Whilst watching Andrew Marr’s recent coverage of the “Profumo Affair” it occurred to me that some of this countries greatest political scandals begun as small column tittle tattle but developed into full blown mass resignations etc. A more recent case concerns the “cash for honours” issues, starting with concerns over interest free loans and culminating in a full police investigation and the rolling of heads (we just don’t yet know how big the head will be).
Looking at the BAE bribes issue then, the conditions are right for another potential biggy, with today’s’ Guardian helping it along it’s merry little way. The paper put a series of very pertinent questions to amongst others the Ministry of Defence, Downing Street and the Attorney General (follow the links at the end of the article for the full text) with a request that replies be sent by 5 p.m. yesterday; to date no replies have been received. Des Browne, Defence Secretary, was equally silent when journalist’s and media representatives quizzed him yesterday on the same issue. Are payments still being made, and have they been made since 2002? was the tone of the questions.
“I am not going to discuss the detail of these confidential contracts for the very reason it would generate the consequences we do not want to generate”
No wonder the “feral Beast” that is the Guardian leapt on this comment on tore it to bits. If no payments were currently being made and none had been made since 2002, Browne would have said so because there would be no consequences. If this wasn’t the case and he admitted to it, what would be the ramifications? Since 2002 such payments are against the law. If this were the case, another police investigation of the most senior politicians in Blair’s government would start, something with neither Blair nor Brown want either now or in the future.
With a horrendous media blunder behind him already (remember the naval personnel selling their stories to the press) Browne is watching what he says. I think it’s to late, because this “cash for arms” scandal is in gardening terms, a “grower”.
No wonder Blair avoids the Old Bailey, it’s about to issue him with an unlimited day pass!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/baefiles/story/0,,2101553,00.html
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