Good evening

There was a time when someone launching a major broadside against a senior politician would be expected to provide some evidence to back up what they said.

But it seems to be a sign of the times that people are allowed to say whatever they like about someone else without definitive proof - and then become angry/teaful/verbally abusive when the victim of their attack decides to defend themselves.

For those of us who enjoy a bit of knock-about politics, Dominic Cummings’ revelations to the select committee were fascinating. Here was a real insider - the Prime Minister’s former chief aide - dishing the dirt on what went on inside Downing Street in those first weeks and months of the pandemic last year.

It was riveting stuff and pretty shocking too. Did the PM say he would let the bodies pile high before ordering a third lockdown (which he did in the end?) and was there chaos inside Number 10 as suggested? Was Health Secretary Matt Hancock persistently lying?

There were so many accusations, it is difficult to choose the most serious ones!

And yet, listening to it unfold, there was a sense of unease that with none of the ‘victims’ there to defend themselves, this was a man with an axe to grind making the most of his 15 minutes of fame.

Until next time, take care,

Gillian

Drop me a line at gillian.parkinson@jpimedia.co.uk with your views and please subscribe to support sustainable local journalism in your community. Click here to view our offers.

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