2008 February 07 - Guy Fawkes' blog

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Wee Wendy Prosecution "Not in the Public Interest"

The killer line in the Electoral Commission’s determination is:

In respect of a possible offence under Section 56, the Commission has concluded that, while Wendy Alexander did not take all reasonable steps in seeking to comply with the relevant legislation, she did take significant steps. Having considered all the circumstances, the Commission has decided that it is not appropriate or in the public interest to report this matter to the Procurator Fiscal.”

So if you don’t declare £950 of income on your tax return and get caught, try to use this as a defence. “I did declare most of my income, but I forgot about the £950 from the offshore source. It won’t be in the public interest to prosecute…”

UPDATE 16:30 : “I welcome the Electoral Commission’s announcement today, clearing me of intentional wrongdoing. My honesty and integrity have been confirmed by this judgment.” No it does not Wendy. If you did not deliberately solicit a string of donations from £999 to £950, just below the reporting threshold, we might believe you had some integrity. The list of undeclared donations included; GMB Scotland £999, Michael D Rutterford £999, Neil Davidson £995, Nicholas Kuenssberg £995, John Lyons £995, Phoenix Car Company £995, Strathvale Holdings Limited £995, City Refrigeration Holdings Limited £995, David J Pitt Watson £990, Paul Green £950. That is a pattern of deceit and a deliberate attempt to avoid donor transparency.

Create Your Own Boris Finger-Puppet

What with Gordon, Clegg and Dave doing Blue Peter, it falls to Guido to demonstrate that you don’t need double sided sticky-tape to be a politician. See it on GuyNews.TV.

Make Your Own Boris Finger-Puppet

Via Weird Wide Web

Gordon Tells Court His "Manifesto Pledges are Not Subject to Legitimate Expectation"

Guido thought that this attempt to take Gordon Brown to Court by a UKIP member for breach of contract over not holding a referendum on the EU Constitution was crazy. It was in the manifesto and a manifesto commitment is a promise. So they do have a case of sorts but with little chance of success methinks.

But it was absolutely worth it for the admission in Court by Gordon’s barrister that you should not believe a word Gordon writes in the manifesto. Q.E.D.

Incidentally, the quote was taken down in Court and blogged before any broadcaster, newswire or newsroom got it out by Is There More to Life than Shoes? Good work pussycat…

Totty Watch : By Request, Black & White Ball (Men)

N.B. Guido was not actually in attendance so the person demanding transparency about a Guido donation to the Tory party is barking up the wrong tree. It was held on Ash Wednesday, the first Day of Lent, a day which Catholics observe by fasting, abstinence from meat, and repentance—a day of contemplating one’s transgressions. Something tells Guido politicians are not anywhere near ready to repent…