Identity of two of British PM Cameron's advisers, whose secret love affair could have serious political implications for him, remains secret.
By JONNY PAUL JERUSALEM POST CORRESPONDENTDavid Cameron 370(photo credit: Isaac Strang/UJIA)
LONDON – Britain was abuzz with rumors on Monday over the identity of two of Prime Minister David Cameron’s close team of advisers, whose secret love affair could have serious political implications for him and the government.Cameron held crisis talks at his Downing Street residence in the aftermath of the revelation of the secret affair, reported by The Mail on Sunday newspaper, which has the potential to “blow the political agenda out of the water.”For legal reasons the identity of the people involved and details of the relationship cannot be disclosed.Newspapers are only saying that they are “middle-aged,” not cabinet members and that the love affair has since ended.“This revelation is dynamite,” a senior source told The Mail on Sunday. “None of us could believe it when we first heard it. Then we just thought, ‘What a complete mess.’”The source added that, apart from the huge political implications, the revelation had caused “great personal distress to innocent parties.”The prime minister and his aides were said to be discussing the implications should their identities become public. Cameron was said to have been “stunned” by the news and aware of the political fallout the revelations could pose.However, on Monday a Downing Street spokesman said “There have been no crisis talks or meetings.”Questions were being asked on Monday as to why The Mail on Sunday, a publication that prides itself on exposés, gossip and investigative journalism, will not name the couple.“Presumably the reason they can’t be named is either the newspaper’s sudden sensitivity to intrusion into private lives,” said political commentator Rod Liddle in The Spectator magazine.
“Or perhaps there has been one of those injunctions where you can’t even say there’s been an injunction.”Roy Greenslade, professor of journalism and Guardian blogger, said: “Of course, it could be nothing more than journalistic hype, but I somehow doubt that. It’s not in the nature of the [The Mail on Sunday] editor, Geordie Greig.“So what’s it all about?” he continued. “What ‘legal reasons’ prevent us from knowing more? Is there an injunction in place, an anonymized injunction possibly? I have asked and, as yet, no answers. I would guess that [The Mail on Sunday]’ s lawyers have advised those in the know to say no more.”The exposure comes as Cameron faces challenges over Britain’s role in Europe, gay marriage and other sex scandals in parliament that have come to light during his tenure.Last month, Nigel Evans, a Conservative MP and deputy speaker of the House of Commons, was arrested following allegations of rape that he said are “completely false,” and Liberal Democrat MP Mike Hancock is set to face a disciplinary hearing over allegations of sexual assault.Last week, senior Conservative MP Patrick Mercer resigned after he was caught by undercover journalists agreeing to take cash to lobby for a cause in parliament.
