Does the Pope understand the 10 commandments?

Does the Pope understand the ten commandments?

Does the Prime Minister know what Magna Carta means?

Did the Head of the Civil Service understand his retirement rules?

 

Life is full of surprises.

The retired head of the civil service Gus O’Donnell* forgot to ask permission before taking up a new job with right-wing think tank Legatum. The laughing stock ramshackle Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) noted ‘with concern’ that their approval had not been sought. If the former head of the Civil Service treats them with contempt, why should anyone else respect them?

The PASC select committee in July politely excoriated ACOBA as useless. We called for it to be replaced by a Commissioner who would be accountable to Parliament and public. ACOBA is not a watchdog, it’s a pussy cat without teeth or claws.

ACOBA should be protecting the country from the excesses of the revolving door. Former Ministers, Civil Servants, Military supremos are free to prostitute their insider knowledge to the highest bidders from MegaGreed PLC.

It's time to retire permanently this powerless, posturing charade of ACOBA.

* Gus retired with three knighthoods and a place in the Lords. That makes him Sir, Sir, Sir, Lord O'Donnell or GOD. As my blog and my books do not recognise titles, he remains Gus here.

Chairman, the Legatum Institute's Commission on Wellbeing Policy
Appointment announced	July 2012
Lord O'Donnell made a retrospective application for permission to accept a part-time appointment as Chairman of the Legatum Institute's Commission on Wellbeing Policy. The Legatum Institute describes itself as a independent non-partisan public policy organisation. Its new Wellbeing Policy Commission was set up in July 2012 to examine a range of issues, including welfare policy, health, and work and wellbeing. When considering the application, the Committee noted that the three-month waiting period usually observed by Permanent Secretaries and above had expired. It also noted that he had had no official dealings with the Institute. However, it was aware that the appointment was already in the public domain and, when making its recommendation to the Prime Minister, it noted with concern that the announcement had been made before approval had been sought. The Prime Minister accepted the Committee's recommendation that, the three-month waiting period for Permanent Secretaries (and above) having expired, the application be approved subject to the condition that, for two years from his last day of service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying UK Government on behalf of his new employer.

 

 

Comments

[liliana]

Considering one of the ten commandents is 'do not lie' the dope certainly did his best to ignore this one by keeping schtum about the child abuse scandal in the catholic church(!) Instead, he felt it fit to turn the spotlight on feminists, transsexuals and gay people and make his irrational pronouncement that we're the ones to blame for infecting society and destroying the world. It's a pity that the pope isn't an arsehole as then he'd be useful.

[liliana]

The pope is irrelevent.

[Paul Flynn]

You obviously were a very provocative boy in English lessons. As a model of good conduct I remember Gussie as wise, sardonic, humane, clever and witty. Never fully understood why he put up with the restrictions of religious life.

[jerym]

Yes,a very good teacher and brilliant shot with a piece of chalk and occasionally even the duster.
Keep up the pressure on the buggers we need more like you.
Jerym

[Paul Flynn]

The best English teacher I ever had was Brother Agustine. I am sure he would punish careless spelling. It was spelt correctly in the title. Now, put right of course.

How are you doing?

Paul

[jerym]

Paul,"commandmants?"
Brother Gussie will be turning in his grave.