A third UK Cabinet embarrassment is erupting fury this week as it emerges that Priti Patel, the international development secretary, broke the ministerial code of conduct by having a dozen unofficial meetings with Israeli government officials, including PM Netanyahu, while she was on holiday in Israel. Then it turns out she was exploring ways to give aid money to the Israeli army to support their humanitarian operations in occupied parts of the Golan Heights, which the UK does not recognise, so would contravene UK policy.
Memo: Fallon, Defence Secretary fell on his sword over ‘inappropriate’ behaviour a few days back; and Boris Johnson is in deep sileage over the Iranian foul up (see previous post).
Patel, born 29 March 1972, London, is an outspoken Tory right-winger, supports the tobacco and alcohol industries, voted against the same-sex marriage bill and is a member of the Friends of Israel.
She’s a Sun Mercury in Aries with her Sun trine Neptune, and opposition Pluto (Moon) in Libra square Jupiter in Capricorn – certainly not short of chutzpah or ambition. Though she may be forced to resign over this. She has a cool Air Grand Trine of Pluto trine North Node trine Mars Saturn, with the last opposition Neptune, giving her a love of publicity and making her hard-edged. Obviously talented but inclined to leap before she looks and cut corners.
Her Venus in Taurus is conjunct the Israel Sun, as is her Solar Arc Sun at the moment – as she hits her Israeli moment. And her relationship chart with Israel has an Earth Grand Trine of Pluto trine Jupiter trine composite Sun – she will feel strong ties and an opportunity for advancement.
Theresa May evidently gave her a rollicking but she can’t afford to lose too many more cabinet ministers before even her slippery Neptunian government collapses.