FORMER minister Chris Grayling looks likely to become the next chair of the Commons Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) after the Prime Minister included his name on the list of nominees for the position.
The ISC has not met for seven months as Number 10 has consistently failed to approve MPs for its membership. Its first job after finally forming will be to determine when and if the report on alleged Russian interference in UK politics is released.
Boris Johnson failed to make sure the dossier shown to him last October was cleared for release before the General Election.
The long-awaited report’s delay has sparked speculation that it contains embarrassing details on Moscow’s efforts to gain influence within the Tory Party, and further the Brexit agenda.
READ MORE: Theresa Villiers axed from Intelligence Committee for disloyalty
Others included on the list of nominees to sit on the ISC – which scrutinises the UK intelligence and security agencies – are former ministers Theresa Villiers and John Hayes, senior backbenchers Julian Lewis and Mark Pritchard, as well as Labour’s Kevan Jones and Diana Johnson and the SNP’s Stewart Hosie.
The Commons will vote to approve the members next week, and the House of Lords will follow on Tuesday. Afterwards committee members will choose their chair – and it is understood the Tory majority will be whipped to back Johnson loyalist Grayling.
Grayling is renowned for a succession of mishaps as minister for transport and justice. He has been nicknamed Failing Grayling due to his many controversies, which include legal aid cuts, train timetable changes, privatised probation and famously the £13.8 million contract for post-Brexit ferries with a firm that didn’t own any ferries.
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said the “shameful” delays to the formation of the ISC were compounded by the decision to “parachute” Grayling into its top position.
He said: "Its impartiality from government is critical to its ability to function effectively.
“It is then deeply concerning that the latest plan devised by Dominic Cummings and Boris Johnson will aim to parachute Chris Grayling as chair of the committee by putting forward favourable Tory members who will vote him through as chair.
“The chair of the ISC has long been appointed by consensus and this move does nothing less than undermine the role of the ISC and breach its independence.”
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