Anthony Barnett (London, OK): While Gordon Brown and Alex Salmond have spoken, it is a matter of wry amusement in Scotland that Tony Blair who hugs Ian Paisly for breakfast, can't stomach the idea of a cup of tea or a civil word with the First Minister of Scotland. Finally, the one man boycott has been broken, he has written and signed a personal letter. Here it is in full:
Dear Alex,
I am writing to let you know that I propose to submit your name to The Queen with a recommendation that she may be graciously pleased to approve that you be sworn of Her Majesty's most honourable Privy Council. I should be glad to know if this would be agreeable to Yours ever, Tony
"Yours ever" and he accuses other people of cynicism! According to The Herald (which has some great exchanges in its comments on the story), "No 10 made clear that there was no official ceremony and that Mr Salmond was a PC for life with immediate effect A spokeswoman, however, pointed out that he was obliged to attend at least one Privy Council meeting with the Queen."
So Salmond is now a "Right Honourable", and on an issue deemed to be of national importance he might be briefed "on Privy Council terms", meaning he is duty bound not to disclose what he has been told. Privy Council is medieval English for secret council. Maurice Frankel where are you?
