Civil servants at fault over Partygate

It is not often that I find myself in agreement with my fellow correspondent Steve Cowdry.

But he articulated perfectly a view with which I share in his letter (SA, May 27).

Steve wrote "senior civil servants have taken the British public for fools for far too long".

Indeed Sue Gray's report makes clear her view "that there was a failure of leadership and judgement" and she names some of the senior civil servants responsible.

The fact that civil servants organised the so called parties is quite darning.

A former head of the Civil Service has also suggested senior officials were at fault.

This does not excuse the Prime Minister from any responsibility.

But it does clarify the point that the machine that is the office at No10 is controlled by civil servants and always has been.

Des Morgan

Caraway Drive

Swindon

Oasis lease confusion

I am totally perplexed about clauses in the lease between SBC and Seven Capital.

One clause states that if Seven Capital don't start the work by March

2022 .

Why, if, "in return for the £270m snow centre, Seven Capital was to receive long leases on four parcels of land ....."

However, if Seven Capital doesn't complete the work, but only lays part of the foundations, the "long term lease" then ceases to exist!. The company gets to keep the land and the council has no say whatsoever (apart from granting planning permission) on what happens with the land.

If the company doesn't start the work by the deadline (already passed twice), instead of this being a clear breach of the terms and conditions of the lease, the deadline just keeps being extended

I am just wondering which lawbook the solicitors used to draw up a lease of such favourable qualities and hand it over to a company that has no experience of qualifications in designing or running an amenity the lease covers.

J Lewis

Wroughton

Queen's support for RAF Benevolent Fund

As we celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service, I would like to thank her for her continuous support of the RAF Benevolent Fund, being the charity’s Patron since 1952.

One memorable event for the Fund was in June 2012, when Her Majesty attended the unveiling of the Fund's Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, London, the ten year anniversary of which is on June 26. The memorial pays tribute to the 55,573 airmen who lost their lives serving in Bomber Command during the Second World War and the unveiling was attended by thousands of veterans and relatives.

Her Majesty The Queen has always been a tireless supporter of the Fund's work, providing welfare services for the whole RAF Family – from serving personnel and veterans to their partners and children. It is a privilege to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee with cherished memories of Her Majesty's commitment not only to the RAF but to all the Armed Forces.

Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot

Chief Executive

RAF Benevolent Fund

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