Comments
The scandal of friendship and the shame of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
2009-11-07 10:53:53
Is there no end to the cruelty of the Daily Telegraph in its coverage of MPs' expenses?
My God, they have only gone and published a detailed account of my exit from a celebrity (sic) edition of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Just when Fiona and I were finally getting over it.
Why in the Telegraph today, you ask? It happened years ago. Surely anyone with a vague interest in seeing me fail saw or read about it at the time, or might have caught the occasional repeats people delight in telling me have been on since.
Ah, but the big revelation is that the friend I phoned when we were struggling with an £8000 question was none other than Sir Ian Kennedy, the new chairman of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.
What, you mean this man has 'friends?' Gosh. But how can a man who has friends who once worked for Tony Blair possibly do a job properly? I know, I know, amazing isn't it? 'Certain to raise questions' (innuendo handbook cliche number 14) about his independence, I'd say (if I worked for the Telegraph, that is.).
'It can also be disclosed' (IHCN9) that Sir Ian had dinner as a guest of TB at Chequers. What? The man who had successfully led the review into Britain's rabies laws (yes, you dog-lovers have him to thank for being able to take your pets to France) and who chaired the Bristol babies inquiry was thought worthy of an invite to Chequers? Scandal. It is 'bound to raise suspicions' that Blair must have known there would be an expenses scandal one day, there would be a new regulatory body born of it, and he'd better get this Kennedy chap onside in case he lands the job. Banged to rights.
The paper says David Cameron and Nick Clegg 'will almost certainly (ICHN 4) not have been aware of Sir Ian's links to the New Labour establishment when welcoming his appointment.'
Yet they then somewhat undermine that possibility by publishing in copious detail the references to Sir Ian in my diaries, when on holiday he gave invaluable advice in advance of the Hutton Inquiry. I cannot speak for Clegg but I have considerable evidence that Mr Cameron and his team are very familiar with my diaries.
I can also 'disclose' that the first I knew Sir Ian was taking up this new post was when he had already been appointed, since when I have discovered he informed the panel which appointed him both of his friendships in politics and of his appearance in my diaries. So any questions it was 'bound to raise' with them had clearly already been raised and dealt with.
He is indeed a friend, one who knows his own mind and will do any job asked of him well. (The words I gave to the Telegraph when they contacted me about their big scoop, but which appear not to have been included in their online coverage).
Nor did my comment that I was 'disappointed' he did not know the answer when I phoned him from the Who Wants to be a Millionaire studio.
It was a Valentine's Day couples special. Neither Fiona or I were terribly keen to do it in the first place. But the chance of a million for Leukaemia Research was too good to miss. But be fair, how is this an 8000 quid question. 'Which country launched the Skylab space station? France, Russia, Britain or America?' Got to be worth half a million.
I can remember saying as the question popped up 'it won't be France because they would call it something French'. However, when we went to 50-50 and America and France were the two remaining, that thought had moved on, Ian was unsure, so were we, but as the US had the Apollo programme, we plumped for France. I could tell from the immediate Chris Tarrant smirk that we'd had it.
So thanks to the cruelty squad at the Telegraph for bringing all that back. Thanks, more sincerely, for such generous plugging of The Blair Years.
And well done to Ian Kennedy in continuing to want to contribute to public service, knowing that those who put their heads above the parapet might have potshots fired at them from time to time.
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A tweet cannot express the wonders of TGVPublish date: 2009-05-12 08:48:31
It's Mind week - Get it off your Chest with me and Stephen FryPublish date: 2009-05-11 06:29:15
Hate the Mail, love ObamaPublish date: 2009-05-10 10:04:00
Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased reportPublish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32
MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet againPublish date: 2009-05-09 09:50:19
Should happiness replace prosperity as national goal?Publish date: 2009-05-08 08:43:23
Musings from a sleepless nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Good signals on coal and the OlympicsPublish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28
Tips for the London MarathonPublish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47
Will English always be the dominant language?Publish date: 2009-04-11 10:02:02
On the pipes and what makes a ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53
Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59
Of Benn and BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Why Kevin Rudd made an impactPublish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07
Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02
Learning the right lessons from ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09
Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13
Life beyond Dover ...Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21
My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13
Is all change good?Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06
The pressure of being a post-modern sex godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25
Start of a new approach from Labour?Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12
A peace process still strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56
She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59
Some speeches matter more than othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36
Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12
Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59
Me, Dermot and ten top songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50
Dave Cameron - is that all there is?Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55
Boris Johnson: F is for ...Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10
The Cameron vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47
Eighteen interviews later ...Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45
Time to talk about Time to Change on NewsnightPublish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49
So that’s what they mean by online community?Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51
First blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
Jane A
2009-11-08 19:05:55Worrying that "had dinner with" has now become "holidayed with" in the Torygraph lexicon of guilt-worthy summer activity.
If they are going to be that sloppy with the detail, why believe a word anyway.
Geoff Cole
2009-11-08 17:02:52As a Labour member and contributor for over 25 years, I am devastated that people who are ignorant of basic facts about natonal capabilities have the audacity to describe themselves as 'strategists'. When will Britain wake up to the fact that we need the ruling 'arts establishment' less than a dog needs fleas? A 'strategist' who thought that France could launch Skylab presumably using Arianne (based on the UK's Blue Streak} demonstrates ignorance that clearly demonstrates the British problem. How can any government govern adequately when they lack basic scientific education and have the arrogance to ignore the opinions {based on proof rather than expediency) of those who have?
This is not a party political problem since none of the major parties have sufficient individual members of parliament or prospective candidates with the education or ability to govern. The mass opinion of those spoon fed 'facts' based on opion formers whose job is to sell newspapers is hardly a wise basis upon which to form policy. Most journalists are 'educated' in the arts, law, philosophy and other splendid things that have little relationship to the real world.
George Woodhouse
2009-11-08 10:35:55Very funny Alasdair - you complaining about he press has to be a joke. After your shameless manipulation of the facts and the way it was presented to the press during the Blair years - hilarious!
Alan Quinn
2009-11-07 19:28:22Skylab French? Did you never collect the cards in PG Tips tea? Do you not remember the big scare stories when Skylab was due to re enter the Earth's atmosphere and land on everyone? Bloody hell AC!
vstrad
2009-11-07 16:49:15Dear Alastair,
I don't think anyone has suggested you were involved in Sir Ian's appointment, rather that his friendship with you (amongst other things) cast doubt on his independence. After all, your own account of your Italian holiday labels him as one of the "party people" you were mixing with.
I'm sure he did a great and impartial job on the Bristol babies and rabies inquiries. But his involvement in helping you prepare for your appearance before Hutton and in the selection of the Government's counsel does indeed "raise questions" over his independence.
No doubt Sir Ian is entirely blameless and would do a terrific job at the IPSA. But this is politics, it's a dirty game etc, etc. You of all people must appreciate that it must look clean and smell clean - being clean is not enough.
James
2009-11-07 13:32:42How did you manage to balls up the answer to that?! Honestly...
Judith Haire
2009-11-07 13:32:06None of the above. It's fish and chip paper.
When is anyone going to realise that negativity and sniping is just so passe. Mindless regurgitation from the DT does not impress me one iota.
Christine Burden
2009-11-07 13:21:40Is the Daily Telegraph
A. A Tory rag. B. A Conservative rag. C. A Cameroon rag. or D. A lemon?
Malcolm Harper
2009-11-07 13:20:28We really do now have the most absured papers in the world. I worry that on Europe, where there is next to no sensible debate at all, it haslead Britain to take the wrong turn and we will regret it
Paul McArdle
2009-11-07 13:19:01True legend, Mr C, is the ability to so be under the skin of the Tory press that you can make front page news with a quiz question four years after the event. You should feel honoured indeed.
Artemisia
2009-11-07 12:15:37The absurdity of it is too much for words. Suffice it to say that these days, "The Telegraph" is considered the poor cousin of Private Eye elsewhere in Europe.
Political Dissuasion
2009-11-07 11:08:52Mr Campbell,
Having read The Blair Years and what you felt/feel about the press, are you really surprised they are trying to make this a story? Ashamed of them, sure, but you cannot be harbouring any thoughts of 'surely the British press are too upstanding...'.
PD
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