It comes as a shock when this reporter finds himself taking David Cameron’s side on anything, but that’s what happened this weekend.
Remarks made by the former Prime Minister David Cameron a few days ago, in which he referred to Michael Gove as “a lunatic” have had quite a wide range of consequences. Some have agreed with him on the principle that it was obvious, others have criticised him for not doing something about it, like removing him from office, when he had the chance, while some have said it takes one to know one.
But the strangest reaction has to be from the Crown Prosecution Service, who have charged him under the Official Secrets Act. Speaking at a press conference, Crown Prosecutor Will Sooham made a simple statement:
“We have charged Mr Cameron under the Official Secrets act for the statement he made on social media in which he stated categorically that Michael Gove was a lunatic.”
Responding to the challenge that the statement made was no secret, Mr Sooham replied:
“The Official Secrets Act does not exist to protect secrets but to protect officials, including in this case Mr Gove.”
As for the argument that most of the public would agree with the statement, Mr Sooham insisted that it was irrelevant.
The question of whose idea it was to press the charge, however, yielded an interesting result. Mr Sooham had a piece of paper, which he said was a transcript of an email on the subject. The sender’s name was highlighted as:
“Michael G-Groves, yes, that’s it, Groves, Michael Groves, definitely not Michael Gove, no way.”
Mr Sooham was able to confirm that “Mr Groves” wanted immediate and drastic action taken, but struggled to find anything concrete to use. Mr Sooham himself was the one who suggested the Official Secrets Act.
I could have been imagining it, but I thought I detected a twinkle in his eye when he admitted this.
The trial is fixed for November. We shall await the results, and indeed the appearance of “Michael Groves” with baited breath.