DOCSLIB.ORG

Candidate Brief

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Candidate Brief Candidate Brief Brief for the position of Government Chief Scientific Advisor February 2017 Contents Foreword from Sir Jeremy Heywood Page 2 The Government Office for Science Page 3 The Role Page 4 Person Specification Page 4 Terms and Conditions Page 6 Selection and Recruitment Process Page 8 Timetable Page 9 Application Instructions Page 9 How to Apply Page 10 Appendix A: Civil Service Leadership Statement Page 12 Appendix B: Guaranteed Interview Scheme Page 13 Appendix C: Civil Service Code Page 14 www.odgersberndtson.co.uk Candidate Brief, February 2017 2 Government Chief Scientific Advisor, Government Office for Science Foreword from Sir Jeremy Heywood, Cabinet Secretary I am delighted that you want to know more about the position of Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) – the Government’s most prominent scientific expert. It is a key post supporting the Prime Minister, Minister for Science and other members of Cabinet, Heads of Department (Permanent Secretaries), and myself, in ensuring that government decisions are based on the best possible evidence and analysis. This role provides the opportunity to give advice on some of the biggest issues facing the UK at this time. Successive GCSAs have provided critical advice at times of national or international emergency. They have provided vital insights and support on key long term issues such as the implications of climate change, where science and engineering are creating opportunities to improve people’s lives and the UK’s competitiveness, or where new insights can help the UK to better manage major risks. Working closely with other heads of analytical professions, the GCSA leads the Government Science and Engineering professional community and the network of departmental chief scientific advisers. We are looking for someone who has earned respect at the most senior levels in the academic community and who is also capable of being credible at the heart of government; someone who is able to build consensus and understanding, but who can also provide independent insight and robust challenge where that is called for and ensure that the best scientific thinking helps to inform government priorities and planning. The UK has many world leading scientists and engineers. If you are passionate about ensuring that the UK Government is also world leading in its ability to draw on the best advice that science and engineering can offer, then I hope you will consider this unique leadership role. Sir Jeremy Heywood www.odgersberndtson.com Candidate Brief, February 2017 3 Government Chief Scientific Advisor, Government Office for Science The Government Office for Science The GCSA is supported by the Government Office for Science (GO-Science) which ensures that government policies and decisions are informed by the best scientific evidence and strategic long-term thinking. GO-Science is a professional and innovative department of 60 people, which has the potential to make a huge difference to the business of Government. GO-Science consists of the GCSA’s Private Office, the Deputy Head (SCS Pay Band 2) and four teams each headed at Deputy Director (SCS Pay Band 1) level. GO-Science works across teams to provide scientific advice on three priority themes: Science for resilience Science and technology for the economy Evidence and analysis for policy GO-Science adds value to policy-makers by: Acting as a transmission mechanism between leading scientists, engineers, technologists and social scientists from academia and industry, and Whitehall policy-makers; Having high quality futures capability which enables rapid horizon scanning work, including on emerging technologies and more in depth foresight work to understand longer term issues and trends; Working across Whitehall departments on complex issues that go beyond the domain of individual departments; and Proactively identifying gaps and opportunities for the UK, particularly in emerging technologies, to drive economic growth. GO-Science also houses the secretariat for the PM’s Council for Science and Technology, an independent advisory body of which the GCSA is co-Chair. While operationally independent GO-Science is, for administrative purposes, part of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. It is based in the BEIS building at 1 Victoria Street. It has a total budget of around £6 million per year, the majority for staff costs. For more information about GO-Science visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-office-for-science www.odgersberndtson.com Candidate Brief, February 2017 4 Government Chief Scientific Advisor, Government Office for Science The Role The GCSA reports to the Cabinet Secretary and liaises regularly with the Minister for Science. The post holder will ensure that the best scientific and technical advice is available across a very broad spectrum of topics which will be used to support policy development and decision making in different contexts and will provide independent advice, scrutiny and challenge as appropriate. As Head of Profession, the GCSA is responsible for the management and leadership of the Government Office for Science and for leading the Government Science and Engineering Profession, which has 10,000 members. The Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) is responsible for: Providing scientific advice personally to the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet. Ensuring and improving the quality and use of scientific evidence and advice in government. Leading the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies, which advises COBR. As required, representing the Government internationally on science and technology issues. Heading the Government’s Foresight and Horizon Scanning activities. Leading the network of departmental Chief Scientific Advisers. Person Specification The successful candidate will have the following: A first class reputation in science or engineering demonstrated by international recognition, Fellowship of the Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering or equivalent, and a strong research and publication record. The ability to assimilate, evaluate and interpret scientific findings and advice across the full spectrum of disciplines, where necessary at short notice and under pressure, to command the confidence and support of Ministers and senior officials. Excellent policy and analytical skills at the strategic level, and the ability to work at the highest levels across academia, business and government departments, exercising impartial and objective judgement, to achieve the best results for the Government. www.odgersberndtson.com Candidate Brief, February 2017 5 Government Chief Scientific Advisor, Government Office for Science Highly developed communication skills with the ability to adapt to the needs of a diverse range of audiences, including the public, to deliver information with authority and sensitivity, particularly in times of crisis. The ability to manage the Government Office for Science by communicating a clear vision and motivating and driving staff to reach their full potential. Effective leadership skills and the ability to put into place systems, people and skills to enable the office to deliver its objectives and ensure future capability to meet the challenges ahead. The gravitas and experience to provide leadership as the Head of Profession to the Government Science and Engineering Profession and to play an active role as a member of the Top 200 group of civil servants. This includes contributing to the corporate Civil Service agenda and by participating in weekly meetings of Permanent Secretaries and other governance groups of Permanent Secretaries as required. The ability to build on and develop influential networks across academia, government, industry and other stakeholders, nationally and internationally. www.odgersberndtson.com Candidate Brief, February 2017 6 Government Chief Scientific Advisor, Government Office for Science Terms and Conditions This post is a Senior Civil Service post at Permanent Secretary level (SCS Pay Band 4). Terms and conditions for Senior Civil Servants have been revised and successful applicants on promotion will be expected to accept the new terms. Tenure The successful candidate will hold this post for five years from the date of appointment. There is no presumption in favour of renewal, but renewals for a shorter period than five years may be possible where performance has been clearly demonstrated, following consultation with the Minister for Science and Cabinet Secretary and at the discretion of the Prime Minister. Eligibility This is a ‘Reserved’ post and open to UK nationals only. The successful applicant will also be required to undergo security vetting. Remuneration Package The salary range for this post is £160,000 to £180,000. This is subject to ministerial approval and more may be available for an exceptional candidate. Pension Civil Service pension arrangements apply. Full details can be found on the Civil Service Pensions website at: www.civilservice.gov.uk/my-civil-service/pensions Location Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in Central London. Annual Leave There will be up to 30 days paid annual leave on appointment (depending on length of service), plus 9 days public and privilege holidays. Restrictions During the period of appointment there will be certain restrictions on political activities. www.odgersberndtson.com Candidate Brief, February 2017 7 Government Chief Scientific Advisor, Government Office for Science Business Appointments
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Constitution Unit Monitor 63 / June 2016
    1 Constitution Unit Monitor 63 / June 2016 In addition, important questions relate to the referendum The EU referendum: process itself. Democracy requires that referendums be conducted fairly, but the rules surrounding referendums in a fair process? the UK remain deeply contested. As reported in Monitor 61 (page 12) and 62 (page 11), the legislation enabling the The forthcoming referendum on whether the UK referendum passed through parliament last year amidst should remain a member of the European Union or leave much controversy and only after multiple government – to be held on 23 June – has raised many important concessions. Since David Cameron announced the date constitutional questions. of the vote on 20 February, five important aspects of referendum conduct have received particular attention. In part, these concern the implications that a vote for Brexit would have for the constitution and the First, in line with the Prime Minister’s announcement distribution of power in the UK and the EU. As reported in January, ministers have been allowed to campaign elsewhere in this edition of Monitor, these issues have against the government’s position of supporting a been addressed in a series of Constitution Unit seminars vote to remain in the EU. Five full members of cabinet and briefing papers in recent weeks (see page 14). The have done so (one of whom – Iain Duncan Smith – has briefing papers, as well as videos of the seminars, are subsequently resigned), as have a number of junior available online. The process of Brexit has also been ministers. This is only the third time that ministers examined in detail on the Constitution Unit blog by from the same party have been allowed to disagree so Alan Renwick.
    [Show full text]
  • Alan Rusbridger the Guardian, Friday 20 December 2013 07.50 AEST
    Alan Rusbridger The Guardian, Friday 20 December 2013 07.50 AEST Jump to comments (378) What a relief. It is, after all, possible to discuss the operations of modern intelligence agencies without having to prove one's patriotism, be turned over by the police, summoned by politicians or visited by state- employed technicians with instructions to smash up one's computers. The 300-page report into the Guardian's revelations about the US National Security Agency commissioned by President Obama and published this week is wide-ranging, informed and thoughtful. It leaps beyond the timid privacy-versus-national security platitudes which have stifled so much of the debate in the UK. It doesn't blame journalism for dragging the subject into the open: it celebrates it. The five authors of the report are not hand-wringing liberals. They number one former CIA deputy director; a counter-terrorism adviser to George W Bush and his father; two former White House advisers; and a former dean of the Chicago law school. Not what the British prime minister would call "airy-fairy lah-di-dah" types. Six months ago the British cabinet secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, was in the Guardian's London office telling us there had been "enough" debate on the matter of what intelligence agencies got up to. But here are Obama's experts revelling in the debate; exploring the tensions between privacy and national security, yes – but going much further, discussing cryptology; civil liberties; the right of citizens and governments to be informed; relationships with other countries; and the potential damage that unconstrained espionage can cause to trade, commerce and the digital economy.
    [Show full text]
  • Economics Annual Review 2018-2019
    ECONOMICS REVIEW 2018/19 CELEBRATING FIRST EXCELLENCE AT YEAR LSE ECONOMICS CHALLENGE Faculty Interviews ALUMNI NEW PANEL APPOINTMENTS & VISITORS RESEARCH CENTRE BRIEFINGS 1 CONTENTS 2 OUR STUDENTS 3 OUR FACULTY 4 RESEARCH UPDATES 5 OUR ALUMNI 2 WELCOME TO THE 2018/19 EDITION OF THE ECONOMICS ANNUAL REVIEW This has been my first year as Head of the outstanding contributions to macroeconomics and Department of Economics and I am proud finance) and received a BA Global Professorship, will and honoured to be at the helm of such a be a Professor of Economics. John will be a School distinguished department. The Department Professor and Ronald Coase Chair in Economics. remains world-leading in education and research, Our research prowess was particularly visible in the May 2019 issue of the Quarterly Journal of Economics, and many efforts are underway to make further one of the top journals in the profession: the first four improvements. papers out of ten in that issue are co-authored by current colleagues in the Department and two more by We continue to attract an extremely talented pool of our former PhD students Dave Donaldson and Rocco students from a large number of applicants to all our Macchiavello. Rocco is now in the LSE Department programmes and to place our students in the most of Management, as is Noam Yuchtman, who published sought-after jobs. This year, our newly-minted PhD another paper in the same issue. This highlights how student Clare Balboni made us particularly proud by the strength of economics is growing throughout LSE, landing a job as Assistant Professor at MIT, one of the reinforcing our links to other departments as a result.
    [Show full text]
  • Unclassified Unclassified
    UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED Evidence Number Name E23 Pagoda PR E24 Paul Flynn MP E25 PCRC (Political and Constitutional Reform Committee) E26 PLMR (Political Lobbying and Media Relations Ltd) E27 Political Intelligence E28 PRCA (Public Relations Consultants Association) E29 Ranelagh International Ltd E30 Rowan Public Affairs E31 (SPA) Society of Parliamentary Agents E32 (TPA) TaxPayers’ Alliance E33 Transparency International UK E34 UKPAC E35 Unlock Democracy E36 William Dinan and David Miller UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED E23: Pagoda PR 1. Is there any reason to think that lobbying per se is a problem; and is there any evidence that abuse of lobbying is widespread or systemic, as opposed to exceptional behaviour by a few? Not in itself, although recent evidence would indicate that some parliamentarians may be susceptible to influence on the basis of inappropriate inducements. This does, as the paper suggests, damage the reputation of lobbying and parliamentary engagement more widely. In this respect, there is a risk that efforts to encourage more lobbying/campaigning from wider sections of society – especially young people – are undermined. We need to proactively promote the positive achievements of lobbying if we are to secure the confidence and participation of the next generation, who will otherwise view Parliament with cynicism. Politicians could do more to say when they have been persuaded by well run, well evidenced and transparent lobbying campaigns. 2. How wide should the definition of lobbying be? What activities should be excluded from the definition? This is extremely difficult because the current definitions rely on determining an attempt to ‘influence’. In many cases such intent is very difficult to determine.
    [Show full text]
  • 20 Broadwick Street London W1F 8HT Rt Hon David Cameron
    20 Broadwick Street London W1F 8HT Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Prime Minister 10 Downing Street London SW1A 2AA 20 November 2013 Dear Prime Minister UK DIGITAL CHAMPION In June 2010, you asked me to take on the role of UK Digital Champion, to advise and challenge Government and the wider public sector on how to make greater, faster progress to get people online. I feel it is now time I step down from that role. In my capacity as Digital Champion, I hope I have contributed in three ways. Firstly, my report to Francis Maude on the future of Directgov led to the creation of the Government Digital Service and the move to a single domain for all government information. The digital transformation of transactional government services is now well underway, and gov.uk has won multiple awards. Secondly, Race Online 2012, the campaign you helped launch in Downing Street galvanised the public, private and charitable sectors to help millions more people online, and was the basis for the charity Go ON UK that launched last year. Go ON UK is a cross-sector partnership dedicated to building the nation's digital skills. With the full backing of the CEOs of our founder partners, we have created nine further digital champions at Board level in the public, charity, and corporate sectors. Finally, the Champion model has been a success more widely. In 2011, it was adopted right across Europe, with each Member State appointing their own Champion, overseen by Vice-President Neelie Kroes. Having one person lead and oversee this agenda is the most effective way to bring about lasting change.
    [Show full text]
  • Eu Referendum – Guidance for the Civil Service and Special Advisers
    Sir Jeremy Heywood KCB, CVO 70 Whitehall Secretary of the Cabinet & Head of the Civil Service London SW1A 2AS Email [email protected] Telephone +44 (0)20 7276 0101 Follow me on twitter: @HeadUKCivServ Web www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk Sir Nicholas Macpherson Permanent Secretary HM Treasury 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ 23 February 2016 EU REFERENDUM – GUIDANCE FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AND SPECIAL ADVISERS You will have seen the Prime Minister’s letter of 11 January to his ministerial colleagues about the EU referendum. I am now writing to explain what this means for the Civil Service. The Prime Minister’s note is attached for ease of reference. Before coming on to the guidance itself, let me first pay tribute to Tom Scholar, Ivan Rogers and all those civil servants and Special Advisers, including legal advisers, in the FCO, the Home Office, the Treasury, the Cabinet Office (including No 10 itself), DWP, and indeed right across Whitehall, who have provided such brilliant support over many months for the Prime Minister and his Ministerial team on this hugely complicated, difficult and vitally important negotiation for the country. It really has been an exceptional effort, in the finest traditions of the Civil Service. As the Prime Minister makes clear, the Government's policy has been to negotiate a new settlement for Britain in the EU and then ask the British people in a referendum whether they want to stay in the EU on a reformed basis or not. The negotiations have now concluded and following discussion at Cabinet, the UK Government’s position is set out in the attached White Paper.
    [Show full text]
  • Cabinet Office Permanent Secretaries' Meetings With
    CABINET OFFICE PERMANENT SECRETARIES’ MEETINGS WITH EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS1: 1 October to 31 December 2010 Sir Gus O’Donnell, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, Date of Name of External Purpose of Meeting Meeting Organisation October Civil Service Diversity and Speech and presentation of Equality Awards awards October FDA Executive Committee Speech at annual dinner October Centre for American Progress General discussion October Whitehall and Industry Group Cabinet Secretary’s annual address October Work Foundation ‘Them and Launch reception Us’ launch October Bank of England General discussion October Professor of Behavioural Seminar Economics - Massachusetts Institute of Technology November National Gallery Viewing and reception November Demelza Charity Visit to learn about the work of the charity November Institute for Government General discussion and planning for roundtable event. November Civil Service Awards Speech and presentation of awards November Lord Mayor’s Banquet Accompanying PM November Institute for Government Chairing Roundtable discussions through a three day event November Kids Taskforce charity Filming November Diageo Business and the Civil Service lunch with Permanent Secretaries and various business leaders November CBI dinner General discussion November ACE Conference Guest speaker November Financial Times Christmas reception November Bank of England/Institute for Hosting Breakfast seminar Government December Lambeth Palace Archbishop of Canterbury reception 1 Does not normally include meetings with
    [Show full text]
  • MAGAZINE 2020 the MAGAZINE of BOOTHAM SCHOOL and the BOOTHAM OLD SCHOLARS’ ASSOCIATION Volume 42 / Issue 2 / December 2020
    MAGAZINE 2020 THE MAGAZINE OF BOOTHAM SCHOOL AND THE BOOTHAM OLD SCHOLARS’ ASSOCIATION Volume 42 / Issue 2 / December 2020 THE MAGAZINE OF BOOTHAM SCHOOL AND THE BOOTHAM OLD SCHOLARS’ ASSOCIATION Headmaster Chris Jeffery Deputy Headmaster Martyn Beer Head, Bootham Junior School Helen Todd President of Bootham Old Scholars’ Association Peter Warn 03 The Headmaster 04 - 25 Bootham Features - 04 - 07 - A Year at Bootham: Head Reeves’ Speech 2020 - 08 - 09 - Interview with Helen Sharp - 10 - 13 - Annus mirabilis: Bootham in the time of COVID 19 - 14 - 15 - What makes you Bootham Proud? - 16 - 17 - Drama at Bootham 2019-20 - 18 - 19 - An unusual year at Bootham Junior School - 20 - 21 - Design and Technology: the making of a portfolio - 22 - 23 - Interview with Old Scholar, George Winfield - 24 - 25 - Retirement of Rob Graham 26 - 27 College II 2020: Summer Term Projects - 26 - 27 - Elizabeth Reed: The Dying Roads 28 - 31 Student Work - 28 - 29 - DT work - 30 - 31 - New Work 32 - 38 Leavers 2020 - 32 - 33 - Photograph - 34 - 35 - College Leavers’ Results - 36 - Leavers’ destinations - 37 - 38 - Staff Leavers 38 - 43 School Record - 39 - New staff and students - 40 - 43 - Sport 45 - 61 Old Scholars - 44 - 48 - Across the months - 49 - Christmas Reunion 2019 - 50 - 51 - Barry Smith - 52 - 53 - John Murray - 54 - 55 - Michael Johnson - 56 - 58 - Old Scholars remembered - 59 - Deaths since 2019 - 60 - 61 - Memories of an Old Scholar: Julian Doull 62 Bootham Proud 2021 63 School Reunions 2021 02 The Headmaster HEADMASTER Chris Jeffery Waiting for the first students to appear at school To see sports fixtures taking place on the field and the on the first day of this Autumn Term – bedecked courts; to witness people free to hug each other; to hear with mask and visor – was a very special moment.
    [Show full text]
  • Sir Gus O'donnell's Coming Departure As Cabinet Secretary and Head Of
    blogs.lse.ac.uk http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/2011/11/09/gus-odonnell-reconfiguration/ Provided by LSE Research Online Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk CORE Sir Gus O’Donnell’s coming departure as cabinet secretary and head of the civil service marks a reconfiguration at the centre of Whitehall that will enhance collective responsibility at the heart of government. Nov 9 2011 The departure of the UK’s top civil servant and the subsequent re-shuffling of the centre of Whitehall will have a great influence on the way central government is organised. Andrew Blick and George Jones argue that the upcoming changes might increase chances for more collegial decision-making at the heart of government. Sir Gus O’Donnell, cabinet secretary and official head of the home civil service, recently announced he will be retiring at the end of this year. Accompanying this news was another story of long-term significance to the way central government in the UK is organised. The departure of Sir Gus will mark a reconfiguration at the centre of Whitehall with the separation of the posts of cabinet secretary and the head of the home civil service. The splitting of these two roles, which we have previously recommended, is welcome: their combination, which dates to 1983, has been to the detriment of cabinet government, undermining the doctrine of collective responsibility which is central to the UK constitution. At the centre of this twin role lay a contradiction. The cabinet secretary is responsible for supporting cabinet as a whole, while the official head of the home civil service ultimately answers to the prime minister as minister for the civil service.
    [Show full text]
  • House of Lords Official Report
    Vol. 752 Tuesday No. 110 4 February 2014 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) HOUSE OF LORDS OFFICIAL REPORT ORDER OF BUSINESS Introduction: The Lord Bishop of Peterborough.............................................................................85 Questions Electoral Registration: National Voter Registration Day .............................................................85 Georgia: Islamophobia .....................................................................................................................88 West Lothian Question ....................................................................................................................90 Police: Private Prosecutions .............................................................................................................92 Road Safety (Financial Penalty Deposit) (Appropriate Amount) (Amendment) Order 2014 Commons (Town and Village Greens) (Trigger and Terminating Events) Order 2014 Motions to Approve ..........................................................................................................................94 India: 1984 Operation in Sri Harmandir Sahib Statement ...........................................................................................................................................94 Water Bill Committee (1st Day) .....................................................................................................................106 Standards in Public Life Question for Short Debate.............................................................................................................164
    [Show full text]
  • Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)
    Wednesday Volume 585 10 September 2014 No. 36 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 10 September 2014 £5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2014 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 889 10 SEPTEMBER 2014 890 Richard Burden: First, I welcome the Minister to his House of Commons place. When it seems pretty clear that the National Audit Office had some pretty damning conclusions Wednesday 10 September 2014 regarding the mismanagement of over £2 million of public money to the Big Society Network, and when, in my own constituency, the SWEET project, which got a The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock big society award, ends up having money cut by the Government because it does precisely the innovation PRAYERS work that it got the award for in the first place, what exactly, in this day and age, does the big society mean? While he is at it, will the Minister look into the circumstances [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] surrounding the cuts to the SWEET project? BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS Mr Newmark: I shall certainly look into the matter that the hon. Member has asked me to. We welcome the QUEEN’S SPEECH (ANSWER TO ADDRESS) NAO’s report and have learned the lessons from this THE VICE-CHAMBERLAIN OF THE HOUSEHOLD reported experience. There are no conclusions that the Cabinet to the House, That Her Majesty, having been attended Office did anything untoward in this regard. All the with its Address of 4th June, was pleased to receive the report says is that we did not adhere to the guidance we same very graciously and give the following Answer: issued for this particular programme on a couple of I have received with great satisfaction the dutiful and points.
    [Show full text]
  • Towards a War Crimes Trial?
    Watch Out Tony Blair, The Legal Noose is Tightening. “Dead-End Road” towards a War Crimes Trial? The Chilcot Inquiry, “Sir Cover Up” and The House of Lords By Felicity Arbuthnot Region: Europe, Middle East & North Africa Global Research, October 27, 2015 Theme: Crimes against Humanity, Intelligence, Law and Justice In-depth Report: IRAQ REPORT “The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists.” (J.Edgar Hoover, 1895-1972.) Did the Government believe the claims about Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction or was the aim regime change, which has no basis whatsoever in international law? Was this the real motivation? Secondly, when was the decision taken to go to war? Was it at Crawford or Camp David, in April 2002, Lord( Morris of Aberavon, House of Lords, October 22, 2015 ”Why did Tony Blair have those embarrassing exchanges in 2002 [with G.W. Bush] when there was no question of there being any declaration of war? Why did the then Government ignore the instinct and feelings of 1.5 million people marching down Piccadilly to protest about what was still an illegal war?” (Lord Dykes, House of Lords, October 22, 2015) * * * “Sir Cover Up” Just five days after it was revealed (1) that former British Prime Minster Tony Blair and then President George W. Bush had made a pact to attack Iraq and overthrow the country’s sovereign government a full year before the invasion took place – as Blair continued to mislead government and populace stating that diplomacy was being pursued and no decisions made – another snake has slithered from under the hay (as the Arab saying goes) in the form of Sir Jeremy Heywood.
    [Show full text]