As the dust begins to settle on Jeremy Hunt’s Budget plans, there’s one Tory MP who won’t be quite as keen to see the papers move on. Science Secretary Michelle Donelan is coming under increasing scrutiny after it emerged that not only had she got her facts wrong and lost a libel case — she’s making the taxpayer pick up the tab.
While Penny Mordaunt rode to Donelan’s defence in the Commons yesterday, Gareth Davies MP struggled to sell the government line. The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury stumbled his way through an interview with LBC’s Nick Ferrari this morning, apparently deciding that the best way to answer his questions would be to, er, not answer at all.
‘Why should my listeners and the good people of Grantham and Stamford and others have to pay £15,000 because one of your senior colleagues misinterpreted a tweet?’ thundered Ferrari.
‘[Michelle Donelan] has clarified the situation. The department has already issued a statement and I’d just point you to what they have said,’ Davies replied shortly, likely hoping that would be the end of the matter. Yet Ferrari had no intention of stopping there, with a somewhat awkward exchange ensuing…
NF: No, my question is why should we pay £15,000 because the Secretary of State got it wrong?
GD: Well, there is a long established precedent here where ministers receive legal advice and support in making and taking decisions and that’s what’s happened here.
NF: No, I know she didn’t freelance it… and it was upon legal advice. I, of course, understand the correct way to do it. But the money is spent because she got it wrong. She accepts she got it wrong. She misunderstood the post. So I’m not saying she didn’t seek legal advice. I’m not saying advice wasn’t forthcoming from I imagine government sources. This woman got it wrong and I still pay. Explain.
After an excruciating few seconds of hesitation, Davies pressed on valiantly:
GD: It’s a long established process that ministers acting as ministers receive advice and support from officials, from legal professionals and that’s what’s happened here.
NF: What does it say about her competence?
GD: As I say she worked closely with officials…
NF: No, no, no. But those officials were only brought in because she was clearly unable to fully understand this post. Where does this end? Is this now a precedent?… Why is she still in post? If she gets something this wrong to this level, shouldn’t we be asking questions about her suitability for the job?
GD: This is a long-standing…
‘I’ve heard that,’ Ferrari cut in dryly. The conversation drew to a close swiftly thereafter — and not a minute too soon for Davies. Mr S would remind readers that when a Scottish MSP tried to make taxpayers pick up his £11,000 phone bill he suffered a rather grisly end, losing both job and dignity. Donelan might want to bear that in mind…
Listen to the full exchange here:
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