The Independent has an article about the new FCO sponsored Mitchell and Webb “comedy”, which was made with FCO co-operation and is openly an attempt to bolster its image – and to make light of, and acceptable, the disgraceful British alliance with the dictator of Uzbekistan. The argument that this series is based on – and is an attempt to counter the effect of – Murder in Samarkand – is overwhelming.
Not least because the producers of Ambassadors, Big Talk, attempted to buy the rights to Murder in Samarkand. They invited me to, and I attended, a meeting in their offices and they had several copies of Murder in Samarkand in their office. They also had access to the original unpublished (and much longer) manuscript of the book, under its original title Should Not Be Known. For them to pretend their “Tazbekistan” comedy is unrelated does not just make them lying bastards, it is ludicrous.
I did get solicitors to write both to Big Talk and to the BBC, but unfortunately the lawyers wanted money amounting to tens of thousands to apply for a copyright injunction, and I just don’t have it.
The Independent article takes the opportunity to recycle ten year old slurs against me by the FCO, without mentioning that they were disproven.
I wonder if one of my talented commenters could design an online “poster” for Murder in Samarkand, showing the book, Mitchell and Webb or the Ambassadors logo, and the slogan “Murder in Samarkand – Now a Major TV Series”. Then we can get it everywhere we can on the web, and the bastards can try and sue me! That would turn the tables nicely.
The other extraordinary thing in the Independent article is the contention that New Labour had an ethical foreign policy, as though the tabloid humiliation and marginalisation of Robin Cook- and the dodgy dossier and invasion of Iraq – had never happened.
OT: (sorry, but) this is rather funny, don’t you think?
http://www.buzzfeed.com/robinedds/things-that-british-people-hate
Sorry, way off topic, browser hadn’t refreshed, so hadn’t read the previous, serious posts.
Wikispooks, 9 Oct, 2013 – 1:24 pm. Yes I read your two links and agree to them, but I tried once before to become party to your site but could not make the connection, whether due to my own incompetence or otherwise. How do I subscribe?
Jives at 10.02. I thought exactly the same thing before I read your pithy comment. Well spotted.
Never mind, Technicolour, after having just argued with a serious ignoramus (I can think of more colourful words but will leave it at that tonight) on the Guardian about Haitian history I enjoyed the laugh … especially the Northern Line …
Thanks.
…. and another poster (thanks Martin)
http://ubuntuone.com/6kCxdh2AmzaCA4mvAnZnWN
mitchell plus webb
armstrong and mill miller
are just a couple of sets of mi5 trained chuckle assets.
tavistock runs deep.
DoNNy
Well said…Just Fucking Sickening…and all VERY illegal…as is made plain here – Re wars of agression Iraq, Libya, Syria, Ect Ect
The United States and its coalition allies have perpetrated serious violations of international law including the breaching of the UN Charter and multiple violations of the Geneva Conventions, the US Army Field manual, and the Hague Conventions. [1]
Over 600,000 civilians are estimated to have died as a direct consequence of US President George W. Bush’s war against Iraq and its mythical ‘weapons of mass destruction.’ [2] Depleted Uranium munitions has caused birth defects on a massive scale, and will plague this ancient civilization for millennia to come.
– See more at: http://www.globalresearch.ca/iraq-war-crimes-the-united-nations-in-violation-of-un-charter-complicit-in-abetting-us-uk-aggression/5351860#sthash.YAsvSbFY.dpuf
http://www.globalresearch.ca/iraq-war-crimes-the-united-nations-in-violation-of-un-charter-complicit-in-abetting-us-uk-aggression/5351860
A Node @ 10;02
Nice one.
Jives… Spot on Dude
Ben @ 4;32 pm previous thread –
Great news site …Cheers
Thanks, Brian.
my final effort ….
http://ubuntuone.com/5QV65G5lDvquve3qXo4iU1
….good night
DoNNyDarKo
9 Oct, 2013 – 10:25 pm – well said – I agree. Libya is smashed and her people crushed, weighed down and bleeding.
Nice one A Node 🙂
Will law/s protect us from or against lawlessness?
We’ll get some traditional British justice when Ecuador drags the UK into the ICJ in re Assange. Till then it’s American-style courts with zero independence kissing CIA ass. British civil servants are America’s pasty-faced wogs.
Charlie Drake 12.18 am,
Yep indeed.
“They’re off”, as Peter Dimmock would say, “and first to leave the stalls is the Scottish colt SSE in its green and yellow colours”.
SSE to raise gas and electricity prices by 8.2%
SSE customers will see an average 8.2% rise in gas and electricity prices from 15 November, the company has announced.
SSE said the increase reflected the higher costs of buying wholesale energy and paying to deliver it to customers’ homes, plus government levies.
The price rises will affect about 4.4 million electricity customers and 2.9 million gas customers, not including those on fixed-price tariffs
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24465979
PS I am one of the 4.4 million ‘customers’ ie suckers.
In September they marched. Yesterday they were protesting outside the High Court seeking leave for a legal challenge. Decision today.
Can you believe that it is proposed to close A&E departments at FOUR major London hospitals?
’15 September 2012
Hundreds march in Ealing against A&E closures
Families came out to protest against plans to shut four A&Es in north-west London
Up to 1,000 people have marched through the capital to protest against plans to shut four Accident and Emergency (A&E) units in north-west London.
MPs and councillors joined two marches, beginning from Southall Park and Acton Park, converging in Ealing Common.
The A&E departments at risk are at Charing Cross, Ealing, Hammersmith and Central Middlesex hospitals‘.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19610426
Estimated legal fees for these good citizens please MC and Solon? I do not think Gareth Peirce or Bindmans are on hand in this case.
It is being suggested by the NHS regulator Monitor that India and Mexico can provide good examples for savings in the NHS, YCNMIU.
NHS must look abroad for new savings ideas, regulator says.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24464934
Mark, Donny and Brian. I expect you have heard that the lawlessness in Libya has extended into a 100 strong rabble kidnapping the Prime Minister.
Libya PM Ali Zeidan Kidnapped At Gunpoint
The abduction comes amid anger among powerful Islamic militant groups over a US raid that seized a Libyan al Qaeda suspect.http://news.sky.com/story/1152519/libya-pm-ali-zeidan-kidnapped-at-gunpoint
The military rabble in Eqypt are sending Morsi for ‘trial’.
Egypt: Ousted President Morsi To Face Trial
The former leader faces charges of inciting violence following deadly clashes outside his palace six months before he was deposed.http://news.sky.com/story/1152143/egypt-ousted-president-morsi-to-face-trial
‘William Hague has said Libya is “a tremendous success story” following recent elections held to elect a new government within the country.
During a visit to Tripoli, the British foreign secretary admitted that the country still faced challenges with lawlessness, but hoped that a new government would bring security to Libya.
Mr Hague also pledged that the UK would continue to provide support to the country and expected strong relations to remain between the two nations.’
Date of the above statement – 16 July 2012!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18861795
Another synopsis here:
http://www.darcylicious.com/drupal/content/our-men-2013
If I had a TV, I’d probably give it a try, in fact. Looks like the FCO’s interest is more ‘What Our Gallant Lads Are Up Against’ than ‘Let’s Diss Craig’, and as such is designed to increase its voter appeal before next, inevitable, round of budget cuts.
Craig gets a mention in this Grauniad piece on Uzbekistan.
Apols if already posted.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/09/uzbekistan-british-universities-human-rights-karimov#start-of-comments
Daniel Rich
10 Oct, 2013 – 2:27 am
Will law/s protect us from or against lawlessness?
Reading that I’d have to say, regarding the attacks on the WTC, that God was certainly gracious to Cheney and his accomplices when he so fortuitously provided them with their “new Pearl Harbor”.
@John Goss
“Anon at 1.21 p.m. The judge directs the jury. They were probably all masons too!”
And so what exactly were the judges instructions to the jury in this case?? Despite what you think the case was about trying the police officers not Babar Ahsan – and whatever you may think they are entitled to fair process even if you think that Babar Ahsan is a victim of injustice. For what its worth I also believe that there is a clear injustice (of the US legal system) in the length of time being taken to bring Ahsan to trial – but only a cretin would see this as an argument for perverting the course of justice in a case where someone else is being tried. While a serial supporter of dictators such as yourself might see no problem in subverting court processes to achieve their objectives those of us who believe in democracy do not.
While for obvious reasons I cannot sue you for libel you should note that the judge and jury now have a pretty solid case and there might even be an argument for contempt of court.
Great effort A node,should it have contact details on were to buy the book.
How about a book signing session at the nearest bookshop to their inorgural PR announcement. Such opportunity does not come along every day and you should grasp the nettle with your gloved hand. I’m sure that RT would love to come and take a shot of you signing books, maybe badger the Mitchel and Webb imporium, maybe an acidic interview fr their US viewers?
My congratulations to mitchell and webb for finding such excellent material and for highlighting the torture carried out under and machinations of the Karimove clan in Uzbekistan, not to talk of entertaining the swiss big cheeses living next door to Ms. Gulnara, oh what a laugh they had….
“We’ll get some traditional British justice when Ecuador drags the UK into the ICJ in re Assange.”
If anybody is frustrating the normal legal processes of the UK and Sweden and hence likely to be called to the ICJ it would be Ecuador not the UK. I doubt Ecuador or Assange would be daft enough to approach the ICJ.
Universal Jurisdiction UK Style July and October 2013
Alastair Burt protecting Almog and Gantz on their special missions in June 2013.
Doron Almog
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on what date he gave his consent of special mission to Mr Doron Almog in June 2013; when he gave such consent; and if he will make a statement; [164459]
(2) what recent discussions he has had with the Israeli ambassador to the UK on the cancellation of a visit by Doron Almog; and if this visit has been rescheduled. [164460]
Alistair Burt: I agreed on 24 June that the scheduled official visit to London of Doron Almog; Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Chief of Staff for Bedouin Status improvement, constituted a special mission. This visit was subsequently cancelled and has not been rescheduled.
Immunity from Prosecution
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make it his policy to refuse to consent to a special mission by a person who has been the subject of an arrest warrant; [164455]
(2) what assessment he has made of the first four months of the pilot process for the Government granting consent to special missions; how many such requests have been made seeking express consent; from which country have requests have been (a) granted and (b) not granted; whether any requests remain outstanding; and if he will make a statement; [164461]
(3) if he will make it his policy to publish all decisions to consent or not to consent to special mission as they are made. [164473]
Alistair Burt: I refer to the written statement made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), to the House on 4 March 2013, Official Report, columns 55-56WS. The Secretary of State announced a new process by which we would be informed of visits that may qualify for special mission status. The pilot process has improved the process for communicating and decision making in respect of visits that may qualify for special mission status. Since the pilot’s inception, we have received three such requests. There are no requests outstanding. In view of the confidentiality of diplomatic exchanges, we have no plans to publish decisions about special mission status as they are made. But if those applying for special mission status wish to announce the details of their visit to the UK, they are of course at liberty to do so. Each application for special mission status is considered carefully in view of both obligations incumbent upon the UK under customary international law, and our policy of ending impunity for the most serious of international crimes and a commitment to the protection of human rights. Above this, it is for the courts to decide on the legal consequences of any decision to grant special mission status.
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the allegations of war crimes committed by the Israeli Defence forces during Operation Pillar of Defense; and what consideration he gave to such allegations when considering an application for special mission by Lieutenant General Benny Gantz. [164474]
Alistair Burt: During the Gaza conflict in November 2012, we urged all sides to abide by international humanitarian law and to avoid civilian casualties. There is some evidence that the Israeli Defence Force exercised greater care in the selection of targets and to avoid non-combatant casualties than in previous such operations. However, based on various independent reports into the conflict, there remain important concerns over the proportionality of certain strikes, as well as the high loss of Palestinian civilian life during Operation Pillar of Defence.
Lieutenant General Gantz visited the UK on official state business and, as such, his visit constituted a special mission.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130712/text/130712w0001.htm#13071276000059
~~~
Burt’s replacement the smooth Mr Robertson, ex DCMS, hides behind Burt’s skirt here. October 2013.
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he was made aware of the relevance of the judicial arrest warrant for Mr Almog when granting the application for Mr Almog’s special mission. [169090]
Hugh Robertson: When the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt), decided on the application for special mission status for the visit of Mr Doron Almog, he was aware that an arrest warrant had been issued on 10 September 2005 in relation to an application for a private prosecution against Mr Almog and that it had been cancelled on 16 September 2005.
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the purpose of Mr Almog’s special mission to the UK was; which official engagements he attended during in his mission; in which capacity he visited the UK; and if he will make a statement. [169092]
Hugh Robertson: I refer my hon. Member to the answer given by the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt), on 12 July 2013, Official Report, column 429W.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131009/text/131009w0001.htm#1310101000005
~~
The original attempt to arrest Almog was aborted. FCO interference probable. Straw’s name appears again.
See London 2005 Escape http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doron_Almog
Troll issuing legal threats now I see.
Anon,
Re John Goss comment:“Anon at 1.21 p.m. The judge directs the jury. They were probably all masons too!”
You really need to brush up on your understanding of libel and law.
Thye first part of JG’s sentence is correct and the second sentence speculative,a qualified opinion.
It’d take a special fool to puruse libel over this.
Taking that one a stage further, is “mason” an inherently perjorative term? If I didn’t like bananas, and called someone a banana, would that be subject to the libel law?
Maybe I should ask a lawyer. Or stop calling people bananas.
You most wrinkled, foul mouthed, belly dragging, smelly banana, you…;)