Yesterday the topic was Kenny MacAskill's decision to release Megrahi and this subject was more or less ignored.
I've known men who are or have been officers and each and every one of them are still gentlemen. Character and morals don't vanish from someone when they retire from their desired occupation.
It has been widely reported that the labour party were intent on exposing the expenses of General Sir Richard Dannatt (pictured above) by suggesting he used taxpayers money to host lavish dinners at his official London home.
Kevan Jones the labour MP for North Durham has tried to insinuate Sir Richard has misused taxpayers money in the past and along with that prolific letter writer of FOI requests George Foulkes, they have tried again very recently.
Sir Richard has called their bluff and agreed his expenses could be published in the News of the World. Every credit to the gentleman.
It seems Sir Richard has been more than economical with our money when he has entertained the great and the good who are connected with our military. His total expenses over the last four financial years, including 18 months official expenses as Commander in Chief Land Forces, were a modest £19,290.77.
Compare that with Mr Jones' allowance claim of £144.841 in 2007/2008 - one year. Meanwhile Sir Richard's boss Bob Ainsworth claimed £130,817 in 2007/2008 alone and made profit from the allowances system of 'flipping' his second home.
George Foulkes, who asked for details of costs for providing "accommodation and chauffeur-driven cars" for Sir Richard, claimed £54,527 in expenses from the House of Lords last year - the equivalent of £580 a day.
Mr Jones denied there was a campaign to smear Sir Richard. "The idea there's a labour plot is ridiculous," he insisted. "I'm not involved in any smear."
We all hear Gordon Brown and his ministers saying "lessons will be learned." I do hope this is one they will take to heart. Don't mess with people who know their job and do it well. They are far smarter than you could ever hope to be.
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12 comments:
Excellent SR. You're right that good character & morals don't vanish on retirement but Jones and Foulkes wouldn't know that because they don't have any to begin with. They've been stung by their own dirty tactics.
SR,
Nice one, looks like they're in line to get a taste of their own medicine.
I also predict a riot!
Sunny periods here, 24 degs, conkers are out but Chestnut trees are wilting rapidly - wee beasties!
Crazy D
You're right GV. I like the 'stung', very appropriate.
Morning Daisy. Another riot? Claymores at dawn?
Sunny here but cool. Hardly any breeze so it's taking a while to dry out from the last 48 hours of rain.
It's tragic that the only Opposition with clout continues to come from outside Westminster - lately the expenses exposure (with 2,3&4th MPs jobs still to come), Daniel Hannan's NHS observations, the Gray Report and now Sir Richard calling their bluff.
I wonder what a thorough attempt to examine the facts behind Lockerbie might discover - fat-cat chance in that ever happening. I can hear the global shredding machines now that would put even Fred the Shred to shame. I fancy Labour will have been called to heel by the Westminster minders not to provoke the chance of Scotland calling for an enquiry into Lockerbie, long overdue to the dead, as the Scottish government have been informed that that course is open to them.
I detect a distinct bias towards the support of the Scottish government-eg articles in The Guardian, Independent and DT plus their readers comments. Mr Muller's invective appears to have exposed the US to accusations of being ill-informed as to the remit and form of Scots Law - when he says "a mockery of the rule of law" whose law is he referring to? It wouldn't be his role in the "rule of law" prosecution of the Libyans served up for expediency would it? Methinks he doth protest a little unwisely.
But hark - the Great One, holed up in Fife, has spoken at last and the English Cricket Team must be thrilled. Never mind lads - a good victory anyway!
Good morning Clarinda. It is indeed strange that the Westminster opposition parties are saying next to nothing. Are they all still in a sun, sand and slumber mode?
There is bias towards the Scottish government in the English papers. Haven't as yet had a chance to read all the papers because the sun is actually shining and I've been getting my dose of vitamin D. :)
Is he still in Fife? Haven't heard a word. Shame on the man, he should have said something by now.
Daily Mail, Times, Telegraph all very supportive.
Usual wank Yank red neck emotive comments, I am disappointed that Admiral Mullen has opened his cakehole too.
Crazy D
I was disappointed to read Mullen's words too CD. Wonder why he spoke out?
The editorial in the Independent is very good, as are some of the comment by readers.
I won't go into detail here; I've already mentioned it on Spook's blog, but the article, and comments are worth a read.
As for the smears on Mr Dannatt, I say well done to him for publishing and showing up the thieving b******* who brought this subject up, as having far bigger expences than he does.
I wonder when the right honourable and noble fat git is going to get it into his head that every time he opens his stupid gob, or puts his pen to paper he makes a complete muppet of himself.
For example, he talks about chauffeur driven cars being used by Dannatt; didn't his dear friend (who he supported to the end) the now right honourable and noble lard, the ex-speaker, use exactly the same service to take him wherever he was going... not to mention Mrs Martin too when she popped out to Asda for her shopping!
You're right Tris, was a good article in the independent and also some interesting comments.
Dear Subrosa
I wonder who Foukles' next victim will be?
Who has upset his master, Gordon Brown recently.
I guess we will have to wait for Foukles next FOI.
I wonder if Foulkes knows what a liability he is?
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
Oh I'm sure Foulkes knows what a liability he is George, he just doesn't care. He likes to show he can use 'the system'.
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