Gay Sex: More Interesting Than National Security

British defense secretary Liam Fox is under investigation for breaching the ministerial code.

His friend and former flatmate Adam Werritty accompanied him on official visits, had regular access to the Ministry of Defense and had business cards made describing himself as Fox’s advisor. Fox is hanging on to his job with a desperation I haven’t seen in some time.

But what the tabloids are more interested in who Fox is sleeping with. Werritty? The younger man who might have been in his flat when it was burgled last year?

Worryingly, this has spread beyond the tabloids. The BBC picked up the story amidst further reports of Werritty attending meetings with officials. There’s also the worrying subject of Werritty’s financial backers, who according to the BBC regarded him as someone who could promote their interests.

In his analysis, the BBC‘s Norman Smith said “At one level the circumstances of Mr Fox’s private life are entirely his matter but in the current context to have the idea of journalists being misled fuels the pressure on him.”

I find it difficult to believe that Fox’s lying to journalists about who he’s sleeping with is comparable with possibly breaching national security. I also find it difficult to believe that anyone cares.

Perhaps backers of the conservative party, not known for being a gay-friendly group, have a specific interest in Fox’s personal life. I don’t, and I haven’t heard much buzz about it outside the Sun and the BBC.

Fox is known to have a background of homophobia. While studying at the University of Glasgow, Fox resigned from the student council when a gay and lesbian society was admitted to the student union. This fact might add interest to the politician’s personal life. It also begs the question: how can a person expressing blatant hateful views have risen to a senior government post?

Contact the author here: miriam@morningquickie.com