Rees-mogg is wrong on flexible working

There is little doubt that Jacob Rees-mogg, the PM’S greatest defender and self proclaimed constitutional expert, has over stepped the mark with his condescending desk notes to civil servants working from home stating “sorry you were out when I visited” and “look forward to seeing you very soon”.

Flexible working for those juggling lifestyle priorities is now seen as a work life balance necessity and many talented people will simply walk from jobs that don’t offer that option

It’s yet another example of the neanderthal thinking of a man who needs to wake up and realise he lives in the 21st century rather than 19th and do an honest day’s work rather than criticise progress. This comes after his claim that the highly respected historian and constitutional expert Lord Hennessy was mistaken to directly link the violation of the ministerial code with the constitution.

Rees-mogg played down the importance of the code as being detached from the constitution and under the PM’S control. He went on to state that the PM was quite right not to resign as he had done nothing wrong, despite the police deciding that he had broken the law, and Lord Hennessy, an honourable man and friend of his father, had simply misunderstood. The Sword of Damocles hangs over the Old Etonian who claimed that “abortion is morally indefensible” and has consistently voted against same sex marriage.

Such is his dismissiveness of the ministerial code and flexible working that many will question whether he is fit be in Government.

It’s clear, however, that Johnson’s inner circle headed by Rees-mogg are increasingly isolated and when Johnson goes for lies and misdemeanours, they will be expected to follow.

NEIL ANDERSON

Edinburgh