Gus O'Donnell's (God) swan song at the Select Committee today was a tedious repeat of a subject that we have sucked dry before, until the Werritty case was discussed.
Gus is satisfied with his inquiry even though:
His probe into the breach of the ministerial codes is itself a breach of the ministerial code that explicitly forbids Cabinet Secretaries from conducting these inquiries. It's the job of Sir Phillip Mawer - the independent adviser on Minister's interest.
The Government wanted a quick fix to reduce their embarrassment. Mawer's thorough probe could take months. O'Donnell's botched inquiry did not tell the whole truth.
The Daily Mail reports 'Werritty made several visits to Iran. There are accusations that he was close to Israel's secret service Mossad.'
Isn't it strange? Werritty is 'an expert' on Iran, UK's Israeli ambassador worked in Iran' Werrity's neo-con funders plan war in Iran.
I mentioned the anger of two of my constituents against the British Ambassdor's conduct in the Summerr. They believe that he is serving the interests of the Israeli Government not those of British people. Matthew Gould has proclaimed himself to be a 'Zionist.'
The two worse decisions of my 25 years in parliament were joining Bush's war in Iraq and the Incursion into Helmand. Both decisions were heaviliy influenced by the U.S. NeoCon agenda. We may be having an inquiry in ten years time on how we became involved in a War in Iran.
In case we have not heard enough about Brace's I raised the subject in the Commons today at Welsh Questions. Afterwards I had a chat with Cheryl . I promised to send her some of Brace's delicious Welsh cakes. ( No sleaze-I will pay for them.)
Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): But is not inward investment always a second best? Brace’s bakery, an indigenous Welsh firm with its headquarters in Crumlin, took over an inward investment company in my constituency that was about to close down. On Monday, Brace’s increased its work force by a third, so will the Secretary of State give her congratulations and support to indigenous Welsh companies, and ensure that the rest of the country enjoys the great merits of Brace’s breads and Welsh cakes?
Mrs Gillan: Now the hon. Gentleman is tempting me; I always like a good Welsh cake. He should know how much I encourage indigenous Welsh companies, not least by my continuous support of the Fast Growth 50, which celebrates indigenous companies and the way they grow the economy, but he must not do down inward investment.
In 2010-2011, 38 inward investment projects led to the creation of 2,444 new jobs and safeguarded another 1,100 jobs in Wales. I think that is pretty important and certainly not second best.
"His probe into the breach of the ministerial codes is itself a breach of the ministerial code that explicitly forbids Cabinet Secretaries from conducting these inquiries. It's the job of Sir Phillip Mawer - the independent adviser on Minister's interest"
Unbelievable. Is there any penalty for breaking the code?
Also, Brace's Welsh Cakes are indeed delicious, but nothing beats freshly made and hot off the griddle in Newport Market... divine.
Posted by: DG | November 24, 2011 at 05:02 PM
Full details of yesterday's meeting on today's blog. Read and be amazed at the difficulties in raising important issues - even for MPs.
I have today written to Phillip Mawer asking him to start a new investigation.
Posted by: Paul Flynn | November 24, 2011 at 06:14 PM
That's very troubling. Foreign policy seems to be made with no democratic input whatsoever.
Posted by: DG | November 24, 2011 at 08:53 PM