU decision. Downing Street has said May will raise concerns about potential for political interference in the judiciary by Poland’s hard-line conservative government.
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”. Johnson is set to fly on to Moscow after his meetings in Warsaw.
Downing Street said the new defence partnership expected to be announced on Thursday would deepen ties that would build on the deployment of British troops to the Polish-Russian border.
May will announce £5m of UK funds to build joint capacity to detect and counter the spread of Russian information operations, some of which will fund Belsat, a Polish-funded TV channel for Belarusians.
A government source said future trade talks would also be on the agenda when ministers meet their counterparts, with the Polish government also likely to raise the future status of incoming EU migrants.
May is first set to meet her Polish counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki at the Belvedere Palace in Warsaw. Williamson and his counterpart are expected to sign the defence treaty mid-morning, followed by a press conference with May and Morawiecki.
During her whistle-stop trip, May is also set to meet British troops and Polish world war two veterans.
The women’s equality party thinks Damian Green and Michael Fallon should both resign as MPs because of their conduct towards women. In a statement its leader Sophie Walker said:
That Damian Green regrets being asked to quit, despite accepting that he breached the ministerial code, shows how many lessons he still has to learn about taking responsibility for his conduct. If he is not suitable to be minister because of his actions then he is not suitable to be an MP. It is bizarre that both he and Michael Fallon, who also resigned from cabinet, think they retain legitimacy to stay on in parliament. That decision should be given to their constituents, with a proper system of recall introduced so that they can decide whether these men should still be representing them.
After being accused of sexual misconduct, Fallon resigned as defence secretary saying his behaviour in the past had “fallen below the high standards” expected, although he did not give details. Green denied making sexual advances towards the Tory activist who accused him of propositioning her, although in his resignation letter he admitted he had made her feel “uncomfortable” and apologised.
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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/s5XqqwkEmw
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 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).
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 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?