Rudd will still be an MP – and well paid

A POLITICIAN taking on high office in Government will become party to every decision, good or bad, taken by the department in the past, which can go back a long way.

Many will remain secret for obvious reasons but others will resurface, come into the public domain and then all hell can break loose as the matter takes on national importance. The latest is the case of Amber Rudd, erstwhile Home Secretary and once tipped for further advancement, eventually falling on her sword. It would be impossible for anyone in her position to know everything that went on beforehand, or to have read every scrap of paper crossing her desk. There are not enough hours in the day.

The media fever she has now been subjected to, rightly or wrongly, will hopefully end and she can take a break, have a nice holiday and get rid of the bags growing bigger daily under her eyes. She will still be a (well-paid) MP.

A politician in the same boat should realise that once a “cause celebre” develops only the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth will suffice and they must not, under any circumstances, tell a lie. Then, if there is no way out, resign to prevent the whole thing dragging on by being fed by the media and all those pundits who crawl out for TV interviews.

That simple act will end it and they can retire to the back benches and be held up as someone who is an honourable person who has done the right thing. Then take a suitable break before returning refreshed, with enhanced stature, ready for the next (well-paid) job plus perks.

Former Defence Secretary John Profumo is now best remembered for the sexual affair he conducted with Christine Keeler. He did not fall from grace because of the affair but because he lied to Parliament about it.

We were taught in the police: “Once they tell one lie you’ve got ‘em”!