Tory Watch

[Dunners]

A well connected client of mine suggested 2 weeks ago that Cummings / Gove were already on the move with something that would topple BJ before xmas - perhaps this is it? As a mere prole, I can do no more than speculate.

As we could be about midway between general elections, if they were going to topple Johnson, now would be the optimal moment.

[Dohnut]

A party clearly took place at No.10. If he knew about it before last night, then he is complicit (at least) in the cover up of what may be a crime. If he didn't know about, then he's incompetent.

There's a third option, that he may be both, however in times gone by either one of the above would be sufficient to result in a resignation.

Complicit or incompetent. Both in my opinion.

Resignation. That would really surprise me. Boris tries to just ride out the storms, he will try over this one too. He may well succeed. Thick-skinned and thick. A dangerous combination.

[BoniO]

A party clearly took place at No.10. If he knew about it before last night, then he is complicit (at least) in the cover up of what may be a crime. If he didn't know about, then he's incompetent.

There's a third option, that he may be both, however in times gone by either one of the above would be sufficient to result in a resignation.

Complicit or incompetent. Both in my opinion.

Resignation. That would really surprise me. Boris tries to just ride out the storms, he will try over this one too. He may well succeed. Thick-skinned and thick. A dangerous combination.

Yet he's better than Corbyn, as you keep telling us.

[Currywurst and Chips]

It's being suggested the within the rules line might be true because the Crown Estate which apparently covers the venue was exempt from the legislation

Which in a way looks worse than if they'd just ignored the rules

[Dunners]

Whether it was within the rules is no longer the main point in this. As ever with these things, it's the cover-up that does the damage.

[StillSpike]

Whether it was within the rules is no longer the main point in this. As ever with these things, it's the cover-up that does the damage.

Exactly - hence why saying "it's playing politics with events a year ago" is such a weak argument, because the lions share of the cover-up has been done over the last 10 days and has consisted of people lying for party political reasons.

[Admin]

It's being suggested the within the rules line might be true because the Crown Estate which apparently covers the venue was exempt from the legislation

Which in a way looks worse than if they'd just ignored the rules

Yeah - heard this one being mooted earlier somewhere online or on the radio. Can't remember which.

Be surprised if they go with this though. That being said they're plumbing new depths every day so anything's possible.

[Admin]

Pretty clear that Kuenssberg was there - plus it looks like hacks from the Sun and Times too.

I suppose that some might have been invited but declined for whatever reason - wonder why they've kept quiet since - presumably loyalty/not wanting to lose access.

I think there's a lot of wishful thinking about Laura K's presence Spike. Sadly, I think she probably wasn't present (same likely for the odious Peston as well) but I can't see her not knowing about it.

Regardless, she's moving on soon anyway - chances are she'll go down the well trodden BBC -----> government comms route fairly soon.

[Max B Gold]

It's being suggested the within the rules line might be true because the Crown Estate which apparently covers the venue was exempt from the legislation

Which in a way looks worse than if they'd just ignored the rules

Yeah - heard this one being mooted earlier somewhere online or on the radio. Can't remember which.

Be surprised if they go with this though. That being said they're plumbing new depths every day so anything's possible.

Aside from the damage done by the ongoing cover up and the optics of people following the rules and losing loved ones whilst they partied and laughed about it.

They can hardly come out now and say it was legal on Crown Estate property because they have already denied there was a party. Its the Liars Paradox.

[Max B Gold]

Laura now doing her job a bit better. I suspect somebody had a word about her journalistic standards

[StillSpike]

BJ could I suppose try this:

"I was assured all along that no rules were broken - so made the statements I have made over the last 10 days. I have since found out that the people assuring me of that did so because it was on Crown Estate, and so felt comfortable making those assurances. I took their assurances at face value and didn't dig further into what exactly took place. I've now told them not to play verbal gymnastics with me again, so now we can all move along"

[Mark0]

A party clearly took place at No.10. If he knew about it before last night, then he is complicit (at least) in the cover up of what may be a crime. If he didn't know about, then he's incompetent.

There's a third option, that he may be both, however in times gone by either one of the above would be sufficient to result in a resignation.

Complicit or incompetent. Both in my opinion.

Resignation. That would really surprise me. Boris tries to just ride out the storms, he will try over this one too. He may well succeed. Thick-skinned and thick. A dangerous combination.

One resigns then you get another one.
Hancock resigned and see what happened.

[Currywurst and Chips]

[BoniO]

Crying cos she got found out. Screw her (bet Johnson did).

[Admin]

First one under the bus. More likely to follow.

Not that I've an iota of sympathy for the horsey faced shitebag.

[Dunners]

Not a particularly brave prediction, but... called it:

This does seem to be gaining traction, finally. But I can see Stratton getting thrown under the bus.

[StillSpike]

Hope the bus goes slowly

[Currywurst and Chips]

Partial admission----> PM didn't know -----> Full investigation launched -----> Civil Servants get the boot

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

Poor Allegra.

I wonder which news outlet she’ll move to.

[Max B Gold]

I believe she was about to get the old heave ho anyway. So resigning with a package with a NDC in the leaving agreement is probably as good as it gets.

[Dunners]

[ComeOnYouOs]

When I saw the video yesterday, I said to my other half, I bet someone in the backroom staff gets thrown under a bus, and Johnson will get of Scott free
Johnson is a total xunt

[Dunners]

Just watched that Stratton resignation clip. All the sniffles and sobs just made me think she's a bigger self-pitying c*nt than I did before.

[Admin]

Just watched that Stratton resignation clip. All the sniffles and sobs just made me think she's a bigger self-pitying c*nt than I did before.

I reckon she spends her spare time physically beating horses with sticks. Or the poor if the horses are tired.

[Currywurst and Chips]

It's telling how journos across the chumocracy have come out defending her

They're a complete joke