Daniel Brett

Histopathology, interested in #GIPath #HPBpath

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

Proof of three things:
1) John Healey is not the shrinking violet some in the military feared
2) The government is in no way taking the current threats to the defence of the realm seriously
3) Starmer government is a sinking ship which can't get out of the docks on key issues

[Mike Pompeo @mikepompeo]

Within hours of being announced as the nominee to be the U.S. Director of the CIA, I received a hand-delivered message on MI6 stationery congratulating me on my nomination. It was signed simply "C" in green ink. Legendary. I shared it with my son and even he thought I was now cool!

More than that, this note, from Sir Alex Younger, Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service of the United Kingdom, confirmed what I already believed: the work that the CIA and MI6 did together mattered, that the partnership was critical, and that two leaders focused on the mission could save lives and provide tools for our nations to deter our adversaries.

Alex's passing this week brought back so many memories of our time in service together. He flew to Langley to see me the day I was confirmed. We brought our two senior teams together in the UK to plan and coordinate and build in the first several weeks of my time on duty: making clear to them all that this relationship was more than special - it was critical for the security of our two countries.

Alex was a remarkable intelligence partner. When we needed help, it wasn't "let me see;" it was "this matters to you and America we'll get it done." And he and his team always did. I think he knew we would do the same for him and his team and his nation. Many Americans are alive today because of his leadership of MI6, I never knew how to thank him enough.

Alex became a friend as well. In the years since we both left office we would see each other from time to time. He was always so kind, so thoughtful, so smart. His deep love of his country was surpassed only by his deep commitment and love of his family. Decent and proper - and funny as hell - Alex was "C." As espionage requires, he was quiet, not attention seeking. He knew what evil was and he was ruthless in his efforts to crush it with every legal tool at his command. And he knew who his friends were and committed himself to supporting them.

I miss Sir Alex Younger. He was a role model for me and a man with whom every minute I spent was valued and savored. Blessings to you Alex. Praying for you and for your family. Well done and may you rest in peace in His hands.

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

Further to Blair. Literally every honest sensible person in all the main parties privately agrees with all these propositions:

- welfare spending is too high and is throwing good people on the scrapheap
- defence spending is too low
- the triple lock is unsustainable
- without cheap energy we cannot exploit the AI revolution
- we should be investing in EVERY form of energy: renewables, nuclear and the North Sea
- migration needs to be controlled to boost social cohesion and because the boats look like a huge failure of the state
- any new relationship with the EU will be imposed on us until we are stronger and cannot involve the closeness some desire without freedom of movement
- we are deeply embedded with America in ways which the public does not understand and cannot be told and however joyous it makes us feel to hate Trump, disengagement at the deep state level is not only wholly unrealistic but also undesirable
- Whitehall needs a total overhaul so specific project expertise and political appointees can be brought in quickly

Blair basically says all that.

The one thing he doesn’t say and which the same group of people agree on is this and it’s something Blair left behind:

- judges and quangos have too much power, are unaccountable and without redressing the balance in favour of parliament it is very difficult to do anything big fast
- the bare minimum that needs to change in this regard is to reform judicial review and planning law so we can put building and economic growth ahead of newts and NIMBYs

None of that above really ought to be up for discussion. It is all common sense but not one of our politicians will publicly say all of it

Whatever you think of Blair, engage with what he’s saying not how he makes you feel. The bare minimum we should expect from any leader is that they have an analysis of the current situation and a plan to deal with it which is as coherent and realistic as his intervention. Pretty well every critique I’ve read so far has failed to meet this requirement.

Over to Andy and Keir and Kemi and Nigel and Zack and all the others

[Daniel Brett @DanielBrett5]

@afneil Alarming and compelling at the same time.

[Adam Boulton @adamboultonTABB]

Very sensible from @SamCoatesSky . Basically it all comes down to @Keir_Starmer ‘s determination to appoint Mandelson and the extraordinarily detached way in which he left others to force it through

[Sam Coates Sky @SamCoatesSky]

What do I think really happened with Mandelson and vetting?

In October, November and December 2024, No10 indicated it wanted to appoint Peter Mandelson as Ambassador to Washington.

It was presented with an array of people telling them not to: Cabinet ministers, spooks, officials in a vetting report. All raised major red flags.

Starmer and McSweeny made clear they weren’t interested in any objection, and this must go ahead at all costs.

So Mandelson’s appointment was announced mid December 2024.

The vetting we are focussed on today came later, in January 2025. Vetting of ambassadors is the responsibility of the FCDO and Olly Robbins.

One bit of the system said no - the UKSV agency said don’t appoint Mandelson.

We don’t know on what grounds, but probably the grounds No10 had seen and rejected as a reason to block. Olly Robbins cleared Mandelson. Very quietly, Mandelson didn’t get the very highest level of clearance when he got the job, but he got the overall OK because of Robbins. Robbins did No10 a favour.

This is because Olly Robbbins knew that going to No10 post announcement, and saying the Mandelson appointment can’t happen, was politically impossible.

And civil servants want to deliver for their political masters. So Olly fixed it for Keir: and is now paying a price.

Olly Robbins has - incidentally - done No10 a second massive political favour. The really really toxic claim doing the rounds last night was that surely someone - anyone - in No10
DID know the UKSV agency turned down the vetting

Olly Robbins is making clear he didn’t tell people the UKSV verdict because that would be inappropriate as part of the process he followed. It’s not even clear he saw it.

No10 don’t seem to realise he’s done them a favour, and are releasing documents to challenge alternative versions of events. Let’s see how it plays out.

The bottom line is No10 wanted Mandelson come what may. They rammed it through.

One quango; post appointment announcement, was never realistically going to be allowed to stop Mandelson taking the job because the top of Government had publicly committed to it. They hadn’t wanted to heed the warnings earlier; and were in too deep

That’s where I think we are

[Andrew Neil @afneil]

Trump’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz begins today. It will take some days to make it comprehensive.
Those who think this will bring the Iranian regime quickly to its knees as it runs out of revenues are in for a surprise.
Iran ramped up oil exports to an average of 2m bpd in Jan/Feb. The Chinese ‘teapot’ refiners — smallish, privately owned — who take 90% of it couldn’t absorb it all.
So around 160 million barrels of Iranian oil is already on ships floating on the ocean OUTSIDE the Persian Gulf ready to move to refiners when capacity allows.
Tehran could keep its customers supplied until mid-July, based on the 1.8 million barrels a day of Iranian oil that China imports.
Not sure the American consumer facing rising petrol prices at the pump will be that patient.

[David Gauke @DavidGauke]

So @JDVance, anything you’d like to say about @reformparty_uk?

[Andrew Neil @afneil]

Kate McCann has been disgracefully smeared/trolled by social media pond life for doing her job while interviewing a fascist apologist ‘professor’ for the Iranian regime — he’s a true troglodyte. She is a brilliant journalist and tough enough to shake off the trolls. But she deserves the backing of all journalists of integrity and good faith. Rally behind her. #iamkatemccann
@KateEMcCann
@TimesRadio

[George W. Bush Presidential Center @TheBushCenter]

Statement by President George W. Bush on Robert Mueller:

"Laura and I are deeply saddened by the loss of Robert Mueller. Bob dedicated his life to public service. As a Marine in Vietnam, he proved he was ready for tough assignments. He earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart before returning home to pursue law. In 2001, only one week into the job as the 6th Director of the F.B.I., Bob transitioned the agency mission to protecting the homeland after September 11. He led the agency effectively, helping prevent another terrorist attack on U.S. soil. Laura and I send our heartfelt sympathy to his wife of nearly 60 years, Ann, and the Mueller family."

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

Bob Mueller was one of the finest directors in the history of the FBI, transforming the bureau after 9/11 and saving countless lives. But it was his relentless commitment to the rule of law and his unwavering belief in our bedrock values that made him one of the most respected public servants of our time. Michelle and I send our condolences to Bob’s family, and everyone who knew and admired him.

[Andrew Neil @afneil]

You want the NATO allies to join you in a war you started without ever consulting these allies about the war or explaining your war aims. We’re meant just to meekly fall in line.
You recently supported a US invasion of a NATO ally (Denmark/Greenland) but now you want these same allies to join your war.
Your president disparaged and misrepresented the role of NATO allies in Afghanistan. But now you want them to join with you again in a war of your making.
You went to war with Iran without a thought of how to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and without involving your allies in the matter. But now you want the NATO allies to bail you out, even though there’s still no plan for Hormuz.
You want the NATO allies to join you in a war in which you still cannot articulate the endgame. Or what victory would look like.
You went to war thinking the Iranian regime would quickly topple, that Tehran would not attack the Gulf States or close Hormuz. Why would we align with such Epic Stupidity?
You and other know-nothing blowhards started this war all on your own. You can finish it on your own. If you’re able to …

[Andrew Neil @afneil]

Week 2 of War on Iran and it’s a tricky time for President Trump.
The Iranian regime more resilient than Trump expected. What can US do now that changes the game?
No early end in sight.
Oil and gas prices have spiked. If they remain elevated they will start to hit western economies badly, even oil/gas self-sufficient USA.
The domestic blowback will be fierce.
Trump needs a quick result if his gamble is to work. No sign of that so far.

[European Society of Pathology (ESP) @ESP_Pathology]

🔬 Intestinal graft-versus-host disease can show numerous apoptotic bodies within colonic crypts, an important clue after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for Myelodysplastic syndrome.

Dr Johanna Köhler, Pathologist & ESP Alumni, Sweden
#EveryDayPathology #PathX

[Gary O'Donoghue @BBCBlindGazza]

The branch of Boots on Great Portland Street has just told me that I should have someone with me when I come out as a blind person. When I objected to them telling me howl to lead my life, they said it was for my own good. Unbelievable. Last time I go in there #boots

[Tim Marshall @Itwitius]

Two things… 1 Timing of 1st strikes. Daylight/morning. V unusual. Targets suggest knowledge of gathering of leadership - if so massive intel breach and top of regime maybe dead. To what level is unknown but the Supreme Leader needs to appear soon… 1/2 #Iran

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

Caveating everything that follows with the reality that a febrile Westminster is not always the best judge of events, after a couple of hours taking the temperature, if two cabinet ministers were to resign I think this thing would be done by the end of the week

[Chris Ship @chrisshipitv]

BREAKING: Prince Harry takes on Donald Trump over his remarks about other NATO soldiers in Afghanistan.
“In 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the first—and only—time in history. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call.
I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there. The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed.

[Al Carns @AlistairCarns]

The UK served on the frontline in Afghanistan and often way beyond it!

[Harriet Harman @HarrietHarman]

To all the bereaved families of the men and women UK armed forces killed in Afghanistan; you heard us read out the name of your loved one in solemn respect in the House of Commons when they died and promised we’d never forget them. And we won’t. I hope Trump’s ignorance hasn’t worsened your pain. We remember your loss.