The storm rumbles on
Peter Hoskin 10:41am
There's a sense this weekend that the media hurricane has moved on from George Osborne - leaving him bruised and bloodied, but unbowed - and is now bearing down on Peter Mandelson. Sure, the Tories are still experiencing some turbulence: a story about how they should repay a loan from the Rothschilds, as well as some ex post facto analysis by the Sunday columnists. But after his letter to the Times yesterday, the Key New Revelations are all about Lord Mandy. And the questions being flung at him, about his links with Oleg Deripaska, are the more difficult to answer.
The hope in Downing Street will be that the calls for Mandelson to be investigated aren't followed up by the various watchdogs and authorities concerned: the contrast with the Electoral Commission's refusal to investigate Osborne would be damning. Yet, so far, there's nothing to suggest that Mandelson will have to resign, just as there's been nothing to suggest that Osborne will have to resign. With this scandal, all rests on what emerges next. Watch this space.
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TrevorsDen
October 26th, 2008 11:45am Report this commentMore Yawns.
A loan from the Rothchilds made, as I understand it, ages ago - before the change in law? And being a 'loan' isn't it likely to be repaid anyway. I thought it was only Labour loans that never got repayed.
Forgive me if a simple soul, viewing the world from the comfort of his sofa, is a bit confused.
What is this fuss over loans (never mind nonloans) from foreigners? how can Labour receive £4 million for Mittal yet create such a fuss over a non loan from another foreigner?
And bearing in mind Skinners diatribe - why is Mandelson visiting Moscow to meet with yet more billionairs?
Labour and Proud of It
October 26th, 2008 12:43pm Report this comment"Calls for him to be investigated" - by a bunch of Trots who say he was too pro-business. That News of the World piece should be syndicated to the Socialist Worker and it shows the desperation of Tories that yourselves and Iain Dale are taking this sort of rubbish seriously.
kinglear
October 26th, 2008 1:25pm Report this commentThat's because there is one law for the Tories and a quite different but " right and proper, totally fair and even handed" ( yeah right)one for Labour. I've dropped the NU bit - they are clearly showing themselves as completely identified with all former Labour administrations, ending in acrimony,public sector strikes, massive taxes, massive debts and driving more people into poverty.
oldtimer
October 26th, 2008 1:44pm Report this commentRecent events and damaged reputations have reminded me
of Hilaire Belloc`s verse about the political misfortunes of
Lord Lundy. Milliband and Osborne come to mind as good
examples. But perhaps Lord Mandy is most the most
appropriate example, with Herbert Morrison in the role of
the Duke.
`...
While as for Revelations, these
Would simply bring him to his knees,
And leave him whimpering like a child.
It drove his Colleagues raving wild!
They let him sink from Post to Post,
From fifteen hundred at the most
To eight, and barely six - and then
To be Curator of Big Ben!...
And finally there came a Threat
To oust him from the Cabinet!
The Duke - his aged grandsire - bore
The shame till he could bear no more
He rallied his declining powers,
Summoned his youth to Brackley Towers,
And bitterly addressed him thus -
"Sir! you have disappointed us!
We had intended you to be
The next Prime Minister but three:
The stocks were sold; the Press was squared:
The Middle Class was quite prepared.
But as it is! . . . My language fails!
Go out and govern New South Wales!" `
Nicholas
October 26th, 2008 5:27pm Report this commentLabour and proud of it. Is that a non sequitur? I would have thought that in the aftermath of 11 years of Labour government anyone Labour or supporting Labour ought to feel deeply ashamed.
Maybe the pride is the problem? Arrogance, hubris, a determination never to admit being wrong but to distort the truth until it puts you in the right. Hitler's SS were no doubt proud too.
Andy Leeds
October 26th, 2008 8:18pm Report this commentMandelson has been less than honest. Every single detail has been forced from him. One doubts he would have ever have admitted that he had first met Deripaska in 2004 when he had previously authorised a statement indicating he had met the man in 2006. The whole storm over the non-donation and Osborne was always a smoke screen and now we are beginning to see why. The real issue is the Russian, the Rothschild and Mandy.
If Mandelson has nothing to hid let us be knowing when and where he met Oleg Deripaska. And lets know what was discussed everytime he met Deripaska, and for that matter Rothschild. So far the EU Commission has refused to release these details. Lets also be knowing when and where he has stayed on the yacht - he has yet to confirm he stayed on it in August and we are still lead to believe he merely went onboard for drinks.
George Osborne has pubished full details of his dealings with Mr Deripaska: it is high time Mandelson did the same and also detailed his dealings with Mr Rothschild. Or do they all have something to hid ? He also needs to learn that he is now a Minister of the Crown and as such his private life comes after his duty to his office.
Paul Lettan
October 27th, 2008 5:28am Report this commentThe Theatre of the Absurd continues. This greek soap opera, it's too low rent for farce, has legs. Now Mandy is becalmed alongside Osborne. I can't wait for Act II.
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