THE chief constable of Greater Manchester has hit back at a headline in The Times that characterised Rochdale as a 'sex grooming town' in its reporting of the murder of the 64-year-old former Imam, Jalal Uddin, last week.
Ian Hopkins in an open letter to the newspaper's editor, posted on Twitter, said that the wording of the headline 'Imam beaten to death in sex grooming town' in an online report into the death in a playground on South Street, Wardleworth, Rochdale on Thursday, had appalled him and could cause community tension.
The chief constable demanded an immediate apology, and said that the police remained open-minded about the circumstances of the murder and that, although they had not ruled out that it may have been racially motivated, there was no evidence to suggest that it was.
Today, DCI Terry Crompton, of the force’s serious crime division, said:
'Our investigation is continuing at a quick pace and we have carried out a significant number of inquiries since the tragic events of last Thursday to establish what happened to Jalal. We have got two people in custody and I hope these arrests, along with the police activity on Ramsey Street today will reassure the public of just how serious we are taking this investigation.'
Monday, 22 February 2016
Les May letter to Rochdale Observer
The letter below appeared in the Rochdale Observer
on Saturday, February 20th, 2016. It was response
to an earlier letter from Andrew Kearney defending
Simon Danczuk, the MP for Rochdale. Mr. Kearney
has been a long-term admirer of Mr Danczuk, and
was part of so-caled 'team Danczuk' before 2010.
His name has even been linked to the now seemingly
defunct local website RAW (Rochdale Alternative Website).
Dear Editor,on Saturday, February 20th, 2016. It was response
to an earlier letter from Andrew Kearney defending
Simon Danczuk, the MP for Rochdale. Mr. Kearney
has been a long-term admirer of Mr Danczuk, and
was part of so-caled 'team Danczuk' before 2010.
His name has even been linked to the now seemingly
defunct local website RAW (Rochdale Alternative Website).
If Andrew Kearney is going to write any more letters promoting the virtues of Simon Danczuk then I suggest he is careful to avoid accusing his political opponents of 'opportunism'.
Since the publication of his book 'Smile for the Camera' in April 2014 Mr Danczuk has taken every opportunity to promote himself as an 'expert' on historic sexual abuse, though we now know that his claim of a 'cover up' by Northamptonshire police is totally untrue and the only substantive evidence against Smith is story which appeared in Rochdale Alternative Paper in May 1979.
As a lifelong Labour voter I have something of an admiration for
Councillor Kelly as to the best of my knowledge he is the only person
who has been able to elicit a response from Mr Danczuk in the pages of the Rochdale Observer.
On a number of occasions I have used the Letters column to ask Mr Dancuk to tell us how many men who claimed to have been abused by Smith he interviewed before writing his book. He has declined to respond to these requests just as he declined to respond to my letter of 9 October 2014 to him on the same subject.
Les May
Mr. Dale's Diary
EXTRACTS from a diary that have been sent to Northern Voices.
This is the diary of a man of our times.
Any resemblance to anyone living is, of course, purely coincidental.
Any resemblance to anyone living is, of course, purely coincidental.
Monday 22nd February 2016
This is getting beyond a joke. The publicity my ex is getting is ridiculous. What is wrong with the papers? I am the important One. ME. She (they, even) are getting so much exposure, in more ways than one, that I am in danger of being forgotten about. Yes, I got a wee bit of TV but the cameras were more interested in an issue than me which is clearly the wrong way round. And what she’s written, talk about memory (is that spelt right) loss and confusion. What about ME. I know I have been told to keep my head down but it’s so low it’s beneath my nether regions, not that these are getting much action! Must get my man to earn his corn and get ME some publicity, soon, NOW!
Need to concoct a view on this Euro wotsit that he can write about and get me noticed. My important views matter you know. Of course you do. Which side of the fence will be best for me? In, and my current admirers will love me, Out and I can find new admirers. I’ll decide what’s best for me, which of course is what will be best for all.
I am still doing my good works, saying the right things that will please the punters. Not quite sure what I’m saying as my man sees to that. Still thinking about a holiday. After all that lovely excitement at Christmas and New Year, life seems a bit flat these days. All these investigations seem to be nothing but hot air, which of course they are as I am perfect, but I’ve not had the expected photo calls and earning potential they should reap. It’s like being the invisible man.
https://mrdalesite.wordpress.com/2016/02/22/monday-22nd-february-2016/
https://mrdalesite.wordpress.com/2016/02/22/monday-22nd-february-2016/
******
Friday, 19 February 2016
King Lear at Royal Exchange Manchester
FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR KING LEAR STARRING DON WARRINGTON
A Royal Exchange Theatre and Talawa Theatre Company co-production
in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre
KING LEAR
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Michael Buffong
Designed by Signe Beckmann
1 April – 7 May Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
19 May – 28 May Birmingham Repertory Theatre
A Royal Exchange Theatre and Talawa Theatre Company co-production
in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre
KING LEAR
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Michael Buffong
Designed by Signe Beckmann
1 April – 7 May Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
19 May – 28 May Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Michael Buffong and Don Warrington arrive at the Royal Exchange Theatre with an epic new version of KING LEAR from 1 April to 7 May and at Birmingham Repertory Theatre from 19 – 28 May. Returning to the stage where they collaborated on the ground-breaking ALL MY SONS, this critically acclaimed team take on Shakespeare’s classic drama in which families tear each other apart. Warrington is joined on stage by Philip Whitchurch as the Earl of Gloucester and Miltos Yerolemou as the Fool. Alfred Enoch, fresh from his role as Wes Gibbins in the award-winning ABC drama HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER and his work on the Harry Potter films, makes his Royal Exchange debut as Edgar. A co-production with Talawa Theatre Company and in association with Birmingham Repertory Company, KING LEAR is a brutal portrait of a man unravelling - pitted against his daughters, against nature and against the universe itself.
In an ancient Britain bound by loyalty to the clan and the power of the sword, King Lear decides to give up his crown. As he divides the kingdom between his daughters, family ties disintegrate, order disappears and the land slides into chaos.
Don Warrington said of taking on the role of Lear: It’s huge and it’s like looking at Mount Everest and thinking, I’m going to try and climb that. You’re trying to convey the essence of a human being and Shakespeare has caught it, you realise he’s caught it as you read it and that’s why King Lear is huge. Most things are aspects of a person… this is all of a person.
KING LEAR is presented as part of the celebrations for Talawa’s 30th anniversary year, and will be directed by Artistic Director Michael Buffong – “As a Director it’s always a privilege to work with great actors like Don. To have him joined by such a wonderful company puts us well on the way towards realising the vision I have for this King Lear. It’s going to be epic, exciting and passionate.”
2016 commemorates 400 years since the death of Shakespeare and this production is one of many UK wide events marking this anniversary. The outstanding cast also includes Fraser Ayres, Rakie Ayola, Rhys Bevan, Norman Bowman, Thomas Coombes, Sam Glen, Wil Johnson, Debbie Korley, Pepter Lunkuse, Miles Mitchell, Mark Springer and Sarah Quist.
Don Warrington is an award winning actor who can currently be seen in the BBCs hugely successful series DEATH IN PARADISE. His career spans television, radio and the stage and he has had a long standing relationship with Talawa Theatre Company both on and off the stage. Other television credits have included WAKING THE DEAD, CASUALTY, THE CROUCHES and MAN CHILD (BBC) and RISING DAMP. Stage credits include ALL MY SONS (Royal Exchange & Talawa), DRIVING MISS DAISY (Julian Stoneman), A STATEMENT OF REGRET and THE MYSTERIES (National Theatre) and ELMINA’S KITCHEN (Birmingham Repertory Theatre / West End).Alfred Enoch’s credits include the role of Dean Thomas in the Harry Potter films, his television credits include HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER, SHERLOCK, MOUNT PLEASANT and BROADCHURCH. Other theatre credits include CORIOLANUS (Donmar Warehouse); TIMON OF ATHENS, ANTIGONE (National Theatre); HAPPY NEW (Trafalgar Studios).Miltos Yerolemou returns to the Royal Exchange following his role in YOU CANT TAKE IT WITH YOU, his credits span film, television and stage. Film credits include STAR WARS – EPISODE VII – THE FORCE AWAKENS (Lucasfilm/Disney), THE DANISH GIRL (Working Title Films). Recent stage credits include A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM international tour (Bristol Old Vic & Handspring Theatre), GREAT EXPECTATIONS (Bristol Old Vic), he is also known for his role as Syrio Forel in GAME OF THRONES (HBO).Artistic Director of Talawa Michael Buffong directs. His credits at Talawa include GOD'S PROPERTY with Soho Theatre and the Albany and THE SERPENT'S TOOTH with the Almeida Theatre. Further credits include MOON ON A RAINBOW SHAWL at the National Theatre and for the Royal Exchange Manchester his credits include SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, ALL THE ORDINARY ANGELS, PRIVATE LIVES and the multi-award winning A RAISIN IN THE SUN.
Cardiff Anarchist Bookfair 2016 etc.
Sat 20st, Feb -
Spycops and Blacklisting talks at Cardiff Anarchist Bookfair at
Wed 6th March - 'Whistleblowing as Complaining; Blacklisting as Bullying' at Birkbeck Uni, London - with 'Blacklist' film by Lucy Parker - hosted by Prof John Kelly
Spycops and Blacklisting talks at Cardiff Anarchist Bookfair at
Cathays Community Centre CF24 4HX Blacklisting talk will be at 5pm
Cardiff Anarchist Network / Rhwydwaith Anarchaidd
CaerdyddCardiff Anarchist Bookfair 2016 Ffair Lyfrau Anarchaidd Wed 6th March - 'Whistleblowing as Complaining; Blacklisting as Bullying' at Birkbeck Uni, London - with 'Blacklist' film by Lucy Parker - hosted by Prof John Kelly
'Labour Start' & the murder of Giulio Regeni
UPROAR has resulted following the torture and murder in Egypt of the 28-year-old doctoral student at Cambridge University, Giulio Regeni, who disappeared in Cairo on the 25th, January 2016, and whose half-naked, battered body was found in a ditch on February 3rd, hours after Italian officials appealed to President Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt directly for help in locating the student.
Italy's interior minister, Angelino Alfano, has said Mr. Regeni's body bore evidence of 'inhuman, animal-like unacceptable violence' - exactly the kind of torture the security forces regularly inflict on Egyptians. Though Egypt's authorities have denied their security forces were involved, the Italian press has not swallowed this and a headline in La Republica on Monday (8th, Feb. 2016) read: 'Giulio Regeni was tortured because they thought ha was a spy.'
Mr Regeni's dissertation research focused on trade unions, a tricky topic in Egypt, his friends say he was careful in how he carried out his investigations.
Last Friday the International New York Times ran an editorial which read:
'Under Mr. Sissi's government thousands of Egyptians have been imprisoned. Torture and enforced disappearance are commonplace. Academics, human rights activists and journalists have been singled out. Mr. Regeni's murder is sure to put a deep chill on academic freedom in Egypt.'
It is good that bodies like 'Labour Start' are monitoring these events.
An Italian Murdered in Egypt
PEOPLE all over the world were shocked and saddened to learn of the torture and murder of Giulio Regeni, a young academic who was in Egypt to research the situation of independent trade unions. As Kamal Abbas, an Egyptian labour leader, has written:
'The announcement of Giulio’'s death came after 10 days of his disappearance. The condition in which the body was found reveals that Giulio was murdered viciously and was subjected to monstrous torture before his death. This caused international outrage.'
There have been open letters and online campaigns from Giulio's academic colleagues.
We in the trade union movement are also demanding answers from the Egyptian government, and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for this horrific crime.
Please take a moment to support the LabourStart campaign:
http://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=2953
After you've sent off your message, please share this with you friends, family and fellow union members.
Thank you!
Eric Lee
'The announcement of Giulio’'s death came after 10 days of his disappearance. The condition in which the body was found reveals that Giulio was murdered viciously and was subjected to monstrous torture before his death. This caused international outrage.'
There have been open letters and online campaigns from Giulio's academic colleagues.
We in the trade union movement are also demanding answers from the Egyptian government, and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for this horrific crime.
Please take a moment to support the LabourStart campaign:
http://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=2953
After you've sent off your message, please share this with you friends, family and fellow union members.
Thank you!
Eric Lee
Mr. Dale's Diary
EXTRACTS from a diary that have been sent to Northern Voices.
This is the diary of a man of our times.
Any resemblance to anyone living is, of course, purely coincidental.
Any resemblance to anyone living is, of course, purely coincidental.
Friday 19th February 2016
Looking after ones children, well a couple of them, has got me thinking, not about money this time, but the unfairness of life. Can be awkward if the kids are around, can’t watch my films! It also distracts from gaining publicity. My public must be worried about me being so quiet these past few days. There have been mumblings amongst the great unwashed about me having time off work. Disgraceful, someone as important as ME should not be subject to checks on when I’m at work. But teachers, how come they get so many holidays? They are public servants after all, and when they are at school they only work a couple of hours. Money for old rope. Time for school governors to get a grip! Maybe I should be a school governor, I’d sort them out.
Been thinking about my holidays. It is weeks since I had a holiday. I fancy a trip to some exotic destination, first class of course, must get my man to see if there are any decent freebies going at work. Local freebies are all well and good for free food and drinks but someone as significant as ME should get better. A proper holiday is what I deserve, tropical island, waited on hand and foot and other places. Heard that one of my numerous ex’s has a freemans lined up to a tropical island, must be my turn next.
Just had a thought (doesn’t often happen unless it’s about money or young ladies), I might start calling my man Smithers, but not to his face of course, he might have a hissy fit and bugger off again! Never mind, menials are ten a penny and my recruitment methods are legendary. Nobody is irreplaceable, except me.
https://mrdalesite.wordpress.com/2016/02/19/friday-19th-february-2016/
https://mrdalesite.wordpress.com/2016/02/19/friday-19th-february-2016/
******
Thursday, 18 February 2016
Blacklist Report: February 2016 update
1. Pressure mounts in High Court & Scotland
Brian Higgins blacklisted by construction firms, spied on by undercover police. Double page spread in Daily Record.
Next High Court date is Friday 26th Feb
2. Targeting activists
3. Trade Union Bill
http://leftfootforward.org/2016/02/blacklisting-scandal-shows-how-dangerous-the-trade-union-bill-is/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/feb/12/trade-union-bill-escalate-disputes-industrial-law-expert-bruce-carr?CMP=share_btn_fb
https://www.tuc.org.uk/union-issues/trade-union-bill/tuc-comments-leaked-ministerial-letter-calling-trade-union-bill
4. International Workers Memorial Day: Mourn the Dead - Fight for the Living
https://www.facebook.com/International-Workers-Memorial-Day-2016-618062591665959/Giulio Regeni R.I.P. Murdered for carrying out research on trade unions in Egypt. http://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=2953
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/construction-worker-falls-down-shaft-in-parkville-berkeley-and-pelham-streets-20160214-gmu3c8.html
5. Events
Sat 21st Feb - Spycops and Blacklisting talks at Cardiff Anarchist Bookfair (flyer attached)
Wed 6th March - 'Whistleblowing as Complaining; Blacklisting as Bullying' at Birkbeck Uni, London - with 'Blacklist' film by Lucy Parker - hosted by Prof John Kelly
5. Art Against Blacklisting
Trumbo Film Review http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2016/02/unlikely-alliance-hollywood-and-british-builders-exposing-impact-blacklisting
http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2016/feb/10/any-means-necessary-review-kefi-chadwick-nottingham-playhouse?CMP=share_btn_fb
http://www.leftlion.co.uk/articles.cfm/title/theatre-review--any-means-necessary/id/8034
http://www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/whats-on/drama/any-means-necessary/
Blacklisted (for forty years)
How do you work out the price of our lives
When you stopped us from tipping up to our wives
Our children were left feeling sad and confused
Blacklisted children like pawns they were used
When you stopped us from tipping up to our wives
Our children were left feeling sad and confused
Blacklisted children like pawns they were used
We know your all driven by money and greed
Never ever the wish, to do a good deed
Your accountants and lawyers all plan and plot
They'd like to see all of the blacklisted shot
But we're all standing tall and and are up for the fight
As we all stood tall and fought for the right
For every working man, the freedom to stand
To give one another a warm helping hand
So onwards we go and it's justice we seek
You laughed and defamed us, you thought we were meek
But we know, great British justice is going to be done
It's our right to fight, stand together as one
So all you blacklisters you've all done your worse
Now that you've been forced to open your purse
For we only wanted safety on site
Not worked to death buried deep out of site
Never ever the wish, to do a good deed
Your accountants and lawyers all plan and plot
They'd like to see all of the blacklisted shot
But we're all standing tall and and are up for the fight
As we all stood tall and fought for the right
For every working man, the freedom to stand
To give one another a warm helping hand
So onwards we go and it's justice we seek
You laughed and defamed us, you thought we were meek
But we know, great British justice is going to be done
It's our right to fight, stand together as one
So all you blacklisters you've all done your worse
Now that you've been forced to open your purse
For we only wanted safety on site
Not worked to death buried deep out of site
Blacklist Support Group
Wednesday, 17 February 2016
Missing Junior Doctor mentions Jeremy Hunt
THE press today is full of rumours that Rose Polge, a junior doctor who went missing last Friday, left a note inside her car in which she included comments about her personal life as well as a sentence referring to the Heath Secretary Jeremy Hunt.
Doctor Rose Polge, 25, who works at Torbay Hospital in
Devon, was last seen on Friday afternoon. Soon after she was reported
missing her car was found in a car park near Anstey's Cove in Torquay.
Today's Daily Mail reports:
'Now, hours after a friend revealed the young medic was under
a lot of strain because of her "long working hours", rumours at the hospital
suggest she wrote a letter which mentioned Mr Hunt just before she disappeared.
The note is believed to have been found in the car.'
Dr Polge has shared a link to an online to a petition
supporting industrial action by junior doctors over Mr. Hunt's proposed contract
changes in the National Health Service, which would involve extra weekend work for junior doctors.
It is claimed that Dr. Polge is a member of a Facebook group set up to co-ordinate striking junior doctors at the Devon hospital and last month she posted a new Facebook profile picture, featuring the hashtag #NotFairNotSafe.
A friend has said that the young medic was under a lot of strain because of her 'long working hours', and rumours at the hospital suggest she wrote a letter which mentioned Mr Hunt just before she disappeared. The note is believed to have been found in the car.
ITV News Westcountry reports 'persistent rumours' have been circulating at Torbay Hospital about the note – and Devon and Cornwall Police, who are leading the search to find the junior doctor, have refused to deny the report.
A police force spokesman said today: 'We are not making any comment about a note or the contents of it.'Tuesday, 16 February 2016
Viscount Rothermere: Tax Exile Speaks for England!
THE 4th Viscount Rothermere, also known as Jonathan Harmsworth, owner of the Daily Mail, loves England so much that he spends much of his time living as a tax exile in France. He is so in love with this country that he hides his riches in the world's tax havens and shelters in order to avoid tax.
Although he was born in Hammersmith, educated at Gordonstoun and has a business based in Kensington, London, he is a 'non-dom' (Non-domicile), who is French for the purposes of tax. His non-dom tax status was handed down to him by his father - 3rd Viscount, Vere Harmsworth, who acquired a French "domicile of choice" in the 1970's and became a tax exile in Paris - when Jonathan inherited the 'Daily Mail & General Trust plc' (DMGT) empire. Under non-dom status, an individual claims ultimate allegiance to another country - in Rothermere's case, France.
When he inherited DMGT from his father the 3rd Viscount in 1998, the company had been controlled through 'Rothermere Continuation Ltd, (RCL) a company registered in Bermuda but run from Jersey. RCL now owns all the voting shares in DMGT and receives more than £10m a year of the annual dividends.
In 2008, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) began an investigation into whether Rothermere had surrendered his non-dom status . While the family owned a mansion and 240 acres of grounds in Wiltshire as well as a chateau in the Dordogne, HMRC argued that as a freeman of the City of London, Rothermere had forfeited his non-dom status. "Following the intervention of the then HMRC tax boss Dave Harnett, the investigation was pulled."
Despite living as a tax exile in France (for tax purposes) and having much of his vast wealth, hidden away in Britain's Caribbean overseas territories, the Daily Mail newspaper wants the British public to vote in the forthcoming referendum to leave the EU and his supporting the leave campaign. While nobody can be absolutely sure, what affect leaving the European Union (Brexit), would have on the British economy, one thing, is absolutely certain, it would be welcomed by Vladimir Putin, who wants to see the break-up of the EU and the NATO Alliance and to destabilize the West. Already, Russian money is being loaned to anti-EU parties like Marine Le Pen's 'Front National' and since 2009, Russia has established links with the far-right 'Jobbik' Party in Hungry, Slovakia's far-right 'People's Party' and Bulgaria's nationalist, anti-EU Attack movement. A British exit could also lead to other countries wanting to secede from the EU and see Scotland, wanting independence, something that would almost guarantee, a Conservative hegemony in England. The U.S. Secretary of State,John kerry, has stated that it is in U.S. interests that the UK remains in the EU.
If Britain was to leave the EU, it could face possible trade barriers and see a slump in the pound. A recent survey carried out by the 'Bertelsmann Foundation' of British and German companies operating in the UK, found that almost a third would consider moving jobs out of the country following a vote to leave the EU. The survey of 700 British and German companies, found that 29% said they would either reduce capacity in the UK or relocate altogether, in the event of a Brexit..."only 13% believed that a Brexit could increase national employment levels."
The Chief Executive of 'easyJet', Carloyn McCall, has said that a Brexit would also raise the cost of foreign travel and that "British influence inside Brussels was essential to minimise disruption and administration between countries and keep down the cost of air travel."
Simon Danczuk & 'opportunistic grandstanding'!
by Les May
LAST Saturday's Rochdale Observer carried a letter by Andrew Kearney praising the 'admirable work done by Simon Danczuk', and accusing Lib-Dem councillor Andy Kelly of 'opportunistic grandstanding in the press' for commenting on the stories about Danczuk's recent antics. Ironically this letter was just above a piece of typical Danczuk opportunism. Danczuk used his 'Talking Politics' column to complain about the effects on women of the decision in 2011, to accelerate the rate at which the age at which a state retirement pension is payable was to be equalised for men and women.
According to Danczuk:
'Budgets have been ruined, long-held retirement dreams abandoned and caring commitments compromised.'
Now as usual with Danczuk this is a bit OTT. As he admits under the 1995 Pensions Act the state pension age for women would be gradually raised to 65 to be equal to that for men in 2020. In fact even under the accelerated changes the equalisation will take place just one year early in 2019. After this the pension age will rise to 67 for someone born in the second half of 1961 or later.
What Danczuk does not feel worthy of mention is that these changes will affect men too. The age at which men become eligible for a 'free bus pass' is tied to the age at which women receive the state pension. It goes without saying that the age at which men have been getting their pension all these years is 65.
Mr. Dale's Diary
EXTRACTS from a diary that have been sent to Northern Voices.
This is the diary of a man of our times.
Any resemblance to anyone living is, of course, purely coincidental.
Any resemblance to anyone living is, of course, purely coincidental.
Tuesday 16th February 2016
I seem to be getting a lot of stick lately. WHY ME? How insulting. ME. What have I done to deserve it?
They call me seedy and sleazy and greedy but why? I am a normal man with normal needs. Alright I am the best example of a man, superior to all others and not to be shackled by petty restraints.
So I have had money difficulties, who hasn’t! So has that American, Pump or Trump, the one with the dead ferret on his head. He has literally gone bust thousands of times. And some of the company debts were only owed to the tax man! I’m earning a-plenty now (if not enough, is there ever enough?), and people moan! Jealousy.
So I watch porn and partake of enhancing substances, everyone does, and have bits on the side. Men have needs, and such a magnificent specimen as ME has greater needs than lesser beings. But I am also a kind and caring parent, always willing to find space in my schedule to lend a hand. Super Dad if you will. People should give me a bit of slack in more ways than one. Should the need arise, I am sure my man will step in should An Important Person as myself be required elsewhere. He does so remind me of that chap who looks after that Monty Burns character.
Enough of me (I don’t say that very often!) I need to get back to making money at the same time as making turkey dinosaurs and smiley faces. Only man of my calibre can do that.
******
Monday, 15 February 2016
Weekend News Reports on 'Grasping MPs'
ROCHDALE ONLINE reports:
Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk appears in a Sunday Mirror list of "grasping MPs" that have claimed '£800,000 in freebies in the last 12 months'.
The Mirror investigation has revealed MPs have claimed for gig tickets, helicopter rides and sporting events despite their £74,000 salaries.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/grasping-mps-claim-800000-freebies-7364113
Mr Danczuk accepted two sets of tickets and hospitaility to the Rugby World Cup valued at £875 and £1,650 in 2015.
In taking the freebies, Mr Danczuk did not break any rules, however campaigners warned it could increase voters’ fears their elected representatives are listening to wealthy donors instead of them.
Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk appears in a Sunday Mirror list of "grasping MPs" that have claimed '£800,000 in freebies in the last 12 months'.
The Mirror investigation has revealed MPs have claimed for gig tickets, helicopter rides and sporting events despite their £74,000 salaries.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/grasping-mps-claim-800000-freebies-7364113
Mr Danczuk accepted two sets of tickets and hospitaility to the Rugby World Cup valued at £875 and £1,650 in 2015.
In taking the freebies, Mr Danczuk did not break any rules, however campaigners warned it could increase voters’ fears their elected representatives are listening to wealthy donors instead of them.
Mr. Dale's Diary
EXTRACTS from a diary that have been sent to Northern Voices.
This is the diary of a man of our times.
Any resemblance to anyone living is, of course, purely coincidental.
Any resemblance to anyone living is, of course, purely coincidental.
Monday 15th February 2016
Went to the massage parlour on Sunday. Had a bit of a bad head, I’m sure that third bottle of wine was off, but at least it was free, and so it should be as a recognition for the admirable deeds I do for the community.
At the parlour two of the masseurs were identical twins, as it turned out one male and one female. When one of them started pummelling my well toned muscular back I had to tell him in no uncertain terms that this was not what I wanted or needed. I do, after all, have the body of a Greek god. I left flat and disappointed. They will not be seeing me again!
After church where I was worshipped, I deserved a drink, so with nothing to confess I called my pals to meet me at the pub to give thanks for knowing such a superior being as what I am. And to buy me drinks for looking after their interests. Bumped into one of the serfs whose name my man uses for his letters to the paper praising me for being ME. He was more pissed than me!
My man asked for details of my past for the autobiography he is writing about me. Cheek, I told him not to use such information and to piss off and make his own stuff up.
Now all the moaning Minnies are whining because I get invited out! It is normal and natural that large events want important people like me there to make them look good. I generously give up my time to help them. So they let me in with a free ticket of course. These miserable souls should get a grip on reality and realise what it is to be significant in society like I am.
******
Saturday, 13 February 2016
Now for the Cost of Blacklisting
CONSTRUCTION firms have paid out nearly £6m in compensation to just 71 blacklisted workers. The UCATT members were all claimants in the High Court group litigation and on average received £80,000 with some individuals receiving £200,000 for the years of hardship caused by the illegal Consulting Association blacklist. The companies involved in the legal action are: Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Costain, Kier, Laing O’Rourke, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska UK and Vinci PLC. A number of cases have now settled with a total payout so far by the firms in excess of £15m. Acceptance of the compensation offers for many was not their preferred option but was forced upon them because of the financial implications associated with a Part 36 offer. There remain around 340 blacklisted workers whose claims are still live, with the trial still scheduled for 10 weeks and set to start in May.
Public authorities across the UK and Europe have passed resolutions and issued procurement guidelines that would mean that if found guilty at a High Court trial they could be banned from future publicly funded contracts.
Dave Smith, blacklisted engineer and Blacklist Support Group secretary commented:
"The offers of compensation are a cynical attempt by the companies to buy themselves out of a High Court trial. The blacklisting firms know they are guilty as sin and are desperate to protect their corporate brand. But the millions they will be ordered to pay by the High Court will be dwarfed by the potential billions they could lose out on if banned from government and local authority contracts across Europe
A large number of workers were put on the illegal Consulting Association database because they raised concerns about safety on building sites. By covertly targeting union safety reps, these companies appear to have given themselves a competitive advantage, as implementing proper health & safety measures on major projects has obvious financial consequences. Blacklisting is a human rights scandal but it might also be viewed as a secret cartel. I'm looking forward to the trail in May".
See story in Mirror: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/blacklisting-victims-win-56million-compensation-7334539
Blacklist Support Group
Postman Reinstated in Bridgewater
AFTER a two-year 'David and Goliath' battle with the country's second largest employer, culminating with a 24-hour wildcat walkout on November 11th; the 113 CWU members at Bridgwater Royal Mail Delivery Office in Somerset have secured the reinstatement of Andrew Mootoo, a profoundly deaf postman stricken with MS.
Andrew starts back to work on a part-time desk-based computer job, scanning in undelivered packets, on Monday February 15th.
On Thursday, the day after his reinstatement was confirmed, a gate meeting was held, with Andrew and his wife present, to celebrate a remarkable victory for the Communication Workers' Union/CWU.
After the gate meeting, the British Sign Language/BSL interpreter for Andrew, said she had never experienced anything like it, the speeches had given her goose bumps!
Dave Chapple, with Darren Granter one of two Bridgwater CWU Reps still under threat of dismissal for their part in the November illegal walkout, said:
'Monday will finalise a victory that should be celebrated, not just as part of the TUC HeartUnions week, not just as the latest in an amazing series of strike victories at the Bridgwater Delivery Office, not just as a truly-even for Bridgwater-remarkable act of working-class solidarity, but,perhaps most of all, as a victory for disabled workers everywhere.
'How many other workplaces would have held a near-unanimous walkout to support someone who hadn't been at work for nearly two years?
'The unavoidable fact is that Royal Mail's preferred option was always compulsory transfer out of Bridgwater, or Ill Health Retirement. The most ignorant and prejudiced Royal Mail managers we met, genuinely felt that the dole was the only long-term option. In any other workplace that could or would not risk a lightening strike as a shock tactic, the dole it would have been.'
Andrew Mootoo said:
'After all this time I didn't expect, suddenly, to find Royal Mail positive about my return to work. I want to say a big thank you to all Bridgwater CWU members who went on strike for me: that was crucial. I cannot believe I have been waiting for 2 years and 1 month to return to work.
I call it "The Longest Road to CWU Victory": I am so proud of our militant history here at Bridgwater!'
Andrew is available for interviews with the media, disabled, black and ethnic organisations, and other trade union branches."
Dave Chapple
07707 869 144
Friday, 12 February 2016
Mr. Dale's Diary
EXTRACTS from a diary that have been sent to Northern Voices.
This is the diary of a man of our times.
Any resemblance to anyone living is, of course, purely coincidental.
Any resemblance to anyone living is, of course, purely coincidental.
Friday 12th February 2016
Had a thought about the punters rewarding a man of my esteem. Why not a charity box by the door? I can think of who might be most worthy to receive due acknowledgment for my kindly help. Still rumblings about contributions made to my holiday fund. Well I have to use the car when there is no first class travel available for a man of my esteem. I deserve it for my good works, as they say, I’m worth it; and I am getting a bit short of funds. Maybe give that lass another text, see if she fancies some more media work, that’s a payer, or perhaps I should take a lodger in somewhere amongst one’s estate?
On the subject of going a bit short, I’ve heard that there is a massage parlour just opened down the road. Might give it a try, when they see a my physique and realise my importance I’m sure there will be no cost involved. I could fit it in (as they say) between a couple of charity do’s. Handily one should be OK for some drinks and the later one includes a good feed.
As “the man of the people”, I’ve had a go at a mega-corporation this week and made sure everyone knows about it. Hopefully my old mate (who happens to own a multi-national) will have seen this and can fix me up with another opportunity to offer my ‘musings for money’ to the world.
Quite a breakthrough those scientists made this week. For all their theories, they still haven’t realised the Universe revolves around me. When they have a moment, I’d like them to investigate the mysterious black hole (or two) my vast earnings are disappearing into. The numbers are not in agreement with the symmetry of Einstein’s equations. That little chap in the wheelchair could motor round and do the sums for me. How come he is in the papers more than me? He’s even had a film made about him. Hmmm, a film about me, that would be good. Must get my man to ring Hollywood….
*******
Thursday, 11 February 2016
Mr. Dale's Diary
EXTRACTS from a diary that have been sent to Northern Voices.
This is the diary of a man of our times.
Any resemblance to anyone living is, of course, purely coincidental.
Any resemblance to anyone living is, of course, purely coincidental.
Thursday 11th February 2016
Came into my office and was met with ‘Good Morning’ from one of my serfs (employees). As I always converse with my staff I said ‘No it isn’t, get on with your f*****g work’
And it isn’t a good day, the media work, and pay, is thin. I have got one of the papers to talk about my forthcoming book. Thought about doing an autobiography, (provisional title, “ME”) but my man needs to finish the ‘exposé’ before he writes that one.
There’s been a fuss about parking. More bitterness from the vanquished I’d wager. I do think (not very often) that a man of my standing and importance should be given his own car park, with a nice young lady parking warden to police it. Or be given free parking at least, saves on all that paperwork for the pay and displays. As a major figure in this town people come to me with their unimportant and tedious problems. If I am not allowed to charge them for my valuable time, I should at least be free (not a word I’m usually associated with) to charge them for parking, something I know a lot about. On second thoughts, those who see me should really pay a consultancy fee commensurate with my brilliance. I’ll have a word with someone, maybe the rules on this are too vague.
At least the ex has hung up her crayon for a while. Who is going to colour in those pictures?
Lacking female company, need to do something about that. What’s wrong with them?
Tuesday, 9 February 2016
Blacklisting firms paying out compensation to avoid May trial!
We are publishing below a recent briefing from the Blacklist Support Group:
"Construction firms have paid out nearly £6m in compensation to just 71 blacklisted workers. The UCATT members were all claimants in the High Court group litigation and on average received £80,000 with some individuals receiving £200,000 for the years of hardship caused by the illegal Consulting Association blacklist.
The companies involved in the legal action are: Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Costain, Kier, Laing O’Rourke, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska UK and Vinci PLC. A number of cases have now settled with a total payout so far by the firms in excess of £15m. Acceptance of the compensation offers for many was not their preferred option but was forced upon them because of the financial implications associated with a Part 36 offer. There remain around 340 blacklisted workers whose claims are still live, with the trial still scheduled for 10 weeks and set to start in May.
Public authorities across the UK and Europe have passed resolutions and issued procurement guidelines that would mean that if found guilty at a High Court trial they could be banned from future publicly funded contracts.
Dave Smith, blacklisted engineer and Blacklist Support Group secretary commented:
"The offers of compensation are a cynical attempt by the companies to buy themselves out of a High Court trial. The blacklisting firms know they are guilty as sin and are desperate to protect their corporate brand. But the millions they will be ordered to pay by the High Court will be dwarfed by the potential billions they could lose out on if banned from government and local authority contracts across Europe
A large number of workers were put on the illegal Consulting Association database because they raised concerns about safety on building sites. By covertly targeting union safety reps, these companies appear to have given themselves a competitive advantage, as implementing proper health & safety measures on major projects has obvious financial consequences. Blacklisting is a human rights scandal but it might also be viewed as a secret cartel. I'm looking forward to the trail in May".
See story in Mirror: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/blacklisting-victims-win-56million-compensation-7334539
Blacklist Support Group
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