| From Russia with love... 11:02 - Jul 10 with 368 views | spudgun |
`Safe hands` Chris Grayling chosen as chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee investigating the `Russia report`.
Of all the 600 and odd MPs available, Johnson entrusts him to oversee it.
Bet Putin spat out his morning `Raf` when he heard that news...
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| From Russia with love... on 12:04 - Jul 10 with 358 views | BringBackTheRedRoom |
Security committee: Tory majority ahead of Russia report
No10 has nominated five Tory MPs to Parliament's powerful Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC).
Former minister Chris Grayling is expected to be appointed as its chair.
The committee - which is due to publish a delayed report on alleged Russian interference in UK politics - hasn't met since the 2019 election.
Opposition parties have previously accused the government of trying to escape scrutiny by delaying the committee's formation.
MPs will vote next week to approve the government's appointments, which also include two Labour MPs and one SNP Member. A member of the House of Lords will also be nominated.
Our political correspondent Nick Eardley says the Conservative members put forward by Downing Street are Chris Grayling, John Hayes, Julian Lewis, Mark Pritchard, and Theresa Villiers.
The Labour MPs on the committee are set to be Kevan Jones and Dame Diana Johnson, and the SNP will have one representative - Stewart Hosie.
The Conservative majority will mean Tory MPs can pick the chair.
If MPs approve the list, questions could be asked about the committee's independence and ability to scrutinise government decisions.
The ISC oversees the UK's intelligence community, but it has not met for well over six months - the longest hiatus since it was established in 1994.
Eight months after it was completed, the report into alleged Russian interference in the UK remains unpublished.
The results of the inquiry were passed to Boris Johnson in October last year. The inquiry began in November 2017.
A government spokesman said Boris Johnson approved the report for publication in December 2019.
But it was up to the committee, whose previous members investigated and wrote the report, to publish it.
On Wednesday, MPs on the Petitions Committee called on the PM to take action after 100,000 people signed a petition on the issue.
The committee chairwoman Catherine McKinnell urged Mr Johnson to "expedite the establishment" of the Intelligence and Security Committee to enable the report's publication.
Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse said the delayed report must be published "before the summer recess" parliamentary break (22 July) so MPs can scrutinise it.
"A failure to do so would damage the UK's standing in the world and continue to raise further questions about the Conservative Party's deep connections to Russian oligarchs," she said.
This process has been controversial and lengthy.
Opposition parties have regularly complained about how long it has taken to establish the committee.
They sent their nominations months ago and believe No 10 has been stalling.
Even some Conservatives have been frustrated about the delays and confusion about who will and won't be on it.
It's even been claimed some were threatened with removal from the Conservative list for disloyalty.
But now - seven months after the election - the committee should be confirmed early next week.
I hear from sources that former transport secretary Chris Grayling is the most likely chair, but some are very opposed to him getting the job.
This all means the Russia Report can be published soon. No 10 said this morning encouraged the committee to do so as soon as possible.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53349212
I doubt there's anything really explosive in the report. What with redactions and certain things will be left out on security grounds.
Chris Grayling - Stunning!! | |
| ‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’ |
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| From Russia with love... on 07:40 - Jul 11 with 343 views | spudgun |
Johnson, putting Grayling in charge of a long overdue Intelligence Committee smacks of careless contempt for the public; Trump commuting the sentence of the loathsome Roger Stone, convicted of lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing the House, confirms corruption and cronyism is rampant and endemic in the White House.
As brazen as you like.
Fair put me off my sugarpuffs and Monster... [Post edited 11 Jul 2020 8:15]
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| From Russia with love... on 12:25 - Jul 12 with 316 views | spell_chekker |
Is this him?
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| From Russia with love... on 15:39 - Jul 12 with 312 views | BringBackTheRedRoom |
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| ‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’ |
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| From Russia with love... on 19:35 - Jul 15 with 271 views | BringBackTheRedRoom |
This bit in the BBC report made me giggle.....
"But it seems there was a coup. Opposition members of the committee were worried Mr Grayling would be too close to No 10, and decided to back Julian Lewis. It appears he then backed himself, thus securing a majority."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53422010 | |
| ‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’ |
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| From Russia with love... on 22:37 - Jul 15 with 265 views | BringBackTheRedRoom |
Toys out of the pram time....
Conservative MP Julian Lewis has been kicked out of the Conservative parliamentary party after beating Chris Grayling to become chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee.
Believed to be No 10's preferred choice, Mr Grayling was widely expected to get the role.
But concerns had been raised that the body's impartiality could be undermined, and MPs backed Mr Lewis.
The committee scrutinises the work of the intelligence and security services.
A senior government source told the BBC that Mr Lewis "has been told by the chief whip that it is because he worked with Labour and other opposition MPs for his own advantage".
Labour's shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy criticised the decision tweeting: "Completely self-defeating act that bears the hallmark of a government so arrogant it really believes it is above scrutiny.
"What is in the Russia report that Johnson doesn't want to see the light of day?"
Mr Grayling held cabinet positions under David Cameron and Theresa May including transport secretary.
Despite supporting Mr Johnson in the Conservative leadership election he was not given a role in government.
The other Conservative committee members are Sir John Hayes, Mr Lewis, Mark Pritchard, and Theresa Villiers. There are two Labour MPs - Kevan Jones and Dame Diana Johnson - plus Labour peer Lord West of Spithead.
Stewart Hosie is the SNP's representative on the committee.
One of the first jobs of the newly formed committee will be to publish a long-awaited report on alleged Russian interference in UK politics.
Publication has been held up by the 2019 election and then a delay in setting up the committee. It has been the longest hiatus since the committee was established in the early 1990s.
The report includes evidence from UK intelligence services concerning Russian attempts to influence the outcome of the 2016 EU referendum and 2017 general election.
The delay in publication has led to speculation the report contains details embarrassing for the Conservatives, however leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg said the hold up was due to a number of committee members leaving Parliament and the need "to make sure that the right people with the right level of experience and responsibility could be appointed".
Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, Mr Jones said the report should be produced before Parliament goes into recess on 22 July.
"There's no reason why it shouldn't be. It's been through both the committee, it's been agreed through the redaction process, and it's been agreed by government," he says.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53422010 | |
| ‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’ |
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| From Russia with love... on 08:38 - Jul 16 with 254 views | spudgun |
A snapshot of this unpleasant, reckless and vindictive administration.
Political chicanery, obfuscation and hindrance leading to ineptitude, bungling, recrimination and malevolence.
`Bad` Boris`s baser qualities for all to see.
No surprise that Alok Sharma was sent out this morning `Boycott- style` to leave or pad every question.
Was asked repeatedly whether it was protocol that the committee chair was chosen on non partisan lines by those on the committee, and if so, why is the government intervening and punishing Lewis.
He didn`t have an opinion... | | | |
| From Russia with love... on 12:02 - Jul 16 with 248 views | BringBackTheRedRoom |
Only Grayling could lose a fixed election. Future EFL CEO material possibly?
A report into election interference is now embroiled in it's own election interference scandal.  | |
| ‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’ |
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| From Russia with love... on 12:18 - Jul 16 with 244 views | spudgun |
Grayling, the only man who has a red carpet rolled out for him, but manages to trip up and set fire to it at the same time.
You gotta love him... | | | |
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