Housing Minister sacked for social media leak claims ITV chief

Now former housing minister Rachel Maclean got into trouble and was sacked for revealing the contents of King Charles’ Speech back in October says Robert Peston.

Rachel Maclean MP

Former Housing Minister Rachel Maclean was sacked earlier this week for tweeting about her own government’s plans to phase out leasehold on the morning of October 29 – long before it was confirmed in the King’s Speech, ITV’s political editor has claimed.

At the time Maclean posted: “Plans to phase out leasehold and restore true home ownership confirmed today as part of the King’s Speech. We will restore true home ownership to millions of people and end the reign of rip off freeholders+ incompetent profiteering management companies …(sic)”

MISTAKE REVEALED

Her mistake was revealed by ITV’s Political Editor Robert Peston on X, formerly twitter, on Wednesday.

A tweet by ITV Political Editor Robert Peston revealing why former Housing Minister Rachel Maclean was sacked.The Law Discoveries Authority (@LawDiscoveries) replied: “Rachel Maclean’s housing minister dismissal shows how government etiquette and digital communication interact. Because it was sent before King Charles’ speech, Maclean’s tweet hailing the government’s decision to phase away leasehold and restore actual house ownership was apparently a breach of procedure.

“This emphasizes the need of following government communication rules, especially for major policy releases. Timing and method of government announcements are often as important as content.(sic)”

Maclean’s sacking on Monday sent shockwaves through the property industry as she had only been in the role nine months and was due to introduce the Renters (Reform) Bill the next day.

LAST FULL WEEK

On Wednesday Maclean tweeted: “In my last full week as [housing and] planning minister, I delivered on some key priorities to speed up housebuilding across the country and boost supply side reforms to strengthen the economy.

“Starting with signing into law the planning fees increase ensuring more resource for local planning authorities. Widely welcomed across the industry and local government, it will deliver more resources for planning teams as promised in the Levelling up and Regeneration Act.”

Lee Rowley, Housing Minister
Lee Rowley, Housing Minister

Lee Rowley replaced Maclean as Housing Minister – now the 16th Housing Minister since 2010 and the sixth housing minister in 17 months in what has become a revolving door at the DLUHC.

He has been a minister at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and previously held the briefs for planning and local government but has now been moved solely to cover housing.

He held the post previously, last year for less than two months, before being replaced by Lucy Frazer.


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