Epstein, so sick of it everywhere.

Peter Mandelson has been known as corrupt for many years yet the Labour party continued to use his services when necessary. His betrayal of the man who gave him is peerage is disgraceful, and the lack of judgement by the next labour prime minister who appointed him to a prestigious post appalling. The documents concerning the incriminating emails were known about last September, but no action taken until revealed publicly this week.

13:28Breaking Downing Street says officials are drafting legislation that would allow Mandelson's peerage to be removed "as quickly as possible". But it says there is also a broader need for the House of Lords to be able to swiftly remove "transgressors".
I will believe this when it happens. Otherwise Mandelson will do as he stated, resign from the Labour party, withdraw from the House, but retain his title. Still in control.

Thank you Casdon

Casdon

Galaxy

Far stronger vetting? Perhaps they could just use the maxim if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then it is a duck. I am happy to write the policy for them.

What about the ducks dressed as swans though?

It never convinces anyone. the neck just isn't long enough - unless, of course you want to pretend. for any reason, that you were convinced.

You have to wonder what Mandelson had on Starmer. Much though I absolutely detest the man , I wouldn’t think he had anything sleazy to hide. So why appoint him ? Who pushed his case ?

Morgan McSweeney is accused of promoting Mandelson, but the choice was made by Starmer. He damaged his image by accepting a number of large donations, clothes, tickets and reading glasses, reluctantly declared , when first elected. His work for Phil Shiner, solicitor convicted of providing false evidence against British soldiers fighting in the Iraqi war has further damaged his standing; there is another issue, possibly hearsay, waiting to be investigated later in the year.

When the revelations about the dishonourable Mandelson, thrice disgraced, surfaced, his appointment as Ambassador appeared even more suspect; initially unpopular and ultimately disastrous.
Very, very poor judgement.

I think that Gordon Brown is basically honest and has already given information to the police. This is going to be a massive can of worms and will take Starmer, Lammy and others down

JenniferEccles

The pictures of a woman lying on the floor with Andrew M.W kneeling down over her were sickening.
Yes she was fully clothed and, as we keep being told, he has strenuously denied any wrongdoing, but the pictures tell a different story.

I do not believe the photos depict a woman. The victim appears to be a young girl. It is quite obvious this victim ia drugged, not moving, sprawled out and even A is checking well-being, breath, putting hand on child's lifeless belly

_

Mackir

JenniferEccles

The pictures of a woman lying on the floor with Andrew M.W kneeling down over her were sickening.
Yes she was fully clothed and, as we keep being told, he has strenuously denied any wrongdoing, but the pictures tell a different story.

I do not believe the photos depict a woman. The victim appears to be a young girl. It is quite obvious this victim ia drugged, not moving, sprawled out and even A is checking well-being, breath, putting hand on child's lifeless belly

So you would be prepsred to gather a lynch mob whether there is any actual evidence or not, so far there is no proof that Andrew is anything other than a fool that has brought himself into disrepute.

KKOB

sixandahalf

This ghastly person and his gang seem to be everywhere in the news.
It's utterly depressing.

Nobody's forcing you to read, watch or listen to it are they ?

That's your stock answer to a couple of posts. People are allowed to voice their opinions, you know and read other GN's comments.

Sarnia

KKOB

sixandahalf

This ghastly person and his gang seem to be everywhere in the news.
It's utterly depressing.

Nobody's forcing you to read, watch or listen to it are they ?

That's your stock answer to a couple of posts. People are allowed to voice their opinions, you know and read other GN's comments.

I agree with KKOB. I have yet to read, watch or listen anything published on and about the Beckhams. I am not remotely interested them, so my eyes, ears and other senses move on immediately I see their names

The same applies to the Epstein scandal. Here I am very interested because at the heart of this deeply unpleasant scandal is crimes that go deep into the conduct of our society and body politic.

A senior member of government was committing treason by releasing market sensitive information that he saw, in his priveledged position as a cabinet minister, to commercial market formers within seconds of receiving it.

One of these market formers was living a life of sexual exploitation, into which he was enthusiastically joined by more movers and shakers of the finacial market and governments. These activities laid these people open to blackmail, were not to do what their puppetmaster wanted.

Yes, these events are utterly depressing as are the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, the deeply unstable government in the United States , events in iran and the sabre rattling of Putin, The dictator in North Korea and many other. These are events in the world and shutting our eyes to them will not make them go away. We who are lucky enough to live in a relatively stable country need to be knowledgeable about anything that threatens this.

M0nica

Casdon

Galaxy

Far stronger vetting? Perhaps they could just use the maxim if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then it is a duck. I am happy to write the policy for them.

What about the ducks dressed as swans though?

It never convinces anyone. the neck just isn't long enough - unless, of course you want to pretend. for any reason, that you were convinced.

I suspect there are more under the radar than above it, sadly M0nica. Mandelson was clearly above, but without very tight legislation to vet people, the scandals will continue. Unbelievably (to me anyway) there is no mandatory vetting process for MPs, so a universal vetting process would be a good starting point.

Democracy in the UK doesn’t allow for the vetting of MPs. It’s the will of the people which is paramount.
Casdon

Casdon

M0nica

Casdon

Galaxy

Far stronger vetting? Perhaps they could just use the maxim if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then it is a duck. I am happy to write the policy for them.

What about the ducks dressed as swans though?

It never convinces anyone. the neck just isn't long enough - unless, of course you want to pretend. for any reason, that you were convinced.

I suspect there are more under the radar than above it, sadly M0nica. Mandelson was clearly above, but without very tight legislation to vet people, the scandals will continue. Unbelievably (to me anyway) there is no mandatory vetting process for MPs, so a universal vetting process would be a good starting point.

Let's hope it will be more robust than the Met's.

Mandelson's association with Epstein was known, although not the extent of it, and I don't think many knew of his trading cabinet information. But he had a louche reputation and a record of suspect dealings, and should never have been considered for an Ambassadorial post.

The recent revelations has hastened the removal of Andrew MW from Royal Lodge, Windsor. He is now living in a temporary home on the Sandringham Estate while renovations are being carried out to his future permanent residence.

We don’t know that for certain as removal had been given as shortly after Christmas at the outset. Sarnia

ronib

We don’t know that for certain as removal had been given as shortly after Christmas at the outset. Sarnia

It was reported on the BBC that he had left Windsor.

Pushing his luck? Many of us have to live with renovations being carried out around us - and cleaning up afterwards. Why should he be different? Is he paying for the renovations?

M0nica

Casdon

Galaxy

Far stronger vetting? Perhaps they could just use the maxim if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then it is a duck. I am happy to write the policy for them.

What about the ducks dressed as swans though?

It never convinces anyone. the neck just isn't long enough - unless, of course you want to pretend. for any reason, that you were convinced.

Of course there are rumours, suspicions; the fact is a blind eye is turned more often than not.
Jobs for the boys - and it is mostly men.

Peter Jukes (Byline Times) has a thread about Epstein's contact with Putin.

bsky.app/profile/peterjukes.bsky.social/post/3mdyjf5kxlc2z

Furniture removal van at royal lodge was reported by the press last week

ronib

We don’t know that for certain as removal had been given as shortly after Christmas at the outset. Sarnia

It was on the BBC and they said the recent revelations had speeded up his removal. He left late on Monday.

Allira

ronib

We don’t know that for certain as removal had been given as shortly after Christmas at the outset. Sarnia

It was reported on the BBC that he had left Windsor.

Pushing his luck? Many of us have to live with renovations being carried out around us - and cleaning up afterwards. Why should he be different? Is he paying for the renovations?

The piece I read from the BBC said the King is funding his brother's move.

Gran22boys

What I don’t get is why were photos taken?

Blackmail 🤔

They were being coerced and if you are vulnerable and you need the money for food etc you have to do what your * Master * tells you to do ...If also the person has no family or friends there is no one you can turn to ... They were picked so the only " friend " they have are the abusers.