Anthony Barnett (London, OK): I've been asked, "Why was Watt not spotted as a liability?"
Answer, because they saw him as an asset, an opportunity, a possible fall guy indeed. Did you see the picture of Blair patting him on the head?
Mendelsohn seems sophisticated from all accounts. He was told in September of the illegal payments. The party is broke, election is looming, he tells one of Brown's boys (which one?) of some 'close to wind stuff' etc, ie he covers his arse. Or there is something else which secures the same. Not so much illegal as wrong (see my first post on this.) Hence he can't be fired now. Also he loathed Abrahams and enjoyed the idea of taking his money. They agree it was on Watt's spot. (But Watt not such an idiot he didn't tell Mendelsohn, to try and give himself cover).
What was the aim of team Brown overall? To "Win a quick election and then clean it all up". They were "buying time". Ha! Another reason why the election was needed and its cancellation a disaster.The £5Ks for the deputies were just small change, backing anyone you think might win or be important (including Mandelsohn himself slipping £5K to Peter Hain who obviously was not going to win after he backed the Iraq war). These £5ks don't matter. Follow the real money, £600K is something else.
