Sep 23 - Number Six: “Does Mr Clinton Wish To Be On Or Off The Official Invitation List?”
The Government says it notes Roy Clinton’s comments regarding the fact that he was not invited to the UNESCO World Heritage event. Number Six says that Mr Clinton should remember that it was the policy of a previous GSD administration never to invite Opposition MPs to any official receptions.
A statement continued: “The Shadow Minister for Heritage is also wrong to say that he has been ‘officially blacklisted from all future Government events.’ During his Budget speech he said that he would not accept (tickets) for events paid for by the taxpayer and his name was therefore removed from the official invitation list. There was no need to inform him of an action that he himself had requested. If Mr Clinton now wishes to reverse that decision in order for him to receive invitations to future official receptions, it is perfectly reasonable to have his name returned to that same list. Of course, it may be that Mr Clinton wishes to be invited to some events (such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site event) but not to others (such as the GMF). But how are we to know which invites he wants and which he doesn’t?”
The Chief Minister said: “We took Mr Clinton’s name off the list at what was clearly his request and he has now realised how foolish he has made himself look by his sanctimonious statements on the GMF. However, if he is so keen to be invited to government receptions, he can come back on our list and be entertained again at the taxpayers’ expense. Incredibly, his reaction to having been left off a list for a reception has been more vivacious, intemperate and heartfelt than anything else he has said in the ten months he has been in politics. It's quite something that the only passion we have seen from him relates to access to official entertainment! Assuming he does wish his name to be returned to the invitation list, I look forward to seeing him at future events in the three years that are left of the life of this Parliament. In that period of time I am certain that there will be many more examples of the Opposition’s political hypocrisy.”
{fcomment}
