As Paul Waugh’s reporting over at his essential blog, it seems like the row between Shami Chakrabarti and Andy Burnham is at an end – and all because of a smartly-worded letter that the culture minister sent yesterday. In it, he expresses some regret for his previous statement, and outlines his actions in terms of civil liberty and freedom of speech:
“I do not accept that I have in any way ‘debased my office of state’. Indeed, I think it is in the interests of democracy to preserve the liberty of politicians to speak about current issues and public figures in expressive language that is all part of the cut and thrust of political debate…”
How could the director of a liberty group reject this appeal? And, indeed, Chakrabarti has accepted Burnham’s explanation. Here’s how she responded:
“I am grateful for Mr Burnham’s personal letter which seems to show genuine regret for the distress that his remarks caused me and my family. These remarks coincided with a relentless campaign of Westminster gossip that could only have distracted from serious issues… …I am glad that the Culture Secretary wants to move on to issues of policy and hope that he and others will remember the value of treating fellow human beings with dignity and respect.”
I’m sure Burnham will be extremely relieved. Had Chakrabarti decided to pursue the matter further, this could have – rightly or wrongly – wreaked real damage on his political career.
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