BBC quoting David Boies, attorney for Prince Andrew's accuser:
"I think it's very important to Virginia Giuffre that this matter be resolved in a way that vindicates her and vindicates the other victims. I don't think she has a firm view as to exactly what a solution should be.
"But I think what's going to be important is that this resolution vindicates her and vindicates the claim she has made."
"[Won't] pre-judge [but] no suggestion of settlement discussions at this point"
"A purely financial settlement is not anything I think she is interested in"
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
"I don't honestly believe the Prime Minister can change" On this episode of @ChoppersPodcast, Tory MP @ABridgen joins @christopherhope to reveal that he's submitted a 'letter of no confidence' in Boris Johnson "
BREAKING: The Metropolitan Police will NOT investigate any of the Downing Street parties unless and until the Sue Gray inquiry finds evidence of criminality.
ie the Met are relying on an internal inquiry to decide for them whether a crime was committed.
The scope of the Grey inquiry specifically excludes criminality and focuses on the guidelines at the time. As I have stated ad nauseam, guidelines are not the same as the law. Sue Grey is no lawyer and in no position to determine whether or not there was evidence of a breach of the law. It is the police's job to determine whether there is evidence of criminality and, if so, to collect that evidence and pass it to the CPS.
This is the police avoiding doing their job. Again.
Too much hope is being placed on this Grey report.
Gray.
Alternatively you can subscribe to my helpful mnemonic stream
If it doesn't start with himself, it's a waste of time.
Or a call to a shit hot divorce lawyer
Actually Carrie is by no means as bad as her misogynistic critics paint her. I hear she is devoting all her time to a charity for rescuing doggies from warzones full of awful poor brown people. The Blondi Trust.
She's highly rated in the animal welfare community - we see her as totally genuine.
Yes, Nick. You also rate doggies higher than darkies. That is implicit in that judgment.
And there isn't an "animal welfare community" for which you speak anyway. I am reponsible for the wellbeing of 9 equines (7 of them unridden and unrideable, as I am sure you think riding a horse is a refined form of abuse) and any number of dogs. I am guessing you aren't. Frankly I have you down as a borderline psychopath after your cynical deceit of this site throughout GE 2015 (tick tock) and your subsequent enthusiasm for the jew hater Corbyn. Surely animal welfare was only ever a career opening?
A regrettable comment. And I should know
Possibly. I am fairly full of St Chinian. But could you specify the bits which are wrong? Can't see it myself. The doggies/darkies thing was unambiguously clear at the time (as Ben Wallace told us at the time). The rest is true, but small change by comparison.
Didn't you start drinking again recently? Can't remember. I always confuse you with Topping, another posho ex-Tory provincial quasi-Remainer foxhunter wine snob with less knowledge than he thinks. Maybe that was him?
Anyway, it is always obvious when you are pissed; and if you do a comment involving the word "darkies" it is pissed and clearly REGRETTABLE, per se
And you went somewhat beyond that
And I actually agree with you about NPXMP's affable tolerance of Corbyn and also his indulgence of anti-democratic europhilia, which led directly to Brexit (which should have been so much softer if we had been asked our opinions ten years earlier). These aspects of him are deeply irritating, but the site requires a level of politesse to function. A bit like MPs calling each other "Honourable Member" - there is a reason for this, and it is not just to be nice
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
It is a question of the utmost seriousness. Would explain his boozy night out when he decided saving Owen Paterson was a capital idea. Actually. It explains much tbh.
"Downing Street staff drank alcohol into the early hours at two leaving events the night before Prince Philip’s socially-distanced funeral, The Telegraph can reveal."
Anyone think this Chinese infiltration is a little too convenient? It seems a odd that it comes out today and it's Patel and IDS who are leading the story.
The number of Ministers prepared to humiliate themselves at the altar of Johnson is unedifying
If it doesn't start with himself, it's a waste of time.
Or a call to a shit hot divorce lawyer
Actually Carrie is by no means as bad as her misogynistic critics paint her. I hear she is devoting all her time to a charity for rescuing doggies from warzones full of awful poor brown people. The Blondi Trust.
She's highly rated in the animal welfare community - we see her as totally genuine.
Yes, Nick. You also rate doggies higher than darkies. That is implicit in that judgment.
And there isn't an "animal welfare community" for which you speak anyway. I am reponsible for the wellbeing of 9 equines (7 of them unridden and unrideable, as I am sure you think riding a horse is a refined form of abuse) and any number of dogs. I am guessing you aren't. Frankly I have you down as a borderline psychopath after your cynical deceit of this site throughout GE 2015 (tick tock) and your subsequent enthusiasm for the jew hater Corbyn. Surely animal welfare was only ever a career opening?
Nonsense. @NickP is a party loyalist, but everyone knows and expects that.
His work for CWF seems genuinely heartfelt to me, as does Carrie's love for animals. They bring out both the best and the worst of us a species.
Quite what we do with animals is a real ethical dilemma. Indeed I am part way through this very thoughtful book on the subject:
This is obviously a culture. We now have reports of parties from May 2020 to April 2021, pretty regularly. What a breakdown of responsibility, accountability and leadership.
Have a look at the later press coverage. Rather different story. We've discussed this before.
The one I linked was Drew Hendry and David Linden and Charlotte Nichols.
The verisimilitude was too good to ignore
Like man bites dog, the more remarkable story would be *not* tipsy on a flight.
The Tories have got form on such things. They attacked K. Brown MSP for going to the Falklands on a 'freebie' - actually, a formal trip to inaugurate the war memorial or some such formal event at which he was representing the party. Presumably because he was a traitor to the Queen or something. But ofg course he was an ex-RM and it was his second visit - the first being during the war.
Anyone think this Chinese infiltration is a little too convenient? It seems a odd that it comes out today and it's Patel and IDS who are leading the story.
The number of Ministers prepared to humiliate themselves at the altar of Johnson is unedifying
Didn’t work if it was. Rapidly overtaken by Andy’s loss of rank and then, possibly, yet another tale of from the only nightclub in Britain that managed to stay open the whole pandemic.
"Downing Street staff drank alcohol into the early hours at two leaving events the night before Prince Philip’s socially-distanced funeral, The Telegraph can reveal."
Final straw for me
I was willing to give them a little bit of leeway for cheese and wine at the end of a long day but this is taking the p*ss
If it doesn't start with himself, it's a waste of time.
Or a call to a shit hot divorce lawyer
Actually Carrie is by no means as bad as her misogynistic critics paint her. I hear she is devoting all her time to a charity for rescuing doggies from warzones full of awful poor brown people. The Blondi Trust.
She's highly rated in the animal welfare community - we see her as totally genuine.
Yes, Nick. You also rate doggies higher than darkies. That is implicit in that judgment.
And there isn't an "animal welfare community" for which you speak anyway. I am reponsible for the wellbeing of 9 equines (7 of them unridden and unrideable, as I am sure you think riding a horse is a refined form of abuse) and any number of dogs. I am guessing you aren't. Frankly I have you down as a borderline psychopath after your cynical deceit of this site throughout GE 2015 (tick tock) and your subsequent enthusiasm for the jew hater Corbyn. Surely animal welfare was only ever a career opening?
Ridiculous and unfair. Are you sober?
What?
Where on earth is your evidence that dogs were not prioritised over (poor, brown) humans in the Kabul evacuation? After the evidence given to the FASC? I mean, this is in the same class as holocaust denial.
And while I am at it, try developing the theme that NP did not lie his head off with the tick tock bollocks over GE 2015, bearing in mind that he admitted to it himself? Or that he did not use this site as a convenient conduit for penetrating the antisemite Corbyn's arse? You have the floor.
Anyone think this Chinese infiltration is a little too convenient? It seems a odd that it comes out today and it's Patel and IDS who are leading the story.
The number of Ministers prepared to humiliate themselves at the altar of Johnson is unedifying
I thought it was MI5's decision to talk about it today?
If it doesn't start with himself, it's a waste of time.
Or a call to a shit hot divorce lawyer
Actually Carrie is by no means as bad as her misogynistic critics paint her. I hear she is devoting all her time to a charity for rescuing doggies from warzones full of awful poor brown people. The Blondi Trust.
She's highly rated in the animal welfare community - we see her as totally genuine.
Yes, Nick. You also rate doggies higher than darkies. That is implicit in that judgment.
And there isn't an "animal welfare community" for which you speak anyway. I am reponsible for the wellbeing of 9 equines (7 of them unridden and unrideable, as I am sure you think riding a horse is a refined form of abuse) and any number of dogs. I am guessing you aren't. Frankly I have you down as a borderline psychopath after your cynical deceit of this site throughout GE 2015 (tick tock) and your subsequent enthusiasm for the jew hater Corbyn. Surely animal welfare was only ever a career opening?
Nonsense. @NickP is a party loyalist, but everyone knows and expects that.
His work for CWF seems genuinely heartfelt to me, as does Carrie's love for animals. They bring out both the best and the worst of us a species.
Quite what we do with animals is a real ethical dilemma. Indeed I am part way through this very thoughtful book on the subject:
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
As suffering from Long Covid as a Lord, you mean?
One wonders what effect the latest revelations will have on the PM's chances of becoming one.
If it doesn't start with himself, it's a waste of time.
Or a call to a shit hot divorce lawyer
Actually Carrie is by no means as bad as her misogynistic critics paint her. I hear she is devoting all her time to a charity for rescuing doggies from warzones full of awful poor brown people. The Blondi Trust.
She's highly rated in the animal welfare community - we see her as totally genuine.
Yes, Nick. You also rate doggies higher than darkies. That is implicit in that judgment.
And there isn't an "animal welfare community" for which you speak anyway. I am reponsible for the wellbeing of 9 equines (7 of them unridden and unrideable, as I am sure you think riding a horse is a refined form of abuse) and any number of dogs. I am guessing you aren't. Frankly I have you down as a borderline psychopath after your cynical deceit of this site throughout GE 2015 (tick tock) and your subsequent enthusiasm for the jew hater Corbyn. Surely animal welfare was only ever a career opening?
A regrettable comment. And I should know
Possibly. I am fairly full of St Chinian. But could you specify the bits which are wrong? Can't see it myself. The doggies/darkies thing was unambiguously clear at the time (as Ben Wallace told us at the time). The rest is true, but small change by comparison.
Didn't you start drinking again recently? Can't remember. I always confuse you with Topping, another posho ex-Tory provincial quasi-Remainer foxhunter wine snob with less knowledge than he thinks. Maybe that was him?
Anyway, it is always obvious when you are pissed; and if you do a comment involving the word "darkies" it is pissed and clearly REGRETTABLE, per se
And you went somewhat beyond that
And I actually agree with you about NPXMP's affable tolerance of Corbyn and also his indulgence of anti-democratic europhilia, which led directly to Brexit (which should have been so much softer if we had been asked our opinions ten years earlier). These aspects of him are deeply irritating, but the site requires a level of politesse to function. A bit like MPs calling each other "Honourable Member" - there is a reason for this, and it is not just to be nice
Sure, "darkies" was a mistake. and yes, I probably wouldn't pass a breathalyzer and should certainly go to bed. I just don't see that there is any on-the-one-hand-on-the-other prevarication available over the Pen Farthing thing. Pet dogs were prioritised over people. I have no doubt whatever that at least one person has been cruelly killed as a result of that. The End.
This is obviously a culture. We now have reports of parties from May 2020 to April 2021, pretty regularly. What a breakdown of responsibility, accountability and leadership.
This is obviously a culture. We now have reports of parties from May 2020 to April 2021, pretty regularly. What a breakdown of responsibility, accountability and leadership.
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
Yes, I seriously wonder this. His political judgement has been TERRIBLE since he got ill
I get that he has always been a lying, philandering toad etc etc etc, but he also *had* basic political cunning. He would not be where he is, if he had not previously exercised this skilful ambition
Since his sickness this faculty seems to have totally deserted him. eg He does not need the fun of silly drinks parties during a lockdown. So why tolerate them? I get the sense of a somewhat bewildered man, with depleted mental/physical resources, who has no grip whatsoever on his office
This is not to excuse him. It is a sad decline, probably terminal
That iconic photo of Her Majesty alone at Prince Philip's funeral is going to be on every front page tomorrow, isn't it?
Surprisingly, it's not even the main story in the Telegraph. To be fair, the unroyaling of Andrew is a bigger thing than misbehaviour in the house of some here today gone tomorrow politician.
That iconic photo of Her Majesty alone at Prince Philip's funeral is going to be on every front page tomorrow, isn't it?
I'm not a royalist but that is an extremely moving photo.
And yes.
Indeed, I'm pretty apathetic about the monarchy yet even I can see how difficult it would be for the Queen to go through that essentially alone. All while Boris's flunkies in No. 10 were partying all night and their boss turned a blind eye, what larks.
This is shocking and heads need to roll - what on earth was their mindset
Apparently Boris had left to go to Chequers but just adds to the narrative
Boris gone by the end of the month looks very possible
I reckon Boris is going nowhere. He reminds me of Corbyn - clinging on without any dignity. Two the men are more similar that one might think.
It comes back to where it's always come back to.
Are a sufficient number of Conservative MPs prepared to blackball Boris?
If they are, he goes; if there aren't (and so far, there haven't been), he stays.
The counts that I have seen have been woefully low. Bridgen, Caz Noakes, two or three nameless 22ers, a handful of tartan Tories, a madman, an expired MP and someone who has forgotten all about it.
This is shocking and heads need to roll - what on earth was their mindset
Apparently Boris had left to go to Chequers but just adds to the narrative
Boris gone by the end of the month looks very possible
So Boris was at Chequers and not even at No 10 the whole evening!
But....but....then he SHOULD HAVE BEEN!
Nobody in their right mind would go into politics today.
On the latter point, one has some sympathy. On the former, none at all.
If this were just an isolated case of some staffers holding an impromptu party whilst the PM was out of town, then he could plausibly apologise for said incident and ask the Cabinet Secretary to get to the bottom of it. A Prime Minister with credibility and a reputation for probity would find an episode like that embarrassing but could brush it off without too much difficulty.
It's the fact that we have a Prime Minister without credibility, with a reputation for untruthfulness and for whom this is the umpteenth such revelation in a seemingly unending series that means almost nobody will give him the benefit of the doubt.
Only a small minority in the country now believes anything good of Johnson. Consequently, even if he neither sanctioned this latest piss up nor knew anything of it until tonight, people will assume that he is responsible anyway. He simply isn't trusted. Would you trust him?
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
As suffering from Long Covid as a Lord, you mean?
One wonders what effect the latest revelations will have on the PM's chances of becoming one.
If it doesn't start with himself, it's a waste of time.
Or a call to a shit hot divorce lawyer
Actually Carrie is by no means as bad as her misogynistic critics paint her. I hear she is devoting all her time to a charity for rescuing doggies from warzones full of awful poor brown people. The Blondi Trust.
She's highly rated in the animal welfare community - we see her as totally genuine.
Yes, Nick. You also rate doggies higher than darkies. That is implicit in that judgment.
And there isn't an "animal welfare community" for which you speak anyway. I am reponsible for the wellbeing of 9 equines (7 of them unridden and unrideable, as I am sure you think riding a horse is a refined form of abuse) and any number of dogs. I am guessing you aren't. Frankly I have you down as a borderline psychopath after your cynical deceit of this site throughout GE 2015 (tick tock) and your subsequent enthusiasm for the jew hater Corbyn. Surely animal welfare was only ever a career opening?
Ridiculous and unfair. Are you sober?
What?
Where on earth is your evidence that dogs were not prioritised over (poor, brown) humans in the Kabul evacuation? After the evidence given to the FASC? I mean, this is in the same class as holocaust denial.
And while I am at it, try developing the theme that NP did not lie his head off with the tick tock bollocks over GE 2015, bearing in mind that he admitted to it himself? Or that he did not use this site as a convenient conduit for penetrating the antisemite Corbyn's arse? You have the floor.
This is unessecarily personal and insulting.
Sorry, but wrong. Afghan men, women and quite possibly children who worked for and trusted this country have been tortured to death because Carrie and Nicky have a soft spot for doggie woggies.
This is shocking and heads need to roll - what on earth was their mindset
Apparently Boris had left to go to Chequers but just adds to the narrative
Boris gone by the end of the month looks very possible
I reckon Boris is going nowhere. He reminds me of Corbyn - clinging on without any dignity. Two the men are more similar that one might think.
It comes back to where it's always come back to.
Are a sufficient number of Conservative MPs prepared to blackball Boris?
If they are, he goes; if there aren't (and so far, there haven't been), he stays.
The counts that I have seen have been woefully low. Bridgen, Caz Noakes, two or three nameless 22ers, a handful of tartan Tories, a madman, an expired MP and someone who has forgotten all about it.
Yes but. They are the terminally thick ones too daft to not disclose it.
This is shocking and heads need to roll - what on earth was their mindset
Apparently Boris had left to go to Chequers but just adds to the narrative
Boris gone by the end of the month looks very possible
I reckon Boris is going nowhere. He reminds me of Corbyn - clinging on without any dignity. Two the men are more similar that one might think.
It comes back to where it's always come back to.
Are a sufficient number of Conservative MPs prepared to blackball Boris?
If they are, he goes; if there aren't (and so far, there haven't been), he stays.
The counts that I have seen have been woefully low. Bridgen, Caz Noakes, two or three nameless 22ers, a handful of tartan Tories, a madman, an expired MP and someone who has forgotten all about it.
On Ukraine trip, @ChrisMurphyCT : "We have significant intel that tells us this invasion is perhaps imminent. That has not always been shared, our view of the seriousness of this invasion, by some of our partners in/around Europe. So we want to bring that intel to Pres. Zelensky"
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
Yes, I seriously wonder this. His political judgement has been TERRIBLE since he got ill
I get that he has always been a lying, philandering toad etc etc etc, but he also *had* basic political cunning. He would not be where he is, if he had not previously exercised this skilful ambition
Since his sickness this faculty seems to have totally deserted him. eg He does not need the fun of silly drinks parties during a lockdown. So why tolerate them? I get the sense of a somewhat bewildered man, with depleted mental/physical resources, who has no grip whatsoever on his office
This is not to excuse him. It is a sad decline, probably terminal
Like Churchill, Macdonald? One hopes not. But it is a question.
Ironically, this should have been a week of triumph for Johnson as the omicron wave seems to have passed its peak and his (or the cabinet's) 'no tighter restrictions' stance looks to have been the right one.
Sky Sports is in advanced talks with the England & Wales Cricket Board about keeping home internationals with the broadcaster for another decade.
Industry sources expect Sky and the governing body to reach agreement on extending the current deal, which still has two years left to run. After dismal results during the Ashes, and Government financial threats following the racism crisis, the ECB would welcome the prospect of long-term cash stability.
From the broadcaster's perspective, a new deal would show viewers that executives remain as committed as ever to the sport, despite the recent departure of popular commentator David Lloyd.
Given the post-Covid market conditions, a fresh deal would be unlikely to exceed the estimated current £1.1 billion total package on a year-to-year basis. But there are suggestions that Sky has expressed interest in an even longer term than the current five-year rights cycle - possibly for 10 years.
This is like the cumulative effect of the daily revelations (some of them spurious) of the MPs' expenses scandal. But there the mounting anger was against all parties. Now it is entirely focused on the Tories, and specifically Boris.
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
Yes, I seriously wonder this. His political judgement has been TERRIBLE since he got ill
I get that he has always been a lying, philandering toad etc etc etc, but he also *had* basic political cunning. He would not be where he is, if he had not previously exercised this skilful ambition
Since his sickness this faculty seems to have totally deserted him. eg He does not need the fun of silly drinks parties during a lockdown. So why tolerate them? I get the sense of a somewhat bewildered man, with depleted mental/physical resources, who has no grip whatsoever on his office
This is not to excuse him. It is a sad decline, probably terminal
Like Churchill, Macdonald? One hopes not. But it is a question.
Yes
Like you, I also get the sense that he is simply a bit.... deaf.
He's always been a mumbler. But it is now ridiculous. "Peppa Pig". Is it used to hide more serious failings?
He's 57 years old. It is very early, in normal times, for cognitive or sensory decline - his elderly father is still full of vim - but Long Covid is nasty and, let us remember, Boris nearly died on a ventilator
Indeed, that is why we are being told there were other parties. To show it was not just 20th May and not just Johnson. It was a systemic issue across the whole of No 10 if not whitehall.
I remain convinced that he'll eventually leave office discredited, or even disgraced, and will come to be seen as one of the most inadequate PMs of all time.
Remember however the Tories had 0 Scottish seats in 1997 and only 1 seat even in 2015 when they won an overall UK majority.
The Scottish party is no more important to the Tory party than any other regional branch of it, it is the UK Tory party as a whole who will decide who its leader is, after all that is the whole point of the Union. The whole UK determines the UK government, not just Scots, Scots have their own parliament for much domestic policy post devolution but Westminster still remains the UK parliament
You carry on reaching out to those swing voters!
I notice his assertion the whole point of the Union of the Kingdoms is to support the Conservative Party. Just to avoid the need for any quic edits, he said" it is the UK Tory party as a whole who will decide who its leader is, after all that is the whole point of the Union."
Here is a deal: you stop kicking HYUFD and I'll stop kicking Malcolm? How long can we keep it up?
You flatter yourself you scumbag of scumbags. Why have you stopped F***ing off foreskin. The day you are able to kick me will be the day I become Pope. @Nigel_Foremain@Carnyx
Antacids are quite useful when one is suffering from severe indigestion! Can really upset the mood.
Foreskin? lol. This is the extent of the silly little mans "wit". I don't need to kick him really he does such a good job of it himself.😂😂😂😂😂😂
I heard a cheap circumcision is known as a hatchet job.
Can we really do jokes like that on here?
I had a job as a circumcisors assistant a few years back. The basic pay was poor but I got to keep half the tips.
I had a friend who did circumcisions and after 10 years made them into a wallet.
"That's not that impressive" I said.
He smiled. "But if you rub it, it turns into a suitcase..."
If it doesn't start with himself, it's a waste of time.
Or a call to a shit hot divorce lawyer
Actually Carrie is by no means as bad as her misogynistic critics paint her. I hear she is devoting all her time to a charity for rescuing doggies from warzones full of awful poor brown people. The Blondi Trust.
She's highly rated in the animal welfare community - we see her as totally genuine.
Yes, Nick. You also rate doggies higher than darkies. That is implicit in that judgment.
And there isn't an "animal welfare community" for which you speak anyway. I am reponsible for the wellbeing of 9 equines (7 of them unridden and unrideable, as I am sure you think riding a horse is a refined form of abuse) and any number of dogs. I am guessing you aren't. Frankly I have you down as a borderline psychopath after your cynical deceit of this site throughout GE 2015 (tick tock) and your subsequent enthusiasm for the jew hater Corbyn. Surely animal welfare was only ever a career opening?
Nonsense. @NickP is a party loyalist, but everyone knows and expects that.
His work for CWF seems genuinely heartfelt to me, as does Carrie's love for animals. They bring out both the best and the worst of us a species.
Quite what we do with animals is a real ethical dilemma. Indeed I am part way through this very thoughtful book on the subject:
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
Yes, I seriously wonder this. His political judgement has been TERRIBLE since he got ill
I get that he has always been a lying, philandering toad etc etc etc, but he also *had* basic political cunning. He would not be where he is, if he had not previously exercised this skilful ambition
Since his sickness this faculty seems to have totally deserted him. eg He does not need the fun of silly drinks parties during a lockdown. So why tolerate them? I get the sense of a somewhat bewildered man, with depleted mental/physical resources, who has no grip whatsoever on his office
This is not to excuse him. It is a sad decline, probably terminal
Like Churchill, Macdonald? One hopes not. But it is a question.
How did baby Wilf get any kip? Ought children's services to be.informed? Gangs of dozens of paralytic strange adults partying in the home of an infant. That's a question for a social workers thresholds.
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
Yes, I seriously wonder this. His political judgement has been TERRIBLE since he got ill
I get that he has always been a lying, philandering toad etc etc etc, but he also *had* basic political cunning. He would not be where he is, if he had not previously exercised this skilful ambition
Since his sickness this faculty seems to have totally deserted him. eg He does not need the fun of silly drinks parties during a lockdown. So why tolerate them? I get the sense of a somewhat bewildered man, with depleted mental/physical resources, who has no grip whatsoever on his office
This is not to excuse him. It is a sad decline, probably terminal
Like Churchill, Macdonald? One hopes not. But it is a question.
Yes
Like you, I also get the sense that he is simply a bit.... deaf.
He's always been a mumbler. But it is now ridiculous. "Peppa Pig". Is it used to hide more serious failings?
He's 57 years old. It is very early, in normal times, for cognitive or sensory decline - his elderly father is still full of vim - but Long Covid is nasty and, let us remember, Boris nearly died on a ventilator
Want to hear one theory from somebody who knows Boris Johnson quite well?
Lack of sex with other women is what is behind it.
Being PM and with Covid-19 has seen him pretty much trapped in Downing Street for 2 years, he cannot go shagging about, Carrie would know straight away, and the cherry on the parfait, she's been pregnant a lot for those two years.
As any man who has a pregnant other half can attest to, sex isn't always an option during pregnancy.
Anyone think this Chinese infiltration is a little too convenient? It seems a odd that it comes out today and it's Patel and IDS who are leading the story.
The number of Ministers prepared to humiliate themselves at the altar of Johnson is unedifying
Very convenient, of course. NOT that it matters, as we saw in Thursday's headlines (posted on previous thread) not even enhanced legal jeopardy to Rancid Andy could drive Party-Hardy Boris off the front pages.
And fact of Chinese infiltration in Westminster (as on Capitol Hill) ain't exactly new news.
Though diminishing returns will not prevent Boris & Co from pumping more bilge to muddy the waters they've already murked (or visa versa).
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
As suffering from Long Covid as a Lord, you mean?
One wonders what effect the latest revelations will have on the PM's chances of becoming one.
Not sure what the Lord has to do with it, sorry?
Another Yes, Minister-ism;
(after the Home Secretary had been caught drunk driving:)
"I gather that he was a drunk as a Lord, so after a discreet interval, they will probably make him one."
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
Yes, I seriously wonder this. His political judgement has been TERRIBLE since he got ill
I get that he has always been a lying, philandering toad etc etc etc, but he also *had* basic political cunning. He would not be where he is, if he had not previously exercised this skilful ambition
Since his sickness this faculty seems to have totally deserted him. eg He does not need the fun of silly drinks parties during a lockdown. So why tolerate them? I get the sense of a somewhat bewildered man, with depleted mental/physical resources, who has no grip whatsoever on his office
This is not to excuse him. It is a sad decline, probably terminal
Like Churchill, Macdonald? One hopes not. But it is a question.
Yes
Like you, I also get the sense that he is simply a bit.... deaf.
He's always been a mumbler. But it is now ridiculous. "Peppa Pig". Is it used to hide more serious failings?
He's 57 years old. It is very early, in normal times, for cognitive or sensory decline - his elderly father is still full of vim - but Long Covid is nasty and, let us remember, Boris nearly died on a ventilator
But, to be fair. So is being pissed every night of the week.
On Ukraine trip, @ChrisMurphyCT : "We have significant intel that tells us this invasion is perhaps imminent. That has not always been shared, our view of the seriousness of this invasion, by some of our partners in/around Europe. So we want to bring that intel to Pres. Zelensky"
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
Yes, I seriously wonder this. His political judgement has been TERRIBLE since he got ill
I get that he has always been a lying, philandering toad etc etc etc, but he also *had* basic political cunning. He would not be where he is, if he had not previously exercised this skilful ambition
Since his sickness this faculty seems to have totally deserted him. eg He does not need the fun of silly drinks parties during a lockdown. So why tolerate them? I get the sense of a somewhat bewildered man, with depleted mental/physical resources, who has no grip whatsoever on his office
This is not to excuse him. It is a sad decline, probably terminal
Like Churchill, Macdonald? One hopes not. But it is a question.
Yes
Like you, I also get the sense that he is simply a bit.... deaf.
He's always been a mumbler. But it is now ridiculous. "Peppa Pig". Is it used to hide more serious failings?
He's 57 years old. It is very early, in normal times, for cognitive or sensory decline - his elderly father is still full of vim - but Long Covid is nasty and, let us remember, Boris nearly died on a ventilator
Want to hear one theory from somebody who knows Boris Johnson quite well?
Lack of sex with other women is what is behind it.
Being PM and with Covid-19 has seen him pretty much trapped in Downing Street for 2 years, he cannot go shagging about, Carrie would know straight away, and the cherry on the parfait, she's been pregnant a lot for those two years.
As any man who has a pregnant other half can attest to, sex isn't always an option during pregnancy.
I remain convinced that he'll eventually leave office discredited, or even disgraced, and will come to be seen as one of the most inadequate PMs of all time.
This may surprise you, but I have often remembered that particular comment of yours. It struck a chime in my mind, even at the time. I tried to ignore it, as it unsettled me. But it nagged
True story
We disagree on almost everything else, and we have little mutual respect, but I will sincerely respect your prescience if this comes to pass. As it seems, is now likely
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
As suffering from Long Covid as a Lord, you mean?
One wonders what effect the latest revelations will have on the PM's chances of becoming one.
Not sure what the Lord has to do with it, sorry?
Another Yes, Minister-ism;
(after the Home Secretary had been caught drunk driving:)
"I gather that he was a drunk as a Lord, so after a discreet interval, they will probably make him one."
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
Yes, I seriously wonder this. His political judgement has been TERRIBLE since he got ill
I get that he has always been a lying, philandering toad etc etc etc, but he also *had* basic political cunning. He would not be where he is, if he had not previously exercised this skilful ambition
Since his sickness this faculty seems to have totally deserted him. eg He does not need the fun of silly drinks parties during a lockdown. So why tolerate them? I get the sense of a somewhat bewildered man, with depleted mental/physical resources, who has no grip whatsoever on his office
This is not to excuse him. It is a sad decline, probably terminal
Like Churchill, Macdonald? One hopes not. But it is a question.
Yes
Like you, I also get the sense that he is simply a bit.... deaf.
He's always been a mumbler. But it is now ridiculous. "Peppa Pig". Is it used to hide more serious failings?
He's 57 years old. It is very early, in normal times, for cognitive or sensory decline - his elderly father is still full of vim - but Long Covid is nasty and, let us remember, Boris nearly died on a ventilator
Want to hear one theory from somebody who knows Boris Johnson quite well?
Lack of sex with other women is what is behind it.
Being PM and with Covid-19 has seen him pretty much trapped in Downing Street for 2 years, he cannot go shagging about, Carrie would know straight away, and the cherry on the parfait, she's been pregnant a lot for those two years.
As any man who has a pregnant other half can attest to, sex isn't always an option during pregnancy.
So the lack of sex has messed up Boris Johnson.
I don't imagine that will feature in Sue Gray's report, but you never know.
This is shocking and heads need to roll - what on earth was their mindset
Apparently Boris had left to go to Chequers but just adds to the narrative
Boris gone by the end of the month looks very possible
I reckon Boris is going nowhere. He reminds me of Corbyn - clinging on without any dignity. Two the men are more similar that one might think.
It comes back to where it's always come back to.
Are a sufficient number of Conservative MPs prepared to blackball Boris?
If they are, he goes; if there aren't (and so far, there haven't been), he stays.
The counts that I have seen have been woefully low. Bridgen, Caz Noakes, two or three nameless 22ers, a handful of tartan Tories, a madman, an expired MP and someone who has forgotten all about it.
I take it the nameless 22ers included the Hon Members for Schleswig and Holstein?
I'm not quite clear whether there's no response from the press so far on this potentially huge story of the party on the eve of Philip's funeral, because they're simply waiting for more confirmation on it ; it's just too late and there's too much news ; or because there are some journos with connections to some of the gatherings.
How did baby Wilf get any kip? Ought children's services to be.informed? Gangs of dozens of paralytic strange adults partying in the home of an infant. That's a question for a social workers thresholds.
"Get a load of that wallpaper! Imagine, subjecting innocent children to a Turkish whorehouse!!"
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
Yes, I seriously wonder this. His political judgement has been TERRIBLE since he got ill
I get that he has always been a lying, philandering toad etc etc etc, but he also *had* basic political cunning. He would not be where he is, if he had not previously exercised this skilful ambition
Since his sickness this faculty seems to have totally deserted him. eg He does not need the fun of silly drinks parties during a lockdown. So why tolerate them? I get the sense of a somewhat bewildered man, with depleted mental/physical resources, who has no grip whatsoever on his office
This is not to excuse him. It is a sad decline, probably terminal
Like Churchill, Macdonald? One hopes not. But it is a question.
Yes
Like you, I also get the sense that he is simply a bit.... deaf.
He's always been a mumbler. But it is now ridiculous. "Peppa Pig". Is it used to hide more serious failings?
He's 57 years old. It is very early, in normal times, for cognitive or sensory decline - his elderly father is still full of vim - but Long Covid is nasty and, let us remember, Boris nearly died on a ventilator
He was surely never on a ventilator? Oxygen, yes. Cpap, yes. But not ventilated.
An interesting thread about Sinema that I do not know the providence of the author but it appeals directly to my prejudices about what a fucking idiot Sinema is so i thought I would share
This is like the cumulative effect of the daily revelations (some of them spurious) of the MPs' expenses scandal. But there the mounting anger was against all parties. Now it is entirely focused on the Tories, and specifically Boris.
How much will stick long term to the Tories long after Boris is history?
For example in the space of a week the trigger word covid will make people think of Conservative Party partying, not vaccine roll out.
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
Yes, I seriously wonder this. His political judgement has been TERRIBLE since he got ill
I get that he has always been a lying, philandering toad etc etc etc, but he also *had* basic political cunning. He would not be where he is, if he had not previously exercised this skilful ambition
Since his sickness this faculty seems to have totally deserted him. eg He does not need the fun of silly drinks parties during a lockdown. So why tolerate them? I get the sense of a somewhat bewildered man, with depleted mental/physical resources, who has no grip whatsoever on his office
This is not to excuse him. It is a sad decline, probably terminal
Like Churchill, Macdonald? One hopes not. But it is a question.
Yes
Like you, I also get the sense that he is simply a bit.... deaf.
He's always been a mumbler. But it is now ridiculous. "Peppa Pig". Is it used to hide more serious failings?
He's 57 years old. It is very early, in normal times, for cognitive or sensory decline - his elderly father is still full of vim - but Long Covid is nasty and, let us remember, Boris nearly died on a ventilator
Want to hear one theory from somebody who knows Boris Johnson quite well?
Lack of sex with other women is what is behind it.
Being PM and with Covid-19 has seen him pretty much trapped in Downing Street for 2 years, he cannot go shagging about, Carrie would know straight away, and the cherry on the parfait, she's been pregnant a lot for those two years.
As any man who has a pregnant other half can attest to, sex isn't always an option during pregnancy.
So the lack of sex has messed up Boris Johnson.
That's quite a plausible theory
I have a few friends in their fifties who have high libidos but their post menopausal wives are no longer, ah, putting out. They aren't used to womanising (they have forgotten how to seduce or flirt) and whoring is too weird, strange or immoral for them
Their decline is absolutely obvious. Lack of sex has turned them into sad mumbling hobos, a bit like Boris right now
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
Yes, I seriously wonder this. His political judgement has been TERRIBLE since he got ill
I get that he has always been a lying, philandering toad etc etc etc, but he also *had* basic political cunning. He would not be where he is, if he had not previously exercised this skilful ambition
Since his sickness this faculty seems to have totally deserted him. eg He does not need the fun of silly drinks parties during a lockdown. So why tolerate them? I get the sense of a somewhat bewildered man, with depleted mental/physical resources, who has no grip whatsoever on his office
This is not to excuse him. It is a sad decline, probably terminal
Like Churchill, Macdonald? One hopes not. But it is a question.
Yes
Like you, I also get the sense that he is simply a bit.... deaf.
He's always been a mumbler. But it is now ridiculous. "Peppa Pig". Is it used to hide more serious failings?
He's 57 years old. It is very early, in normal times, for cognitive or sensory decline - his elderly father is still full of vim - but Long Covid is nasty and, let us remember, Boris nearly died on a ventilator
He was surely never on a ventilator? Oxygen, yes. Cpap, yes. But not ventilated.
I may be confusing ventilator with Cpap. He was certainly in ICU and he nearly died. That's bad enough?
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
Yes, I seriously wonder this. His political judgement has been TERRIBLE since he got ill
I get that he has always been a lying, philandering toad etc etc etc, but he also *had* basic political cunning. He would not be where he is, if he had not previously exercised this skilful ambition
Since his sickness this faculty seems to have totally deserted him. eg He does not need the fun of silly drinks parties during a lockdown. So why tolerate them? I get the sense of a somewhat bewildered man, with depleted mental/physical resources, who has no grip whatsoever on his office
This is not to excuse him. It is a sad decline, probably terminal
Like Churchill, Macdonald? One hopes not. But it is a question.
Yes
Like you, I also get the sense that he is simply a bit.... deaf.
He's always been a mumbler. But it is now ridiculous. "Peppa Pig". Is it used to hide more serious failings?
He's 57 years old. It is very early, in normal times, for cognitive or sensory decline - his elderly father is still full of vim - but Long Covid is nasty and, let us remember, Boris nearly died on a ventilator
He was surely never on a ventilator? Oxygen, yes. Cpap, yes. But not ventilated.
I may be confusing ventilator with Cpap. He was certainly in ICU and he nearly died. That's bad enough?
Did he nearly die? I suspect he needed support breathing, but ventialation is seriously invasive, and would have left marks.
May's departure was more of a drip drip drip ........this feels like a tidal wave....
The fact that Bridgen and Chope are already out of the blocks suggests to me that Johnson isn't such a bad guy after all. Who do they have in mind to fulfil the Brexit dream?
On Ukraine trip, @ChrisMurphyCT : "We have significant intel that tells us this invasion is perhaps imminent. That has not always been shared, our view of the seriousness of this invasion, by some of our partners in/around Europe. So we want to bring that intel to Pres. Zelensky"
What’s you thought then, deal or no deal? Which side is playing hard ball in the talks most?
The talks are going nowhere. The Russian demands are unreasonable, and are meant to be.
I think though that a Russian invasion would fairly swiftly backfire on Putin. Ukraine will fight, and if any sense fight in the cities and in small units rather than in big units vulnerable to Russian deep battle tactics. Then in the thaw of the spring mud those Russian tanks will be picked off.
Students (unless they're Old Etonians) are little people. Rules are only for little people.
If the Parliamentary Tory Party allows this Prime Minister to survive then they're betting the farm on stuffing the mouths of the elderly with gold, and hoping that there are enough people under 65 on top of that who are dense or ignorant enough to allow the Government to get away with treating them like mugs over Covid, and everything else.
There are a lot of old people. There are a lot of other people who pay little or no attention to any of these controversies. It might work.
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
This culture comes from the top. There has often been comment about how old he looks. How he sometimes sounds confused. His habitual lateness. His failure to put in the hours. His red face and haggardness. We've generally put it down to long COVID perhaps? We should now ask this question.
How much does the PM personally drink?
Either that, or 'long covid' is a new version of 'tired and emotional'. But it is a serious question as he does not seem to be all there rather too much of the time. I've often wondered if he was getting seriously deaf without admitting it, getting hearing aids, etc. as he wasn't coping with questions and discussion.
Yes, I seriously wonder this. His political judgement has been TERRIBLE since he got ill
I get that he has always been a lying, philandering toad etc etc etc, but he also *had* basic political cunning. He would not be where he is, if he had not previously exercised this skilful ambition
Since his sickness this faculty seems to have totally deserted him. eg He does not need the fun of silly drinks parties during a lockdown. So why tolerate them? I get the sense of a somewhat bewildered man, with depleted mental/physical resources, who has no grip whatsoever on his office
This is not to excuse him. It is a sad decline, probably terminal
Like Churchill, Macdonald? One hopes not. But it is a question.
Yes
Like you, I also get the sense that he is simply a bit.... deaf.
He's always been a mumbler. But it is now ridiculous. "Peppa Pig". Is it used to hide more serious failings?
He's 57 years old. It is very early, in normal times, for cognitive or sensory decline - his elderly father is still full of vim - but Long Covid is nasty and, let us remember, Boris nearly died on a ventilator
Also, he's got to the top in an unconventional, bluffy way. He's never been a junior minister, and he didn't spend long as an opposition spokesman. To take a cricket analogy, he became Test captain without spending time slogging round county grounds in dodgy weather. Or he's gone straight to the West End without doing years in Rep first. You get the idea.
And OK, it's worked for him. He's PM, and lots of people who crave the job won't be. But he hasn't worked out the flaws in his approach, because he hasn't had to. And now, they're exposed every day. And whilst he's smart, a lot of his brain capacity is taken up with keeping track of which lies he has told to who when.
Being PM is a horrible brutal job. It broke May and Brown and Major, it sent Thatcher and Blair mad. In a way Cameron was lucky; being forced out prematurely in 2016 meant he seemed to leave with most of his human faculties intact. None of them were stupid, all of them were better prepared for the role than the incumbent.
Covid isn't necessary to explain what is happening to Boris. It's the job doing what it does. And for all I think he is a bad man and a rotten PM, it's never nice to see this happen to a fellow human.
This is shocking and heads need to roll - what on earth was their mindset
Apparently Boris had left to go to Chequers but just adds to the narrative
Boris gone by the end of the month looks very possible
I reckon Boris is going nowhere. He reminds me of Corbyn - clinging on without any dignity. Two the men are more similar that one might think.
It comes back to where it's always come back to.
Are a sufficient number of Conservative MPs prepared to blackball Boris?
If they are, he goes; if there aren't (and so far, there haven't been), he stays.
The counts that I have seen have been woefully low. Bridgen, Caz Noakes, two or three nameless 22ers, a handful of tartan Tories, a madman, an expired MP and someone who has forgotten all about it.
I take it the nameless 22ers included the Hon Members for Schleswig and Holstein?
If my staff behaved this badly it would look bad on me and I'd be looking for a new job.
What does it say about Boris Johnson that he employs people like this and never sacks them?
Yes. I know directors who have been sacked for fostering a ludicrous party team atmosphere where everyone dicks about bringing the company into disrepute.
An inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street, which could determine the fate of Boris Johnson, is expected to lay bare a “farcical” culture of drinking and impromptu socialising, with little oversight from senior officials, the Guardian understands.
Whitehall sources said the investigation, overseen by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, was also likely to unearth other drinks events across government buildings as special advisers and officials were encouraged to “come clean” about breaches of lockdown rules.
That strongly suggests that there were parties at other government departments and therefore other Ministers potentially in the frame.
Perhaps Ms Grey is asking the two questions I have been posting on here since yesterday -
1. During lockdowns did they ever attend any social events or "work parties" or meetings at which alcoholic drinks were served at all at No 10 and, if so, how many and when? 2. During lockdowns did they ever have any social events or "work parties" or meetings at which alcoholic drinks were served at their own departments and, if so, how many and when?
Comments
"I think it's very important to Virginia Giuffre that this matter be resolved in a way that vindicates her and vindicates the other victims. I don't think she has a firm view as to exactly what a solution should be.
"But I think what's going to be important is that this resolution vindicates her and vindicates the claim she has made."
"[Won't] pre-judge [but] no suggestion of settlement discussions at this point"
"A purely financial settlement is not anything I think she is interested in"
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59977517
Not impossible.
Worth 1000/1 if you can get it.
Pizza Hut is cheaper and the quality is just as good.
This lady just happened to the Queen.
Good night all.
Thanks for the vigorous debate.
@Telegraph
"I don't honestly believe the Prime Minister can change"
On this episode of @ChoppersPodcast, Tory MP @ABridgen joins @christopherhope to reveal that he's submitted a 'letter of no confidence' in Boris Johnson "
https://twitter.com/Telegraph/status/1481743218211500033
Alternatively you can subscribe to my helpful mnemonic stream
Kier Is Exactly Right
Grey With No A
Anyway, it is always obvious when you are pissed; and if you do a comment involving the word "darkies" it is pissed and clearly REGRETTABLE, per se
And you went somewhat beyond that
And I actually agree with you about NPXMP's affable tolerance of Corbyn and also his indulgence of anti-democratic europhilia, which led directly to Brexit (which should have been so much softer if we had been asked our opinions ten years earlier). These aspects of him are deeply irritating, but the site requires a level of politesse to function. A bit like MPs calling each other "Honourable Member" - there is a reason for this, and it is not just to be nice
Would explain his boozy night out when he decided saving Owen Paterson was a capital idea.
Actually. It explains much tbh.
"Downing Street staff drank alcohol into the early hours at two leaving events the night before Prince Philip’s socially-distanced funeral, The Telegraph can reveal."
The number of Ministers prepared to humiliate themselves at the altar of Johnson is unedifying
You may remember it was @foxinsoxuk previously, a reference to the cartoon wordsmith
Was Carrie?
I was willing to give them a little bit of leeway for cheese and wine at the end of a long day but this is taking the p*ss
She finally left No10 some 13 months later
https://twitter.com/MattChorley/status/1481750974612099073?s=20
May's departure was more of a drip drip drip ........this feels like a tidal wave....
Prime Minister, if you resign you can have a leaving party
ought to do it.
And yes.
One wonders what effect the latest revelations will have on the PM's chances of becoming one.
I get that he has always been a lying, philandering toad etc etc etc, but he also *had* basic political cunning. He would not be where he is, if he had not previously exercised this skilful ambition
Since his sickness this faculty seems to have totally deserted him. eg He does not need the fun of silly drinks parties during a lockdown. So why tolerate them? I get the sense of a somewhat bewildered man, with depleted mental/physical resources, who has no grip whatsoever on his office
This is not to excuse him. It is a sad decline, probably terminal
Not sure the media have caught up with this news
Media overload perhaps
https://www.tomorrowspapers.co.uk/
If this were just an isolated case of some staffers holding an impromptu party whilst the PM was out of town, then he could plausibly apologise for said incident and ask the Cabinet Secretary to get to the bottom of it. A Prime Minister with credibility and a reputation for probity would find an episode like that embarrassing but could brush it off without too much difficulty.
It's the fact that we have a Prime Minister without credibility, with a reputation for untruthfulness and for whom this is the umpteenth such revelation in a seemingly unending series that means almost nobody will give him the benefit of the doubt.
Only a small minority in the country now believes anything good of Johnson. Consequently, even if he neither sanctioned this latest piss up nor knew anything of it until tonight, people will assume that he is responsible anyway. He simply isn't trusted. Would you trust him?
https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481754985230737413
They are the terminally thick ones too daft to not disclose it.
On Ukraine trip,
@ChrisMurphyCT
: "We have significant intel that tells us this invasion is perhaps imminent. That has not always been shared, our view of the seriousness of this invasion, by some of our partners in/around Europe. So we want to bring that intel to Pres. Zelensky"
https://twitter.com/mitchellreports/status/1481686010450919424?s=20
Not bad Twitter, not bad at all.
Let's not twat around here.
And Sue Gray is going to come up with some elaborate cross-whitehall bullshit about systemic issues rather than end a PM's career.
Industry sources expect Sky and the governing body to reach agreement on extending the current deal, which still has two years left to run. After dismal results during the Ashes, and Government financial threats following the racism crisis, the ECB would welcome the prospect of long-term cash stability.
From the broadcaster's perspective, a new deal would show viewers that executives remain as committed as ever to the sport, despite the recent departure of popular commentator David Lloyd.
Given the post-Covid market conditions, a fresh deal would be unlikely to exceed the estimated current £1.1 billion total package on a year-to-year basis. But there are suggestions that Sky has expressed interest in an even longer term than the current five-year rights cycle - possibly for 10 years.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2022/01/13/sky-sports-closing-new-deal-ecb-keep-englands-home-internationals/
Like you, I also get the sense that he is simply a bit.... deaf.
He's always been a mumbler. But it is now ridiculous. "Peppa Pig". Is it used to hide more serious failings?
He's 57 years old. It is very early, in normal times, for cognitive or sensory decline - his elderly father is still full of vim - but Long Covid is nasty and, let us remember, Boris nearly died on a ventilator
Whitewash order has gone in.
New socks. Two socks. Whose socks? Sue’s socks.
Who sews whose socks? Sue sews Sue’s socks. Who sees who sew whose new socks, sir? You see Sue sew Sue’s new socks, sir
Ought children's services to be.informed?
Gangs of dozens of paralytic strange adults partying in the home of an infant.
That's a question for a social workers thresholds.
Lack of sex with other women is what is behind it.
Being PM and with Covid-19 has seen him pretty much trapped in Downing Street for 2 years, he cannot go shagging about, Carrie would know straight away, and the cherry on the parfait, she's been pregnant a lot for those two years.
As any man who has a pregnant other half can attest to, sex isn't always an option during pregnancy.
So the lack of sex has messed up Boris Johnson.
And fact of Chinese infiltration in Westminster (as on Capitol Hill) ain't exactly new news.
Though diminishing returns will not prevent Boris & Co from pumping more bilge to muddy the waters they've already murked (or visa versa).
(after the Home Secretary had been caught drunk driving:)
"I gather that he was a drunk as a Lord,
so after a discreet interval, they will probably make him one."
True story
We disagree on almost everything else, and we have little mutual respect, but I will sincerely respect your prescience if this comes to pass. As it seems, is now likely
Boozers closed, no matter, we will stay late in the office and drink instead.
NEW THREAD
https://twitter.com/Amy_Siskind/status/1481731676669632516?t=xwtpS4EatwImR0V5btrQjQ&s=19
For example in the space of a week the trigger word covid will make people think of Conservative Party partying, not vaccine roll out.
I have a few friends in their fifties who have high libidos but their post menopausal wives are no longer, ah, putting out. They aren't used to womanising (they have forgotten how to seduce or flirt) and whoring is too weird, strange or immoral for them
Their decline is absolutely obvious. Lack of sex has turned them into sad mumbling hobos, a bit like Boris right now
I think though that a Russian invasion would fairly swiftly backfire on Putin. Ukraine will fight, and if any sense fight in the cities and in small units rather than in big units vulnerable to Russian deep battle tactics. Then in the thaw of the spring mud those Russian tanks will be picked off.
If the Parliamentary Tory Party allows this Prime Minister to survive then they're betting the farm on stuffing the mouths of the elderly with gold, and hoping that there are enough people under 65 on top of that who are dense or ignorant enough to allow the Government to get away with treating them like mugs over Covid, and everything else.
There are a lot of old people. There are a lot of other people who pay little or no attention to any of these controversies. It might work.
And OK, it's worked for him. He's PM, and lots of people who crave the job won't be. But he hasn't worked out the flaws in his approach, because he hasn't had to. And now, they're exposed every day. And whilst he's smart, a lot of his brain capacity is taken up with keeping track of which lies he has told to who when.
Being PM is a horrible brutal job. It broke May and Brown and Major, it sent Thatcher and Blair mad. In a way Cameron was lucky; being forced out prematurely in 2016 meant he seemed to leave with most of his human faculties intact. None of them were stupid, all of them were better prepared for the role than the incumbent.
Covid isn't necessary to explain what is happening to Boris. It's the job doing what it does. And for all I think he is a bad man and a rotten PM, it's never nice to see this happen to a fellow human.
Perhaps Ms Grey is asking the two questions I have been posting on here since yesterday -
1. During lockdowns did they ever attend any social events or "work parties" or meetings at which alcoholic drinks were served at all at No 10 and, if so, how many and when?
2. During lockdowns did they ever have any social events or "work parties" or meetings at which alcoholic drinks were served at their own departments and, if so, how many and when?