The Foreign Office diplomatic wallahs are tearing their hair out about Margaret Beckett's husband Leo. Seventy nine year old Leo is at his wife's side 24 hours a day. He acts as her paid assistant and resides in her office in the Foreign Office, much to the consternation of her Private Office officials.A recent 'diplomatic incident' at Chevening has had them reaching for the smelling salts. Leo Beckett was showing a group of Africans round the 'grace and favour' residence. When they got to the staircase he apparently used a term to describe the builders of the staircase which the African visitors were less than impressed with.
The Foreign Office are counting the days until Gordon Brown takes over in Downing Street. They are counting on him replacing Beckett to finally rid them of their office squatter.
UPDATE: Feb 20: I've just received a call from an extremely rude woman called Liz Bryan who said she "works for Margaret Beckett" denying this incident took place. When I asked what her position was, she became very coy and wouldn't continue the conversation. I asked her for her phone number so I could ring her back and she put the phone down. She did have time to tell me that Leo Beckett wasn't 84. I gather he is 79 so I am glad to change that. She also denied that Mr Beckett is a permanent fixture at the FCO. Not what I hear from multiple sources.
21 comments:
What is Leo Beckett doing there? I don't get it. Somehow the great unwashed public vote in a government and ministers are appointed. They in turn pick special advisers. It's such a waste of time, honestly, life would be easier if we just scrapped elections, ministers, and in fact the entire public too.
I had heard of this squatter before; but did you see the newspaper photo of them setting off in the summer in smart Range Rover and big caravan, Mrs B directing the operation? If he is 84 how does he get insurance both to tow a van thro' europe or health insurance - or did the taxpayer pick up the uninsurable bits?
I wouldn't be surprised if the Foreign Office want MARGARET Beckett to F O as well! I know that I do...! But would we even notice that she had gone??
Steven Bainbridge
A View from the Right
http://stevenbainbridge.blogspot.com/
Harsh, but fair, Iain. Although he has been very useful over the years to her, so I suppose you have to just accept they come as a package deal.
Perhaps Gordon could find some dosh for a 'Winnebago' [or knowing him, an old Volkswagen camper van] so they can go on improving international relations into their dotage.
[Bit naughty of you to add twenty years to his age, though - there is no need to be sarcastic, now is there?]
Iain, This one makes me laugh and cry.. The thought of some old 84 year man shambling around behind this country's foreign secretary is just such a sad reflection on the state that this pathetic labour party are in.. I can't really beleive the FO are looking forward to Gordy taking over though... inevitably another nightmare awaits..
Poor old Africa - Gordon wants to give them free schooling from Pension Fund raids and they get Leo Beckett upsetting them just as Rowan Williams sets about p@ssing them off completely in Tanzania.
What is it about these Leftie Bwanas playing Sanders of the River........oh dear....they really need Tiny Rowland back to smooth those ruffled feathers as he did so often for the FCO in the past
I've met Leo a few times, and he is the lovelist old guy you could hope to meet. Picking on him like this merely shows you up to be the bully that Tim Ireland showed you up to be.
The FO is into a loser here. They're inseparable.
Sounds like a typical snobbish reaction from the FO Mandarins. I met some supercilious types in my time in government but none could beat those at the FCO. Too often the old adage that the FCO's job was to look after the interests of foreigners was true - usually to the detriment of UK interests.
Keep up the good work Leo!
I've met Leo too and second Dave Spencer's comments - and lots of people who have met him say exactly the same. He is no idiot either.
For the record he is 79.
WHat exactly was the nature of the remark? If it was racist then should Mr Beckett really remain in this post? Should there be an inquiry?
I expect the complaints are coming from the same FO diplomats that as late as 1995 (to my knowledge - could be even later) were varying the staff soap allowance at overseas postings according to the grade of staff.
"When they got to the staircase he apparently used a term to describe the builders of the staircase which the African visitors were less than impressed with"
I wasn't very impressed with it either.
I thought it was an awful staircase.
I think it's rather sweet.
I prefer people ho say what they mean even if they use non PC terms. Somehow it makes them honest; unlike politicians and wanabes.
What a load of stuff and nonsense!
On the basis of your 'story', do you think Downing Street officials were longing to get rid of Lady T so they could also get rid of Sir Denis?
Sir Denis never acted as Mrs T's assistant or office manager.
So when margaret need an assistant paid for out of the public purse did she have a 'competitive tender' and hire the best person available or did she just bung her husband.
Nice chap as I'm sure he is, that is just corruption.
Does he have an expenditure account? If she was a dog I would have her put down or tell her to F O!
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