Watson denies knowledge of the smear emails

Grytpype-thynne

Watson isn't the first and won't be the last to use messrs Sue,Grabbit and Run to try to put the frighteners on legitimate comment and inquiry.The fact that he has been lying doggo for the past several days is pretty eloquent; even more that he shared an office with the creature McBride.Perhaps I will get a threatening email or more likely a knock on the door from the Stasi

AndyLeeds

Let him sue then.

Wilhelm

Oh dear, some one for Christ sake put a paper bag over his head.

George Laird

Dear All

So Watson issues a lawyer's letter.

A letter that effectively goes nowhere.

What a stupid act.

Watson could have written this letter himself and saved the cost of the lawyer's fee.

This 'statement' is so poor as to appear desperate.

He should have resigned, what a fool!

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Hysteria

extraordinary - can't believe this is the end of it!

Plato

Yup, got it in one - a letter on CR paper to try and scare them off.

No dice.

Max Kaye

"Written to complain..."

So if he's not suing then its all sound and fury and he ends up looking (as he does) like an impotent fat eunuch in a harem.

RW

I hope he's got lots of money. Carter-Ruck don't come cheap.

Oops, how could I have forgotten, he'll be putting it on expenses won't he?

Michael

I have seen Iain Dale on Sky yesterday, admitting he made a mistake about Tom Watson being copied to the emails, and has said he had already put his hands up and apologised for the mistake.

TomTom

I do hope his bluff is called and Kate Garraway appears in court with her husband to discuss Chequers and we can have some real questions put to these bozos

john jones

Is this what you call an "unproven allegation". gutless. happy to smear in private but hides behind the skirts of the law in public.

RW

"Watson trying to use attack as a defence."

But he's been trained up in the same school of political thuggery as the Supreme Leader. You can't blame him for emulating his master.

The Laughing Cavlier

Well, who'd a thunk it? Does he expect the public to believe him? With his record? Seriously?

TGF UKIP

Guido having a high old time with this over at order-order.com. (NB Guido has also slaughtered the whole Watson family in the past for the amount they have milked the taxpayer for in public sector salaries and expenses.)

Gudio also quite rightly again putting the sword to the Browngraph for their abysmal Brown-nosing behaviour.

Guido is the hero in all this and makes the rest of you journos (and,especially, Fraser the rest of you Browngraph Group journos) look a bunch of loddy fodder wimps.

Inevitably and very deservedly in the past few days there has been much condemnatory comment on this site of the current condition and direction of the Daily Browngraph.

I would again, therefore, draw the attention of Coffee Housers to who makes the primary appointments at what has become The Daily Browngraph.

RW

One last thought on this hilarious development: if it ever does come to court, Watson will have to call Dolly in his defence.

O clap your hands together all ye people...

James Forsyth

TGF, The idea that Fraser is some pro-Brown wimp is one of the most absurd thigs I've ever heard in my life.

Wilhelm

What I really want to know is are bar room brawlers Damien McBride and Watson Glaswegians ?

kinglear

If he doesn't sue his credibility,authority and anything else you care to mention is ....gone.

Silent Hunter

"Well he would say that, wouldn't he".

To quote Chistine Keeler of the Profumo Affair.

Grumpy Old Man

In the face of this complete denial, I wonder if Guido will now publish the emails?

Sally Chatterjee

Odd that he feels the need to hire Carter-Ruck. Thin ice...

George Laird

Dear All

Watson’s lawyers have issued an interesting little piece.

“We have today been instructed by government minister Tom Watson, MP for West Bromwich, in connection with allegations concerning him and the emails exchanged between Damian McBride and Derek Draper relating to a proposed website entitled 'Red Rag'.”

Well that explains why they are getting paid.

Has Tom Watson any knowledge of any other website set up by Derek Draper or anyone else to smear political opponents to assist the Labour Party?

“We have today written to the editors of the Mail on Sunday and the Daily Mail to complain about the publication of the false allegation that our client had knowledge of, and participated in, Mr McBride's actions”.

This is nothing, absolutely a toothless animal, a complaint!

Are Watson’s lawyers filing a complaint with the Press Complaints Commission? No mentions here of that; are they considering their options?

“We have made it clear that our client has confirmed to us that he was not copied in on any of the emails exchanged between Mr McBride and Mr Draper”.

Was he copied in any emails from other sources regarding the smearing of members of the Tory Party or anyone else?

“nor was he aware of them or their content until their existence was first drawn to the attention of Downing Street by national newspapers, on Friday April 10. He still has not seen them”.

Who told him of their content?

Did Watson only find out information via the newspapers?

If he had other sources, who were they?

When did these sources brief him and where?

Did any junior official of his office brief him?

Did anyone who is a member of the Labour Party brief him?

Did anyone from another government department brief him?

“We have further made it clear that our client had no involvement in or knowledge of the 'Red Rag' website."

It would appear that Tom Watson like Gordon Brown inhabits a close inner circle where some members of that inner circle have been active in setting up a smear campaign against innocent people.

And both Watson and Brown each day never ever heard of the activities of what the other members of the inner circle got up to.

Watson and Brown never saw anything in writing and never heard anything spoken about it.

Not one of Brown or Watson’s staff ever heard anything about what was going on in writing or verbally either.

Every single day they both heard nothing!

I would like to see a full independent judicial inquiry and all the computers and servers seized and a forensic examination of everything done on those machines gone through with a fine tooth comb.

I am sure that Mr. Watson who sat a few feet away from a man had to resign for spreading lies would have no objection.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Mike, Brighton

I think we should have a whip around and file the FoIs for all Watson's emails to/from Damien McBride. Should make interesting reading. Unless of course Watson has something he'd prefer not to be published.

Carter-Ruck or not it simply beggars belief that Watson did not know what his mate McBride was up to on the next desk.

Acer

It's all nicely fenced in - it's about this batch of emails, nothing else. Not a word on possible other emails. Not a word on whether he ever talked about the smears. By the way, what steps were taken to secure McBride's computer after his resignation?

Boudicca

So he wasn't copied on the emails or aware of the emails or their content.
He had no knowledge or involvement in the Red Rag website.

------------

So he may have known that A website had been created. He may have known the intended use of the website.
He may have known the kind of smears which were to be put into the public domain - or maybe even the detail.

But didn't know when, the specific website or that the smears were in draft form and being emailed.

Doesn't sound very convincing to me. As the Minister for the Civil Service, why isn't he asking the Police to prosecute McBride for Misconduct in Public Service?

TrevorsDen

Plausible deniability coming into the frame.
Wikipedia (I know) has a good definition.
"...the denial of blame in loose and informal chains of command where upper rungs quarantine the blame to the lower rungs. In the case that illegal or otherwise disreputable and unpopular activities become public, high-ranking officials may deny any awareness of such act or any connection to the agents used to carry out such act."

He works in the same office as McBride - boozes with him - so no need for emails and if they spoke in generalities then he can say he did not know of a red rag website or of a specific 'plot'.

If he knew nothing he is incompetent. as a tax payer I want my money back.

With so many blind eyes in Downing St its no wonder the country was driven over a cliff.

Bluebottle

Do they think that we can't spot the lawyer's weasel words: "We have made it clear that our client has confirmed to us....". Their client could have confirmed to them that the moon is made of green cheese, but that wouldn't make it edible.

Lawyers write what they are paid to write (this time by the taxpayer). If it turns out that Watson did know but instructed CR differently, then the lawyers have wriggle room. Looks like CR haven't actually seen any evidence of the minister's non-involvement.

A pretty desperate attempt by Watson; do we give him days or just hours?

Anon

Carter Ruck's choice of words is perhaps interesting(and presumably carefully chosen): "We have made it clear that OUR CLIENT HAS CONFIRMED TO US that he was not copied in" - instead of the more succinct 'Our client was not copied in...'
It doesn't seem that Messrs CR have the greatest confidence in their client's instructions themselves.

strapworld

This must spell the end of the Dacre/Brown love in!! OR Dacre will have to go!

The Mail returns to the Tories big time!

Ken

Glad he's consorting with CarterRuck. Private Eye will be rubbing its hands.

As for the "complaint" , expect both papers to be concise:

"We refer you to the reply given in the case of Arkell v. Pressdram"

Paul L

Hello Silent Hunter

Sorry to be a pedant, but it was Mandy Rice-Davis who said "Well, he would, wouldn't he?"

Still a great line though!

Chuck Unsworth

Crass, politically. Legally inane, and expensive (are we picking up the tab for his vanity?). Note the narrow detail of his position - as always, it's the fine detail which will get him.

Did he clear this with Brown? Did he really want to draw yet further attention to the farce? Does he not understand that sometimes the best thing is to do nothing? He's obviously off balance.

Where's the writ?

TGF UKIP

James, read again. Didn't quite say that even though freely confess I was pulling Fraser's plonker.

My Browngraph Group comments hold good as do those relating to your ultimate boss, Andrew Annabel.

Penlan

When in a hole,stop digging,would be the advice I would give to Watson.

If the Mail tells him to upstuff himself and he doesn't sue,then his reputation is shot.If he does sue then the saga continues and he has some nasty hours to look forward to in the witness box.

Ray

"You'll be having a letter from my solicitor tomorrow morning", a feisty old Labour councillor used to rage across the chamber when goaded.

"I've got a drawer full of your solicitor's letters!" his Conservative opponent used to smirk back unfazed.

London Calling

Mad Men...Mr Draper...you couldnt write the script.

Watch this space...

Here come the Girls...

Tiberius

Your sense of humour will get you into trouble one day, TGF.

BTW is your political wing off writing material for a new anti-Cameron blog?

;

Ronnie

Who are all these pale, chubby guys?

Ivy Eileen

"We have made it clear that our client has confirmed to us that ...".

This is (legal) piffle. So - no verification, no evidence in support, pure unsubstantiated piffle. A crude attempt at applying the "frighteners". Carter Ruck are in danger of allowing their credibility to be open to question. Private Eye must have a cupboard full of these things.

TGF UKIP

Chuck Unsworth puts his finger on a very interesting point - who is picking up Carter-Fuck's bill. Watson or the Labour Party? In no way can this be considered a government issue and therefore yet another huge bill from the Watson family for the taxpayer.

The more Watson bleats, the more ammo Guido will have.

TGF UKIP

You acting as front man for Andrew Annabel's heavy mob, Tiberius?

And who needs a new anti-Cameron blog when there's more than enough serious misgivings voiced daily on this oh so Tory of Tory blogs.

TrevorsDen

I do not think anyone is saying that Watson was copied in. Iain Dale has clarified that I think - so basically this is a statement about nothing.

But as a Tory I do not care and I doubt that I would if I was a floating voter. Draper McBride Watson Brown etc have just given me a gold plated reason to shut them out, given me a clear nod to just say I do not believe a word you are saying.

From now on they are just pissing in the wind.
'See that hand? Talk to that'
'Am I bovvered?'

TrevorsDen

Oh TGF - you really are sad and desperate.
Do you really think treating people as though they are even thicker than Brown thinks we are is going to win you any friends?

Trumpeter Lanfried

He isn't going to sue. When they have instructions to sue Carter Ruck don't 'complain' to the alleged wrongdoer. They use the word 'defamatory', demand an apology and threaten proceedings.

Polly Gamma

I didn't realise Benny Hill had changed his name and gone into politics[sic]!

Hysteria

BTW is your political wing off writing material for a new anti-Cameron blog? ?

I prefer to think of her as the militant wing actually - more direct, should not be used all the time, but sometimes is required to force a point home!

Emil

Ah, the Geoff Hoon Defence.

Never before has there been a government where ministers know nothing about anything, with the possible exception of filling out their expenses claims.

James Forsyth

TGF, Apologies if I over-reacted. But I'm still irritated by people on another thread accusing Fraser of being lazy. The man is a Stakhanovite and someone who has never bent to McBride and his ilk so when people unthinkingly accuse him of being lazy or a Brown patsy I tend to get rather cross.

biggestaspidistra

Who's paying for Carter-Ruck? Is it a legitimate reimbursable expense like stamp duty?

JohnAnt

'You know my methods, Watson.
Apply them.'

Fergus Pickering

Well really this is going very well, better than I could have expected. One hardly has it in one to be ill-natured. Fat men, aren't they? Blair's bastards were thin men. Anything in that?

Thortung

Isn't it interesting that Easily have revealed the registration address of "Ollie Cromwell" for redrag to be the House of Commons?

Surely the registration payment made can be traced?

HJ

Would you please leave Tom Watson alone?

He is the "Minister for Transformational Government" and thus is a very busy and important person. Why do you think he looks so old and unhealthy, just like the equally important Damian McBide whose great responsibilities on the taxpayers behalf have made him look like a fat unhealthy 50-year old, even though he is only 34.

www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/events/tower/tom_watson.aspx

James Forsyth

TGF, At the risk of becoming a bore on the subject, I hope you've seen this on Guido:

"It is actually hard to name journalists who can hold their heads high. Peter Oborne - seen as an eccentric maverick, Martin Bright - hounded out of a job by Brown’s henchmen, Fraser Nelson - frozen out by Downing Street despite being Britain’s most widely read politcal columnist. Who else stood up to McPoison is not and revealed his text message terrorism

http://www.order-order.com/2009/04/the-lobbys-shameful-complicity-in-mcpoisons-reign-of-terror/

TGF UKIP

James, I know full well that Fraser's distaste for Brown and his gang is as strong as any Coffee Housers and as for him being lazy I'm amazed that anyone could think or say that.

Indeed, I'd be greatly surprised if he didn't get a frequent bollocking from Mrs F for spending so much time blogging instead of with her and young RR.

However, I do freely confess that sometimes my winding up does go too far and that this was probably one of those occasions so my humble apologies to Fraser.

andy

There is something rather fishy about Tom Watson a Government minister agreeing with every recommendation that a large, well-known charity is asking the Government to act on in its campaign report, and something even fishier that this report is being given high billing in the said Government minister's blog. Welcome to the cosy world of Antonia Bance of Oxfam and Tom Watson of the Cabinet Office. If you read carefully the congratulatory messages Bance and Watson send each on their blogs, you will no doubt notice that these 2 valiant souls are fighting not just the Tories, but their more immediate enemies: the Blairites. Tom Watson has his podgy finger in every pie....

TrickyDicky

Where's Lord Hutton when the Labour Party need him? He's sort this mess out....