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I would like to say.
I am so so sorry for Kate Bingham.
Michael Gove cannot play the ball.
So instead plays utter hollow bullshit instead.
Since Michael doesn't know where to start.
I will. https://twitter.com/michaelgove/status/1326263113369456644
I would like to say.
I am so so sorry for Kate Bingham.
Michael Gove cannot play the ball.
So instead plays utter hollow bullshit instead.
Since Michael doesn't know where to start.
I will. https://twitter.com/michaelgove/status/1326263113369456644
Now first of all.
There is the fact that other than Boris.
The heaviest hitter in the cabinet is sent out to bat for Kate.
That should be reassuring to Kate.
I would say the opposite.
It is a sign of the desperation.
There is the fact that other than Boris.
The heaviest hitter in the cabinet is sent out to bat for Kate.
That should be reassuring to Kate.
I would say the opposite.
It is a sign of the desperation.
Now I could go into a bit on Michael
But I honestly can't be bothered
I have covered him in depth previously
This is a man who cannot recall his role in the Vote Leave campaign
Weird that
I should warn you - this is a long thread on Michael https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1260571730751471616
But I honestly can't be bothered
I have covered him in depth previously
This is a man who cannot recall his role in the Vote Leave campaign
Weird that
I should warn you - this is a long thread on Michael https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1260571730751471616
It's also weird he only raises his head above the parapet to have a go at Carole Cadwalladr https://twitter.com/carolecadwalla/status/1326267181546565633
Or as Carole has been classed by others "mad cat woman" https://pressgazette.co.uk/bbcs-andrew-neil-deletes-early-morning-tweet-calling-observers-carole-cadwalladr-mad-cat-woman/
Anyway back to Kate
So there are
To borrow a phrase
5 elements
5 pillars
5 tiers
1 - where to start
2 - given up months of her life
3 - deliver vaccines
4 - secured access to
5 - sexist sniping
So there are
To borrow a phrase
5 elements
5 pillars
5 tiers
1 - where to start
2 - given up months of her life
3 - deliver vaccines
4 - secured access to
5 - sexist sniping
Pillar 1 - "I don't know where to start with this."
Well a good place would be to rebut charges of nepotism and cronyism.
To reassure people the job position, selection and ethical nature of Kate's appointment was above board and her duties and execution of them has been.
Well a good place would be to rebut charges of nepotism and cronyism.
To reassure people the job position, selection and ethical nature of Kate's appointment was above board and her duties and execution of them has been.
I could quote Thatcher on playing the ball
But I won't
But I won't
Pillar 2 - "Kate Bingham has given up months of her life"
You mean she has a job to chair a government task force.
You mean she has a job to chair a government task force.
"Kate is temporarily stepping back from her full time role as Managing Partner at SV Health Investors, a leading international life sciences venture capital firm to take on this role as Chair of the Taskforce. " https://www.gov.uk/government/news/kate-bingham-appointed-chair-of-uk-vaccine-taskforce
Bingham “stepped away” from her role at private equity firm SV Health Investors in May to take an unpaid post as chair of the vaccine taskforce, which aims to ensure the UK population has access to vaccines as soon as possible. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/10/exclusive-vaccine-taskforce-chief-may-benefit-from-49m-uk-investment
Now I think it's great that Kate has the capacity to do this volunteer role https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37504449
After all wouldn't life be bliss if we could all do such volunteering work
(Warning a long thread introduced by a young Margaret and followed up by Liz Truss) https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1320685911500345345
(Warning a long thread introduced by a young Margaret and followed up by Liz Truss) https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1320685911500345345
Now whether or not this role is paid or volunteer
The standards of expectation of openness and transparency
For the process of that role being advertised, recruited, selected and what that role entails
Those standards apply irrespective of volunteer or unpaid
The standards of expectation of openness and transparency
For the process of that role being advertised, recruited, selected and what that role entails
Those standards apply irrespective of volunteer or unpaid
All Michael Gove need to is assure of those standards being upheld
After all
You can see previous examples of when transparency or openness are at work https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-43209695
After all
You can see previous examples of when transparency or openness are at work https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-43209695
Or here -
Note scandal "continues"
Not just the first
Continues https://bylinetimes.com/2020/09/02/government-awards-43-8-million-ppe-deal-to-dormant-firm/
Note scandal "continues"
Not just the first
Continues https://bylinetimes.com/2020/09/02/government-awards-43-8-million-ppe-deal-to-dormant-firm/
if I was Robert Jenrick I would be really upset
Upset that a dinner date that should lead to such a massive saving to one of the guests
Should result in such a paltry donation
Save a man a £45 million tax bill
And all he donates is a lame £12,000 https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/24/robert-jenrick-planning-row-the-key-questions-answered
Upset that a dinner date that should lead to such a massive saving to one of the guests
Should result in such a paltry donation
Save a man a £45 million tax bill
And all he donates is a lame £12,000 https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/24/robert-jenrick-planning-row-the-key-questions-answered
Oh yes AND for Robert
On constituency bribes before a general election
He and Jake Berry
Well... https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/11/11/robert-jenrick-accused-political-bias-awarding-billions-towns/
On constituency bribes before a general election
He and Jake Berry
Well... https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/11/11/robert-jenrick-accused-political-bias-awarding-billions-towns/
again "refuses to release" https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/robert-jenrick-handout-towns-fund-b1720559.html
And to update that for today https://twitter.com/PippaCrerar/status/1326467934793981953
There is a simple process
Close your eyes
Pretend you don't know the political affiliation of a person carrying out something that is unethical
Open your eyes
Does your reaction change
If it does - why?
Close your eyes
Pretend you don't know the political affiliation of a person carrying out something that is unethical
Open your eyes
Does your reaction change
If it does - why?
See also: Priti Patel https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/nov/06/priti-patel-apologises-for-israel-meetings
See also: Boris Johnson https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-jennifer-arcuri-model-relationship-business-mayor-a9116156.html
Anyway sorry
back to Kate https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/10/kate-bingham-well-connected-but-under-fire-uk-vaccines-chief
back to Kate https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/10/kate-bingham-well-connected-but-under-fire-uk-vaccines-chief
"Bingham, 55, was also criticised following claims that she showed a detailed list of vaccines that the UK government is closely monitoring to a “premier webinar and networking event” for women in private equity hosted by a Massachusetts company. "
"She denied any wrongdoing, telling a joint select committee last week that reports were “inaccurate” and “irresponsible”. Asked if she had disclosed information not in the public domain to the financiers, she told MPs: “No.”"
That particular conference - also covered here in more detail https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/vaccine-taskforce-head-kate-bingham-shared-uk-plans-with-private-firms-rtlzrz8v5
"According to a video of the event, she showed financiers a detailed list of vaccines which the UK government is closely monitoring and could later invest in"
A reminder
Asked if she had disclosed information not in the public domain to the financiers, she told MPs: “No.”"
A reminder
Asked if she had disclosed information not in the public domain to the financiers, she told MPs: “No.”"
A reminder
There is a video of it
But then again
If you can deny telling the police off for crying wolf https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/theresa-may-stop-crying-wolf_uk_5bee96a3e4b0510a1f2faa35
There is a video of it
But then again
If you can deny telling the police off for crying wolf https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/theresa-may-stop-crying-wolf_uk_5bee96a3e4b0510a1f2faa35
If you can block your local police federation https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/priti-patel-blocked-police-twitter-warning-cuts-a9023121.html
As Conservative's seek to accuse others of wanting to "defund the police"
In particular like aiming that trope at BLM
A reminder of the legacy of a decade of their rule https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1321871265553096704
In particular like aiming that trope at BLM
A reminder of the legacy of a decade of their rule https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1321871265553096704
As Gabriel reminds us here https://twitter.com/Gabriel_Pogrund/status/1326158961469427713
She chairs a government task force
She isn't working in the medical companies doing the research into the candidate vaccines
She isn't a volunteer in the trials
Now that isn't to diminish her work
But lay off the hyperbole
She isn't working in the medical companies doing the research into the candidate vaccines
She isn't a volunteer in the trials
Now that isn't to diminish her work
But lay off the hyperbole
Pillar 4 secured access to
She was a buyer of vaccines
She had to use public funds to pre-buy quantities of vaccine doses
That money obviously helps front load some monies into research companies in their drive for a cure
So on buying those doses
She was a buyer of vaccines
She had to use public funds to pre-buy quantities of vaccine doses
That money obviously helps front load some monies into research companies in their drive for a cure
So on buying those doses
The UK bought a range of early candidates
From a range of companies
And for a range of types in terms of use https://www.forbes.com/sites/isabeltogoh/2020/07/20/britain-secures-90-million-doses-of-potential-coronavirus-vaccines-from-pfizer-biontech--valneva/
From a range of companies
And for a range of types in terms of use https://www.forbes.com/sites/isabeltogoh/2020/07/20/britain-secures-90-million-doses-of-potential-coronavirus-vaccines-from-pfizer-biontech--valneva/
Now to give an analogy
If I was a betting person
And it was the 2022 World Cup I wanted to have a flutter on
I would chose the top seeded teams
And take account of which of these top seeds qualify first
That same simple logic would apply to vaccine candidates
If I was a betting person
And it was the 2022 World Cup I wanted to have a flutter on
I would chose the top seeded teams
And take account of which of these top seeds qualify first
That same simple logic would apply to vaccine candidates
Pillar 5 - sexist sniping
What in any of the reporting on Kate Bingham's role and behaviour has been sexist
I haven't seen anything
What precisely is Michael Gove alleging is sexist in the reporting of it
What in any of the reporting on Kate Bingham's role and behaviour has been sexist
I haven't seen anything
What precisely is Michael Gove alleging is sexist in the reporting of it
It's not like anyone has questioned the "tone" of Kate Bingham https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/may/10/rosena-allin-khan-if-matt-hancock-found-it-difficult-that-is-on-him
Or asked her to "calm down dear" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13211577
to end on a positive for Kate Bingham
I am sad that your reputation has been affected by this
I would rather it hadn't
Your daughter inspired you to take up this role
And the medicines industry have worked hard to come up with vaccines in record time https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-8653855/Kate-Binghams-daughter-fired-hunt-Covid-vaccine.html
I am sad that your reputation has been affected by this
I would rather it hadn't
Your daughter inspired you to take up this role
And the medicines industry have worked hard to come up with vaccines in record time https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-8653855/Kate-Binghams-daughter-fired-hunt-Covid-vaccine.html
How you are defended matters
It's a shame that those trying to defend you
Can't do a better job of it
Perhaps a boutique PR company would be better than Michael Gove and Tory MPs
It's a shame that those trying to defend you
Can't do a better job of it
Perhaps a boutique PR company would be better than Michael Gove and Tory MPs
Tory MPs after all have a really bad record at how they fall into line https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1264636461577646084
And to end with a thread on coronavirus https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1322488654665785344
@threadreaderapp unroll please
