Cash For Honours - CPS - ‘NO CHARGES’
- All Contents of Site - Index
- Brown Stuff
- To Dream The Impossible Dream - Blair’s Quest
- Obituary for Tony Blair - by Dubbya
- Read Full CPS Decision
Comment at end
25th July 2007
YATES TO TALK TO COMMONS PAC - CALLS FOR BLAIR & OTHERS
Yesterday the Commons Public Administration Committee met to discuss the resumption of their inquiries into the honours system in the autumn.
Excerpt:
PASC STATEMENT ON PROPRIETY AND HONOURS
At its meeting today, the Committee decided to resume its inquiry into propriety and the honours system.
This inquiry builds on the Committee’s recent work on the honours system A Matter of Honour: Reforming the Honours System, and its recently published report on Ethics and Standards: The Regulation of Conduct in Public Life.
According to The Guardian members said that Tony Blair should give evidence to the reopened cash for honours inquiry by MPs as well as others under police scrutiny.
The committee agreed it would call Assistant Commissioner John Yates, the Scotland Yard detective who led the £1m investigation, to explain what he found.
Other witnesses likely to be summoned are the four Labour donors who were denied peerages after it was discovered they had given secret loans to Labour: Sir David Garrard, Sir Gulam Noon, Chai Patel and Barry Townsley. All four were due to appear before MPs last year before Mr Yates asked MPs to suspend the inquiry during the criminal investigation.
24th July, 2007
THE MYTH OF CORRUPT POLITICIANS
Steve Richards of The Independent has an excellent and thought provoking article on our assumption that politicians are invariably up to no good. Some harsh words for Yates of the Yard too, following the clear judgement of no case to answer. On the press’s responsibility and that of the SNP he is quieter. Unfortunately I have concluded that the weight of opposition on a personal and political level to Mr Blair and his colleagues had become too heavy to withstand. With backstabbers within, the media without, Scotland’s politics across the chamber and dissatisfaction over domestic and foreign policy issues Blair was clearly for the chop.
THE CHOPPER & THE CONDUIT
But the cop with the chopper got it WRONG. And the conduit for the spreading of his misfired ammunition was the press. They too are guilty of misrepresentation.
And never mind that Brown had been plotting against Blair for years. It was only a JOB he was after, not (necessarily) his erstwhile best mate’s blood and reputation.
The press and the brainwashed, misled public provided the bullets. Brown has benefited personally, the country has yet to work it all out, the press has been temporarily muted, the police are wondering how it came to this, and Blair’s reputation has been shredded.
For now his new job has provided focus, purpose and distraction.
And by God! Must he need it!
HOUSE OF COMMONS TO RESUME THEIR INQUIRIES
Parliamentary committee to resume their inquiry into party funding arrangements. This inquiry was stopped by order of the police at the start of the police inquiry. Inspector Yates of the Yard and Tony Blair may be called in front of the committee.
22nd July, 2007
“GESTAPO TACTICS” ON A SINGLE WOMAN
The wife of Jonathan Powell, former chief of staff to Tony Blair has accused the police of Gestapo tactics in their pursuit of those under scrutiny over the cash-for-honours fiasco.
Lifting the lid on the private fury felt by Tony Blair’s inner circle over the inquiry, she said the police used “Gestapo tactics!”, picking on “the vulnerable, preferably a single woman, living alone. No matter that you may have nothing on her that will ultimately stand up in court - give her a scare.’”
Sarah Helm’s intervention, contrasting with the measured language of the former Prime Minister, singled out a dawn raid on the former Number 10 aide Ruth Turner as a sign of police heavy-handedness.
It was widely known in Whitehall that the raid on Turner deeply upset Blair and Powell. Helm writes: ‘As if she were some street criminal, ready to scarper, Ruth’s home was swooped upon by [Assistant Commissioner John] Yates’s men and she was forced to dress in the presence of a female police officer. Then there was a tip-off to the press.’
Helm, whose husband was questioned for a second time under caution, writes: ‘The Ruth episode showed the police were desperate. What on earth would they do next? Was Yates coming here?’
She also criticises media coverage of events. ‘At best we saw just sloppy, bad reporting, and at worst, cheap sensation and vindictive lies.’
Despite the anger voiced by Helm, The Observer understands that none of the people interviewed by police will take any legal action over the inquiry. They are intent on concentrating any public criticism on the Scottish National Party, which triggered the investigation with a complaint to the police by the MP Angus McNeil.
I say: This mention of the tip-off to the press is pointed. Still the Disappointed try to find any dirt to throw at Blair and the Accused, leaks being one of them. In fact it has been obvious to anyone with half a braincell that many of the leaks would NOT have come from Downing Street, as No 10 did not benefit in ANY way from the leaked information.
And as for press behaviour … complicity even! Well, what have I been saying here since the beginning? All of the accused and the former prime minister were Not Tried But Found Guilty by Press-Fueled Public Opinion. Disgraceful!
These remarks echoed a series of angry private comments yesterday from Blair’s closest political allies. One, accusing the police of heavy-handed tactics and damaging media leaks, described Yates as ‘a shit’.
‘Everyone who has been at all affected by this investigation will have thought long and hard about what to do now - and be very tempted to take the argument to Yates,’ he said. ‘But no matter how much anger there is, there is also a desire to put the entire terrible episode behind us.’
I say: If The Accused are leaving it up to the public to defend them, well, as far as the internet is concerned, I have to disappoint. There is much, much more talk of dodgy handshake cover-ups and even top level conspiracies between the police/government/No 10/CPS and Gawd knows who than there is sympathy or empathy for Mr Blair and his colleagues.
Looks like the mob really wanted a good hanging. The Disappointed are multiplying! Too much telly, say I!
21st July, 2007
THREE SUSPECTS CONSIDERING SUING POLICE
Lord Levy, Ruth Turner and Sir Christopher Evans, are said to be taking advice as to whether to sue the police over wrongful arrest. Levy and Ms Turner are looking at their cases in this regard . Sir Christopher Evans has stated that a member of the Serious Fraud Office maliciously accused him of “expecting a peerage”.
Click to read the CPS statement in full
The ‘Silk” who advised the CPS Held in highest possible regard, but even THAT will not silence the disappointed.
David Perry, QC
When the Crown Prosecution Service hired David Perry, QC to advise it on whether charges should be brought, they brought in a man widely regarded to be at the top of his game - one of the most sought-after criminal silks in the business.
Solicitors and fellow barristers alike praise him highly; and insist that his judgment call on this case, as others, will be impeccable.
“Probably the brightest criminal lawyer at the Bar; the outstanding criminal barriser of his generation, intelligent, thoughtful, realistic,” are some of the plaudits they produce.
MANDELSON HITS OUT AT PRESS
Today Peter Mandelson has complained about the press coverage which Tony Blair received during the cash-for-honours debacle. He’s right of course. Blair was traduced at every opportunity by those who had something, indeed ANYthing against him.
Those who have been under scrutiny over this can rightly feel aggrieved. They must also be in a bit of a quandary over what to do next. Mandelson can raise this issue, as he is sufficiently detached from the whole issue; though HE is not exactly trusted by many even on his own side, it would seem.
And with the Commons Public Administration Committee due to take up its earlier suspended investigation, which they were told to cease by the police, it could be argued that silence at this moment is the best way to go. Certainly it might look a bit Campbellesque after Hutton to go for the police or even the press at this time. And it didn’t do Campbell or Labour a lot of good; people who thought he and Blair had lied over WMDs still thought so, only LOUDER!
20th July, 2007
[Pic: Tony Blair, Middle East Envoy, at his first meeting with the Quartet in Lisbon, just as the news of "no charges" was breaking]
TONY BLAIR & COLLEAGUES HAVE NO CASE TO ANSWER
Well, it’s over. Finally and thankfully.
Mr Blair says he is “very pleased ” that the cash-for-honours inquiry is over.
Saying that those involved had been through a “traumatic time” he said the inquiry ended “as I always expected it would”. However, he mentions the political opponents who raised it all in the first place.
“Those involved have been through a terrible, even traumatic time. Much of what has been written and said about them has been deeply unfair, and I am very pleased for all of them that it is now over.”
“I want to make it clear that I level no criticism at the police. They were put in an invidious position by the SNP complaint and had a very difficult task to perform. “
[Pic: Lord Levy - something to smile about at last]
Those under the Police spotlight over this imbroglio can take control of their own lives again secure in the knowledge that there is no case to answer. No more wondering if today will be the day that charges are made.
Lord Levy has expressed his relief (read full report) and has criticised press coverage.
Lord Levy said: “For the last 16 months the people closest to me have had to endure the intensity and pressure of this long investigation. We are all relieved it is over.
“Since the investigation began I have had every confidence that no charges would be brought against me.
“Nevertheless it comes as a great relief that after a complete and thorough investigation which has been assessed by the country’s leading legal experts I have been exonerated as we expected.”
He said that media leaks had been incorrect, misleading and “personally damaging”.
Ms Turner said: “Today’s announcement comes as an enormous relief … I am now looking forward to getting on with my life.”John McTernan says the Police had a job to do. He questioned the SNP’s motives in pushing for this investigation at the start.Mr McTernan said: “(We’re) massively relieved, as individuals. I feel it for myself, I feel it for my colleagues, particularly for Ruth, but also for everybody who has been drawn in to this process.
“I think everybody in politics wishes it had been done faster because ultimately for the public it just looks mucky and murky and I don’t think anybody who is involved in politics actually genuinely believes anybody at a senior level in any of the major parties is involved in anything dodgy in relation to this.”
BACKGROUND
Four people - Middle East envoy Lord Levy, former head of Government relations Ruth Turner, businessman Sir Christopher Evans and headteacher Des Smith - were arrested and 136 questioned during the police investigation, which cost the taxpayer more than £1 million.
Mr Blair, who was questioned three times as a potential witness, became the first sitting prime minister to be interviewed by police in the course of a criminal inquiry. His last year in office was blighted by this ongoing inquiry. As in the end will be his place in history, which I believe is an unforgivable consequence of this determined pursuit over basic trivia.
Carmen Dowd, head of the CPS’s Serious Crimes Division, said today that there was “insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction against any individual for any offence in relation to this matter.”
REACTION: (click to read more reaction)
The Nationalists who started this wild goose chase!
1. Angus MacNeil, the Scottish Nationalist MP, who first raised the issue with the Police:
“Extraordinary”
“We’ve had an investigation been going on for the past 16 months. There have been 6,300 documents at the end of that given by the Yard to the Crown Prosecution Service. The Yard liaised with the CPS through all this, and now it seems the CPS are trying to tell us it’s all a wild goose chase.
It seems quite extraordinary, I have to say.”
“It simply beggars belief that the police and the CPS both believe no charges should be brought.
“The next few weeks will be extremely interesting, with Assistant Commissioner Yates having promised the public administration committee that all the evidence assembled will be made public if required.
“The committee now has an enormous responsibility to ensure that there is no hint of whitewash about this conclusion.”
And no whitewash of YOUR motives either, Mr MacNeil.
2. And Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Elfyn Llwyd, who helped trigger the investigation, said that whatever happened “politics has won”. He also seems to have lost the plot somewhat - cost? The cost to democracy? No. He’s talking about the financial cost in Iraq! Fancy that. The 4-letter word AGAIN.
A hint as to what it was all about in the first place.
Get Blair over SOMETHING … ANYTHING!
Disingenuous nationalists.
Elfyn Llwyd:
“Cheaper than Iraq” !?!
“If the matter is properly investigated and if the CPS concludes there’s insufficient evidence that would not necessarily disappoint me. The happy co-incidence of Mr A becoming Lord A after paying over a large sum will stop; politics has won.”
The cost of the inquiry was only “a fraction” of what had been spent on the war in Iraq, he added.
Er … pardon!? What’s that got to do with anything? At lease Iraq is for the GOOD purpose of building government and not to destroy government!
“DISASTER” says Tony Wright
Labour’s Tony Wright, chairman of the Public Administration Committee, said no charges would represent “disaster for the police and a disaster for the political system”.
He said the call for a probe was an SNP “stunt” which the police took seriously - and then found themselves under pressure to “get something out of it. The media have had great fun with this”.
“It’s done great damage to our political system. Our system is fundamentally clean. It needs eternal vigilance but basically political issues need to be resolved by the political system.”
GORDON BROWN:
In Paris to meet the French president, Gordon Brown said that he hoped that the announcement would “bring an end to months of speculation”.
“These were very serious allegations; it is entirely right that the police investigate these matters,” the prime minister said at a joint press conference with Nicolas Sarkozy.
For further reactions go here
The probe was led by Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner John Yates (left) who headed a team from Scotland Yard’s Specialist Crime Directorate which gathered more than 6,000 documents before handing a file to the CPS in April.
Some observers believe the inquiry contributed to Mr Blair leaving Downing Street earlier than intended and cost Labour votes in May’s elections in Scotland, Wales and local English councils.
To read the full CPS judgement go here and scroll down the page.
Tags: British parliament, cash for honours, cps, Crown Prosecution Service, House of Commons, Inspector John Yates MET, loans for labour party funding, lord levy, media leaks, nationalists complaints to police, Police inquiry Blair, public administration committee, Ruth Turner, Scotland Yard, The Met Police London, Tony Blair
July 20, 2007 at 4:08 pm
I do so hope that libels and slanders on TB and the others are taken up and the offenders are taken for every penny possible, with maximum public exposure of the liars.
I hope that foremost among those who suffer due process are the Scot Nats who are a blight on the stones which shelter them.
It seems likely that some of the police deserve diciplinary action too.
Real closure will only occur when all this is sorted; sweeping it under the carpet will not do, even if it does suit some of the victims.
Clearly reform of the financing of politcal parties is also necessary.
July 20, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Agreed to all of the above.
Interesting that Mr Blair does not blame the police. Of course he has to say that, doesn’t he? Can’t stir things for the present government.
But there is little doubt that the whole thing was instigated by the Scottish & Welsh Nationalists for political purposes. And their target was clear - Tony Blair.
They never managed to get him for Iraq and were determined to get him for something!
Personally I’d place some blame with the police for taking it on at all, and also for keeping it going for so long.
I also blame many in the printed ‘feral’ press, who took advantage of the situation and twisted every ‘fact’ they were leaked. Thus their self-righteous holier-than-thou stance contributed to Labour’s defeat in Scotland and near-miss in Wales (where Plaid Cymru are now in coalition government).
I expect that little scumbag MacNeil will be full of himself, thinking that political funding and the Lords itself will be changed as a result of his dreadful behaviour.
I need to do some research to check dates, but from memory reform of the Lords and funding were both well under way when the Nats started their nonsense.
Presumably some irritated backbencher will come up with this information on Any Questions or similar.
Just a thought - wonder if Any Questions has invited Blair on yet!? That would be interesting.
July 20, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Ruth Turner was woken and arrested from her bed very early one morning.
Evidently the police thought they could bully her.
I hope she sues them, and that those responsible suffer.
TB on Question Time would be interesting, hard for him though, especially as he knows all sorts of stuff which he would be unable to reveal.
I don’t think ex-PMs have appeared on it so soon after their exits from no 10.
Like he said it waqsn’t Iraq or the “Loans for honours” affaires which got him, it was having been there for so long and people had had enough.
Kismet, pretty much.
July 20, 2007 at 10:12 pm
I don’t think any of THEM are going to make a fuss, as the statesmanlike response by them all today has gone down well and pleasantly surprised the ferals, who don’t know what to make of it! They would have expected BLUE MURDER!
Part of the reason, as mentioned by Nick Robinson, is probably that they don’t want to do a Campbell after Hutton - attacking the attackers and so getting attacked a bit more.
That inevitable sadomasochist ping-pong has limited gratification. (I should imagine! I wouldn’t KNOW, I hasten to add!)
So, since they evidently need someone to speak up for them, and much as you and I are a pair of shrinking violets, I think it’s up to us and people like us!
God! And I thought I could get back to making some money now the Boss is departed.
July 20, 2007 at 10:18 pm
It is important that soem action is taken vs the police, the liars etc. and I shall be surprised if none is.
I do not share your high opinion of Nick Robinson, who doesn’t tell it like it is imho, but will put forward unsubstanciated false disproved views alongside the factual truth.
Levy’s reputation has been traduced most clearly, I wonder if he will be the one to act? I suppose partly it is a matter of temperament.
Ruth Turner really has to make a complaint, she was bullied partly because she is a woman I suspect.
July 21, 2007 at 1:59 am
Well, you may be right re Nick Robinson. He has a certain style, though, and he seems to enjoy Blair’s speeches. Like a lot of Tories he may not be completely onside but he recognises political nous and ability when he sees it.
It seems Mandelson is complaining about the police’s long and winding road. I’ll have a look later.
Somehow don’t think Ruth Turner WILL complain. She works for Blair’s Foundation now, and wouldn’t want to bring the wrong kind of attention to him. Very loyal. Something the Guardianistos will never understand.
July 21, 2007 at 6:36 am
Pity if so, she was bullied more clearly than the others, and in a particularly contemptible way.
There is speculation that Lord Levy may sue for wrongful arrest. Certainly it seems unlikely that there were good grounds for arresting any of these people, whom I believe to have been of good characcter (as they say). They weren’t dealing with Lady Porter, were they?
It sems likely that the media will continue to libel and slander the victims in this case; that will make it more presing to sue for libel, as it may otherwise continue ad infinitum.
I do not usualy advocate extraneous legal action btw, I am not a lawyer collecting the fees, but this is exceptional, and points need to be made, particularly that politicians are usually pretty honest, and deserve aome protection from their traducers.
Btw Tony Blair will have security guards and a chauffeur driven car if he wants them. Seems Harold Wilson afforded these to Heath in 1974 and so he and subsequent PMs have these after leaving office.
TB’s trip north on that train after leaving office was his idea and his security people did well to not stick out in front of the cameras!
I think that the community of spirit and practical socialism which lies at the heart of the Blair/Brown project is well expressed by Blair’s new occupation re Palestine and the ME generally, and Brown’s partnership with Sarcozy re Darfur.
To be rolled up and smoked, Tory Rags!
July 21, 2007 at 10:28 am
Reading some of today’s coverage - and granted it’s the usual suspects full of the cover-up and handshake associations - there is a lot of disbelief and cynicism. It was ever thus, and I’d like to see a poll across the ordinary everyday voter, and not the anoraks on the web.
It must be difficult to know how best to proceed from here. Let it fade away or try to clear names? The HoC committee will be looking at it all in the autumn, so I imagine the ‘accused’ will be advised to keep their powder dry. In any case you’ll never convince the already decided - 12 good men and true ;0(
If the 12 goodies had actually sat in judgement of one or more of them, and the case had been thrown out - would people have beleieved it was a fair trial?
Nah! Course not! So you can’t win.
I know what you are getting at re Nick Robinson, as he did a sideways knock at Brown on last night’s news when he said something like, “GB/PM says the police did a good job …etc…etc … oh, hang on - this is the man who as chancellor ran the last general election campaign.”
They are determined to keep it going.
Question is - should Levy et al keep it going or not. Brown won’t want that, as it’ll play badly for Labour as a whole, and they are doing well right now. Blair probably doesn’t. He always wants to move on.
But it has also damaged the CPS and the police - though I think it’s largely the fault of the police and the press’s reporting.
At the same time, if more comes out in the future there could still be charges.
Who’d be a bloody politician? I definitely lost my faith in the voters for a sensible reason.
Did not know it was TB’s idea to be a man of the people getting on the train. I am happier now about his security.
July 21, 2007 at 6:21 pm
Hi again.
Just to say hello, thanks for your latest response to me, and how much I’ve enjoyed and appreciated your comments at CiF. I’m a comparatively new ‘commentator’, in fact, a bit of a PC novice, but once I’d found CiF I was hooked. I try to have a look at it most days. I’m a bit of a politics junkie, though to be honest, I don’t do too much detail. I tend to ‘get’ the story, (though not from newspapers. I don’t buy them) and it sort of clicks in. I’ve noticed that many commentators will download documents and stuff, and are very clever and thoughtful and definite in their opinions, and can put their views down so well, and credit to them. I admire that capacity very much, who ever they bat for.
I have subscribed to the new newsletter from TB though. Just have to keep checking what he’s on with.
People who know me understand that I’m a Blair supporter, and always have been. In fact usually when discussing him I just refer to him as WOW (obviously…walks on water). It has left me out on a limb with some people I know, but I’ve been surprised how many of the older generation; well older than me even, appreciate and understand what his aims have been, and how many of the older generation supported him over Iraq.
In the run up to the last election I went to a rally at Long Eaton, saw him for real, and he gave a brilliant speech, so meaningful and inspiring. I had to shove a couple of big guys out of the way to get near enough to shake his hand!! That was a fantastically memorable day.
Another thought about the cash4hons. and how it must have impacted on the lives of those involved. Put me so much in mind of Fiona Jones, and her sad death. I knew her, and was so devastated by what happened to her. The local press and opposition have much to answer for there too.
Anyway, enough of that. I also wanted to tell you that as soon as I’d worked out what favourites was all about, your blog was on it, and has been for some time now. So I’m sorry that you may be going, though I appreciate that this blog must take up a tremendous amount of your time, and batting for Blair on the internet but must be exhausting.
Right time to submit…hope you get this, I’ve no website, so here goes.
Sincere best wishes.
Carol.
July 21, 2007 at 8:37 pm
The Telegraph website says that 3 of the accused are considering actions vs the police. Hope that is viable, it is only by counter attacks that the boundary of truth in the public’s mind can be put back nearer where it really is.
Otherwise people will asume they were beating their wives and got away with it as it were.
From the Telegraph:
“There is, furthermore, substantial and reliable evidence that there were proper reasons for the inclusion of all those whose names appeared on the 2005 working peers list, or drafts of that list,” the CPS statement continued.
“Each was a credible candidate for a peerage, irrespective of any financial assistance that they had given, or might give, to the Labour Party.”
In those circumstances, the CPS was satisfied that there was not enough evidence available to convict anybody under the 1925 Act.
With the law as it now stands, it is difficult to question this decision. - says the Telegraph. (Its columnists are unlikely to be so generous)
It is akin to saying that because British Criminals drink tea, all those who drink tea are British criminals.
Honours were not “sold” for cash or loans; some of those who gave were honoured, others were not, and some were honoured who did not give anything at all.
I think the abolition of the Lords and a mono-cameral system of parliament is well overdue. If we have to have a second chamber (and we do not) then a wholy elected one is the best of a bad set of options.
July 21, 2007 at 9:12 pm
I think that Campbell’s counter-attacking is helping to turn the tide in the public’s mind over Iraq and the Islamo-fascist movement generally.
Of course coverage of the arrests of Islamo-fascist terorists and other handlings of people in the recent cases and those from 2 years ago play their parts in making the public more aware that they have not been told the truth by the media.
Even some muslim organisations feel a need to make their positions more clearly anti fascist.
There are many steps to a clearer view of the road to this Iraq War being clarified in peoples’ minds.
July 21, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Hi Carol,
Sorry I’m a bit late replying to your comment. Another commenter, Tony (no not THAT one - ‘WOW’
commented before I got around to replying to yours.
I loved this:
“People who know me understand that I’m a Blair supporter, and always have been. In fact usually when discussing him I just refer to him as WOW (obviously…walks on water).”
I’m always telling people, including Tony in the above comment, that I DON’T think he walks on water - but my other half thinks I DO think like that ;0)
Anyway, I might use the acronym now and again, if you don’t mind.
Tony Blair, WOW
or
WOW, Tony Blair
Great. I like it!
“It has left me out on a limb with some people I know, but I’ve been surprised how many of the older generation; well older than me even, appreciate and understand what his aims have been, and how many of the older generation supported him over Iraq.”
It must be difficult if you’re in the party and you feel as you do. I suppose that’s where I can get away with it - not being in the party. No-one to answer to. I expect there are others in Labour who think Tony should still be in place, but they have to be loyal. I DO understand that, and if I were in Labour or any party, I would be loyal to the leader unless he was a real plonker, then I’d just leave or become inactive. If I’d been there when he was bumped off I would have definitely left - no doubt. AND I’d have made a BIG noise about it. MURDER MOST FOUL!
As for the support of older people - I’m not surprised. They have been through times when we were fooled in the past. Also, there is a different ‘feel’ about the country in recent times and they will have noticed it. On the whole I’m comfortable with this country’s feel, but I live somewhere quiet anyway. London’s Edgeware Road is an eye-opener for those who don’t come to London often.
We don’t all see the simple cause and effect of the stirring undercurrent being Iraq. The problems have been longer coming on than just the last few years.
Tony is well out of it now. The Middle East could be a doodle to sort out compared to THIS country if we don’t get a handle on things soon.
SOMEONE is going to have to grab the nettle here as to how we re-balance the growing problem of too much liberal understanding. It’s got us into a real mess, with the *Lippies in denial, and people like me being called right-wing nutters (if only they knew).
*Liberal Intelligentsia Press
(I like acronyms - but ‘WOW’ is better)
July 21, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Tony,
I read the Telegraphs’ legal editor Joshua Rozenberg’s thoughts on CPS - “Hard to Question Decision”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/21/nhons321.xml
Interesting how people are interpreting Yates as being in disagreement over the CPS decision.
Reading the report it seems so clear, and yet you DO wonder why it took so long to conclude that there is no case to answer.
Since the spring I think they’ve been plugging away at the ‘attempt to pervert’ angle.
I think I’ll make a page here of the CPS decision with a link to Rozenberg. Tomorrow I imagine the Sundays will be full of analysis.
Can hardly wait ;0[
There’s certainly some grasping at straws by the disappointed. ‘Oh, so he was going to resign if he was cautioned, was he?’ (Arms folded, foot tapping) ‘Threatening the police, eh?’
It’s a miracle he survived for as long as he did, with the history books and such as wikipedia already recording him as the first prime minister to have been cautioned in a criminal case, EVER.
DREADFUL state of affairs. Started last April, should have been concluded by last June. Instead the pall hung over all of them.
And of course the disappointed keep reminding us that if more ‘facts’ come to light people can still be charged.
July 21, 2007 at 11:21 pm
Tony,
Ref your earlier comment - sorry I’ve lost the thread here:
You said:
……………………………………………………………………………………….
“I think that Campbell’s counter-attacking is helping to turn the tide in the public’s mind over Iraq and the Islamo-fascist movement generally.
Of course coverage of the arrests of Islamo-fascist terorists and other handlings of people in the recent cases and those from 2 years ago play their parts in making the public more aware that they have not been told the truth by the media.
Even some muslim organisations feel a need to make their positions more clearly anti fascist.
There are many steps to a clearer view of the road to this Iraq War being clarified in peoples’ minds.”
……………………………………………………………………………………….
Give us a clue to some of them then, Tony!!
I’m not quite sure why you think Campbell’s book is helping. I think it’s more the realisation that we have a problem following some recent trials and the London/Glasgow bombing efforts.
The Lippy press are still largely in denial.
Heard something about a call for a vote of no-confidence in Cameron! ALREADY? Will they never learn?
Then again - a return to an old fashioned Tory and even I might be tempted if they’d sort out the fascists! Cos if they don’t the BNP will at the next election.
July 21, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Tony Blair was NOT interviewed under caution and Wikipedia notes that fact - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cash_for_Peerages
It is time for the counter offensive, not to worry about further accusations. Remember Blair had a 30% positive rating on leaving office, amazing given the usual cynicism and downright murky suspicions of so many of he public re any politician.
We are on a roll!
I think Rozenberg is putting Yates out to dry myself.
Yates must have motives beyond professional ones - bet his saloon bar drinks his health every night!
I doubt Charles Moore’s view - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml;jsessionid=AVJJF3NXFNBS1QFIQMFCFFOAVCBQYIV0?xml=/opinion/2007/07/21/do2102.xml
While to say that people follow their own interests and we may infer from that principle, I think this arguement is a bit too convoluted. ~Vindictivenes and cock ups are more likely explanations imho.
Yates will pay in other ways for adopting so partisan a strategy and may be a vulnerable witness when/if it comes to legal action.
July 21, 2007 at 11:56 pm
The BNP will be nowhere at the next election, much less sorting anything out.
Tory MPs are turkeys and are not going to vote for Christmas by defenestrating MacCamaroon before most of them have retained their seats even if the Telegraph and many of its readers do want a blood bath.
Cameron appointed Tony Lit as His personal candidate in Southall, Boris Johnson is his choice for London’s mayor LOL!
I am thinking of putting in for counting the Tories’ loose change, what do you think? Might I impress him with my bag labeleld “Swag” and regulation sweatshirt with the arrows on?
I’ve got these forged references from Conrad Black, Lord Archer and Asil Nadir, any good?
I listen to the radio a fair bit and I have heard a couple of English muslim leaders saying folk need to stand up and be counted recently. You are pessimistic, Blair-friend, and the press hating Campbell doesn’t mean his book isn’t helping the causes we share.
Brown and Co are doing well, they are making progress, I don’t need to be their principal opposition.
July 22, 2007 at 1:26 am
Only 30% - I thought it was 60% - or was that just Labour members?
I don’t really subscribe to these conspiracy theories - can’t keep them secret for long. I really do think it’s mostly cock-up. Read your posting at the Moore page and added mine.
But Moore’s conspiracy is so beYOND! I mean - COME ON! Blair v Blair !! And keep the police thing going so Blair is impotent - and Ian Blair can keep his job and that’ll suit Brown and the Brazilian shooting case! These writers have too few words to compile in the week. Brains working overtime!
What a load of rubbish. And I actually quite admire Charles Moore. A few weeks ago he was all but crying about the tragic fallen hero - and how he should return and save us all in ten years time! Now he thinks he’s self righteous!
Yes, think you may be right about Yates. If he IS being defensive and subtly disagreeing with the CPS, it’s to try to prevent his taking the can. Still they wouldn’t dare demote him. He knows too much about all sorts of things now.
July 22, 2007 at 7:26 am
Of course Campbell’s tirade after Hutton was silly - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=Z1YSOSKRIGXHJQFIQMFCFFOAVCBQYIV0?xml=/news/2007/07/22/nrhons122.xml gives an account.
Humphreys is still sulking under the surface.
But his book has been positive I believe. As were his TV appearances. No forked tail, regulation numbers of visible appendages etc.
July 24, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Excellent article (an understatement for a change) http://comment.independent.co.uk/columnists_m_z/steve_richards/article2795662.ece
Yates and his colleagues do seem to have blustered their way through this and their motives should be explored in a court or enquiry of some kind.
I do hope the findings of that enquiry are made public.
On the other hand the business of those who have not been charged should remain private. The Daily Telegraph’s side has been calling for full public disclosures, not just to the Parliamnetary Committee to which all evidence may be released.
If all the publicly paid police time in any case is to be released almost entirely for the benefit of the Tory Party and its media I think they should offer to pay for it.
But it should remain private, unless those who ultimately were NOT accused want to make use of it imho.
Funny the Telegraph stopped its thread on Yates before my views were shown.
Contrast the quiet resolve and worried concern of those who were so falsely accused with the bombast and saloon bar bluster of Yates and his colleagues when it all fell to nothing in the face of the expert and objective scrutiny of Parry.