Taxi Driver Online

UK cab trade debate and advice
It is currently Sat Apr 04, 2026 4:27 am

All times are UTC [ DST ]




Post new topic This topic is locked, you cannot edit posts or make further replies.  [ 206 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 14  Next
Author Message
PostPosted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 2:47 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:31 pm
Posts: 12045
Location: Aberdeen
Mercer is only 'first' victim of lobby sting operation
Kate Devlin
UK Political Correspondent
Saturday 1 June 2013

A NUMBER of politicians are thought to have been caught up in an alleged "cash for lobbying" scandal that has already seen a senior Conservative resign his party's whip.

Image

Former Tory frontbencher Patrick Mercer yesterday denied he had breached any rules but said he was standing down to save the party embarrassment.

He has also referred himself to the parliamentary standards watchdog.

In allegations that will evoke memories of the "cash for questions" scandal, Mr Mercer is thought to have been approached by journalists posing as a fake company keen to lobby on behalf of Fijian business interests for the country to be readmitted to the Commonwealth.

In a statement, Mr Mercer said he agreed only to undertake consultancy work outside Parliament.

But it emerged he had asked five parliamentary questions and signed an Early Day Motion – a traditional way for MPs to draw attention to an issue – on Fiji.

Last night sources suggested Mr Mercer was only the "first" in a series of sting operations which had targeted a number of high-profile politicians.

Before he entered Parliament in 2001, the MP spent 25 years in the Army, completing nine tours of Northern Ireland.

He initially had a stellar career but was demoted to his party's backbenches in 2007 amid outrage over remarks he made which were seen as racist.

In an interview he had said that he had come "across a lot of ethnic minority soldiers who were idle and useless but who used racism as cover for their misdemeanours".

In recent years he has been seen as a thorn in the side of David Cameron.

In 2011, he was forced to deny calling the Tory leader an "arse" and saying that the Prime Minister was the " worst politician in British history since William Gladstone".

Such is the animosity between the two men that when news initially broke that he was to resign the whip it led to intense speculation he could join the UK Independence Party (Ukip).

Last night aides to Mr Cameron welcomed Mr Mercer's announcement, saying the Prime Minister thought he had "done the right thing".

But Downing Street will be glad the MP's decision to retain his seat means it has avoided a by-election in his Newark constituency. Although the MP has a majority of 16,000, it is thought the seat could be vulnerable to a Ukip challenge in a snap vote.

The new allegations risk damaging further the reputation of Westminster politics, still reeling from the 2009 expenses scandal.

They have also triggered renewed calls for a register of lobbyists, a key pledge in the Coalition Agreement. Before he came to power, Mr Cameron warned that lobbying was the "next big scandal waiting to happen". But LibDem leader Nick Clegg made clear last week that the Tories were standing in the way of progress on a statutory register.

A number of his fellow MPs have also reiterated calls for a right of recall to allow voters to get rid of disgraced politicians.

At the moment, MPs can only be voted out by the electorate at a general election.

Matthew Sinclair, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said Mr Mercer's constituents would be "intrigued as to why their MP has resigned from his party but not from Parliament".

Mr Mercer's local party said the MP himself has had made the decision to resign the whip. It said Mr Mercer would remain in the Commons as an independent, adding: "Until such time as there has been a full and proper investigation, in line with British justice, we shall neither pre-judge nor pre-empt the outcome.

The sting was a joint operation between BBC's Panorama programme and The Daily Telegraph.

The Panorama programme is now expected to air next week.

The "cash for questions" affair broke in 1994 when two Conservative MPs were accused of placing Parliamentary questions in return for payment.


http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/ ... il%2Balert

_________________
Image
http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 4:15 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu May 03, 2007 8:15 pm
Posts: 9170
That's what makes to Tories so successful, they are resourceful and can always adapt to finding new ways to make money. :wink:


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 4:37 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:31 pm
Posts: 12045
Location: Aberdeen
bloodnock wrote:
That's what makes to Tories so successful, they are resourceful and can always adapt to finding new ways to make money. :wink:


Natural thieving scum?

_________________
Image
http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 5:27 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2005 4:54 am
Posts: 10460
gusmac wrote:
bloodnock wrote:
That's what makes to Tories so successful, they are resourceful and can always adapt to finding new ways to make money. :wink:


Natural thieving scum?


And what makes you think the pursuit of self-interest by a political class is going to stop with an Independent Scotland? :-|

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 7:44 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:31 pm
Posts: 12045
Location: Aberdeen
Skull wrote:
gusmac wrote:
bloodnock wrote:
That's what makes to Tories so successful, they are resourceful and can always adapt to finding new ways to make money. :wink:


Natural thieving scum?


And what makes you think the pursuit of self-interest by a political class is going to stop with an Independent Scotland? :-|


Did I say it would?

_________________
Image
http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 9:05 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2005 4:54 am
Posts: 10460
Gusmac writes:

Quote:
Did I say it would?


Well, do you want to enlighten us, as to how voting for Independence is going to change anything? :?

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 9:16 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:31 pm
Posts: 12045
Location: Aberdeen
Skull wrote:
Gusmac writes:

Quote:
Did I say it would?


Well, do you want to enlighten us, as to how voting for Independence is going to change anything? :?


No. 8)

Had this dumbass argument with you before.

Stick to lynching the muslims. It suits you better. #-o

_________________
Image
http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 9:37 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2005 4:54 am
Posts: 10460
gusmac wrote:
Skull wrote:
Gusmac writes:

Quote:
Did I say it would?


Well, do you want to enlighten us, as to how voting for Independence is going to change anything? :?


No. 8)

Had this dumbass argument with you before.

Stick to lynching the muslims. It suits you better. #-o




Ah so this is the rock on which your whole argument perishes, instead of calling it a vote for Independence. Why don't you call it, a Vote for More of the Same? #-o

Oh and your crack about "lynching Muslims" fails to cover for your ignorance as to how the political system actually works, and why it will never deliver, what you want. #-o

I think people like you Gusmac, are extremists in your own right. #-o

And it's always the simple little questions that catch you out. #-o #-o #-o #-o

This is Scooby-doo politics Gus. #-o One minute, you are pointing to how the system fails the man in the street, and the next, you want to vote for it. #-o #-o #-o #-o #-o

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 10:04 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2005 4:54 am
Posts: 10460
Oh and Gusmac, I don't know why, but I get the distinct feeling you want to enter the political arena in your own right. Are you thinking about standing to become a Councillor as your means of getting on the political ladder?

I've seen this apologist type of opinion before and there's almost always a reason for it.

So what are you up to Gus??? :?

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 10:39 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:31 pm
Posts: 12045
Location: Aberdeen
I don't debate with fascists, Skull. Sorry to disappoint you.

Now just to keep you amused, here's a smiley.

Image

_________________
Image
http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 11:02 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2005 4:54 am
Posts: 10460
gusmac wrote:
I don't debate with fascists, Skull. Sorry to disappoint you.

Now just to keep you amused, here's a smiley.

Image


I'm not asking you to debate with me Gusmac, as all I have to do is to point to how at every opportunity, you contradict your own argument. Image[/quote]

So tell me Gusmac, are you standing for the council or have you thrown your lot in with the SNP? Oh and that's not a debate either. It's a question? #-o

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 11:10 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:31 pm
Posts: 12045
Location: Aberdeen
Skull wrote:
I'm not asking you to debate with me Gusmac, as all I have to do is to point to how at every opportunity, you contradict your own argument.

So was it Pilger or Chomsky that gave you the hang 'em and deport 'em views? Someone else maybe?
Or did you just get fed up being the all seeing sage and decide to join the EDL?

Citizen of the World my erse.

Quote:
So tell me Gusmac, are you standing for the council or have you thrown your lot in with the SNP? Oh and that's not a debate either. It's a question? #-o


I suppose I'd better answer, or you'll be up all night posting after yourself again.

NO and NO (in that order)
In fact I'd rather have my toenails ripped out with pliers.

_________________
Image
http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 11:41 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2005 4:54 am
Posts: 10460
If by not being an apologist and saying what everyone is thinking (you included) and laying the blame and responsibility for that young soldier's death, firmly at the feet of an evil religion, and by doing so, this makes me a fascist, then that’s fine by me. :-|

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3tHzLvk_84


Oh and I think, if you check my posts, I referred to all religions as being intrinsically evil.

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Jun 02, 2013 12:22 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:31 pm
Posts: 12045
Location: Aberdeen
Skull wrote:
If by not being an apologist and saying what everyone is thinking (you included) and laying the blame and responsibility for that young soldier's death, firmly at the feet of an evil religion, and by doing so, this makes me a fascist, then that’s fine by me. :-|

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3tHzLvk_84


Oh and I think, if you check my posts, I referred to all religions as being intrinsically evil.



You advocate the persecution of a minority (Muslims) or several minorities (all faiths) for the wrong doings of some of them. Guilt by faith or guilt by association.You would deprive them of the same rights you expect for yourself, based on the fact that you believe their faith is worthless and that, in some way, makes you a better person.

None of which sits very well with some of the other stuff you have come away with on here. In fact it just makes it all so much bullsh*t.

Your reasoning matters not a jot. Fascists can always come up with reasons to justify their views. They are still fascists.

_________________
Image
http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Jun 02, 2013 1:46 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2005 4:54 am
Posts: 10460
gusmac wrote:
Skull wrote:
If by not being an apologist and saying what everyone is thinking (you included) and laying the blame and responsibility for that young soldier's death, firmly at the feet of an evil religion, and by doing so, this makes me a fascist, then that’s fine by me. :-|

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3tHzLvk_84


Oh and I think, if you check my posts, I referred to all religions as being intrinsically evil.



You advocate the persecution of a minority (Muslims) or several minorities (all faiths) for the wrong doings of some of them. Guilt by faith or guilt by association.You would deprive them of the same rights you expect for yourself, based on the fact that you believe their faith is worthless and that, in some way, makes you a better person.

None of which sits very well with some of the other stuff you have come away with on here. In fact it just makes it all so much bullsh*t.

Your reasoning matters not a jot. Fascists can always come up with reasons to justify their views. They are still fascists.


I'm not persecuting anyone. Religion is doing this all on its own. Religious groups have been persecuting each other for centuries. This is not something new, and it has nothing to do with me, but it is wrong to say that Islam or Christianity or Judaism or any other religion is not responsible for the atrocities being perpetrated in its name, as it is all faith based. And it is their faith that sets them fundamentally apart.

Oh and Gusmac, I am more than happy for any peace-loving individual to live in this country, regardless of his beliefs, as long as they are not trying to shove their religion down my throat or kill people in the streets.

And no one is killing anyone in the name of Atheism, as far as I'm aware.

And I suggest you read Dawkins or Hitchens before you call anyone a fascist.


Oh and Gusmac, you are not pursuing this debate out of support for any ethnic or religious minorities. It's simply because you think that by becoming an apologist, and feigning moral outrage, this gives your argument some sort of legitimacy. When the truth is, you don't give a sh*t, and you don't want Islam in this country anymore than I do, if that means extremism has any part to play in it. So spare me the bull and find an opinion you actually believe has some merit. :-|

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic This topic is locked, you cannot edit posts or make further replies.  [ 206 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 14  Next

All times are UTC [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 569 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group