political commentator * author * publisher * bookseller * radio presenter * blogger * Conservative candidate * former lobbyist * Jack Russell owner * West Ham United fanatic * Email iain AT iaindale DOT com
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Tessa Jowell Still in the Mire
I must admit I was somewhat surprised this morning as I was walking through the streets of...er, I still haven't told you where I am, have I? Hey ho. My phone vibrated with a text message telling me that Tessa Jowell and her husband have separated. A number of thoughts swirled through my mind, most of them, but not all of them, charitable. I was mildly troubled by the phrase in the statement which described it as a "period of separation". What does that mean? If I was a cynic I might draw the conclusion that it could be defined as a period at the end of which the press have lost interest in the Mills issue. Just as well I'm not then, isn't it? It will be interesting to see what tomorrow's papers make of it. I suspect it will have done little to dampen things down, because so many questions remain unanswered. My own view is still (just)that Tessa Jowell should not have to resign over this, but in the end will probably do so. I am, however, concerned that her main line of defence is that she didn't know about the money until 2004. Ignorance, as her husband would no doubt be able to tell her, is no defence in a court of law.
Iain, you're a nice guy, but let's face it, the "separation" is the best possible move for Tessa. She's innocent, she's a victim. She's being "strong" and kicking him out.
ReplyDeleteWhen the heat dies down, we get the tearful reconcilliation. Perfect.
If Jowell and Mills were to divorce, presumably she would get half of his money. Including half of the suspect £350K....
ReplyDeleteIt is in the public interest that they do divorce and have a messy court case in which ALL the assets of both parties (held both individually & jointly) plus income records over several years are revealed. Perhaps they could hold such a case in Italy so that there would be no chance of any papers being lost on the way to another court case which might involve Mr Mills?
ReplyDeleteAm I alone in failing to understand why Iain is being so nice to Jowell? For years this hyprocritical old bag has been lecturing us on how we shuld lead our lives/pay more in tax/put up with 24 hour boozers in our streets. And now we discover that her familial committment to paying higher taxes is, er a bit thin. And that she has so much familial money that she CAN afford to buy second homes away from noisy pubs and urban squalor. Jowell is a disgusting, hectoring old champagne lefty windbag who has stooped to a new low in ending (albeit temporarily we all suspect) a 27 year marriage just to save her rotten career.
If Blair had an ounce of integrity he'd sack her at once and she would stand down as an MP to boot. But it will not happen. Iain: the political classes should not stick together on this one. The hyprocisy and corruption of New Labour is a real issue which the Tories should not be afraid to tackle.
PS West Ham were awful in the second half yesterday. 1 point was more than was deserved.
I also don't understand why Ian is being so nice about Jowell - she either obtained a fraudulent mortgage in 2002 as she still thought the 2000 mortgage was outstanding or she lied to TB about not realising it had been paid off until 2004.
ReplyDeleteEither way it stinks to high heaven and all politicians need to be much more upfront about this - just because she throws a good party and is well liked is no reason for her to keep her job. Perhaps TB is waiting to find out what God's judgment will be on this difficult matter for his conscience and is keeping her in place until said judgement arrives
Ian - I too am surprised by your sympathetic stance towards Jowell from the outset.
ReplyDeleteAs Anthony Howard said on breakfast TV earlier today, as a cabinet minister, she has an absolute duty to enquire into and establish the business interests of her spouse and if she failed to do so she is culpable, no buts, ifs, or maybes and she should resign period.
Has anyone yet formally enquired as to the fines and/or interest imposed by the Inland Revenue regarding the apparent initial non-disclosure of Mills' "gift", which would surely normally apply?
How well we remember Blair's commitment on becoming Prime Minister that his Government would be "whiter than white"
ReplyDeleteWhat a sick joke that now sounds!
Should Mills be charged by the Italian authorities, may we assume that any donations he has made to the Labour party over the period concerned will be returned?