John Whittingdale...

nicko31 · Apr 13, 2016

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36031743

Does anyone trust this guy?

Nothing in The Sun today I see today I notice, sure news worthy isn't this Rupert?

Its watch you call a favour for a favour. You give the Beeb a good kicking and we'll keep quiet about your sleazy private life

studio150 · Apr 13, 2016

nicko31 said:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36031743

Does anyone trust this guy?

Nothing in The Sun today I see today I notice, sure news worthy isn't this Rupert?

Its watch you call a favour for a favour. You give the Beeb a good kicking and we'll keep quiet about your sleazy private life

Whats the problem, relationship occurred while single, not in government and no conflict of interest.

But hey if all MPs are going to have to publish their tax returns, maybe they also need to confirm in a register a full list of people they have had sex with, regardless of when the relationship occurred, but would this satisfy you?

The Albion Roar · Apr 13, 2016

It's not the affair or the nature of the affair that's the issue. Pathetic 'affairs' tales aren't the news stories they once were.

However, as the article points out, it leaves any given person open to undue influence from certain sections of the media - and this is a much bigger issue if you're the Secretary of Culture, Media & Sport, one of whose main remits is the print media and its behaviour.

kevo · Apr 13, 2016

More than just someone he met through a dating site:

https://www.opendemocracy.net/ourbeeb/james-cusick/real-whittingdale-scandal-cover-up-by-press

Guinness Boy · Apr 13, 2016

The Albion Roar said:
It's not the affair or the nature of the affair that's the issue. Pathetic 'affairs' tales aren't the news stories they once were.

However, as the article points out, it leaves any given person open to undue influence from certain sections of the media - and this is a much bigger issue if you're the Secretary of Culture, Media & Sport, one of whose main remits is the print media and its behaviour.

Well quite. The story isn't the relationship between Whittingdale and his girlfriend, it's the relationship between Whittingdale and the press.

Titanic · Apr 13, 2016

Guinness Boy said:
Well quite. The story isn't the relationship between Whittingdale and his girlfriend, it's the relationship between Whittingdale and the press.

If the 'relationship' isn't a story... then it is hardly a cause of great excitement that the press chose not to waste space in the publications with it. :yawn:

jimhigham · Apr 13, 2016

I don't care two hoots about his behaviour in his private life. I do care that he seems to be prepared to gut the BBC. Therefore anything that means he is placed on the defensive is just fine with me. Politics, innit?

Guinness Boy · Apr 13, 2016

Titanic said:
If the 'relationship' isn't a story... then it is hardly a cause of great excitement that the press chose not to waste space in the publications with it.

It isn't an interesting story but it is one that would have been splashed all over the tabloids normally. So the question becomes has Leveson suppressed freedom of speech or has it improved story quality or has it, in fact, been bypassed by the very person who is in charge of the press in terms of government posts?

Even a staunch Tory can see that's far more of a debate than who shagged who in Amsterdam.

Wardy's twin · Apr 13, 2016

the issue surely is more than the press or media, it is about whether he has done something which other people ( a foreign government) could exploit.

Guinness Boy · Apr 13, 2016

Wardy's twin said:
the issue surely is more than the press or media, it is about whether he has done something which other people ( a foreign government) could exploit.

Not unless they can exploit muzzling the press. He was single and not a minister when he was with her.

spring hall convert · Apr 13, 2016

The spin about this being an example of the press regulating themselves effectively is ludicrous and is going to fall apart under examination. Nice try.....

Triggaaar · Apr 13, 2016

nicko31 said:
You give the Beeb a good kicking and we'll keep quiet about your sleazy private life

What's sleazy about it? He had a girlfriend. Is that considered sleazy these days?

nicko31 · Apr 13, 2016

Guinness Boy said:
Well quite. The story isn't the relationship between Whittingdale and his girlfriend, it's the relationship between Whittingdale and the press.

The press clearly had John over a bit of a barrel, little wonder the completion of Leverson was kicked into the tall grass.

Tories would be best to move him like they did with Jeremy Hunt when he was up to his neck in it

studio150 · Apr 13, 2016

jimhigham said:
I don't care two hoots about his behaviour in his private life. I do care that he seems to be prepared to gut the BBC. Therefore anything that means he is placed on the defensive is just fine with me. Politics, innit?

What wrong with cutting back on the BBC, in the modern arena the BBC has probably lost its relevance with the explosion of multi-media services to access what the BBC does. It is about time the BBC became self funding by being placed an a full commercial footing. They can't complain about having to air advertisements given the hug number of self promotion that they air these days.

Thunder Bolt · Apr 13, 2016

Once he found out her occupation, he finished the relationship. He wasn't Culture Secretary at the time, so there wasn't a conflict of interest. This is a non story.

brightn'ove · Apr 13, 2016

Triggaaar said:
What's sleazy about it? He had a girlfriend. Is that considered sleazy these days?

Whether or not we consider it sleazy (I don't have a problem with what he has done for the record), it is almost definitely something that the Murdoch gutter press would otherwise report on. Just have a look at The Sun's website and you will find that it is full of garbage that no right minded person would consider 'news'.

Pinkie Brown · Apr 13, 2016

Triggaaar said:
What's sleazy about it? He had a girlfriend. Is that considered sleazy these days?

Nothing sleazy about having a girlfriend. It does seem odd you are dating a girl for a year or so and you claim you didn't know was she an escort professional. Hey ho. Each to their own........

Its not so much his relationship, but about his role in regulating the press when the newspapers had a story about his private life. Its begs the question: who was in who's pocket? Its interesting to note his attitude towards the findings of the Leveson enquiry around that period.

The hypocrisy of the press in deciding this story 'wasn't in the public interest' is astounding but hardly surprising. They have few qualms in running with this kind of story usually. Had it been a normal relationship, there would be no story. Despite not being illegal and Whittindales claimed innocence, an MP bedding an escort girl is standard fodder for the Sunday rags. The press had some potentially salacious smut on an MP who happens to be chair of the culture, media and sport select committee and they sit on their hands? Hmmmmmm?

Whittingdales position as Culture secretary has been undermined and he should go. However, he has the backing of number 10 so that's all okay.

Ninja Elephant · Apr 13, 2016

Thunder Bolt said:
Once he found out her occupation, he finished the relationship. He wasn't Culture Secretary at the time, so there wasn't a conflict of interest. This is a non story.

Completely this, this "story" is what's generally wrong with society and the belief that we "should" have a right to know what people in Government positions are up to. We do not. And the ridiculous story the Sun are fighting to publish about some famous person being involved in a threesome is tedious and embarrassing, it is nobody's business but the people involved. They really should spend a bit more time reporting on what's actually important and, how about this for an idea? Report on it better.

spring hall convert · Apr 13, 2016

studio150 said:
What wrong with cutting back on the BBC, in the modern arena the BBC has probably lost its relevance with the explosion of multi-media services to access what the BBC does. It is about time the BBC became self funding by being placed an a full commercial footing. They can't complain about having to air advertisements given the hug number of self promotion that they air these days.

Not to my taste but ultimately nothing.

So why have an entirely avoidable potential conflict of interest debate sidetracking it? This isn't the first Cameron appointed culture secretary to have the integrity of their relationship with the press questioned.

Triggaaar · Apr 13, 2016

brightn'ove said:
Whether or not we consider it sleazy (I don't have a problem with what he has done for the record), it is almost definitely something that the Murdoch gutter press would otherwise report on.

Yes, agreed. But if the press choose not to report it yet, because they think it could be useful later, that's not his fault. Has he let anyone blackmail him about it? If so, he should be sacked.

Pinkie Brown said:
Nothing sleazy about having a girlfriend. It does seem odd you are dating a girl for a year or so and you claim you didn't know was she an escort professional. Hey ho. Each to their own........

I didn't think it was that long, but regardless, she probably just lied about what she does. I think my wife works for the NHS, but I'm probably just ignorant. It's just handy that she has a job that pays in cash.

Its not so much his relationship, but about his role in regulating the press when the newspapers had a story about his private life. Its begs the question: who was in who's pocket? Its interesting to note his attitude towards the findings of the Leveson enquiry around that period.

Yep, if he's not done his job properly, he should go. I'm was just questioning why his private life was considered sleazy, that's all.

The hypocrisy of the press in deciding this story 'wasn't in the public interest' is astounding but hardly surprising.

So unsurprising that's it's not really astounding. The tabloid press has always been something to look down on.

The press had some potentially salacious smut on an MP who happens to be chair of the culture, media and sport select committee and they sit on their hands?

Yes, no doubt they did so as they thought they could use it to their advantage. I don't care about that, it only matters whether or not he did his job properly.

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