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From “dysfunctional, inept” Trump to “frail” Corbyn, why is Whitehall getting leakier?

Whitehall appears to be panicking after years of excessive secrecy and complacency. But leaks are no substitute for effective scrutiny by a functioning parliamentary democracy.

By Richard Norton-Taylor
From “dysfunctional, inept” Trump to “frail” Corbyn, why is Whitehall getting leakier?
Whitehall has been beset by increasing leaks in recent weeks. | Rights: Geograph.
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The Whitehall establishment – the permanent government – is fighting back.

The most telling comments about the increasing alarm throughout Whitehall over Brexit and the deep divisions in Britain’s two main political parties came from Sir John Sawers, head of MI6 between 2009 and 2014. Sawers told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme last week: "We are going through a political nervous breakdown here in the UK.”

I suggest it is Whitehall that is suffering a nervous breakdown. Those responsible for steering the ship of state are staring aghast at the prospect of a wreck.

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