Johnson can’t conceal the truth anymore – the facts are clear

Whatever Boris Johnson’s dossier may say, it will never conceal the truth about what happened with regards to “Partygate” when he was prime minister.

The facts are clear. What has happened cannot be undone.

Everybody saw the photos of the party in his office. Everybody saw photos of the drinking in the Downing Street garden. Cameras even spotted a fresh batch of drinks being taken into Downing Street.

Therefore, surely the honourable thing for Boris Johnson to do now is admit he lied, say sorry, resign his parliamentary seat and forgo any nominations. Only then may the people who feel insulted by his behaviour have some justice.

Geoffrey Brooking

Hampshire

I am appalled at the revelation in The Independent today that UK officials had told applicants to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme they would need to provide papers that had been certified by the Taliban government.

With only, according to this piece, 22 Afghans settled from abroad under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, who should wonder that Afghans are instead coming to the UK in small boats (and are now the largest number of such migrants). The proposal to then transfer them to Rwanda adds insult to injury.

The apology by the Ministry of Defence and statement by Rishi Sunak that the UK takes its obligations to those who helped our government in Afghanistan “extremely seriously” are far short of good enough. Afghans with whom I worked in the country over many years continue to suffer from our government’s utter failure. When incompetence is so egregious, we should question whether those responsible in the civil service and government are fit for office.

Stewart Britten

Exeter

John Rentoul may be right in saying that Tony Blair did not lie about the invasion of Iraq. What is clear, however, is that Blair promised George W Bush that Britain would support the US “come what may”. It is also clear that the Americans had already decided to invade Iraq in March of 2003, and were not prepared to wait for the outcome of the search for weapons of mass destruction by UN inspectors to be completed. It turned out that the reason why no WMDs had been found was that there were none.

Additionally, the government was very reluctant to release the opinion of the attorney general on whether the war would be legal. Eventually, a summary of the opinion was dragged out of them. This said that there was an arguable case that the invasion was legal – lawyer-speak for advising that the government’s case was less than strong.

Gordon Ellio

Oxfordshire

Amanda Parker is cogent to highlight mental health awareness. Mental health is one of the most challenging and neglected aspects of healthcare. Its social and economic repercussions transcend far beyond the individual to encompass society. Investment in mental health services is investing in the health, prosperity and wellbeing of society as a whole.

By the same token, we are still shackled by the manacles of stigmatisation and discrimination that impede us from seeking care and support when needed. Time to prioritise mental health and leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of a healthy, inclusive and just global society.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob

London

Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s chief content officer, says: “The BBC’s new strategy is bold, ambitious and good for the sector, and for audiences who love classical music.” I would question this view. Sifting through choirs and orchestras premiering songs and works of brilliance and flair might be regarded as a parody if it were not so serious.

Béla Dekany became the face of the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1969 and led it for 23 years. He was “bold, ambitious and good for the sector and for audiences” who loved him for what he symbolised for classical music. He was not only a highly sensitive leader and violinist, but also fended off criticism of his players by management and conductors. Outreach and widening participation were part of his art form, albeit developed in the crucible of Bergen-Belsen.

So the cull makes no sense whatsoever. Let’s hope those who serve on the Classical Advisory Group are mindful of the impact metered out to orchestras, choirs and ensembles. Not least for music education, since it begins in the classroom at first base.

Kevin Thompson

Yorkshire