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 http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/may/16/liberal-democrats-michael-gove-dominic-cummings-nick-clegg
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Downing Street attempts to rein in Lib Dem-baiting Michael Gove ally | Downing Street attempts to rein in Lib Dem-baiting Michael Gove ally |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Nick Clegg has asked the cabinet secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, to remind a former special adviser to Michael Gove of his duty of confidentiality after a series of leaks and a barrage of criticism mounted over the way Clegg announced a policy of universal free school meals for primary schoolchildren. | Nick Clegg has asked the cabinet secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, to remind a former special adviser to Michael Gove of his duty of confidentiality after a series of leaks and a barrage of criticism mounted over the way Clegg announced a policy of universal free school meals for primary schoolchildren. |
Conservative Downing Street aides say efforts have been made to rein in Dominic Cummings, who has launched a series of barbed analyses, sometimes with the apparent support of Gove, the education secretary, of what he describes as a dysfunctional Whitehall machine. | |
The code of conduct for special advisers, which was revised by the coalition in June 2010, states: "Under the terms of the civil service code, special advisers must continue to observe their duties of confidentiality after they have left their employment as a special adviser". | The code of conduct for special advisers, which was revised by the coalition in June 2010, states: "Under the terms of the civil service code, special advisers must continue to observe their duties of confidentiality after they have left their employment as a special adviser". |
Some Conservative sources said there was no clear means by which this code could be enforced, although the rules are clearer if a former special adviser plans to publish a memoir. The code clearly states any memoir must be submitted to Whitehall for prior clearance. | Some Conservative sources said there was no clear means by which this code could be enforced, although the rules are clearer if a former special adviser plans to publish a memoir. The code clearly states any memoir must be submitted to Whitehall for prior clearance. |
The Daily Mail claimed that Clegg had asked for Cummings to be arrested under the Official Secrets Act, but that was denied by Clegg's office. A Lib Dem source said "there is no police investigation. Nor are we calling for one". | The Daily Mail claimed that Clegg had asked for Cummings to be arrested under the Official Secrets Act, but that was denied by Clegg's office. A Lib Dem source said "there is no police investigation. Nor are we calling for one". |
Cummings has been urging Tory cabinet ministers to take the chairmanship of the cabinet's home affairs committee from Clegg as a reprisal after the European elections, suggesting the post be given to the Lib Dem chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander. | Cummings has been urging Tory cabinet ministers to take the chairmanship of the cabinet's home affairs committee from Clegg as a reprisal after the European elections, suggesting the post be given to the Lib Dem chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander. |
Cummings claims the home affairs committee had been "turned into a piggybank to buy off Clegg". | Cummings claims the home affairs committee had been "turned into a piggybank to buy off Clegg". |
He has also been taunting the deputy prime minister by suggesting that David Cameron "shunt Clegg into a corner with a fig leaf for his ego, something grand-sounding but fundamentally trivial," adding "Heywood is very good at this". | He has also been taunting the deputy prime minister by suggesting that David Cameron "shunt Clegg into a corner with a fig leaf for his ego, something grand-sounding but fundamentally trivial," adding "Heywood is very good at this". |
He also claims that Clegg's criticisms were preventing the Gove team from implementing reforms. | He also claims that Clegg's criticisms were preventing the Gove team from implementing reforms. |
Cummings has so far laughed at the idea of being arrested, saying he is prepared to repeat his criticisms under oath. | Cummings has so far laughed at the idea of being arrested, saying he is prepared to repeat his criticisms under oath. |
Previous version
1
Next version