It's all right, Hugal - he's not an emperor. He might think he is ...
From what I've read, Sir Kim did exactly his job - reporting truthfully on the situation in Washington - and was stitched up by that journalist woman and her handlers at the Daily Fail (or whatever rag it was) with the sole purpose of replacing him with a Brexiteer.
Aren't diplomats and civil servants supposed to be neutral?
The fact that Brexit (and Mrs. May's handling of it) has the square root of bugger-all to do with Trump seems to have passed him by.
From what I've read, Sir Kim did exactly his job - reporting truthfully on the situation in Washington - and was stitched up by that journalist woman and her handlers at the Daily Fail (or whatever rag it was) with the sole purpose of replacing him with a Brexiteer.
It's not the job of the press to keep the government's secrets. On the other hand I'm pretty sure that is the job of whoever in the FCO served as Ms. Oakeshott's source.
I find it very disturbing that a British diplomat can be forced to resign because a foreign leader takes a hissy fit when the diplomat does his job.
Why? It’s unfortunate, but he really can’t do his job now, can he? Same thing happened to the US Ambassador to Mexico in 2011 when his frank, critical cables were leaked.
I’d be more concerned by the idea that someone in the Foreign Office (or elsewhere) is willing to leak this kind of thing to the press.
Yes, it's the leak that is appalling. I wonder if anyone will be charged. We can be sure, by now, that the people responsible are known - but no arrest.
Of course journalists may not reveal their source, but in this case they can be charged with conspiracy, which should worry them.
I can't help thinking that the whole thing stinks to high heaven, and to be fair, the stink isn't just emanating from Trump.
Johnson doesn't want a pro-European having any influence with his new best friend (ugh!), so maybe a gentle nudge to one of his chums in the media, and hey, presto ...
He may not have had the power to sack Sir Kim (yet), but he does seem to have managed to make his position untenable.
That would be a very dangerous move from Boris surely. He's on the cusp of being PM and he induces someone to leak classified material for such a minor result? I only know of him from British Political Satire but is he that stupid?
I only know of him from British Political Satire but is he that stupid?
Johnson's career so far has been based on the principle that if he acts as if he has got away with it then he does get away with it. Also, that if the consequences of his actions are such that other people have to clean up after him then they do and he doesn't have to.
There was an interesting article in yesterday’s Evening Standard by one of the members of his team back when he was London mayor. It basically said he had lots of energy and personality which made meeting good, but they had to steer him away from ideas that wouldn’t work and make him think the ideas that worked were his.
We could cry at the thought of him in no 10
That would be a very dangerous move from Boris surely. He's on the cusp of being PM and he induces someone to leak classified material for such a minor result? I only know of him from British Political Satire but is he that stupid?
My guess is that someone independently leaked the cables under the assumption that it would damage the ambassador and help the Brexit/Johnson/Make Albion Great Again cause, and then after the leak Johnson just took the ball and ran with it.
Given their names, how long would it be before T issues tweets suggesting they're terrorists? Drawing from other things he's said: "You know, I worry, yes, I worry they might be terrorists. Now, they may be upstanding, fine guys. They live in England, after all. But you never know. I heard some place, from some smart people (don't remember who), that it's likely that they're terrorists, and maybe the worst sort. Ok, maybe not the *worst*, but damn plenty dangerous. I worry about Elizabeth. She should command them to provide proof they're *not* terrorists, that should be easy enough to do. Just have them provide their baptismal certificates, check stubs for donations to their churches, the name of their third-grade Sunday School teacher. Of course, if they're not Christians,...Be careful, Elizabeth."
I rather hope it's an apocryphal tale, as Mr Khan is far too Good an Egg to be exiled to Trumperica Usland (sorry, cross-Pond Shipmates, but you know I'm right).
He would indeed annoy the Toddler-in-Chief, though.
Even more than he does already.
But (of course) he's probably the Bigliest Terrorororist in the World!
Covfefe, quick! Hamberdlers! Eye Scream!
It would appear that experienced diplomats agree with everyone else. But whoever is leaking this stuff is doing the country no favours.
I am not sure I agree with the Daily Mail’s decision to print them, I am torn. At some level it may be useful for the wider public to understand what relying on the states rather than EU might mean - but trashing our diplomatic relationships is seriously problematic.
If the messages evidenced misconduct by our government that could not otherwise be exposed, I’d feel more comfortable about the justification for going to print.
I'm wondering if, in fact, Evil Insect Overlords have taken over the world (or are trying to), but haven't quite got the Humming-Bean-look correct (or convincing)...
Comments
From what I've read, Sir Kim did exactly his job - reporting truthfully on the situation in Washington - and was stitched up by that journalist woman and her handlers at the Daily Fail (or whatever rag it was) with the sole purpose of replacing him with a Brexiteer.
Aren't diplomats and civil servants supposed to be neutral?
The fact that Brexit (and Mrs. May's handling of it) has the square root of bugger-all to do with Trump seems to have passed him by.
It's not the job of the press to keep the government's secrets. On the other hand I'm pretty sure that is the job of whoever in the FCO served as Ms. Oakeshott's source.
It is.
But, in many ways it was unavoidable as access to the administration is a prerequisite of the job.
Normal Presidents don't get personally offended with foreign diplomats...
as an appeals court has just ruled.[/url]
Just askin'.
But I think I know the answer.
I’d be more concerned by the idea that someone in the Foreign Office (or elsewhere) is willing to leak this kind of thing to the press.
Of course journalists may not reveal their source, but in this case they can be charged with conspiracy, which should worry them.
Johnson doesn't want a pro-European having any influence with his new best friend (ugh!), so maybe a gentle nudge to one of his chums in the media, and hey, presto ...
He may not have had the power to sack Sir Kim (yet), but he does seem to have managed to make his position untenable.
We could cry at the thought of him in no 10
The emperor has plenty of clothes, but none of them fit. He looks like the aftermath of a bomb going off under a laundry van.
My guess is that someone independently leaked the cables under the assumption that it would damage the ambassador and help the Brexit/Johnson/Make Albion Great Again cause, and then after the leak Johnson just took the ball and ran with it.
It'll make things so much cosier when they get into bed together, and start playing with each other's wotsits.
(Sorry about that awful image. Yes, I know - it cannot now be un-seen).
You know very well that I am referring to bits that dangle.
O, wait...
Nice try...bits of their respective anatomies that dangle...
(covers eyes)
Wait a minute. That's not helping.
(bleaches brain)
That stain will Not.Come.Out.
You are on my list.
Yes, but Miss Amanda is all out of smelling salts and her new order hasn't yet arrived from Ebay.
This is how the World now Is (or soon Will Be)! Great Orange Beasts, fighting, tearing, playing together, and perhaps even...BREEDING!!
(Miss Amanda - do you, by God's grace, have your smelling-salts to hand? I feel a Swoon coming on...).
I love that idea!
He would indeed annoy the Toddler-in-Chief, though.
Even more than he does already.
But (of course) he's probably the Bigliest Terrorororist in the World!
Covfefe, quick! Hamberdlers! Eye Scream!
As does Ukland, but the chances of Mr K becoming PM are a bit remote...
If we get a Labour PM in the next ten years he has a pretty good chance.
Rather a large if , I fear.
I am not sure I agree with the Daily Mail’s decision to print them, I am torn. At some level it may be useful for the wider public to understand what relying on the states rather than EU might mean - but trashing our diplomatic relationships is seriously problematic.
If the messages evidenced misconduct by our government that could not otherwise be exposed, I’d feel more comfortable about the justification for going to print.
I have heard you have to be a lousy golfer to lose to Donald Trump. Those bone spurs play havoc with his stance.
And is blaming his victims. Of course.
But... isn’t that the whole point of racism? A non-causal correlation is essential!