I have noticed that a quote I used in the post on the Martyn Jones court case conflicts with another report of the case. While I recheck it I have taken the post down for the moment. You may like to check out Martyn Jones's website here for instructions on how to tie a bow tie... Meanwhile, this is the Telegraph's report...A Labour MP sued a newspaper for libel yesterday over a claim that he
subjected a security guard to a foul-mouthed outburst. Martyn Jones, who has held Clwyd South for 20 years, told Mr Justice Eady and a High Court jury that he was "flabbergasted" when he saw the Mail on Sunday story in May last year.
His QC, Ronald Thwaites, claimed that the newspaper had blown a "trivial" exchange between 60-year-old Mr Jones and guard Chris Ham at Portcullis House in Westminster into a "full-scale international incident"."It's so boring in itself, it's not worth bothering with," Mr Thwaites said, "but someone spices it up, sexes it up, exaggerates it, and produces a gross distortion of the truth."Mr Thwaites said that Mr Jones, who sports a beard and a bow tie, was not used to being challenged because of his distinctive appearance. When Mr Ham asked for Mr Jones's pass - which, like many MPs, he did not wear around his neck - he told the guard that he should know members of Parliament. When Mr Ham persisted, saying he was security, Mr Jones admitted saying, "I don't give a s*** what you are. You should know who members of Parliament are", before showing his pass. Mr Thwaites said that Mr Jones apologised to the guard shortly afterwards for his discourtesy. But, he added, the MP did not, as the newspaper alleged, tell Mr Ham to "f*** off" twice or shout and swear at the top of his voice. He said that the article, "Labour MP in foul-mouthed outburst at police guard", contained a dozen untruths and was a vindictive attack on a hard-working conscientious career
politician.Associated Newspapers denies libel and says its story was true.
19 comments:
"a hard-working conscientious career
politician"
What the hell is that?
Do you believe a) the MP b) the shifty devious clowns at the Mail on Sunday (a paper which has just apologised for making up a story about Jon Snow and Precious Williams?
suspect the desperate hacks on their political team paid the security guy for his story too - thus giving them (in their eyes) the right to, er, embellish the facts.
And presumably this clot will vote for compulsory ID cards.No doubt opposing Counsel will allude to it.
If there is Security it should be observed. What is the point on pretending to have Security as at Downing Street where anybody can apparently access the building ?
MPs should set an example rather than standing on their pride quite so often
"It's so boring ....... ," Mr Thwaites said, "but someone spices it up, sexes it up, exaggerates it, and produces a gross distortion of the truth."
Sound familiar?
Hm I must apoligise for a prior post on Stop and Search.
I alleged that if MPs were stopped and searched , to find 3 brains would require 6 MPs to be searched.
In the light of this case, I recant: it is quite evident that 12 are needed to produce 3 brains.
Chuck unsworth, I can tell you what is not "a hard-working conscientious career
politician"...
... an arrogant twat in elected public office who says to another person paid by the taxpayer to do his job:
"I don't give a s*** what you are. You should know who members of Parliament are".
I can't understand why this MP has taken out thge libel case if his QC starts by admitting that its 'only' the above that he said - it's bad enough!
Mr Jones admitted saying, "I don't give a s*** what you are. You should know who members of Parliament are."
This is no way to treat your subordinates. These are the words of a pompous ass.
Apopros of nowt much at all, I can EXCLUSIVELY reveal that I saw Lord Levy going into some top Harley Street consulting rooms earlier this afternoon. Is he having a new face welded so he can run away to Brazil, Lord Lucan style?
Yes.
Doesn't sound too bad to me. Hands up everyone who has never lost their temper?
OK, next question, hands up everyone who remembered to go and apologise to those we had lost our temper at?
This MP did both.
Any MP attempting to enter a secure building without displaying his identity should be detained until his identity can be verified. This man should be charged in a court of law.
I saw Lord Levy going into some top Harley Street consulting rooms earlier this afternoon.
Where was John Steed ?
'A Labour MP sued a newspaper for libel yesterday over a claim that he subjected a security guard to a foul-mouthed outburst' but 'admitted saying, "I don't give a s*** what you are. You should know who members of Parliament are"'.
Not much of a case then, I was foul-mouthed but not as much as you claim I was.
anon @3.01 pm:
I expect the guard was not at the external perimeter, but was patrolling inside the building. Jones wouild have needed his pass to get onto the parliamentary estate, just like anyone else.
This reminds me of an anecdote that Stephen Fry told:
Peter Cook was in a club when some guy started hassling one of the girls. When she rebuffed him, he said: "Don't you know who I am?" Cook grabbed the microphone and said: "Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, there's a man at the back who doesn't know who he is. Does anyone recognise him?"
... or something like that.
The recent way some MPs behave:
1 the attempt to ensure the FOI Act does not apply to them.
2. An MP caught parking in a bay for the disabled complains there are two many (bays).
3. This case: not the swearing but the libel case which I would wish the judge to throw out..
suggests they think they are a law unto themselves.
Servant of the people? No sir or madam.
Unfortunately they are taking their lead from their own leaders...
And they wonder why they are despised and mistrusted!
I worked in Westminster for years and I now work in public affairs following Westminster politics every day and regularly meeting with and lobbying parliamentarians. I have never seen this man's face ever before. If I had been a security guard, I would have challenged him. In fact I just looked him up in Dod's to make sure he was who he said he was.
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