Peter Hain quits amidst muddle and confusion

Peter Hain has decided to quit his Cabinet job as Work and Pensions Secretary (and his other part-time job!)because of the Metropolitan Police investigation into his dodgy dealings over financial contributions to his deputy leadership contest fund. Hain has always been a bit full of himself. He has a habit of sounding sneering when things are not as he would like. "In view of the decision of the Electoral Commission, I've come to the conclusion that I have no alternative but to resign as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Secretary of State of Wales," he said. "I have now done so."

None of this should have happened. If he had half a wit to ask whether the donations were proper he could still be there. He spent his time in opposition sneering at the Tories, but then does exactly what he was previously castigating. But his real stupidity here is that dodgy donations to the Labour Party were well out in the open BEFORE he even put his name forward for Deputy Leader. He has only himself to blame.

A Cabinet Minister needs to be seen as a person who is not dissembling. Hain may not be a lier but he is patently incapable of speaking the plain truth.

Posted in: Cabinet,Peter Hain,sleaze