Hague statement on Christopher Myers

Cuffleyburgers

Well I hope that is it.

And I hope Hague will now get back to suiting his post election actions on Europe to his pre-election carefully phrased words and "allow-to-be-implied"s - to date there has been a dismaying dissonance.

Dammit Hague I expected something better of you.

Simon Stephenson

Richard of York

I look forward to reading an apology from you for the insinuation you made on this site a few days ago.

Craig Strachan

Appalling that he has been forced to put out this statement.

Booking in to a twin room is evidence of nothing so much as welcome frugality!

Anthony

I sympathise with Hague (and Myers) on many levels. On the other hand, this appointment was ridiculous. There are large numbers of very experienced Tory-supporting policy wonks, foreign policy academics and retired diplomats and uniformed officers who would make excellent SpAds. Tapping into their experience abilities would allow us to get American-style outside expertise into the mix. Instead, Hague chose to appoint a 25 year old with a 2:2 degree and no foreign policy background. Myers may be brilliant, but the bottom line is that there are entry-level FCO graduate trainees who are better qualified than he is. I'm sorry for Hague and his family and for Myers on a personal level - the tenor of the coverage of this has been very unpleasant. But I'm afraid it just looks like a very ill-judged and unjustifiable appointment to me.

George Laird

Dear All

I have to say that there are some every wicked people out there who are plain nasty.

Although I am not a Tory fan by any means, I feel sorry for him and his wife.

This to some extent is the hallmark of a certain type of politics in this country.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

wrinkled weasel

"I will not be making any further comment on these matters"

Oh yes he will.

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

Poor old Billy Boy got the message that times are hard, and he didn't want to exploit his expense account. At least he wasn't buying bath plugs on his expense account, or squat in a siblings flat like that ugly creature Jackie Smith.

TrevorsDen

I trust the bastard Paul Stains will be totally cut from the media circle he would so like to ingratiate himself into.

But fellows if you want to associate with a little shit its up to you.

Ironic really that Stains and McBride were made for each other. Perhaps they should go in for a trial arrangement.

But worse ...
He has demonstrated in the last few days all that is reprehensible about blogging.
“Power without responsibility — the prerogative of the harlot throughout the ages.”

Blofeld's Cat

Richard of York - mostly, I think it's better to have you posting so that you condemn yourself by your own trash. However, this time, I think you should be censored and censured. You are a repugnant little shit.

Don

Richard of York
September 1st, 2010 5:46pm Report this comment

Next Cameron will issue a statement supporting his Minister, then the Sunday press go with the story and all the evidence.
Soon we have another minister haulled before Kay Burley to read a prepared statement saying he is resigning to save the Prime Minister from further embarassment.
Cue Daily mail outrage and Guardian crocodile tears for a week.
One more nail in the coffin and another Minister who cant tell truth from fiction.

Dick,
if you assumption proves to be incorrect, will you do us all the favour of refraining from commenting on these pages in future. Or at the very least post an apology?

Occasional Ostrich

@Simon Stephenson

Of course he will. RoY is naturally a very nice person.

Peter From Maidstone

You really are a deeply unpleasant and loathsone worm of a human aren't you, RoY.

ajs

What horrible sh*its (and I am not a swearing man) there are in the Westminster media and those hanging on thereto. If I were a religious man, I would be praying that on death they will get their just desserts ( and I don't mean 72 virgins).

Fiona

I think Hague has taken a big gamble today. I'll be very surprised if Richard is wrong about there being more to come. You can tell by the way the reports have been written.

They always collect and report loads of denials, which we all read with a growing sense of inevitability - before they reveal their hand.

Usually on a Sunday!

davidk

There's no smoke without fire. That's the conclusion most will draw and Hague's career will now be finished. We all know this, let's not have any wishy washyness.

wrinkled weasel

I am amazed at the hysteria about this. the history of MPs and ministers engaging in fake marriages to cover their homosexuality is long and comprehensive. It's a fact that homosexuals get married, knowing that they are gay, and either the women involved are incredibly stupid, or too passive to do anything about it.

The essence of this is whether Hague is committing a very public lie or not. If it is all false, then his extraordinary denial is unecessary. And so is the resignation. If it is true, he will have to resign. A lie is a lie. Politicians cannot live a lie if they are to have the trust of the electorate.

Richard of York

Pulled my post why? Oh well thats tories for you.....all freedom of speech one minute then censors the next.
Hope William didn't throw away all those receipts.
@Simple Simon If I am wrong my friend I will apologise and donate all my pocket money to a gay charity of your choice.

TrevorsDen

Piss of davidk.

I presume from the comments that RoY has had a post removed.

I complained about his nasty post the other day (and was graced with the complete absence of a reply from the Spectator), but I noticed he put in an appearance a few threads back.

I really hope he is banned full stop.

Jon Rosenberg

@Wrinkled Weasel

"Politicians cannot live a lie"

After the last 13 years, that statement seems almost touching in its naivety.

Richard of York

Hi Trev

"Wink"
thanks mate.....now give me a kiss you luberly man....mwah!

Gawain

It looks to me as if the new media has just suffered an innings defeat and the Daily Mail has been bowled for a duck. Hague should never have had to make this statement. As a society we have become too sex obsessed. Not everything has a sexual explanation. Common though they may be, any couple who has experienced it can tell you how numbing an experience a miscarriage is. Any conspiracy theories about the statement are tosh, it is written by a man who has experienced it.

SUSAN HILL

Having been in the same situation as the Hagues repeated miscarriages and fertility problems (thankfully in the end having 2 beautiful daughters but still grieving the death of a third) I understand entirely what a stressful and distressing time they have had, but at least we did not have to put up with false innuendos and media lies to add to the hurt. They deserve to be left alone and I hope and pray for them in their desire to have a family. Nobody who has not been in their situation can possibly know what it feels like. Please let there be an end to the gawping and scandal seeking.

Charlie

It's disgraceful that they were hounded on the angle of an illicit relationship, and then when that was debunked, it's now become "he wasn't qualified for the position anyway".

When you consider that most of the muppets in the upper echelons of our Parliament have never had a real job after leaving higher eduction before jumping into the Westminster Village, it strikes me as a case of "Pot meet Kettle".

davidk

TevorsDen -

You continue to post in your Polyanna manner, and I'll continue trying to tell things straight.

Deal?

David Ossitt

davidk

“Hague's career will now be finished. We all know this, let's not have any wishy washyness”

We all know this! Who is the we?

What drivel, what crass stupidity, we know nothing of the sort, you might hope and pray that his career is finished, you may slaver with the pleasure of anticipating such a tragedy but this good man will survive and his career will go from strength to strength.

In a later post you state “I'll continue trying to tell things straight” no little d, you like the rest of us can only give an opinion, I’m not so sure that there is much straight about you or your opinions.

Verityred

Little Dickie Dork/David K. Poison filled bags of unpleasantness the pair of them.

Labour party McBride clones, droning on for their nasty little party.

Snowman

one’s hard put to take sides, what puzzles are two things. As Anthony @ 5.40 points out why was a 25-year old constituency aide with no experience of foreign affairs appointed in the first place as a ‘policy advisor’, and why did he have to resign if the rumours are totally without foundation?

Moraymint

I know that the nation has been all but bankrupted by the Labour Party (again); I know that some (many?) politicians are in hair shirt mode to demonstrate that "we're all in this together"; I know that during my time in the armed forces I was billeted in rooms with fellow servicemen (orders and all that).

But did Mr Hague really (I mean, really) have to share a bedroom with another bloke to demonstrate just how frugal he/the Tories can be? Could he not have used some of his private wealth to fund a single room ... or even single occupancy of a double room (really lashing out there)?

I accept Mr Hague felt that sharing a room with another bloke was the right thing for Queen and country. However, how daft was that really ... for a guy who was destined to hold one of the highest offices of state? How good is his judgement of world affairs if he makes an error of judgement of this nature?

Sorry, but I fear Mr Hague may have judged himself out of a job.

Ian Walker

Hague was an idiot to give the guy such a promotion, no matter what their relationship.

Tiem for some long overdue srutiny of the appointment of SpAds. Either they're on the public payroll, in which case there should be an open recruitment process. Or alternatively, make ministers pay for them out of their own salaries - that should trim the fat a bit.

TGF UKIP

It is noteworthy that Pete has chosen to post the Hague statement entirely without the sort of house mag comment that could usually be expected. Interesting.

The sentence in the statement that really sticks out is "He is easily qualified for the job he holds." Oh aye! As Guido has pointed out Hague's apparently capable spin doctor for the past two years has been passed over completely in favour of this lad and the Foreign Office press release trying to spin him as a lawyer is simply mendacious. His degree, a 2.2 apparently, was in history, and he has just completed a law course at Leeds but has no actual legal experience. It stinks.

The man who will be watching this and waiting, though, is Max Clifford. Hague will be crapping himself every Saturday night over the coming weeks as the content of the Sunday tabs leaks out.

Meanwhile, on a lighter note Guido shafts Bercow again over at oreder-order.com

normanc

Just asked my wife if I can share a twin room with my secretary to save on expenses.

Is 111 the new number of NHS direct? Seem to have a bit of a bad nose bleed.

Boudicca

I really don't care if Hague is or is not gay. What I do care about is his abrupt switch to becoming pro-EU and socialist-light with his recent article in The Telegraph about Human Rights in foreign countries being the main criteria of the Coalition Government's foreign policy.

But hiring a young, attractive taxi driver as a SpAd at taxpayers expense and then going on to share a room with him is simply stupid .... are politicians really so divorced from reality that they don't realise how this will look. Hague needs a lesson in 'normality.'

Holly

The first thing you realise when trying for a family without success is,to STOP trying.
This consumes you,takes over any normality and IS a test of any couple.

Scott Mills

Richard, you truely are a horrible vile little man. Are your beliefs so deep that you would rather see a man of opposite political views punished for no crime. Politics should not be like this. Debate the policies, not the personality.

TrevorsDen

I know people who have had miscarriages. Gosh I even know gays as well - 'oooh yes missus.'
Its interesting to see the sanctimonious contortions people have to pull to justify standing by their dirty prejudices.
Its hysterical that two blokes sharing a twin room should raise such hysteria. What a load of saddo gits you are. Take a look in the mirror if you need confirmation of how pathetic you are. Don't you geddit? YOU'RE the thick prats.

Darling Dickhead of York - go back to your sewer.

Dear UKIP - why should I want to go over to order-order?

TGF UKIP

Oh and by the way, note that nowhere in the statement does it deny that there was/is a gay relationship. The words have been, predictably, very carefully chosen.

A gay relationship is not "an improper relationship."

hadrian

If we have just endured the unbearable lightness of Smarm yet again on the Andrew Marr interview, I reckon anybody can survive a few malicious pieces of gossip. And Hague is hardly a mere 'anyone' but a highly intelligent politician. He'll survive.
It may have escaped all the doubters' suspicious little minds that his wife has suffered repeated miscarriages. Does that not suggest a normally functioning marriage?

It is evil enough to gleefully think evil of others but in such a case as this downright cruel too. I can tell you from personal experience, as Susan Hill's tender post so expressivly puts it, a couple can grieve for a miscarried child as deeply as any that has seen the light of day and to go through this repeatedly is sheer anguish.

Finally one nasty minded poster remarked that any woman married to a man with gay proclivities must be either stupid or pathetically passive. Actually, as a counsellor, I can tell you some women in this situation dearly love their husbands all the more and ARE loved in return. Not that I am advocating in the least that it is appropriate for every gay person. Marrying someone just to create a 'respectable' front and without any genuine love is indeed cruel- though even these cases can surprisingly deepen into real affection.

Hysteria

I look forward to the day we, as a nation, do not feel compelled to examine the entrails of peoples private lives.

Aren't there more important things to worry about?

TrevorsDen

UKIP ? You are an effing arsehole.

strapworld

Well, I do suppose that Hague has had good legal advice. I am sure he could take action for libel.

Now I do look forward, especially, for the odious'richard of york' to be sued. He believes he is safe as Guido would have to be sued. Guido's blog comes from another country and, thus, cannot!! BUT the isp's of us all are known- the speccy has all our email addresses so the authorities could, easily, obtain addresses etc of the sick and insulting york!

Yam Yam

Have I missed something; but since when has two men sharing a hotel room warranted a kneejerk response that they must be homosexuals?

alexsandr

Excuse me, but who outside the silly westminster village gives a flying fuck about this? I judge ministers on their ability at their job, not who they are shagging or whether they wear baseball caps. Move on, nothing to see here.....

Ian Walker

@Hysteria: Yes, we should concentrate on the recruitment process for people who will be paid from the public purse.

Oh, hang on...

Simon Stephenson

Yam Yam : 9.39am

"Have I missed something; but since when has two men sharing a hotel room warranted a kneejerk response that they must be homosexuals?"

Since the time when as a society we decided to part company with male-brain systemising and rationalising, and build our entire preferred culture around female-brain empathising and intuition. Maybe 15 - 20 years ago.

salieri

TGF @ 11.07:

Do please read it again. The words may have been carefully chosen but not, apparently, carefully read. There's nothing ambiguous about this:

"... utterly false, as is any suggestion that I have ever been involved in a relationship with any man."



Richard of York

Now we have the double standard on full display.
Vague can have a private life but Labour politicians past and present can't.

@Strop wold
What are you talking about Guido posts from his office in London just up the road from Fraser. As for me my address is The Mariners House Tampa Bay Florida USA.

Trev.....thanks for the kiss but next time try some mouth wash or at least a breath freshener.

Simon Too

Homosexuality is not the essence of the allegation - corruption is. Was the Spad given a profitable position paid for by the taxpayer on merit or as mere patronage?

After the endemic corruption of Parliament evidenced in the expenses scandal, and perpetuated in the IPSA nonsence, political appointments need to be seen to be very clean. The stated paper qualifications of this Spad seem of little distinction, and the statement released does not really illuminate what other qualities he had to bring to the role - at least, not sufficiently to dispel the suspicion that this appointment was unduly a matter of doing a friend a favour at taxpayers' expense. A friend may be the right person for the job, but it makes sense to have a better than average explanation to justify that friend's appointment.

It does seem to be a weakness of the Cameron circle that they do not appreciate the need to avoid being seen to do what they condemn in others.

And now we move to the next stage, with the PM declaring full confidence. It looks like a familiar tragic dance.

Nicholas Hallam

If John Prescott was qualified to be Deputy Prime Minister, who is to say that Myers was underqualified for his job as a SpAd?

Tiberius

There are forces which wish to destabilize and ruin the coalition government in a way that this country has not been used to. The David Laws revelations were so motivated, and these lies about William Hague are too.

I expect nothing less from the defeated ranks of vile New Labour and its acolytes, and the coalition's ministers simply have to learn to live with this problem.

It's a pity, TGF, that you have chosen (for the first time) to cross the divide between wind-up and bad taste.

Richard of York

@Scott
Have you been living in a bubble the last three years?
Not seen the tactics of smear and innuendo used against Mr Brown and his merry gang.
Never read the tortured lies and character assassination about Labour Ministers in the press. Forgotten the vile headlines in the election directed at Clegg when the tories thought he would go into coalition with Labour....you've not been out much lately it seems.
If you want to complain then start with the schoolboy bullies in the MSM and the bloggers for their dismantling of decency and good taste.

Alcazar

The problem here is that Hague has set himself up for a massive fall. There may well be a number or reputably and creditable guys who come forward who did not have 'relationships' with Hague in that that indicates attachments lasting longer than a quick fling - but who 'enjoyed being on his staff' however temporarily.

And that will be the political end of him. I don't get why it is such a big problem to be out in politics these days.

SylviaC

What a shame that so many have such nasty minds, why is it that as soon as the Tories come in, some people try and find dirt just to make a name for themselves. Remember this young man has been working for the last 18 months within a Government department, the Tories have only been in power 3months

Have they been paid by some party to write this dribble?

Leave the families alone, why do they wish to destroy happy marriages? Are they just miserable and lonely themselves!

Paddy

Trickie Dickie: "Have you not seen the smears and innuendo against Brown and his merry gang".

But they were all true you silly boy!

Inquisitive

I would like to know how the conversation, "shall we share a room instead?" came about.

Yes many men share rooms, but surely in a different context, as in stag dos, holidays NOT with a work colleague!!

Imagine if your boss asked you this question, maybe as a subordinate you'd feel pressured into saying yes. My question is, isn't this sexual harrassment in the workplace?

How many of you ask your work colleagues to share a room with you on business trips?

The SpAd was underqualified and probably surplus to requirements, yet he was employed by Hague for £30,000. The argument that they were saving money on expenses doesn't really wash for this reason.