Yes, it’s a real scandal. Despite the apparent absurdity of a Westminster village obsessing over soft furnishings and the precise class connotations of the John Lewis brand, there is a hard offence underneath all those cushions and throws. By refusing to tell us who first paid for the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat, Boris Johnson is denying us – his boss – the right to know who he owes and what hold they might have on him.

Jonathan Freedland www.theguardian.com

Offence is the right word because, even before the Electoral Commission determines whether the law on political funding was broken, Johnson’s failure to come clean may well be, by itself, a breach of the ministerial code. That bars not only actual conflicts of interest between ministers’ “public duties and their private interests” but even the perception of such conflicts. In refusing to tell us who first paid that bill for overpriced wallpaper, or to give full details of who paid for his December 2019 holiday in Mustique, Johnson has offended the public trust.

So yes, this is a scandal. But do you know what else is a scandal? That while Johnson was racking up an estimated £200,000 on home decor, his government was pushing through a post-Grenfell fire safety bill that threatens ordinary leaseholders with financial ruin, saddling them with the cost of ridding their homes of potentially lethal cladding and other hazards: one woman is facing a bill of £70,000 to make her one-bedroom flat in Bristol safe. That is a scandal.

Or that by breaking his 2019 manifesto pledge and slashing the UK’s aid budget, Johnson has cut our contribution to the UN effort on HIV/Aids and to lifesaving water projects by 80%, and to the UN family planning programme by even more – money that could have prevented maternal and child deaths in the world’s poorest countries. That, too, is a scandal.

A coronavirus death toll of 127,500 that remains the highest in Europe, alongside the deepest economic slump in the G7. The mistake Johnson made three times over in 2020, delaying lockdowns in March, September and the following winter. The seeding of Covid in nursing homes. The decision to keep the borders open even during the height of lockdown, as smart as putting a double bolt and extra chain on the front door while leaving the back door swinging wide open. Johnson’s absence from the first five Cobra meetings on Covid, preferring to flick through swatches at his weekend home at Chequers. They’re all scandals.

The VIP lane for ministers’ pals when the PPE contracts were being doled out, when so many politicians’ chums looked at Covid and saw a commercial opportunity. The £276m contract that went to P14 Medical, run by a Tory donor, or the £160m deal with Meller Designs, also run by a Tory donor, both revealed just this week. The staggering sum of £37bn committed to a test-and-trace programme that never really worked. Johnson’s support for Dominic Cummings, even as he torched the most important public health policy in a century and insulted the country’s intelligence with a tall story about an eye test on wheels. Every one a scandal.

The failure to sack Robert Jenrick, even after he rushed through an “unlawful” planning decision that would save Richard Desmond, yet another Tory donor, £45m in local taxes. The failure to sack Priti Patel, even after she’d been found to have broken the ministerial code. The failure to sack Gavin Williamson, even after he’d presided over an exams fiasco that threatened to damage the life chances of tens of thousands of young people. The appointment of Gavin Williamson, not two months after he’d been fired by Theresa May for leaking sensitive information from the national security council. That, too, is a scandal.

Johnson’s Brexit protocol that put a border down the Irish sea, even after he’d vowed never to put a border down the Irish sea, thereby imperilling a union he swore blind he would protect. His proposal of an internal market bill that proudly declared its intention to break international law, prompting the UK’s top legal civil servant to quit – one of a disturbing number of mandarins driven to resignation on Johnson’s watch.

His illegal suspension of parliament, overturned as a violation of fundamental democratic practice by unanimous verdict of the supreme court. The lies that led to that moment: the £350m on the side of the bus or the scare story that Turkey was poised to join the EU and that Britain would be powerless to stop it. Siding with Vladimir Putin to suggest that the EU had provoked the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Scandals, all.

The blame he bears for wrongly saying, when foreign secretary, that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been training journalists in Iran, further condemning a woman who this week was sentenced to yet another year as a prisoner in that country. His quip about clearing away “dead bodies” in Sirte, Libya, a phrase that makes all too plausible the multiply-sourced claim that he told a Downing Street meeting on Covid he was happy to let the virus rip and “let the bodies pile high” rather than impose another lockdown.

His record as mayor, spaffing Londoners’ money up the wall on failed vanity projects that were either unused or unworkable, yet somehow managing to boost the entrepreneurial efforts of his lover, Jennifer Arcuri, cosy in her very own VIP lane with Johnson as the recipient of £126,000 in public money. That, too, is a scandal.

His racist musings about a “half-Kenyan” Barack Obama, his casting of Muslim women as “bank robbers” and “letterboxes”, and Africans as “piccaninnies” with “watermelon smiles”. His running of a Spectator editorial that falsely accused “drunken fans” of causing the Hillsborough calamity, and suggesting that the people of Liverpool wallow in “vicarious victimhood”. His firings from the Tory frontbench and the Times newspaper, both times for lying.

They’re all scandals. So is a system that makes the prime minister the ultimate arbiter of the very code that he has broken, so that Johnson decides when and whether to investigate himself, making him judge and jury in his own case. Not much better is an opposition party that was walloped by him in 2019 and struggles to lay a glove on him now.

Or maybe the real scandal lies with us, the electorate, still seduced by a tousled-hair rebel shtick and faux bonhomie that should have palled years ago. Americans got rid of their lying, self-serving, scandal-plagued charlatan 100 days ago. They did it at the first possible opportunity. Next week, polls suggest we’re poised to give ours a partial thumbs-up at the ballot box. For allowing this shameless man to keep riding high, some of the shame is on us.

• Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian columnist

And pigs might fly!

In Owl’s opinion, based on experience (think Neil Hamilton, Jonathan Aitkin and, locally, Graham Brown) the Tory party doesn’t root out sleaze unless forced to by the electorate, and not always then.

[The charge sheet follows in the next post, to which a few more can now be added.]

Rajeev Syal www.theguardian.com 

One of the UK’s most senior Conservatives has broken ranks and called for Boris Johnson to resign if he breached ministerial rules over the refurbishment of a Downing Street flat, amid new claims that undeclared donations have been sought to fund the prime minister’s lavish lifestyle.

Douglas Ross, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said on Sunday that Johnson should “of course” quit if he is found to have breached the code by failing to be honest about cash payments from a Conservative donor sought to redecorate his official residence.

His intervention, which caught No 10 by surprise, came after Johnson was accused of successfully obtaining funds for the flat from a second donor, while a third was alleged to have been asked to pay for his one-year-old son’s care.

It comes as the party attempts to move on from a torrid week and gears up for elections across the UK on Thursday. Labour has narrowed the Tories’ lead since the barrage of sleaze allegations began.

Appearing on BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show, Ross was asked if Johnson should stand down if found to be in breach of the ministerial code.

“Of course, I think people expect the highest standards of those in the highest office of the land,” he said. “That’s why I think people are looking at the investigations that are currently ongoing and waiting for the answers.”

The new standards adviser, Christopher Geidt, is investigating whether Johnson has breached the ministerial code, which sets out the conduct expected of ministers and how they discharge their duties.

Johnson would be expected to show that his behaviour was consistent with the code, which makes clear there should be “no actual or perceived conflicts of interest”.

His former chief aide Dominic Cummings reignited the row over the flat renovation after claiming the prime minister had sought donors’ cash in an “unethical, foolish, possibly illegal” scheme.

Money from the Tory donor David Brownlow was allegedly used to fund part of a £200,000 renovation in the flat above No 11 Downing Street where Johnson resides with his fiancee, Carrie Symonds, and their son, Wilfred. It is alleged that Symonds had described the flat as “a John Lewis nightmare” when they moved in after Theresa May left.

The Sunday Times reported that there was a second invoice settled by a third party – believed to be another Conservative donor – directly with the contractor. Downing Street refused to comment on this claim.

Yet another Tory donor has claimed that they were asked to foot the bill for a nanny for Wilfred, the Mail on Sunday and the Sunday Times claimed. The donor is alleged to have said: “I don’t mind paying for leaflets but I resent being asked to pay to literally wipe the prime minister’s baby’s bottom.”

Former Downing Street insiders claim that Johnson’s finances are a mess and are a reflection of the way he runs the government. He earns £157,372 a year as prime minister but he is said to have told friends that he requires £300,000 to keep afloat.

Johnson has retained the power to frustrate any inquiry by Geidt into his behaviour. He remains the “ultimate arbitrator” of the code and gets the final say on whether he broke the rules, a situation Labour says allows him to be his own judge and jury.

Geidt’s predecessor, Sir Alex Allan, resigned in November after Johnson overruled his inquiry, which found evidence that the home secretary, Priti Patel, had bullied staff.

Dame Margaret Hodge, the Labour MP and former chair of the public accounts committee, said the prime minister and his government were not maintaining the standards needed to maintain a healthy democracy.

“If you’re taking money in this secretive, private way, how is it influencing how you are approaching the issues of state?

“This is a really dangerous point in which our democracy could be undermined,” she said.

“Is it the tip of an iceberg and are there other ways in which the funding of his rather lavish lifestyle has been dependent on individuals giving him cash and what do they want in return?”

The Electoral Commission this week launched an investigation into whether any donations or loans to pay for the refurbishment of his residence in No 11 were properly declared.

The foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, was asked to defend Johnson on Sunday, but declined to say whether he should resign if he is found to have broken the law.

“I think the right thing for me to do is respect the integrity of those reviews and let them run their course,” he said.

Raab also declined to deny a claim that a second invoice for renovations may have been settled with the supplier by a Tory donor.

Asked about the suggestion that a Tory donor was asked to pay for a nanny, he said: “I have no idea, you don’t have conversations like that with the PM,” he told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday.

Although earlier polls suggested the sleaze allegations were not significantly denting public support for the Tories, two new surveys indicated they could be having an effect before the local elections in England and votes for the parliaments in Scotland and Wales.

The Conservatives (42%) fell to a five-point lead over Labour (37%), according to the Opinium poll of more than 2,000 adults between Wednesday and Friday.

In separate polling, Focaldata put Labour on 39%, one point behind the Tories, who previously had a healthy lead, according to the Sunday Times.

A No 10 spokesperson said the prime minister “has covered the cost of all childcare”, but did not respond when asked if he paid for the original bill himself or had reimbursed somebody else.

Johnson has denied breaking any laws over the refurbishment of his residence and insisted he has paid “personally” for the works.

[Except Owl]

If you go to what will eventually be Cranbrook’s town centre, you could be forgiven for thinking that nothing has changed.

Daniel Clark www.devonlive.com

The signs adorning the green field outlining that this will eventually be the heart of the new town looks exactly the same as they did back in 2017, with the only difference being the length of the grass.

But across the town, things are changing. The number of new homes being built continues to grow, with parts of the town unrecognisable and new estates springing up compared to this time last year. Work has begun on the next phase of the district heating network rollout.

And even the ‘town centre’ may soon be set to finally look different in the near future after the agreement as to how it will be developed and delivered was reached between East Devon District Council and the East Devon New Community Partners in January this year.

Devon Live takes a look at where Cranbrook is now and what is planned for the future.

Cranbrook currently has around 2,350 homes, equating to approximately 5,500 residents, as well a primary school and a secondary school, a railway station, a parade of local shops, the Younghayes Centre, a country park, a medical centre, and the Cranberry Farm pub, which will eventually be right at the centre of the town.

But plans set out in the East Devon Local Plan and the draft Cranbrook Plan are to grow the town to around 7,740 homes – an additional 4,170 homes from those already consented and/or built – which will give a population of just over 18,000 people.

Planning applications have been submitted for more than 1,000 of these additional houses and associated community facilities, with additional applications for some of the other identified expansion areas anticipated for submission later this year.

The expansion plans will also include two new primary schools, a SEN school, a sports hub, community centre, two new neighbourhood centres and large areas of open space, amongst other items.

The Cranbrook Plan is going through its examination by an Inspector appointed on behalf of the Secretary of State and a ruling is expected to be made before the Autumn of 2021.

WHERE WILL THE EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT TAKE PLACE?

Development parcels outlined in the plan are at Bluehayes, to the west of the existing development, Treasbeare, south of the existing development and south of the old A30, Cobdens, to the east of the existing development, and Grange, to the south of Cobden and south of the old A30.

Any business or other use that is permitted within these areas must be of an appropriate scale to the mixed use area and mainly serves the needs of the immediate neighbourhood and must not undermine the vitality and viability of the town centre.

The four expansion areas of Cranbrook

BLUEHAYES

40 hectares of land at the Bluehayes Expansion Area is allocated for a mixed use development, which will include:

• Around 960 new dwellings
• Land capable of accommodating a community building and a range of business premises
• Formal open space recreational land
• A 420 pupil place primary school (in the event that Bluehayes is delivered before Treasbeare)
• Formal play space with facilities for children and youth
• Allotments totalling an area of 0.55 hectare of land

The Bluehayes expansion area will comprise a mix of housing, community and commercial uses that will provide a key route through the town linking the Cranbrook railway station with the Treasbeare expansion area, Skypark, Exeter Airport and existing development at Broadclyst Station.

TREASBEARE

62 hectares of land at the Treasbeare Expansion Area is allocated for a mixed use development, which will include:

• Around 915 new houses
• Land capable of accommodating a community building
• A neighbourhood centre to provide at least 1500 square metres gross of groundfloor floor space, including shops and a range of business spaces
• A 420 pupil place primary school (in the event that Treasbeare is built before Bluehayes)
• Formal open space and recreational land
• Formal play space with facilities for children and youth
• A sports hub which delivers two senior rugby pitches, two junior rugby pitches, two football pitches, three junior football pitches, an all-weather pitch, four tennis courts, a sports pavilion, changing facilities and a club room
• Employment land
• Allotments totalling an area of 0.54 hectare of land.
• A Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space
• Land for an extension to the District Heating Energy Centre
• Five serviced permanent pitches for gypsies and travellers

The Treasbeare expansion area will comprise a mix of housing, education, community, sport, employment and commercial uses (together with safeguarded land for the energy centre) that importantly will provide a key location for activity in the town and act as a hub for education and sporting facilities in this area. The sports hub in Treasbeare will be the main hub in Cranbrook and provide a wider range of facilities than at the Ingrams Sports hub further to the east.

Coloured circles (shape are not accurate) to represent roughly where each of the new neighbourhoods as part of the Cranbrook expansion would be built

COBDENS

110 hectares of land at the Cobdens Expansion Area is allocated for a mixed use development, which will include:

• Around 1,495 new houses
• A neighbourhood centre to provide at least 1250sq m gross of groundfloor floor space, including shops and a range of business spaces
• A 630 pupil place primary school, 80 place early years provision and a room for community use
• A 50 pupil place Special Educational Needs school
• Formal open space recreational land
• Formal play space with facilities for children and youth
• An extension to the existing sports hub at Ingrams, through the provision of 1x youth 9v9 football pitch
• Allotments totalling an area of 0.88 hectare of land
• Ten serviced permanent pitches for gypsies and travellers
• Serviced land suitable to accommodate a place of worship and parsonage
• Serviced land (of at least 1 hectare in size) for a cemetery
• Development of the Cobdens expansion area of Cranbrook will require the undergrounding of the 132kv high voltage power line that crosses the site as indicated in the Cranbrook Masterplan.

This Cobdens expansion area will contain around 1,490 new homes and social and community facilities. It will include provision for a neighbourhood centre and associated mixed and meanwhile uses as well as a large area of Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANGS).

GRANGE

30 hectares of land at the Grange Expansion Area is allocated for a mixed use development, which will include:

• Around 800 new houses
• A community building
• A neighbourhood centre to provide at least 1,600sq m gross of groundfloor floor space, including shops and a range of business spaces
• Formal open space
• Formal play space with facilities for children and youth
• Allotments totalling an area of 0.47 hectares of land

The Cranbrook Plan allocates land for comprehensive development for the Grange expansion of Cranbrook. Lying south of part of the Ingrams sports pitches serving the existing town and existing development to its north western edge, the area has a good relationship with the existing town and the Cobdens development proposed to the north.

New play areas, a skate park and a sports pavilion for the Ingram sports pitches are also set to soon come to fruition after a deed of variation to the Section 106 agreement is to be finalised and signed, with Cranbrook Town Council taking on responsibility for delivering these important community assets.

A second area of allotments are also due to be provided in the east of the town, adjacent to Southbrook Lane, to complement the existing Crannaford allotments on Rush Meadow Road.

THE TOWN CENTRE

Plans for the town centre are progressing in line with the Cabinet agreement made in January 2021, with the final details of the Memorandum of Understanding outlined in that report moving toward agreement.

The ‘hard-fought deal’ with developers will bring forward multi-million pound plans which include land that could be used for a leisure centre, a hotel and retail units.

Confirmed uses as part of the proposals include a 2,500 square metres Morrisons supermarket, around 350 town centre homes, a town square, a town hall, and a children’s centre, youth centre and library in a single building.

Cranbrook from the air (Image: EDDC)

The next stage is for the developers to seek planning permission for the supermarket, the town square, a parade of shops and a childrens’ day nursery. Subject to permission being granted, the developers say that these facilities could be open by late 2022.

As part of the deal, the town square, the town council facility, library and youth facilities will also be delivered much sooner than after the previously required trigger point of 3,450 homes built, with deal also seeing about 350 additional new homes in the town centre area provided.

The cabinet decision means that the council will be investing heavily in Cranbrook’s future to the tune of millions of pounds as it can buy land to build areas of the town centre itself.

Councillors had twice rejected accepting the offer from the East Devon New Community Partners (EDNCp), including once just before Christmas, but after further negotiations over the holiday period, further movement to make the offer for Cranbrook more acceptable had been made, including issues around viability, restrictions on offer food stores within the town being relaxed, and increasing the size of the town square.

An East Devon District Council spokesman added: “We are having regular discussions with Henry Davidson Developments to finalise the plans for the supermarket, high street retail units, town square and children’s nursery, with the expectation being that planning applications for these facilities will be made once the Memorandum of Understanding is signed by all parties.

“We are negotiating a land value for the purchase of additional town centre land for non-residential uses and are exploring delivery options for that land.”

Ed Freeman, service lead for planning strategy and development management, said: “It is fantastic to see Cranbrook really taking shape and becoming a great place to live with such a strong community spirit. A town of this size needs to be a great place to work, socialise and enjoy leisure time, if it is to be the self-contained and sustainable town that we have always envisaged.

“In the last year, we have made great progress on these issues and we continue to work really hard to ensure that the town centre provides the social, community, retail and business spaces that the town needs and the community want. The current situation makes this very challenging and I understand the frustrations the community feel as these facilities are taking longer to deliver than many thought but I really hope that it will be worth the wait.”

And East Devon District Council is looking to continue with the roll-out of a District Heating Network for the expansion of the town and have bid for government funding toward a major project which will take waste heat from a planned Energy from Waste plant at Hill Barton and use it to provide heat and hot water to homes and buildings across the Cranbrook and Monkerton networks.

The district energy network will aim to meet a zero carbon standard, rather than rely on fabric and renewable energy measures on each home, will serve the region, and will ultimately connect 12,000 homes and 2m sqm of commercial space, and underpin the ambition to support the delivery of zero carbon development at Cranbrook.

There is a requirement for all homes to be connected to a district heating network became a key part of the planning strategy for Cranbrook and the neighbouring Skypark commercial development, with all homes tied into a contract with EON.

Together there are now over 100km of heat pipe in the ground, while the first permanent energy centre at Skypark was commissioned in 2013 and a second energy centre, currently under construction at Monkerton, is due to be commissioned later this year.

Hello, you’ve reached Boris, just send a text………..

Labour has slashed the Tories’ poll lead in half as more voters conclude that Boris Johnson is corrupt and dishonest ahead of this week’s bumper set of local and devolved elections.

Toby Helm www.theguardian.com

The latest Opinium poll for the Observer shows the Conservative lead has fallen from 11 points to five points after a week in which the prime minister was at the centre of allegations over the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat, and criticised for reportedly saying he would rather see “bodies pile high” than order another Covid-19 lockdown.

On Thursday, voters go the polls in council elections across the UK, a key parliamentary byelection in Hartlepool, mayoral elections, and elections to the Welsh Senedd and the Scottish parliament, the last of which could mark a crucial step on the road to Scotland’s independence.

The elections are the first since the pandemic began and represent the first electoral test for Keir Starmer since he became Labour leader in April last year on a promise to rebuild the party after its disastrous 2019 general election loss.

On Saturday, Starmer and his deputy leader, Angela Rayner, were campaigning in Hartlepool, with the party battling to hold off a challenge from the Tories in a seat once regarded as one of Labour’s northern strongholds behind the so-called red wall.

Referring to Johnson, Starmer said voters did not want someone who was “unserious” as prime minister, adding that the byelection was on a knife edge. “I’m really conscious of the fact that we have got to earn every vote here, and I mean earn every vote,” he told the Observer.

Rayner said people wanted honesty and seriousness in their politicians. “They don’t want games. They don’t want party politics. They want jobs for their kids, and they want their future secured. That’s what the key message was from them.”

The Opinium poll put Labour up four points compared with a week ago, on 37%, while the Tories had fallen two points to 42%. While Labour will be unhappy to be behind, their gains since last week suggest some voters may be turning against Johnson and the Tories before polling day, after a barrage of stories about Conservative sleaze.

Johnson’s approval ratings have fallen back into negative territory (to -6 from +1 a week ago) while Starmer’s have improved from +1 to +8. Some 42% of those surveyed said they viewed Johnson as “corrupt”, up from 37% a week ago, while less than third (30%) regarded him as “clean”. Only 15% of voters viewed Starmer as corrupt and 44% saw him as “clean”.

Despite Johnson denying last week that he had said he would prefer to see “bodies pile high in their thousands” than order a third Covid lockdown, 52% of respondents disbelieve him and think he did make the remark, while only 28% think he was telling the truth.

The dent in the Tories’ and Johnson’s ratings come despite the government receiving the best approval score since last May for its handling of the pandemic. The poll found 45% approve of its performance, against 36% who disapprove.

Labour is continuing to pile pressure on Johnson over who initially paid for the refurbishment of the No 11 Downing Street flat – an upgrade estimated to have cost around £200,000 – and when. It has been reported that Johnson and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds, described the furnishings left by the prime minister’s predecessor, Theresa May, as a “John Lewis nightmare.” According to the poll, 67% of people describe John Lewis as very or fairly posh, 73% say the same about Selfridges and 43% about Habitat.

Documents relating to the refurbishment suggest permission for the works was granted in January and overseen by architectural practice Feilden + Mawson. The company did not respond on Saturday when asked who paid for their services.

Labour is continuing to ask whether the proper tax has been paid on the refurbishments. It has now raised questions with the Treasury over the payment of VAT. Tax rules mean that government departments can reclaim VAT on “non-business activity” such as repainting and decorating. The opposition is demanding to know whether any VAT refund was paid back by the prime minister if he eventually met the costs of the work.

The government has only said that there is a £30,000 annual grant to refurbish Downing Street, and that the prime minister met all additional costs. However, No 10 has not denied that the prime minister did not pay the original invoice. It is not known whether the work was originally paid for by the state, the Conservative party or directly by a Tory donor.

Labour has also accused the Tories of handing out “crony” contracts worth billions of pounds to friends of the party during the pandemic, leading Starmer to label the prime minister “Major Sleaze”.

Writing in the Northern Echo on Saturday, Starmer said: “Instead of tackling the issues that matter, the Conservative party has become hopelessly distracted by sleaze and scandal. And it’s you and your family who feel the impact.

“At next week’s elections there is a very clear choice: Labour candidates who will be relentlessly focused on jobs, tackling crime and supporting your health. Or the same old Tories: sleaze, waste, one rule for them, and another for everyone else.”

Councils are facing the logistical nightmare of trying to meet physically while abiding by social distancing guidelines after a bid to allow the continuation of online council meetings was rejected by the High Court.

As Cllr Paul Arnott, leader of EDDC said: “The courts are blameless and made the legal decision, and this just sits at the government’s door. I think this is so dangerous. I am extremely vulnerable and not had the second jab yet. Most of the younger members haven’t had a first jab, so the thought of them being forced to gather in one room, however big it is, is ridiculous. On public health grounds we should be waiting until we have had at least one jab, but it seems like we won’t be able to.”

Daniel Clark www.devonlive.com 

The emergency legislation allowing virtual council meetings will not be extended beyond May 7 – and on Wednesday, the High Court dismissed the appeal, with judges saying primary legislation would be needed to extend the use of online meetings and it was not for the courts to set that legislation.

It means that from May 7 onwards, all councils – from Devon County down to the parish councils – will have to resume meetings in person, and also applies to the Dartmoor and Exmoor National Park Authorities, the Devon and Somerset Fire Authority, as well as the Police and Crime Panel.

The decision has left councils across the county will the difficult task of continuing to carry on the business of local government in a Covid secure manner, forcing them to find alternative venues to hold meetings to ensure all members can safely attend.

By law, all councils have to hold their annual meeting in either March, April or May – North Devon, Mid Devon and Torridge have already held theirs – but Devon County Council and Exeter City Council were unable to move their AGMs due to the local elections and they, as well as East Devon, Teignbridge, South Hams, and West Devon councils will have to hold a full council meeting in May in person.

Cllr John Hart, leader of Devon County Council, told Thursday’s full council meeting that the ‘daft decision’ means the council will now need to look at a range of options to maintain the decision-making process in an open and transparent way, and that meetings would continue to be live-streamed, as they were even before the pandemic.

He said: “While no concrete decisions have been made, contingency plans had been made to book a larger venue at Sandy Park to accommodate an ‘in person’ annual meeting following the Elections, which, as Members will know, will be May 27.

There are, however, a number of issues that Officers are currently considering and assessing which include practical matters such as larger venues / rooms, reconfiguration of committee room layouts, overspill rooms, limiting the use of shared microphones, no provision of refreshments and ensuring that agendas only contain items of key business to reduce the amount of time that people need to be physically present.

“Furthermore, consideration will need to be given as to whether a remote / virtual meeting may still be appropriate for some of our non decision-making bodies and other forums. There may need to be other measures taken to reduce the number of people physically in the meeting room, for example, the council could make use of hybrid meeting technology and ask non committee members or the public / press to utilise this, acknowledging the rights of individuals to attend in person if they wished.

“Much of this will depend on the risk assessments of the rooms and what can be done safely, but it is likely a range of options could be implemented moving forwards.

“However, as a Council, I hope we do not reduce the numbers of committee members in the room or cancel large numbers of meetings (meetings would only be cancelled if there was no business to be transacted, as would be normal) or arranging for decisions that would normally be taken by a committee to be made under delegated powers. But as I say, all of this is subject to further discussion and the views of the new Council being considered.”

He added: “Devon will be saying that remote meetings should continue. It is something we have done exceedingly well and it is a daft decision.”

Cllr Rob Hannaford, Leader of the County Council Labour Group, added: “It’s a really unacceptable poor decision. This is a terrible outcome for local councils, and will inevitably have all sorts of unforeseen consequences and additional costs.

“From parish councils up to County Hall, we have all made our views known to the government in the strongest possible terms asking them to change their mind and let common sense prevail.”

“Even though the covid numbers are down at the moment, the pandemic is still ongoing, and it could very well surge back up again sooner than we think, and this just opens things out for the virus to spread.

“We all know that local democracy has moved on since the start of the pandemic, with councillors and staff embracing new technology. The reduction in face to face meetings should also be encouraged from an environmental point of view because it has reduced car journeys and cut carbon emissions.”

“It was totally pathetic that the government said they had not got enough parliamentary time to ensure that local councils can operate safely and properly – it shows yet again the contempt and deep disrespect the government has for us, and the important difficult work that we do for our communities.”

Cllr Alan Connett, Devon County Council Liberal Democrat group leader, added: “Making large groups of people meet indoors for meetings which often last more than two hours, when we’re trying to stop the spread of COVID-19, is unbelievably daft.

“This affects councillors and council staff. Some may have had COVID jabs, some not and some may have clinically vulnerable family at home.

“It should be up to our local councils to decide when it is safe to return – not the Conservative government.

“This is an opportunity missed as it has proved a remarkable benefit. It has moved on local government and this is a retrograde step. That councils have to meet in person before other people are allowed to do so seems to be very short-sighted.”

Cllr Martin Shaw, who had asked for an update on the ruling from Cllr Hart, added: “Shaw – The Government has put councils in an impossible position. The pandemic is not over, precautions will need to be taken to deal with the threat, and there could be a resurgence of Covid and a new wave, and it is essential that councils have the flexibility to organise business in the best possible way.”

Wednesday night’s East Devon District Council full council meeting heard that the council felt that they could accommodate committee meetings at Blackdown House, but would have to hold their full council meetings at an alternative venue, with Westpoint provisionally booked.

Henry Gordon-Lennox, the council’s monitoring officer, told the meeting that the initial expectation was that committee members have to be physically present to vote but they hoped to continue with a zoom meeting for attendance by officers and public and non-committee members.

He added: “From May 7 we are faced with the prospect with return to physical meetings. The government roadmap makes that easier as time goes on and as restrictions ease, it becomes less and less acute, but it is more acute for the next month and a bit.

“The chamber can hold 16 so it covers off all of the committees that can be held at Blackdown House but it would necessitate a very minimal public access, so we can provide three seats in the public gallery to meet the legal requirement for press and public.”

Cllr Paul Arnott, leader of the council, added: “The courts are blameless and made the legal decision, and this just sits at the government’s door. I think this is so dangerous. I am extremely vulnerable and not had the second jab yet. Most of the younger members haven’t had a first jab, so the thought of them being forced to gather in one room, however big it is, is ridiculous. On public health grounds we should be waiting until we have had at least one jab, but it seems like we won’t be able to.”

Tuesday night’s Exeter City Council full council meeting saw them vote to amend the standing orders of the council to enable them to hold meetings at an alternative venue to the Guildhall, with Cllr Peter Holland, Lord Mayor of Exeter, saying that the current plan would be to hold the annual meeting at the Corn Exchange instead.

West Devon Borough Council are working on the basis that all formal Member decision-making meetings will be held in the Council Chamber at Kilworthy Park.

A spokesman said: “In line with social distancing requirements, the capacity will be very restricted. For certain meetings (eg Full Council), it will not be possible for us to accommodate members of the press and public; they will be encouraged to view the meetings via our live stream.”

A spokesman for South Hams District Council said that the position for them is not yet clear. They said: “Due to the lack of ventilation, it will not be possible for us to hold any meetings in the Council Chamber at Follaton House. On the assumption that we will need to meet face to face, we are currently reviewing our options to ensure that we are still able to hold decision-making meetings while complying with social distancing requirements. No decisions have yet been taken over the suitability of potential alternative venues.”

A spokesman for Mid Devon District Council said: “We are making backup plans to resume meetings in person at Phoenix House and are currently reviewing our meeting timetable. In light of the government roadmap, we are also reviewing the necessary arrangements that will need to be in place to hold meetings as safely as possible and in compliance with legislation and guidance. Further details will be published on our website and as part of any published agendas when we have confirmed these plans.”

A spokesman for Dartmoor National Park Authority confirmed that meetings would resume in person at their HQ at Parke and that the press and public would be able to attend.

However, North Devon Council has confirmed that as a result of the decision, they will be resuming meetings in person and that there will be no live-streaming of them.

Senior Corporate and Community Services Officer, Bev Triggs says: “If we are required to return to meetings in person, then committee meetings would be held at Brynsworthy Environmental Centre, the Planning Committee would be held at the Rugby Club and full Council meetings would be held at an external venue with social distancing measures and additional measures in place.

“The public and press will be able to attend, however the numbers will be restricted and will be required to notify in advance to book a place. Only meetings that are required will be held. There would be no streaming of meetings for the time being.”

A Teignbridge District Council spokesman said: “We’re looking at options to hold socially distanced Covid secure committee meetings that will be live streamed so that members of the public can watch. Most of these are likely to be in the council chamber, but we are looking at an alternative for the full council meeting.”

Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association said: “It is very disappointing that this last avenue to allow councils to hold online and hybrid meetings whilst COVID-19 restrictions are still in force has not been successful. Councils by law, have to hold annual meetings within 21 days following local elections, so many will now have to use very large external venues to allow all members of the council to meet in person.

“Councils want to continue to have powers to hold online and hybrid meetings even when restrictions have been lifted. A recent LGA survey of its members revealed that 83 per cent of councils said they would be very likely or fairly likely to conduct meetings both online and in a hybrid way once the coronavirus emergency was over if they had the power.

“The current flexibility has been paramount in allowing access for both councillors and the public into council meetings. Many councils have, in fact, seen significantly increased participation by the public in meetings where important decisions are made about planning, housing and the provision of local services. Councils want the flexibility to continue to meet in this way and continue their business, especially in times of emergency such as when flooding occurs or if there is significant traffic disruption due to weather conditions.

“The Government gave clear evidence at the hearing in support of allowing the option of online and hybrid meetings. Unfortunately, the judgement is clear that primary legislation is needed to allow councils to use technology to hold meetings.”

A chink of light shines on dark corners! – Owl

action.goodlawproject.org

Good Law Project is now able to reveal the names of four more companies awarded contracts through the VIP lane: Clandeboye Agencies, P14 Medical, Luxe Lifestyle and Meller Designs.

• P14 Medical, run by a Tory councillor and donor, was awarded £276m in PPE contracts.
• Meller Designs, run by David Meller a large Tory donor and trustee of the rightwing lobby group Policy Exchange, was given more than £160m in PPE contracts. 
• Luxe Lifestyle was awarded a £26m contract despite appearing to be insolvent and without any employees. 
• And Clandeboye Agencies whose registered trade on Companies House is “wholesale of sugar, chocolate and sugar confectionery” was awarded £108m in PPE contracts (see page 73 and following). We should say that the Government says Clandeboye was not in the VIP lane – but its own internal documents tell a different story.

These four are in addition to Ayanda, which enjoyed a £252m deal negotiated by Liz Truss adviser Andrew Mills. And Pestfix which won approximately £350m in contracts despite being described by Government as a company “which specialises in pest control products, that was dormant in 2018” (see page 73). There remain a further 41 firms yet to be revealed.

Good Law Project can also reveal that of the nine contracts the subject of the judicial review – one with Ayanda, two with Clandeboye and six with Pestfix – five or possibly six of them have failed in the sense that some or all of the PPE provided under them has proved unfit for its intended purpose (see page 2). Hundreds and hundreds of millions of pounds – spent with these three suppliers alone – have been wasted. It is inconceivable that this is the only waste. Moreover, the documents disclose that Pestfix and Matt Hancock are “in legal dispute” (see page 176).

In relation to Ayanda, civil servants were afraid of losing the contract with Ayanda because Andrew Mills “has close ties to DIT so wouldn’t be a good outcome” (see page 188), were concerned that Andrew Mills “is using previous relationships and making noise that we are not responsive” (page 190), and “Andrew comes through as highly backed as he sits on the board for DIT – so I don’t want things being escalated” (page 191). 

The High Court said the Government should carry out additional searches for:

1. texts and WhatsApp messages for some selected civil servants; and
2. instructions, directions and decisions by Ministers in respect of the establishment, selection and criteria of the VIP lane.

It also said that the Government should supply details of the advice given by Emily Lawson in relation to FFP2 facemasks.

With reference to our other applications, the Government either has now supplied or agreed to supply the information we sought, or our application for that information was rejected by the Court.

The Government was ordered to pay our costs of the application.

Thank you, 

Jo Maugham 

Director of Good Law Project

Good Law Project is able to carry out its work thanks to donations from thousands of people. If you are in a position to do so, you can make a donation here:

The smokescreen of Boris Johnson’s ducking and diving around the “nothing to see here” sleaze and cronyism allegations is shown up, in this article, for being just that.

An official is reported as writing: “We are currently drowning in VIP requests and ‘High Priority’ contacts that despite all of our work and best efforts do not either hold the correct certification or do not pass due diligence” 

Conclusion: the sleaze and cronyism actually hindered the Government’s Covid response. It didn’t demonstrate the “fleet of foot”, “cutting through the red tape” response portrayed in much of the Conservative electioneering pamphlets. – Owl

George Grylls, www.thetimes.co.uk

Matt Hancock has been ordered by the High Court to hand over WhatsApp messages about the government’s procurement of PPE.

The health secretary will have to reveal details about a WhatsApp group that was used to fast-track applications from “VIP” suppliers.

The government is being taken to court by the Good Law Project, a campaign group, over its procurement of PPE at the height of the pandemic. At a hearing yesterday it emerged that a WhatsApp group was set up as an “informal way” for the government to communicate with the chief executives of 200 companies.

A government meeting agenda submitted to the court reads: “[Redacted] to connect with [Redacted] and confirm preferred way forward to sharing communications with CEOs and CPOs (Chief product officers).

“Note: There is a WhatsApp group with [circa] 200 CEO and this is informal way to communicate. There is also a separate channel to CPOs.”

Companies that had a recommendation from someone in government were ten times more likely to be awarded a contract to supply PPE, a report by the National Audit Office found last year.

Recent messages released during the Good Law Project’s judicial review have shown that civil servants were unable to secure PPE quickly last year because they were “drowning” in requests from VIP suppliers.

One official handling an offer to supply visors to the NHS in April last year wrote: “This contact has already been allocated a team member — unfortunately if he jumps to the front of the queue, it then has a knock-on effect to the remaining offers of help.

“We are currently drowning in VIP requests and ‘High Priority’ contacts that despite all of our work and best efforts do not either hold the correct certification or do not pass due diligence.”

Transparency International, a campaign group, has said that a fifth of PPE contracts, totalling £3.7 billion, raised a red flag for potential corruption.

At the hearing Jason Coppel QC, for the Good Law Project, argued for the disclosure of the messages, saying that Hancock had shown an “obvious lack of transparency”. Michael Bowsher QC, for Hancock, accused the campaign group of trying to fish for evidence.

Impressed? – Owl

Heart of the South West LEP releases plans to build back better – Heart of the south west LEP

20 APR heartofswlep.co.uk

Heart of the South West LEP has published its plan to help the area recover from the pandemic and ‘build back better’.

The LEP has developed Build Back Better in consultation with business and its 16 local authority, four university and 10 FE college partners. The plan identifies a number of transformational opportunities that will enable the area to recover from COVID-19 and deliver prosperity and resilience through clean and inclusive growth.

Karl Tucker, chair of Heart of the South West LEP, says: “Whilst the immediate focus over the past year has been on protection for those worst hit by the pandemic, it’s vital that we also look at the medium and longer term opportunities to revitalise and strengthen the Heart of the South West economy.

“Build Back Better sets out the key transformational opportunities in our area that will unlock investment, create more and better jobs, and deliver carbon-net zero in response to the climate change emergency declared by many of our partners. The plan is rooted in the ambitious vision of our Local Industrial Strategy, maintaining our commitment to increasing productivity through clean and inclusive growth.”

The LEP used a robust evidence base to identify Energy, High Value Engineering and Digital as key opportunities to drive growth across multiple sectors. Build Back Better focuses on accelerating those opportunities through the delivery of seven major programmes of activity. These are underpinned by a further four enabling programmes that provide the environment needed to support the plan – around skills, business support, innovation and infrastructure.

Some of the transformational programmes in the plan:

• Renewable and nuclear energy, stemming from the construction of the UK’s first nuclear power station in 20 years at Hinkley Point C, nuclear submarine decommissioning in Plymouth, and the development of the next generation of marine renewables. The plan aims to capitalise on the potential and be a green energy powerhouse and first net exporter of clean energy.
• Marine autonomy is a growing, disruptive technology with the power to transform the marine sector. Build Back Better aims to make the area a national and international Centre of Excellence in the development and commercialisation of autonomy, digitisation and other low carbon marine technologies.
• Photonics is the technology behind the modern world, from mobile phones, to 5G to parking sensors and essentials of land, sea and air-based autonomous vehicles. They are also used in highly sensitive areas such as nuclear inspection. The area has a significant set of photonics businesses and will attract inward investment and skills development to support the creation of a world-class cluster that puts the heart of the south west at the forefront of cutting edge innovation in this field
• Sustainable aviation is a major growth area. Working in partnership with neighbouring LEPs and the SW Aerospace Cluster, the plan sets out the establishment of a strong inward investment proposition to attract high value investment in rotary technology and electric aircraft as well as increasing homegrown capability. Its UK Future Flight Programme project 2ZERO, is already supporting the design of new aircraft and airport infrastructure to accommodate smart aviation technologies and fuels.

The programmes in Build Back Better will be led by the HotSW LEP but require a collective effort of all partners in the area to deliver them. The plan calls for locally-led delivery through locally-designed funding, and advocates a devolved single pot of both capital and revenue funding. The LEP will be working with business, other local partners and Government to unlock the funding to realise the huge potential of the area.

To read the full plan to Build Back Back visit: www.heartofswlep.co.uk/growing-our-economy/build-back-better-plan

Owl reveals Heart of the South West’s (HotSW) master plan in the next post. Spoiler alert!

“Build Back Better sets out the key transformational opportunities in our area that will unlock investment, create more and better jobs, and deliver carbon-net zero in response to the climate change emergency declared by many of our partners. The plan is rooted in the ambitious vision of our Local Industrial Strategy, maintaining our commitment to increasing productivity through clean and inclusive growth.”

Remember, the model of “growth” that has governed Britain since the 2008 crash is one where the value of a home rises by roughly 5% every year, but the value of an hour’s work rises not at all, year after year. 

So should we be surprised by this?

Restaurants struggle to find staff as lockdown restrictions ease

Anita Merritt www.devonlive.com (extract)

Celebrity chef Michael Caines has revealed how his hotel and restaurant businesses are struggling to recruit staff, including for his new Exmouth ventures.

However, it seems the Devon-based chef is not alone because it has been reported bars and restaurants across the country are facing the same difficulties after thousands of workers left the sector. [See also last night’s BBC Spotlight]

Michael has told how he is currently trying to hire 20 new staff members across his hotel and restaurant group. Preparations are being made to open Mickey’s Beach Bar & Restaurant along Exmouth seafront.

It will run alongside Sylvain Peltier and Michael’s Café Patisserie Glacerie, which has already opened, as part of the Exmouth seafront regeneration project.

Michael told the BBC: “Without question, recruitment is a challenge. All of the businesses are extremely busy. For the next three, four months our hotel is completely booked up, so we’re desperately trying to recruit enough staff.

He said Brexit and the pandemic have led European workers to leave and not return, but he said another problem is the number of workers still on furlough.

While they are waiting to return to work they are less willing to switch employers.

“A lot of people feel very concerned about leaving a job where they qualify for furlough to take the new job where they wouldn’t qualify for furlough if there was another lockdown,” he explained.

“So there’s a bit of nervousness from an employee’s point of view.”

He added he is hoping roles will be more easily filled when students break up from college and university and start looking for summer work.

Exmouth’s new waterfront beach bar and restaurant has been granted a premises licence – but the hours of operation have been cut from those requested.

Daniel Clark www.devonlive.com

Mickey’s Beach Bar & Restaurant, which will be run by celebrity chef Michael Caines, had asked for a premises licence until 2.30am every day, with East Devon District Council’s licensing sub-committee last Wednesday considering the request.

The meeting heard that there were no plans for opening hours to be as late as 2.30am every day but that it gave them the flexibility to do so if required, it would not be operating as a nightclub, and that the venue would be ‘complimentary for Exmouth’.

Objections had poured in against the scheme on the grounds of noise, the hours of operation being too late, and that it could lead to anti-social behaviour.

And while councillors agreed to grant the premises licence, they will only be able to stay open until 1.30am on Thursday to Saturday – and 0.30am on Sunday to Wednesday.

Supply of alcohol, playing of music, and late night refreshments will have to cease at 1am and midnight respectively, an hour earlier than requested.

The permitted hours for use of the two external terraces to the Bar & Restaurant and Café building (one at ground floor and one at first level) will be until midnight only.

Representing Maer Beach Ltd, Gareth Pinwell told the committee that they were making a ‘significant investment into Exmouth and they intend to operate it in a way commensurate with the business’.

Mr Pinwell added: “There has been an agreed solution to the acoustic issues so it will not infringe any of the licensing objectives. The police have raised no objections to the licensing objectives and they are satisfied with the nature of the operation. There is no evidence that the opening hours will offend the objectives and the objections not based on any actual facts

“I respectively suggest that the licensing objectives not offended by the proposal. They have addressed the issues in the representations, the hours of operation are reasonable, and there is no objection from the council or the police. Other issues are anticipatory and there is no direct evidence that the operation will give rise to the anticipated eventualities.”

He added: “Wider antisocial behaviour is already happening, and the risk of public nuisance from our operation will be minimised. If you look at the nature of the application, the way we have dealt with issues, we are a responsible applicant and the requested hours are commensurate with the nature of what it aims to be. This is not intended to be a nightclub at weekends with flashing lights.”

Among the concerns raised by residents were from Daphne Courier, who was concerned at the position of the site on the waterfront, saying that there would be ‘no good publicity for anyone if there was a drowning incident in the area as when people have had a few drinks, they get silly’.

She added: “We have one planet and if we trash this planet, we are harming our children. This will have a massive impact on the environment and local residents. Do we want a watersports venue or a hotspot party venue?”

Cllr Olly Davey added: “The area is dangerous for swimming and this cannot be controlled by the applicant. I think it will attract anti-social behaviour and people will turn up and want to get in and will become a magnet for trouble and there is a strong possibility of noise nuisance to residents.”

Simon Davidson, from the Avenue Residents Association, said: “We know if the only place left in town is this premises, it is where people will gravitate to, having had drinks elsewhere, so there will be pressure on the local environment when they cannot get more drinks,” while Martin Hislop said: “Rarely have there been so many concerns and a consistent and informed theme of the representatives and grave concern over the excessive late night hours concerned, and total disbelief and a real feeling of disappointment of this is not what was promised.”

But while the committee granted the premises licence, hours of operation were cut to 7am to 0.30am on Sunday-Wednesday and until 1.30am on Thursday-Sunday.

Other conditions attached as part of the licence include that sufficient measures must be taken to remove and prevent litter and waste arising or accumulating from customers in the outside event space.

Clear and legible notices shall be also prominently displayed at all exits to the outside event space, warning patrons of the dangers of swimming, and at all times when the outside event space is in operation, portable toilets shall be located in the outside events space and shall be available for use by the public.

Mickey’s Beach Bar and Restaurant will run alongside Sylvain Peltier and Michael’s Café Patisserie Glacerie as part of the Exmouth seafront regeneration project.

The project will incorporate a casual bar complete with resident weekend DJs, first floor destination restaurant with a glasshouse and outdoor terraces alongside neighbouring Café Patisserie Glacerie which will serve artisan pastries and ice-creams.

The opening hours will change with the seasons. Summer will see Mickeys Beach Bar and Restaurant serve breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week across each of the various outlets.

During the cooler months, breakfast will be served on weekends only with lunch and dinner available daily throughout the week.

Owl needs to apologise for the break in service over the past few days.

Owl was taking a much needed covid compliant break amongst the cousins in Cornwall and had assumed that it would be easy to find good internet connections. Owl managed a few such breaks last year without a hitch.

But obviously the hype surrounding broadband roll out is running ahead of experience “on the ground”.

Owl was left “speechless” for a few days.

Some news from the cousins.

Whilst John Lewis is out of favour with Boris and Carrie, provoking a “cash for curtains” crisis. Owl can report that our “topsy turvy” cousins have fallen out with the more prosaic Sainsbury’s, provoking a regional uproar which caused the supermarket, unlike Boris Johnson, to apologize and beat a hasty retreat.

There’s a moral here somewhere. 

Cornwall to boycott Sainsbury’s over correct cream tea photo

Jon Lewis as reported on www.devonlive.com (Cornwalllive had a rather different version)

People in Cornwall are threatening to boycott their local supermarket – because it has displayed a picture of a correctly arranged cream tea.

Shoppers at Sainsbury’s in Truro have thrown their toys out of the pram after spotting the photo in the store, showing a scone with cream spread on the bottom and a dollop of jam on the top – just as nature intended and Devon tradition dictates.

But true to Cornwall’s backwards ways, locals have got very upset about it all, insisting that the scone should have jam on first with cream on top which, frankly, sounds disgusting.

While right-thinking members of society thought nothing of it and calmly went about their day, some trouble-makers made a point of contacting Sainsbury’s to complain.

And, in a backbone-lacking U-turn that would make some prime ministers blush, the supermarket has now apologised and vowed to change the offending photograph.

After spotting the furore on Twitter, DevonLive sister site CornwallLive tweeted Sainsbury’s: “Sainsbury’s what’s this? A fruit scone! with the cream on first! advertised in a Cornish store. The cheek of it! Do you think this is acceptable?”

To which the supermarket replied: “An imposter! Which store did you see this please? We’ll have a word with them about this blasphemy!”

The store’s press office has also been contacted for an explanation, but so far there has (tellingly) been no response.

CornwallLive – by now presumably frothing at the mouth with indignation – also tried to contact the store itself but was stymied by its automated phone answer system. Ha.

The chain subsequently tweeted, after being given the location: “That’ll never do at all Truro! I’ve logged some feedback to the manager of the store to ensure they are made aware of this imposter and repair it accordingly.”

Andreas Drosiadis, who took the original photo and runs the Mediterraneo deli in Truro, posted it on Facebook asking: “How did this happen?”

He wrongly told CornwallLive: “England is a country with strong local traditions that shape our everyday life. ‘Jam first’ is a characteristic example of this and Sainsbury’s should have known better.”

The picture that got Cornish folk up in arms. The cream is on first! (Image: Andreas Drosiadis)

Comments on his post were filled with disbelief, scorn – and a bit of banter.

One said: “That’s a fruit scone – needs butter only. Jam and cream goes on a plain scone or a split!”

Another wrote: “Cream first – and fruit scones! Quelle Horreur!”

“Well that is disgraceful… time to boycott after telling them where to shove their scones and pronouns!”

“Disgusting. They need telling. Boycott that shelf in Sainsbury’s.”

“That’s not Cornish!”

“They seriously need to have a word with themselves and sort it out! Hell up indeed!”

“Help, Cornish staff needed urgently.”

• Certificate of Lawfulness for single storey rear extension.34 Rosemount Lane Honiton EX14 1RJRef. No: 21/1091/CPL | Validated: Thu 15 Apr 2021 | Status: Refused
• Two-storey front extension. Martins Rest Kilmington Axminster EX13 7SHRef. No: 21/1095/FUL | Validated: Thu 15 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Conversion and extension of lean-to outbuilding to form studio (Resubmission) Bramble Bank Tipton St John Sidmouth EX10 0AWRef. No: 21/1097/FUL | Validated: Thu 15 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Certificate of Lawfulness for construction of 2m closed boarded fence along northern boundary of field with gate at existing access point.Field Adjacent 109 Beer Road SeatonRef. No: 21/1086/CPL | Validated: Wed 14 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of single storey rear extension and front porch. 8 Summerfield Woodbury Exeter EX5 1JFRef. No: 21/1076/FUL | Validated: Wed 14 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1, Ash: repollard stem of tree over hanging the rear garden of 3 withycombe park drive. Reason: Appropriate Arb Management 3 Withycombe Park Drive Exmouth EX8 4EJRef. No: 21/1084/TRE | Validated: Wed 14 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Installation of 1no CCTV camera to front (New Street) elevation H S B C Fore Street Sidmouth EX10 8AARef. No: 21/1071/FUL | Validated: Tue 13 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Installation of replacement sewage treatment plant. Higher Budlake Cottage Budlake Exeter Devon EX5 3JRRef. No: 21/1074/FUL | Validated: Wed 14 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of single storey rear extension. 52 Tyrrell Mead Sidmouth EX10 9TRRef. No: 21/1073/FUL | Validated: Tue 13 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1, Yew : Crown reduce the height of the tree by up to 2.5m. Prune the north side of the canopy by up to 1m where it overhangs neighbouring property. Bramley Corner Russet Mews Talaton Road Whimple Exeter EX5 2QQRef. No: 21/1072/TCA | Validated: Tue 13 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Construction of replacement conservatory to rear Westlades Station Road Feniton Honiton EX14 3EDRef. No: 21/1069/FUL | Validated: Tue 13 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Fell crab apple in front garden; replace with magnolia or similar Westbourne Cottage 9 West Hill Budleigh Salterton EX9 6BSRef. No: 21/1065/TCA | Validated: Fri 16 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of single storey rear extension, alterations to existing dormer windows and changes to external materials. Fairway Maer Lane Exmouth EX8 2DERef. No: 21/1064/FUL | Validated: Fri 16 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Application to vary condition 2 (Plans condition) of approved application 19/0363/FUL (Replacement side windows to Great Barton Farm and construction of single storey extension, porch canopy and replacement windows to Jasmine Cottage) to amend roof covering of rear outshot. Great Barton Farm Whimple Exeter EX5 2NYRef. No: 21/1053/VAR | Validated: Mon 12 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey front extension Upper Heights Burscombe Lane Sidford Sidmouth EX10 9SFRef. No: 21/1045/FUL | Validated: Fri 16 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of a detached dwelling (Resubmission) 17 Chaucer Rise Exmouth EX8 5SYRef. No: 21/1055/FUL | Validated: Fri 16 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey front extension 5 Armada Close Seaton EX12 2UTRef. No: 21/1046/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of single storey extensions 10 Woolbrook Rise Sidmouth EX10 9UBRef. No: 21/1041/FUL | Validated: Tue 13 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of 5 bedroom detached dwelling Constancia Stud Dunscombe Farm Salcombe Regis Sidmouth EX10 0PNRef. No: 21/1038/FUL | Validated: Fri 16 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of 2no dwellings (approval of details of layout, scale and appearance of buildings and landscaping of site pursuant to outline planning permission ref. 19/2333/OUT) Land East Of East Budleigh Road Budleigh SaltertonRef. No: 21/1042/RES | Validated: Fri 16 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Certificate of Lawfulness to establish use of the land as domestic garden High Barn Chineway Hill Ottery St Mary EX11 1PJRef. No: 21/1029/CPE | Validated: Wed 14 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed cleaning, repointing and patching of the Fountain Jubilee Fountain Trinity Square AxminsterRef. No: 21/1030/LBC | Validated: Mon 12 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Retain extension to building and change of use from agricultural to commercial artist foundry (Class E use). The Lost Foundry Mh Property Services Shute Axminster EX13 7PZRef. No: 21/1020/FUL | Validated: Fri 16 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of dormer window with balcony to allow loft conversion 13 West Underleys Beer Seaton EX12 3LZRef. No: 21/0977/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Provision of cladding Haydons Bonfire Lane Woodbury Exeter EX5 1HTRef. No: 21/0978/FUL | Validated: Thu 15 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of two timber glamping pods Ivygreen Farm Chardstock Axminster EX13 7BYRef. No: 21/0982/FUL | Validated: Wed 14 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed replacement dwelling Stonewick Offwell Honiton EX14 9SBRef. No: 21/0963/FUL | Validated: Thu 15 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• New vehicular access to agricultural field Land Adjacent To Ashes Farm Whitford Road KilmingtonRef. No: 21/0964/FUL | Validated: Thu 15 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Extend driveway with platform, create turning area and erect garage. Woodhill House Woodhouse Hill Uplyme Lyme Regis DT7 3SLRef. No: 21/0962/FUL | Validated: Wed 14 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Repair to central Chimney and installation of additional truss and beam Weycroft Manor Weycroft Axminster EX13 7LLRef. No: 21/0937/LBC | Validated: Tue 13 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Change of use from store/garage to holiday let including raising roof and general alterations Green Barton House Church Road Lympstone Exmouth EX8 5JTRef. No: 21/0939/LBC | Validated: Wed 14 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of Garden Room Cliff House Fore Street Beer EX12 3EERef. No: 21/0942/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Conversion of stores (B8) to form 2 dwellings (C3) Stores 5 And 8 Central Place High Street Honiton EX14 1LPRef. No: 21/0943/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use from store/garage to holiday let including raising roof and general alterations Green Barton House Church Road Lympstone Exmouth EX8 5JTRef. No: 21/0938/FUL | Validated: Fri 16 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Extensions and other alterations to existing garage Higher Shelvin Farm Luppitt Honiton EX14 4UFRef. No: 21/0925/LBC | Validated: Mon 12 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Siting of six lodges to be used as tourist accommodation, construction of access track with parking bays and installation of free standing solar array Upham Farm FarringdonRef. No: 21/0920/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Extensions and other alterations to existing garage Higher Shelvin Farm Luppitt Honiton EX14 4UFRef. No: 21/0924/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replacement of existing lean to with new oak porch and extension of boot room Wistaria Cottage High Street Newton Poppleford Sidmouth EX10 0EGRef. No: 21/0902/LBC | Validated: Tue 13 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replacement of existing lean to with new oak porch and extension of boot room Wistaria Cottage High Street Newton Poppleford Sidmouth EX10 0EGRef. No: 21/0901/FUL | Validated: Tue 13 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing public house and 3 residential apartments and construction of replacement bar/restaurant and 9 apartments. Hook And Parrot Inn East Walk Seaton EX12 2LNRef. No: 21/0891/FUL | Validated: Fri 16 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Construction of flat roof dormer to west elevation and installation of roof lights to east elevation Oakwell Lodge Church Stile Lane Woodbury EX5 1HPRef. No: 21/0888/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed garden building 4 St Nicholas Rise Combe Raleigh Honiton Devon EX14 4AGRef. No: 21/0867/FUL | Validated: Thu 15 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of barn for storage of agricultural machinery, hay and straw Land At Northern Lane Weston SidmouthRef. No: 21/0853/FUL | Validated: Fri 16 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use from storage and distribution (use class B2) to a gym (use class E(a)) Unit 5 Grattan House 41 Fore Street Seaton EX12 2ADRef. No: 21/0830/COU | Validated: Fri 16 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Retention of raised decking in rear garden 37 Ashleigh Road Exmouth EX8 2JYRef. No: 21/0837/FUL | Validated: Wed 14 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replacement of conservatory High View Yarcombe Honiton EX14 9NDRef. No: 21/0808/FUL | Validated: Tue 13 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of side extension and dormer window and provision of cladding The Goyle Tipton St John Sidmouth EX10 0AXRef. No: 21/0739/FUL | Validated: Thu 15 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of 3No bin stores to serve blocks 1 – 18, 19 – 30 and 39 -53 Westcott Way Land At Westcott Way HonitonRef. No: 21/0724/FUL | Validated: Fri 16 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of 2no bin stores to serve blocks 12A, 14~18, 19~24 and 25~30 Whitebridges. Land At Whitebridges Honiton EX14 2RRRef. No: 21/0725/FUL | Validated: Wed 14 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Retention of 1st floor kitchen window 20 Raleigh Road Exmouth EX8 2SBRef. No: 20/2418/FUL | Validated: Fri 16 Apr 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

The Campaign has responded to the government’s plans for post-Brexit public procurement urging it to extend the Freedom of Information Act to contractors providing public goods and services. 

go.cfoi.org.uk 

The government’s consultation document uses the terms ‘transparent’ or ‘transparency’ no less than 64 times in its 82 pages! 

But it fails to address the most conspicuous transparency defect of all – much of the information the public might seek about public sector contracts is beyond the reach of the Freedom of Information Act.

The Campaign is promoting a private member’s bill to close this loophole by:

• Bringing the very largest contractors directly under FOI in their own right. 
• Amending the FOI Act so that information held by other public sector contractors is treated as held on a public authority’s behalf and accessible via a FOI request to the authority. 

Many national FOI laws around the world already cover contractors delivering public services, including those of Australia, Bangladesh, Estonia, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Spain, Trinidad & Tobago and Ukraine. 

Over 71,000 people have already signed our petition calling for the FOI Act to be extended to public sector contractors. Add your voice to them by signing and sharing our petition if you haven’t already done so. 

Read our detailed response here. 

Many thanks,

Katherine Gundersen

Campaign for Freedom of Information

Budleigh CIC to launch more courses for adults with learning disabilities

Daniel Wilkins​ www.exmouthjournal.co.uk 

A Budleigh Salterton-based community interest company has been awarded the funding to run courses for adults with learning disabilities who are looking to grow the skills and confidence they need to get into work. 

Launchpad plans to run two 12-week practical skills courses – making, packaging, marketing and selling a range of jams, chutneys and pickles – through the Spring and Summer, one starting in May and the other in September.  

The courses have been made possible by a grant from the European Social Fund, awarded and administered by Petroc College. 

Carole Brown, director of Launchpad, said, ‘Although the past twelve months have been difficult for all of us, it is safe to say that people with learning disabilities have been hit harder than most and face a tougher and longer journey to put behind them the impact of Covid-19 on their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.  

“At Launchpad, we are passionate about enabling people with learning disabilities to achieve their potential, and the funding we have been awarded will give those attending the chance to develop the skills and confidence they require to access employment or further education.” 

The courses are open to anyone with a learning disability or difficulties who would like to improve their employability skills and boost their confidence before starting to look for work or return to education.  

In order to comply with Covid regulations, and to be able to give each attendee the support they require, numbers are limited to six per course. 

Launchpad also runs a day service, enabling adults with learning disabilities to develop their skills in either catering or gardening, based at the health and wellbeing hub in Budleigh Salterton. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Launchpad helped the hub to provide meals which were delivered to residents in the town who were forced to shield from the virus at home. 

For more information about the course and the day service, ring Launchpad on 07947 180173 or email admin@launchpadsw.org. 

The BBC’s local democracy reporting service was set up to fill the gap created when British local and regional press owners closed titles and shed jobs (JPI Media, for example, which was sold for £10m in December, halved its staff in five years from 2007 to 2012, when it was still Johnston Press). The 150 BBC-funded reporters make a valuable contribution, and not all media businesses take the same approach to cutting costs. 

Editorial www.theguardian.com 

Jeremy Corbyn and Sir Keir Starmer both paid tribute to Eric Gordon, the founder of the Camden New Journal, who died earlier this month, aged 89. Their interest was natural enough, as MPs in neighbouring boroughs – Camden and Islington – where the CNJ’s owner, New Journal Enterprises, publishes newspapers (its third title is in Westminster). But the story of this independently owned local news organisation has a significance that stretches beyond the capital.

Launched after a journalists’ strike, in 1982, Gordon’s papers are proof that local outlets that put community before profit can still survive and even thrive – albeit on a tight budget. With important local elections coming up, this lesson has rarely been more important.

Recent decades have been punishing for local and regional as well as national print media, as digital competitors led by Facebook and Google have sucked up advertising and audiences. The phenomenon is not limited to the UK. Last year, the Washington Post’s Margaret Sullivan published a book, Ghosting the News, examining the decline of local reporting in the US, and arguing that the disappearance of trusted information sources is linked to the decline of democracy. Even “citizens’ ability to have a common sense of reality and facts”, she suggested, is jeopardised when the closure of thousands of titles is accompanied by Trumpian rhetoric about “fake news”.

The BBC’s local democracy reporting service was set up to fill the gap created when British local and regional press owners closed titles and shed jobs (JPI Media, for example, which was sold for £10m in December, halved its staff in five years from 2007 to 2012, when it was still Johnston Press). The 150 BBC-funded reporters make a valuable contribution, and not all media businesses take the same approach to cutting costs. DC Thomson in Scotland, for example, is seen as having taken a longer-term view than some of its intensely profit-focused competitors. But the direction of travel is overwhelmingly down, with the pandemic acting as an accelerator. Last month, Reach, owner of the Daily Mirror and hundreds of regional titles, announced that it would close offices in places including Leicester, Stoke and Derby and rely on remote working.

In some cities, hyper-local titles and community organisations have added a fresh ingredient. Bristol was home to one of the first local papers: the Bristol Post Boy, from 1702. Now, it boasts a pioneering startup, the Bristol Cable. In the US, philanthropic donations are helping to support some news initiatives and their role as protectors of civic space.

These developments do not, however, amount to a solution. News reporting cannot be left to clusters of sparky campaigners, Facebook groups or private donors. Local authorities wield enormous power over people’s lives, with the role of Kensington and Chelsea council in the disastrous refurbishment of Grenfell Tower a good example. The courts, too, ought to be vigorously scrutinised. Arguably, recent cuts to the justice system might have been less severe had the public been more aware of the chaos caused.

There was no golden age when power was held so tightly to account that there were no abuses. Newspaper proprietors always sought to make money and protect their interests. But without a free press, there can be no democracy. As Gordon understood, boroughs with reliable news sources, and journalists committed to keeping readers informed, are less likely to rot.

Headline says it all. All the details in the longish read here: 

Kalyeena Makortoff www.theguardian.com

Explosive emails revealed in a hearing  on our legal challenge over direct awards of PPE contracts show civil servants raising the alarm that they were “drowning in VIP requests” from political connections that do not have “the correct certification or pass due diligence”. 

action.goodlawproject.org 

One email shows a civil servant warning that when VIPs “jump to the front of the queue it then has a knock on effect to the remaining offers of help.” 

For ordinary people the pandemic was a tragedy. But for well-connected VIPs it was the chance of a lifetime – huge fortunes were up for grabs. What this civil servant is saying is that it became more of a tragedy because so many VIPs – overwhelmingly introduced by Ministers – were interfering with civil servants’ ability to purchase the PPE needed by healthcare workers on the frontline. 

Remember Ayanda, the company linked to Liz Truss, fast-tracked through the VIP Lane – who supplied £155m worth of unusable face masks to the NHS frontline? This email shows Ayanda threatening to escalate their bid to ministerial level and another another includes a civil servant warning of the Ayanda deal “the bar seems to have been lowered on this one.”

This is the cost of cronyism – good administration suffers, efficient buying of PPE suffers.

Government has been doing everything it can to keep a lid on the names of VIP contacts and those responsible for putting them in the VIP lane. We went to Court today, along with our co-claimants EveryDoctor, to try and force them to disclose this information.

So far, Government has provided partial and incoherent evidence, heavily redacted. And key items are missing from the evidence we’ve received – in particular no Whatsapp messages, text messages, file notes or submissions to ministers are included. If ministers were pushing civil servants to prioritise PPE contracts to politically connected suppliers, then this information is highly relevant to the case. 

The Judge agreed that the identity of an individual can be relevant and should be publicly available if they were involved in the procurement or had a significant role to play in decision-making, in particular on companies referred to the VIP Lane. But it has said we will need to ask for specific disclosure of details on specific documents.

We’ll be back in Court next week with that application. The fight for truth and transparency continues. You can read our skeleton argument and the evidence disclosed in Court today in full.

Thank you for your support,

Jolyon Maugham QC

Director of Good Law Project

Boris Johnson’s government is “the most distrustful, awful environment I’ve ever worked in” where “almost nobody tells the truth”, Johnny Mercer has declared after being sacked before he could resign as veterans minister on Tuesday evening. 

Newstatesman Morning Call go.pardot.com 

He resigned, or planned to before the government beat him to it, after realising that the government’s pledge to protect former British soldiers alleged to have committed crimes in Northern Ireland during the Troubles from prosecution would not be forthcoming. 

It is, frankly, astonishing that it took him until now to work that out. The pledge, a Conservative manifesto commitment and Queen’s Speech promise that has been the focus of campaigns by Mercer and newspapers like the Sun for a long time, is simultaneously incendiary and likely to be meaningless if it were ever executed, a heady cocktail that means the government can almost certainly never deliver what Mercer wants. 

​​​​​The whole thing is reminiscent of the government’s line on the border in the Irish Sea created by the Brexit deal. For months, Boris Johnson insisted that no such border would ever manifest, a baffling promise that appeared impossible to fulfill or reconcile with the deal we could all read, signed in black-and-white. Then the government briefly threatened to break international law in order to avoid that border, it was short-lived, and now, lo, and behold, we have an Irish Sea border. 

The government’s repeated promises over Northern Ireland veterans are of a similar ilk. Aside from the (literally dozens of) political and practical problems with fulfilling the pledge, exempting British soldiers from prosecution for crimes allegedly committed during the Troubles would be in contradiction of the UK’s human rights commitments as a signatory of the European Convention on Human Rights, a convention asserted in the Good Friday Agreement. That either means that attempts to enforce the provision would break international law in an incendiary and inevitably short-lived way, or they would be quietly superceded such as to render the British legislation meaningless. 

It should have been clear to Johnny Mercer all along that this pledge could not be fulfilled. But his display of anger is revealing of a pattern in Boris Johnson’s government. Mercer’s successor as veterans minister has repeated the promise of legislation on this issue in “the coming weeks”, and it remains impossible to see how the pledge can meaningfully be enacted. Boris Johnson’s government keeps making wild promises it can’t keep, most especially on Northern Ireland. The promises alienate nationalists, many unionists, unaligned voters, and victims groups in Northern Ireland, while the breaking of them is set to alienate the Sun, Telegraph, veterans’ groups, other unionists, and a swathe of the Conservative base, just as has already happened with Johnny Mercer. It’s not clear what the game plan is here. 

Number 10 ‘sources’ accuse Dominic Cummings of leaking Boris Johnson’s texts with Dyson and Saudi crown prince

Jon Craig news.sky.com 

Downing Street has mounted a fightback against “sleaze” accusations by planting stories in Tory-supporting newspapers accusing Dominic Cummings of leaking Number 10 texts.

The Times, The Daily Telegraph and The Sun quote unnamed Downing Street sources claiming Mr Cummings leaked texts about tycoon Sir James Dyson and Saudi Arabia’s crown prince.

The lead story on page one of The Times appears under a headline: “Cummings is accused of leaking PM’s texts. Johnson ‘saddened by bitter former adviser’.”

The Daily Telegraph’s headline, also its lead story, is: “Cummings accused of leaking No 10 texts. Downing Street sources claim former chief adviser released PM’s messages out of spite.”

And the Sun’s page-one headline, alongside photos of Mr Cummings and the prime minister, is: “PM accuses ex-adviser of leaks. Boris: Dom’s a text maniac.”

In leaked texts to Sir James, Mr Johnson promised he would “fix” a tax issue for Dyson staff working to develop ventilators at the height of the coronavirus crisis last year.

Also leaked was a text message to the prime minister from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as a bid to buy Newcastle United ran into difficulties last June

Sky News attempted to contact senior Number 10 officials and Mr Cummings, who left Downing Street last November after a bitter power struggle, but neither would respond to our inquiries.

After the reports were published, The Guardian claimed: “In what appeared to be a coordinated attack on Cummings, the Telegraph, Times and Sun reported the same criticisms from an unnamed insider accusing him of being ‘bitter’ about leaving government.”

Opposition MPs will claim Number 10 is attempting to divert attention from allegations of “sleaze” and “cronyism” against Mr Johnson and senior members of his government – and former prime minister David Cameron over his lobbying for Greensill Capital.

The reports in the three newspapers appeared shortly after the Bank of England and the Treasury published detailed records of attempts by Mr Cameron to lobby the Bank of England and the Treasury on behalf of Australian banker Lex Greensill.

The strongest attack on Mr Cummings came in The Times, with a “a No 10 source” quoted as saying: “Dominic is engaged in systematic leaking. We are disappointed about that. We are concerned about messages from private WhatsApp groups which had very limited circulation.

“The prime minister is saddened about what Dom is doing. It’s undermining the government and the party. It might be that Dominic feels bitter about what’s happened since he left – but it’s a great shame. Dyson was trying to do something for the good of the country.”

The Daily Telegraph claimed: “Mr Cummings has been fingered as the likely culprit in the leaking of messages between Mr Johnson and the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and separate texts between the Prime Minister and the businessman Sir James Dyson.

“The former adviser is understood to have had legitimate access to the text messages during his time working in government.”

The paper quoted an unnamed source as saying: “If you join the dots it looks like it’s coming from Dom. More than anything, the PM is disappointed and saddened by what Dom has been up to.

“Dom may feel bitter about what’s happened since he left. Rather than falling apart, the government has been making great progress.”

According to the Telegraph, a “No 10 source” said of Mr Johnson and Mr Cummings: “They worked together closely, but if it’s true then it looks like he is doing everything he can to undermine the government, and people like Sir James Dyson, who was heavily involved in Brexit, have been caught in the crossfire.”

The Sun quoted “a No. 10 source” saying: “The prime minister thinks Dominic Cummings is responsible for a series of damaging leaks about his personal communications.

“He is deeply disappointed and saddened by what he thinks his former adviser has been doing and believes he is attempting to undermine the government and the Conservative Party.

“He fears Dom was responsible for the text message leaks about James Dyson and Mohammed bin Salman.”

The Sun also says a “top insider” added: “There is a worry that he is bitter about how the government has moved onwards and upwards since his departure.”