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Is this how MPs behave?

(37 Posts)
thatbags Wed 25-Sep-13 07:56:20

www.itv.com/news/granada/2013-09-24/protester-from-manchester-in-live-televised-scuffle/ shock

The subject of the peaceful protest is irrelevant. What the hell does that MP think he's doing assaulting someone?

vampirequeen Wed 25-Sep-13 11:33:33

A bully in a suit. How brave of a big man to attack an old man just because he was standing the camera shot. Demonstrators do that all the time. As long as they're quiet and don't interrupt the interview they're doing no harm.

The police have video evidence and the bully's words to show that it was an unprovoked attack. They should prosecute.

Riverwalk Wed 25-Sep-13 11:38:52

The bully is a publisher not an MP!

grannyactivist Wed 25-Sep-13 11:48:50

Not an MP, but still an assault. I've taken part in demonstrations and have seen for myself that this sort of response to activists is not an isolated one. In the publisher's own words he makes it clear that he believes his actions were justified:

"I did what any self-respecting publisher would do - got out of the car, ran across, got him in an armlock and pulled him out of the shot," he said. "He started resisting and we ended up in an unseemly tumble on the ground........Everyone has an inalienable right to protest, but no one has a right to make a continual nuisance of themselves and interrupt interviews like that."

Shameful in my view, but this man has no shame.

thatbags Wed 25-Sep-13 11:51:07

Thanks, riv. I was misinformed.

Anniebach Wed 25-Sep-13 12:03:19

I fully support grannyactivists comments on the attacks on activists, I have seen attacks and been attacked, most painful was having a field gate shut and trapping my hand and at times been taunted by police. The bully should be prosecuted

Penstemmon Wed 25-Sep-13 12:33:41

Go GA ! I am with you all the way. The man is arrogant s*it. The activist was making a peaceful protest until he was assaulted and quite rightly tried to protect himself.

POGS Wed 25-Sep-13 12:56:48

Oh dear, I do like Ian Dale but he was a bit of an idiot that day, red mist came down I think.

I do note that the interviews at Brighton are being conducted with the sea wall and the sea directly behind them. smile

Sel Wed 25-Sep-13 13:03:25

He always seems rational and mild mannered on LBC..very odd. Funny how he doesn't look like his voice smile

POGS Wed 25-Sep-13 13:14:44

Sel

I don't listen to LBC so the only time I see him is when he is commentating on progs such as Daily Politics and the newspaper review on SKY News etc. He is open about his sexuality but he has a wicked sparkle with the women.

Penstemmon Wed 25-Sep-13 13:58:02

Dale is an ex Tory MP candidate and although he is no longer officially active in the party he is a supporter.

Sel Wed 25-Sep-13 14:27:51

That's probably why I find him rational Penstemmon grin

absent Wed 25-Sep-13 19:39:36

Having spent my entire professional life in publishing I am somewhat surprised by this man's comment: "I did what any self-respecting publisher would do – got out of the car, ran across, got him in an armlock and pulled him out of the shot." It used to be a gentleman's profession.

Penstemmon Wed 25-Sep-13 20:34:47

He was rude and arrogant as well as aggressive. Is that how Tory supporters behave?

Ana Wed 25-Sep-13 20:48:03

I dare say a lot of Labour supporters do as well - remember that old man thrown out of the Labour Party conference for daring to mention the Iraq war?

POGS Wed 25-Sep-13 20:50:35

They all have their share don't they!

bluebell Thu 26-Sep-13 09:28:32

Ana -much as I abhorred the treatment of the pensioner at the Labour Party conference, you are really scratching around to compare that with Ian Dale's behaviour where he actually knocked the man to the ground

bluebell Thu 26-Sep-13 09:30:11

Why can't you lot who support the Tories just for once accept a Tory behaved badly? Hard to believe I know!

bluebell Thu 26-Sep-13 09:30:42

But he was state school educated!

Anniebach Thu 26-Sep-13 09:31:01

The elderly man removed from the labour party conference was not removed from the hall by labour party members , he was removed by staff of a security firm.

Ana Thu 26-Sep-13 11:07:40

I knew I could rely on someone on here to correct me! grin

Aka Thu 26-Sep-13 11:13:57

Didn't John Prescott throw a famous punch too? This has nothing to do with politics but everything to do with testosterone methinks.

Sel Thu 26-Sep-13 11:22:10

Aka Ian Dale is gay. Does this affect your hypothesis ? (wondering to self if gays have testosterone issues) grin

Ana Yup smile

Aka Thu 26-Sep-13 11:36:10

Oh! I didn't know. That is a very interesting wonder....???

Ana Thu 26-Sep-13 11:41:25

Surely not...? hmm