What are Lobby Journalists, and why are they different to undercover reporters?

If anyone is interested, I may post a fuller explanation of the history of Lobby Journalism, but I suggest you Google "The Press Gallery", which should take you to www.thepressgallery.co.uk for a full technical explanation.

Lobby Journalists are considered historically to be Gentlemen (and now Lady) Reporters, who by permission of the Serjeant at Arms of the House of Commons, are permitted to loiter in the Member's Lobby. This is the Lobby directly outside the door to the Commons Chamber.

Gallery Reporters, by historic tradition are something different again, but in practical terms, there is little difference these days. Although all Gallery Journalists are not Lobby Journalists, All Lobby Journalists also hold a Gallery Pass for the Commons. Historically, Gallery Reporters would be based in the Press Gallery whenever the House was sitting, and reporting on proceedings throughout the Parliamentary Day. Again, historically, Lobby Journalists historically would report on more general politics, outside of the Chamber, such as tittle tattle (hopefully news) that might be whispered to them by MP's and Ministers of the Crown.

So why did, and why do MP's trust Lobby Journalists with information and words that if muttered publically, could get them in to serious trouble?

... Because Lobby Journalists are bound by "Lobby Rules", which means that we are not allowed to quote and attribute any comments that are uttered within the Members Lobby, or otherwise on Lobby terms, such as Lobby Terms parties, or conversations where Members indicate that they are speaking on Lobby Terms. The rules are quite complicated, but this is the basic principle.

If Lobby rules are broken, Journalists are accountable both to the Parliamentary Press Lobby, and specifically to the House Authorities.

The difference between the Telegraph's undercover reporters and the Telegraph's Lobby Journalists therefore is that the Lobby guys and girls are bound by strict rules, and could, in finality have their Commons Security Pass withdrawn, be suspended by the Lobby, be dragged in front of the Speaker, or the Serjeant at Arms, or theoretically, held in Contempt of Parliament more easily than a non-Parliamentary Journalist.

Basically, we work to different briefs. On deep reflection, reluctantly, I cannot support the way in which evidence was gathered in the cases of the Lib Dem Ministers, since it seems secret recordings were made speculatively. I do however defend the practice of undercover recording where it is in the Public Interest, and where there is no other practical way of gathering such evidence. Indeed where wrongdoing is exposed, and where the above criteria is met, every right thinking MP, every right thinking man and woman in the world should support such techniques also.

On the subject of the Telegraph, as I said above, I have been deeply split. I think that the audio that was gathered in the case of Vince Cable absolutely should have been released for public consumption since it goes to the heart of the stability of this Government, and indeed an apparent intention to ride over Due Process and Justice - but sadly, and I do mean sadly, the audio transcripts released in the cases of others does not appear to meet with this high test.

In conclusion, I assure readers that although individual MP's may spend some months being cagey with Lobby Correspondents and Political Editors, all MP's know they can trust Lobby Journalists not to compromise their identity when it comes to sensitive information. Just as a small postscript, I should say that because Lobby Journalists sometimes restrict sources to "A source close to the Prime Minister" IF for EXAMPLE they mean the Chancellor, Gallery Reporters, understandably, used to actively contempt Lobby Journalists for dealing in tittle tattle rather than fact. In 2010, Lobby Journalists and Gallery Journalists do virtually the same job, work side by side with each other, and operate on ENTIRELY equal terms.

I have posted this using my iPhone, so have not been able to proof read in the normal way. Please accept apologies for any typos. If any exist, I shall correct them in due course.

I may be softening towards MP's on Constituentgate

I may have been wrong!

When the Vince Cable story broke, I defended the Telegraph against criticism that they were wrong to secretly record Vince Cable admitting wrongdoing.

Essentially my position hasn't changed, so long as the reason for resorting to such extreme measures was motivated by obtaining evidence of wrongdoing, or rule breaking where no other method was available. Indeed, there is a perception that Mr Cable has been too free with his views with the public, but it has been suggested that the Telegraph's motivation was purely a fishing exercise.

I am not going to get in to criticising the Telegraph specifically, but I will go as far as saying that I am surprised to see the Telegraph standing this theory up by publishing comments that could be interpreted as professionally unwise, but where there is absolutely no evidence of wrongdoing. I expect that the Telegraph would seek to argue that it is in the Public Interest for the true relationship within the Coalition to be known by the electorate. Again, I'm not seeking to make this argument, but I will throw it out there for discussion.

On the notion of whether it can be right to record Constituency Surgeries where no genuine suspicion of wrongdoing exists, I would say that this cannot be right.

I caution MP's from bleating too much about the Telegraph however, since they have a track record of exposing wrongdoing on a major scale, and though the environment for MP's is improving, there is not sufficient sympathy for any politician in non-`westminster `world.

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New Secret Recording of Vince Cable

Listen to the end and enjoy the skit.



On a more serious note, whilst I do not condone the publication of comments made by Steve Webb, Michael Moore and Ed Davey, I do feel that the Public Interest Defence covers all angles in the case of Vince Cable.

What can the PM do about the snow?

Regular readers to this blog will know that I don't blindly defend the actions of Politicians, and so I hope it doesn't seem as if I am in this post either.

For the third day running, I am incredibly delayed in to work as a result of late running, and cancelled trains.

My attitude - what can you do?

I've just been at the ticket office of my local station listening to a knitting circle of ladies, and one or two of their shy husbands calling for David Cameron's head, as far as I can work out, because it's snowing and their train is running late.

Can anyone actually tell me what David Cameron could do about the weather, or what Gordon Brown could have done about it last year?

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Moore, Webb & Davey

The Telegraph are releasing details of recorded conversations with Michael Moore, Steve Webb and Ed Davey in tomorrow's paper.

The Secretary of State, and two Ministers have each expressed concern at different Coalition reforms to welfare and housing benefit, and suggested Lib Dem MP's should not be supporting tuition fee rises.

Fair enough!

These are Lib Dem policies and beliefs, and so unlike Mr Cable, I can't see that anyone will be surprised or annoyed.

So I don't think either Webb, Moore or Davey have anything to worry about.

Now if you've any more Vince Cable News?

Tory MP: 'Cable could be prosecuted'

I have just been speaking with a very angry Tory (with a legal background). Said Member has suggested that Rupert Murdoch could consider instituting a private prosecution for 'Misconduct in a Public Office', and maybe one or two other offences.

I stress that I'm merely reporting the frustrations and opinion of a backbench Conservative, but this kind of sentiment is rife in the government backbenches where it is felt that Mr Cable is being treated differently than a Conservative would be. Another Member said, "Poor old Patrick Mercer gets sacked for giving his honestly held view on a subject in which he is well qualified to comment, yet Cable escapes a P45 for saying he's acting improperly on something he is not qualified in at all".

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Cable activates Self-Destruct Button - and even that fails!

Truly amazing!

The Business Secretary is recorded saying he could bring down the Government and the PM and DPM back him.

Nick Clegg told me earlier,

”Vince is a close colleague, a close friend, I’m not in the slightest bit embarrassed that he is a prominent, senior member of this Government.”

Then Robert Peston from the BBC breaks the news that he was also recorded telling undercover journalists that he has waged war on the Murdoch Empire AS BUSINESS SECRETARY!

This time, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister back him again. Here’s Downing Street’s response,

"Following comments made by Vince Cable to the Daily Telegraph, the Prime Minister has decided that he will play no further part in the decision over News Corporation's proposed takeover of BSkyB.

"In addition, all responsibility for competition and policy issues relating to media, broadcasting, digital and telecoms sectors will be transferred immediately to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

"This includes full responsibility for OFCOM's activities in these areas.

"The Prime Minister is clear that Mr Cable's comments were totally unacceptable and inappropriate."

…. Statement ends ….

Yet still he stays?

What does he have to do, grope the Queen?

I don't know about a nuclear option, but he's certainly activated the self destruct button!

The most embarrassing ‘Cable’ leak yet! Vince has got to go

I can’t see any way in which Vince Cable can stay in the Coalition Cabinet.

He is undoubtedly the biggest Lib Dem Beast in the Cabinet - yes, even bigger than Nick (I’m too grand to say hello to you now that I’m DPM) Clegg, but if he doesn’t go now, he may realise his apparent ambition to control, or bring down the Government.

Personally speaking, I like Vince Cable, and have a lot of time for him. Indeed, I hope he doesn’t go, but I get the real feeling, as I did with David Laws whose resignation I correctly predicted on this blog, that he’s on his way out.

The Prime Minister will look incredibly weak if he allows himself to be held to ransom by Mr Cable, and actually, the Business Secretary’s departure would be more understood by Lib Dem MP’s off the back of these daft words than it may be in other circumstances.

My friend Chris Wimpress from the Westminster Hour, tweeting in a personal capacity suggests that Mr Cable would be too dangerous on the back benches. I think Chris makes a valid point, but I suggest to him that Mr Cable’s ‘Nuclear Option’ would be non existent outside of the Clegg / Cameron inner circle.

If David Cameron passes on this opportunity to stop Cable in his tracks, he will pay for it in the future… perhaps with his job.

I’ve asked on Twitter whether my followers think Mr Cable should resign following the revelations in the Telegraph, and at the moment,, about 70 percent say he should go.

Vince, I love you, but I don’t think your guvnors do.

Vince Cable 'Dancing on (thin) ice'

Vince Cable is hoping to conceal himself in the snow-storm that is dominating British media after he has, foolishly, been recorded claiming that he could bring the Government down.

This act of naivety will come as no surprise to Number 10, but already, I understand Cabinet colleagues are calling on the Prime Minister to make an example of the Business Secretary, and return former Chief Secretary David Laws to what is being described as his rightful place, alongside the PM and Chancellor George Osborne.

Mr Cable is no doubt hoping that today will be a good day to bury bad news, in snow!

----- You can read the full story at www.telegraph.co.uk ----

The Week ahead in Westminster

As I prepare to record my weekly chat with @talksport ‘s @mentored show (covered this week by former Top Gear Presenter Steve Berry), I thought I’d run over a few flash points for the week ahead.

Later (Monday) the Home Affairs Select Committee will release their report on firearms, covering, amongst other bits, possession of firearms after the Cumbria gunman Derek Bird went on the rampage, and off the back of the Roul Moat case. It will be interesting to see how the Committee, which is headed by the Leicester East MP Keith Vaz will balance the freedom of the individual with the hysteria of many.

My friend Michael Dobbs, former Deputy Chair of the Conservative Party will be amongst three new Peers to be formally introduced to the Upper House, and in the Commons, the Prime Minister will deliver a speech at 15:30 updating the House on his trip to the European Council last week. The PM is likely to make high play on Britain’s future exemption from the Eurozone bail-out scheme.

Tuesday will see Chancellor George Osborne taking Treasury questions - and the House will rise for the Christmas Recess.

The Lords and Scottish Parliament will rise on Wednesday, and Labour Leader Ed Miliband celebrates his 41st birthday. I wonder what he'll get from the Cameron's?

I wonder what he'll get from his brother!

Fairwell 'Sunday Live with Adam Boulton'

A huge congratulations to Adam Boulton and his team of Sky Producers headed by the ever-talented Katie Snape. The final Sunday Live demonstrated that the show remained as fresh on it's final edition, as it was on day one.

Adam Boulton has blogged about the collective decision to call it a day for the Sunday Programme, and writes about the exciting new weekday platform he is about to take on, alongside 'Sarah Hughes, Sky News' as she is known amongst colleagues.

So all the best to both Adam and Sarah, and I am sure that we will continue to see the highest quality of guests both on 'Sunday Live' and on Adam and Sarah's weekday show.

....

I would like, rather later than I could have done, to pay tribue to my friend @iandale who has, after much consideration, decided to stop blogging at www.iaindale.com . Keep a look out on that site however, since the Daily Dozen continues, and occasional posts will appear as and when Iain has time.

It's all change in the Westminster Village.

Congratulations Mr Deputy Speaker, Nigel Evans

In case you have been hiding in a cave somewhere, this weekend, Commons Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans decided to come out publically as gay.

I don't think anyone in Westminster will be surprised, and I for one am pleased that Nigel has taken such a brave step. I very much count Nigel as a friend - and, as I'm sure all his friends will agree, he's the same old Nige today as yesterday.

Today in Westminster: Broken Pledge? & Oldham East

Today has seen a significant change in language on what was, at the time of the Coalition Agreement Document, a guarantee that the NHS Budget would increase each year in real terms... but today that pledge was described as a "goal" by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Responding today to numerous PMQ's from Ed Miliband, the Prime Minister said that his Government are "confident that they will meet what he called their "goal".

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman has dismissed suggestions that there has been a significant change in language, saying that the Prime Minister's position hasn't changed from his position at the time of the Coalition Agreement document. The Prime Minister's spokesman did not agree with my assessment that either the Prime Minister's position has changed, or that he mis-spoke at PMQ's today.

Read the Coalition Agreement Document, and listen to PMQ's and see what you think.


......

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has connected with his backbenchers at tonight's meeting of the influential 1922 Committee. The Prime Minister slammed IPSA describing it as "anti-family" and said "it WILL change". This, incidentally on the day that we learn of a decision by the National Audit Office NOT to sign off Parliamentary Accounts because the figures simply don't add up.

......

Meanwhile, the Rit for the Oldham East and Saddleworth Election will be moved tomorrow, and it seems that the good people of that Constituency will go to the polls on January 13th.

Both David Cameron and Ed Miliband will grace Oldham with their presence. Ed Miliband will head up as soon as the Rit is moved, and the Prime Minister told his party that he too will also head up to Phil Woolas' old stamping ground.

Proof! The world's not such a bad place

There are probably a thousand and one reasons any of us could give as proof that the world, or the Country is going to pot, but let me tell you, there are SO MANY decent people out there, and sometimes we forget.



My first thanks must go to the Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland, who like me, hung up his Parliamentary Pass for the day to raise funds for Guide Dogs. As you can see, Steve threw on a tabard and picked up a bucket to help out the Stevenage and District Branch of Guide dogs (my interest here is that I am the Chairman of said branch), but I didn't nag him to help us - Steve asked me how he could help. To Steve's great credit, he mucked in and did precisely the same job as every other fundraiser, and he should be praised for it.

Already glowing from this act of human kindness, myself, and fellow fundraisers Carryana, Vince, Vivien, Stephanie, Natalie, Heather and Mary took to the streets for our annual Christmas collection and discovered that the economic downturn did not have any effect on moneys collected.

We staffed the streets from 10am till 4pm netting £658.70 for our efforts - with one very kind donar contributing a £50 note. That's a first in my 13 years fundraising with the Association.

I cannot begin to tell you how uplifted I feel, how grateful I am for every penny donated, and how proud I am of all the team,

The world's really not such a bad place!

Justice has a sense of humour

Have a look at this story

A female prison Officer disgraces herself after sleeping with a drug addict in jail.

Her sex romps with a prisoner led to her being judged unfit to mingle with crims, so what's her punishment?

Two years in jail!

That'll teach her to have sex in prison!

Tuition Fee Rebels warned 'you'll pay for disloyalty'

Liberal Democrat Tuition Fee rebels have been told they’ll pay the price for their disloyalty as tension continues to grow in Westminster.

In an interview for talkSPORT Radio, Lib Dem Deputy Chief Whip Mark Hunter told me when asked what sanctions active rebels would face for voting no,

“Every MP of every party is more than aware that with actions come consequences, and if people choose to take a particular view on something, then they’re answerable for that view”.

Mr Hunter was unequivocal that we’re not looking at a “blood on the floor” situation, but the experienced former Labour Whip Steve McCabe told me that in whip speak,

“It’s a warning that there’s no chance of promotion if they don’t toe the line.

… But Greg Mulholland tells me he’s not rattled,

“I think the Deputy Chief Whip, the Chief Whip and everyone else knows I’m not someone who scares very easily, but let me just make it clear, I’m doing what I think is the right thing.”

So today has been quite a day for tuition fees, and THE DAY isn’t even until tomorrow.

No one was surprised when it was revealed yesterday that all Lib Dem Ministers will be obliged to vote with the Government, and I was particularly unsurprised when I ‘learnt’ that the Secretary of State responsible for introducing the legislation will be voting for his own proposals - but some apparently were.

I’ve spent the last week arguing the toss with the powers that be about the official position (and I kid you not) that both the Coalition Agreement, and Collective Responsibility “both apply” to the vote. The Government’s position has been that Collective Responsibility applies “except for” areas specifically “exempted” in the Coalition Agreement Document. My Lobby colleagues took this to mean that Ministers would be permitted to abstain, but this was not, and is not my understanding, since as I remember it, the Agreement relates to Lib Dem MP’s, and NOT Ministers specifically.

… But since this is all academic now, I’ll bid you good night!

Vince Cable WILL vote for tution fee rise

Business Secretary Vince Cable WILL vote in favour of tuition fee rises.

This may seem fairly obvious since he is the Secretary of State responsible for introducing the proposals, but I have stood this up and my source really couldn't be better.

The Business Secretary is in the difficult position of having to keep Lib Dem backbenchers happy, and so between now and the 11th hour Mr Cable will be listening to representations, firstly in the hope that his colleagues will back him in voting for higher tuition fees, and secondly, and at the very least, so he can be seen to have been listening.

Mr Cable has an impossible job if he hopes to please all of the people for even a moment of the time, but I think the decision I understand he has come to will be the best decision for the stability of the coalition and the bravest decision in all the circumstances.

Let me assure you dear reader that none of this is idle speculation.

If you can get odds - take them!