Britannia Radio

Brown gets deeper into the mire each day!    He appears to be losing 
control of events.
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BBC News      12.2.09
Sir George Young: Parts of PM Liaison committee "like wading through 
treacle"

Sir George Young MP (Con) , Liaison committee member

Sir George said that parts of the Prime Minister's appearance before 
the Liaison committee this morning were "like wading through 
treacle", and added that it was odd that the FSA didn't share it's 
worries over HBOS with the Treasury.

Asked about the Prime Minister's response to questions about HBOS and 
the resignation of Sir James Crosby he said, "the impression I got 
was 'not me guv'.

"He gave a robust defence, but I think in answering questions he may 
have posed some more.

"There is a bit of blame game going on. There was a systemic failure 
and a number of people may not have done as well as they may have.

"It seems slightly odd that if the FSA was worried about the goings 
on at HBOS some time ago they didn't share that with the Treasury.

"It is important that we find out what went wrong, and make sure it 
doesn't happen again. The role of members of parliament is to hold 
the government to account."
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SKY NEWS 12.2.09
PM: 'Full Confidence' In Adviser
The Prime Minister has "full confidence" in the man appointed to 
oversee taxpayers' £37bn stake in Britain's banks, although he is 
unlikely to remain in the post.  [Eh? He'/s for the chop then? -cs]

Glen Moreno, who was appointed acting chairman of UK Financial 
Investment Ltd by the Government last year, is a former trustee of a 
Liechtenstein bank accused of facilitating massive tax evasion.

The Sunday Times claims Mr Moreno was paid hundreds of thousands of 
pounds during a nine-year association with Liechtenstein Global Trust.
In a statement tonight, Mr Moreno said he had never sought to fill 
the role on a permanent basis.
"We are all  [Who is 'WE' ? -cs] committed to assisting the banks 
through this difficult period.
"I very much look forward to working with UKFI and its permanent 
chairman in due course."

At Treasury questions today, Conservative MP Michael Fallon asked 
Alistair Darling: "Can it really be right that the body looking after 
the taxpayer's interest in these two banks should be chaired by Mr 
Moreno, who appears to have been so heavily involved in tax dodging 
in Liechtenstein?
"Are you really wise to proceed with that appointment?"

The Chancellor responded: "I will make a decision in relation to the 
permanent replacement in the very near future."

Shadow chancellor George Osborne said: "I think the answer means the 
Government is about to lose its second key banking advisor."

Gordon Brown's spokesman said:"The Prime Minister and Chancellor have 
no issue with Glen Moreno, nor with the job he is doing.
"There is no suggestion Mr Moreno has done anything wrong. The Prime 
Minister and Chancellor have full confidence in Mr Moreno."

Sky's political correspondent Joey Jones said Mr Moreno was not 
expected to reapply for the post.
"These queries are damaging for the Government especially in light of 
the resignation of the deputy chairman of the FSA, Sir James Crosby, 
yesterday," he added.
"These are two people who have stepped into important jobs and these 
questions cast aspersions on the judgment of Gordon Brown and 
Alistair Darling."

During Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday Angela Watkinson, Tory 
MP for Upminster, asked Gordon Brown about Mr Moreno.

Mr Brown was momentarily lost for an answer, remaining in his seat on 
the front bench as Chancellor Alistair Darling spoke to him.

Following cries of "answer" from Tories, Mr Brown said: "He is acting 
chairman, he has not been appointed as full chairman."