David Beckham

There's a really interesting mix of different moralities and ethical standards on here. Firstly, I have never and never would send emails using the f and c words to anyone I employed. Secondly, I do judge him on his tax affairs - he strayed into evasion not avoidance. Thirdly, he was trying to buy a knighthood through charitable work - well maybe if people like him didn't abuse the tax system, less charitable work would be needed. And it's irrelevant how many other people do this ( whataboutery again). And there appears to be no evidence of the emails being altered. Do you honestly think if they had been altered that DB wouldn't have been in court for an injunction?

Did you read them then Rigby? So as morals go, you've slipped a bit

I just can't stand hypocrites. People in glass houses and all that.

Of course I've read some of them - why on earth wouldn't I? They were printed in the paper- I didn't hack them myself . I have zilch sympathy for anyone who writes emails/tweets/ FB posts they'd prefer others not to see.

And just how am I being a hypocrite?

Err well you read something that everyone knew full well was a leak of private information. Now, that's ok but don't you think it's being a bit hypocritical to bang on about being so moral

No I don't - not at all. I've read all sorts of leaked documents.

In a moral way Rigby

I can't see that anyone has 'banged on' about being so moral on this thread. What are you on about stillaliveandkicking?

Are my posts not clear Ana? What would you like me to clarify for you?

Not you Stillalive, read the thread, this man who was hailed as a great footballer - I don't follow football- is suddenly alleged to be in sole charge of his financial affairs,, no mstter it is known he did not have a great education, he is accused of using his children and his children accused of trading on the family name. Accused of doing charity work to get a knighthood , I would think he may have hoped for one for his long football career but I don't know. He has become far more involved in charity work now he doesn't play football. He was on Desert Discs recently, he explained his work for UNICEF has taken the place of a career.

I think the criticism of him has been brutal .

In a way that is I guess what you take on when in the public eye, knowing you're going to have to deal with a lot of people that are just not right and have to bash others due to not being happy in their own lives. However, the man has done a lot of good for a huge amount of others, whether that is tax deductible or not, who cares.

He is also human and having a rant over an email and "dear god" swearing in it is ok with me.

I (somewhat naively) was a bit disappointed to see how much he appeared to want and be actively seeking a knighthood, and also the extent of swearing in his emails.

I also agree with others about George Michael - lovely to find out how kind and generous he was in a totally private way to many people.

Ermm I think it was a bit more than 'dear god' - but perhaps you're both quite comfortable with hard-core swearing.

That's fine, just don't expect everyone to agree with you.

As Rigby said earlier " if people like him paid their fair share of tax" and "didn't abuse the tax system" then perhaps less charity work would be needed.

How can anyone say they "do" charity work and abuse the tax system at the same time? How much "charity" could be bought with the tax he (and plenty like him) SHOULD have paid?

Maybe to him it was important. I personally couldn't give a shite but these peoples lives can be destroyed by nasty others that hack such private conversations. I personally have said things in the heat of the moment that Im not proud of, surely we all have. For that to go public is brutal and I feel for him I really do. Very undeserved in the whole scheme of things.

Never put someone on a pedestal, they fall off.

Oh get over yourself gillybob. The amount he has given surpasses a bit of dodging.

I will not "get over myself" stillaliveandkicking and have every right to say what I think.

Nasty comment.

So it's fine to tax dodge as long as I put a couple of quid in an envelope now and again eh?

You know what else stillalive you really shouldn't put yourself on a pedestal unless you are fairly sure you won't topple off !

This is making me laugh out loud ! Talk about double standards.

I think it's a bit more than a couple of quid in an envelope now and again.

Nasty? Oh dear, isn't that being a bit over the top?

A couple of quid?

Not sure many like the tax man, not sure many agree with where it goes either.

I did feel a bit sorry for Katharine Jenkins. He allegedly said some pretty cruel things about her. OK, she once had a cocaine habit but was open about it and her rehab.

I seem to remember DB tried very hard to cover up his extra marital affair.

People, glass houses, stones etc., etc.

Isn't that the point here though? Everyone lives in a glass house? and my point is look to yourself because I'm sure you haven't always been so "moral" Mary really didn't have sex with Joseph then, did the stork bring him

Oh yes, Anita Loos - but we don't mention her these days, do we? Honestly, he's not the bloody saint some posters seem to think he is.

You seem to be assuming we're all fully paid-up Christians for some reason...