DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Gray areas undermine the Partygate probe

DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Gray areas undermine the Partygate probe

Many serious questions have been asked about whether the Commons committee investigating if Boris Johnson misled Parliament is a ‘kangaroo court’.

It sneakily changed its rules to make it easier to find the ex-prime minister guilty. And its interim report condemned him even before he gives evidence on Wednesday.

Now, an extraordinary twist. We learn that top mandarin Sue Gray was allegedly advising the Government on what potentially damning information to divulge to the inquiry even as she held secret talks about jumping ship to Labour – to help oust the Tories from office.

But won’t this undermine the probe? As one source says: ‘You don’t have to be Boris’s biggest fan to think it’s a bit dodgy.’

No wonder Sir Keir Starmer has been so reluctant to say when he began to tempt Ms Gray into a new – and spectacularly ill-judged – political partnership as his chief of staff. So much for the strong moral compass he boasts of possessing!

‘Now, an extraordinary twist. We learn that top mandarin Sue Gray was allegedly advising the Government on what potentially damning information to divulge to the inquiry’

Not only does this inflict more damage on the civil service’s reputation for impartiality. It inevitably heightens suspicion that Ms Gray – whose report into No 10 parties helped topple Mr Johnson – was latterly operating under cover for Labour.

A Whitehall investigation is already under way into whether she has broken propriety rules. After today’s staggering allegations, shouldn’t that be extended?

Sense in Strasbourg?

We report today that the European Court of Human Rights could back down over controversial powers it used to block Britain from sending cross-Channel migrants to Rwanda.

If judges in Strasbourg do agree to rein in their use of flawed Rule 39 orders, it would be a huge victory in the UK’s battle to end the small boats crisis – and smash the callous people-trafficking gangs.

For it would remove a major obstacle to deporting illegal migrants to the African country, where they could claim asylum.

It was always scandalous that the court halted the Rwanda policy – ruled lawful by UK judges – at a secretive late-night hearing.

If the Home Secretary can reverse this travesty of justice and get flights off the ground, it will reward her determination and guile, boost the Government’s credibility – and enact the electorate’s express will.

Of course, Labour and metropolitan liberals are up in arms. Mrs Braverman’s visit to Kigali brought predictable opprobrium from them, as they denounced her and the scheme as inhumane.

‘If the Home Secretary can reverse this travesty of justice and get flights off the ground, it will reward her determination and guile’

But these self-righteous zealots should feel shame. By helping thwart the Rwanda deterrent, they boost evil people-smugglers who risk the lives of more asylum seekers.

For all they pose as humanitarians, their actions make them collaborators in cruelty.

Rishi takes on yobs

Day in and day out, we hear horror stories of decent, despairing families whose lives are made a misery by anti-social behaviour.

Entire communities exist in fear – especially as mindless vandalism often escalates into more serious crime.

So tough new rules forcing louts to clear up their graffiti or fly-tipping within 48 hours of being caught are welcome.

But how many times have ambitious schemes to fight street crime been announced only to flop spectacularly?

Indeed, who can forget Tony Blair’s suggestion that rowdy drunks should be marched to the nearest cashpoint and made to pay a spot fine? The idea was rightly dropped as ridiculous and impractical.

The police already barely bother responding to crimes such as burglary. Would they really trouble themselves with spray-can vandals?

But Mr Sunak seems to have a knack for solving problems. We hope this crackdown will be more than a well-intentioned gimmick.

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