Bob Bird's Lies

Tommy and Bob in happier days

I was somewhat surprised that Channel 4's  - Dispatches - Dirty deeds of the Tabloids, never touched on the former editor of the NOTW Bob Bird's lies to the judge and jury at the Tommy Sheridan perjury trial.

Bird lied under oath when he said the incriminating data, regarding the £200k payment to Tommy's 'best' man for the 'confession' tape, had all been lost, during an archiving clear out of documents. Bird elaborated in some considerable detail that the documents were sent to Mumbai in India and were lost somewhere on route.

As we now know this was simply not true - nothing was lost, and nothing was ever archived.

I had a chuckle when I read an old report from the BBC's website concerning the original Sheridan defamation trial when Bird was giving evidence. I had googled 'Bob Bird Lies'.

Sunday paper 'does not tell lies'

Bob Bird defended the allegations about Mr Sheridan. The editor of the Scottish edition of the News of the World has told the Tommy Sheridan defamation case that his paper does not tell lies. 

Well the paper might well not tell lies (hmm) but he most definitely does.
 



 

Gray Matters by Andy Gray

As you'll know I'm not that sympathetic to the Andy Gray/Richard Keys 'sexism' charge – I could be completely wrong, but I think 'dark forces' [aka the Supreme Being] could perhaps be behind what I see as a fit-up.

I was in a charity shop during the week.  Doing what men usually do - or say they are doing - I was looking at the books - honestly, I was. I see a book that catches my eye in the bargain basket with a familiar face on the front cover. Now those of you that frequent the charries will know that the price of books is astonishingly high. £1 for a well thumbed paperback if you are lucky, and £2 or more, for your posh hardback. Much too much, in my opinion.

Well I'm sure you will be happy for me, as the book in question was Andy Gray's autobiography "Gray Matters" - a pristine hardback copy. The 'powers at be' at Age Concern, not usually known for being in touch with popular culture, must have taken the view that Andy Gray was indeed yesterday's man; this quite excellent book, had been marked down (in a charity shop, mind) to the very reasonable price of only 20p. For such a small sum, I just had to have it - I scooped it up out of the basket. We're off on holiday on 9th February and it will be a right riveting read by the poolside.

Now here is the 'funny' bit (or at least I think so).

I get to the counter and give the lady the book with my 20p.  She peruses the book rather sniffily and then looks away avoiding any eye contact. In the silence that intervenes, I stutter somewhat nervously, "I'm not a sexist, you know" hoping to lighten up the apparent pain of the transaction. She just stares back at me without showing any emotion. "Well, I suppose you'll be needing a bag for that", she retorts. She puts the book rather gingerly in a brown paper bag and hands it to me with a look of disgust.  For goodness sake, it was as if I was buying a top shelf title such as my favourite 'Tractor Weekly'.  I retreated out of the shop feeling somewhat guilty and went across the road into Waitrose.

Tommy Sheridan and the lost emails

The fragrant Gail with her husband Tommy

I followed the Tommy Sheridan perjury trial; Tommy the former leader of the Scottish Socialist Party/Solidarity. The story has been widely reported – Tommy sued the News of the World (NOTW) for libel to do with a story alleging that Tommy was a 'swinger'; he won his case, but NOTW appealed as new evidence came to light (a video purporting to be Sheridan confessing to his former friend and Best man that he had been to a swingers club). The upshot of all this was that our Tommy, champion of the people, got done for perjury. He has now just started his sentence - 3 years in prison.

You would have thought that was that but no!

I have been also following the News International [NOTW] phone hacking scandal - it seems like the people who had their phone's hacked is a very long list.  Indeed rumour has it that many celebs feel a tad disappointed that they have not made the list! Tommy's number was in the private investigator Glenn Mulcaire's notebook – he went to jail as well but for phone hacking. But NOTW did not find any evidence to suggest that Tommy's number was hacked. Maybe he just liked collecting peoples phone numbers. Hmmm.

As I have mentioned the Supreme Being, Rupert Murdoch is in town to try to knock some heads together as the phone hacking scandal is threatening the proposed buy out of BSKYB - News Corp owns 39.1% and Murdoch wants it all.  Well, it seems the clean up act has discovered a lot more information. People have got sacked and suspended and it is now a huge story. They have admitted that they have found 'missing' emails and these have been passed to the Met for them to reopen the investigation.

Whats this to do with Tommy Sheridan?

Tommy Sheridan may be in for a bit of good fortune. For those that followed the trial they might remember that Bob Bird guy from the NOTW; he was the person who stripped to his boxers to see the incriminating 'confession' video of Tommy Sheridan shot by his former best man. Bird was the editor of the Scottish edition of the NOTW.  Sheridan's best man was paid the not inconsiderable sum of £200k for the tape by the NOTW.  Andy Coulson personally authorised the payment.

For those that can mind back to the trial Bird was asked under oath about emails and other information surrounding the Sheridan expose - but he admitted to the court that the emails were 'lost' during an alleged cock-up when they were allegedly archived out to Mumbai - the data was lost somewhere in cyberspace. Hmmm.

It turns out that Mr Bird may be back in the dock himself as it has been admitted this week that what he said was simply not true. In fact, a complete lot of tosh - nothing was ever lost, and no data was ever archived offshore - all the information remained in-house. As Bird was a senior executive he would, or should have known, about the whereabouts of the incriminating data - and dreaming up the rubbish he said in front of the esteemed judge and jury really takes the biscuit.

Its a welcome 'freebie' for Tommy's appeal when it can be shown that a key witness (the man who bought the tape) was not telling the truth in court.

Funny old world - committing perjury to help someone get done for perjury.

Andy Gray & Richard Keys 'Affair' (no I'm not being 'sexist')

What a stinker of a story

I think the whole ‘affair’ is quite honestly totally ridiculous.  If you get to the core of the matter people should remember that the taping of the 'off-air' remarks were not broadcast but 'leaked' to the media.

Why?

The Supreme Being of News Corp Rupert Murdoch was in town regarding the NOTW phone hacking scandal which threatens to derail News Corp’s buy out of the money printing machine known as BSKYB.  A few token heads have rolled - but unfortunately not that many of the management at the NOTW.  Andy Gray who worked for BSKYB (News Corp own 39.1%) just happened to have ongoing legal action against the NOTW over allegations that his live microphone was taped on previous occasions.  Now just who do you think would do such a thing?  He now joins a long list of people who will sue NOTW.  Andy Coulson walked later from No 10 as he must have got advance warning of the missing emails that have now apparently have been found again.  Surprise, surprise.

But what a total fit-up for Gray in particular.  The good news for Andy is that he has had 19 years with BSKYB at upwards of at least £1.5m pa.  He and now his pal Richard Keys are better out of it.  'Poor' Richard Keys I am afraid was collateral damage relating to the sacking of Gray.

Was it Sexism?

I consider what they said to be daft, stupid and silly; not appropriate for public consumption and/or in the workplace. But was it a hanging offence?  I really don’t think so.  Do most people who are friends now have to carefully consider what they say to one another in private?  Perhaps yes, if it is being recorded overtly (being broadcast) or covertly (taped and leaked) as in this case.

I am not making an excuse for sexism.  Like racism and religious bigotry we have had in the past it is I feel 'institutionalised'.  I believe it is the same with sexism.  More often than not it is deep rooted in the culture of the organisation/workplace; and also from people's upbringing and schooling.  These factors determine the background level, or 'acceptability', of the problem within the organisation.

Think back to 10/20/30 years, as to what were the generally acceptable norms were as to racism, bigotry, sexism, and so on; I think most people will agree we are thankfully headed in the right direction to reduce the level of institutionalised racism/sexism/bigotry.

Many folk in the street jumped right on the Murdoch bandwagon to call both Gray and Keys sexists.  Women seemed to be even more unforgiving than the men folk –you would expect that though wouldn’t you? The problem I have is that many people who were quick with the tar brush did not even know what was said.

Apologies in advance for repeating the heinous words that they dared to speak.  I really don't want to cause any offence so read no further if you are easily offended.

Keys: "Somebody better explain the offside rule to her (the line official)."
Gray: "Women don't know the offside rule."

Keys: "The game's gone mad. See charming Karren Brady complaining about sexism? Do me a favour, love."

Gray speaking to Sky Sports presenter Andy Burton, 22 January

Burton: "A female lino today, bit of a looker ... according to Steve the cameraman.  I don't know if I should trust his judgment."

Gray: "I wouldn't... I can see her from here. (Expletive] - what do women know about the offside rule?"

In mitigation, this 'sexist' tirade was off-air so few people heard it.  It was a private discussion between Gray and Keys & Gray and Burton.  But somebody taped it and shocked the world media with its dastardly content.

Hypocrites

I'm sure they'll not be much sexism at the News of the World or the Sun!  And I do find it a bit sickening when BSKYB and News International now take the moral high ground and gloat over Andy Gray and Richard Keys ‘resignation’.  'We won't stand for sexism in the workplace' and other such tosh.  Some were labelling them as perverts, or even worse.  Hypocrites the lot of them - the trashy News of the World & The Sun thrive on a diet of cheap sexploitation and lurid stories which are often just made up.  Is page 3 of the Sun sexist - I believe it is!

As an interesting aside I read that the red tops apparently had teams of journalists looking for any contacts - especially old boyfriends - of Sian Massey the assistant referee.  They were allegedly offering hefty cash incentives in return for 'raunchy shots' of the 25 year old.  But I'm sure if the get any it will be handled in the best possible taste with absolutely no element of 'sexism'.

Pot calling the kettle black.