UK Politics
Knives out for Jack the Lad
Published 10 April 2008
All the gossip from the Westminster village
Massed ranks of disgruntled backbenchers are ganging up on Jack "the Unpopular Lad" Straw as they prepare to fight an extra election opponent by the name of John Lewis. The prospect of voters discovering dodgy details of those nests of tables, ironing boards and widescreen TVs is creating panic, a terror blamed on a former home secretary responsible for the twin threats of Freedom of Information and the Electoral Commission. One Labour MP admitted some colleagues feared jailtime for offences stretching back years while, naturally, protesting his own innocence. If they'd not departed on a fortnight's holiday - sorry, I mean recess - the Lad could be lynched in the corridors. Perhaps he should borrow Hattie Harperson's stab vest.
An award for shameless self-promotion to David "Ruffers" Ruffley, a member - or, as he would doubtless prefer, a very important member - of Druggie Dave's shadow team as coppers' spokesman. I hear that roguish Ruffers (incidentally a former squeeze of Boris Johnson's one-time mistress Petronella Wyatt, a socialite with three secrets to turn her ex-lover's mayoral dream into a capital nightmayor) frets about how the world views him. Indeed, a lobby scribe whispers that he was once asked by Ruffers to describe him as "charismatic" and "ruthless" in stories. So very Cameroon.
Freebies to the sun - sorry, I mean fact-finding missions - are falling victim to the fatwa on MPs' expenses. Members of the Treasury select committee anticipating a holiday in the British Virgin Islands to examine tax dodges were disappointed. A weepy MP admits they were told Jersey and the Isle of Man were nearer and they should be grateful to get away at all.
Back to Jack Straw . . . and the nest of tables brigade exact revenge by reporting that he's disloyally grumbling against the Counter-Terrorism Bill. My snout says he has privately cast doubt on locking up suspects for 42 days. Straw lords it over part of the old Home Office as Justice Secretary, and your correspondent refuses to believe he would undermine his colleague Jacqui Smith, who supervises the other bit. Such skulduggery would be out of character.
The month-long delay in the City slicker David Pitt-Watson starting as Labour can-carrier-in-chief is due to money - crucially, his money. The multimillionaire Pitt-Pony is the first Labour general secretary in years who's worth a few bob. With Labour £21m in the red, he would be worth pursuing by creditors. Pitt-Pony's prepared to swallow a huge salary cut but not personal liability for party debts. Hail, Pitt the Later!
Kevin Maguire is associate editor (politics) of the Daily Mirror
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