Liam Fox quits as defence secretary

[snapper]

Good riddance! More for less doesn't work in military terms.

[dave lukins]

Good riddance! More for less doesn't work in military terms.

Him remaining as Defence Minister was untenable once he took self styled adviser Werritty into his confidence.

[snapper]

Was an awful Defence Minister. Rot in peace.

[tankie]

Ohhhh dear how sad never mind bye bye , lets hope the new guy is for the MILITARY and gets the gig done instead of jetting off around the world with his er , adviser, at the taxpayers ,AGAIN , expense , an other sleazy bastard who reaped what he sowed

[Doktor]

What are the reasons for him leaving?

From what I seen so far, the new SoD will do the same as it is not the DoD's policy, but HMG's one.

[snapper]

Seems a 'friend' of Dr Fox was swanning around the world with him styling himself an 'advisor' yet had no official role.

[tankie]

Not just being his bumchum but had access to official papers , denied of course

[dave lukins]

Not just being his bumchum but had access to official papers , denied of course

The police have now been asked to look into it. He's been at Fox's meetings all over the world and they want to know who paid for all the trips. If it came out of public funds then there will be hell to pay.

[dave lukins]

Seems a 'friend' of Dr Fox was swanning around the world with him styling himself an 'advisor' yet had no official role.

A lot of MP's 'employ' there family who have no quals whatsoever to do the job. At least they are keeping nepotism in the family

[tankie]

A lot of MP's 'employ' there family who have no quals whatsoever to do the job. At least they are keeping nepotism in the family

boom boom , like incest ,,a game for all the family :Dancing-Banana:

[Doktor]

Only that you pay for that game.

That Banana is not so witty now;)

[tankie]

Only that you pay for that game.

That Banana is not so witty now;)

Not in Sweden ya dont , ye'uk

[tankie]

Its spreading


Liam Fox and his close ally Adam Werritty are facing the threat of investigations into whether their fund-raising activities broke the law.
Police and the Electoral Commission have been asked to probe allegations that the former Defence Secretary and Mr Werritty committed offences by misleading donors and failing to declare funding.
Meanwhile, the Government has signalled that it will look at wider problems with the lobbying system in the wake of the scandal.
An inquiry by the Cabinet Secretary will reportedly recommend that ministers publicly disclose all meetings with lobbyists and business figures in future.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Sir Gus O'Donnell will warn that a "grey area" in the rules allowed Dr Fox to hide the closeness of his relationship with Mr Werritty by insisting he was not on official business. A new statutory register of lobbyists could also be introduced within months.
The results of Sir Gus' report are due to be published on Tuesday, but could be delayed if police launch a probe.
Newly-installed Defence Secretary Philip Hammond attended his first official engagement alongside David Cameron at Wootton Bassett on Sunday. Mr Hammond is already fending off efforts to embroil him in the controversy, with claims that he also received hospitality from Michael Hintze - a prominent backer of Dr Fox.
Businessman Mr Hintze hosted Mr Hammond at several dinners before and after the election, which were openly declared.
Venture capitalist Jon Moulton is understood to have approached the Cabinet Secretary to complain at being "misled" by Dr Fox. Mr Moulton said the Cabinet minister asked him to donate to Pargav, a not-for-profit company set up by Mr Werritty. He was apparently told the firm helped provide "security and analysis" and was unaware it was funding Mr Werritty's travel to meet Dr Fox on official trips.
There are reports that those giving money to Pargav had been promised anonymity, which could breach tough laws on declaring donations.

[dave lukins]

You would think that after hundreds of years Parliament would be water tight with Laws rules and regulations in relation to what Members can and cannot do.

Fox, as a Minister must have know he cannot take a friend to business meetings across the globe at the expence of the public purse. Whether they broke the law is another matter or was it the ubiquitous "misunderstanding or confusing regulations" they all tend to fall back on. Time will tell ;)