Mary Creagh has rightly been getting plaudits for putting the boot into the government over its handling of the horsemeat scandal. The fiesty shadow environment secretary has proved herself one of the most effective operators on the opposition front bench.
But is she right to suggest that Owen Paterson, environment secretary, is the only politician to have responded in a somewhat lacklustre way to the unfolding scandal?
I’ve gone back through the notes of our interview with Ed Miliband on January 16 (published the next day), when the story was first breaking.
Here is the transcript:
Jim Pickard: “Can I ask about horsemeat? This is a serious question. You’ve criticised companies, big business; is this another example of them failing to act responsibly?”
Ed Miliband: (laughs). “God, I’m not in favour of horsemeat in burgers. I can tell you exclusively.”
Jim Pickard: “What does it tell us about the supply chain then?”
Ed Miliband: “Where did it happen? I just saw the head of Tesco the other day, actually.”
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey