BBC: Harman gives up Lords reform role (UK honours scandal deepens)

[Taxloss]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4812666.stm

Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman has given up parts of her role which involve overseeing electoral reform and House of Lords reform.

Ms Harman is married to Jack Dromey, the Labour Party's treasurer, who said on Wednesday he was "kept in the dark" over recent loans made to the party.

These loans were at the heart of "cash for peerages" claims - claims which have been rejected by Downing Street.

Ms Harman is said to have asked for the move to avoid any conflict of interest.

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This has the potential to be a huge scandal - perhaps even lethal for Blair.

Interestingly, when this story was just a "More Soon" on the BBC news ticker, the headline said that she had been "stripped of responsibility" for this role. Then that was changed to the face-saving version above. Hmm.

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Ian Davidson just likened Blair to the Militant Tendency

on Radio 4. "A party within a party - with its own policies and funding". And he's not a 'permanent rebel ' - his record shows just a few rebellions against the party line.

[Taxloss]

2. Blair takes responsibility, but denies wrongdoing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4813156.stm

snip:

"It shouldn't be one in exchange for the other, and it wasn't," he told reporters at his monthly news briefing.

snip:

Mr Blair said no rules were broken with the nominations or the loans given to Labour.

As leader of the Labour Party he took responsibility for "all that is done in its name", he said.

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This is undeniably shady, but it's pleasing to see the "presidential" style bite TB in the arse as he realises that he has abandoned the principle of collective responsibility just at the moment he might need it. Still, that's what happens if you attempt government by clique.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. Today's Private Eye cover:

(Not online yet, unfortunately)

Under "Blairs to Separate?", Tony and Cherie, saying simultaneously to each other:

"I can't be associated with your dodgy finanical dealings"

[Taxloss]

4. I'm surprised our American colleagues aren't more interested in this.

You'd think they'd want to watch what could be Blair's downfall.

[Binka]

5. So Home Sec Charles Clarke Is Lying?

I've seen him on Sky and I have never been impressed. Cash for peerage sounds so much more dignified than dosh for power. "From farce to funny business." Nice line Simon!

[Taxloss]

6. I think he rushed to defend his boss a bit hastily.

He may now be ruing that decision.

[Mr Creosote]

7. I walked past him

outside the River End before the Stoke game. Only 2 minders. He is very tiny which came as a shock because he looks big on TV. If I'd had my wits about me I should have asked him for a public enquiry into 7/7 but I was too thunderdtruck.

[Taxloss]

8. Latest developments here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2172705