John Hirst Adviser to Rt. Hon. Dr.

Liam Fox MP 12 October 2011 Dear Liam As Secretary of State for Defence the basic and traditional function of your office is securing the community against external aggression. The question arises; are you up to the job? There are certain distractions which mean that you have to defend yourself rather than the country. Therefore if you resigned from the Cabinet you might be able to sort out your problems and it would also allow somebody else to assume the responsibilities of the State. If it is any consolation Dave has said that the thought of you having to leave the Cabinet makes him physically ill. He said that you should not worry yourself about this because a visit to the chemist will settle his uneasiness. Your obedient servant John Hirst