Appoint first, vet later. Is that really how Britain should choose its national security adviser? And its ambassador to Washington?
Morgan McSweeney’s account of how both Jonathan Powell and Peter Mandelson were appointed without vetting raises questions that Downing Street cannot simply brush aside.
What checks were completed before they got the job? What did subsequent vetting establish? And why won’t ministers give a clear answer about Powell's clearance?
In my latest column, I examine the parallels with Peter Mandelson’s appointment, the public statements of Powell’s wife, Sarah Helm, and the government’s approach to national security.
My argument: cronyism and complacency have displaced proper scrutiny. Powell must go.
Read the full column below. Link in first reply.
These are the people we are supposed to trust to govern us. I’m not sure about just Powell going maybe it’s time for the whole lot to go @andyburnham show some leadership or give it up to someone who will
@ouma_neko The fact that you have shared this publicly had me fear for you but then I have decided that maybe by doing it this way it will keep you safe. God is a loving God and he calls us to love one another. Every time I have a question and I’m struggling I ask myself is it done in love.
🚨 WHAT'S GOING ON IN ESSEX?
The UN visits Wethersfield asylum seekers. Reform faces questions over Operation Vanguard. Now Antifa takes an interest.
Coincidence or calculated?
🇬🇧 ESSEX PROTEST THIS SATURDAY, 12–2PM, BRAINTREE.
Meet at the fountain opposite the church. MARCH TO MARKET SQUARE!
Report: Israeli intelligence shared with the US that terror group Hamas has no plans to disarm, has rebuilt its tunnel system, restored its pre-October 7, 2023, force levels of 30,000 to 40,000 terrorists, and has reimposed full governance over Gaza.
And now Hamas has made its intentions explicit.
Last week, Hamas officials met with the UN humanitarian coordinator in Gaza - and used the meeting to deliver a direct threat to Israel: they are prepared to carry out another October 7, 2023-style attack, inside Israel, in the West Bank/Judea and Samaria, and abroad, wherever an opportunity arises. Israeli officials described the warning as “unusually explicit and severe.”
While the world pressures Israel to make concessions - Hamas is rebuilding, rearming, and promising to do it again.
I know it's simply abuse but I can't help myself.
Owen Jones is an utter cunt.
His reaction to a report on Jew hate against children - children! - is to do everything in his power to dismiss it.
Cunt
Leftie teachers are shocked that they might soon be prevented from wearing Palestine badges in the classroom. Spare a thought for the rest of us who are shocked that you were doing that in the first place.
You taught kids, including Jewish kids, while adorned in the colours under which more than a thousand Jews were massacred by Islamo-fascists just three years ago? What the hell is wrong with you?
✍️ Brendan O’Neill
Article | https://t.co/koKP2FD2f8 | @spikedonline
Below is a video of Sam Beckman who spat at and showed the finger to a statue of the murdered MP Sir David Amess.
The pro-Palestinian lives in Westcliff-On-Sea in Essex, let's make him famous.
HEARTBREAKING.
Two IDF soldiers fell in battle today against terrorists at the Yehuda Junction.
-Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roitman, 23, from Ashkelon—a squad commander in the Ari Battalion (775) of the Search and Rescue Brigade—fell in battle at the Yehuda Junction, within the area of the Yehuda Brigade.
-Sergeant Yuval Shay Suilem, 20, from Hod HaSharon—a combat soldier in the Ari Battalion (775) of the Search and Rescue Brigade—fell in battle at the Yehuda Junction, within the area of the Yehuda Brigade.
May their memory be a blessing.
In the incident in which the two combat soldiers fell, three additional combat soldiers from the battalion sustained light injuries.
Staff Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roitman, 23, a soldier in the Ari Battalion of the IDF Search and Rescue Brigade, fell in this morning’s terrorist shooting attack at Yehuda Junction.
May their memory be blessed forever🕯️
Is Sarah Helm, the wife of National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, Hamas's official ambassador to the UK, or is she merely an unofficial spokesperson?