British Politics

The Times view on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: True Champion

Lewis Hamilton exemplifies the ethos of sport at its finest
Monday December 13 2021, 9.00pm, The Times
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Lewis Hamilton’s grace in defeat after Max Verstappen won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday was testament to his character
HASSAN AMMAR/AP
Competitive sport has, in the words of Nelson Mandela, “the power to unite people in a way little else can”. Its outcomes have winners and losers, but not victims. Or, at least, that is what happens when contests have clear rules that are disinterestedly applied. Unfortunately, the final race of the Formula One season, at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, did not live up to that description.

Lewis Hamilton, the British driver seeking to become world champion for a record eighth time, was denied victory owing to a capricious decision by race stewards to allow five lapped cars to overtake the safety car on the penultimate lap. Their intervention ensured that Hamilton’s lead was overhauled by Max Verstappen, driving with fresh tyres. It transformed a thrilling contest into farce.

For his sporting prowess alone, Hamilton deserves admiration. No driver has exceeded his tally of seven world titles, and this year he became the first Formula One driver to win 100 races. Yet his response to the fiasco whereby, through no want of skill or dedication, he was denied victory on Sunday elevates him still further. Instead of venting justifiable anger, he graciously congratulated Verstappen as if the manner of victory had been uncontentious. Hamilton’s conduct in adversity was testament not only to an outstanding personality but to the true ethos of sport, in which furious rivalries on the track or field are put aside once the contest is over.

This is the way sport unites and heals. As Mandela perceived when president of a fractured South Africa, sport can sublimate real divisions in society and among nations and transcend them. In his own public stands for human rights in the countries he has raced in and for racial equality, as well as in the way he competes behind the wheel, Hamilton exemplifies its finest ideals.

 

Gammon on gammon attacks. Sweet.

 

Wonder which accountant he used to compile those figures?

 

Gammon Broadcasting dying on its arse. Chortle.

 

Shaun Bailey quits London Assembly role after he was photographed at a party last December
The ex mayor candidate steps down as chair of the police and crime committee after he was caught failing to adhere to social distancing

ByDanielle Sheridan, POLITICAL AND DEFENCE CORRESPONDENT14 December 2021 • 10:07pm

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Shaun Bailey has quit his London Assembly role after he was snapped at a party last Christmas
Shaun Bailey stepped down from his role as chair of London Assembly's police and crime committee on Tuesday night after a photograph emerged of him failing to adhere to social distancing rules alongside 23 other people at a party last December.

According to The Mirror, the event, organised by Mr Bailey’s mayoral campaign, took place on December 14 last year when London was in Tier 2, banning any social mixing between households.

A spokesman for the Conservatives said: “Senior CCHQ staff became aware of an unauthorised social gathering in the basement of [CCHQ] organised by the Bailey campaign on the evening of 14th December.

“Formal disciplinary action was taken against the four CCHQ staff who were seconded to the Bailey campaign.”

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It comes as a senior official was found to have told staff to leave No 10 through the back door on the night Boris Johnson hosted a Downing Street quiz last Christmas in another apparent breach of lockdown rules.

In an email seen by The Mirror, it shows organisers had planned in advance for staff to enjoy the quiz in person, from the office, while Number 10’s head of HR told staff taking part in the quiz to leave through the rear exit.

At 9.39pm on December 15, the top official sent a message to the chat group being used for the quiz, which read: “Go out the back.”

It is not clear whether leaving Downing Street by the back exit is normal practice for staff late at night.

Meanwhile, an alarm inside Downing Street was set off during an alleged Christmas party attended by up to 50 members of staff, it has been claimed.

According to ITV news sources within No 10 have said that the alarm was activated on December 18 last year while staff were socialising over drinks and party games.

The alarm was apparently set off in another room to where people had gathered, which in turn resulted in a doorkeeper attending to check on whether there had been a security breach.

It has been alleged that a Met Police officer also attended following the alarm to conduct their own security checks.

Both the Met Police and Downing Street said they did not comment on security matters.

It comes as the Cabinet Office’s propriety and ethics team were gathering information regarding three separate events - a leaving do, a quiz night and a Christmas party - alleged to have taken place in Downing Street between November and December last year.

All three allegedly occurred when the public were subject to strict Covid-19 restrictions on household mixing and gatherings.

Meanwhile The Telegraph understands Downing Street officials now fear that more footage of Allegra Stratton giving dummy press conferences has been leaked.

Staff believe it is likely that ITV journalists have many hours more footage of Allegra Stratton’s floundering dry runs as Boris Johnson’s press secretary, recorded in late 2020.

In a statement the Met Police said: "As a matter of course, we do not discuss specific details of protective security arrangements we provide at government buildings, as to do so could serve to undermine any such arrangements in place."

A government spokesman said: "Given there is an ongoing review, it would be inappropriate to comment while that is ongoing. We do not discuss matters of security.”

 

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