Down More, and Was The Appointment Too Good??

Don’t know yet if we’re seeing a trend that can continue.

The Guardian/Observer today has an analysis of Boris’ appointee for the Covid enquiry, and it may be coming back to bite him.

Lady Hallett is the woman who holds Boris Johnson’s political future in her hands. The Chair of the Covid inquiry has threatened legal action if the former PM’s unredacted WhatsApp messages and diaries are not released

When Boris Johnson finally agreed to hold a judge-led public inquiry into the government’s handling of the Covid pandemic, he showered praise on the eminent former judge he chose to lead it. “She brings a wealth of experience to the role, and I know shares my determination that the inquiry examines in a forensic and thoroughgoing way the government’s response to the pandemic,” the former prime minister said of Heather Hallett and her future endeavours, back in December 2021. Lady Hallett, the daughter of a policeman, had already made her mark, repeatedly, in the course of a long and stellar legal career. In 1998, she became the first woman to chair the Bar Council, before being made a high court judge in 1999. In 2009, she was chosen to act as coroner for the inquest into the 52 victims of the 7 July London attacks. At one stage, she was heavily backed to become the first female lord chief justice of England and Wales.

With this pedigree and record is it surprising that she’s demanding thoroughness.

Today moving stuff round in home to make room, and doing a bit with the caravan. Tomorrow, marking, again.

Music

Oak Apple Day – marking the return of Charles II as king after exile  – restoration composers. Music could once again be heard in England, so we’ll have some of the music for his coronation in 1661. Oak Apple Day was declared a public holiday in 1660, but was repealed by the Anniversary Days Observance Act 1859.

Matthew Locke (c.1621-1677), For His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts: III. Almand. Oltremontano, Wim Becu