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Jack Straw & Malcolm Rifkind in 'cash for access' sting.

(109 Posts)
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grumppa Mon 23-Feb-15 10:04:56

I thought both MPs defended their positions very well on the Today programme this morning. Why shouldn't Jack Straw undertake some pre retirement planning?

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Jane10 Mon 23-Feb-15 09:50:34

I suppose all MPs are involved in more than just their MP jobs. Some Tories may be involved in private health companies while some Labour ones may be in the pay of the Unions. Hard choices to be made in this election. No party is completely OK by me. Sorry to hear about this "sting" though. I always liked Jack Straw and knew a high ranking civil servant who worked with him and spoke highly of him. Thought he was one of the good ones. Journalists do love a story and will set one up if necessary.

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thatbags Mon 23-Feb-15 09:48:02

Well said, lily. My first thought on reading about this story was "What happened to innocent until proven guilty?"

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Anniebach Mon 23-Feb-15 09:42:14

I am far more concerned that there are some Tory MP's who have interests in private health companies , if we have a Tory government returned in May these MP's will be part of a government controlling the NHS

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Lilygran Mon 23-Feb-15 09:23:45

The programme won't be shown until this evening but I've heard the interviews on Today and TV and read the Telegraph. It seems to me that as Rifkind said, they haven't done anything wrong. Lots of people accept commissions in addition to their main jobs and they are able to because of their expertise or knowledge. Milliband says he's going to stop MPs from moonlighting but until he does, it's perfectly legal. Rifkind says most people think it's good that MPs aren't just politicians and I think he's right. The unsavoury part of the story to my mind is that Channel 4 and the Telegraph set up a sting just so they could make Straw and Rifkind look bad, not to expose illegal or unethical activity. To call it 'Cash for access' in this case is nonsense.

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Mishap Mon 23-Feb-15 09:18:45

It is so depressing - is there no-one who is not corrupted by power?

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Anya Mon 23-Feb-15 08:55:34

And I thought Jack Straw was one of the few 'good guys'. Are they all at it? Do we have any honest politicians?

But re your OP POGS honesty would be a bonus it seems, stupidly appears to be the norm.

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soontobe Mon 23-Feb-15 08:35:59

Agreed.

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POGS Mon 23-Feb-15 00:57:30

Don't they learn anything?

Jack Straw suspended from the Labour Party whilst investigations are taking place. Malcolm Rifkind is also reportedly caught in the sting by The Telegraph and Channel 4 dispatches program where they are both on film boasting about 'cash for access'.

How can these two senior politicians be so utterly stupid. They are both near the end of their careers and now will 'possibly' leave with tarnished reputations 'if found guilty'!

Jack Straw was going to have enough to deal with when Chilcot finally comes out but honestly this too!

Malcolm Rifkind is an absolute idiot and if they are found guilty they both deserve all they get.

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