Couple more bits of intel related to last night’s leaked ERG letter.
Strictly for SW1 obsessives - no complaints please that this is boring:
Strictly for SW1 obsessives - no complaints please that this is boring:
Firstly, the ERG were very keen to keep this secret. It hadn’t leaked all weekend (it went to No10 on Friday). Notably, they kept the letter off the main now-famous ERG whatsapp Group because they think remain-minded MPs are leaking stuff from that (see Buzzfeed recently for EG)
I’m told that John Penrose, the remain-voting author, now leading on policy for the ERG (there’s a jump) was very sensitive about this and keen to keep it secret. Penrose clearly wants to have his cake and eat it: wants to be involved but worried about being seen to be involved
Secondly ERG-ers say they only really really trust Boris Johnson to reflect their views in cabinet. At least one senior ERG-er hasn’t been talking to Michael Gove much recently about Brexit. The ERG are aware that Gove has been sending mixed signals recently about Brexit. 👀👀
Thirdly there WERE different versions of the letter, as I reported last night. But it wasn’t for spycraft reasons. The first version that went to No10 had spelling errors in it and was sent back for correcting. 😳😳
