Andrew Gilligan, writing in the Daily Telegraph, reports that there are 13 inquiries that have been spawned by the 'Hackgate' scandal:
"As well as the Leveson inquiry, in two separate parts, there are: two criminal inquiries, Elveden and Weeting; two parliamentary inquiries, one now concluded, by the home affairs and media select committees; inquiries by the Independent Police Complaints Commission and the Inspectorate of Constabulary; a probe by the former parliamentary watchdog Elizabeth Filkin into relationships between the police and the media; an inquiry by the Met’s directorate of professional standards; a News International internal inquiry; a Press Complaints Commission review; and, finally, my own personal favourite: an inquiry into how the Commons security authorities can best interdict future supplies of shaving foam."
In this age of austerity, to have 13 inquiries running on one subject, or aspects of the same subject, does appear to be a tad 'over-kill'. Could we not divert the efforts of a few to investigate, for example:
1. The Iraq War;
2. The Afghan War;
3. The 'cash for honours' scandal;
4. The 'MP's Expenses' scandal;
5. The benefits/deficits of European Union membership; and
6. The status of Keith Vaz
5 comments:
it's part of the patronage system.
Westminster lives in a bubble where it's warm and comfy. They know it's a cruel, cold world outside the bubble but prefer not to think about it much.
The frantic Murdoch activity is purely internal bubble activity, displacement activity.
We have a pretty good idea about the investigations you suggest, but publicly declaring honest answers would puncture the bubble.
We have had inquiries relating to some of these things but they've been carefully managed with their first objective to maintain the integrity of the bubble.
Who was that woman who was appointed to oversee parliamentary standards and was given the push very soon after because she was taking the job seriously?
@ Anon It was Elizabeth Filkin - and she did a very good job, too good a job for the MPs' liking, pretty much like IPSA and Kennedy on their expenses.
The Blair government was expert in drawing up restrictive terms for enquiries and for picking a reliable, sound chap to head it. The summary of any of their reports will always be along the lines
Mistakes have been made
Lessons have been learned
And the country's in the very best of hands!
I used to travel to Ireland on business quite frequently and there was always a new enquiry going on. The best reports were in a magazine called "Phoenix" which is very similar to Private Eye.
Politicians were found to have had their fingers deeply in various tills but I cannot recall anything very serious happening to any of them.
The chief Gardai (Police) Commissioner was even able to buy his house from a known racketeer at a time when said racketeer was unavailable for interview and wanted to "assist with enquiries" . I can't remember what came of that either.
Or: Yup, sure is!"
c: Can't fault what you say.
GV: Thanks for saving me answering!
ES: No doubt Cameron has done exactly the same with the hackgate inquiries too - the results of which will be those you describe!
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