Great to hear that the word 'corruption' is being used more to describe Blair's methods. Words like 'spin' and 'shoplifting' are euphemisms that criminals use to make their activities sound more respectable.
Peston may have got the story from his dad, I suppose. However, he is the author of the book that first set out the full extent of Gordon Brown's burning resentment against Tony Blair. He is still close to Brown. Could this be the source of the story?
July 10, 2006 at 10:26 PM
Anonymous
said...
The BBc are saying its LOrd Levy... alegedlly
July 10, 2006 at 10:29 PM
Anonymous
said...
Maybe he got the story (defence statement) from No.10.
Another body thrown out of the sleigh. Let's hope the wolves keep up the chase and that Levy refuses to let the buck stop with him.
So there's life in the dead tree press yet then, eh Guido?
July 11, 2006 at 12:09 AM
Anonymous
said...
We don't need a complicated and expensive QANGO to oversee Political Donations. Just let each Party put half of their honors on Ebay. That way we can all see how much they cost.
Anyone catch Nick Robinson's 'live' report to camera outside the Palace of Westminster?
Just as he was speculating about police interest in Lord Levy, bang on cue, the boys in blue roared past, sirens blazing.
The irony would not have been lost even on the most literal minded, Bavarian consulting actuary.
July 11, 2006 at 12:52 AM
Anonymous
said...
I bet there are some musicians out there that are following Lord Levy's current predicament with interest. As the former owner of Magnet Records, which he reportedly sold for £10 million in 1988, there's probably little doubt some of his former artists would be fascinated by how much money he made.
July 11, 2006 at 7:05 AM
Anonymous
said...
Peston is so laboured and boring - bring back Jeff Randall
On the Today programme they spelt out the plot in graphic detail for anyone not quite up to speed:
1) Mr Noon conceals his loan to Labour 2) Mr Noon's elevation to the Lords is waved through nem con 3) A grateful Lord Gulam of Noon converts his loan to a donation. 4) 12 months later the party declares the donation
At this point he would become yet another Labour peer who apparently hands a bung to the party after his elevation; there is no evidence that the money was already in the bag before the peerage was announced. How many other Labour peers have bought their ermine with a convertible loan as security?
July 11, 2006 at 9:38 AM
Anonymous
said...
After their rough handling in the commons bbc funding debate yesterday, possibly some of the sharper tools in the bbc box might have realised the writing could well be on the wall for them, unless they at least make a show of impartiallity. Today programe this morning devoted more time to the Gulam Noon 'you put the right form in, you take the left form out', saga than they have since Levy was a lad in short trousers.
Guido, proof that the BBC read your blog religiously: the minute I'd posted the "orange" comment they changed the picture.
July 11, 2006 at 10:08 AM
Anonymous
said...
Did the BBC not bother to interview Peston for the job? I always struggle to understand what he's saying - its all 'ummms' and 'errrrs', and he has a strange vocal intonation. I'm sure he's a good and able journalist, but he's certainly no Jeff Randall.
July 11, 2006 at 10:43 AM
Anonymous
said...
Levy should be rejoicing. All he has to do is to look what happened to the other dodgy loan arranger...that paragon of New Labour virtue Mandleson. Being caught up to your eyes in sleaze seems to be the fast track way to promotion in this government. Well that and shagging the Westminster Village Idiot.
July 11, 2006 at 11:09 AM
Anonymous
said...
Does he perhaps moonlight as the Cuprinol Man? His skin does look a bit Dale Winton-esque.
I "wooden" want to be in his shoes. (Sorry).
Wonder how many collars are going to be felt on this one?
July 11, 2006 at 11:21 AM
Anonymous
said...
Biggest question yet to be asked: How did Levy find out (a) Noon had been nominated for a peerage and (b) that he had put down his loan to the labour party?
Who in Downing Street reviewed the papers and called Levy? Ruth Turner? A civil servant?
July 11, 2006 at 1:55 PM
Anonymous
said...
Poor Mr (not Lord) Noon he cannot have realised how corrupt politics is here compared to India and how giving money to the Lab Party could be construed as asking for a peerage
July 11, 2006 at 6:25 PM
Anonymous
said...
its all 'ummms' and 'errrrs', and he has a strange vocal intonation
I think coming from print he's trying to punctuate the sentence but is alas not so good at Verbal Punctuation as Victor Borge...............or he might simply be copying Sharapova
July 11, 2006 at 6:28 PM
Anonymous
said...
A desperate thank-you to anonymous 9:38 AM, without whom I would be floundering in the back of class, desperately trying to catch up. For awhile there, I was right back in Algebra, god help me.
A thousand blessings be upon you unless you're an atheist, in which case, carry on.
22 comments:
Great to hear that the word 'corruption' is being used more to describe Blair's methods. Words like 'spin' and 'shoplifting' are euphemisms that criminals use to make their activities sound more respectable.
Thanks for the heads-up - listening to it now. Is it downhill all the way now for Levy?
Peston may have got the story from his dad, I suppose. However, he is the author of the book that first set out the full extent of Gordon Brown's burning resentment against Tony Blair. He is still close to Brown. Could this be the source of the story?
The BBc are saying its LOrd Levy... alegedlly
Maybe he got the story (defence statement) from No.10.
Another body thrown out of the sleigh. Let's hope the wolves keep up the chase and that Levy refuses to let the buck stop with him.
So there's life in the dead tree press yet then, eh Guido?
We don't need a complicated and expensive QANGO to oversee Political Donations. Just let each Party put half of their honors on Ebay. That way we can all see how much they cost.
Imagine how interesting the feedback would be?
"Great seller, loving the Ermine A++++++++++"
He might be needing this linky http://www.elal.co.il/
Anyone catch Nick Robinson's 'live' report to camera outside the Palace of Westminster?
Just as he was speculating about police interest in Lord Levy, bang on cue, the boys in blue roared past, sirens blazing.
The irony would not have been lost even on the most literal minded, Bavarian consulting actuary.
I bet there are some musicians out there that are following Lord Levy's current predicament with interest. As the former owner of Magnet Records, which he reportedly sold for £10 million in 1988, there's probably little doubt some of his former artists would be fascinated by how much money he made.
Peston is so laboured and boring - bring back Jeff Randall
Is Levy really that shade of orange?
On the Today programme they spelt out the plot in graphic detail for anyone not quite up to speed:
1) Mr Noon conceals his loan to Labour
2) Mr Noon's elevation to the Lords is waved through nem con
3) A grateful Lord Gulam of Noon converts his loan to a donation.
4) 12 months later the party declares the donation
At this point he would become yet another Labour peer who apparently hands a bung to the party after his elevation; there is no evidence that the money was already in the bag before the peerage was announced. How many other Labour peers have bought their ermine with a convertible loan as security?
After their rough handling in the commons bbc funding debate yesterday, possibly some of the sharper tools in the bbc box might have realised the writing could well be on the wall for them, unless they at least make a show of impartiallity.
Today programe this morning devoted more time to the Gulam Noon 'you put the right form in, you take the left form out', saga than they have since Levy was a lad in short trousers.
Guido, proof that the BBC read your blog religiously: the minute I'd posted the "orange" comment they changed the picture.
Did the BBC not bother to interview Peston for the job? I always struggle to understand what he's saying - its all 'ummms' and 'errrrs', and he has a strange vocal intonation. I'm sure he's a good and able journalist, but he's certainly no Jeff Randall.
Levy should be rejoicing. All he has to do is to look what happened to the other dodgy loan arranger...that paragon of New Labour virtue Mandleson. Being caught up to your eyes in sleaze seems to be the fast track way to promotion in this government. Well that and shagging the Westminster Village Idiot.
Does he perhaps moonlight as the Cuprinol Man? His skin does look a bit Dale Winton-esque.
I "wooden" want to be in his shoes. (Sorry).
Wonder how many collars are going to be felt on this one?
Biggest question yet to be asked: How did Levy find out (a) Noon had been nominated for a peerage and (b) that he had put down his loan to the labour party?
Who in Downing Street reviewed the papers and called Levy? Ruth Turner? A civil servant?
Poor Mr (not Lord) Noon he cannot have realised how corrupt politics is here compared to India and how giving money to the Lab Party could be construed as asking for a peerage
its all 'ummms' and 'errrrs', and he has a strange vocal intonation
I think coming from print he's trying to punctuate the sentence but is alas not so good at Verbal Punctuation as Victor Borge...............or he might simply be copying Sharapova
A desperate thank-you to anonymous 9:38 AM, without whom I would be floundering in the back of class, desperately trying to catch up. For awhile there, I was right back in Algebra, god help me.
A thousand blessings be upon you unless you're an atheist, in which case, carry on.