Science Secretary Michelle Donelan has been at the centre of controversy after a libel case involving a false tweet was settled using £15,000 of taxpayer money, sparking widespread criticism and calls for accountability.
In a recent development, UK Science Secretary Michelle Donelan found herself at the center of a controversy after falsely accusing Professor Kate Sang of supporting Hamas in a tweet. This accusation led to a libel case against Donelan, which was settled with £15,000 of taxpayer money. The incident has attracted widespread criticism from various quarters, including Labour and the Liberal Democrats, who have deemed the use of public funds for settling the libel claim as unacceptable, especially amid financial hardships faced by the populace.
Despite the backlash and calls for her resignation, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has supported Donelan. The Prime Minister’s spokesperson stated that Donelan had followed the advice given to her by the government before making the tweet, though specifics of the advice remain undisclosed. The controversy has raised questions about the transparency and ethical standards within the government, prompting discussions within Parliament.
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer has labeled the situation as “totally insulting” to taxpayers, and there are increasing demands for Donelan to personally cover the settlement costs. Meanwhile, Conservative MP Penny Mordaunt humorously involved the SNP in the discussion, likening their financial management to a failed Willy Wonka-themed event, which has further highlighted the ongoing debate on public fund management.
Donelan, who previously served a brief stint as Education Secretary, has faced significant scrutiny over her handling of the situation and her decision to use taxpayer money to settle the legal bill. The situation continues to unfold as calls for an investigation into the government’s ethics adviser regarding this matter have been made by the Liberal Democrats, underlining the continuing debate over ministerial conduct and the use of public funds in the UK.
