| We're privileged to publish
below extracts from a statement issued by Robin Cook accepting PM Blair's offer of a new
posting as Leader of the House. The extracts here are edited down from the original 700
page document. "It is only fitting that I make this statement
after a not inconsiderable period of reflection on my time as Foreign Secretary. And what
a time it was. I'm confident that impartial commentators on the political scene will look
back on my period of tenure and say "Cook and Clooney, they could be twins you
know...
…Equally, I'm sure that the sight of me striding purposefully down aircraft
steps and stepping into a giant limo to be whisked off to yet another diplomatic free tea
will occasion the question : "Isn't it odd that you never see Cook and Brad Pitt in
the same room together?…
...On leaving the Foreign Office it only remains for me to congratulate my
successor, Jack Straw, and I must leave it to other voices to raise the issue if Britain's
diplomatic interests are best served by giving the top job to a man with a face like a
torn scone… |
There is, as I've insisted all the
way through the 40 chapters of this press release, no room for recriminations or
bitterness, we must look to the future as the great challenge of the post of the Leader of
the House beckons. And in that respect, I have to make two announcements of not untitantic
import. First, I shall be holding talks with the Westminister jannie on
the totally unacceptable hardness of Commons loo paper. I expect long and difficult
negotiations on this issue but look forward to a softer outcome. That bit was a joke by
the way.
Second, since my ministerial diary is completely clear for the foreseeable
future I intend to spend more time in the company of my Livingston constituents, What
capriciously fortunate individuals they indeed are…" |
