EXERCISE: Independent MP Met Opposition for "Non-committal" talks

Independent minister Fergus Williams yesterday admitted to meeting with the leader of the Opposition, Dan Millar, fuelling speculation of a defection to trigger a change in Government.

Mr Williams admitted to the meeting on day one of the Goolding Inquiry after Opposition media adviser Malcolm Tucker said Mr Williams had “opened up a private channel to the opposition”.

“He knows this coalition government that he is lumbered with is being torn to pieces like a breadstick at a picnic,” Tucker told the inquiry.

Mr William’s defection from the independent coalition with Prime Minister John Brown’s minority government would leave his seat open to the Opposition, causing a change in government.

“[We] were part of a team who had very general non-committal discussions, amongst others, with Mr Millar,” Mr Williams said.

Mr Millar has been reached for comment.

The Goolding Inquiry was launched to investigate the Government’s alleged illegal leaking of the medical records of National Health Services housing campaigner, Douglas Tickell, leading to his suicide in July.

The Goolding Inquiry is using Mr Tickell’s case to examine the practice and culture of the dissemination of confidential information between political parties and the media.

The Goolding Inquiry continues.

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