Blair and ministers go on holiday despite terror


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By George Jones, Political Editor

(Filed: 01/08/2005)

Tony Blair will leave London for a family holiday this week despite concern that he will be out of the country at the same time as Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, and Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary.

Mr Blair and senior ministers have decided to continue with planned summer breaks even though the country is in the midst of its biggest security alert after the bombings.

Downing Street and the Home Office yesterday denied reports that David Blunkett would assume control of the Home Office and the fight against terrorism while Mr Clarke was on holiday.

Mr Blunkett was forced to step down as Home Secretary because of a row over a visa for his former lover's nanny. He was brought back into the Cabinet as Work and Pensions Secretary, but is keen to become involved in the response to the terrorist threat.

Officials said Hazel Blears, Mr Clarke's deputy, would be in charge, while John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, who returns from his holiday this week, would be in overall control of the Government while Mr Blair was away. For security reasons, No 10 is refusing to give details of Mr Blair's holiday plans, though officials indicated that he would be departing in the next few days.

Mr Clarke has already faced criticism for going on holiday last week at a time when police leave had been cancelled because of the manhunt to find those responsible for the July 7 bombings.

But Mr Blair has made clear he believes it is "sensible" for ministers to take a break with their families, emphasising that modern communications mean that they can remain in instant touch with officials in London.

Geoff Hoon, the Leader of the Commons, defended the decisions of Mr Blair, Mr Clarke and Mr Straw to be away.

"It is necessary for ministers to take a break. Charles Clarke has had a very tough time in recent weeks. It is important that he is able to spend time with his family, and come back refreshed. There are very senior ministers in London day to day taking responsibility for whatever may arise."

Ministers wherever they were would have secure communications, with the ability, "as the Prime Minister always does, to be in constant contact with London wherever he happens to be".

Mr Hoon also defended Parliament's 80-day summer recess and played down the prospect of an early recall to debate the bombings. He said MPs would be working in their constituencies and taking a break with their families. Parliament should only be recalled if there was something specific for it to do in resolving the crisis.

He argued that Parliament's break might aid the main parties in reaching a consensus on new anti-terrorism measures.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml.../ixnewstop.html

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The only word that I can currently think of for him is '****' !

He really is a '****'.... I cannot express what I currently feel about him right now !

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Tony deserves a break. He's under alot of pressure after the London Attacks and with the IRA dispanding (if thats the correct term).

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Holiday = yes

80 holiday? erm, no.

Who in any other job gets 80days off? THat is a crazy amount and is typical of selfish governments who only care about themselves and their pay packets.

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There's a bit of media exagrration about this 80 day 'holiday'. All it really is is 80 days when the two Houses aren't open for debates. MPs will mostly spend the time working inside their constituencies. Although some of them will go away for a couple of weeks, it's defiantly not an 80 day holiday.

And as for Blair going on holiday: If he'd have cancelled his holiday then the media would be slating him for showing 'weakness' to the terrorists. People should give him a break every now and again.

EDIT: forgot to mention. loving the picture of 'John Prescott in charge' :laugh:

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