Another nail in the coffin?

by Rick Johansen February 3, 2022

written by Rick Johansen February 3, 2022

Boris Johnson’s policy chief Munira Mirza has resigned today following Johnson’s attack on Keir Starmer over Jimmy Savile. Here’s her letter:

Dear Prime Minister,

It is with great regret that I am writing to resign as your Head of Policy.

You are aware of the reason for my decision: I believe it was wrong for you to imply this week that Keir Starmer was personally responsible for allowing Jimmy Savile to escape justice. There was no fair or reasonable basis for that assertion. This was not the normal cut-and-thrust of politics; it was an inappropriate and partisan reference to a horrendous case of child sex abuse. You tried to clarify your position today but, despite my urging, you did not apologise for the misleading impression you gave.

I have served you for fourteen years and it has been a privilege to do so. You have achieved many important things both as Prime Minister and, before that, as Mayor of London. You are a man of extraordinary abilities with a unique talent for connecting with people.

You are a better man than many of your detractors will ever understand which is why it is desperately sad that you let yourself down by making a scurrilous accusation against the Leader of the Opposition.

Even now, I hope you find it in yourself to apologise for a grave error of judgement made under huge pressure. I appreciate that our political culture is not forgiving when people say sorry, but regardless, it is the right thing to do. It is not too late for you but, I’m sorry to say, it is too late for me.

Yours sincerely,

Munira

At prime ministers questions, Johnson accused Starmer, when he was director of public prosecutions of: “prosecuting journalists and failing to prosecute Jimmy Saville.” This was a flat-out lie from Johnson, but then he is an habitual liar. But not only that, Johnson was slurring Starmer over a case rightly described by Mirza as “A horrendous case of child sex abuse.” Quite. I couldn’t put it better myself and won’t. She urged Johnson to apologise but he doesn’t do apologies.

Gormless deputy PM Dominic Raab described Johnson’s smear as “part of the cut and thrust of politics”, as if that was all right then. Yes, the attack was aimed at Starmer, but think how Savile’s victims feel seeing the most senior politician in the land making cheap political capital. I do not know how anyone, let a politician, could ride roughshod over such people in attempt to smear a political opponent in such a way, but that’s Johnson for you.

I don’t know how damaging the resignation of Mirza will be. It could be 2022’s version of Geoffrey Howe’s famous House of Commons speech in 1990 that effectively destroyed Margaret Thatcher’s career, it could further weaken an already weakened PM or the seemingly teflon-coated narcissist could survive to fight another day/week/month/year/parliamentary term.

Either way, whatever your politics it was wrong to attack Keir Starmer like this. But liars will lie and until the British public tires of Johnson’s lies we’ll have to put up with more of them as the country’s reputation goes down the pan.

Rick Johansen

The blog of the artist formerly known as Eclectic Blue. My views and mine only.

A NEW AND CONTINUOUS COUGH (DAY 5)

1 comment

Anonymous February 3, 2022 - 17:32

4.5

Comments are closed.

Another nail in the coffin?

A NEW AND CONTINUOUS COUGH (DAY 5)

A NEW AND CONTINUOUS COUGH (DAY 6)

You may also like

1 comment