Starmer’s hand-picked National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell is no stranger to controversy. Feted by the establishment as some kind of diplomat extraordinaire, in reality Powell is becoming a major liability…
Now multiple MPs – including Labour parliamentarians – have told Guido they are extremely keen to question Powell in Parliament over his activities in a public session. Guido chronicled his odd former side-gig as the founder of shady consultancy ‘Inter Mediate’ – which as this website disclosed – has been deeply active in Syria. A story picked up in the dead tree press…
His links to China and particularly to the ‘think tank’ the Grandview Institution were also exposed. Looking at Powell’s record makes for a bad view not a grand view…
The lobby reported Powell was meant to appear before the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy this coming Monday. But there’s no confirmed hearing date published, and it now looks like there’s nothing in the diary for the coming weeks…
According to MPs there is an even greater than normal case for Powell’s accountability to Parliament – he has been written up as the real decision maker behind all UK Government foreign policy as Starmer has ‘delegated’ it to him. His position as a Political SpAd (Special Adviser) makes it even more urgent to question…
Guido has seen a selection from a list of draft questions (below) for Powell circulating among MPs and security sources. The question is whether he will ever be asked them…
- When did Jonathan Powell first speak to Ahmed Al-Jolani or other representatives of then proscribed terrorist organisation Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham?
- When did Inter Mediate start providing support to Ahmed Al-Jolani/Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham?
- Did Inter Mediate receive funding, or other support such as introductions or intelligence, from any intelligence services?
- Did Inter Mediate receive funding, or other support such as introductions or intelligence, from donors or figures (such as Wafic Said) for their work in Syria?
- Does Jonathan Powell believe that his work to recognise the new Syrian regime is a conflict of interest with Inter Mediate, which works for that regime?
- What conversations and meetings has Jonathan Powell had with Wafic Said in regards to Syria since being appointed?
- Did Jonathan Powell meet Wafic Said during his visits to Syria in May and August?
- Did Jonathan Powell obtain the necessary clearances from the intelligence services before undertaking his activities in Syria and other countries?
- Was Jonathan Powell paid a salary by Inter Mediate – does the organisation run for profit or a commercial return?
