Finally, now that the election is over, the government looks like they will do something about Taito Philip Field. The Prime Minister has asked senior Ministers to review his actions and determine whether it had compromised his position. I'd have thought that the answer to that was obvious - regardless of whether he violated the law, Field has failed to ensure that things are seen to remain above board - but the forms must be observed. I am disappointed though that he was not asked to surrender his Ministerial warrant immediately, or even now while the investigation is conducted - this has been standard practice with other Ministers who have fallen under a cloud, and its unusual that an exception has been made for Field.
Perhaps it's not appropriate to do that as Caretaker PM (ask for the warrant to be surrendered)?
ReplyDeleteLike you I think (from the little I've read about this, mostly on blogs) that it's a fait accompli, but he is entitled to a fair investigation.
I agree that he's entitled to a fair investigation. But normally, Ministers stand down while the investigation is taking place.
ReplyDeleteI don't think its inappropriate to for a caretaker PM to sack a Minister so much as pointless. Still, it looks bad - it looks like Labour is going soft on Field in what should be a very serious case, because he turned out the vote for them.
I'd certainyl be annoyed if he's back in Cabinet when a government is finally formed.
Not to mention that with no party-hopping law, if they fire him, he could sit as an independent for the next three years and hold Labour to ransom for confidence and supply.
ReplyDelete