Fury over Cabinet’s ‘astonishing’ vanishing act

THE Government has come under attack for doing a disappearing act while public services, key legislation and foreign policy are crying out for attention.

A Cabinet in exile, formed by the departure of five ministers to the Cheltenham Races on Tuesday, will swell in number today when 22 ministers abandon the business of State to fly overseas for St Patrick's Day.

They leave behind deepening concerns for the health service, renewed fury at the condition of the country's schools, outrage at curtailments on freedom of information and ambivalence over the position on Iraq.