Back on Thursday 27th March I read this post on Guido Fawkes' blog, where Guido writes that Nick Clegg will be "publishing his expenses in full the week after next".
'Great' I thought... 'I must keep that date in my calendar to see if Nick Clegg does release his expenses on time'. Many politicians aren't known for their rigorous time-keeping.
Flicking through my diary I realised that "the week after next" ended last week.
I put a call into the Lib Dem Press Office. According to a spokesperson Master Fawkes was stretching the truth.
Although the Lib Dem Leader will be publishing his expenses, his Press Officer never stipulated a time frame. He was "slightly stirring" with the two weeks to move things along.
The expenses will be revealed after the current expenses case before the committee is resolved.
So was Guido right to put this? Or is this sort of blogging out of order?
UPDATE: Back at Guido's blog (and in our comments!) he is refuting the Lib Dem's recollection of events.
Bloggerheads indeed - who do you believe?
The Morning Mail....even the most respected commentators credit GF with bringing down the Tangoed one....Peter Haine
He has his moments....which is why NuLab hate him...although he will have a good go at any party if he thinks there is corruption.
Its just that Labour have so much more corruption than any one else...
Posted by: Fellipe, England 16 Apr 2008 16:56:31
I also understand the corrupt ex Tory MP Derek Conway was exposed by Guido.
I wonder how Guido would have dealt with the wonderful and successful 'back to basics' campaign, under John Major, where numerous sleaze and cash for questions scandals were the order of the day.
Posted by: The Morning Mail 16 Apr 2008 17:33:06
And Morning Mail....one more thing...after 11 years of NuLab misrule....us "Nucons" have nothing apologise for....that's McBottler's job
Posted by: Fellipe, England 16 Apr 2008 17:18:03
The Morning Mail....even the most respected commentators credit GF with bringing down the Tangoed one....Peter Haine
He has his moments....which is why NuLab hate him...although he will have a good go at any party if he thinks there is corruption.
Its just that Labour have so much more corruption than any one else...
Posted by: Fellipe, England 16 Apr 2008 16:56:31
Fellipe
Just had a quick squiz at the Guido Fawkes site, yes very good and very factual. Americans don't even know who he is or why he is there...very high profile is Mr Brown, must be that new PR team he has hired, they are excellent.
He is the "bridge to Europe" more like "a bridge too far".
Rumour has it, there are photos of Mr Brown circulating in the corridors of power in America, just to make sure security know who he is and let him in.
Posted by: Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 16 Apr 2008 15:01
Dear Liz, Cammers Cape Town correspondent only you and other NuCon apologists could fine the right wing ‘Conservative’ ‘Guido’ blog site factual.
Dear me, are you really so naieve? On second thoughts you don’t have to answer that, it is blatantly obvious.
Posted by: The Morning Mail 16 Apr 2008 16:11:19
Fellipe
Just had a quick squiz at the Guido Fawkes site, yes very good and very factual. Americans don't even know who he is or why he is there...very high profile is Mr Brown, must be that new PR team he has hired, they are excellent.
He is the "bridge to Europe" more like "a bridge too far".
Rumour has it, there are photos of Mr Brown circulating in the corridors of power in America, just to make sure security know who he is and let him in.
Posted by: Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 16 Apr 2008 15:01:40
Fellipe
Thanks for the info, I will summon up the courage and have a look, and keep an open mind.
Posted by: Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 16 Apr 2008 14:34:19
Elizabeth.
Guido Fawkes blog is one of the most cutting and feared blogs on the web. He sometimes gets it wrong but he is mostly spot on. He is disliked by the MSM because he is so good.
As Victor says the crude comments are down to unmoderated replies and you don't have to read these.
Paul Staines' (AKA GF)blogs are an excellent read...
Posted by: Fellipe, England 16 Apr 2008 12:58:46
Guido...or any politician..now who should one believe?
No contest...Fawkes every time!
Posted by: Fellipe, England 16 Apr 2008 12:54:16
James, London...
I must say, I've never been called "a seasoned political hack" before.
Does 27 constitute as "seasoned"?
Posted by: Cheryl Smith, Westminster 16 Apr 2008 12:15:58
Morning Mail
It matters not who runs the site, he can be green with pink spots, but I do not enjoy smut! others as I said it is up to them...freedom of speech.
Posted by: Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 15 Apr 2008 16:56:34
For once I agree with you Liz, freedom of speech means that your blogs keep me constantly amused.
Posted by: The Morning Mail 15 Apr 2008 18:20:42
Morning Mail
It matters not who runs the site, he can be green with pink spots, but I do not enjoy smut! others as I said it is up to them...freedom of speech.
Posted by: Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 15 Apr 2008 16:56:34
Never trust a politician!.I believe Guido.
Posted by: seb/uk 15 Apr 2008 14:43:48
Nick Clegg is putting himself forward as the moral leader. He is championing every liberal cause, opposing 42 days, ID Cards, lets open up the BAE eenquiry and it goes on and on. Be careful Nick, that halo might choke you one day!!
Posted by: Craig 15 Apr 2008 14:25:26
I should imagine Guido was told "we'll publish them in a couple of weeks".
It sounds like you're being fobbed off, Cheryl. Surprised a seasoned political hack would fall for the lame obfuscation of their press office.
There's no real reason why his expenses shouldn't have been published two weeks ago; why wait at all?
Unless he's got something to hide, of course...
Posted by: James, London 15 Apr 2008 13:47:57
Why do you doubt GF? I am not aware of anyone questioning his reliability before.
You may or may not agree with his views/analysis, but are you aware of him ever telling a fib about a fact?
Blogs are instantly a public record, so it would be very foolish (and easily tracible) if someone was 'unreliable'.
Instead you choose to trust a comment made by an unidentified spokesperson person about what a different press officer said to GF several weeks ago.
Politicians (and their ilk) aren't always reliable - look at michael martins taxi bill episode...
My money is on GF.
Posted by: paul, brighton 15 Apr 2008 13:40:36
Mike Simpson? Morning Mail?
A libertarian Conservative - how frightening! Imagine someone who believes in personal freedoms - we can't have that in Brown's grey Britain.
Posted by: Victor, NW Kent 15 Apr 2008 13:31:14
Victor:
I agree, the pieces written by Guido himself are entertaining, the replies by the public are very crude to say the least.
I just never thought I would see the slang four letter word for part of the female anatomy, written in a public forum that can be accessed by all. What message does this send out to our young?
Some of the comments appear to me to be defamatory to say the least, do the defamation laws not apply to the internet blogs?
Posted by: Madnurse 15 Apr 2008 13:21:58
I'm with Guido on this one. Admittedly his comments section is a little rumbustious, and, occasionally, somewhat intemperate, but usually a good giggle. If you can't stand the heat...
Posted by: molesworth 1 15 Apr 2008 13:02:06
I have heard quite a bit about this Guido Fawkes blog, but have never looked at it. When I first started posting on here, Effie mentioned it was rather crude, so I think I will stay well clear, but I would not suggest to others not to look, as people are free to do what they want.
It is a matter of choice at the end of the day.
Posted by: Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 15 Apr 2008 12:23:05
To enlighten you Liz, the Guido blog site is run by a libertarian conservative, Paul Staines, a former Tory activist.
Make up your own mind.
Posted by: The Morning Mail 15 Apr 2008 13:00:13
I have heard quite a bit about this Guido Fawkes blog, but have never looked at it. When I first started posting on here, Effie mentioned it was rather crude, so I think I will stay well clear, but I would not suggest to others not to look, as people are free to do what they want.
It is a matter of choice at the end of the day.
Posted by: Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 15 Apr 2008 12:23:05
Yeah, well I heard [Gloria Gaynor] sing [I Will Survive]
Posted by: Khalid 15 Apr 2008 11:57:10
Madnurse
Guido is hardly my first port of call either but it is not his postings which are obscene and scatological. It is the bloggers who reply on an unmoderated thread. Many of thosec are repressed personalities and relish this opportunity to use all of those naughty words "in public".
Solution - read his blogs and ignore the replies which are usually worthless as are the 1000 word essays which appear here - minus the swearwords but full of epithets, accusations, fantasies, inaccuracies and especially personal insults.
Posted by: Victor, NW Kent 15 Apr 2008 11:51:53
They are lying.
Posted by: Guido Fawkes 15 Apr 2008 11:15:25
I looked at Guido Fawkes web site by following the link on the right hand side of this page, I am not a prude but, Adam, I do think a warning regarding the somewhat colourful language on the said site may well be appropriate beside your link.
Posted by: Madnurse 15 Apr 2008 11:02:10