RapierFugue
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Joined: 3/16/2006
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ORIGINAL: RapierFugue
He's going to make a mint out of the NOTW case anyway (as they're effectively bang to rights via their own documents), along with a load of other folk, so I doubt he'll be worried.
And in related news ...
Oh. Holy. Crap!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12294854
This puts a totally different complexion on things; the perception thus far has been that, with the Met's investigation winding down, those involved in suing News International (the Murdoch holding group) would be working largely off their own bat - not easy in such a case. However, if Inspector Knacker Of The Yard is also looking to bring charges (a reasonable assumption given their statement, above) it would be logical to assume that the evidence is pretty damming. If Sienna Miller was a public company, her shares would have leapt about 50% this morning :)
It also makes the resignation of Andy Coulson as the PM's Press Secretary much more telling; Coulson's previous line was that, as ex-Editor of the News Of The Screws, he was not involved in any way in the allegations, and that they were conducted by one "rogue" journo with the assistance of one private detective (who did prison time for his part in the scandal) without either his permission or knowledge – a position which just about everyone outside the Murdoch press found pretty unbelievable (an editor not knowing and directing a journo’s efforts when they're breaking the law? Come off it). However, what's been puzzling political insiders is why Coulson would have effectively punished himself twice over the same allegations - he resigned as NOTW editor the first time round so, if he had nothing to fear, and knowing how fickle and rapid is the news cycle these days, why resign as Press Secretary now, years later?
Answer: he's in it up to his neck, was hoping the police investigation would just be quietly dropped, and now it hasn't been (and he would most likely have known this in advance) he had to resign, because if the serving PM’s Press Secretary turns out to have been involved in illegal phone hacking it’s going to be one hell of a shit-storm.
Given that Gray’s sexism is a matter of record, you have to ask yourself why this has happened now, especially when none of the comments were broadcast, and none of those “affected” made any form of protest or complaint (most tellingly Charlotte Jackson, whose “qualifications” for the job as a sports presenter run no further than photo shoots in various “lads mags” – she's never been involved in professional sport in any capacity, nor any form of creditable journalism, and cheerfully admits she used the pics as a “launch pad” for the job - compare this with the BBC's female soprts presenters, all of whom are either establish sports journos, ex sportswomen, or both). Looking further, and comparing the reactions of the Murdoch and non-Murdoch press, the answer is blindingly obvious – it’s a stitch-up, and attempt to paint Gray into a corner, ahead of a court case.
The independent broadsheets are full of articles, including those from female journos, the general tone of which is “Ok, Gray’s a dinosaur, but if we’re going to start hanging people for making mild, off-air remarks, where does it end?”, whereas the Murdoch papers all have exactly the same slant; “love rat Andy sacked for being a bastard”. As a long-time despiser of Murdoch and all his works, I have to say I'm going to watch this one with glee – if it turns out (as I suspect it will) that Coulson’s implicated, then the chances are he’ll do time and, if he decides not to “take one for the team”, we could see the full force of the law directed at Murdoch and his works. It’s all good :) And it’s all going to go well beyond this storm in a teacup.
So, RCdc, to return to your original question, it’s going to end up as a “privacy” issue, even if it didn't start out that way :)
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RE: Sexism rant: Andy Gray sacked and Richard Keys susp... - 
Forgiven,but my comments still stand 
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