Chris Grayling role is national security risk, here’s why – The Yorkshire Post says

IT is not for Boris Johnson (or Dominic Cummings) to choose a certain Chris Grayling to chair Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee which oversees the work of MI5, MI6 and GCHQ.
Chris Grayling is regarded as the worst minister of modern times and continues to be mocked as 'Failing Grayling'.Chris Grayling is regarded as the worst minister of modern times and continues to be mocked as 'Failing Grayling'.
Chris Grayling is regarded as the worst minister of modern times and continues to be mocked as 'Failing Grayling'.

This should be a matter for the new members of the cross-party committee once their nominations have been confirmed by a vote of all MPs and there appear to be candidates more qualified than Mr Grayling.

And it will be a travesty of the public interest  – given the ISC’s work and the importance of the report on Russia’s interference of UK politics that still awaits publication – if Parliament does not veto Mr Grayling.

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The reasons are three-fold. First, all previous chairs of the ISC have been determined by the committee itself and independent of the government of the day. Mr Grayling is a Downing Street appointment – a sop to a ‘yes man’ and failed Minister which comes with a generous sinecure and access to confidential papers and briefings.

Chris Grayling was Transport Secretary in Theresa May's government.Chris Grayling was Transport Secretary in Theresa May's government.
Chris Grayling was Transport Secretary in Theresa May's government.

Second, the committee’s chair is expected to command cross-party respect. Yet Mr Grayling is widely regarded as the worst Minister of modern times and his innumerable failings at the justice and transport ministries are still coming to light.

Finally, the role requires a degree of expertise – and interest – in the work of the intelligence agencies, and diplomacy, that he’s never previously demonstrated. He continues to view foreign policy through the narrow prism of Brexit.

As such, this newspaper expects all MPs, including Tory loyalists, to block an appointment that is insulting, reckless and, potentially, a risk to national security.

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Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor

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