[Oboogie]

Won't be if nothing happens.

They'll just claim Starmer fixed it, just as they still do over "currygate"

[Tubby Isaacs]

Yeah, but nobody believes them.

[Tubby Isaacs]

It kind of will, because they’re relying on more people seeing the investigated headlines and assuming there’s no smoke without fire than seeing any subsequent statement that there was no case to answer - and further that if there is *any* suggestion of an error, no matter how minor or unintentional, this will be amplified relentlessly.

That didn't work with Beergate though, did it?

It's also on a theme that reminds people of the likes of Zahawi.

[Andy McDandy]

When you're constantly introduced as "tax dodge slur minister...", it might well stick that something's not right. And that's all they want.

TBH she could produce all the evidence exonerating her that she could and it wouldn't make any difference. We're into "prove to my satisfaction..." territory.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

Won't be if nothing happens.

You know how it works.

Accusation on the front page.
Retraction bottom of Page 19

What message does the gammon go away with?

Basic stuff.

[Tubby Isaacs]

I know how it worked, or didn't, with Beergate. No retractions for that, but it still failed.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

It's still being referenced on Twitter...

[Tubby Isaacs]

Not so much by the mainstream. Do the Tories even bother with it now?

[Malcolm Armsteen]

It was their deputy chairman who started the latest allegations!

[Tubby Isaacs]

He got promoted. Advantage to his party less obvious.

[Crabcakes]

A question, as I don’t know if this is correct or not - I’ve seen a post suggesting that the purpose of dragging this out and demanding the investigation is restarted is that, while the investigation is ongoing, Rayner can’t campaign (or at least will need to keep a much lower profile). Is this true?

[Oboogie]

What it certainly does mean is that any campaigning Labour MP interviewed has to waste time talking about Raynor instead of whichever policy they're trying to promote.

[kreuzberger]

Effervescing in a bucket load of "careful what you wish for", it's going to be fun having a DPP as Prime Minister and this mob scratching their arse at the food bank.

[kreuzberger]

Michael Crick, he does like peeling a putrid artichoke.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Yeah, this case from 2015 is going nowhere, if Nuttall's case in real time went nowhere.

[Crabcakes]

I also suspect that Rayner has been quietly advised that no action will be taken, hence her offer to resign if wrongdoing is found. Same as Starmer - you wouldn’t hand the Tories a gift unless you knew it was booby trapped.

[The Weeping Angel]

[Bones McCoy]

I hear she once made tea and put the milk in first.

[Bones McCoy]

Then she said hello to a fellow passenger on the London underground.

[davidjay]

She got a round in and ordered the Guinness last.