Stop voting for fucking Tories

[Hal Jordan]

Seeing the likes of Piers Morgan and Kelvin MacKenzie dive in two footed on the BBC over journalistic standards is jawdropping stuff.

[tabascoboy]

The BBC's reputation has been "highly damaged" following an inquiry into the Panorama interview with Diana, Princess of Wales, Priti Patel has said.

Shit me, talk about double-standards - meanwhile this woman is pure teflon...

[Hal Jordan]

She's said that breaches of the Ministerial code and other rules aren't important because they do "difficult jobs, actually."

Horrific human being.

[Lobby]

She is an absolute fucking disgrace. This has been going on for over 30 ,years and as well as murder involves corruption in the Met and the News of the World and possibly other Murdoch titles.
Paul Foot and Private Eye were all over this for a long time and Foot has been dead for 14 years!!

Dare I mention the NOW's phone hacking that added to Millie Dowler's parents' acute distress and sidetracked a murder Investigation - and the complicit lack of outrage from those who are now so steamed up about the BBC?

The only one charged was the PI; wasn't it ?

It was like throwing the hitman in prison; & letting the people who paid him the money go scot free

Not quite.

In the period 2011 - 2016 67 journalists were arrested as part of the police investigation into phone hacking in the UK (Operation Weeting). If you include journalists who were interviewed under caution, the number rises to over 100. To put that in context, more journalists were arrested in the UK in that period than anywhere else in the West, and these numbers put the UK on a par with countries like Iran and China. Many of those arrested spent several years on police bail before hearing that they would not be formally charged.

Of the 29 arrested for phone hacking, 8 were convicted after admitting offences, with one more (Andy Coulson) being found guilty after a trial. All of these were from the News of the World.

Hacking was also widespread at the Mirror, but this was much less publicised at the time than hacking by the NoW and other Murdoch titles. 5 Daily Mirror journalists were arrested in this period and a further 15 interviewed under caution in relation to hacking, but the CPS decided not to pursue any of these cases. The Mirror Group has since paid out millions in compensation to hacking victims.

of the 34 journalists arrested and/or charged with illegally paying for stories two were convicted: Dan Evans, who admitted the offence, and Anthony France of the Sun, whose conviction was later quashed on appeal.

18 people were arrested as part of the police investigation into computer hacking (Operation Tuleta) but there were no convictions. One Times journalist admitted the offence after hacking into a Yahoo email account and was cautioned. If I recall correctly, he was sacked by the Times, and then went to work for the Guardian.

[Insane_Homer]

[Insane_Homer]

[I like neeps]

The Churchill project

I guess some pointless variation on the Lincoln project.

[Hal Jordan]

Johnson has outlived his usefulness. He delivered Brexit and a big majority, now dump him for someone who appears less compromised.

No other reason for Cummings being on manoeuvres.

[spike]

Johnson has outlived his usefulness. He delivered Brexit and a big majority, now dump him for someone who appears less compromised.

No other reason for Cummings being on manoeuvres.

Johnson has improved his approval rating with te public to c 50/50 in recent months according to yougov polling. Starmer is nosediving in comparison. So I don't think Johnson has much to worry about yet.

[SaintK]

Truss getting the government of to a not so brilliant start this week!

Truss said that the government has published the report from the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, chaired by Tony Sewell, and that it had been “very important in setting a new agenda for how we’re dealing with racial equality is Britain”.
But when the presenter, Nick Ferrari, pointed out that the report had been widely condemned, Truss started sinking. She did not accept his point, when she challenged to name anyone who had supported it, she could not.
NF: You must accept secretary, it was widely condemned.

LT: There was a lot of support for the report.

NF: From whom?

LT: From a number of people - I think of them of the top of my head, but a lot of people said this is a common sense approach ...

NF: Lord Woolley, the head of [Operation Black Vote] said it was ridiculous, so many other campaigners, I can give you names. Give me the name of someone how actually lauded it outside the prime minister.

LT: I’ll get back to you. I can’t remember offhand.

[tabascoboy]

The laziness of not bothering to properly brief yourself for an interview and just trying to bluff your way through it. She's not the only one and hers isn't the only party to do it, but quite typical of the contemporary "speak much, say little" attitude and strategy. It's all about bullet points. No wonder so many feel disengaged from politics.

[Lobby]

The laziness of not bothering to properly brief yourself for an interview and just trying to bluff your way through it. She's not the only one and hers isn't the only party to do it, but quite typical of the contemporary "speak much, say little" attitude and strategy. It's all about bullet points. No wonder so many feel disengaged from politics.

I assume she was appearing on LBC to talk about the Australia trade deal and the problems this is causing for British farmers, and possibly border controls at the Irish border, rather than race relations and the Government's much criticised report, and would have been briefed accordingly.

However, she is also the Minister for Women and Equalities as well as Secretary of State for International Trade, so she should have been able to respond to an question about a central part of her formal responsibilities, even if the question wasn't one she was expecting.

[SaintK]

The laziness of not bothering to properly brief yourself for an interview and just trying to bluff your way through it. She's not the only one and hers isn't the only party to do it, but quite typical of the contemporary "speak much, say little" attitude and strategy. It's all about bullet points. No wonder so many feel disengaged from politics.

I assume she was appearing on LBC to talk about the Australia trade deal and the problems this is causing for British farmers, and possibly border controls at the Irish border, rather than race relations and the Government's much criticised report, and would have been briefed accordingly.

However, she is also the Minister for Women and Equalities as well as Secretary of State for International Trade, so she should have been able to respond to an question about a central part of her formal responsibilities, even if the question wasn't one she was expecting.

Nah!! Too busy talking about more important things

Truss claimed that the UK’s dismal performance in Eurovision was would be improved if there was more competition for a candidate. She even suggested the BBC should no longer be involved.

Liz Truss wades in on Eurovision and our null points from the weekend.
It's not about Brexit. It's down to the fact we don't have proper competition to select our candidate.
She says LBC should perhaps run it instead of the BBC.

[tabascoboy]

It's a hole that politicians ( again of all affiliations) have dug for themselves. Interviewers know that they are going to be briefed and trained by spin doctors so the only way to unsettle them is to throw in a something they maybe didn't expect - but at the same time a subject they should at least be able to give an articulate response.

Just like job interviews where they suddenly change tack from your rehearsed answers to questions about qualifications, achievements and experience on selling burgers to "so, how would you build a bridge across the Thames with only two planks of wood, a stapler and a banana?".

[Lobby]

The laziness of not bothering to properly brief yourself for an interview and just trying to bluff your way through it. She's not the only one and hers isn't the only party to do it, but quite typical of the contemporary "speak much, say little" attitude and strategy. It's all about bullet points. No wonder so many feel disengaged from politics.

I assume she was appearing on LBC to talk about the Australia trade deal and the problems this is causing for British farmers, and possibly border controls at the Irish border, rather than race relations and the Government's much criticised report, and would have been briefed accordingly.

However, she is also the Minister for Women and Equalities as well as Secretary of State for International Trade, so she should have been able to respond to an question about a central part of her formal responsibilities, even if the question wasn't one she was expecting.

Nah!! Too busy talking about more important things

Truss claimed that the UK’s dismal performance in Eurovision was would be improved if there was more competition for a candidate. She even suggested the BBC should no longer be involved.

Liz Truss wades in on Eurovision and our null points from the weekend.
It's not about Brexit. It's down to the fact we don't have proper competition to select our candidate.
She says LBC should perhaps run it instead of the BBC.

FFS!

[SaintK]

The Labour party suspend their sex-pests and make them resign whereas the Tory party give them a "rebuke" and let them carry ons
This one comes over as a particularly nast piece of shite

Tory MP Rob Roberts faces six week suspension from Commons over sexual misconduct complaint
The independent expert panel, the relatively new body that adjudicates on bullying and sexual misconduct complaints about MPs, is recommending that the Conservative MP Rob Roberts should suspended from the Commons for six weeks for sexually harassing an employee. The report is here (pdf).

The Conservative party also carried out its own investigation into Roberts, MP for Delyn. The party rebuked him for his conduct, but took no further action.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-56757772

[Lobby]

The Labour party suspend their sex-pests and make them resign whereas the Tory party give them a "rebuke" and let them carry ons
This one comes over as a particularly nast piece of shite

Tory MP Rob Roberts faces six week suspension from Commons over sexual misconduct complaint
The independent expert panel, the relatively new body that adjudicates on bullying and sexual misconduct complaints about MPs, is recommending that the Conservative MP Rob Roberts should suspended from the Commons for six weeks for sexually harassing an employee. The report is here (pdf).

The Conservative party also carried out its own investigation into Roberts, MP for Delyn. The party rebuked him for his conduct, but took no further action.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-56757772

Not sure that’s true. None of the parties can claim the moral high ground on sexual misconduct.

Labour initially suspended Mike Hill over the (now proven) allegations of sexual misconduct, but then reinstated him just a month later, and allowed him to stand for re-election in 2019. He only resigned after his position became untenable. The complainant has been highly critical of the Party’s handling of the case. The SNP has recently been accused of trying to sweep allegations of groping made against its Chief Whip, Patrick Grady, dating back to 2016 under the carpet. It is now investigating only after the allegations were reported in the press. The Lib Dems consistently failed to deal with multiple allegations made against its then Chair, Lord Rennard. And of course there are several examples of the Tories repeatedly failing to deal with allegations of sexual misconduct, of which this is just the latest.

[Slick]

Pretty sure the SNP could top any of that in the last couple of years.

[SaintK]

The Labour party suspend their sex-pests and make them resign whereas the Tory party give them a "rebuke" and let them carry ons
This one comes over as a particularly nast piece of shite

Tory MP Rob Roberts faces six week suspension from Commons over sexual misconduct complaint
The independent expert panel, the relatively new body that adjudicates on bullying and sexual misconduct complaints about MPs, is recommending that the Conservative MP Rob Roberts should suspended from the Commons for six weeks for sexually harassing an employee. The report is here (pdf).

The Conservative party also carried out its own investigation into Roberts, MP for Delyn. The party rebuked him for his conduct, but took no further action.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-56757772

Not sure that’s true. None of the parties can claim the moral high ground on sexual misconduct.

Labour initially suspended Mike Hill over the (now proven) allegations of sexual misconduct, but then reinstated him just a month later, and allowed him to stand for re-election in 2019. He only resigned after his position became untenable. The complainant has been highly critical of the Party’s handling of the case. The SNP has recently been accused of trying to sweep allegations of groping made against its Chief Whip, Patrick Grady, dating back to 2016 under the carpet. It is now investigating only after the allegations were reported in the press. The Lib Dems consistently failed to deal with multiple allegations made against its then Chair, Lord Rennard. And of course there are several examples of the Tories repeatedly failing to deal with allegations of sexual misconduct, of which this is just the latest.

Fair call!
Didn't know that about Hill

[TheNatalShark]

On the topic from another thread, I wonder what bribes Bojo and Raab have in store for Viktor Orban's visit on Friday. Imagine something along the lines of causing trouble re NI protocol Brussels side.

Perhaps Patel wants an autograph for her refugee nets.

[tabascoboy]

On the topic from another thread, I wonder what bribes Bojo and Raab have in store for Viktor Orban's visit on Friday. Imagine something along the lines of causing trouble re NI protocol Brussels side.

Perhaps Patel wants an autograph for her refugee nets.

This is the Viktor Orban who is accused of killing democracy to secure power and national assets whether or not he's actually in government? Maybe Johnson and co. are looking for some advice...

[tabascoboy]

The questioning of Cummings leaves me very much in two minds: on the one hand he's a total knobhead who I'd trust less far than I can piss (which due to ageing bladder and prostrate isn't exactly racehorse in power) who clearly has a personal agenda and grudge; on the other hoping that his claims can be independently substantiated to deliver some real body blows to this government and the blonde slug.

It's a very bleak situation when you can put no trust at all in either side of an inquiry to make any actual impact, even on public opinion. I expect no more than a little embarrassment to No 10 which can just be shrugged off by shouting out "Brexit! Vaccinations!" loudly enough.

[dpedin]

The questioning of Cummings leaves me very much in two minds: on the one hand he's a total knobhead who I'd trust less far than I can piss (which due to ageing bladder and prostrate isn't exactly racehorse in power) who clearly has a personal agenda and grudge; on the other hoping that his claims can be independently substantiated to deliver some real body blows to this government and the blonde slug.

It's a very bleak situation when you can put no trust at all in either side of an inquiry to make any actual impact, even on public opinion. I expect no more than a little embarrassment to No 10 which can just be shrugged off by shouting out "Brexit! Vaccinations!" loudly enough.

Listening to Cummings give evidence and he is not holding back ... but he is as credible as the Blonde Bumblecunt. Says that COBRA meetings were useless, a waste of his time and well known for leaks despite being apparently the most secure Gov meetings we have! Excoriating in his premeditated 'off the cuff' remarks - 'in February almost everyone in No10 went on holiday skiing' - type of thing. All that comes out of this is that he is a devious twat, he and most in No10 were all useless cunts and No10 was just a pile of steaming shite making things up as they go along. Somehow this is not in any way a surprise! Almost a mirror image of the White House under Trump?

[Paddington Bear]

Him being a prick doesn't make him wrong on everything. If we pretend that all the failures are just 'muh Tories' we'll be in this position again.

The State had a colossal failure early in the crisis. People like Boris can exacerbate that but he isn't the root of this. The Public Health Establishment seemed pretty united at the start of this.
Since then we've had one major State success - on vaccines. Understanding the reasons for both is crucial for improving government performance going forward.

[SaintK]

Interestingly he keeps apologising for his failure to act faster. Something Johnson and Hancock have failed to do
Should imagine Hancock has poured himself a stiff drink following this. Though I'm sure he hasn't found his revolver yet

[tabascoboy]

A lot of contrition but I still have doubts over how much of this can be proven in the face of a likely strong rearguard action from Tory HQ. Some ammo maybe for an internal anti Boris putsch though ( although since Gove may be a benefactor this is a mixed blessing)

[ASMO]

Hancock just been utterly burned lol

[SaintK]

Hancock just been utterly burned lol

Quite!!!!

Cumming says Hancock should have been fired for many things, 'including lying to everybody on multiple occasions'
Rosie Cooper (Lab) is asking the questions now.

Q: Why did you not publish the Sage papers?

Cummings says Sir Patrick Vallance was in favour of publication, “as you would expect from a good scientist”. Prof Chris Whitty thought the same, and so did Sage.

But at that point they were in a crisis, he says.

They did not discuss publishing the Sage documents until the week of 9 March, when they were already “dangling over a cliff”.

Cooper says Cummings might want to discuss the claim that the PM was willing to see bodies pile up. But she goes on to ask how Cummings rates the performance of the Department for Health.

Cummings says there were many brilliant people at middle and junior levels, but they were let down by the leadership.

He says Matt Hancock should have been fired for at least 20 things, “including lying to everybody in multiple occasions in meeting after meeting in the cabinet room and publicly”.

He says the cabinet secretary also told the PM Hancock should be fired, as did other senior people.

[tc27]

Shows how badly the state and civil service is actually setup to manage a crisis like this - lessons surely must be learnt.


I cannot get over BJ wanted to be infected with Covid on live television - you literally couldn't write this believably.

[tabascoboy]

DC playing a pretty canny game, but then you'd expect that from a strategist. Doesn't want to alienate thousands of low ranking civil servants and NHS staff but aiming for the head.

Hancock making a tasty target - wonder if he'll be hung out to dry?

PMQ could be a bit lively!

[dpedin]

Cummings being challenged on accusation that Hancock knowingly lied and has agreed to provide evidence to support his claims. This is going to get very very messy, not sure how the Blonde Bumblecunt and his Brexit Ultras are going to get out of this not smelling of very smelly shit! Looks like the public enquiry has already started whether they like it or not. It will be interesting to see how many other rats desert the sinking ship and start squealing to protect themselves in the inevitable follow up trial by media etc. I expect a feeding frenzy now and it will be interesting to see how many of the press, who acknowledge they know more that they report publicly, will use this as an opportunity to throw it all into the public arena - Peston has already started this process - to protect their own position.

[SaintK]

DC playing a pretty canny game, but then you'd expect that from a strategist. Doesn't want to alienate thousands of low ranking civil servants and NHS staff but aiming for the head.

Hancock making a tasty target - wonder if he'll be hung out to dry?

PMQ could be a bit lively!

By the neck hopefully!!!

[tc27]

Given up thinking scandal X will sink BJ.

[tabascoboy]

Hmmm,

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Dare I mention the NOW's phone hacking that added to Millie Dowler's parents' acute distress and sidetracked a murder Investigation - and the complicit lack of outrage from those who are now so steamed up about the BBC?

The only one charged was the PI; wasn't it ?

It was like throwing the hitman in prison; & letting the people who paid him the money go scot free

Not quite.

In the period 2011 - 2016 67 journalists were arrested as part of the police investigation into phone hacking in the UK (Operation Weeting). If you include journalists who were interviewed under caution, the number rises to over 100. To put that in context, more journalists were arrested in the UK in that period than anywhere else in the West, and these numbers put the UK on a par with countries like Iran and China. Many of those arrested spent several years on police bail before hearing that they would not be formally charged.

Of the 29 arrested for phone hacking, 8 were convicted after admitting offences, with one more (Andy Coulson) being found guilty after a trial. All of these were from the News of the World.

Hacking was also widespread at the Mirror, but this was much less publicised at the time than hacking by the NoW and other Murdoch titles. 5 Daily Mirror journalists were arrested in this period and a further 15 interviewed under caution in relation to hacking, but the CPS decided not to pursue any of these cases. The Mirror Group has since paid out millions in compensation to hacking victims.

of the 34 journalists arrested and/or charged with illegally paying for stories two were convicted: Dan Evans, who admitted the offence, and Anthony France of the Sun, whose conviction was later quashed on appeal.

18 people were arrested as part of the police investigation into computer hacking (Operation Tuleta) but there were no convictions. One Times journalist admitted the offence after hacking into a Yahoo email account and was cautioned. If I recall correctly, he was sacked by the Times, and then went to work for the Guardian.

That sounds a lot like those who paid the money, the publishers, had no action taken against them. And also like those actually carrying out the crimes saw precious little time in gaol

[Paddington Bear]

DC playing a pretty canny game, but then you'd expect that from a strategist. Doesn't want to alienate thousands of low ranking civil servants and NHS staff but aiming for the head.

Hancock making a tasty target - wonder if he'll be hung out to dry?

PMQ could be a bit lively!

The Senior Civil Service being a barrier to effective delivery of public services is a pretty consistent line of his, with plenty to back it up, in fairness.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

DC playing a pretty canny game, but then you'd expect that from a strategist. Doesn't want to alienate thousands of low ranking civil servants and NHS staff but aiming for the head.

Hancock making a tasty target - wonder if he'll be hung out to dry?

PMQ could be a bit lively!

The Senior Civil Service being a barrier to effective delivery of public services is a pretty consistent line of his, with plenty to back it up, in fairness.

Bad management is often to be found, in both public and private organisations. And you can do a good job in government but because it's so vast by it's very nature still have things going wrong

[Hal Jordan]

What possible motive could Cummings, and who he works for, have in undermining confidence in Sir Humphrey and friends? I mean, to date he has been fulsome in his praise of the Civil Service and a keen advocate of its continuance in its existing form.

He's a fucking snake, and whilst it's fun seeing him give his version of events and absolve himself from all blame, it's likely to be conveniently forgotten in some quarters that he was at the very heart of the Government before and during the pandemic.

[ASMO]

What possible motive could Cummings, and who he works for, have in undermining confidence in Sir Humphrey and friends? I mean, to date he has been fulsome in his praise of the Civil Service and a keen advocate of its continuance in its existing form.

He's a fucking snake, and whilst it's fun seeing him give his version of events and absolve himself from all blame, it's likely to be conveniently forgotten in some quarters that he was at the very heart of the Government before and during the pandemic.

He has been uber smart, he has blamed himself for failing but saying he only worked within the boundaries he was set by the Bumblecunt and his mates, this is a masterclass in knifing someone in the back whilst being seen as an innocent victim in all of this.

[Paddington Bear]

If you think whatever Cummings would replace it with would be worse then fair enough, but to suggest the British Civil Service is fit for service and worthy of defending is basically laughable.

The vaccine taskforce was our first major non security related public project success for what? at least a couple of decades, and was led by someone from outside the Civil Service.
Every major government initiative in the last 20yrs or so has either failed, achieved 50% max results and almost all have been overbudget and late.
On security we've lost two wars in that same timeframe.
Foreign policy is a joke that seems largely focussed on being invited to parties in Washington. The only meaningful success, the expansion of the EU eastward, was turned into a colossal failure by other parts of the Government machine and facilitated the crisis of the last five years.

And in that time we've had five PMs from two parties, all with pretty different governing styles and differing ideologies. What's the connection with all of them?