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Feb 4 • 12 tweets • 3 min read
If you go on No 10 Flickr page you can see the No 10 photographer Andy Parsons was in Downing St on several of the major partygate dates- because he was taking official pics

Eg the birthday party date he'd been with PM in the morning at Bovington School
flickr.com/photos/number1…
20th April 2020
flickr.com/photos/number1…
27th November 2020 flickr.com/photos/number1…
Lots of photos from the week of 15th December flickr.com/photos/number1…
That's not to say of course he was necessarily at any of the parties but it does lend credence to the idea there may be more photographs of some of the key events, which are now apparently being retained by Sue Gray
Several days ago a source said they'd heard the PM's photographer might have taken at least some of the photos the Gray inquiry has now handed to the police. We weren't able to confirm but theoretically it makes a lot of sense. Would explain why there are so many photos...
...and yet at the same time why almost none have leaked. They also couldn't be deleted because they're official government photographs, now stored by Sue Gray.

If true, as the source told remarked to us, it added "a Nixonian air" to the entire episode.
NB this is why I know the Flickr pics align with certain partygate dates, rather than having an encyclopaedic knowledge of the No 10 Flickr page, I hasten to add
if true also important because it could drag Sunak further into the story. Although we knew he was there, the idea of his being in a picture potentially further complicates any potential succession

Fwiw I was told by a source Sunak's drink in the picture was an orange juice
The type of drink is of course not relevant in terms of any potential infraction

Revelation there could be more official photographs will of course worry Conservative MPs, already concerned about what might else emerge in weeks ahead
And apologies, it's Bovingdon School
Also told (as per Pippa’s piece) that there’s no birthday cake in the picture. But there is, apparently, sandwiches and salads.

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More from @lewis_goodall

Lewis Goodall Profile picture
Feb 6
INCYMI my take on the PM’s week and why it’s important not to get lost in the dizzying events and remember the big picture: ie that even if we take just the events of this week alone, the premiership of Boris Johnson is taking British politics to a very unusual place.
I didn’t have time to add a fifth reason on the list but it’s also important: it is very unusual to have a prime minister’s personal integrity and personal behaviour so consistently at the centre of politics, even if integrity in overall politics is a more familiar theme.
Eg to have MPs of the PM’s own party effectively accusing the prime minister of the day of misleading the House and not telling the truth (eg this week Aaron Bell and Nick Gibb). It happened a bit under Blair but it is rare.
Read 4 tweets
Lewis Goodall Profile picture
Feb 5
Belfast is completely magnificent, and for once I’m not talking about the city
Spent half of it laughing, the other crying (and I’m not usually a big film cryer). The perfect yet understated study on Ireland, class and family.
And that’s not even to mention the soundtrack. Go see it.
Read 4 tweets
Lewis Goodall Profile picture
Feb 3
Former Conservative Foreign Sec Malcolm Rifkind tells Newsnight: "With the best will in the world one has to say that this isn't so much the end of the beginning but the beginning of the end...for Munira Mirza to resign...that shows he's become toxic among even his allies."
"He's not a fool, he's a highly intelligent man...But what we've seen is his political judgment has turned out to be very hollow...the attempt to save Owen Paterson had to be reversed 24 hours later. The attempt to prorogue Parliament was repudiated by the Supreme Court."
Rifkind comparing Johnson's problems to other PMs "[on other occasions] it was not an issue of the integrity of the prime minister, the honesty of the prime minister, of the basic competence of the PM. This is something unique in British politics as far back as you wish to go."
Read 5 tweets
Lewis Goodall Profile picture
Feb 3
All this matters because a) until today these people were pivotal players governing this country b) we’re facing crisis on multiple fronts (energy crisis alone huge) and centre of govt gripped by personnel changes and lack of clarity as to who will want to take their place.
As I was saying on the programme just now- Tory internal conversation is now two narratives over these resignations. PM’s critics will point to Mirza’s. They’ll say this is the most important one, the closest of his allies reminding us of the PM’s capacity to self-detonate:
They’ll say the Savile comments were a complete self inflicted wound, nothing to do with partygate. But that it arises from PM’s character and his style- and that no matter what staff changes there are he will never change. They’ll argue if it’s not this it’ll be something else,
Read 7 tweets
Lewis Goodall Profile picture
Feb 3
Enormous story. Mirza is one of the PM's longest-standing lieutenants and key members of his inner circle. Worse for BJ is what she says:"I believe it was wrong for you to imply this week that Keir Starmer was personally responsible for allowing Jimmy Savile to escape justice..."
"...This was not the usual 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."
"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.."
Read 10 tweets
Lewis Goodall Profile picture
Feb 3
NEW: Ofgem confirms that the domestic energy price cap will increase by *£693* from April.

That’s an increase of 54%.

Hard to overestimate just how impactful that will be on (i) the family finances of millions who are struggling (ii) politics.
Also true to say that without amelioration, such an increase may mean many who aren’t quite struggling now, will be as the year progresses (especially when combined with other inflationary pressures).
Bear in mind that in 2019 15% of households in England were already living in fuel poverty. That’s over 3 million.

Definition below.
Read 9 tweets

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