So back in November there was a mudslide by an old quarry in Mansfield. And man of the moment Robert Jenrick paid a visit, at which he met Mansfield Mayor Andy Abrahams. https://www.chad.co.uk/news/people/mansfield-district-council-release-statement-about-complex-berry-hill-site-after-quarry-collapse-981646

And Andy Abrahams emerges from the meetings with a sense that Jenrick is going to do rather more to help with the quarry works than the modest contribution Jenrick actually makes.

And he writes to Jenrick expressing his disappointment. (The "Ben" is Ben Bradley, the local MP).

Anyway, Bradley doesn't like Abrahams writing to Jenrick in these terms and he write back to Abrahams speaking the language known to local Government everywhere "your letter risks damaging the Secretary of State's goodwill."

And Bradley goes on with a warning - putting political pressure on Jenrick makes it less likely that Mansfield will be awarded money from the Future High Street Fund.

Abrahams responds: surely you can't be suggesting Jenrick would take into account his own political embarrassment in considering whether to award Mansfield FHSF money?

Bradley replies again. Some of this has been discussed with Jenrick and this is "not wise".

This correspondence is from a complaint made this week to the Parliamentary Watchdog by Abrahams about Bradley and man of the moment, Jenrick.

It's plainly unlawful to take into account whether someone is embarrassing you in deciding whether to give Mansfield public money.