Rushcliffe MP Ken Clarke loses key to ministerial red box on day at Trent Bridge
RUSHCLIFFE MP and Justice Secretary Ken Clarke lost the key to his ministerial red box, containing official government papers, as he took a day off to watch cricket at Trent Bridge.
Mr Clarke admitted that officials at the Ministry of Justice would probably suspect him of faking the loss so he could enjoy the first day of England's Test match against Pakistan on Thursday.
He told the BBC's Test Match Special: "I can't open the red box that they made me take with me last night because I appear to have lost my key.
"I do have a key. I have mislaid it somewhere.
"I can't believe anybody in my office believes a word – they know I'm at Trent Bridge."
Red boxes are traditionally used by ministers to carry official papers when they are away from their departments, but the Ministry of Justice insisted that the loss of the key had not compromised security.
A spokesman said a replacement key would be sent to Mr Clarke overnight.
Mr Clarke said he insisted on starting his summer break with the Test Match.
5 Comments
by Bulgaria, Maxfield
Friday, July 30 2010, 10:49PM
“Why have U even written this story Post? So desperate?”
by Mel, City
Friday, July 30 2010, 3:21PM
“Sensible,
Z,zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz”
by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Friday, July 30 2010, 2:50PM
“They do say lock em up and throw away the key...
:)
Or maybe I need a little more practice!”
by Dave, Nottingham
Friday, July 30 2010, 12:10PM
“I do, however, love Ken and apologise for being so horribly flippant.”
by Dave, Nottingham
Friday, July 30 2010, 9:45AM
“He'll probably put in a £10,000 expenses claim for a locksmith and new key cut. (no receipt required obviously)”