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The Tory civil war has grown more fractious as Zac Goldsmith hit out at “misleading” No 10 briefing over his scathing resignation, insisting that Rishi Sunak was “wrong” to claim he had refused to apologise over his Partygate comments.
The outgoing environment minister claimed he was “happy to apologise” for remarks labelled “disturbing” by the privileges committee in their report alleging “interference” from 10 Tories during their investigation which found that Boris Johnson repeatedly lied to parliament.
As he sought to get back on the front foot at a No 10 briefing outlining his plans for NHS reforms, Mr Sunak insisted the Tory peer had resigned after taking a “different course” when asked to apologise for his “incompatible” remarks – despite No 10 insisting just hours earlier that he had the PM’s confidence.
But Lord Goldsmith opened up a new front of criticism for Mr Sunak as he countered the PM’s claims of his refusal to apologise on Friday, insisting the Sunak government’s “lethargy” on climate meant his resignation had been a “long time coming”.
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Watchdog says government provided no evidence to back up concerns about Sue Gray’s move to Labour
Whitehall’s appointments watchdog has criticised “briefing to the media” about Partygate investigator Sue Gray’s move to join Labour as a top political aide, as it said the government had failed to provide any evidence to justify claims of a risk to the civil service’s integrity.
Clearing the former senior civil servant to start as Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments noted that its chair Lord Eric Pickles had “shared” concerns raised by government over the potential risk to the Civil Service’s integrity by Ms Gray’s move to Labour.
But its report added: “There has been no evidence provided to the committee that Ms Gray’s decision making or ability to remain impartial was impaired whilst she remained in her Civil Service role.”
The committee expressed “disappointment on the level of briefing to the media in relation to this application”, adding: “Briefings of this nature, wherever they stem from, are injurious to a fair and confidential process.”
Andy Gregory30 June 2023 15:401688133720
Hunt defends Sunak’s approach to climate change
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt defended Rishi Sunak’s approach to the climate.
Asked about Zac Goldsmith’s scathing criticism of the PM’s approach to environmental issues, he told the BBC’s World At One programme: “I just don’t agree and I know the prime minister is as proud as I am that the UK has reduced our emissions more than any other advanced economy.”
Andy Gregory30 June 2023 15:021688133237
Partygate investigator Sue Gray cleared to become Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff
Partygate investigator Sue Gray has been cleared to take up a role as Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff by the appointments watchdog, reports our political correspondent Archie Mitchell.
The former senior civil servant can start working with the Labour leader in September, after serving a six-month delay from when she left Whitehall, the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) has said.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he had accepted Acoba's advice and is "delighted" to be welcoming Sue Gray as his chief of staff.
Partygate investigator Sue Gray cleared to become Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff
The former senior civil servant will start working with the Labour leader in September
Andy Gregory30 June 2023 14:531688132521
Goldsmith hits out at Sunak’s climate ‘lethargy’ as he insists ‘PM is wrong’
Lord Zac Goldsmith has told the BBC that “the PM is wrong” as he countered Rishi Sunak by saying he is “happy to apologise” for sharing his views on the privileges committee investigation into Boris Johnson.
The Tory peer tweeted: “In response to some misleading briefing from Number 10, I’d like to make clear I am happy to apologise for publicly sharing my views on the privileges committee.
“I firmly believe our Parliamentary democracy can only be strengthened by robust exchange and scrutiny and Parliamentarians should of course be free to be critical of its reports & proceedings. But as a Minister I shouldn’t have commented publicly.
“Number 10 asked me to acknowledge that and made clear there was no question of my being sacked if I did so. I was – and am – happy to do so.”
Describing his decision to resign as “a long time coming”, Lord Goldsmith continued that his job of building environmental leadership has “becoming significantly harder on [Mr Sunak’s] watch”, adding: “I am saddened by the damage being done to our reputation globally as a result.
“When I compare what I and my amazing team in government were able to do before the current PM took office with the lethargy of today, I can no longer justify being in government.”
Andy Gregory30 June 2023 14:421688131339
Watch: Rishi Sunak sets out three-point-plan for NHS workforce
Rishi Sunak sets out three-point-plan for NHS workforceAndy Gregory30 June 2023 14:221688130319
Sunak insists government is ‘entirely confident’ Rwanda plan is ‘right'
Speaking to reporters at his Downing Street briefing on the NHS, Rishi Sunak insisted that his government continues to “remain entirely confident” that its Rwanda policy is “right”, despite judges ruling it is unlawful.
“We are confident in our case. The High Court agreed with us, the Lord Chief Justice agreed with us,” Rishi Sunak told a Downing Street briefing.
“Rwanda doesn’t even have returns agreements with other countries and they have provided a set of safeguards and assurances to us about the treatment of refugees that will be sent there that we believe are strong.
“The High Court and Lord Chief Justice agreed with that, so we will seek permission to appeal this case to the Supreme Court and we remain entirely confident that what we’re doing is right.
“And it is also fair, because there is nothing moral or compassionate about allowing the current system to continue. People are needlessly dying as they try and make these crossings, they are exploited by criminal gangs.
“If you spend any time with the people, as I have done, who are in the Channel picking people up, seeing the conditions they are subject to, seeing what children are subject to, (you) would find it very hard to justify maintaining this system.”
Andy Gregory30 June 2023 14:051688129239
SNP to meet accounts deadline with audit ‘qualification'
In other news, the SNP has said it is on course to meet its deadline to submit audited accounts, but they will contain a “qualification”.
The party appointed new auditors in May ahead of an Electoral Commission deadline on 7 July, when the party must submit its accounts or face a fine by the regulator.
Members of the SNP national executive committee (NEC) met on Thursday evening and approved the accounts, with the party saying today: “The audit contains one qualification relating to one stream of income due to administrative processes, resulting in a limitation in scope of the audit. There is no suggestion that the accounts do not present an accurate picture of the party’s financial position.”
This relates to missing documentation for “membership, donations and raffle income” for 2022 and 2021.
When auditors are fully confident in an organisation’s financial reporting their audit is said to be “unqualified”, if they have concerns about an area it is said to be “qualified”.
Andy Gregory30 June 2023 13:471688128159
Watch: Sunak ‘fundamentally disagrees’ with Court of Appeal ruling that Rwanda policy is ‘unlawful’
Sunak ‘fundamentally disagrees’ with Court of Appeal ruling that Rwanda policy is ‘unlawful’Andy Gregory30 June 2023 13:291688127139
Johnson opposes Sunak in Covid inquiry WhatsApps clash
Boris Johnson has backed the UK Covid Inquiry in its High Court clash with his successor Rishi Sunak’s overnment over his unredacted WhatsApp messages, diaries and notebooks, report Sian Harrison and Jess Glass.
The Cabinet Office is bringing a judicial review of inquiry chair Baroness Heather Hallett’s order to release the documents, arguing it should not have to hand over material which is “unambiguously irrelevant”.
Lawyers for the department argue the inquiry does not have the legal power to force ministers to release documents and messages it says cover matters “unconnected to the government’s handling of Covid”.
At a hearing in London on Friday, Sir James Eadie KC, representing the department, said the challenge was “brought with some considerable reluctance”, but Lady Hallett’s demand was “so broad” it was “bound to catch” a large amount of irrelevant material.
Lady Hallett contends the Cabinet Office’s position “undermines” her ability to carry out the inquiry properly and would have “serious implications” for all public inquiries.
In written arguments put before the court on Mr Johnson’s behalf, his lawyers said he has “no objection” to the inquiry having the unredacted material, subject to “appropriate security and confidentiality arrangements” being in place – which he has been assured of by the inquiry.
Mr Johnson, who is an interested party in the case, along with his former adviser Henry Cook, is asking the court to reject the government’s challenge.
PA30 June 2023 13:121688126231
Goldsmith took ‘different course’ after remarks ‘incompatible’ with his position, says Sunak
Rishi Sunak said he accepted that Lord Goldsmith had taken a “different course” rather than apologise for his comments about the Commons partygate inquiry into Boris Johnson.
Speaking at his Downing Street press briefing about the NHS, the PM said: “On Lord Goldsmith, he was asked to apologise for his comments about the Privileges Committee because I felt they were incompatible with his position as a minister.
“He obviously has chosen to take a different course, I accept that. I’m proud of the record of this government and indeed Zac in government, making sure that we tackle climate change and protect our natural environment.
“The UK has played a leadership role globally and we will continue to do so, as you will see.”
His press conference has now concluded.
Andy Gregory30 June 2023 12:57
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