Forum Topic

The greased pig is off and running

All that's missing to complete the police farce is for Starmer to receive an FPN from the Durham Constabulary.

Robert Fish ● 1587d164 Comments

I would not be surprised at anything these days involving politics

Paul Fisher ● 1587d

Haven't you heard ? BoJo and Carrie Antoinette have jetted off to a secret Caribbean hideaway and Kenneth Branagh is now Prime Minister.

Richard Greenhough ● 1587d

Carrie Antoinette's cake might have a secret local ingredient on the mystery island. Will Branagh remain eligible to be PM if NI joins the Irish Republic?

Robert Fish ● 1587d

In that BoJo was born in New York (and is therefore eligible to run for President) I don't think Branagh's origins would make him illegible to be PM whatever happened to NI. And here is a quiz question - which PM of the UK did not have English as his first language ?

Richard Greenhough ● 1587d

DL-G, even though he was a Lancashire lad. Was he the inspiration for Tory cash for honours?

Robert Fish ● 1587d

Unless Boris has lived in the States for 14 years, he is not eligible simply because he was born there.

David Lesniak ● 1587d

America should be thankful for small mercies. Shame they don't also rule out half-Scottish descendants of German immigrants.

Richard Greenhough ● 1586d

I am dumbstruck by this outcome. There seemed to be a general consensus among anyone that I know he was well informed on these matters that the events of 13 November would be what put paid to Johnson. It seemed clear from the evidence that was already in the public domain that this was a much more outrageous breach of the rules and had none of the mitigating factors of the event for which the FPN was given previously.I am at a loss to explain what has happen but hopefully the Sue Gray report will shed more light on things.

Felicity Caborn ● 1586d

None of us know the truth, the police have investigated, interviewed people so they are in a much better place to understand the reality of each situation.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1586d

How do you know?

Philippa Bond ● 1586d

The explanation for there being no charges for Johnson relating to the 13 November could be that there were no civil servants at the event in the flat. He was observed going in but, unless his wife and his friends were prepared to confirm he participated in a party, it may be the police didn't have the necessary evidence to fine him.The Sue Gray report will be interesting on this one but it may be that she, and the Met, will have been asked to believe a tired PM immediately retired to bed and wasn't disturbed by 'The Winner Takes It All' being played at full blast.Cummings has claimed there are photos but he seems to have been very quiet so far so perhaps he made this up as well. Johnson himself must be furious that the Met postponed making this announcement until after the local elections. Their actions in this regard make little sense.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1586d

Interesting that other people have been fined for attending the bring-your-own booze party, but the greased piglet gets off scot-free. Perhaps he didn't take any booze with him.

Robert Fish ● 1586d

Um, er, uh...it'a a nation built on immigration, Richard. Although I agree with you. With luck, Version 2.0 will never see the ballot box.

David Lesniak ● 1586d

'I am dumbstruck by this outcome'Well, when you consider how many police there are in and around Downing Street - the wonder is that not one of them apparently saw or heard anything, even suitcases of wine being wheeled into No. 10, on any of these occasions - the fact they've now decided there's no more they can do should not surprise us. Stinks.

Vanessa Smith ● 1586d

Is Vanessa suggesting a Security Services involvement? If not I certainly do.

Jim Lawes ● 1586d

I'm not suggesting anything - just pondering how all those coppers didn't hear or see anything, talk about shoulda gone to Specsavers! It just beggars belief.

Vanessa Smith ● 1586d

If only there were some photos which showed us exactly what went on.

Mark Evans ● 1581d

Just shows you how twisted normality has become that they're still try to spin it. Mind you there's lots of the UK public who still voted for him knowing he was a lying cheating swine. Hey ho!

Basil Finnis ● 1581d

And a fair few people on this forum who will leap to his defence ....

Stewart Jones ● 1581d

It's so trivial and so clearly a witch-hunt by the MSM and fish-likes, I think it will go in Bojo's favour.

Michael Brown ● 1581d

You miss the crucial point (a well trodden path for you). It might be possible to claim that joining work colleagues for a couple of drinks is a trivial example of breaking lock down rules. Except :It happened multiple timesIt happened by the man who daily stood at a podium and told the nation not to do exactly thatIt happened while so many made such hard and tragic decisions of not seeing loved ones at critical timesBut sure, you and Tory fans can call attending many parties trivial.It is not trivial that Johnson lied to parliament. He lied because he recognised that breaking lock down rules, even in this way, would not be seen as trivial. So he made the major misjudgment of attending these illegal events. He then made the major misjudgment of lying about it. These are not trivial errors by the PM. This is not a PM to trust or have respect for. And that is not trivial.

Alan Clark ● 1581d

It is a workplace where others in same situation had drinks etc., what about KS he was in a pub.

Janice Evans ● 1581d

Lol. A workplace event where people sat on each other’s laps and the bins were overflowing with empty wine bottles!

Stewart Jones ● 1581d

All in 8 minutes or was it 10 ?

Janice Evans ● 1581d

Janice, the issue is not how long he was or wasn't at any particular party but whether he has lied to us and lied in the House of Commons.In December 2021, he was asked specifically about the earlier event on November 13 in parliament and whether or not he attended a party that day.He replied, “No, but I am sure that whatever happened, the guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times.”The photo that has been published on the front page of most national newspapers from that day clearly shows him at what anybody would describe as a party. This is what the Met Police concluded because they fined at least one of the people who were there. Are you seriously asking us to believe his statement above is consistent with what we can see with our own eyes?When the Sue Gray report comes out we will get more details about what happened later that day when he and his wife and some friends went back to the Downing Street flat to celebrate the removal of Dominic Cummings. They apparently got very drunk and played Abba loudly into the small hours. His defence, which amazingly seems to have been accepted by the Met, is that one of the people attending was being interviewed for a job. Are you seriously suggesting that Johnson believed it to be accurate that 'the rules were followed at all times'?We are now getting direct testimony from civil servants about 'wine-time Fridays'. We knew they took place but the extra information that has come out is that the Prime Minster was aware of them, they involved people getting so drunk they fell asleep at their desks, they had karaoke and the Prime Minister occasionally attended. In light of this how could it possibly be that the Prime Minister hasn't lied to us when he said no rules were broken and there were no parties?

Mark Evans ● 1581d

I guess it depends on how you define a party. In a world where an invasion of a neighbouring country leading to a bloody war is described by the perpetrator as a "special military operation", then how correctly to describe a gathering of work colleagues with food and drink is open to interpretation. In my workplace, on the rare occasions when we have food and drink following a business meeting, we would not describe it as a party. BoJo has certainly been foolish, but I'm not sure it is a hanging matter.

Richard Greenhough ● 1581d

People sitting on each other’s laps and bins overflowing with empties suggests more than having food and a drink after a business meeting. This was also not a rare occasion either. Yes, it is foolish to lie.

Stewart Jones ● 1581d

RG > "BoJo has certainly been foolish, but I'm not sure it is a hanging matter."No, but breaking the law and lying about it is definitely a resigning matter.

John Whitworth ● 1581d

Bojo fans and neutrals alike have recognised the witch-hunt, and seen the defence of Sir Beir for the same thing, and Bojo's popularity is soaring high, once again.

Michael Brown ● 1581d

Neutrals? You mean the Tory MPs who know that his persistent lying (on so many matters) is going  to lose them their seats? Those neutrals?

Stewart Jones ● 1581d

Everyone knows Bojo is a bad boy. That's why he got in.

Michael Brown ● 1581d

"In my workplace, on the rare occasions when we have food and drink following a business meeting, we would not describe it as a party." Although you wouldn't call it a party, Richard, could you honestly say it was reasonably necessary for work purposes? A "non-party" can still be an illegal gathering. And what about the assertion that the rules were followed at all times? I know, you know and Johnson knows that it's an egregious lie

Robert Fish ● 1581d

You're wasting your time, Fish. You'd be better off focusing your attentions on lockdown and vaccine damage.

Michael Brown ● 1581d

You focus on your cupboards. Cupboards don’t lie. Unlike the PM.

Stewart Jones ● 1581d

Come on, Fish - surely you can get Bojo on the torture handed out through unnecessary lockdowns, the created financial destruction and vaccine damage on a scale never seen before. Cake and wine? Come on, Fish, you know you can do better..

Michael Brown ● 1581d

Come on, Fish - you've got all the artillery you need to put Bojo away; so put your pea-shooter away and use it. Stop pretending, Fish.

Michael Brown ● 1581d

I think you’re putting Johnson away all by yourself. You don’t need anyone’s help. Defending a liar is not a great look.

Stewart Jones ● 1581d

Defending Bojo?? I'm saying he's worse, you fool; but Fish makes no condemnation of the real crimes - the huge crimes inflicted on humanity, in which Bojo played a major role.

Michael Brown ● 1581d

Yet you claim there is a witch hunt....

Stewart Jones ● 1581d

You're referring to Brexit of course

Alan Clark ● 1581d

Jamais!

Stewart Jones ● 1581d

What I find even more despicable than Bojo's outright lying to us and the HoC - is the like of Peter Bone M.P. and Raab with their sanctimonious wheedling and pathetic defence and justification for what has gone on, they really are the lowest of the low. As for the Met. what a bunch of lily-livered boot lickers they've panned out to be. Apart from the officers on duty in and around Downing Street all the time - who seemingly were not only deaf, and blind to suitcases of booze going past them but didn't recognise ABBA blasting out either, how do they square some of the lower orders getting fines for attending these parties but not Johnson when he was present too? Either the police enforce the law of the land without fear or favour or they should consider a career change. They have done so much damage to the reputation of the police service by their cowardly inaction.

Vanessa Smith ● 1581d

Whatever Mark, but he wasn't out in a pub socialising,  just a brief look in.

Janice Evans ● 1580d

From Psychology Today: Sulking and withdrawing from arguments are primary strategies of the passive-aggressive person. Since passive aggression is motivated by a person's belief that expressing anger directly will only make his life worse (Long, Long & Whitson, 2008), the passive aggressive person uses phrases like "Fine" and "Whatever" to express anger indirectly and to shut down direct, emotionally honest communication.

Robert Fish ● 1580d

What I find astonishing is the behaviour of the staff, what on earth were they doing? Boris was NOT around for much of the bad behaviour going on, they must have an equivalent of an office manager responsible for overseeing staff. If any of my staff behaved so badly I would be horrified and I am not in the office.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1580d

Jayne, it’s not just about the bad behaviour at the parties. . It’s about the fact that these parties went on at all when most other people stuck to the rules, did not see loved ones dying and Johnson et al partied on.

Stewart Jones ● 1580d

Keep things in prospective, the staff should have known better and surely some one is responsible for ‘office behaviour’ not the PM. CEO’s have staff responsible for managing office culture, behaviour etc. as a CEO I would be horrified if any of my staff behaved in such a manner regardless of Covid.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1580d

The culture is set from the top. The PM should have known better. He participated in the breaking of rules that he himself set and then told the country to stick to. If you work in an office where  the CEO is known to be a liar and who attended an unlawful party in his own house then it’s pretty clear where the fault lies.

Stewart Jones ● 1580d

Jayne, it's to easy to see through your attempt at deflection of blame. The CEO here was Johnson. He was present, indeed actively participated, in many of the events. Even when he wasn't personally involved, he must have known what was going on - he lives above the shop after all. He set the tone, and allowed these appalling breaches of the rules to happen. But his greater sin was lying consistently to the House of Commons about the goings-on.

Robert Fish ● 1580d

Appalling ? Let's not lose our sense of perspective. I am appalled by what is happening in Ukraine. I am annoyed by what happened in Downing Street.

Richard Greenhough ● 1580d

Read the report, Boris was working when people wished him happy birthday I would not consider that breaking the rules and clearly nor did he. The other occasion he wished farewell to a colleague again working. As a CEO I would have done the same thing and not thought I was breaking any rules. You have to remember these people were working in a bubble firefighting a pandemic. Clearly some of the staff behaviour was appalling and Boris was not present and didn’t knew about them. There have been times in my business life when things have happened with staff and I haven’t been told. He has done the right thing and accepts responsibility and changed working practises.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1580d

The report says that these gatherings (parties) were not in line with Covid guidelines. He attended some and knew about them all. He broke his own rules.

Stewart Jones ● 1580d

Only fools would think those imposing such damaging and unnecessary rules would apply them to themselves. Those expressing shock and surprise are the fools, along with many liars. Fish shows no concern about the wider implications and the great damage caused - only Johnson's party cake. Fish exposed.

Michael Brown ● 1580d

It's time Fish came clean about his motivations... and lack of motivations

Michael Brown ● 1580d

Richard, you never stop inventing new variants of whataboutery. Sure, compared with what Putin is doing in Ukraine, Johnson's dishonesty and disregard of the rules his government imposed is a mere bagatelle, but it's still appalling. You appear to be the one who's lost all sense of perspective. You think that Johnson's debasement of standards in public life and his undermining of our constitutional conventions (which Peter Hennessy in a recent interview with the FT called a "bonfire of the decencies") is of minor importance? He has broken all the rules, not just Covid regulations, and the concern must be whether after this we'll ever get back to a situation where honesty and integrity and respect for the Rule of Law are essential principles of government.

Robert Fish ● 1580d

Robert, may I refer you to the latest editions of MCB News on this thread ?

Richard Greenhough ● 1580d

I guess that’s where the rules were unclear, if my crew had no choice but to work in the office during covid Helen our own bubble I knew the team would have wished someone happy birthday sandwiches and orange juice hardly a party in my view. It was 15 min break then back to work. He clearly did not know about the parties he wasn’t there. We must remember the report highlights staff were working long hours in different circumstances. Clearly some staff behaviour was wrong. I stand corrected Ukraine is awful. Right now the last thing we need is a general election the world is in a mess and we need some stability. Boris is doing a good job supporting Ukraine, let’s see what’s to come re cost of living in particular energy prices.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1580d

The techniques for minimising Johnson's culpability are various: deliberate misunderstanding of what constitutes an illegal gathering (no "party", hence no infringement), whataboutery and diversion. But MCB's diversions are best ignored. That way lies madness!

Robert Fish ● 1580d

Robert,, I am none of those things and don't really get angry or upset,Whatever, refers to whatever you want to believe.  I am simply replying to the aggressors.

Janice Evans ● 1580d

The clue to your attitude is the fact that you see Mark as an "aggressor". You clearly are hostile to any criticism of Johnson, aggressive or not, and you seem merely to be trying to shut down direct, emotionally honest communication. Doesn't that fit the definition of passive-aggressive?

Robert Fish ● 1580d

No, I have different opinion and say so, I don't think it would be a good time for Boris to go and Labour supporters trying to push for it is aggressionhowever you wish to dress it up.

Janice Evans ● 1580d

Janice, it's only your partisan blindness that makes you view the case against Johnson as "Labour aggression". It's all about concern for decency and honesty in public life - a concern shared by many Conservative MPs (but probably not enough of them to oblige our shameless Prime Minister to resign).

Robert Fish ● 1580d

Wait and see Robert.

Janice Evans ● 1580d

Everything is a sham and i truly believe the idea of daily Boris and celebrations with a bottle is so far in the past now.We have a real issue with rising costs let alone a summer of strikes for more dosh, especially  if you are a train driverLabour are full of bull at the moment, apart from someone holding people to account by telling them to DO one or bog off. DEFINATELY needs removing from the position but not that easy given how that position is heldTweeting daily rubbish alsoThe latest is we have the highest inflation in the EU according to labour If you look it's complete rubbish. The latest is we are 6.7%,9.8% in Spain and 9.6% in the Netherlands. It's daily crap. Beerstarmer says about 6 people at curry night,2 days later it is about 15 people let alone those who were not in attendance but then was It is bull on both sides of the house. If only a 3rd party called out everything as just that, but the LIB DEMS don't seem to have any voice. maybe that's because they are not the 3rd biggest party and get about 1 min to speak after everyone has left the chamber and even then fail to make any impact while the SNP only have one agenda so it is not likely to come and we have to believe and suffer the scourge of truth according to that game-changer called social media. Maybe we should be grateful for social media giving Guido Faulks and alike a platform of some truth and common sense I need a drink

Julian Pavey ● 1580d

I think Boris is doing a good job and that will go in his favour.  He's not a nasty person.

Janice Evans ● 1580d

Whatever. Lol

Stewart Jones ● 1580d

Janice,You said in an earlier post that you don't think now would be a good time for Boris to go. I happen to agree with you.But, if there wasn't a war in Ukraine, cost of living 'crisis' going on, and the Good Ship UK was sailing serenely in calmer post-pandemic waters, do you think Boris should resign given what happened 'on his watch' as regards the 'parties' and events in Downing Street that broke the law?And, if your answer is no, do you think that Keir Starmer should resign if he is issued with a FPN?

Andrew Jones ● 1580d

Remember Allegra Stratton?Wasn't this once upon a time Chiswick resident recruited by Boris to bring some sort of order to Downing Street and their Press Briefings.I wonder what she has to say about today's Partygate stories?Didn't she resign shortly after her appointment for joking about the Xmas Parties and videos about them?Was she unfairly despatched?Although a fan of Boris in earlier years..I find his recent behavior and disrespect unforgivable. He shouldn't be given an opportunity to resign.. but be sacked. Or does Boris have pop-idol status whereby he's hailed in many quarters whatever his shortcomings. What do the Security Services think?What does Allegra think?

Jim Lawes ● 1580d

Guido Faulks? Really?  You get your information from that fat lying right wing twat?

Basil Finnis ● 1580d

Andrew, I don't think either should go, they were both working and madean error of judgement also Boris was not in a position to tell employeeswhat to do, and changes have been made.

Janice Evans ● 1580d

He lied.

Stewart Jones ● 1580d

Boris has done well he has had to face much during his time as PM hasmade many correct decisions and if people had listen to him maybe theInvasion of Ukraine could have been thwarted, he's no fool and I'm gratefulhe is PM.

Janice Evans ● 1580d

Get well soon Basil.

Janice Evans ● 1580d

I wouldn't have criticised Guido Fawkes (surprised Anne didn't pick up on "Faulks"!) in Basil's intemperate language, but I understand why he feels so strongly about a dishonest, tendentious and often doxxing and vicious blog. I'm amazed that Julian sees it as a platform of truth and common sense.

Robert Fish ● 1580d

'Boris has done well he has had to face much during his time as PM hasmade many correct decisions and if people had listen to him maybe theInvasion of Ukraine could have been thwarted, he's no fool and I'm gratefulhe is PM.'Have you thought of a career in stand-up comedy?

Vanessa Smith ● 1580d

Ignosce mihi!

Basil Finnis ● 1580d

Haven't we all sinned, Basil?

Robert Fish ● 1579d

HAAt least I got some responses, even from a friend in the pub.Nope, I don't take guido as my fact machine but on occasions, he does report the truth which comes as a little more than a headline and no content, I'm just fed up with the lot of them on both sides. And as a conservative, i don't give many on the front bench much time of day either It is all a complete joke while many are going to suffer on the back end of this year, even with a free £400 non-payable contribution to your electric supplier. That will run for most likely 2 weeks or more I can't even bare watch my fav politics slots be it TV or radio anymore. WHY? Because I'm fed up with parties, booze and the odd curry dominating the headlines. But on the other hand, I understand the anger if you lost loved ones and were forced to abide by the law. That does not apply to me so not so damming but understand all the same. Something needs to change and those on the front bench on both sides are not the choice to do so

Julian Pavey ● 1579d

Great comment Vanessa. It  will have produced much laughter... thanks!

Jim Lawes ● 1579d

Vanessa, you do very well with that.

Janice Evans ● 1579d

Some of us old forumers have form! Our names appeared on the Guido Fawkes website at the time of the "Battle of Mrs Keen's MP expenses" row many years back following her denials and Squatters moving into her home.. and a certain Robin Taylor stirring the dissent. (Search on Brentford Forum: Guido Fawkes).Must add that to my CV!

Jim Lawes ● 1579d

I remember that and plenty moreRobin Taylor ? As if one could forget the name which i clearly did.

Julian Pavey ● 1579d

Hopefully NI will join the Irish Republic.

Steve Taylor ● 1579d

So, Mr Johnson, why are you choosing to change the ministerial code ? Is it because you are in breach of the code?Blah, blah, Party, blah, working hard, Party, blah, workplace event, Carrie, too many children, blah, Covid, blah, Party.Imagine how much better the Covid response might have been (and how many lives would have been saved) if there had been a clearer focus in Downing Street on work and not getting drunk, not abusing cleaners and not breaking swings.Blah, blah, working hard, humbled, not really, blah. Pater  now a French citizen. Blah. Me too eventually. Blah.

Stewart Jones ● 1578d

As if proof were needed that Johnson is an untrustworthy sh*t of the first order. I have had to undergo a 'suitability test' from the Education,Skills and Funding Agency, as I am a Chair of a school governing body, but then I've only been a governor for more years than I care to remember. Having taken an extremely dim view of this intrusive and insulting process, I asked the person I eventually managed to talk to how they dare hold me - and others to a higher standard than that required of the clown who is apparently running the country? It seems the Secretary of State has deemed this farce 'mandatory'. even though it is clear these 'requirements' have come in years after I first became a governor, so applying legislation retrospectively, so these bureaucrats can't even tell me if this is legal. I have  had to provide documentary evidence to prove I am who I am and be seen by a civil servant live on a screen and hold the necessary paperwork (previously scanned and sent) up at the same time! This on the day one of Johnson's lackeys was viewing porn in the HoC. I have made a formal complaint to the powers that be - and insult to injury that lying, cheating scumbag in No. 10 wants to make it even easier to lie and get away with it. What are we coming to?

Vanessa Smith ● 1578d

I am really pleased that anyone associated with a school has to go through such thorough checks. Kids are precious and should expect the highest standard in running their school and future career prospects so please don’t be insulted. No amount of such checks should ever be compromised.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1578d

Did you really write that? That's exactly the sort of reply expected from the Johnson cult of one rule etc. I don't think I said that people associated with schools shouldn't undergo checks, but there are checks and then there's checks. Our democracy is precious too and we should expect, to quote you,  'the highest standard' of those elected. So I am bloody insulted - that a low-life like Johnson can just re-write the rules on standards that he has so egregiously driven a coach and horses through. And if you can't see how these despicable creatures think they are a cut above the rest of us then you seriously need to get treatment.

Vanessa Smith ● 1578d

We do live in a democracy and we do hold all elected representatives accountable, our press also hound them good or bad. Your reference to finding the checks and balances intrusive as a school governor I just don’t agree with. We should hold school governors accountable and the checks and balances are part of that process.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1578d

Are you being deliberately obtuse? Either that or you are totally without common sense. Our press do not 'hound' elected representatives - and given most of the press is right wing and Tory sympathetic that theory doesn't hold water anyway, it's known as holding people accountable. This farce I've had to go through is a long way from 'checks and balances', and if you want people like me held accountable - on what planet do you not expect the government of the country to be treated in the same way? Same as all Tories - complete 'whataboutery' reigns, no wonder this country is in the mess it is - how can people be so thick?

Vanessa Smith ● 1578d

😂😂😂 you need to take a chill pill 😂😂😂

Jayne Thorburn ● 1578d

Run out of platitudes have we?

Vanessa Smith ● 1578d

I am really pleased that anyone associated with leading a government and country has to adhere to reduced standards of behaviour. This country is precious and should expect the lowest standard in running the government. So please don’t be insulted that the poor behaviour demonstrated of late is going to be confirmed as just fine in the future. No amount of such reduction in standards should ever be constrained.I think you got sidelined and the above is what you meant to write.

Alan Clark ● 1578d

You need to think that the party you placed your loyalty in many years ago is not the same party. How shameful to laugh at the denigration of standards in public life. You need to take a reality pill.

Stewart Jones ● 1578d

That was for JT

Stewart Jones ● 1578d

What makes you think we live in a democracy?

Philippa Bond ● 1577d

Not just a democracy, Philippa, but a democracy in which "we hold all elected representatives accountable". If only! It's more like an autocracy in which the autocrat keeps changing the rules to prevent accountability. When you have a PM who doesn't subscribe to the good chap theory of government, an awful lot of damage can be done to constitutional democracy before the next election comes round.

Robert Fish ● 1577d

Watching the interview with the Russian Ambassador on the Sunday Morning show really was not a lot different to the drivel that always comes out when Tory MPs are interviewed. Utter denial that anything untoward is going on, not us mate, defending the indefensible and on and on.

Vanessa Smith ● 1577d

Not a good comparison…you seriously need to rethink the country you live in if you think Uk is anything like Russia perhaps you should try living there 🥺🥺🥺

Jayne Thorburn ● 1576d

Suggest you try reading what people actually say. I didn't say this country was like Russia - I said the utter drivel of total denial about their actions in Ukraine from the Russian Ambassador was akin to the drivel spouted in defence of the greased pig by Tory MPs. You know - outright lies.

Vanessa Smith ● 1576d

You have your view 🥺🥺🥺🥂

Jayne Thorburn ● 1576d

34 Tory MPs have  have the view that they have no confidence in their leader.

Stewart Jones ● 1575d

Will the Chairman of the 1922 Committee have to reveal the names of the 54... if that figure is reached?Is there a possibility that his activities and decisive action be interfered with by Higher Civil Servants and other secretive Departments in the same way that Gray's Report was.

Jim Lawes ● 1575d

1922 Committee would not have any involvement with the civil service surely?

Andrew Jones ● 1575d

Then wtf don't you expect such standards to be applied to the post of Prime Minister? You are going to regret not distancing yourself from this trainwreck.

David Roberts ● 1574d

Haven't you seen and heard the MPs who are sent out to stand up for their leader.  It's toe-curlingly painful.

Philippa Bond ● 1574d

Nadine Dorries (yes - our ostrich arse eating Culture Secretary) in an interview yesterday:"There is obviously, I think probably led by one or two individuals, a campaign behind the scenes to try, attempt to remove the Prime Minister for individual reasons to do with personal ambition or other reasons."Interview asks her who: Dorries replies:“I have no idea.”They are not even pretending not to lie anymore. Their project is complete: - perpetual dissemination of chaff until any remaining truth is clouded out. And yet they still have their supporters / enablers in Parliament (and it seems the odd one outside, including on this forum), helping the prime minister and his acolytes destroy our constitutional norms and bring this country to its knees.

T P Howell ● 1573d

Off and running? There was no escape as Boris arrived at St Paul's Cathedral some two hours ago for the Service of Thanksgiving.He was clearly boo'ed.

Jim Lawes ● 1571d

When the scoundrel who appeals to petty nationalism for his support is booed by a patriotic, flag-waving crowd, it's a pretty good measure of how his stock has fallen.

Robert Fish ● 1571d

Someone pointed out that Carrie had worn a tomato-coloured outfit in case they got pelted.I suspect that Andrew might have been booed too, hence the timely Covid.

Susan Kelly ● 1571d

Hopefully some of his MPs will have seen how he is held in contempt by the public and concluded that his time is up.

T P Howell ● 1571d

The longer Boris holds onto his lofty position..the greater height he will fall.He's now likely to hear booing forever.Had he resigned weeks ago...he would have stood a chance of having a non awkward future.I once met Boris on one of his visits to the Borough. It was a magical experience. Hearing of his abuse and misuse of 10 Downing Street... he has since damaged our heritage.I'm puzzled that our Secret Services haven't acted....but perhaps they have!

Jim Lawes ● 1571d

'magical'? Did you make sweet love to you? 😛

Basil Finnis ● 1571d

'All political careers end in failure’ – the legacy of Enoch Powell

Basil Finnis ● 1571d

Prince William was booed at a recent  football match.  I am no monarchist or an advocate of any particular party but if the status of the monarchy and our politicians is to be decided by those who cackle loudly at public events this country is doomed.  Fortunately it will not be  despite those sad people desperate to have it so.

Claire Moran ● 1571d

Claire, your response could scarcely have been more inappropriate. Cackle? I don't see anyone laughing. The debasement of standards in public life and the subverting of constitution, democracy and the rule of law by an utterly shameless Prime Minister is a profoundly serious matter.

Robert Fish ● 1571d

You missed the point, Robert. There are very loud protests all the time against all things, from BLM,members of trans and LBTQ groups, animal rights campaigners, and much else.  How do you know the boos were not co ordinated by either the extreme far left, extreme far right or anyone else?  Anyone can boo.  It doesn't mean they represent the general  public. Your response was naive.

Claire Moran ● 1571d

No, you missed the point, Claire. This was a patriotic, royalist, flag-waving crowd, not a section of society with a grievance. If the boos had been started by planted infiltrators, rather than being a spontaneous expression of disgust, the perpetrators would have been given short shrift by the loyal crowd.

Robert Fish ● 1571d

Like the crowd at the FA Cup Final"Thousands in the audience were also heard booing during a rendition of the British national anthem, "God Save the Queen.""

James Roy ● 1571d

So the disaffection of a football crowd can be taken as a paradigm for the behaviour of monarchist supporters?

Robert Fish ● 1571d

I don't think you can possibly know who started the booing. That was my point  Robert, which you clearly missed. There were a lot of animal rights activists at the event, for example,  with whom I personally have a great deal of sympathy and the Tory government has largely gone back on its promises to improve animal welfare in order to shore it this rotten pm's status.

Claire Moran ● 1571d

Robert, it's easy to set up a booing crowd it happen K.Starmer over the Saville episode.

Janice Evans ● 1571d

Bit of an own goal there, Janice! Who made the false accusation that led to the booing of Starmer? None other than your hero, the dishonest, immoral, self-seeking charlatan who leads the government. Incidentally, it's interesting to note that most of the cabinet were at St Paul's but only Johnson was booed.

Robert Fish ● 1571d

You think that was booing Wait for Tony Blair's Knighthood 'Honour' on 13th june at windsor castle It is said in some circles that possibly 100k plus could turn out in a mass rally mostly organised it is "said" again in some circles by the corbynistas stop the war caimpainers but i thought it was just  stop the war by all walks of life. https://tinyurl.com/yckjy3dc

Julian Pavey ● 1571d

https://www.facebook.com/events/1308840929629128 https://www.stopwar.org.uk/events/protest-no-knighthood-for-tony-blair/

Julian Pavey ● 1571d

As I said Robert, easy to set up booing crowd when required by either far right or far left.

Janice Evans ● 1571d

Booing might be a regularly sound at football grounds but not at dignitaries arriving at a Cathedral.Boris probably shuddered when he learned that the Duke of York wasn't to attend!

Jim Lawes ● 1571d

'it happen' did it, Janice?

Anne England ● 1571d

You happen for some reason, a pointless one obviously.

Janice Evans ● 1571d

You don't have to be either a Corbynista or a pacifist to consider Blair's knighthood a disgrace. It reflects badly on the Queen, and on the quality of advice received from the Palace establishment.

Robert Fish ● 1571d

Eh!

Basil Finnis ● 1570d

Don't ever go to Yorkshire, Anne.

Richard Greenhough ● 1570d

Ha

Janice Evans ● 1570d

This is the PM whose decision to prorogue Parliament was deemed to be unlawful. He knew it was unlawful before he told the Queen.

Stewart Jones ● 1570d

OK, I give up.Google gives a definition of paradigma set of linguistic items that form mutually exclusive choices in particular syntactic roles."English determiners form a paradigm: we can say ‘a book’ or ‘his book’ but not ‘a his book’"In the good old days Diccon Adams was a sage on the forum.He will be whirling in his grave.

James Roy ● 1570d

You should have read further, and you would have discovered that the use of paradigm isn't confined to linguistics.  If I'd used "model", perhaps you might have grasped my meaning.

Robert Fish ● 1570d

Why is it taking so long for Starmer to receive his PCN? I thought Starmer's case was more clearly open and shut than Johnson's. Is he, as Johnson allegedly did, having a go behind the scenes with his lawyer's wily ways at circumventing the law on Beergate?

Bobbie Carnegie ● 1570d

Possibly trying to find out who was there and who was not and who was not there but was. It was 6 people with nick ferrari and then it rose to around 15ish hours later on loose women.

Julian Pavey ● 1570d

Well, are we going to see the greased pig on a spit roasting nicely before long?

Vanessa Smith ● 1569d

No, unfortunately he's likely to escape again. The letter-writers should have waited until after the Wakefield and Tiverton & Honiton by-elections. As it is, I doubt whether they'll muster 180 votes tonight. The piglet has more lives than a cat.

Robert Fish ● 1569d

According to Paul Goodman on Conservative Home 'No Conservative leader has lost a challenge as Prime Minister, but neither have any survived their victories by as much as a year.'

David McLoughlin ● 1569d

Yes, but these were honourable people whose dignity caused them to resign. The sociopath who's currently PM has no dignity and no sense of shame. He will cling on brazenly until he's  forced out.

Robert Fish ● 1569d

He also ensured he has 160 of his fellow travellers on the payroll - however, from something I read yesterday there is nothing stopping the 1922 committee from changing their rules and having another no confidence vote within the prescribed year. It quite possibly comes down to who thinks their seat depends on following Johnson, the one thing Tories are savage about is self preservation.

Vanessa Smith ● 1569d

People are fed up with the partygate, no one keep on about K.S, Its thewrong time for Boris to go, all the brainwashing people see through.

Janice Evans ● 1569d

Interpretation required I am not familiar with gibberish.

Vanessa Smith ● 1569d

Really, you spout enough

Janice Evans ● 1569d

If I interpret correctly, Janice is saying:1. She is fed up with partygate2. Johnson is unfairly singled out for criticism for all his parties (and lies about parties) when no-one questions Starmer's beer. 3. It's the wrong time for Johnson to go to go - no-one else could fulfill the role of glorious war leader4.To believe in the importance of decency and integrity in public life one has to be brainwashed.

Robert Fish ● 1569d

Not quite, I do want a P.M that 100% supports Ukraine.

Janice Evans ● 1569d

So, the same old B/S spouted by Johnson's pathetic acolytes then. Many thanks.

Vanessa Smith ● 1568d

There are plenty of B/S Labour supporters around also.

Janice Evans ● 1568d

"I am not familiar with gibberish"Have you never read a Labour manifesto then, Vanessa ?

Richard Greenhough ● 1568d

Just a reminder for 'Mr. Whatabout' - this thread is about the greased pig alias Alexander Boris de pfeffel Johnson not anyone or anything else. I quite understand that when the chips are down as they surely are - if not now - hopefully in the not too distant future - that the people blind to Johnson's shortcomings have to clutch at the very few straws left, of which that pathetic comment surely qualifies.

Vanessa Smith ● 1568d

I wonder whether Mr Dick has even read the Labour manifesto.  If so, perhaps he will explain which policies he considers to be "gibberish":1.  Increase health budget by 4.3%?  Obviously need (not least to bring us closer in line to other European nations).2.  Hold a second referendum on Brexit (after negotiating an Exit Deal).  If only.  Then we would have known what we were voting for.  We would then not be in the mess we are in now.3.  Raise minimum wage from £8.21 to £10.  Tories raised it to £9.50 - so difficult to see how the extra 50p an hour would be so objectionable.4. Stop state pension age rises.  Fix it at 66. Again, hardly objectionable.  People should get what they thought they were paying for.  (Bearing in mind that we have one of the lowest state pensions in Europe).5.  Introduce a National Care Service.  I.e. to address the long standing issues with social care.6.  Bring forward net-zero target7  Nationalise the so-called big six energy firms, National Grid, the water industry, Royal Mail, railways and the broadband arm of BT.  Again, what forsight.  Then we might have had 4% rise in electricity and gas costs (like France), not 400%.  The irony is of course that some of our major suppliers are nationalised businesses - but foreign state owned, not UK owned.  8.  Scrap Universal Credit.9.  Abolish private schools' charitable status.  This may go some way to ensuring that we become knowledge driven economy by adjusting the imbalance between state funding per pupil (£6,800 a year per pupil, again, amongst the lowest in Europe) and private school funding of twice that.

T P Howell ● 1568d

This is all gibberish the country can not afford any of this, it’s just politics say anything to get elected, we are bankrupt after covid handouts there isn’t anything in the pot, taxes are already high any further hikes would bring terrible suffering for millions. SME can not handle another pay rise in wages, prices go up, one one can afford them so the circus continues utterly mad, god help us time to emigrate 😂😂😂😂😂

Jayne Thorburn ● 1568d

Standard right-wing rubbish about controlling public expenditure. Labour costed its manifesto at £89bn through to 2023/24. Rishi Sunak's COVID borrowing is about 4 times that figure. If Labour had increased borrowing by that much, you'd have been screaming about their irresponsibility.

Robert Fish ● 1568d

Set up a GoFundMe page for your ticket. I'll contribute. Not sure where you will go though. You no longer have the right to go to live elsewhere in the EU.

T P Howell ● 1568d

‘Time to emigrate’An apt conclusion from a Tory after a decade of Tory  rule.

Alastair Banton ● 1568d

Where to, Jayne?

Stewart Jones ● 1568d

I would completely agree with you if it wasn’t for a once in 100 years pandemic. Rishi did the right thing to protect everyone, now time to get back into the office. Globally there are many issues with inflation, supply chain, debt due to covid, so it is going to be a challenging few years for things to stabilise so not the time to add even more debt. Don’t fancy living in the EU 😂😂😂🥂

Jayne Thorburn ● 1568d

Somewhere with a better climate and less tax 🥂🥂🥂

Jayne Thorburn ● 1568d

Au revoir!

Stewart Jones ● 1568d

"Adieu" would be more appropriate!

Robert Fish ● 1568d

"..this thread is about the greased pig.."May I refer the honourable lady to the opening post on this thread, which referred to the leader of the Labour Party.

Richard Greenhough ● 1568d

It seems that Howeller has had a sense of humour by-pass. Also a failure to grasp the detail - I did not refer to any specific Labour manifesto.

Richard Greenhough ● 1568d

Julian Pavey ● 1568d