Labour Deputy Leader candidate Lucy Powell is accused in The Guardian of “urging ministers to reconsider costly legal proceedings against a property development firm in her constituency founded by a Labour donor”. That couldn’t be the same Lucy Powell who never stops banging on about ‘Tory sleaze’, surely?
It is claimed Powell – who is likely to get the job this week – wrote to Rayner on behalf of Urban Splash, a property company founded by Labour donor Tom Bloxham. The Guardian hit makes unhappy reading for Powell as she prepares for the big job…
In Powell’s request to Rayner, she is said to have “attached a letter she had received from Bloxham on 5 December, where he said it had been good to see her at the Rose Network event, which took place the night before.” Guido uncovered the infamous Rose Network, a thorn in Labour’s side…
Labour wags point out that both Bloxham and Andy Burnham sit on Manchester’s Old Trafford Task Force; the sense is that Powell’s continual implosions backfire on Burnham. Powell is seen as Burnham’s proxy, though she says that is sexist…
As the grooming gangs inquiry panel is on fire, Labour prepares to welcome a Deputy Leader who referred to the scandal as “that little dog whistle”. Never change, Labour…