The Tories should leave it at that

Further to Fraser’s post, it’s worth noting that Dominic Grieve (along with David Davis) has accepted Bob Quick’s apology; adding that “This does not itself in my view cast doubt on his abilities as a senior officer to do counter terrorism work.”  Yes, what Quick said was both foolish and vindictive, and it reflects worryingly on the politics of the Met, but Grieve’s right to draw so elegant a line under it.  There’s a sense that the Tories dwelt too long and too loudly on the Damian Green affair – to the detriment of their reponse to the Pre-Budget Report – and they shouldn’t want a repeat this time around.

Not that newspapers (and political blogs!) won’t try to keep this story running over the quiet Christmas break.  No sooner had Quick apologised than the latest revelation emerged, courtesy of the Guardian’s Nicholas Watt; i.e. that a “well placed Tory” said after the Damian Green arrest, “Bob Quick is behind this.