Latest updates: Robert Buckland dismisses questions about Boris Johnson’s commitment to ethical standards in government after Matt Hancock resignation as ‘just talk’
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Here is some reaction to Robert Buckland’s Today interview (see 9.25am) from journalists and commentators on Twitter.
From the Daily Mirror’s Kevin Maguire
In-Justice Secretary Robert Buckland is drowning as he tries to defend Johnson’s failure to sack Hancock, Jenrick, Patel, etc. His voice betrays a sinking feeling @BBCr4today
1st class interview on govt’s handling of Hancock affair by @bbcnickrobinson on #bbcr4today… and frankly ridiculous of normally top-guy @RobertBuckland to say the questions weren’t quite legit. Ministers should eagerly answer questions that are definitely on public’s lips too
“The truth is a lot of people just don’t like the PM, they can’t get over the fact that he is popular in the country.”
Robert Buckland defends @BorisJohnson. Those remarks seemed aimed at critics within the Tory party as much as those outside it.
On @bbcr4today Robert Buckland had just blamed Matt Hancock’s appointment of his lover to an oversight position on civil servants.
Robert Buckland, a man of the law, does not appear to understand the point about the prime minister being willing to defend standards in public life. It’s nothing to do with how popular or unpopular Johnson is. He should edit his handlers’ brief
Ridiculous line from Robert Buckland to say he’s “amazed” Radio 4 is asking “not legitimate” questions about the Health Secretary who resigned in disgrace only 36 hours ago with loads of still unanswered questions about probity in public life. Don’t take the public for fools.
Justice secretary, Robert Buckland, decent enough so far as I know, struggles on @BBCr4today to defend Johnson’s refusal to enforce rules and ethics against cabinet misconduct – not least himself. Boris suffers further loss of authority this weekend . How many nine lives left?
Extraordinary to hear the Justice Secretary – of all people – dismiss questions about rule-breaking on @BBCr4today on the grounds that the Conservatives won “a resounding victory” at the local elections.
So why have rules for ministers at all? Does anything go if you’re winning?
Extraordinary #r4today interview with Robert Buckland by @bbcnickrobinson questioned about standards in public life. Govt argument is they don’t matter to the majority, people vote for us anyway.
-Appalling
One minute @robertBuckland says Johnson popular. The next that people don’t like him and hence tough questions. To hear a Justice Secretary debase himself in defending various breaches of law/ministerial standards further undermines credibility of the government and the country.
Good morning. If Boris Johnson was hoping that Matt Hancock’s Saturday night resignation as health secretary was going to draw the line under the many questions about this matter – not least why Johnson did not sack Hancock as soon as it became clear he was ignoring his own lockdown rules – then this morning there will be a need for an urgent rethink. This became obvious about 30 seconds into Nick Robinson’s superb interview with Robert Buckland, the justice secretary, on the Today programme. Robinson started by asking why Hancock was not on Friday. Buckland responded by claiming to be “amazed” that Robinson was asking about this, and not probation service reform, given that Hancock has now gone, but Robinson just laughed this objection.
From there, for Buckland, it just got even worse.
NR: There is a sense that this government, in particular this prime minister, believes that the rules are for little people, standards are to be sneered at and ignored, provided the prime minister is ahead in the opinion polls. Is that the view of this government?
RB: I think it’s entirely the opposite of the truth. This government is all of the people’s priorities.
Everybody should listen to this interview with @RobertBuckland on #bbctoday – one of clearest insights into Government’s view of standards. Basically, they doesn’t matter because the public vote for us anyway. ♀️
