Embassy of Ireland : November 4, 2008.
5/11/2008
Embassy of Ireland reception 4.11.2008
Hat trick of Home Secretaries for Journalists' Charity
Generous Irish hospitality was again the order of the day when the Journalists' Charity held its annual reception at the Embassy of Ireland in Grosvenor Place.
David Cooney, the Ambassador of Ireland, was the host and he welcomed the main speaker, Jack Straw, MP, the former Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary and now Justice Secretary. Mr Straw's presence created a hat trick of Home Secretaries for the charity: Jacqui Smith, the current Home Secretary was principal guest in 2007 and her predecessor Dr John Reid spoke at the 2006 reception.
Mr Cooney said he was delighted the embassy was able to continue its support for the Journalists' Charity. Having been born in London, he was particularly proud to be welcoming Mr Straw whom he described as "another East End boy".
Mr Straw joked later that he was not quite an East End boy as he was born in Essex but he clearly enjoyed being reminded of his roots. As Mr Cooney pointed out, Mr Straw -- along with the Prime Minister Gordon Brown -- had been a cabinet minister since 1997, having begun his career at Westminster as a political adviser to Barbara Castle and succeeding her as Labour MP for Blackburn.
Mr Straw joined Mr Cooney in congratulating the Journalists' Charity on the work it was doing in supporting retired and needy colleagues.
He gave a run down of the legislation being promoted in Parliament by the Justice Department and as he was in the company of journalists he wanted to express his long-standing support for the Freedom of Information Act. However, Mr Straw acknowledged somewhat ruefully, that although it was important for effective democracy, freedom of information occasionally made life uncomfortable for government ministers!
Chris Boffey, standing in the for the Journalists' Charity chairman Bob Warren, thanked Mr Cooney and Mr Straw for their support.
Nicholas Jones 17.11.2008