Exchange of letters between resigning ethics adviser Lord Geidt and Johnson revealed
In my previous post about Geidt's resignation, I mentioned that the government had not published the customary exchange of letters in these circumstances, and that The Mirror's Pippa Crerar was on the case.
Well, possibly fearful of another drip-drip-drip of leaks and revelations to add to The Mirror's tally, No. 10 has now published the correspondence:
Available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/correspondence-from-lord-geidt-and-the-prime-ministers-response
As suspected, Geidt was indeed frustrated about his toothlessness in the face of Johnson's serial lack of concern for ethics and the rules and laws that govern everyone else's conduct, and Geidt's resultant humiliation in the Partygate hearings, but the final straw appears to have been something quite different.
Before today's publication of these letters, the only communication from No. 10 had been the enigmatic statement, "This week, the independent adviser was asked to provide advice on a commercially sensitive matter in the national interest, which has previously had cross-party support. No decision had been taken pending that advice."
Speculation is rampant at the moment about precisely what Geidt was asked to do that sparked his resignation. As is only too common with this government, each revelation simply raises more questions ("O what a tangled web we weave ..." ):
Link to tweet
Link to tweet
Sam Lowe
@SamuelMarcLowe
So last year the independent Trade Remedies Authority recommended that the UK remove a number of safeguard tariffs on Chinese steel.
Sam Lowe
@SamuelMarcLowe
This led to the steel industry kicking off, and a mini political firestorm. Some emergency legislation later, DIT overruled the TRA … which had found no legal justification for retaining the tariffs.
https://mostfavourednation.substack.com/p/most-favoured-nation-trouble-brewing
Sam Lowe
@SamuelMarcLowe
The tariffs were extended for a year … until the end of this month.
At which point I now assume the UK will continue to apply the tariffs on Chinese steel (presumably again agains the recommendation of the TRA), despite not having the legal justification to do so.
Sam Lowe
@SamuelMarcLowe
AND BECAUSE OF THIS, Lord Geidt has seemingly resigned …?
Journalists are feverishly digging into the background. Jim Pickard, the Financial Times's Chief Political Correspondent, tweeted:
Link to tweet
Jim Pickard@PickardJE
government says Geidt resignation just about potential breach of TWO tariff rules (probably steel)
but worth noting:
- minister Nigel Adams took >£32k of gifts/hospitality from steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta
- steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal donated to Johnson's leadership campaign
Jim Pickard
@PickardJE
- am told that this is *definitely* about protecting the UK steel industry
- also told that Geidt *never* mentioned potential conflicts re Tory donors in his conversations and texts about this with the prime minister
Opposition parties are calling for Johnson to appear before the House to explain the circumstances of Geidt's resignation. The plot, as they say, thickens ...