Dear Defra .. as incompetent as ever

Good old Defra. Nothing changes and delighted to see it is as incompetent as ever.
The carrot munching Hilary Benn announced his new vision for English farming today. Let's not fall foul of the Defra ploy to claim a UK policy as he isn't responsible for agriculture in the devolved regions. That said the Defra dictatorship appears alive and well; its plan for a disease levy could force the devolved regions down a similar route as Mr Benn holds the purse strings for animal health.
Anyway back to Mr Benn's vision – which was leaked with great gusto to the Sundays. Those of us wanting to get an idea of what Carrot Top was announcing today were left in the dark until just before 6pm when the press office finally decided to put out his speech. I believe by then it had awoken from its slumber.
No press release today. Press officers strangely were also unable to answer queries on the policy the Chief Veggie talked to the media about from 10.50am to 11.20am and then to industry from 2pm to 4pm.
The venue for this event, the Oval in London, rather than within the confines of Defra's HQ. The penny pinching Defra is currently going through doesn't seem apply to ministerial launches.
You will by now have sensed my frustration and anger.
I've written to Steve Morris, the acting communication boss to complain. This was written just after 5pm.
I don't expect an answer any time soon, but if they do get in touch I'll let you know.

Dear Mr Morris

I gather you are the acting communications director at Defra.

Far be it for me, once again, to point out Defra's inadequacies on the communications but can you please explain why you have yet to issue a news release on Hilary Benn's vision for farming?

I have here the world and his wife commenting on his plan for a disease levy, but as yet no actual facts from Defra.

That this particular issue has been trailed for most of the weekend points to Defra knowing the contents of the minister's vision well in advance.

The situation begs several questions, the most notable of which has to be why it has taken you so long to formally issue his vision when you've already leaked the contents to the Sundays.

I have previously raised on several occasions your department's poor communications. This is yet another example of its ongoing incompetence and in being unable to communicate. The press officer dealing with this can't give me any insight as to what the proposals are as he hasn't yet seen the document.

What a farce, what a communications disaster, but then that has typified Defra for years. I look forward, as ever, to hearing the latest excuses. I would have been quicker travelling to London and hearing Mr Benn's remarks for myself than in attempting to get your department to communicate them.