CURRAN... Knifes Lamontable in the Back!!! Be-Tory-Together!!! Lamont decided to resign after four days of what friends describe as constant negative briefing. Events leading up to Lamont’s decision would appear to have seriously damaged – if not destroyed – her friendship with Curran. Friends of Lamont say that Curran called her on Monday to offer support and urge her to stay on as leader before undermining her in discussions with colleagues. One source said: “Margaret was friendly to Johann’s face but behind her back she was dripping poison in the ears of the members of the Scottish Executive Committee.” Sources close to Curran deny this version of events. A friend said: “Margaret absolutely hasn’t been lobbying anyone to put pressure on Johann. She simply spoke with members of the Executive Committee to gauge opinions.” Regardless of what went on behind the scenes during the last days of Lamont’s leadership, her mind was made up on Thursday night and she shared her decision with two members of her staff. Lamont proceeded with a scheduled policy meeting in Glasgow on Friday morning with MPs Douglas Alexander and Anas Sarwar, and MSP Paul Martin. Curran joined the discussion by phone. During the meeting, Lamont made no mention of her planned resignation. Having bid her colleagues farewell, Lamont proceeded straight to the offices of the Daily Record to give the interview in which she would announce her decision to go. A friend of Lamont said: “When she’d made up her mind, she was angry but also a bit relieved. She had done her best and been treated appallingly.” But others in the Scottish Labour Party take a different, less sympathetic view. One party insider said: “Johann can blame this and she can blame that, but the thing about being a leader is that you get on and lead.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 09:35:29 +0000
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