Crispin Blunt MP ( image downloaded from Wikipedia)
The Simple Question
From: Shasha Khan
Sent: 9 December 2021 20:39
To: BLUNT MP, Crispin
Subject: 1 simple question:
Dear Mr Blunt.
Can you please give me a hypothetical example of something the Prime Minister may do that causes you write to the Chairman of the 1922 committee calling for a leadership challenge?
The reason I ask is, I realise that Mr. Johnson is unrivalled in his capacity as a vehicle for winning elections. I have no doubt other parties would jump at the chance to have him as leader, but winning elections isn't everything. Honesty, integrity, trustworthiness shouldn't be completely thrown under the bus in order to win elections.
Kind regards
Shasha
Sent: 9 December 2021 20:39
To: BLUNT MP, Crispin
Subject: 1 simple question:
Dear Mr Blunt.
Can you please give me a hypothetical example of something the Prime Minister may do that causes you write to the Chairman of the 1922 committee calling for a leadership challenge?
The reason I ask is, I realise that Mr. Johnson is unrivalled in his capacity as a vehicle for winning elections. I have no doubt other parties would jump at the chance to have him as leader, but winning elections isn't everything. Honesty, integrity, trustworthiness shouldn't be completely thrown under the bus in order to win elections.
Kind regards
Shasha
The Response
On Fri, Dec 17, 2021 at 2:49 PM Crispin Blunt MP > wrote:
Dear Mr Khan,
Thank you for your email, and I agree that integrity, honesty and trustworthiness are of the utmost importance.
I understand the anger that you and other constituents felt at recent events such as allegations over a Party at Downing Street. Many of us have made enormous personal sacrifices throughout the pandemic and it is deeply uncomfortable to think that the people responsible for setting the rules may not have been following those rules. It is of vital importance that those making the rules are seen to be respecting them if the legitimacy of public policy is to be upheld.
I welcome that the Prime Minister apologised for the offence caused and the impression it gave. Furthermore, he confirmed that he was not present at this party, and directed the Cabinet Secretary to investigate this matter, establish the facts, and report back as soon as possible. I have been reassured that if it is found that Covid rules were broken, then there will be disciplinary action for those involved.
Yours sincerely,
Crispin Blunt
Dear Mr Khan,
Thank you for your email, and I agree that integrity, honesty and trustworthiness are of the utmost importance.
I understand the anger that you and other constituents felt at recent events such as allegations over a Party at Downing Street. Many of us have made enormous personal sacrifices throughout the pandemic and it is deeply uncomfortable to think that the people responsible for setting the rules may not have been following those rules. It is of vital importance that those making the rules are seen to be respecting them if the legitimacy of public policy is to be upheld.
I welcome that the Prime Minister apologised for the offence caused and the impression it gave. Furthermore, he confirmed that he was not present at this party, and directed the Cabinet Secretary to investigate this matter, establish the facts, and report back as soon as possible. I have been reassured that if it is found that Covid rules were broken, then there will be disciplinary action for those involved.
Yours sincerely,
Crispin Blunt
The Reply
From: Shasha Khan
Sent: 17 December 2021 16:12
To: BLUNT MP, Crispin
Subject: Re: 1 simple question: (Case Ref: CB17568)
Dear Mr Blunt,
I appreciate your reply but I wanted a hypothetical example of something the Prime Minister may do that causes you to write to the Chairman of the 1922 committee calling for a leadership challenge?
With the absence of an example, and your focus on the allegations of a "Party at Downing Street", am I to assume that the "Party at Downing Street", something you mentioned in your answer and something I didn't refer to you in my question is the point of no return?
Or, is the question unfair to ask? Please advise if this is the case.
Yours sincerely
Shasha Khan
Sent: 17 December 2021 16:12
To: BLUNT MP, Crispin
Subject: Re: 1 simple question: (Case Ref: CB17568)
Dear Mr Blunt,
I appreciate your reply but I wanted a hypothetical example of something the Prime Minister may do that causes you to write to the Chairman of the 1922 committee calling for a leadership challenge?
With the absence of an example, and your focus on the allegations of a "Party at Downing Street", am I to assume that the "Party at Downing Street", something you mentioned in your answer and something I didn't refer to you in my question is the point of no return?
Or, is the question unfair to ask? Please advise if this is the case.
Yours sincerely
Shasha Khan
The Additional Response
| Jan 9, 2022, |  | ||
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Dear Mr Khan,
Thank you for your email before Christmas, and I hope you and your family had a good Christmas and New Year.
I am not able to answer this hypothetical question. What I can say is that my colleagues and I continue to scrutinise the Government and Ministers to ensure that the strictest standards are upheld, and I have not refrained from speaking out or voting against Government policy in the past when I felt this was not the case or that Government policy would not benefit the public interest. I hope it will reassure you to know that I will continue to do so in future.
Yours sincerely,
Crispin Blunt
Thank you for your email before Christmas, and I hope you and your family had a good Christmas and New Year.
I am not able to answer this hypothetical question. What I can say is that my colleagues and I continue to scrutinise the Government and Ministers to ensure that the strictest standards are upheld, and I have not refrained from speaking out or voting against Government policy in the past when I felt this was not the case or that Government policy would not benefit the public interest. I hope it will reassure you to know that I will continue to do so in future.
Yours sincerely,
Crispin Blunt
