Toys were being thrown out of Downing Street prams yesterday after John Prescott appeared to signal that a change of leadership might be rather closer than we all thought during his interview with Andrew Marr on Sunday. Indeed, yesterday's Telegraph speculates that it means the formal leadership election process will be triggered at this year's Party conference in September. If so, the drinks are on me as I have a nice little bet that Blair will resign before October.Of course, Prescott has form in blurting out little nuggets about the relationship between Brown and Blair. It was he who leaked the fact that the three of them had had dinner about 18 months ago, where he had knocked their heads together. He usually does it when he needs to 'big up' his own importance. At the time, Blair considered sacking him, but bottled it. He probably regrets it now.
The Times claimed yesterday that the Police will delay interviewing the Prime Minister as they have been slightly thrown off course by Lord Levy's brazen refusal to answer their questions. Of course the simple way out would be to charge him and let a jury decide. But this delay could be a welcome delay for the Labour Party as Blair might have gone by the time the Police are ready to question him. It would be a lot less politically damaging for an ex PM to be interviewed under caution, rather than a serving one. It would also allow Gordon Brown to cut Blair adrift and I can think of few things he would rather do-apart from Raith Rovers winning the Champion's League, possibly.
The lack of press comment about Lord Levy's refusal to answer any police questions after reading out a pre-prepared statement is rather surprising. After all, didn't Lord Levy look into the TV cameras and tell us that he was doing everything possible to help the Police with their enquiries. Another little lie from Lord Sleazy. Didn't his mother ever tell him that little boys who lie always get found out in the end?
UPDATE: An interesting comment from an ex Police Officer in the Comments section: I was a police officer for 31 years and can say without fear of contradiction that only the guilty read out prepared statements and then say no comment to all police questions. You cannot stop the innocent talking!
The lack of press comment about Levy's 'no comment' obstruction IS rather surprising. So far as can see only the Times reported on it yesterday - and then only as a postscript to the headline about the likely delay in questioning His Toniness. I blogged it yesterday - also alerted Guido. I regard it as VERY newsworthy but the MSM are clearly wary of it.
ReplyDelete''You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention, when questioned, something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.''
ReplyDeletePresumably Bliar will adopt the same stance when (or if) he gets his collar felt.
Please, please let Knacker of the Yard find something that even these slippery bastards can't wriggle out of!
Once again, the Establishment is putting up 2 fingers to the rest of us plebs. But it's another nail in New Labour's coffin. And British democracy (what's left of it)...
On re-examining Prescott's recent creativity with the English language, I wonder if Blair retains his services not (as we all thought) for his Old Labour credentials, but to interpret the pronouncementifying of fellow wordsmith GWB.
ReplyDeleteKnacker of the Yard should interview the DPM forthwith - no solicitor could possibly keep him to "no comment".
I noted this behaviour from Lord Levy reported in the Press yesterday. I feel His Lordship's solicitor should be invited back on prime time news to explain his comments that the arrest had been "theatrical" and that Lord Levy had co-operated fully and was only too anxious to give the Police any documents they might require.
ReplyDeleteWhilst it is his right, of course, I cannot feel that saying "no comment" to every question asked could be described as full co-operation by the most sympathetic journalist. As the solicitor was slagging off the Police in public by telling a load of porkies, perhaps the TV Press might treat his comments next time (which there will most certainly be)with a certain degree of sceptism!
Hang on, didn't someone tell us the other day that Blair was worried because Levy was ready to sing like a canary? I can't for the life of me find the post now, but I'm sure I read it...
ReplyDeleteI note that The Dome, yes that one, has gone straight in at number one in the just released Mega Casino charts for the UK. Wow! that was a surprise where did that idea come from I was led to believe it was going to be Blackpool or (go for a laugh come back in stitches, ouch) Glasgow. Well I never.
ReplyDeleteYou don't think that John Pr...no surely not.
I was a police officer for 31 years and can say without fear of contradiction that only the guilty read out prepared statements and then say no comment to all police questions. You cannot stop the innocent talking! Someone should tell that to Lord Levy.Helped the police my foot!! Another Labour slippery sod!!
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for the horses and anything else ridden by Prescott. If Levy is innocent why is he not carrying out his duties in the Middle east at this time of crisis?
ReplyDeleteAgain it's a question of interpretation. In not answering any questions then by definition Levy can't have told any more lies which must be more helpful to the police than them having to follow up on false information.I would also think that Levy's stance will have cleared any doubts about the potential of the investigation.If anything was guaranteed to confirm to the police that something dodgy has been going off the Lord Sleazey's 'no comments' is it.Pompous little no mark chancer.
ReplyDeleteKen - Unfortunately I've seen enough miscarriages of justice to realise that the best course of action, guilty or not is to say nothing.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that the police do everything they can to encourage suspects to talk without a solicitor, on the pretence that would make it official and far more serious? If you're talking to the police as any kind of suspect, it's already serious. Lord Levy is doing what any sensible person in the same circumstances should do.
Despite what the police say in the caution, it's very rare indeed for a judge to direct a jury to infer anything at all from the defendant's silence.
As I asked on my blog on Sunday - where is Lord Levi of Backander? Wasn't he supposed to be sorting out the latest Mid East crisis for Saint Tony?
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've seen on the news a certain Mr Howells appears to be doing all the work.
It is beginning to look like Sleazy Michael was bundled out of the country as soon as possible.
RM
Sabretache said...
ReplyDelete"The lack of press comment about Levy's 'no comment' obstruction IS rather surprising. So far as can see only the Times reported on it yesterday - and then only as a postscript to the headline about the likely delay in questioning His Toniness. I blogged it yesterday - also alerted Guido. I regard it as VERY newsworthy but the MSM are clearly wary of it."
I couldn't agree more and commented on it yesterday under Iain's comment, lamenting his lost post re Levy.
I also referred to Levy's comment (or made through his Solicitor) at the time about him being anxious to assist the police with their enquiry to the fullest possible extent.
Ken Mahon is a good man!
ReplyDeleteLike him, amongst many things I am an ex police officer although I have to say that when you are accepted you are 'attested' and as I have never been'detested' I maintain that I am still a constable!
The guilty, as Ken, says read from prepared statements, have briefs that make statements that their client denies all allegations or charges and has a full explanation or alibi then, at court, accepts and pleads guilty to a lesser charge!
Iain, It is all a game.
These days even the umpires are suspect!
May the whole of the New Labour project Rest in Peace.
ReplyDeleteLets bring on Cam the Man!
The link to the Times artice is here
ReplyDeleteLevy's prepared written statement (wonder how long that has been ready to go?) and "no comment line" doesn't quite square with his previous insistense (Levy) insisted that he had always been willing to co-operate with the police, to meet them at a time of their choosing and to provide them with any documents they wanted.
He's not the only 'player' to pull this - looks a little orchestrated for my liking.
Mr Blair was asked over morning tea at the palace whether he would be bringing his office into disrepute if he was arrested. Apparently he left ashen faced and with his head down.
ReplyDelete'Mr Blair was asked over morning tea at the palace whether he would be bringing his office into disrepute if he was arrested. Apparently he left ashen faced and with his head down.'
ReplyDelete2:00 PM
Hopefully that will soon be 'ashen faced with his head UP - on a stick on Tower Bridge'...
Lets have the humiliation of a trial first slim jim.
ReplyDeleteIt could put that dear old Italian Silvio in the shade.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteMr Blair was asked over morning tea at the palace whether he would be bringing his office into disrepute if he was arrested. Apparently he left ashen faced and with his head down.
2:00 PM
That Queen, she's a card, I had her in the back of my cab once.
Rule Brittania!
You said:
ReplyDelete"The lack of press comment about Lord Levy's refusal to answer any police questions after reading out a pre-prepared statement is rather surprising."
Methinks (as 5th amendment is only ever used when blatantly guilty) Lord Levy is definitely guilty now. It is such a giveaway.
Interesting that you think Gordon Brown would be able to 'fix it' for Raith Rovers to win the Champions League.. Surely you mean the FA Cup ? I can't agree with the observation that 'you can't stop the innocent talking. This may have been the case before Nulabour came to power. But in the 'guilty till proven innocent' ASBO-culture we live in, a lot of people [myself included] would rather be tried by a jury of one's peers.
ReplyDeleteCashpoint's silence is buying time for coordination of 'singinging from the same hymnsheet' strategy. Blair has been away(see latest travel costs)and needs a go between to synchronise story with Levy. The Boy Pole will arrange for a minion to do this - a sort of Kissinger on a mission of shuttle mendacity. It will end in tears. Yates wants his man in the dock.
ReplyDeleteI cannot shake the feeling that Blair is getting ready to do a bunk. I think the ground is being laid.
ReplyDeletewill levy go the way of kelly
ReplyDeleteRe : HMQ - isn't the perogative getting a bit rusty and couldn't it do with an exercise? How about inviting someone else to form a Govt as I vaguely remember was done. sometime in the 70's in the ex-colony where the convicts went
ReplyDeleteJohn Prescott - I implore you to put a compilation of your speeches on the Interweb thingy. - just in case you get misquoted.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite easy to set a blog up. It must be if I managed it.
If Blair is living in Tuscany when it comes time to lay charges would he be extrdited? As discussed re the Nationwide 3 he would probably be safe in the US.
ReplyDelete