Boris Johnson changes ministerial code to remove need to resign over breaches

[Silver]

Boris Johnson is changing the rules to let ministers avoid resigning if they break the ministerial code, allowing them to apologise or temporarily lose their pay instead.

The prime minister, who is himself facing claims of breaching the code, published a policy statement on Friday saying it is “disproportionate to expect that any breach, however minor, should lead automatically to resignation or dismissal”.

A new version of the ministerial code has been published, suggesting that in future ministers are likely to face making a “public apology, remedial action, or removal of ministerial salary for a period” if they retain the confidence of the prime minister.

Under changes to the guidance, Johnson also rejected the idea that his independent adviser should have the power to launch investigations into ministers or the prime minister without his permission.

Boris Johnson changes ministerial code to remove need to resign over breaches | Boris Johnson | The Guardian

Well done, Boris! No more nosey Sue Grays sticking their beaks into what happens in No.10!

Edited May 27, 2022 by The Silver Shroud

[Eldorado]

They have no shame.  None.

[Silver]

1 hour ago, Eldorado said:

They have no shame.  None.

6 months ago, Johnson tried to get the standard's commissioner sacked when she imposed a 30 day suspension on Owen Paterson for lobbying in a blatant and egregious way. Jacob Rees-Mogg defended Paterson and Boris Johnson  demanded party support, whipping his MPs to vote their support for the indefensible (the red wall MPs were reportedly angry when he had to do a U-turn the next day, as it made them look as if they had no honour- because they hadn't). Kwazi Kwartang appeared on TV saying the standards commissioner should 'consider her position'.

He is now getting his MPs to support something equally indefensible- he want to be able, as PM, to decide whether an investigation into standards goes ahead, and he also want to be the person who decides what sanctions should be imposed if they find there has been breaches. This is a blantly obvious attempt to hobble the standards investigation he will be subject to in a few weeks time.

If it wasn't so serious, it would be laughable. 

In October last year, Lord (David) Puttnam, retiring from the House of Lords, made a speech in which he raised concerns about the prospects for democracy in the UK. Puttnam described the Conservative government under Boris Johnson as:

‘setting out to chip away at and undermine much of what defines an active liberal democracy: those institutions that might act as checks and balances on a populist government that’s trampling on long held rights and conventions, with the sole purpose of tightening its own grip on power.’

 

Edited May 27, 2022 by The Silver Shroud

[Duke Wellington]

20 hours ago, The Silver Shroud said:

Boris Johnson is changing the rules to let ministers avoid resigning if they break the ministerial code, allowing them to apologise or temporarily lose their pay instead.

The prime minister, who is himself facing claims of breaching the code, published a policy statement on Friday saying it is “disproportionate to expect that any breach, however minor, should lead automatically to resignation or dismissal”.

A new version of the ministerial code has been published, suggesting that in future ministers are likely to face making a “public apology, remedial action, or removal of ministerial salary for a period” if they retain the confidence of the prime minister.

Under changes to the guidance, Johnson also rejected the idea that his independent adviser should have the power to launch investigations into ministers or the prime minister without his permission.

Boris Johnson changes ministerial code to remove need to resign over breaches | Boris Johnson | The Guardian

Well done, Boris! No more nosey Sue Grays sticking their beaks into what happens in No.10!

I personally dont know what the fuss is all about, like the rest of the country weren`t having secret lockdown drinks and parties.

[ExpandMyMind]

This is worse than a disgrace. When a leader accused of crimes or breaking rules can just make those crimes and rules unpublishable, that’s tyranny.

I honestly didn’t think I’d see something like this in the UK. 

[itsnotoutthere]

The Guardian.....meh.

[Saru]

19 minutes ago, itsnotoutthere said:

The Guardian.....meh.

You source news stories to the Guardian all the time... 

Not to mention that this story has been covered by dozens of newspapers and news outlets on both sides of the political spectrum.

[L.A.T.1961]

I would imagine Sir Keir and his number 2 are breathing a sigh of relief.  

Boris and Starmer have probably worked this one out, over beer and sandwiches, between themselves. 

[Duke Wellington]

46 minutes ago, Saru said:

You source news stories to the Guardian all the time... 

Not to mention that this story has been covered by dozens of newspapers and news outlets on both sides of the political spectrum.

Its rated by most sites as centre left to moderate left.

Very pro-EU and stories are anti-Conservative.

Edited May 28, 2022 by Cookie Monster

[Saru]

55 minutes ago, Cookie Monster said:

Its rated by most sites as centre left to moderate left.

Very pro-EU and stories are anti-Conservative.

And The Daily Mail and The Telegraph - which are also covering this story - are right-leaning, anti-EU, anti-Labour papers.

[Autochthon1990]

Well look on the bright side guys, if we can get rid of our blatantly corrupt dumbass with a bad hairpiece, you can too.

[+and-then]

23 hours ago, Eldorado said:

They have no shame.  None.

Correct.  NONE of them do. They don't even bother to try to look professional or concerned with doing what is right.

[Eldorado]

2 hours ago, and then said:

Correct.  NONE of them do. They don't even bother to try to look professional or concerned with doing what is right.

Dominic Cummings has claimed that Boris Johnson repeatedly told colleagues ‘I’m the ****ing Fuhrer around here’.

The Prime Minister’s former chief aide – turned arch critic – suggested Mr Johnson ‘doesn’t think he did anything wrong’ during the partygate scandal.

https://metro.co.uk/2022/05/25/dominic-cummings-claims-boris-often-said-im-the-fing-fuhrer-around-here-16710772/?

Boris Johnson takes 'peckerhead' to a new level.

[Autochthon1990]

9 hours ago, Eldorado said:

Dominic Cummings has claimed that Boris Johnson repeatedly told colleagues ‘I’m the ****ing Fuhrer around here’.

The Prime Minister’s former chief aide – turned arch critic – suggested Mr Johnson ‘doesn’t think he did anything wrong’ during the partygate scandal.

https://metro.co.uk/2022/05/25/dominic-cummings-claims-boris-often-said-im-the-fing-fuhrer-around-here-16710772/?

Boris Johnson takes 'peckerhead' to a new level.

Man where's an alcoholic fellow with a bunch of cigars and a horrible reputation in Turkey when you need one? 

[Duke Wellington]

12 hours ago, Eldorado said:

Dominic Cummings has claimed that Boris Johnson repeatedly told colleagues ‘I’m the ****ing Fuhrer around here’.

The Prime Minister’s former chief aide – turned arch critic – suggested Mr Johnson ‘doesn’t think he did anything wrong’ during the partygate scandal.

https://metro.co.uk/2022/05/25/dominic-cummings-claims-boris-often-said-im-the-fing-fuhrer-around-here-16710772/?

Boris Johnson takes 'peckerhead' to a new level.

That made me laugh quite a bit lol.

Sounds like Boris has fun behind the scenes, inappropriate fun.

Edited May 29, 2022 by Cookie Monster

[Silver]

Boris Johnson broke City Hall rules by failing to transfer his emails as mayor to Greater London Authority officers when he left office - a move which has hampered the investigation into his alleged affair with US entrepreneur Jennifer Arcuri. The Independent Office of Police Conduct has looked at allegations of Misconduct in Public Office against Boris Johnson when he was mayor in the context of his relationship with Jennifer Arcuri, after the GLA's monitoring officer made a referral to the police watchdog in September 2019.

But the probe found that evidence the watchdog believed would have been relevant to its investigations into the scandal had been deleted in breach of City Hall guidance. Ms Arcuri’s business had been given £126,000 in public money, and she secured places on three overseas trade missions led by then-mayor Johnson.

Boris Johnson and his team's City Hall emails about affair scandal 'disappeared' with no backups after he left mayoralty - MyLondon (archive.ph)

Edited May 29, 2022 by The Silver Shroud

[L.A.T.1961]

20 hours ago, Autochthon1990 said:

Well look on the bright side guys, if we can get rid of our blatantly corrupt dumbass with a bad hairpiece, you can too.

The situation is a bit different though. Trump was removed eventually after an election. In the UK the various forms of opposition to Boris want him gone before the UK can have another democratic vote. 

The idea that the electorate is given the final say is far too risky for some to leave to chance. 

[Silver]

On 5/29/2022 at 2:58 PM, L.A.T.1961 said:

The situation is a bit different though. Trump was removed eventually after an election. In the UK the various forms of opposition to Boris want him gone before the UK can have another democratic vote. 

The idea that the electorate is given the final say is far too risky for some to leave to chance. 

Exactly!  We want Johnson and the Tories gone! We want to rejoin the single market to secure our economy, farming, fishing, and industry. It needs to be put to the electorate.  Our electoral system is outdated.

[L.A.T.1961]

15 hours ago, The Silver Shroud said:

Exactly!  We want Johnson and the Tories gone! 

Is that the royal WE. 

[Silver]

29 minutes ago, L.A.T.1961 said:

Is that the royal WE. 

No, the UK electorate:

POLITICO Poll of Polls — British polls, trends and election news for the United Kingdom and Scotland – POLITICO

Survey Report (yougov.com)

• UK general election polls 2022 | Statista

Edited May 31, 2022 by The Silver Shroud

[L.A.T.1961]

7 minutes ago, The Silver Shroud said:

No, the UK electorate:

POLITICO Poll of Polls — British polls, trends and election news for the United Kingdom and Scotland – POLITICO

Survey Report (yougov.com)

• UK general election polls 2022 | Statista

Doesn't look like a big margin. 

" In May 2022, 35 percent of British adults intended to vote for the Conservative party in a potential general election in the United Kingdom, with 36 percent advising that they would vote for the Labour party. "

And Sir Kier has not been forced to fall on his sword yet.  Then there is the new tony blair wonder party taking votes from New Labour.

Tony Blair will host 'Future of Britain' conference as he plots new political movement inspired by French president Emmanuel Macron 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10862549/Blair-host-Future-Britain-conference-plots-new-political-movement-inspired-Macron.html