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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)
Here is the statement from the Metropolitan police about the decision to ask the information commissioner to investigate the release of private police information about what was found on Damian Green’s computer in a police raid. The Met said:
The Metropolitan police service has asked the information commissioner’s cffice (ICO) to investigate the apparent disclosure to the media of confidential material gathered during a police investigation in 2008 by two former officers.
An ex-assistant commissioner and ex-detective constable have both made a number of disclosures to the media, passing on information that they were privy to as part of a police investigation. Due to the length of time that has passed since both officers left the MPS, legal advice was sought regarding the most appropriate action to take.
In this instance it was determined that the most appropriate course of action was to make a referral to the ICO to carry out a further investigation in relation to potential Data Protection Act offences.
The MPS is clear that confidential information gathered during any police inquiry should remain confidential. That is an enduring confidentiality regardless of whether an officer leaves the service.
Gareth Bacon, leader of the Conservative group on the London assembly, has welcomed the news. In a statement he said:
I am pleased to see the Met is taking seriously what appears to have been a gross abuse of trust from former police officers.
If the general public is to have future confidence in the force’s ability to protect sensitive information, this case must be dealt with robustly.
I welcome the commissioner’s strong words this morning and the referral to the IC.
An investigation into allegations about the private life of Labour MP Keith Vaz has been suspended by the House of Commons sleaze watchdog “for medical reasons”, the Press Association reports. The halting of the probe was revealed in an update of the list of ongoing inquiries on the parliamentary commissioner for standards’ website, and her office did not give any more details. In 2016, the Leicester East MP issued a public apology to his wife and children, and quit as chairman of the Commons home affairs Committee, following reports in the Sunday Mirror that he paid two male escorts for their services. The PA story goes on:
The probe by the standards commissioner Kathryn Hudson will determine whether Vaz was guilty of a conflict of interest as he headed the home affairs committee’s review of vice laws at the time of the allegations regarding male escorts.
The watchdog was also looking into whether the former Europe minister has caused “significant damage” to the reputation of parliament.
Frances O’Grady, the TUC general secretary, has also criticised the government for the lack of analysis in the Brexit reports.
I see ministers have published their Brexit impact assessments. Looks to me like they've just printed off Wikipedia pages on bits of the economy. I know it's the end of term, but we can do better than this.
Here is Tom Brake, the Lib Dem Brexit spokesman, on the publication of the government’s secret Brexit reports.
This is the biggest case of the dog ate my homework the world has ever seen.
We’ve been given binders of old information, extracts from Wikipedia, and a few choice quotes, and yet nothing at all on how Brexit will hit each sector.
Now the government’s woeful failure to prepare for Brexit has been laid bare in front of the whole country. The mess this government are making of negotiations shows why the people must be given the opportunity to exit from Brexit.
On Twitter, Brake also argued that if Damian Green deserves the sack, Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, should do too.
Damian Green went for lying over porn allegations, yet BoJo clearly breaks Ministerial code in the Telegraph, criticises Government policy, promotes private interests & reneges on cabinet responsiblity. Complete hypocrisy from May! Far more evidence that Boris should be sacked.
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.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 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.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.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: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 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.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.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.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/1SxNNM5wQFGap 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, 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.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.Here are some tweets from journalists and specialists who have been looking at the government’s Brexit reports.
From the Guardian’s Dan RobertsFrom 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/lIZpEEyh5NBased 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"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 SpringfordFrom 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.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 LentFrom 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/DJhnQbjH4GThe 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 HawkinsFrom 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/q3bM7u1HOBLots 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" #dexeupapersrevelationsApparently the food and agriculture sector "is vital for consumers" #dexeupapersrevelations
From MailOnline’s Tim SculthorpeFrom 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"#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.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/gyDWzrZM2KUnpopular 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 discussionswhat 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.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.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.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.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.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.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.“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.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.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.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.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