PM’s new standards adviser ‘blocked’ from answering questions
Cabinet secretary asked why department intervened to stop Lord Geidt from responding to MPs’ questionnaire
Lord Christopher Geidt gives evidence to MPs earlier this month
28 May 2021
Boris Johnson’s new independent adviser on ministerial standards was blocked from answering parts of a questionnaire sent to him by MPs ahead of his appearance before a parliamentary committee, it has emerged.
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee chair William Wragg made the observation in a letter to cabinet secretary Simon Case – and is demanding to know why the Cabinet Office intervened ahead of Lord Christopher Geidt’s evidence session earlier this month.
HS2 Ltd’s failure to properly communicate with homeowners led to the deteriorating health of a couple whose home was purchased for construction of the high speed rail line, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has concluded.
A PHSO investigation has concluded that HS2 Ltd’s conduct in this case amounts to “maladministration” on numerous accounts.
The Ombudsman’s investigation found HS2 Ltd was “dishonest, misleading and inconsistent” during its communications with Jonathan and Elaine Loescher regarding the compulsory purchase of their property in Lichfield, Staffordshire.
The investigation also found that HS2 Ltd failed to follow its own processes when negotiating compensation claims with the Loeschers for their family home.
Covid public inquiry must examine lockdown s social and economic impacts, urge Tory MPs
Boris Johnson is willing to give evidence under oath and hand over relevant communications and documents, Downing Street signals
The Covid-19 public inquiry must look into the social and economic impacts of lockdown as well as its benefit in curbing infection spread, Tory MPs have urged.
Boris Johnson has announced the independent inquiry, vowing to put the state s actions under the microscope and to learn every lesson for the future .
Downing Street made clear Mr Johnson is willing to give evidence under oath and hand over relevant communications and documents if asked to do so.
Cameron set for grilling over Treasury lobbying
Former PM and financier Lex Greensill will face select committee probe next week, MPs confirm
David Cameron PA
07 May 2021
David Cameron will next week be put under the spotlight to answer hugely uncomfortable questions over his lobbying of chancellor Rishi Sunak and HM Treasury perm sec Sir Tom Scholar on behalf of failed financial firm Greensill Capital.
Members of the Treasury Select Committee are running one of three parliamentary probes into the firm’s activities and its access to government ahead of its collapse into administration earlier this year.
Today the committee said it would be taking evidence from Cameron, who was prime minister from 2010 to 2016, and then worked for Greensill from 2018, on Thursday 13 May. It will subject Lex Greensill to a grilling two days earlier.
Cab sec ‘not told’ about PM’s plans for trust to bankroll No.10 refurb
Simon Case was unaware of controversial proposals until media reports emerged in February, Cabinet Office confirms
Photo: PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo
06 May 2021
Cabinet secretary Simon Case was in the dark for months about prime minister Boris Johnson’s controversial proposals to set up a trust fund that would pay for upgrade work at Downing Street, it has emerged.
The PM’s plan to use donations to cover the cost of refurbishment at No.10 and No.11 first hit the headlines in late February – the same time the Cabinet Office has now confirmed that Case learned about the scheme.