Parliament suspension: Government refuses to publish No 10 communications

[muriel_volestrangler]

The government is refusing to publish details of communications between No 10 aides about Parliament's suspension, despite MPs voting for their release.

Cabinet minister Michael Gove said the information sought by MPs was "unreasonable and disproportionate".

It would breach the rights of the nine advisers concerned, including Boris Johnson's chief aide Dominic Cummings.

To do so, he added, would "contravene the law" and "offend against basic principles of fairness".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49670123

'Contravene the law', my arse - that would be you, Gove. He's hiding behind the use of special advisers for the Tory plotting, saying it's 'personal' when they arranged the prorogation now held to be unlawful.

[Denzil_DC]

1. Did Cummings respect the rights of Sonia Khan

when he demanded to rifle through both her work and personal phones before sacking her and calling on an armed policeman to throw her out of No. 10?

Did that contravene the law and offend against basic principles of fairness? We may soon find out:

Boris Johnson faces embarrassment after lawyers concluded that the special adviser sacked by his top aide Dominic Cummings is entitled to tens of thousands of pounds in compensation.

The Standard understands that the Cabinet Office has been advised to offer Sonia Khan a settlement because of the way she was treated, including being escorted out of 10 Downing Street by an armed police officer.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/no-10-must-pay-sajid-javids-fired-aide-tens-of-thousands-in-compensation-a4232216.html

Which would be more satisfying if Cummings had to pay it out of his own well-lined pocket rather than we mugs having to foot the bill as usual.

Anyway, Cummings has form going way back:

In September 2011 special adviser Dominic Cummings found himself thrust into the limelight when the Financial Times reported leaked emails showing Mr Cummings urging colleagues to use their gmail accounts rather than official departmental emails. The move is being investigated by the Information Commissioner to establish whether the private email accounts were intentionally used to conceal government business and information from public and civil service scrutiny.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. I just read that terrific article in your sig line.

He's got it nailed, shows a rare and true understanding of trump's disturbed mind.

[Ghost Dog]

3. They decided to use personal messaging and email accounts

to discuss official business precisely in order to avoid having to respond to freedom of information requests.