Civil servants are meant to be politically neutral. Sir David Normington (Permanent Secretary at the Home Office) is very close to the point at which his political neutrality would be in question.
There have been some very serious questions about the accuracy of the information given to the Met by the Home Office in relation to the arrest of Damian Green MP. The scale of the police operation was in response to the sensitivity of the leaked information, information which we now know was embarrassing but not sensitive. As head of the Home Office civil service team that "spicing up" is ultimately Sir David's fault.
Sir David has now publicly commented on the resignation of Sir Ian Blair. He should not do so. The reasons that Boris lost confidence in Sir Ian were valid and numerous and Sir Ian did the right thing in standing down.
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James, Sir Ian did not 'stand down'. He was forced from office by Boris and Kit Malthouse. FACT.
Sir Ian stated in at least one newspaper that he "was sacked".
Whilst Boris was (conveniently) portrayed at the person responsible, rescinding Sir Ian's contract was (reportedly) the jurisdiction of the Home Office - not the Mayor of London.
Shortly after Sir Ian's sacking, an unprecedented Zanu style raid was executed on the House to the dismay and horror of the nation; action, many believe, Sir Ian would NEVER HAVE PERMITTED.
One of many strange 'happenings' since Mandleson/Campbell's return to reportedly 'assist' Brown.
This is absolutely disgraceful.
Boris had no right to force Sir Ian from office without discussion with the Home Secretary or the Police Authority. He tipped off fellow Conservatives before a police raid on their offices. Both of these actions are beyond what is acceptable for a politician.
But as soon as another civil servant criticises the actions of a politician you have a go at them. It is no wonder the fees office let the politicians get away with duck houses, moat cleaning, and multiple house swapping. You smear and sack them whenever you think it is in your political or personal interests.
It is time we paid attention to civil servants when they point out the errors of politicians, as politicians have demonstrated that they cannot govern themselves. Your smears again Sir David are just another example of politicians sticking up for their mates without any understanding of Right and Wrong.
Jimmy,
You are factually wrong in your post so the conclusions you draw are also wrong.
Boris didn't speak to Damian until after his arrest and didn't speak to Daniel at all in relation to the raid.
Boris didn't sack Sir Ian, he said that if asked, as Mayor of London, he couldn't say that he had confidence in him. That was a statement of fact and needed no discussion with the Home Office or MPA.
Politicians do pay attention to civil servants, but politician have to make decisions because we are the ones who are publicly accountable.
I stand corrected. It was only when a criminal investigation was taking place that Boris spoke to Damian Green, something that was described by the inquiry as "extraordinary and unwise way" and could "inhibit free and frank discussion of operational matters" with senior police officers if he continued to publicise his reaction to their briefings, as he did in the Green case.
As I said at the time, if a civil servant had behaved in this way he would be sacked - we deserve better from our elected politicians.
And now you want a civil servant sacked for doing exactly that (or maybe you just would not be willing to show your confidence in him, same thing).
And you don't mind civil servants leaking documents to their favourite political party, just as long as they do not back up the findings of a published report - a report that Boris claimed cleared him - it did no such thing.
James,
Jimmy's 100% right on this occasion.
Now here we have a permanent secretary who must have been privy to - even if he did not instigate - a police raid on the House of Commons, seeking some very political publicity. I don't think Sir Gus is due to retire, so why ?...
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