The Questions for Liam Fox

The fact David Cameron may not be Liam Fox’s biggest fan is probably the least relevant fact in this story. The Prime Minister will not want to lose a scalp, and will not want to lose somebody popular with vast numbers of party members and especially those MPs on the right of the party. Downing Street must be hoping tomorrow’s draft report has no other nasty surprises in it. But I rather suspect Liam Fox won’t be doing television interviews over the next few hours. He is facing the House of Commons, and no doubt discussing the situation with the Cabinet Secretary and the Prime Minister. Here are some of the questions the public might like the answers to.

1. In what way did you, in your words, allow “distinctions to be blurred between my professional responsibilities and my personal loyalties to a friend”?

2. Why did you claim in your spoken statement that no wrongdoing occurred when in your written one you accept it was wrong to hold meetings with possible defence contractors without officials present and involving Adam Werritty.

3. Why did you go to that meeting in Dubai with potential defence suppliers without officials and what did you discuss? Why didn’t you tell officials about it?

4. What was Adam Werritty’s role in these meetings? Was he ever paid by anyone involved?

5. When did you first know about Mr Werritty’s business cards describing himself as your adviser? When did you tell him to stop this?

6. Where and when have you met with Adam Werritty while travelling on official business?

7. Why did you stay in hotels rather than British embassy accommodation – which would be more secure? Did it have anything to do with meetings involving Adam Werritty?

8. Was Mr Werritty advising you during his visits to the Ministry of Defence or were you advising him or were they social visits?

9. You say you never provided Mr Werritty with classified information or briefings. Did you ever verbally discuss such secret information with him?

10. Do you think you have satisfied the test David Cameron set for ministerial standards in the foreward to the current Ministerial Code?