Lord Falconer and Alex Allan, Permanent Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs today gave evidence to the DCA select committee � they broke off for a commons division and Mr Allen didn�t realise that the mikes were still on.
Having little else better to do, Recess Monkey was listening online via parliament live and was shocked to hear Alex Allen laughing to his colleague about how many stats he had given in answer to the committee’s questions and how stupid they were not to ask probing questions. He then asked one of the MPs to go for a drink with him at “his club” and gave out his mobile number - I didn’t manage to get all of it but hopefully it will be posted on the parliament live archives in 24 hours time. I suggest a text message campaign to his mobile encouraging open government.
Charlie Falconer came back from a simultaneous Lords division and he and the perm sec were laughing at Keith Vaz’s questions and saying how good they were at giving away no information.
Now might be a good time for the DCA Select Committee Chair to recall Falconer and Alex Allen for some more probing scrutiny.
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Oh, I meant to say, I downloaded the recording of this Select Committee hearing and it turns out that Parliament Live cut out the parts of interest.
It appears Falconer and Allen were saved by the bell…
Tim Hicks said this on April 22nd, 2006 at 11:49 pm