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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