Difference between revisions of "John McTernan"
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| − | '''John McTernan''' (born | + | '''John McTernan''' (born Edinburgh) is the Director of Political Operations at [[10 Downing Street]]. He provides political management and support for the development of the Government's political strategy. The [[Labour Party]] pays his salary. |
==Serial special adviser== | ==Serial special adviser== | ||
| − | In 2002 McTernan had already completed two | + | In 2002 McTernan had already completed two terms as special adviser to New Labour: |
:My view: John McTernan John McTernan has just finished his second period as a special adviser, working initially for [[Harriet Harman]] in the [[Department of Social Security]], then as head of strategy for Scotland's former first minister, [[Henry McLeish]].'It's an extremely rich experience,' he says. 'You get unparalleled access to government at the highest levels. If you like politics - and most of the people who become advisers are complete addicts - this is the ultimate job. It's like The West Wing, only you're in it instead of watching it. | :My view: John McTernan John McTernan has just finished his second period as a special adviser, working initially for [[Harriet Harman]] in the [[Department of Social Security]], then as head of strategy for Scotland's former first minister, [[Henry McLeish]].'It's an extremely rich experience,' he says. 'You get unparalleled access to government at the highest levels. If you like politics - and most of the people who become advisers are complete addicts - this is the ultimate job. It's like The West Wing, only you're in it instead of watching it. | ||
:'It's incredibly insecure, but so are the careers of senior politicians. There's not enough done by the civil service to support special advisers when they leave - you get three months' redundancy, that's all. You wouldn't do it if you were at all risk-averse.'(Jill Insley '[http://money.guardian.co.uk/work/wageslaves/story/0,,714981,00.html Spin doctors]' ''The Observer'' Sunday March 31, 2002). | :'It's incredibly insecure, but so are the careers of senior politicians. There's not enough done by the civil service to support special advisers when they leave - you get three months' redundancy, that's all. You wouldn't do it if you were at all risk-averse.'(Jill Insley '[http://money.guardian.co.uk/work/wageslaves/story/0,,714981,00.html Spin doctors]' ''The Observer'' Sunday March 31, 2002). | ||
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==Blair's man in Scotland== | ==Blair's man in Scotland== | ||
| − | He has been seconded to the [[Scottish Labour Party]] to run its campaign for the [[Scottish Parliament general election, 2007|Scottish Parliament general election]] on 3 May, 2007. | + | He has been seconded to the [[Scottish Labour Party]] to run its campaign for the [[Scottish Parliament general election, 2007|Scottish Parliament general election]] on 3 May, 2007.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/6293191.stm "Honours probe quiz for No 10 aide"], [[BBC News Scotland]], 24 January 2007; [http://election.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=782&id=80932007 "Blair aide sent to stem SNP tide"], ''[[The Scotsman]]'', 16 January 2007; [http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=123682007 "Now Holyrood election chief quizzed in peerages inquiry"], ''The Scotsman'', 24 January 2007 |
==Controversy== | ==Controversy== | ||
| − | In late 2006, it was reported that McTernan had been interviewed under [[police caution]] | + | In late 2006, it was reported that McTernan had been interviewed under [[police caution]] Police quiz Tory donors over cash for peerages http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,200-2384632,00.html PM's aide interviewed in peerage inquiry] http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2110312.ece under [[Scotland Yard]]'s ongoing [[cash for peerages]] inquiry. McTernan has himself denied these reports (SNP Welcome Downing Street's McTernan to Scotland http://5thnovember.blogspot.com/2007/01/snp-welcome-downing-streets-mcternan.html#c1168448187652221. |
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| + | However, he was questioned 'under caution' by police in January 2007.[http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_headline=blair-duo-in-honour-cop-quiz-&method=full&objectid=18516514&siteid=94762-name_page.html Mirror.co.uk], 23 January 2007 | ||
| + | ==External links== | ||
| + | *Wikipedia, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cash_for_peerages Cash for peerages] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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Revision as of 20:29, 30 March 2007
John McTernan (born Edinburgh) is the Director of Political Operations at 10 Downing Street. He provides political management and support for the development of the Government's political strategy. The Labour Party pays his salary.
Contents
Serial special adviser
In 2002 McTernan had already completed two terms as special adviser to New Labour:
- My view: John McTernan John McTernan has just finished his second period as a special adviser, working initially for Harriet Harman in the Department of Social Security, then as head of strategy for Scotland's former first minister, Henry McLeish.'It's an extremely rich experience,' he says. 'You get unparalleled access to government at the highest levels. If you like politics - and most of the people who become advisers are complete addicts - this is the ultimate job. It's like The West Wing, only you're in it instead of watching it.
- 'It's incredibly insecure, but so are the careers of senior politicians. There's not enough done by the civil service to support special advisers when they leave - you get three months' redundancy, that's all. You wouldn't do it if you were at all risk-averse.'(Jill Insley 'Spin doctors' The Observer Sunday March 31, 2002).
Blair's man in Scotland
He has been seconded to the Scottish Labour Party to run its campaign for the Scottish Parliament general election on 3 May, 2007."Honours probe quiz for No 10 aide", BBC News Scotland, 24 January 2007; "Blair aide sent to stem SNP tide", The Scotsman, 16 January 2007; "Now Holyrood election chief quizzed in peerages inquiry", The Scotsman, 24 January 2007
Controversy
In late 2006, it was reported that McTernan had been interviewed under police caution Police quiz Tory donors over cash for peerages http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,200-2384632,00.html PM's aide interviewed in peerage inquiry] http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2110312.ece under Scotland Yard's ongoing cash for peerages inquiry. McTernan has himself denied these reports (SNP Welcome Downing Street's McTernan to Scotland http://5thnovember.blogspot.com/2007/01/snp-welcome-downing-streets-mcternan.html#c1168448187652221.
However, he was questioned 'under caution' by police in January 2007.Mirror.co.uk, 23 January 2007
External links
- Wikipedia, Cash for peerages
