Hi

I am no Tory supporter, in this instance however I think Boris did the right thing.

We, at the time, needed ventilators.

Dyson switched 450 of his engineers onto the job, bought some parts to build and the NHS then decided they didn't want them.

Dyson lost £20 million on the project.

Being quick saves lives, following every rule in the book and we end up like the EU, slow off the mark.

If there was any illegal contracts, then yes, should be looked into.

In this instance I think we did the right thing.

Hi

I am no Tory supporter, in this instance however I think Boris did the right thing.

We, at the time, needed ventilators.

Dyson switched 450 of his engineers onto the job, bought some parts to build and the NHS then decided they didn't want them.

Dyson lost £20 million on the project.

Being quick saves lives, following every rule in the book and we end up like the EU, slow off the mark.

If there was any illegal contracts, then yes, should be looked into.

In this instance I think we did the right thing.

The "controversy" is not about what he did - it's about how he did it .....

The end justified the means and even Tony Blair didn't condemn the action on R4 earlier this morning.

Boris Johnson said he makes "no apology for moving heaven and earth" to get ventilators during the pandemic, amid a row over lobbying by Sir James Dyson. Mr Johnson said any PM would have done the same in the circumstances, to secure ventilator supplies.

But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was part of a pattern of government "sleaze" centred on the prime minister.

Boris Johnson makes 'no apology' for seeking ventilators

https://www.over50sforum.com/showthread.php?t=74527



* ..... and the rest .... with more to come .....

BJ's motto may well be "Disclosure nullus, nulla ratione, nulla excusatione" .....

Harvesting outrage isn't working Omah.

Boris Johnson is regularly texted by business leaders and politicians, sources have admitted, though a loophole in the ministerial code means only meetings and not text messages need to be disclosed.

There is also growing concern inside Whitehall that “government by WhatsApp” and text message is no longer sustainable, and some of the seven inquiries newly commissioned into lobbying are likely to recommend change.

There is concern that the prime minister has distributed his number liberally in the past and was regularly contacted by businesses leaders, politicians and other individuals.

There is no requirement in the ministerial code (as approved by Johnson) to declare lobbying approaches made by text, and no clear guidance on whether the code covers virtual meetings. However, texts to the prime minister concerning government business are covered under freedom of information legislation.

A senior former Whitehall insider said Johnson’s mobile use raised questions about decision-making at the top of government. A former intelligence official said: “I suspect James Dyson is not at the top of the securocrats’ worry list. But you have to ask whether this episode is indicative of a wider carelessness in government.”

The former official said he believed the key issue was whether the conclusion of Johnson’s exchange with Dyson was properly recorded. Ministers can use mobiles for government business, as long as ministerial decisions can be noted and acted on. “This is about standards in government, and whether the prime minister’s actions are auditable,” they added.

All ministers, including the prime minister, are given a security briefing on entering office, and told they can be prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act if they pass classified information via a mobile device or any other means. They are also given the opportunity to have their mobile upgraded if they are prepared to hand their old phone to Whitehall technical experts.

Labour has asked the parliamentary liaison committee to launch a full investigation into Johnson’s conduct and asked them to request the release of all correspondence on his phone about government business.

Boris Johnson rejected the cabinet secretary’s advice to change his phone number amid concerns about him being contacted by people who could potentially influence policy decisions.

Simon Case, the top civil servant, is said to have recommended the move last year because of the ease with which MPs, lobbyists and others from the business world were able to contact the prime minister.

Johnson, who has had the same phone number for more than a decade, was reluctant to change it and rejected the advice. A Whitehall source said the extent of the contacts was a consistent cause for concern among officials.

Dyson texting row: Boris Johnson refused to change phone number despite lobbying fears

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/d...ears-wrmbptqxq



Psst ..... wanna buy BJ's number .....