While living in Thailand and Asia it is easy to be critical of governments whose ministers in many instances are crooked. It’s simply the way it is here and I think most people accept this. I often point to the crucial role the press in the first world play in keeping the three other estates, the executive, the judiciary and the legislature in line in the traditional model of western democratic government. It couldn’t happen in the West because we have a free press, is something I hear echoing……..
Of course the part of the press that has persisted with this story has to be applauded for its doggedness and persistence. It’s quite clear that as well as intimidating the leading politicians with the threat of adverse editorial comment, and withdrawal of media support, Murdoch and his minions have also stifled effective police investigations with bribes and threats. It seems to me they nearly got away with it.
I am saddened to learn about murdered Milly Dowling’s parents’ additional suffering, having their hopes raised that the poor teenager was still alive; thanks to hackers in the employ of News International deleting messages on her phone; the Dowlings have only recently been humiliated at the hands of the legal process where they have been made to feel on trial. What must they really feel? It is beyond my imagination.
Equally I am sad for the Brown family that their private grief should be so cynically and needlessly brought into full public view. From what I understand the worst that can be said of Gordon’s personal habits are that he likes to have the boys round to watch the football and rugby on TV and have a few cans and a curry. I don’t doubt that we wouldn’t have been spared the graphic details had he been found to have a few pecadillos.
So Dave hired one of the key players in this sordid business as his media adviser . Enter Andy Coulson, former editor of the News of the Screws and Murdoch über apparatchnik, straight to the centre of the British government. It is beyond belief that the spooks didn’t advise Dave that Andy was a little bit tasty. “I didn’t know how bad Andy really was ……….” Dave decided to show compassion and gave Andy a “second chance”. No doubt you, like me, are hugely relieved that Dave has publicly stated he takes full responsibility for this!
We can all be wise after the event but yet again Dave’s judgement is of deep concern. Dave is the Prime Minister of Great Britain. And Dave has form in this department. Remember Tony Lit, Dave’s choice as the Conservative candidate for the 2007 Ealing Southall by-election, er hem, he had been a member of the party for 10 days when Cameron chose him. Dave told Conservative Central Office to take the proverbial flight with their candidate or else he was offsky. Dave’s inspired leadership prevailed. It was looking good as the campaign developed, fantastic campaign materials coming through the letterbox, Tony Lit family man, Tony Lit fighting crime, Tony Lit tackling drugs and then it all went wrong. It emerged that Tony Lit had paid £4,800 to attend a Labour fund raiser at which he bid in a charity auction only a matter of a few weeks prior to being selected as a Tory election candidate. Ooooooops! Banana skin! Sounds like a dream candidate! A man of conviction! Labour won a by election which the Tories should have won.
I feel an unending cascade of questions arising from the continuing revelations. Would the result of the last British general election have been different if this story had broken earlier? Is David Cameron really fit to be the Prime Minister? Is this the beginning of Britain’s version of Watergate? What about Tommy Sheridan?
And what about Rebekah Brooks - überüber-News International apparatchnik? The Digger calls her his number one priority. Dave has said of his riding friend that she should resign. Thanks, Dave and you can take the proverbial flight this Christmas. Rebekah (Bek?!) phoned Brown and told him he they were running the story on the sick boy. She must have known the provenance of the information as editor. To have not known would have been very reckless but criminal nonetheless. She can’t say she was very busy because the story was about the then British PM and if she was too busy to scrutinise the story then she was in the wrong job. I suspect she must have loved phoning Brown. Ultimately did this information enable us to make informed political choices? No it was a naked intrusion into a family's privacy.
So Dave associates with known criminals and criminal suspects and indeed has brought them into the heart of government and includes them as his personal friends. Rupert buys off the boys in blue and they were all busy bringing dear old Blighty back into political orthodoxy and financial solvency following that Brown fellow’s imprudence. No wonder Dave has gone rather quiet and appears to be trying to avoid radar detection.
Enough. I am following this saga as it unfolds and like most I am deeply troubled. What will happen next? Who really knows but my instinct is this is just a beginning.
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