An open goal to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office mandarins- Offer from Priti Patel
On
Wednesday evening, a group of senior Foreign and Commonwealth Office
mandarins were gathered together at a drinks reception. They were joined
by a number of distinguished members of the great and the good.
Hours after Priti Patel’s enforced resignation, the atmosphere was celebratory.
“They were triumphant”, according to one of those present. “It was as if they had notched a hit on a score card.”
The notional score card comprises Brexit supporting ministers, and in that context Priti Patel’s departure from the Cabinet was indeed a triumph for the FCO.
It can hardly be overstated how opposed the FCO is to Brexit. The Foreign Secretary is, of course, another matter.
But as an institution, the FCO regards Brexit as something close to evil. Ms Patel’s downfall was her own fault.
No one forced her to hold a series of unauthorised meetings and break the ministerial code. But once her own
Hours after Priti Patel’s enforced resignation, the atmosphere was celebratory.
“They were triumphant”, according to one of those present. “It was as if they had notched a hit on a score card.”
The notional score card comprises Brexit supporting ministers, and in that context Priti Patel’s departure from the Cabinet was indeed a triumph for the FCO.
It can hardly be overstated how opposed the FCO is to Brexit. The Foreign Secretary is, of course, another matter.
But as an institution, the FCO regards Brexit as something close to evil. Ms Patel’s downfall was her own fault.
No one forced her to hold a series of unauthorised meetings and break the ministerial code. But once her own
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