Friday, July 21, 2006

Mild Rebuke or Trouble Ahead for Prescott?

Sky News is reporting that the Standards Committee is to launch a full inquiry into Prescott's visit to Philip Anschutz's ranch. Is this more than the mild rebuke which was expected? Or does it mean that Prescott is now in trouble? Sadly I'm not near a TV because I'm doing an interview so Im relying on my blog readers to keep me up to date!

18 comments:

Praguetory said...

A spokesman for Mr Prescott said there was no conflict of interest because Mr Prescott "had no role in planning decisions or contractual negotiations in relation to the sale of the Dome".

The chairman of the supposedly independent Supercasino panel (Stephen Crow) has declared six 'real or perceived' conflicts including work for Mr Prescott's former department.

This is wholly unacceptable.

Tapestry said...

Who better to provide the white wash and rebuild the image of the DPM than Rupert Murdoch? A little tidy up ordered by Brussels. Lots of 'John's basically an honest sort of a guy...'

Anonymous said...

Prezza aka as "Rawhide" should be getting a raw hide, but our political system seems incapable of self regulation. If it is a slap on the wrist, its a disgrace.

Anonymous said...

Just read he's in the clear, must by shares in whitewash maker, business booming under Bliar.

Anonymous said...

Prescott will be fine, or so I'm told. More embarrasingly, did anyone else see the Senior Conservative backbencher entertaining a group outside Debate in Portcullis House by singing rather too loudly Ricky Martin's 'livin the vida loca', on Wednesday morning about 10am?

Also, it's the anniversary of Blair becoming Labour leader, yet there's no mention of it on Labour party site or blogs, I wonder why......

Anonymous said...

MPs have let him off.

Sabretache said...

Have look at This

It appears Prezza has admitted to the Committee that he broke the ministerial code. So difficult to see how His Toniness can now refuse a 'ministerial code' investigation

Anonymous said...

I've just quickyl skimmed the report and it recommends no further action. There's all the extra stuff about the PM making it clear who investigates what.

I think we'll need to find other sticks to beat Prezza with (not hard).

Anonymous said...

John Prescott has not succeeded in getting on the back burner with you has he ? l thought it was Blair who murdered sleep......

Anonymous said...

Actually it doesn't matter what the Standards Committee has to say for itself - or indeed any other 'enquiry' body. The public have already made their minds up about Prescott and The Dome. They ain't that stupid...

The question is, will they bite back at the next election?

In the meantime, it's all good for a certain amount of gossip and scandal, and is probably better than Coronation Street for entertainment value.

Anonymous said...

Why, why, why? Am I on my own here or is there no way that Prezzer can be held to account. It drives me mad, the guy is found to have breached the ministerial code but nothing is done...Arrrgh!!!!

Anonymous said...

Not that I've got any problem with all these 'let's beat up Prezza'comments but why no suggestions about action against Anschutz. How about turning down his application for a casino on the grounds of his questionable dealings with the Hull Cowboy.

strapworld said...

Anonymous asks if there is anything we can do?

We have read other blogs about Blair and Brown. Perhaps there is a lot of truth in it and that is why Prescott (who it is alleged told the fragrant Rosie!) holds the 'blackbook' He knows far too much and so we, the public, must suffer the damn incompetent fool for more months/years. Unless and until he breaks the LAW.

Anonymous said...

Prezza is a liar. There would have been a conflict of interest in planning decisions, as his department would have the power to call in planning applications from local authorities, and would also be required to deal with any appeals by the applicant against the local authority.

Prescott = liar

Anonymous said...

Careful people, when Dolly Parton burned her bra she said it took the Fire Department three days to put the fire out.
just imagine the mess Hermann Prescott will make when he finally comes down in flames!
Lardy, Lardy!

Anonymous said...

Anschutz could be in trouble in the US. It could be argued he is in breach of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Wonder whether anyone will bring this to the attnetion of US authorities ....

Anonymous said...

Remember all the cabinet committees that Prezza boasts about chairing and Blair's insistence that Prezza "brokers deals across government departments" as a justification for keeping him on. If he is brokering deals across Govt departments then how can we tell what pies he has his finger in and what he has influence over. He could easily be brokering deals (as Blair says he does) between DCMS and DCLG for example. his position is IMHO untenable now.

Anonymous said...

I think the best place to direct our discontent about our political masters is the BB bloody C. They helped put and keep these buggers in power, and they are the only organisation that can help us change anything. Public protest is one way, but this relies on us lot not being lazy and the BBC covering it in an unbias way.

I am not hopefull that the BBC has the will to do anything other than help perpetuate an authoritarian socialist government, whoever is leading it..

Not until the British people stop equateing liberalism with socialism, will the people have understood how much damage 10 years of this maddness has done.

One other thing that might help is if the Liberal Democrate Party start becoming a liberal democrate party. Hope has now been holding its breath so long, it now resides in Highgate 3 rows back from C Marx.