Damian Green inquiry to conclude ‘within days’
The PM will quickly replace her deputy if allegations of impropriety are proven
The inquiry into harassment allegations levelled against Theresa May’s de facto deputy is expected to conclude “within days”, The Guardian reports.
The paper says First Secretary of State Damian Green’s political future “hangs in the balance” as he awaits the findings of a Cabinet Office investigation into allegations he harassed a young Conservative activist and downloaded pornography to a work computer.
The Daily Mail reported yesterday that Sue Grey, the Cabinet Office head of propriety and ethics, who is leading the inquiry, was examining Green’s computer records from the past five years, a claim denied by Whitehall.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The reports follow an interview by former Met police assistant commissioner Bob Quick, in which he claimed pornography of an “extreme” nature was found on Green’s parliamentary computer after a police raid in 2008. The former work and pensions secretary denied the allegations and accused Quick of a “disreputable political smear”.
It not known whether Grey will find any evidence of wrongdoing by Green, but the Prime Minister has drawn up contingency plans in case she is forced to sack her most trusted lieutenant.
Earlier this week, The Times reported that Environment Secretary Michael Gove was being lined up as a possible replacement, with Home Secretary Amber Rudd also a candidate. “Alternatively Mrs May could dispense with the role,” the paper says.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Women are getting their own baseball league again
In the Spotlight The league is on track to debut in 2026
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Giant TVs are becoming the next big retail commodity
Under the Radar Some manufacturers are introducing TVs over 8 feet long
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
When will mortgage rates finally start coming down?
The Explainer Much to potential homebuyers' chagrin, mortgage rates are still elevated
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Donald Trump wreck the Brexit deal?
Today's Big Question President-elect's victory could help UK's reset with the EU, but a free-trade agreement with the US to dodge his threatened tariffs could hinder it
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'McMahon finally seems to be paying a small price for his transgressions'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is Britain about to 'boil over'?
Today's Big Question A message shared across far-right groups listed more than 30 potential targets for violence in the UK today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
UK's Starmer slams 'far-right thuggery' at riots
Speed Read The anti-immigrant violence was spurred by false rumors that the suspect in the Southport knife attack was an immigrant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published