Let me guess, he needs a second chance because there's an excellent chance he would lose a by election, would mean one more Lib Dem MP gone and their only MP in Scotland
If what was reported in the memo had in fact been true how much of a second chance do you think Willie Rennie et al would have given Nicola Sturgeon. What's good for the goose should be good for the gander.
Former LibDem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "Alistair Carmichael has made a mistake. He has apologised for it. And that should be an end of the matter."
Disappointed by Menzies Campbell's weaselly defence of Carmichael. 'Mistake' suggests an accidental error. He has apologised - only after he was found out.
not sure but if 10% of the electorate of Orkney/Shetland push for a by-election they'll get it thanks to something Clegg pushed through
Is that part of the Right of Recall thing? I'm a bit hazy on this but I read a thing the other day that said that was only applicable in 3 cases - criminal charge, expenses offences, or suspension from parliament (for 10 days or more I think....I'm trying to remember this now...probably badly).
Upshot of my vagueness is I don't know whether the 10% petition only operates once one of those 3 conditions has been fulfilled, or if it's a separate condition of it's own.
Is that part of the Right of Recall thing? I'm a bit hazy on this but I read a thing the other day that said that was only applicable in 3 cases - criminal charge, expenses offences, or suspension from parliament (for 10 days or more I think....I'm trying to remember this now...probably badly).
Upshot of my vagueness is I don't know whether the 10% petition only operates once one of those 3 conditions has been fulfilled, or if it's a separate condition of it's own.
As far as I understand, the Hoc MP's can vote to suspend him post investigation. If this suspension is over 10 days then right of recall applies, 10% of the constituents could then trigger a by election.
I imagine the MP's will vote 296 - 60 in favour of doing nothing so it's a bit pointless.
As far as I understand, the Hoc MP's can vote to suspend him post investigation. If this suspension is over 10 days then right of recall applies, 10% of the constituents could then trigger a by election.
I imagine the MP's will vote 296 - 60 in favour of doing nothing so it's a bit pointless.
Let me guess, he needs a second chance because there's an excellent chance he would lose a by election, would mean one more Lib Dem MP gone and their only MP in Scotland
They would have one less seat than the DUP if the above happens
They would have one less seat than the DUP if the above happens
I don't think they would lose it. In order to deny the SNP yet another seat I think sufficient numbers of lab/con voters would back the LibDems. Especially after the way the SNP performed at the GE.
Doubt it will happen anyway but will be brought up at Holyrood elections next year, damaging the LibDems further - which is very amusing.
Just watching "The Thick of it" reruns about the Public Enquiry into leaking of private documents.
IIRC the writers said of the "Edstone" that they could not have made up something as bad as that !!
Interesting though that Carmichael apologised for leaking a document that PROVED NS had told the French Ambassador she would be happy with CallmeDave in No. 10, when she was denying it had ever happened.
So Carmichael has actually been quite sneaky in apologising for proving her wrong.
Just watching "The Thick of it" reruns about the Public Enquiry into leaking of private documents.
IIRC the writers said of the "Edstone" that they could not have made up something as bad as that !!
Interesting though that Carmichael apologised for leaking a document that PROVED NS had told the French Ambassador she would be happy with CallmeDave in No. 10, when she was denying it had ever happened.
So Carmichael has actually been quite sneaky in apologising for proving her wrong.
Except what he leaked was a second hand account of the incident based on a conversation after the event.
He's admitted it was not accurate, and the French and NS have stated as much.
So unless you are the journalists who wrote the story or are just blind to the facts you've got it wrong.
The Liberal Democrats down to single digit numbers are in an impossible bind facing an ugly difficult choice as they can neither afford to lose him nor afford to keep him politically.
You also have to look at his no 2 in the Scottish office ,one Mundell, who is now the SoSfS. Was Carmichael getting at him when he said if he was a minister he would resign.?
Just watching "The Thick of it" reruns about the Public Enquiry into leaking of private documents.
IIRC the writers said of the "Edstone" that they could not have made up something as bad as that !!
Interesting though that Carmichael apologised for leaking a document that PROVED NS had told the French Ambassador she would be happy with CallmeDave in No. 10, when she was denying it had ever happened.
So Carmichael has actually been quite sneaky in apologising for proving her wrong.
No if you actually read his letter to Nicola Sturgeon he makes it clear that the information contained in the memo was inaccurate. Also ALL parties involved in the meeting deny the conversation took place.
Carmichael is only sneaky in not admitting to his part in the incident during the election and getting himself reelected by lying to his constituents. Certainly not something to be admired.
No if you actually read his letter to Nicola Sturgeon he makes it clear that the information contained in the memo was inaccurate. Also ALL parties involved in the meeting deny the conversation took place.
Carmichael is only sneaky in not admitting to his part in the incident during the election and getting himself reelected by lying to his constituents. Certainly not something to be admired.
"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on."
This was never truer than in this incident especially with social media. The story erupted very quickly on twitter with many journalists, Labour/Lib dem politicians and supporters all jumping on the memo as fact of Nicola Sturgeon's hypocrisy.
Within an hour it had been killed as untrue by all the parties involved - Nicola, the French Ambassador, the French Consulate. But that didn't stop it being re tweeted as fact for hours yet with even Ed Milliband the following day making a statement about it as if the memo was still accurate.
Even now posters on this thread still think what was reported in the memo is true despite an inquiry stating the contents were inaccurate.
Just watching "The Thick of it" reruns about the Public Enquiry into leaking of private documents.
IIRC the writers said of the "Edstone" that they could not have made up something as bad as that !!
Interesting though that Carmichael apologised for leaking a document that PROVED NS had told the French Ambassador she would be happy with CallmeDave in No. 10, when she was denying it had ever happened.
So Carmichael has actually been quite sneaky in apologising for proving her wrong.
You haven't been following this pretty well. Have you?
At the time of the leak, it was said that it was a 'very serious matter'. Yet an apology has been deemed enough by a lot of observers and that the matter be closed.
It can't be that serious to leak information if a simple apology is adequate?
Is there not some sort of confidentiality agreement or code that has been breached or broken?
There doesn't seem to be much of a deterrent to stop similar leaks.
I think the Lib Dems have made an error here in backing him. I'd have asked him to resign personally and put my support behind someone less tarnished in a by-election which they might lose, but at least they'd have shown some principles which would be remembered.
They might be at a low point at the moment but they do actually have supporters across Scotland and could contest many elections throughout Scotland. They also have some very good politicians - or that was always how I traditionally thought of them. Sticking with this discredited MP will likely cost them a good few percentage points of votes at all levels for the next few years.
I'm looking forward to the HoC getting underway to see how this issue plays out. I'm expecting a very sheepish apology.
The court ruling which, subject to a judicial review, has cost Phil Woolas his parliamentary career, shows that lying about an opponent to win a seat has potentially devastating consequences.
Mr Woolas defeated his Liberal Democrat opponent by just 103 votes and it seems highly likely the damagingly untruthful publications he put out made the difference.
Once the Speaker of the House of Commons has ruled, there will be a by-election in which the people of Oldham East and Saddleworth will have the chance to choose a new representative.
I think he should take the Chiltern Hundreds. If this had come out during the election campaign, he could conceivably have lost his seat and the LDs would have been down to 7 with no representation in Scotland. That could yet happen in 2020 if he digs his heels in and other LDs line up to defend him. Still, if the LDs are still absolutely set on self-immolation, I guess one can hardly stop them.
Yes and as its a criminal offence to do leaks, then criminal proceedings imo should be considered as well. I think he was mega arrogant as well as desperate in doing this. I think the Lib Dems should chuck him out of the the party too.
Comments
Is that part of the Right of Recall thing? I'm a bit hazy on this but I read a thing the other day that said that was only applicable in 3 cases - criminal charge, expenses offences, or suspension from parliament (for 10 days or more I think....I'm trying to remember this now...probably badly).
Upshot of my vagueness is I don't know whether the 10% petition only operates once one of those 3 conditions has been fulfilled, or if it's a separate condition of it's own.
As far as I understand, the Hoc MP's can vote to suspend him post investigation. If this suspension is over 10 days then right of recall applies, 10% of the constituents could then trigger a by election.
I imagine the MP's will vote 296 - 60 in favour of doing nothing so it's a bit pointless.
Gotya. Unlikely then.
They would have one less seat than the DUP if the above happens
I don't think they would lose it. In order to deny the SNP yet another seat I think sufficient numbers of lab/con voters would back the LibDems. Especially after the way the SNP performed at the GE.
Doubt it will happen anyway but will be brought up at Holyrood elections next year, damaging the LibDems further - which is very amusing.
IIRC the writers said of the "Edstone" that they could not have made up something as bad as that !!
Interesting though that Carmichael apologised for leaking a document that PROVED NS had told the French Ambassador she would be happy with CallmeDave in No. 10, when she was denying it had ever happened.
So Carmichael has actually been quite sneaky in apologising for proving her wrong.
Except what he leaked was a second hand account of the incident based on a conversation after the event.
He's admitted it was not accurate, and the French and NS have stated as much.
So unless you are the journalists who wrote the story or are just blind to the facts you've got it wrong.
No if you actually read his letter to Nicola Sturgeon he makes it clear that the information contained in the memo was inaccurate. Also ALL parties involved in the meeting deny the conversation took place.
Carmichael is only sneaky in not admitting to his part in the incident during the election and getting himself reelected by lying to his constituents. Certainly not something to be admired.
"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on."
Within an hour it had been killed as untrue by all the parties involved - Nicola, the French Ambassador, the French Consulate. But that didn't stop it being re tweeted as fact for hours yet with even Ed Milliband the following day making a statement about it as if the memo was still accurate.
Even now posters on this thread still think what was reported in the memo is true despite an inquiry stating the contents were inaccurate.
You haven't been following this pretty well. Have you?
It can't be that serious to leak information if a simple apology is adequate?
Is there not some sort of confidentiality agreement or code that has been breached or broken?
There doesn't seem to be much of a deterrent to stop similar leaks.
They might be at a low point at the moment but they do actually have supporters across Scotland and could contest many elections throughout Scotland. They also have some very good politicians - or that was always how I traditionally thought of them. Sticking with this discredited MP will likely cost them a good few percentage points of votes at all levels for the next few years.
I'm looking forward to the HoC getting underway to see how this issue plays out. I'm expecting a very sheepish apology.
STOP PRESS
Only applies to other parties, Lib Dems can lie all they want
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32881672
Some more impressive grassroots activism from the Scottish electorate.
A crowd-fund campaign to oust Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael from his seat, has raised more than £11,000.
Is there a feeling that you want him out and replaced with another Lib Dem or is there a feeling that the SNP would better represent your area?