Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
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Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by sharonl 20.03.21 21:58
In 2005 Tony Blair brought in Mitchell as the Director of the Labour government’s 40-strong Media Monitoring Unit. The Unit cost taxpayers an estimated £4 million a year. Mitchell is on record boasting to a Spanish newspaper that his role there was ‘to control what comes out in the media’.
And that’s exactly what he did for Blair, reporting directly to the Cabinet Office. There, he met regularly with Blair to plan how to manipulate the news to Labour’s advantage.
In this role, he was in the background. However, three days after Madeleine McCann was reported missing, Blair made him the chief PR officer for the McCanns, transferred him to the Foreign Office, and ordered him to ‘front’ the PR campaign of Dr Gerry and Dr Kate McCann. In this role, he has regularly been seen on our TV screens
Kate McCann Forced Political Pressure on the Investigation
by Joana Morais 13 years ago
Revelations –Maddie’s mother’s notes prove Gonçalo Amaral right
Kate McCann forces political pressure
The English prime minister called the couple directly and the British diplomacy took care of the travelling
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“To increase the political pressure”. The phrase, by Kate McCann, written among the notes that were found in her house and which the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) had apprehended, is clear about the manner in which Maddie’s parents intended to manage their daughter’s disappearance, bringing it into the press’ first pages and turning it into a case with political outlines.
On the morning of the 23rd of May 2007 (twenty days after Maddie’s disappearance), before they left for the Sanctuary of Fátima, Kate and Gerry left Gordon Brown a message. Maddie’s mother describes it as a form of “raising the political pressure” and reveals that the present prime-minister – at that date, he was not in functions but had already been confirmed as Tony Blair’s successor – answered her only three hours later. He spoke with Gerry, was “very sympathetic and gave strength”, tells Kate, who describes the visit to the catholic sanctuary as overwhelming, potent and emotional.
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On the morning of the 23rd of May 2007 (twenty days after Maddie’s disappearance), before they left for the Sanctuary of Fátima, Kate and Gerry left Gordon Brown a message. Maddie’s mother describes it as a form of “raising the political pressure” and reveals that the present prime-minister – at that date, he was not in functions but had already been confirmed as Tony Blair’s successor – answered her only three hours later. He spoke with Gerry, was “very sympathetic and gave strength”, tells Kate, who describes the visit to the catholic sanctuary as overwhelming, potent and emotional.
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On the same day in the afternoon, Gordon Brown called Maddie’s parents again. Kate’s notebooks do not report the conversation but one is able to understand that the purpose was to create political pressure, forcing the PJ to act swiftly.
Today, at more than a year’s distance from the child’s disappearance and after the case has been archived, Kate’s notes expose the pressures that were reported by the former coordinator of the case, Gonçalo Amaral, who from the moment when he was removed from the investigation, realized that the process would not produce an accusation.
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Today, at more than a year’s distance from the child’s disappearance and after the case has been archived, Kate’s notes expose the pressures that were reported by the former coordinator of the case, Gonçalo Amaral, who from the moment when he was removed from the investigation, realized that the process would not produce an accusation.
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With an investigation that was initially inclined towards the abduction theory, partly forced by the McCanns, the evidence of the pressures by the couple also explains the British press’ posture in the coverage of the case, mainly from the moment when Madeleine’s parents went from victims to suspects and arguidos. With the British prime minister himself supporting the McCanns, through direct and frequent phone calls that are revealed by Kate, it became almost impossible for the English government to help an investigation that had indicated the parents as guilty.
Apart from the contacts with Gordon Brown, Kate’s notebooks reveal other important allies. From the hiring of Clarence Mitchell, who at that point in time worked for the government, as an assistant, until the conversations with the wife of Tony Blair, the former British prime minister.
Mitchell actually had a pivotal role in the propaganda machine that was built by the McCanns within a few days, and which counted on the great help from the British diplomacy in all the trips that were carried out by Kate and Gerry.
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Apart from the contacts with Gordon Brown, Kate’s notebooks reveal other important allies. From the hiring of Clarence Mitchell, who at that point in time worked for the government, as an assistant, until the conversations with the wife of Tony Blair, the former British prime minister.
Mitchell actually had a pivotal role in the propaganda machine that was built by the McCanns within a few days, and which counted on the great help from the British diplomacy in all the trips that were carried out by Kate and Gerry.
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The first and most media-exposed [trip] – to Rome, to be received by Pope Benedict XVI – was suggested by the assistant, on the 27th of May, after speaking to Francis Campbell, the British ambassador at the Vatican. “Rome is already preparing itself”, Kate wrote, anticipating that visit as what would become the “main” news on that day. One day later, the visit and the audience with the Pope were already confirmed, with a program that was prepared in a detailed manner.
On the 30th of May, after leaving the British consulate in Rome, Kate and Gerry, accompanied by the ambassador, made a strategic stop “for the photographers to catch an image looking at the Basilica”, and continued towards the Vatican, where they spent a few minutes with Benedict XVI. A moment that was described as very emotional, positive and important, and that summoned “loads of” journalists and photographers, which is definitely a concern that is always present with the couple.
After Rome, Madrid, Berlin and Morocco followed, trips with the purpose of publicizing Madeleine’s face and which always relied on passages through consulates or receptions by British ambassadors and political representatives of the corresponding countries.
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On the 30th of May, after leaving the British consulate in Rome, Kate and Gerry, accompanied by the ambassador, made a strategic stop “for the photographers to catch an image looking at the Basilica”, and continued towards the Vatican, where they spent a few minutes with Benedict XVI. A moment that was described as very emotional, positive and important, and that summoned “loads of” journalists and photographers, which is definitely a concern that is always present with the couple.
After Rome, Madrid, Berlin and Morocco followed, trips with the purpose of publicizing Madeleine’s face and which always relied on passages through consulates or receptions by British ambassadors and political representatives of the corresponding countries.
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According to Kate’s notes, the days started or ended with meetings, phone calls and emails. Cherie Blair, the wife of Tony Blair, Gordon Brown’s predecessor, was one of Kate’s contacts, as demonstrated by the reports of the 17th of July. Before Kate gives Sky News an interview, she speaks with Cherie, who agrees to make a 20 second videoclip about Maddie for the English channel. On that same day, Blair himself pledges assistance and makes himself available for whatever is needed.
Kate’s notes:
“Left a message for Gordon Brown to call us in order to increase the political pressure” – Kate McCann, 23rd of May
“Gordon Brown called and spoke with Gerry – very sympathetic and gave strength. Somewhat emotive feeling afterwards” – Kate McCann, 23rd of May
“Clarence spoke to us about a possible visit to the Vatican. Rome is already preparing itself. Francis Campbell was spoken to” – Kate McCann, 27th of May
The ambassador’s solidarity
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Kate’s notes:
“Left a message for Gordon Brown to call us in order to increase the political pressure” – Kate McCann, 23rd of May
“Gordon Brown called and spoke with Gerry – very sympathetic and gave strength. Somewhat emotive feeling afterwards” – Kate McCann, 23rd of May
“Clarence spoke to us about a possible visit to the Vatican. Rome is already preparing itself. Francis Campbell was spoken to” – Kate McCann, 27th of May
The ambassador’s solidarity
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On the 4th [of May], only hours after the alert of Madeleine’s disappearance was given, Kate wrote in her notes that the English ambassador, John Buck, had been in the apartment offering them his solidarity. She also noted the presence of two employees from the consulate and stressed the strong presence of the media on location. “There is news appearing in the United Kingdom”, Maddie’s mother remembered, also noting the “worrying” and “boring” presence of Yvone, the English social security technician who tried to understand whether there was anything in the family’s life that might explain the child’s absence.
It should be referred that on that very same day, the ambassador met with senior officials from the PJ to understand the outlines of the case.
The news
Abduction theory – On the first days after Maddie’s disappearance, on the 3rd of May 2007, the abduction theory was the only one that was mentioned in the news. “Give back our Madeleine”, the parents appealed, not admitting any other possibility.
Visit to Fátima – Twenty days after Maddie’s disappearance, the McCann couple went to pray at the Sanctuary of Fátima. But before that, they called Gordon Brown in order to increase the political pressure.
Brown’s pressure – Only five days after the McCanns’ contact with the British prime minister, Gordon Brown’s pressures on Portugal because of the Maddie case were already known.
McCanns at the Vatican - The trip to the Vatican and the audience with Pope Benedict XVI were suggested by advisor Clarence Mitchell, who mobilized the British diplomacy in order to take the McCanns to Rome.
“Former PJ director pulls the rug from under his successor’s feet”
The former President of the Republic, Jorge Sampaio, said to SIC yesterday that it is “truly unheard of, from the point of view of institutions and of the prestige that we must defend before foreign countries, that the former director of the PJ, a joint prosecutor [Alípio Ribeiro], came out to criticize the archiving [of the process of the disappearance of Maddie] when it was him who managed that process, and I also presume that the constitution of arguidos [of Kate and Gerry McCann] was not entirely unknown to him. I think this is an amazing thing in terms of pulling the rug from under the feet of colleagues that succeeded him in his post. There is no democracy that justifies this”, according to Sampaio.
Concerning Gonçalo Amaral, the former President considers that “if he has factual data that is important for the reopening of this instruction, then he should present them”.
[size=35]McCann Case: Freedom of Information Act on John Buck former Ambassador
by Joana Morais 12 years ago
It was Tony Blair and Gordon Brown who were behind the instructions given to the UK ambassador, John Buck, and to the British consul, Bill Henderson (the two senior UK diplomats in Portugal at the time she disappeared), to make sure Gerry and Kate McCann were given all possible assistance.
A few minutes after the return to Faro of the team of experts that the PJ had sent to Leicester, Her Majesty's British Ambassador, John Buck, to the Portuguese Republic was already visiting their premises. The presence of the diplomat, that has been confirmed by several journalist, is in direct relation with the Madeleine McCann case and was not asked by the Portuguese Authorities. The ambassador has stayed half an hour with the police.
John Buck - British Ambassador in Portugal in May 2006 - resigns his post on 10/09/07 - shortly after the McCanns are made suspects. John is replaced by Alexander Ellis. Leaves the Diplomatic Services entirely.
Related
Daily Express: Madeleine: British Diplomat had doubts about McCanns
3 December 2007 (no longer on-line)
A British diplomat warned the Foreign Office of concerns regarding Madeleine McCann’s parents, it emerged last night. Doubts about Kate and Gerry McCann were raised almost immediately by an official sent to Praia da Luz due to what he considered to be “inconsistencies” in the couple’s testimonies about the night the four-year-old vanished. The warning was contained in a classified document sent from the Algarve to the Foreign Office days after Madeleine’s disappearance. Details of the letter have been leaked through the British diplomatic mission in Brussels to the respected Belgian newspaper Derniere Heure.
The unnamed diplomat voices his concern about the “confused declarations” as to the whereabouts of Kate and Gerry McCann and their friends in the final hours before Madeleine’s disappearance. He also mentions the couple’s “lack of co-operation” with the Portuguese police in the light of instructions from London suggesting consular staff “overstretch their authority and put pressure on the Portuguese authorities”. The document also asks for confirmation of orders sent by the Foreign Office in London the day before, commanding embassy staff to give “all possible assistance to the McCann couple”.
Diplomats on the Algarve were told the McCanns had to be “accompanied at all times during any contact with the Portuguese police” by a member of consular staff or by British police officers sent out from the UK. The letter, sent just days after Madeleine disappeared, warns of the risks of siding with the McCanns so completely. Excerpts published in a report by La Derniere Heure quote the diplomat as saying: “With the greatest respect, I would like to make you aware of the risks and implications to our relationship with the Portuguese authorities, if you consider the possible involvement of the couple. “Please confirm to me, in the light of these concerns, that we want to continue to be closely involved in the case as was requested in your previous message.”
A huge team of diplomats have been involved in the case since Gerry McCann asked the Foreign Office for help. In an unprecedented move, the then Prime Minister Tony Blair despatched special envoy Sheree Dodd, a former Fleet Street journalist, to Portugal to act as a “media liaison officer” for the McCann family. Direct government communications with the McCanns came to an abrupt halt, however, when the couple were made official suspects in the case in September.
Portuguese detectives believe it is possible Madeleine died as the result of an accident on May 3 in the family’s holiday apartment and that her parents hid and later disposed of her body with the help of their friends. The couple have always said they had nothing to do with their daughter’s disappearance. The Belgian report says it is highly significant that almost all of the diplomats involved at the outset have now been taken off the case.
Special envoy Sheree Dodd has since resigned from the Foreign Office, the British consul in the Algarve Bill Henderson has retired and the British ambassador to Portugal John Buck is no longer in Portugal. Last night the Foreign Office refused to comment on the report.
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Extracts from the FOI released by ICO - Information Commissioner's Office
Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Section 50) Decision Notice 3 March 2009 Public Authority: Foreign and Commonwealth Office - Reference: FS50188322
In October 2007 the complainant asked the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for information concerning communications between the then Ambassador to Portugal John Buck and the Portuguese police on the subject of the disappearance of the child Madeleine McCann. However, some further information continued to be withheld; it was this refusal to provide information that the Commissioner investigated.
FCO added that, at the time of the internal review (December 2007), the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann had been ongoing and that, for legal reasons, it had not been possible to disclose further information then.
FCO told the Commissioner that, although the Portuguese authorities had released many documents about the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, sensitivities remained and FCO believed that the section 27(1)(a)* exemption still applied. If FCO were to disclose all the details about HM Ambassador’s contact with the Portuguese police they would risk damaging the relationship on which good inter-governmental co-operation was based.
FCO recognised the public interest in knowing the extent of UK government involvement in the investigation but believed that the reasons for exemption outweighed those that favoured release.
The Full Freedom of Information Act on John Buck, The British Ambassador in 2007 at the time of Madeleine McCann disappearance.
It should be referred that on that very same day, the ambassador met with senior officials from the PJ to understand the outlines of the case.
The news
Abduction theory – On the first days after Maddie’s disappearance, on the 3rd of May 2007, the abduction theory was the only one that was mentioned in the news. “Give back our Madeleine”, the parents appealed, not admitting any other possibility.
Visit to Fátima – Twenty days after Maddie’s disappearance, the McCann couple went to pray at the Sanctuary of Fátima. But before that, they called Gordon Brown in order to increase the political pressure.
Brown’s pressure – Only five days after the McCanns’ contact with the British prime minister, Gordon Brown’s pressures on Portugal because of the Maddie case were already known.
McCanns at the Vatican - The trip to the Vatican and the audience with Pope Benedict XVI were suggested by advisor Clarence Mitchell, who mobilized the British diplomacy in order to take the McCanns to Rome.
“Former PJ director pulls the rug from under his successor’s feet”
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The former President of the Republic, Jorge Sampaio, said to SIC yesterday that it is “truly unheard of, from the point of view of institutions and of the prestige that we must defend before foreign countries, that the former director of the PJ, a joint prosecutor [Alípio Ribeiro], came out to criticize the archiving [of the process of the disappearance of Maddie] when it was him who managed that process, and I also presume that the constitution of arguidos [of Kate and Gerry McCann] was not entirely unknown to him. I think this is an amazing thing in terms of pulling the rug from under the feet of colleagues that succeeded him in his post. There is no democracy that justifies this”, according to Sampaio.
Concerning Gonçalo Amaral, the former President considers that “if he has factual data that is important for the reopening of this instruction, then he should present them”.
[size=35]McCann Case: Freedom of Information Act on John Buck former Ambassador
by Joana Morais 12 years ago
It was Tony Blair and Gordon Brown who were behind the instructions given to the UK ambassador, John Buck, and to the British consul, Bill Henderson (the two senior UK diplomats in Portugal at the time she disappeared), to make sure Gerry and Kate McCann were given all possible assistance.
A few minutes after the return to Faro of the team of experts that the PJ had sent to Leicester, Her Majesty's British Ambassador, John Buck, to the Portuguese Republic was already visiting their premises. The presence of the diplomat, that has been confirmed by several journalist, is in direct relation with the Madeleine McCann case and was not asked by the Portuguese Authorities. The ambassador has stayed half an hour with the police.
John Buck - British Ambassador in Portugal in May 2006 - resigns his post on 10/09/07 - shortly after the McCanns are made suspects. John is replaced by Alexander Ellis. Leaves the Diplomatic Services entirely.
Related
Daily Express: Madeleine: British Diplomat had doubts about McCanns
3 December 2007 (no longer on-line)
A British diplomat warned the Foreign Office of concerns regarding Madeleine McCann’s parents, it emerged last night. Doubts about Kate and Gerry McCann were raised almost immediately by an official sent to Praia da Luz due to what he considered to be “inconsistencies” in the couple’s testimonies about the night the four-year-old vanished. The warning was contained in a classified document sent from the Algarve to the Foreign Office days after Madeleine’s disappearance. Details of the letter have been leaked through the British diplomatic mission in Brussels to the respected Belgian newspaper Derniere Heure.
The unnamed diplomat voices his concern about the “confused declarations” as to the whereabouts of Kate and Gerry McCann and their friends in the final hours before Madeleine’s disappearance. He also mentions the couple’s “lack of co-operation” with the Portuguese police in the light of instructions from London suggesting consular staff “overstretch their authority and put pressure on the Portuguese authorities”. The document also asks for confirmation of orders sent by the Foreign Office in London the day before, commanding embassy staff to give “all possible assistance to the McCann couple”.
Diplomats on the Algarve were told the McCanns had to be “accompanied at all times during any contact with the Portuguese police” by a member of consular staff or by British police officers sent out from the UK. The letter, sent just days after Madeleine disappeared, warns of the risks of siding with the McCanns so completely. Excerpts published in a report by La Derniere Heure quote the diplomat as saying: “With the greatest respect, I would like to make you aware of the risks and implications to our relationship with the Portuguese authorities, if you consider the possible involvement of the couple. “Please confirm to me, in the light of these concerns, that we want to continue to be closely involved in the case as was requested in your previous message.”
A huge team of diplomats have been involved in the case since Gerry McCann asked the Foreign Office for help. In an unprecedented move, the then Prime Minister Tony Blair despatched special envoy Sheree Dodd, a former Fleet Street journalist, to Portugal to act as a “media liaison officer” for the McCann family. Direct government communications with the McCanns came to an abrupt halt, however, when the couple were made official suspects in the case in September.
Portuguese detectives believe it is possible Madeleine died as the result of an accident on May 3 in the family’s holiday apartment and that her parents hid and later disposed of her body with the help of their friends. The couple have always said they had nothing to do with their daughter’s disappearance. The Belgian report says it is highly significant that almost all of the diplomats involved at the outset have now been taken off the case.
Special envoy Sheree Dodd has since resigned from the Foreign Office, the British consul in the Algarve Bill Henderson has retired and the British ambassador to Portugal John Buck is no longer in Portugal. Last night the Foreign Office refused to comment on the report.
[/size]
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Extracts from the FOI released by ICO - Information Commissioner's Office
Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Section 50) Decision Notice 3 March 2009 Public Authority: Foreign and Commonwealth Office - Reference: FS50188322
In October 2007 the complainant asked the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for information concerning communications between the then Ambassador to Portugal John Buck and the Portuguese police on the subject of the disappearance of the child Madeleine McCann. However, some further information continued to be withheld; it was this refusal to provide information that the Commissioner investigated.
FCO added that, at the time of the internal review (December 2007), the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann had been ongoing and that, for legal reasons, it had not been possible to disclose further information then.
FCO told the Commissioner that, although the Portuguese authorities had released many documents about the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, sensitivities remained and FCO believed that the section 27(1)(a)* exemption still applied. If FCO were to disclose all the details about HM Ambassador’s contact with the Portuguese police they would risk damaging the relationship on which good inter-governmental co-operation was based.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
FCO recognised the public interest in knowing the extent of UK government involvement in the investigation but believed that the reasons for exemption outweighed those that favoured release.
The Full Freedom of Information Act on John Buck, The British Ambassador in 2007 at the time of Madeleine McCann disappearance.
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by Verdi 21.03.21 0:14
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by Verdi 21.03.21 14:08
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by Verdi 03.01.22 16:02
And then there was Rebekah Wade, one time protégé of the Rupert Murdoch empire who later married Charles Patrick Evelyn Brooks on 3 March 1963 in Chipping Norton.
Educated at Eton College, which he attended with future Prime Minister David Cameron (three years his junior), Brooks became an amateur jockey and assistant racehorse trainer.
He married Rebekah Wade, then editor of The Sun, in June 2009. The wedding was attended by then Prime Minister Gordon Brown and future Prime Minister David Cameron, who is a close personal friend of the couple.
Educated at Eton College, which he attended with future Prime Minister David Cameron (three years his junior), Brooks became an amateur jockey and assistant racehorse trainer.
He married Rebekah Wade, then editor of The Sun, in June 2009. The wedding was attended by then Prime Minister Gordon Brown and future Prime Minister David Cameron, who is a close personal friend of the couple.
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by PeterMac 03.01.22 17:01
Interesting that the letter uses the style Mr. and Mrs. McCann, rather than Dr.
GM is a cardiologist, not a surgeon, so would not "qualify" for the "Mr." title. even though KM subsequently gave up GP she has the qualifications MB ChB and is entitled to be so addressed
"Dr. and Mrs McCann", "The Drs McCann", or more properly "Dr. McCann and Dr. Healy" would be more correct.
KM retains her maiden name as her professional name, as many do it they marry after qualifying
because all the certification and registration in is the name they had in their final year as a medical student.
GM is a cardiologist, not a surgeon, so would not "qualify" for the "Mr." title. even though KM subsequently gave up GP she has the qualifications MB ChB and is entitled to be so addressed
"Dr. and Mrs McCann", "The Drs McCann", or more properly "Dr. McCann and Dr. Healy" would be more correct.
KM retains her maiden name as her professional name, as many do it they marry after qualifying
because all the certification and registration in is the name they had in their final year as a medical student.
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by Guest 04.01.22 9:12
Petition to rescind the war criminals knighthood is now over 500,000 signatures.
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by PeterMac 04.01.22 9:42
From the Telegraph
"My only criticism is of Sir Tony himself for accepting the honour. Part of his “New Labour, New Britain” riff was an uncritical admiration of “modernising”. He was abysmally ignorant of history and careless about our institutions – hence his bungled reform of the House of Lords and his mishandling of devolution. The Order of the Garter is a medieval, religious and monarchical institution. If Sir Tony were consistent with his Year Zero beliefs, he would disdain the Queen’s offer. (There is precedent: Harold Macmillan, of all people, refused it twice.) "
"My only criticism is of Sir Tony himself for accepting the honour. Part of his “New Labour, New Britain” riff was an uncritical admiration of “modernising”. He was abysmally ignorant of history and careless about our institutions – hence his bungled reform of the House of Lords and his mishandling of devolution. The Order of the Garter is a medieval, religious and monarchical institution. If Sir Tony were consistent with his Year Zero beliefs, he would disdain the Queen’s offer. (There is precedent: Harold Macmillan, of all people, refused it twice.) "
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by sharonl 04.01.22 21:44
With the petition now standing at 662,647 signatures and rising fast I should imagine that Blair would refuse this just to save face.
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by Guest 05.01.22 7:54
He has at least two faces.sharonl wrote:With the petition now standing at 662,647 signatures and rising fast I should imagine that Blair would refuse this just to save face.
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by PeterMac 05.01.22 8:04
J.Anus. (sorry about the typo !)
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by Guest 07.01.22 21:02
Over 1 million signatures on the Blair petition now.
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by PeterMac 08.01.22 7:54
And it is being featured in the broadsheets.
Even Owen Jones has a whole piece in the Grauniad trying to distance Labour from him
The people have spoken: Labour should cut its ties with Tony Blair
Owen Jones
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Even Owen Jones has a whole piece in the Grauniad trying to distance Labour from him
The people have spoken: Labour should cut its ties with Tony Blair
Owen Jones
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by sharonl 08.01.22 12:32
PeterMac wrote:And it is being featured in the broadsheets.
Even Owen Jones has a whole piece in the Grauniad trying to distance Labour from him
The people have spoken: Labour should cut its ties with Tony Blair
Owen Jones
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Starmer is supporting Blair. Corbyn is not better with his support of the IRA. The New Labour party should all crawl back under their stones, they're all as bad as each other.
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by sharonl 08.01.22 15:17
Tony Blair and his wife Cherie claim almost £80,000 from the furlough scheme
By Lily Waddell
Sir Tony Blair and Cherie have claimed nearly £80,000 from the furlough scheme.
Already the former Prime Minister has become embroiled in controversy as more than one million people signed a petition to strip him of his newly appointed knighthood.
In the latest reveal, a spokesman for the Blairs said they had used £76,000 to pay for some of their furloughed staff.
Any business or individual were perfectly allowed to claim money to cover the costs of wages for their furloughed staff.
Mr Blair and his wife’s names appeared on an updated list of the programme which was set up in March 2020 to protect jobs in the pandemic before it was scrapped in September.
The former politician is thought to have an estimated wealth of around £60million including 10 homes in 2015, according to The Daily Telegraph.
A spokesperson for the Blairs said in a statement: “In relation to the December to September months it was just over £35,000, an average of around £3,500 a month, in respect of three members of staff, based in the Harcourt Street office, who were unable to fulfil their usual duties because of Covid restrictions.
“The previous year’s figure was approximately £41,000 for five members of staff.
“They have all received their full pay and continue do so, regardless of the scheme ending.”
It comes after Victoria Beckham sparked outrage for using the furlough scheme and reportedly did a U-turn on her decision to furlough 30 staff members at her fashion label.
It comes as more than one million signed a petition to remove Mr Blair’s knighthood.
He was bestowed with the honour of a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
It is the most senior order of knighthood in the British honours system.
Despite the controversy, there are people who have leapt to the former Prime Minister’s defence.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “I don’t think it’s a thorny issue for me at all. Tony Blair deserves the honour, he won three elections, he was a very successful Prime Minister.
“I haven’t got time this morning to list all of his many achievements which I think vastly improved our country.
“The one I would pick out in particular would be the work he did in Northern Ireland and the peace process and the huge change that has made.”
By Lily Waddell
Sir Tony Blair and Cherie have claimed nearly £80,000 from the furlough scheme.
Already the former Prime Minister has become embroiled in controversy as more than one million people signed a petition to strip him of his newly appointed knighthood.
In the latest reveal, a spokesman for the Blairs said they had used £76,000 to pay for some of their furloughed staff.
Any business or individual were perfectly allowed to claim money to cover the costs of wages for their furloughed staff.
Mr Blair and his wife’s names appeared on an updated list of the programme which was set up in March 2020 to protect jobs in the pandemic before it was scrapped in September.
The former politician is thought to have an estimated wealth of around £60million including 10 homes in 2015, according to The Daily Telegraph.
A spokesperson for the Blairs said in a statement: “In relation to the December to September months it was just over £35,000, an average of around £3,500 a month, in respect of three members of staff, based in the Harcourt Street office, who were unable to fulfil their usual duties because of Covid restrictions.
“The previous year’s figure was approximately £41,000 for five members of staff.
“They have all received their full pay and continue do so, regardless of the scheme ending.”
It comes after Victoria Beckham sparked outrage for using the furlough scheme and reportedly did a U-turn on her decision to furlough 30 staff members at her fashion label.
It comes as more than one million signed a petition to remove Mr Blair’s knighthood.
He was bestowed with the honour of a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
It is the most senior order of knighthood in the British honours system.
Despite the controversy, there are people who have leapt to the former Prime Minister’s defence.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “I don’t think it’s a thorny issue for me at all. Tony Blair deserves the honour, he won three elections, he was a very successful Prime Minister.
“I haven’t got time this morning to list all of his many achievements which I think vastly improved our country.
“The one I would pick out in particular would be the work he did in Northern Ireland and the peace process and the huge change that has made.”
sharonl- Forum Owner
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by PeterMac 09.01.22 16:05
PeterMac- Investigator
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by Doug D 13.01.22 21:13
Prince Andrew loses military titles and use of HRH
……………..On Thursday, a letter - released by anti-monarchy pressure group Republic - was signed by more than 150 Royal Navy, RAF and Army veterans asking the Queen to strip Prince Andrew of his eight British military titles……………..
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yet more than a million have signed against Tony Blair, even if the petition was officially rejected.
I wonder what she’s going to do about that? Silly question!
……………..On Thursday, a letter - released by anti-monarchy pressure group Republic - was signed by more than 150 Royal Navy, RAF and Army veterans asking the Queen to strip Prince Andrew of his eight British military titles……………..
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
yet more than a million have signed against Tony Blair, even if the petition was officially rejected.
I wonder what she’s going to do about that? Silly question!
Doug D- Posts : 3717
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by Doug D 13.01.22 22:01
Petition still live on 'change' with 1.1m signatures.
The one on the government petition site was the rejected one.
The one on the government petition site was the rejected one.
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by Daedalus 03.03.22 19:04
sharonl wrote:Corbyn is not better with his support of the IRA.
Please show me where Corbyn has ever vocally supported the IRA. Agreeing that Northern Irish Catholics have/had legitimate grievances is not the same as endorsing terrorism.
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Re: Tony Blair got heavily involved in the McCann case, even appointed his very own head of his media monitoring unit, Clarence Mitchell, to act as spokesman for them
by PeterMac 03.03.22 20:12
Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn Invited two IRA members to parliament two weeks after the Brighton bombing.
Attended Bloody Sunday commemoration with bomber Brendan McKenna.
Attended meeting with Provisional IRA member Raymond McCartney.
Hosted IRA-linked Mitchell McLaughlin in parliament.
Spoke alongside IRA terrorist Martina Anderson.
Attended Sinn Fein dinner with IRA bomber Gerry Kelly.
Chaired Irish republican event with IRA bomber Brendan MacFarlane.
Attended Bobby Sands commemoration honouring IRA terrorists.
Stood in minute’s silence for IRA gunmen shot dead by the SAS.
Refused to condemn the IRA in Sky News interview.
Refused to condemn the IRA on Question Time.
Refused to condemn IRA violence in BBC radio interview.
Signed EDM after IRA Poppy massacre blaming Britain for the deaths.
Arrested while protesting in support of Brighton bomber’s co-defendants.
Lobbied government to improve visiting conditions for IRA killers.
Attended Irish republican event calling for armed conflict against Britain.
Hired suspected IRA man Ronan Bennett as a parliamentary assistant.
Hired another aide closely linked to several convicted IRA terrorists.
Heavily involved with IRA sympathising newspaper London Labour Briefing.
Put up £20,000 bail money for IRA terror suspect Roisin McAliskey.
Didn’t support IRA ceasefire.
I regret I do not have the actual words he used on these occasions, as you request, nor recordings of what he said.
Attended Bloody Sunday commemoration with bomber Brendan McKenna.
Attended meeting with Provisional IRA member Raymond McCartney.
Hosted IRA-linked Mitchell McLaughlin in parliament.
Spoke alongside IRA terrorist Martina Anderson.
Attended Sinn Fein dinner with IRA bomber Gerry Kelly.
Chaired Irish republican event with IRA bomber Brendan MacFarlane.
Attended Bobby Sands commemoration honouring IRA terrorists.
Stood in minute’s silence for IRA gunmen shot dead by the SAS.
Refused to condemn the IRA in Sky News interview.
Refused to condemn the IRA on Question Time.
Refused to condemn IRA violence in BBC radio interview.
Signed EDM after IRA Poppy massacre blaming Britain for the deaths.
Arrested while protesting in support of Brighton bomber’s co-defendants.
Lobbied government to improve visiting conditions for IRA killers.
Attended Irish republican event calling for armed conflict against Britain.
Hired suspected IRA man Ronan Bennett as a parliamentary assistant.
Hired another aide closely linked to several convicted IRA terrorists.
Heavily involved with IRA sympathising newspaper London Labour Briefing.
Put up £20,000 bail money for IRA terror suspect Roisin McAliskey.
Didn’t support IRA ceasefire.
I regret I do not have the actual words he used on these occasions, as you request, nor recordings of what he said.
PeterMac- Investigator
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