If there was an outbreak of “Pinocchio-itis” in Parliament there would be a rhinoplasty stampede on Harley Street right now for urgent appointments with cosmetic surgeons!
Nose jobs aside, the treacherous antics of the so-called Establishment in the English capital have become so serious that the UK is now resembling a third world country or banana republic.
I am, of course, referring to the lies, deceit and dishonesty tumbling out of every cornerstone of Westminster as sleaze and sex pest revelations continue to flow. And, just down the road in the royal residences there are more lies and cover ups as the monarchy treats us all with contempt.
But first, let’s focus on the scandalous behaviour in Westminster where moral fibre is as rare as hen’s teeth in the corridors of power. No wonder I’m beginning to think that one of the few people to enter in to the British Parliament with noble intentions was Guy Fawkes!
Outgoing International Development Secretary (she was hanging on by a thread when I penned this) Priti Patel has consistently lied about her so-called family holiday to Israel in which she met countless high ranking officials, generals and political leaders during her August break.
Since news of her visit to one of the most politically sensitive regions in the world leaked out she has issued a series of misleading statements and half truths. Even when put on the spot and asked to give a full account of who she met, when, where and how she still withheld details of two further meetings.
Every day new revelations about this holiday are emerging and Wednesday was no exception. Now we learn she was taken on a sojourn to Syrian land seized and occupied by Israel during the 1967 war. Israeli officials accompanied Patel to the Golan Heights in complete violation of UK government policy towards the territory since Britain refuses to recognise Israel’s illegal occupation there.
In short Patel has lied and lied again and then, when put in a tight spot, she has continued to lie about details of the trip in direct violation of the rule book handed to ministers when they take office. Even if he wasn’t aware of its contents her office would be and she would have been warned of the risks of breaking any ministerial codes.
Priti Patel is either barn door thick or acutely arrogant to have imagined she could get away with having more than a dozen high level visits in Israel without the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and/or Theresa May finding out. Put another way, I doubt she’d have a case for unfair dismissal if the Prime Minister decides to sack her on the spot.
The big mystery is why it has taken May so long. She should not have dithered and handed Patel her P45 the moment the first lies came tumbling out. Probably Patel’s biggest mistake – among the many – was not telling Theresa May about her meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu especially when May rolled out the red carpet to the Israeli leader just last week.
The Jewish Chronicle, not usually given to wild speculation and spin, claims May did know about Patel’s meeting in September which means Patel has been caught lying yet again. Why wouldn’t she tell the media that May already knew? That being the case why has May lied by claiming not to know about the high profile meeting? Has lying become morally acceptable in Westminster these days.
Only now we are beginning to learn that on September 7 Patel had a meeting with Israeli security minister Gilad Erdan at the House of Commons. No 10 is claiming it only learned of that one yesterday. What the hell is MI5 and MI6 doing these days? Was Smiley and his people given the day off on September 7?
Meanwhile, the home secretary Amber Rudd has called for MPs guilty of harassment or abuse to face potential dismissal from parliament. With seven Conservative MPs now facing various investigations or having resigned as ministers, and more allegations swirling, the last thing May needs is a number of by-elections which could bring down her minority government.
One of those being investigated is Damien Green who is, in effect, May’s right-hand man. Some MPs believe he should give up his ministerial role while he is being investigated for alleged inappropriate behaviour towards a young activist, alongside claims of “extreme” pornography allegedly found on one of his computers. Green has robustly denied the claims made by a former senior Met police officer, Bob Quick, who Green has called “a tainted and untrustworthy source.” Well someone appears to be telling porkies, but who?
Then there’s a whole raft of others lying and counter lying about minor and major indiscretions of a sexual nature while Ministers and MPs continue to scramble over each other like a bucket of frogs. How very English if May’s already fragile government collapses under the weight of sleaze from the Westminster sex pests.
But there’s more to come. More lies appear to be emanating from the heart of the British Establishment … we’re talking Buckingham Palace and Clarence House after both Queen Elizabeth and her heir Prince Charles have been implicated in the Paradise Papers which have exposed the great and the good for using sophisticated loopholes to avoid paying tax. This tax avoidance involving lots of high profile individuals has been carried out on an industrial scale.
The Queen took to the TV to talk to her subjects after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. I would say this latest crisis is much, much worse and Her Maj needs to make another broadcast and pretty damned quick to explain exactly what she and the other royals were up to.
It’s no use issuing patronising statements about the legality of certain financial schemes on the grounds that we’re all pretty dim and don’t understand these things. I might not have a degree in economics but, like most people, I can spot when something is well dodgy in terms of finance.
The Queen and Prince Charles, as well as scores of other filthy rich individuals pay extraordinary amounts of money to experts who display fox-like cunning and breath-taking knowledge on exploiting loopholes in tax and legal matters. No one is accusing Good Queen Liz, her son or any of the others of breaking the law but they are stretching it to the maximum.
What I find really distasteful is the fact the Prince of Wales has issued a statement saying he had no idea where Duchy funds are invested. This is blatantly unbelievable – every one with ultimate responsibility for the financial assets of their organisation is briefed at least once a year by their portfolio manager. That much I do know.
The financial report at such gatherings reveal where there are losses and an explanation, where there were gains and an explanation and, more crucially, HRH would be given an outline of what investments are being proposed for the net financial year and why. It is the person with ultimate responsibility – in this case the heir to the throne – to give approval.
And for those lick spittle, toadying subjects who cry out: “Where’s your proof, you republican bastard?” I would say go look on the website of the Duchy of Cornwall run by Prince Charles. It proudly boasts: “Throughout his years of stewardship, The Duke has been actively involved in running the Duchy. The revenues from the estate are passed to HRH The Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall. The “board” of the Duchy is The Prince’s Council, which meets twice a year and is chaired by His Royal Highness”.
So there you have it in black and white. The Prince sits on no less than two meetings a year in which revenues are discussed. What I would say is if the future Head of the Church of England and future Head of State has the ability to so blatantly lie as a Secretary of State, and not apologise for lying, then Britain is morally bankrupt. His only other get out is that he’s going ga-ga so brace yourself for The Madness of King Charles!
Can anyone tell me about the example being set to all UK citizens by the Windsor family which obviously sees honesty as bad policy and lies as the norm?
I really do not want to be a royal subject under the rule of such a dishonest band as the Windsors and I certainly do not want to be governed by the sleazy, corrupt sex pests from Westminster. And if you are happy with the status quo then I can only think you’re either a Tory MP or a member of Team Windsor.
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