An MP has been refused by the Commons Table Office when they tried to table a question asking how many meetings Gould had held with Werritty and/or Fox. The Table Office say the question has already been answered – even though we know for certain that the answer given was untrue.
This was the untrue – or at the very least radically unfull – answer cited by the Table Office:
Adam Werritty
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings HM ambassador to Israel has had with the Secretary of State for Defence (a) in Israel, (b) in the UK and (c)
31 Oct 2011 : Column 374W
elsewhere since May 2010; whether Mr Adam Werritty was present on any such occasion; and which (i) other officials and (ii) other people were present on each occasion. [76970]
Alistair Burt: All meetings which our ambassador to Israel has had with the former Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox) since May 2010 are set out in the Cabinet Secretary’s report of 18 October 2011. Our ambassador to Israel was also invited by the former Defence Secretary to a private social engagement in summer 2010 at which Adam Werritty was present.
It is remarkable rule of parliament that apparently once a minister lies about something, parliamentarians are never allowed to ask about it again.
Meantime I have submitted a Freedom of Information request about a Freedom of Information request! I have asked for any notes, minutes, emails or correspondence relating to the handling of my FOI request for the Gould-Werritty correspondence. You may recall that my request was declined on grounds of cost, and dealt with in the remarkable time of just 76 minutes, the answer ebing received at 11.31 pm!
Finally the editor of the Jewish Chronicle has declined to publish the following article, which I submitted to him as a comment piece covering the JC’s promotion of the charges of anti-semitism against Paul Flynn for pursuing the Gould/Werritty issue. This is a shame, because the JC used to give space to liberal views, and because I believe a serious percentage of their readership would have been interested in the other side of the story.
There is a genuine argument that it was not wise to appoint Matthew Gould as Ambassador to Israel, and the accusations of anti-Semitism levelled at MP Paul Flynn MP by Dennis McShane, and reported by Martin Bright in the JC, do not address that argument.
Of course being Jewish does not in any way disqualify Matthew Gould from being a British ambassador. We are fortunate in the UK to have many brilliant Jewish diplomats. Jon Benjamin in Santiago is an example of an absolutely first rate ambassador with whom I was once privileged to work.
But Israel/Palestine remains, beyond dispute, a scene of unresolved conflict. The Israeli government, for example, recognises that conflict by invoking the San Remo Agreement to justify its naval embargo of Gaza. The San Remo agreement only applies in times of armed conflict. The dispute is also witnessed not just by events on the ground, but in diplomatic terms by the whole paraphernalia of Middle East peace negotiation, including the post of Quartet envoy occupied by Tony Blair.
So the situation surrounding Israel is not normal and involves conflict. That is, of course, by no means unique. Nearby Cyprus is subject to a dispute that has many parallels. I was Head of the FCO Cyprus section for three years, and tried hard but failed to make progress in resolving the “Cyprus question”. Winning trust was extremely difficult; it would have been well nigh impossible had I been ethnically Greek or Turkish. For the Head of the FCO Cyprus section, or for our Ambassador in Nicosia, to be ethnically Greek, Turkish or either shade of Cypriot just would not be practically useful. I hope nobody will accuse me of being anti-Greek or anti-Turk for saying so.
Similarly, it is just not helpful to have an Ambassador in Tel-Aviv who is Jewish or Palestinian. It just isn’t practically wise. This is not a matter of high policy. There may be Jews or Palestinians of such exceptional personal qualities they could rise above any suspicion of partisanship and be effective. But Matthew Gould has proven himself not to be that talented.
Matthew’s frequent declarations to the Israeli media of his personal commitment to zionism are neither helpful nor necessary for a diplomat. Take for example this from the Jerusalem Post of 29 May:
“British Ambassador Matthew Gould declared his commitment to Israel and the principles of Zionism on Thursday”
That really is a very peculiar thing for a diplomat, who is supposed to have just the one national commitment, to say. I was dismissed as an Ambassador – by FCO ministers including Dennis McShane – for too strong a personal commitment to human rights. A personal commitment to zionism is by comparison a good thing, apparently.We also cannot pretend that in 2011 to declare oneself a “zionist” in political terms merely has its 19th century meaning of somebody who believes in the existence of a state of Israel. The readership of the JC knows that the term “zionist” has accrued baggage of support for settlements and a greater Israel, for the annexation of the whole of Jerusalem, and of links with the non-Jewish foreign policy neo-Cons both sides of the Atlantic. who also declare themselves ardent zionists at every opportunity.
It is also worth noting that, of the entertained guests who have passed into Gould’s Tel Aviv residence, a disgruntled British Embassy source tells me that well less than 5% of invites have been to Israeli Arabs who constitute 20% of the population.
Finally, we have to consider the extraordinary relationship of Gould with Adam Fox and Liam Werritty. It has been shown that the trio met at least seven times, including several meetings before the election, according to Gus O’Donnell’s replies to Paul Flynn at the Public Administration Committee. The FCO refuses point-blank to say how many times Gould met Werritty without Fox, and refused within the hour (at nearly midnight!) my emailed Freedom of Information request for the Gould/Werritty correspondence.
No other official was ever present at any of the Fox-Gould-Werritty meetings – one of many strange facts about them. Gus O’Donnell’s report mentions only two of what we now know was a much larger series of meetings. We really need to know what Gould, the “committed zionist”, was doing with the two extreme Atlanticist neo-cons – and why the government is so anxious to hide it..
That is a genuine question, and to scream “anti-semite” at anyone who asks it devalues the term.
“(Unworthy thought: what if the BBC reflected the demographic of the country and gave ten times as much time to Muslim issues as Jewish ones? Only the Archers would be left)”
Someone should do a survey on how many times Jews get positively mentioned by R4 compared to all other religious groups.
It’s beyond a joke considering Jews constitute less than 1/3 of 1 percent of the British population. What about the remaining 99.7% who are not Jews, do we really have to swallow their propaganda quietly and uncomplaining?
Hi Suhayl, you were not around for a while..were you busy with writing another book or just had a break from the blog?? hope all is well.
An excellent article. But anti-Semitic, as Jon Stewart remarked of the Fox News motto “Fair and Balanced.”
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You say: “It is remarkable rule of parliament that apparently once a minister lies about something, parliamentarians are never allowed to ask about it again.”
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But that is not true, surely, provided that someone is willing to indicate by some acceptable circumlocution that the minister lied. In that case, evidence must be presented leading either the the minister’s resignation or I am not sure what for the person making the false allegation.
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The only case in relatively recent times that I am aware of was of George Wigg who accused John Profumo of adultery with a call-girl, which led to the Minister’s resignation.
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When Winston Churchill was accused of a lie, he evaded the issue by admitting to a “terminological inexacctitude.” In the present case perhaps the minister will find refuge in the admission of a “numerical inexactitude.”
Of course, I meant that George Wigg accused Profumo not of his adultery, but of lying to Parliament about his adultery with the rather nice looking Christine Keeler, though I actually preferred her friend the very nice looking Mandy Rice-Davies.
FoI request on FoI request. Love it. There is no end to this reductio. A brilliant stroke.
How much paperwork exists on the first refusal? On the second (one presumes) refusal?
Sheer genius.
Craig, your FCO education was not wasted. Not one whit.
Also the JC story, which is irrefutable.
Keep up the good work.
I once received an apology from a reporter for messing me up unfairly in the course of my responding to his FoI request.
My first reaction was to wonder about the apology as I realised that that too was subject to FoI.
My second reaction was to get over the paranoia and I have since had great respect for that particular reporter.
Thanks, Azra. Just work, work, work…
Good to see Craig keeps up the pressure.
Would like to ask the Israeli Government if they would be happy with a British Muslim ambassador. I reckon not. Doubt if UK Government would even consider appointing one.
Israel releases photo of Iran mega-weapon that threatens Israel
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http://t.co/D93GrUd4
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8)
Can we not strike the word ‘anti-Semite’ from the dictionary?
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Given that the Ashkenazis occupying Palestine aren’t Semitic, and that the Palestinians whose genocide they relentlessly seek, are, surely it deserves some variety of banishment.
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As for ‘devalued’, too late!
Only slightly off-thread: Are the BBC finally bothering to ask some very fundamental questions about democracy and justice in this country?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16111981
You never know!
Yes, but….
http://ardenforester.blogspot.com/2011/10/wheres-adam-werritty.html
United States is too going through its “Jewish Ambassador Scandal”. Howard Gutman, US ambassador to Belgium, is being chased by Israel Lobby for blaming Israel for fuelling ‘anti-Semitism’ in Europe and the Muslim world.
http://rehmat1.wordpress.com/2011/12/10/critics-we-want-to-save-israel-from-doomsday/
Craig,
As am ethnic Cypriot (what a mongrel race we are) I’d be fascinated to here mote of your days at the Cyprus FCO desk.
Newtoronomy? Or just pissed as..?
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/10/palestinians-invented-people-newt-gingrich
Strange timing for a Cabinet Office release..
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http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/as-the-world-watches-brussels-cameron-finally-recalls-murdoch-meeting-6275135.html
Attack on freedom of speech at University of Surrey {http://www.studentrights.org.uk/} Laughable that Benny Morris is quoted.
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Reported on EI – “British campus watch organisation” Student Rights attacks Palestine solidarity
By Ben White, 8 December 2011
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“British campus watch organisation” Student Rights attacks
Palestine solidarity in name of ‘balance’. Group says it’s
“non-ideologically aligned”, but intimately supported by
right-wing think tank Henry Jackson Society.
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http://electronicintifada.net/blog/ben-white/british-campus-watch-organisation-student-rights-attacks-palestine-solidarity
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I reckon Israel knows it is going down hence the stance of the cornered snarling pitbull.
Continuing with the theme of pitbulls and bulldogs, here is Rosindell who was exhorting Cameroon to show some bulldog spirit in Brussels. No doubt he was one of the cosy group having a celebratory dinner with Cameroon at Chequers last night.
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The bulldog with the bull terrier. He did nicely out of his expenses. Is that what is meant by the ‘bulldog spirit?
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5582209/MPs-expenses-Tory-MP-Andrew-Rosindell-has-childhood-home-as-main-address.html
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I note from his register of interests which is a fertile area for investigation that he visited Uzbekistan:
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Name of donor:
(7)Uzbekistan Airways
(8)Oliy Majilis of Uzbekistan
(9)CCC Group of Companies
Address of donor:
(7)1 Devonshire Street
(8)100035, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 1 Bunyodkor Street
(9)11A West Halkin Street, London SW1 X8J
Amount of donation (or estimate of the probable value):
(7)Flight upgrade; value £1,095
(8)Accommodation in Tashkent; value £745.20
(9)£2,534.98 international and domestic flights to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan (£1,466.40), together with hotel subsistence in Tashkent (£220.35) and accommodation and subsistence in Kazakhstan (£236.12 – Almaty; £612.11-Astana).
Destination of visit: Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Almaty and Astana, Kazakhstan.
Date of visit: 21-30 September 2010
Purpose of visit: to participate in visit of All-Party Parliamentary Group for Central Asia including the signing of a MOU with the Oliy Majilis of Uzbekistan and discussions with the Majilis of Kazakhstan.
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and this. Same sort of thing as the United and Cecil Club?
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Name of donor: The Westminster Club
(b) Address of donor: private
(b) Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: reimbursement for local campaign literature and information, and political support; value £5,600
(b) Date of receipt: 4 November 2011
(b) Date of acceptance: 4 November 2011
(b) Donor status: friendly society
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{http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/andrew_rosindell/romford#register}
FUN TIMES – ROBERT FISK
IT’S WAR, BABY !
Robert Fisk has ripped the mask off the face of USUK Empire fascism, in the shape of both the governments and the criminal bankers.
Read it before it gets censored, to, ER, ‘protect freedom and democracy,’ and, ER, USUK Empire Fascism. ; )
Giving the USUK Empire some freedom and democracy, with both barrels! –
– ‘Bankers are the Dictators of the West,’ by Robert Fisk – December 10, 2011 – UK Independent –
– http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-bankers-are-the-dictators-of-the-west-6275084.html
Exciting times indeed, when a journalist gadfly, albeit with an Establishment establishment Muppet Stream Media organ, finally decides to hoist the Black flag, _and_ it gets printed! –
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNnCALTR-YY
“Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.” – HL Mencken
And for Robert Fisk it appears that that time is now! ; ) –
Because friends don’t let friends remain in ignorance of the USUK Empire fascists and their murderous psychopathic attacks on the mass of humanity?
Jives,
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Interesting link – seems like agent Cameron and Mrs May are minions of Murdoch. I am still mindful of the way Vince Cable was booted sideways when he ‘declared war’ on Murdoch and the lacky brown-nose Jeremy Hunt, was installed to rule the Murdoch bid could go ahead. No wonder we still celebrate Guy Fawkes!
British politicians have been bought and paid for by the Zionists.
You would expect people who serve the parliament of one country would keep it a secret if their loyalties lie with another country, but here in the UK they wear their foreign loyalties as a badge of honour.
They make no secret of the fact that they are the Conservative Friends of Israel, the Labour Friends of Israel and the Liberal Friends of Israel.
The only question that arises is, are any of them Friends of Britain?
I don’t think so?
Arsalan,
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Friends of Britain is in place. The web-site and Facebook group will promote its twin aims of supporting Palestine’s bid for Statehood and promoting Britain as a country free from austerity, growing inequality, unemployment, tax injustice and a political elite who ignores its citizens.
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With 200 activists as potential members – alongside 20% of Coalition MPs – FOB is WILL BE active at every level of this Coalition and future new political parties. FOB will organise additional ‘Occupy’ events in and around the City of London, campaign for supporting the right candidates in target seats, and works to ensure that the British people’s concerns are properly represented in Parliament, the EU and the UN.
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Coming soon to your desktop, please join and express your views:
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http://www.fobuk.org.uk
Mary returns in some force, I see. 🙂
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The only Westminster Club I can find is in British Columbia – and I don’t think it;s a “friendly society”, Not in Westminster, London, England, anyway:
http://www.locallife.co.uk/westminster/social-clubs.asp?pageno=6
Most mysterious. Well spotted.
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And Jives, good catch on Gingrich, winner of the Republican Crawler Of The Year (so far) Award, as he goes for the Christian Zionist vote and AIPAC’s blessing on his campaign.
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“Remember, there was no Israel as a state. It was part of the Persian/Roman//Arab/Byzantine/Ottoman Empire” until the early 20th century”, Gingrich didn’t say.
“I think that we’ve had an invented Israeli people who are in fact mostly Europeans and who were historically part of the European community.”
Mark Golding,
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Careful with that FOB campaign though…you might get an inundation of the EDL…:)
Yes I wondered about that Jives (EDL, NF). However they do not have a monopoly on the word Britain. However I’ve liked the Facebook page, if it’s the one with the labrador. The link on your post Mark does not work, takes us to some Domain Search facility.
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What I do think needs to be clearly stated is that it supports Palestine’s, and other countries, right to be a free state, supports those who take on oppression, opposes financial greed and other ideals.
Thanks John Goss – yes a ‘holding’ page for the domain until I get the artwork done for the site – all will be revealed sometime this Sunday. Good points John – anyone – please feel free to rewrite the ‘about’ or ‘what we do’ paragraphs – I think a strong effective statement is required – no prizes for the best except a satisfying, well pleased and gratifying permanent place online.
From the same register of Rosindell’s interests
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Several £thousands from the Iman Foundation, chairman Ribal Al-Assad, in straight monetary donations and funding for a trip to Lebanon. Ribal Al-Assad is a nephew of President Assad and is seeking for ‘a united opposition to the Syrian government’. His father, who lives in luxury in London with the son next door, is described as a war criminal by Robert Fisk.
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http://www.iman-worldwide.org/index.php Chairman of Iman Foundation
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{http://www.odf-syria.org/} He calls for a ‘united Syrian opposition’ on Sky News
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{http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8571164/Syrias-Butcher-of-Hama-living-in-10-million-Mayfair-townhouse.html}
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{http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-freedom-democracy-and-human-rights-in-syria-2080463.html}
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On the list of other destinations for Rosindell are Qatar, Bahrain, Gibraltar, Switzerland, Guernsey. Turks and Caicos Islands, China, Syria, Malta, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Kuwait, Canada, Isle of Man, Cyprus, USA, Canada and St Kitts and Nevis. All these ‘visits’ took place over the last 9 years. Romford, his constituency, doesn’t get much of a look in.
@ John Goss,
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They don’t have a monolpy on the word English either John but i don’t suppose they’ll care too much at what they appropriate if it serves them…
@ Jives The NYT version of that unbelievable utterance from Newt Gingrich.
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45621335/ns/politics-the_new_york_times/#.TuMkS1bqJ8F
Thanks Jives. I guess moderation might be needed if there is an attempt to circumvent the intented objectives. Also it might be a useful to carefully target supporters. But I’m up for the initiative!