Gordon Brown is a (tragic) liar
Gordon Brown is a tragic figure in many ways. I always regarded him as a flawed character, but much more principled than Tony Blair. Unlike Blair, he was of the labour movement, and seemed to want an end to the Thatcherism that Blair perpetuated.
Today, at Leveson, Brown was asked straight, whether (as his erstwhile friend Rebekah Brooks, claimed) he gave permission to the Murdoch press to publish details of his young son’s illness. He denied that he had, effectively calling Brooks a liar. Similarly, he flatly denied Rupert Murdoch’s claim that, in the course of a phone call in late September or early October 2009, he’d (in Murdoch’s words) “declared war” on Murdoch’s business empire when the Sun changed sides and came out in support of Cameron before the last election.
I certainly believe Brown on the matter of his son. I’m not sure (who can be?) about the phone conversation with Murdoch. But even if he did say what Murdoch claims, who could reasonably blame him?
But, I’m afraid, Brown has proven himself to be a liar, plain and simple, on a further matter: in his evidence to the Inquiry, Brown denied asking his Treasury adviser Charlie Whelan to brief against Tony Blair while he (Brown) was Chancellor.
Blair’s former spin doctor Alastair Campbell had, previously, told the Inquiry that there was a “real problem” with Whelan.
Asked by Robert Jay, Leveson’s “forensic” inquirer, if Whelan or any other advisers briefed behind Blair’s back in order to force him from office, Brown replied: “I would hope not, I have no evidence for that.”
There was “tittle-tattle”, he said, but all special advisers’ media dealings went through civil servants under tough guidelines.
Now, we all know that’s a lie. Sadly, it taints everything else that this tragic figure had to say at Leveson today, including the stuff about his son that was almost certainly true.
Shiraz Socialist 
Roger said,
June 12, 2012 at 12:05 am
Are you saying Brown and Whelan (who was certainly not the only Brownite briefing against Blair) were too dumb to have not thought about plausible deniability?
Of course Whelan briefed about Blair but I doubt there was ever any direct instruction to do so from Brown himself.
Those close to Brown were to adapt Ian Kershaw’s phrase ‘working towards the Chancellor’ – they knew in general terms what his interests were and they improvised specific courses of action that they had good reason to believe he would approve of and reward them for based on that understanding – even though in certain circumstances he might have to publicly disown them.
And let us not forget that Whelan and Co. were fundamentally in the right: Blair was breaking multiple prior commitments to stand down, this was something that was already costing Labour votes and the country and party were rightly tired of him.
Expecting complete honesty from a bourgeois politician is just setting a ridiculously high standard.
Tony Blair said,
June 12, 2012 at 2:42 pm
So Tony Blair had to go as he was costing votes – remind us who won 3 elections and who won a big fat zero.
As for the so called deal – did it even exist ? it’s Blair vs Browns word on the matter and Brown is an unreliable witness.
But more importantly a deal carving up the position of PM is not legitimate – this really sums up the character flaws of this man that he thought a coronation was his right.
ElaineS said,
June 12, 2012 at 2:21 am
Sorry, who are you? Do you know Gordon well to be able to judge him one way or other as personally as you have. I am one of his constituents and also have been in Gordon’s company on a good few occasions. Considering I am only a few years younger than him.me, like many of the older Langtonians have the same trait. After all we came through many tough times during the Thatcher/Tory years. A vast mining community that thanks to Gordon and his wonderful family who rallied round the community to help the striking miners and their families. We still have the greatest respect for our local son and know him better than anyone. He unlike the horrendous and nasty comments continues to do his best by his constituents and the charities him and Sarah support in town and around the world This I know because we see and read what he does unlike half of England who presume if he is not jumping on a plane to fly to Westminster so you can all look at his face and say “Oh! Gordon Brown is working. Strange when its us the taxpayers in his constituency that consider what he does in our town as the main job as our MP and when we need him to speak for us then he does! Not that its anyone south of the border or anywhere else thats not Gordon constituency’s business. They need to look at what their MP does and stay out of a constituent that they don’t pay for. Now for all you people who call him names etc you must be really sad people that in a world full of corrupt MPs governments there was one man, not perfect but one full of decency and integrity. Thank god he is home with us! I thank god for the Scottish people that don’t judge him by what the papers say or where he comes from and we don’t critisise his smile, his blind in one eye and certainly not his dourness. A good and decent man! I hope one day you will be in the same position of folk lying about you Shiraz, I hope you go through hell. In fact I am a great believer of what goes around comes around
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/the-real-gordon-brown-1793832.html
Tony Blair said,
June 12, 2012 at 10:10 am
The fact Gordon Brown managed to promote himself to prime minister of the UK without ever getting a single vote in England IS a matter for “South of the Border”.
He is a two faced liar driven by his obsessive ambition and sense of entitlement to seek power through the use of the dark arts – not democracy.
He is the political equivalent of the Scottish banking system – a total trail wreck for England. Shame you can’t keep him North of the Border and outside of England’s business.
As for what goes around comes around – I dearly hope this is the case and Brown gets what is coming to him.
Monsuer Jelly est Formidable said,
June 13, 2012 at 10:13 am
thick mORAN. trolling fucksponge
Jimmy said,
June 12, 2012 at 10:39 am
There is no evidence to prove Brown lied. The Murdoch’s of course do not lie. Brown was an ok guy especially for pensioners. In fact I got in the post last week my heating allowance form. £200 because of Brown. He looked after the vulnerable that was his probem.
representingthemambo said,
June 12, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Reblogged this on Representing the Mambo and commented:
Thought I would re-post this from over at Shiraz Socialist just for the sake of interest. Personally I thought Brown came across as significantly less contemptible at Leveson than most of the people who have taken the stand. He was clearly and justifibly wounded by the vile treatment he and his family had received at the hands of the Murdoch empire and on that count alone he deserves some sympathy. The article makes the point that Brown denied briefing against Blair when the two were Chancellor and PM respectively, and therefore he is a liar. I’m not so sure. Firstly, there was nothing wrong with briefing against Tony Blair. Brown’s cabal wer ruthless but I think they were a lot less obnoxious than the Blairites. Secondly, I’m sure that Brown himself didn’t brief against Blair and left it to his minions to do it in such a way that Brown could never be held directly responsible. So he is telling the truth, after a fashion. Brown is a complex, flawed character, and has a lot to answer for, but the reality is that the vicious way that the media in this country targeted him was motivated by their hatred of anything resembling socialism, however anaemic a socialism that might be. The attacks on Brown were attacks on the left per se, and we could do with remembering that. And for all the mistakes he has undoubtedly made and foolish assumptions of his politics, at root Brown was interested in improving the lot of those at the bottom. I’m afraid you can’t say the same for Blair or most of the other tossers who have appeared before this inquiry thus far.
Faster Pussycat Miaow! Miaow! Miaow! said,
June 12, 2012 at 9:32 pm
@’tonyblair’
Get tae fuck Sackcloth, you pathetic weasel. Just as there were Reagan Democrats, you are a Blair Tory. A vile wretch passing yourself off as a human being.
Tony Blair said,
June 13, 2012 at 9:22 am
Gordon – is that you Gordob?
Talk english you halfwit.
Monsuer Jelly est Formidable said,
June 13, 2012 at 10:13 am
utter tosspoTT
modernity's ghost said,
June 13, 2012 at 12:22 am
Looking at the Leveson Inquiry and the trail of would-be criminals, shifty spin doctors and their hanger-ons it is hard to have any sympathy for any of them, even if they do occasionally, by chance, tell the truth.
What I saw of Brown wasn’t terribly good.
He hammed it up when needed and gave out trite answers when cornered “Sarah …is a forgiving person who sees the best in everyone. ” etc
Hard to pick who is the worse scumbag Brown or Murdoch…not much in it…
Still, I have to admit when the political classes and media bicker it can be amusing, if we forget how their callous actions and misdeeds hurt real people in the real world.
Regrettably, despite Hunt lying through his teeth and giving a pathetic performance, it won’t bring the Tories down as it should, as Cameron needs him as a human shield.
Faster Pussycat Miaow! Miaow! Miaow! said,
June 13, 2012 at 9:13 am
@’tonyblair’/sackcloth
it may be stating the bleeding obvious, but as you are a notorious moron i will spell it out. the only votes ever cast for tony blair in england were in his constituency of sedgefield. Not that it is surprising none of you right wingers actually understand how the westminster parliamentary system works, as it’s to be expected from thick, vicious right wing scum.
Tony Blair said,
June 13, 2012 at 9:25 am
Gordon you really must stop ranting like a psycho – eff off back to scotland before you get a slap
sackcloth and ashes said,
June 14, 2012 at 9:50 am
‘Tony Blair’ isn’t me.
You need specialist help to deal with your obsessions.
bler4eg omceonmretatry said,
June 14, 2012 at 3:00 pm
tbf ‘Tony Blair’ isn’t the repulsive creature that is ‘sackcloth and ashes’. However, sackcloth did post under the alias ‘flange’ on this site in which he cheered an EDL attack on a pensioner. Scum.
Monsuer Jelly est Formidable said,
June 15, 2012 at 3:40 am
yes. I rememberR that one as well. a toryboy with nazi sympathies. breviekkk boy on the blergghHs and internet. a cuernT
Tony Blair said,
June 15, 2012 at 8:55 am
Speak English you halfwit. Can’t stand you cybersweatysocks.
You need to be taught some manners.
sackcloth and ashes said,
June 15, 2012 at 11:39 am
Will, I would say that you’re out of your mind, but you don’t actually have one.
Chatting to yourself with sock-puppets, obsessing over someone you’ve never met. Seek help for your problems. Now.
sackcloth and ashes said,
June 15, 2012 at 11:40 am
That’s what we call ‘slander’, you lying cunt.
bler4eg omceonmretatry said,
June 15, 2012 at 12:03 pm
So sue us you falangist little shitbag.
Tony Blair said,
June 14, 2012 at 7:43 pm
But … this place is full of posts by scum – take those halfwit scumbags clowns above with their crazy names and cretin like Scottish pidgin.
Typical Gordon Brown’s acolytes and a reflection on that lying viscious shyster .
Need to slapped all the way back to the border and kicked over it .
Scots should not have any say in England now – Labour should have to win a majority in England to govern here.
All said with a big old cheesy “call me tony” grin.
With a special shout out to the asswipes on here – big props imbeciles.
bler4eg omceonmretatry said,
June 15, 2012 at 12:27 pm
diSScourse analesis. the key werD is ‘red-brown’.
Flange said,
May 10, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Who gives a red fuck if a SWPer gets his head kicked in? So he’s 69 years old – well he’s had more time than most to get over his adolescent posturing then. There’s no excuse for anyone over the age of 25 to join that vile organisation.
Yes, the EDL are fascist scum who should be purged from the streets – but the SWP are no better. Perhaps, in fact, if Islamist red-brown filth like the SWP and Galloway didn’t exist, there might be fewer people inclined to join the EDL?
Anyone who chants “We are all now HAMAS! We are all now Hezbollah!” deserves a kicking at the very least.
Elsewhere
sackcloth and ashes said,
July 18, 2011 at 6:07 pm
Er, no, in my world I am surrounded by people I like and care for, but every now and then I go online to encounter *red-brown* scum like the SWP, and prize wankers like yourself.
Recognise the difference? Or do your lips move when you type?
sackcloth and ashes said…
‘It was a book not a pamphlet of Cliff’s that I’d vaguely remembered,’
As if that matters a damn, but at least you admit that you’re memory is hazy, and you haven’t the faintest idea of its contents…
Skidmark, if you think that being outside your sick little *red-brown* clique is a badge of shame, it’s one I’m actually proud to wear.
Now run away to Lenin’s Tomb with all your fellow swankers. This site is for proper leftists.
07 January, 2011 17:10
sackcloth and ashes said,
September 27, 2011 at 11:11 pm
It’s ‘Wight’, you illiterate swanker. And he’s as much of a *red-brown* cunt as you are.
PS: Lynne Truss’ ‘Eats, Shoots and Leaves’ discusses the proper use of the apostrophe. If you need any help with the long words, just ask us adults for assistance.
And so forth. sackcock this timE decided tOO throw in a bit of fascistic violENcce into the mix so decided to adopt the moniker ‘flange’ to protect his moar respekerble ‘sackcloth’ alias.
He is now exposed for all the werld to c.
sackcloth and ashes said,
June 15, 2012 at 4:32 pm
‘So sue us you falangist little shitbag’.
‘Us’?
This is Jim Denham’s blog, not yours, Will. You don’t contribute any posts here, just your moronic little rants in the comment boxes (written under your two separate sock-puppets).
Besides why should I sue you? How would you settle the damages – with cans of Ace lager?
pm
‘diSScourse analesis. the key werD is ‘red-brown’’.
Yeah, because I’m the only person on tinterweb who’s ever used that term, you stupid fucking tool.
Tell you what, Einstein, why don’t you ask Jim to do a check on the IP addresses and see if they’re the same? Mind you, he’d probably tell you to fuck off and stop wasting his time.
TouchingSashCloTH and Bashes said,
June 16, 2012 at 7:23 am
hellO. I am an eedjiot HP Sauce grouPie who likes to gobble TooooBe’s bishOP while spurting my own personal anAl Leakage all over internet Bloghouses in green lectric ink.
Damien McBride said,
June 16, 2012 at 12:51 am
Gordon had no involvement – he had no IDEAS – there were only 3 people in the office – how can you expect him to keep track on that scale.
Gordon is innocent – there should be no question of legal action murdoch – even if you have proof – Gordon is a good and decent man – he was only a vicious lying bastard because his moral compass demanded it.
Damien McBride said,
June 16, 2012 at 12:59 am
Gordon was a champion against the sassenach.
Faster Pussycat Miaow! Miaow! Miaow! said,
June 16, 2012 at 3:06 am
@LicksHPsArsecrack
Renowned sock puppeteer demands an IP address check. Splendid idea that, although there should be something riding on the outcome of this.
How about if you are wrong you disembowel yourself in the car park outside your local Morrisons? Richard Hamster Hammond (who is not really a hamster) could push you around in a shopping trolley dunching in to things. Failing that you could promise to fuck off to HP Sauce and never return. You’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya punk?
sackcloth and ashes said,
June 19, 2012 at 4:35 pm
It’s a deal, Will. And when you lose, you can do the human race a favour and drink yourself to death:
sackcloth and ashes said,
June 19, 2012 at 7:45 pm
Actually, let’s make it count. If you’re right (and you’re not) and the IP addresses match, Jim D can ban me from Shiraz. If the addresses don’t match, he can ban you.
You won’t be missed.
Fasterpussycat Miaow! Miaow! Miaow! said,
June 19, 2012 at 11:30 pm
@shitclagsandarses
I am not Will you plank. Also, as usual, you have things arse about – if they *don’t* match you fuck off.
‘Bring it on’ as the slack-jawed poujadist yokels over the Pacific like to say.
Jim, should take you about 3 minutes to settle this once and for all and then the little Tory scrote can fuck off back to HP Sauce and hang with the rest of his EDL mates.
sackcloth and ashes said,
June 20, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Prepare to disappear from Shiraz like a turd down the U-bend.
Jim – Will has agreed to be banned when you find the IP addresses don’t match. Needless to say, I don’t expect him to be man enough to apologise for his smear.
Monsuer Jelly est Formidable said,
June 16, 2012 at 7:20 am
I refer the honourable blerggHh cooMmentayrtors to my previous statements on the matter at hand:
Monsuer Jelly est Formidable said,
June 16, 2012 at 3:44 pm
http://m.npr.org/story/155106232?url=/blogs/money/2012/06/15/155106232/the-karl-marx-mastercard-is-here-it-needs-a-tagline
For when you are short of kapital.
Red Spawn Rising said,
June 17, 2012 at 10:34 pm
Progress boo hisses – get tae f.ck out.
Th’ reason wa we tint th’ election is we arenae electable when we lie loch ‘at. tae th’ tune ay th’ a body nil tae th’ arsenal sang go left – we want a brain nEw dole.
Fasterpussycat Miaow! Miaow! Miaow! said,
June 21, 2012 at 3:13 am
@sackcloth
You really are too stupid for words. You were insisting they are they same and now you are insisting that they are different … Because that proves they are the same.
I should pity someone like you who lives in the delapidated and falling apart shithouse that is England … But I don’t.
When we see you fat red-faced sweaty pigskins staggering about, shouting at people in Charlie-Chan speak it’s a mystery how you scum ever managed to have an empire.