Floating

Feebly, we're reminded of Hunter S. Thompson. Sent to Zaire to cover the Ali/Foreman fight for Rolling Stone, he had no copy to file, primarily because he spent the night of the fight floating in the hotel pool with a pound and a half of marijuana and sundry chemicals.

Westminster's last 10 days should have been a feast for the Ministry. Grayling caught red-handed misleading on crime stats, MPs facing criminal charges, then attempting to hide under "parliamentary privilege", Cameron denouncing them...  all extremely good grist for the mill, and all pointing towards the need for legal accountability.

Regrettably we've failed dismally in our coverage and can offer no reasonable excuse. Call it Westminster fatigue if you like.

New Standards ?

Much government weirdness to report.

We only just interviewed the Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Sir Alistair Graham, must be coincidence that an "interim replacement" was announced yesterday - Rita Donaghy.

Perhaps it’s also coincidence that she could be Sir Alistair's identical female twin.

All this and the recent revelation that Gordon Brown is in fact Hilda Ogden.

It’s a little known fact that Soho’s leading female impersonator revue bar, Madame Jojo's offers price concessions to those holding full labour party membership.

Perhaps the party’s taking Tony Blair’s vow to increase the number of female MPs a little too seriously ?

That said, Sir Alistair wasn’t shy in his criticism of the current lack of accountability for ministers. We’ll be posting his interview soon.

Sir Alistair for the Misrepresentation of the People Act ?

Apologies to HSBC.

Amidst our quest to find an MP who'll support the Misrepresentation of the People Act, Sir Alistair Graham, outgoing and outspoken chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, has agreed to an interview.

Over the years he's had his disagreements with the PM over policing Parliamentary standards...

HANSARD - 1 Dec 2004 : Column 624

Mr. Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con): On Monday, the chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life repeated the Committee's view that allegations against Ministers should be considered by members of an independent panel, drawn up in agreement with the Opposition, which would be ready to act whenever an allegation is made. That recommendation was originally made in April 2003, and the Prime Minister rejected it. Will he now reconsider it?

The Prime Minister: No, for the reasons that we gave at that time. We believe that it is better, if an allegation is made, to appoint people on an individual basis and not to have a standing panel. That is the right way to do it. In this instance, we have someone of unimpeachable integrity who will examine all the facts of the case and come to a conclusion.

Mr. Howard: Let me tell the House what Sir Alistair Graham, the man appointed by the Prime Minister to chair this important Committee, said a couple of days ago:

"The Committee was disappointed that the current Government did not take the opportunity to put this mechanism in place, particularly as it provides speedy and independent investigation of allegations against Ministers. Current events demonstrate the continuing practical relevance of adopting these recommendations."

The Prime Minister said that he wanted the highest standards in public life. He appointed the Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. The Committee has made clear recommendations. Why has not the Prime Minister accepted them?

The Prime Minister: We did not accept this recommendation because we believe that it is better to appoint people on an individual, case-by-case basis. The right hon. and learned Gentleman talks about the speed of the inquiry's being set up, but the allegations were made on the Sunday in the newspapers, and that day, at the insistence of the Home Secretary, somebody was appointed to examine them. I hope that the right hon. and learned Gentleman agrees that Sir Alan Budd is a man of independence and unimpeachable integrity. He will have the opportunity to look at the facts of the case and to make those facts known to the public. I cannot see what is wrong with that way of proceeding.

He talks the talk and his press office indicated he was ready to spill the beans on standards and accountability. Will he be in favour of the act ? We're taking bets. Naturally, we'll keep you posted.

Standards without a chair ?

Sir Alistair Graham is the Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. It was instigated by John Major in 94 amid the scandals and sleaze that dogged the tail-end of the Conservatives time in office.

Sir Alistair's task is thankless.

He and his committee are the main Parliamentary watchdog for ethics, standards etc. in Parliament.

They report back to the Prime Minister.

They make recommendations to the Prime Minister.

Decisions to act on their reports and recommendations are the Prime Minister's.

Get the picture ?

The Prime Minister is the watchdog's teeth.

On April 24th, Sir Alistair's contract is up. These things happen. Nothing unusual in that.

What's unusual is that no replacement has been found.

Sir Alistair had some thoughts on this in an open letter to the Cabinet Secretary.

"I am extremely concerned that despite raising the issue with you on a regular basis since Sept 2006, no arrangements have been made to appoint my successor... This will leave the Committee without a permanent chairman for what is likely to be a considerable period, and, during a time of unprecedented public concern about standards of conduct in government and erosion in trust in the political process more generally. This risks perception, unfair or otherwise, that this Government places a low priority on the maintenance of the highest standards in public life."

Baroness Shephard of North-wold, a Tory peer and member of the Committee, said, “It is inexcusable when there are police investigating Downing Street to effectively disband the Standards Committee for a period of time by leaving us without a chairman. We have no idea what might be in store but they don’t want any more of us.”

Here are some past statements from Sir Alistair ;

I think it is demonstrated by opinion polls that the public think this
Government is as sleazy as the last. [Tony Blair] has paid a heavy price for
ignoring standards" May 21, 2006

"This is clearly in breach of the ministerial code"

...on John Prescott's visit to Philip Anschutz's ranch, July 20, 2006

Here's what Sir Philip Mawer - Commissioner for Standards said to us re: gaps in the policing of Parliament ;


Naturally, we expect the gov will get around to searching for a replacement. Suggestions on a postcard to TB c/o 10 Downing St.

For the full rub - here's an article in the Times.