Tory hokey kokey

Tory hokey kokey

David Laws could return to frontline politics in shake-up of Kenneth Clarke's justice team

By James Chapman, Political Editor
Last updated at 12:57 AM on 20th December 2010

David Laws is being lined up for a return to government in a clearout of Kenneth Clarke’s Justice Ministry.

Government sources expect Mr Clarke, whose attempts to liberalise the criminal justice system have triggered controversy, to lose almost his entire ministerial team in a New Year reshuffle.

Mr Clarke has come under attack from the Tory Right over his determination to cut prison numbers and his failure to fend off a ruling from Europe that Britain must give prisoners the vote.

Suggestions that the Justice Secretary will be sacked are understood to be wide of the mark.


Lib Dem MP David Laws, left, could make a return to frontline politics while Conservative Kenneth Clarke's team looks set to be made smaller

But David Cameron is increasingly irritated by the performance of Mr Clarke’s department and is considering installing at least one Tory law-and-order hardliner and a Right-wing Liberal Democrat.

Out would go Tories Crispin Blunt and Jonathan Djanogly, and Lib Dem Lord McNally.
Government sources say the shake-up could offer the opportunity of a recall to the political front line for Mr Laws, a right-of-centre Lib Dem.

He was forced to resign as Chief Secretary to the Treasury over revelations about his expenses claims, but there was widespread sympathy for him at Westminster.

However, his return will depend on the outcome of a Parliamentary sleaze inquiry into his claims.

Comment: "Mr Clarke has come under attack from the Tory Right over...his failure to fend off a ruling from Europe that Britain must give prisoners the vote".

Er? How exactly is he to fend off the final say in a legal battle? Labour tried this for 5 years and failed miserably. The Tory right not only have their heads up their arses, they want to put their grubby fingers back in the till of expenses without receipt or justification or any transparency.