Goodbye to all that as Robin Cook moves out

Goodbye to all that as Robin Cook moves out

By David Millward
(Filed: 18/04/2003)

Telegraph

Robin Cook did not look back yesterday as he surrendered the trappings of Cabinet life and left his grace and favour home in the heart of London's clubland.

Casually dressed in an open-necked short-sleeved shirt and corduroy trousers, the former Foreign Secretary and Leader of the Commons also had few misgivings about the political decision that necessitated his departure from Carlton Gardens.

"It has always been an official residential space," he said. "It isn't a home in the sense that you can relax there and make it your own, filled with your own things. It has been a very good official residence, it was very helpful for work but it isn't a place which I am sorry to be leaving.

"The flat upstairs is more mundane so there are no regrets and I am looking forward. I have a very pleasant flat in Edinburgh and life is full of new opportunities."

The van, which appropriately had a Saltire and Rampant Lion hanging beneath the front spoiler, left at about 1.15pm.

Twenty minutes later Mr Cook made his final break from front bench political life after 20 years. Shorn of his official driver, the former Cabinet minister has treated himself to a new Vauxhall. With his wife Gaynor in the passenger seat, he threw some clothing into the back and like less celebrated families going through the same ritual drove off to his new home and a new life.

Mr Cook moved into the flat when he became Foreign Secretary following Labour's 1997 election victory. He kept the place when he was demoted to Leader of the Commons because Jack Straw, his successor, preferred to remain at his own home in Kennington.

Thus with Mr Straw's blessing he was able to make the three- bedroom flat his own for a little longer. A 15-minute stroll from the House of Commons, 1 Carlton Cardens - the home of Foreign Secretaries since 1945 - has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a huge ballroom.

There are private gardens nearby and it is also a short distance from St James's and Green Parks, ideal for walking Tammy and Tashka, his two Scottish terriers.

It was still unclear last night who will be handed the keys to the house following Mr Cook's departure.

Yesterday was an ideal day to be moving. The sun shone and the offices nearby appeared deserted, enabling him to make his exit from one of London's most select addresses undisturbed.

The only spectators were a trio of French tourists who were rather more interested in having their picture taken by the statue of Charles de Gaulle, whose wartime headquarters was in the same street, than the small piece of political theatre going on around them.

Boxes followed boxes, then there were some bookshelves, a bike, a filing cabinet, a wicker basket and finally Mr Cook's shirts and a couple of chintz cushions.

Amid all the activity it was not Mr Cook's famed forensic debating skills that were required yesterday, but rather his ability to make a good cup of tea for his removal men. He passed with flying colours.

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