The questions facing Fox

LIAM FOX is undoubtedly correct when he says there are “underlying issues” behind the accusations that he has an inappropriate involvement in the business activities of his close friend, Adam Werritty. Hardly the most popular man in the Government, the Defence Secretary’s resignation – should it come to that – would nevertheless be a significant blow for a Labour party struggling to make an impact on its own merits, as well as deeply embarrassing for the Conservatives.

The fact that there are those who are out to get him, however, does not absolve Dr Fox from the requirement to answer serious questions, as quickly as possible, about his relationship with Mr Werritty. David Cameron’s demand that a report into whether Dr Fox has broken the ministerial code be on his desk today indicates the importance to the Government of resolving this issue urgently.

To ensure that the matter does not become a debilitating distraction at a time when Britain is militarily involved in Afghanistan and Libya, not to mention instigating a cost-cutting defence review, Dr Fox must answer the following questions.

Why do photographs and videos reveal Mr Werritty to be a Zelig-like presence on so many of the Defence Secretary’s foreign trips, including a meeting with the President of Sri Lanka at which it was denied he was present?

Why did Mr Werritty hand out cards proclaiming him to be an adviser to Dr Fox and why did he visit the Ministry of Defence 14 times in just over a year despite not being a Government employee?

What was the significance of the business meeting in Dubai, brokered by Mr Werritty, at which Dr Fox apparently discussed a commercial dispute?

Is there is any truth to the claim that the Defence Secretary agreed to raise this dispute in Cabinet?

And, crucially, did Mr Werritty ever have access to any classified defence information?

It may be that Dr Fox has an adequate explanation for all this. If so, he has not yet done a convincing job of articulating it. He must be aware, however, that, as far as the Prime Minister is concerned, giving the Labour Party a small victory is infinitely preferable to allowing national security to be compromised.