Peter Mandelson’s performance on Sky earlier was remarkably venomous. Here’s the main thrust of it:
“I also have to say I think that for many Conservatives, it is a self-serving smokescreen, behind which to hide their own apparent collusion with a Home Office official who was allegedly systematically leaking Home Office papers to the Conservative Party, in order to pursue his own personal political ambition…
…I would like to know from the Conservatives whether their frontbench and their leader knowingly colluded with that civil servant in riding a coach and horses not only through the Civil Service code but also through the law.”
Putting aside the strength (or weakness) of Mandelson’s position here, this fresh outburst should serve as a warning to the Tories. There are few more skilled than Mandy at manipulating the news agenda, and this shows just how determined he is to do so over the Green affair.
The key aim for the Tories should be to maintain the moral high ground that they seized last Thursday. Given the circumstances, that should be easy enough. Although – as other commentators point out (cf. Iain Dale, Adam Boulton and Ben Brogan) – there are signs that the Cameroons are veering towards cockiness and complacency. The Green arrest should be treated by them not as a triumph, but as an affront – and an affont to all Parliament, at that. After all, Lord Mandelson’s waiting to pounce…
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