Resignation speeches tend to be at their best when a cabinet minister has taken the initiative to resign, as in the cases of Sir Geoffrey Howe, Nigel Lawson and Robin Cook.
So I wasn't expecting much from the statement by the departing Dr Fox in the House of Commons earlier today. Nor did we get very much.
Beforehand, journalists on Twitter were getting very excited:
"Liam Fox just entered commons after govt chief whip Patrick McLoughlin scanned chamber" @nicholaswatt
"Fox has arrived" @paulwaugh
"Fox arrives. Sits on back bench" @MichaelLCrick
During and after the speech, they weren't impressed:
"Astonishing stuff from Fox. Apparently doesn't realise he's done anything wrong. It's all the evil meeja out to get him, right?" @dlknowles
"Fox has the brass neck to blame the media for his downfall." @ayestotheright
"If it weren't for the media, Liam, you wouldn't have been found out. A bit rich to have a go at us now." @MASieghart
"Too much like an Oscar acceptance speech"
This tweet, from @AndrewSparrow of The Guardian, summed the whole thing up - and with a nice touch of irony...
More reactions:
- Simon Hoggart: Liam Fox tiptoes round the notion that he did anything wrong (Guardian)
- Andrew Grice: Fox faces second inquiry as he turns his fire on the media (Independent)
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