Tory MPs Unhappy with Prime Minister's Handling of Resignations

Strategic Insights -

Tory MPs are leaving for their constituencies last night, angering at the Guardian's allegations about Treasury Secretary Jonathan Aitken and feeling let down by Prime Minister John Major's handling of Neil Hamilton's resignation. Despite the Prime Minister's claim that Neil Hamilton had not acted improperly, Tory backbenchers are vowing that the survival of Mr Aitken in the Cabinet will be a test of Major's authority, and that he cannot abandon him like he did Mr Hamilton. The situation is causing a growing resentment towards Major, with some MPs stating that if he gets it wrong with Aitken, he's dead.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tory MPs are unhappy with Prime Minister John Major's handling of Neil Hamilton's resignation, feeling that he let him down and that the same leniency will not be given to Jonathan Aitken.
  • The Guardian's allegations about Jonathan Aitken's behavior at the Paris Ritz Hotel have caused a stir among Tory MPs, with some questioning why he was allowed to continue in his Cabinet position while Neil Hamilton was not.
  • The Prime Minister's response to the allegations has been met with anger by Tory MPs, who feel that he has not handled the situation effectively and has compromised his authority.
  • Bill Walker, MP for Tayside North, has criticized the Prime Minister's decision to keep Jonathan Aitken in the Cabinet, stating that it was a tactical error to do so.
  • John Nott, former cabinet minister, has questioned why MPs from other parties are not being held to the same standard as Jonathan Aitken, stating that MPs from other parties have also accepted lavish hospitality.
  • Jonathan Aitken has denied the allegations against him, insisting that he had paid his entire bill at the Paris Ritz Hotel and that the allegations against him are unfounded.
  • Tony Blair, the Labour leader, has pressed the Prime Minister to explain the basis for his decision to resign ministers, stating that there needs to be a proper investigation into the allegations.

Statistics:

  • The Guardian's allegations about Jonathan Aitken's behavior at the Paris Ritz Hotel have led to the resignation of two ministers, Neil Hamilton and John Smith.
  • The Prime Minister has stated that he has cleared Jonathan Aitken of wrongdoing, but Tory MPs are not convinced.
  • The Cabinet Secretary's report has cleared Michael Howard of any wrongdoing in the House of Fraser battle.
  • Former cabinet ministers, Tom King and Peter Shore, are expected to be nominated for membership of the Nolan committee.
  • Other potential nominees for the Nolan committee include Sir Martin Jacomb, chairman of the British Council, Professor Anthony King, Sir Clifford Boulton, retiring clerk of the Commons, Sir William Utting, ex-chief inspector of the Department of Health, and Ms Diane Warwick, chief executive of the Westminster Foundation.

Sources:

  • The Guardian
  • BBC's Newsnight
  • The Financial Times
  • The Commons Charge Sheet: Jonathan Aitken
  • The Commons Charge Sheet: Michael Howard
  • The Commons Charge Sheet: Neil Hamilton
  • The Commons Charge Sheet: Tim Smith