Thread on latest news from release of documents earlier today on Westferry Printworks, Robert Jenricks decision to approve it
In short I was right to resign
-Jenrick discussed more at dinner then 1st said
-Overrode his own officials advice
-Viability £
1/
gov.uk/government/pub…
In short I was right to resign
-Jenrick discussed more at dinner then 1st said
-Overrode his own officials advice
-Viability £
1/
gov.uk/government/pub…
To Daily Mail @MrHarryCole Jenrick said "But Mr Jenrick insisted he shut the conversation down immediately"
Then evidence emerges:
- They talked about new Local Plan (not mentioned before)
- Dispute over how long watched video for, Jenrick a few moments, Desmond 3-4 minutes
2/
Then evidence emerges:
- They talked about new Local Plan (not mentioned before)
- Dispute over how long watched video for, Jenrick a few moments, Desmond 3-4 minutes
2/
- Arranged to meet for site visit (agreed as 19th Dec two days laters)
- Jenrick initiates text conversation night of dinner with Desmond, good mates after 1st meeting
This is much more then shutting down conversation immediately
Jenrick sat between Desmond & Martin at dinner
3/
- Jenrick initiates text conversation night of dinner with Desmond, good mates after 1st meeting
This is much more then shutting down conversation immediately
Jenrick sat between Desmond & Martin at dinner
3/
Dispute over location/date of dinner
Reported as 20th November but texts say 18th
Reported as Savoy Hotel or Carlton Club
(where there 2 fundraising dinners? unlikely but Minister not clear either)
Text messages in pics
Not a clear cut case of shutting down conversation
4/
Reported as 20th November but texts say 18th
Reported as Savoy Hotel or Carlton Club
(where there 2 fundraising dinners? unlikely but Minister not clear either)
Text messages in pics
Not a clear cut case of shutting down conversation
4/
Jenrick says he told his officials about dinner etc, they did not tell him to recuse himself, his account suggests he did not tell officials about part of conversation i.e. video/local plan, maybe why Private Office did not say anything but did he tell Permanent Sec as well?
5/
5/
Private Office work for Minister, in government that just won landslide victory, not sure they were that concerned
Should have cleared it with lawyers or Permanent Secr
Also written proof of declaration?
6/
Should have cleared it with lawyers or Permanent Secr
Also written proof of declaration?
6/
This critical page
Email exchange 2 days after dinner
Printworks not on radar of officials, they were not sure of name but marked as controversial
But Jenrick knows ministerial decision soon & issue with timing of decision
Where did he get that information from?
Not officials
7/
Email exchange 2 days after dinner
Printworks not on radar of officials, they were not sure of name but marked as controversial
But Jenrick knows ministerial decision soon & issue with timing of decision
Where did he get that information from?
Not officials
7/
They did not issue report until 13th December (reminder election day 12th December so MHCLG in purdah)
This strongly suggests Desmond told Jenrick about timing of decision & sensitivity over timing (CIL) at the dinner, this contradicts evidence to HoC & quotes in Daily Mail
8/
This strongly suggests Desmond told Jenrick about timing of decision & sensitivity over timing (CIL) at the dinner, this contradicts evidence to HoC & quotes in Daily Mail
8/
On 20th November officials had not received inspectors report so did not know recommendations yet either
Minister ahead of his officials on the details it seems, who was source of information if not Desmond?
More later
@billykenber @Gabriel_Pogrund @johnestevens @MrHarryCole
Minister ahead of his officials on the details it seems, who was source of information if not Desmond?
More later
@billykenber @Gabriel_Pogrund @johnestevens @MrHarryCole
