Government Cover-Up

[Hymie]

Following accusations that Boris Johnson personally intervened in the security services concerns over Lord Lebedev’s Peerage – the government promised to publish full details in relation to his appointment.

Now the government has reneged on that promise, citing national security grounds as the reason not to disclose the information.

After MPs backed Labour’s demands for full disclosure, Lord Lebedev said that ‘he had nothing to hide’ – it would appear that that statement is not true.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-61427468

[maggiebee]

Never heard of him.

[Canary42]

A bit like the Sue Gray report then.

[Peter Pedant]

oh well so what
this is AB after all - and I have even mentioned the Great War to be greeted wiv " what dat den?"(*) intended as a crushing one-liner.

This dear reader reminds me of Stanley Baldwin (*) in 1935 being in a tight spot ( 'acrimonious debate') and saying " my lips are sealed" - refusing to talk about the Italian invasion hem hem of Abyssinia(*). He didnt want to but said he cdnt from reasons of national security

irretrievably damaging his reputation

David Low (*) a cartoonist forever portrayed him with sealing wax and two tags on his mouth thereafter. mouf I mean

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/low-look-out-brutus-caesar-is-going-to-unseal-his-lips-n05670

(*) use what dat den/ who dat den/ where datt den ad lib

[davebro]

keep taking the tablets PP

[Peter Pedant]

foo dat good dat - more please!

[Peter Pedant]

Dave - seriously
Govt 2022 refusing to talk about Lebedev for security reasons
Govt 1936 refusing to talk about Hoare Laval for security reasons

the only difference - is the year and the subject

history repeats itself.

Jesus - OK this is a thur night on AB

[jourdain2]

P.P. you don't have a relative who is the Bursar at the Unseen University (Pratchett) do you, by any wild chance?

[Peter Pedant]

erm - not sure - now come on bebe I was unexpectedly right about your will.....

[jourdain2]

True, true,P.P.. :) If I'd known about the 'unexpected ' bit, I might have baulked - but you were right and 'tis a fait accompli.

[Hymie]

He (Lord Lebedev) is the son of a Russian KGB agent – what possible national security threat could he pose to the UK?

[gulliver1]

"The Government promised to publish full details in relation to his appointment" and Boris's involvement.
But it will not be available to Joe public until after the 2024 general election.

[naomi24]

Where did you read that, Gulliver?

[Khandro]

Boris blows another raspberry, hee-hee! It really winds 'em up

[drmorgans]

Gully, you'll be suggesting that Lebedev was made a lord because he donated lots of money to the Tories. Seriously, why would Boris try to cover that up?

[naomi24]

drmorgans, if that's true then Boris hasn't covered it up. If he had you wouldn't know about it.

[drmorgans]

My point exactly. Lebedev's lordship clearly wasn't tied to any donations and Boris is obviously concerned about security considerations, not trying to kick the can down the road. How could anyone think that?

[youngmafbog]

MP's and labour can demand all they want. If something is marked 'Top Secret' they wont get to see it.

[Hymie]

I don’t think Lebedev gave any money to the Tories, but as a friend of Boris he promoted him in his London newspapers to be mayor of London (which came to pass for Boris) – therefore it is only reasonable that Boris reciprocated.

Never mind that he (Lebedev) has connections to the Russian KGB, who could possibly object to such a person being a Peer in the House of Lords?

[davebro]

//who could possibly object to such a person being a Peer in the House of Lords?//

I object to ANYONE being a peer in the House of Lords - the whole concept is a *** anachronism and should be abolished.

[youngmafbog]

With you 100% on that Dave.