Rothschild v Osborne
The first thing to say about Nat Rothschild, whom I've met a couple of times, is that he is a tenacious, steely individual - who does not make allegations lightly.
He's also extremely well-heeled, having made hundreds of millions of dollars as a partner of the New York hedge fund, Atticus.
Also I would not have described him as a Labour supporter.
So these allegations are not going to vanish into thin air as quickly as they've come.
I'd be amazed if Nat Rothschild were to retract what he's said.
Now, Rothschild's great friends include Oleg Deripaska, the Russian billionaire, Peter Mandelson and George Osborne, the shadow chancellor.
Osborne stayed with him over the summer in his house in Corfu, when there was quite a gathering of the powerful and well-heeled: Rupert Murdoch's yacht was moored by the house, along with Oleg Deripaska's
Now, the allegation is that during that time Mr Osborne discussed a possible donation by Mr Deripaska to the Conservative Party.
The sum in question was £50,000.
The Tories have said they did not solicit such a donation. I suspect that much will hinge on that word, "solicit" - whether the donation was sought or simply offered.
What I have learned is that there were witnesses to these conversations.
And that if push came to shove, this won't be a case of the word of one man, Nat Rothschild, against that of another, George Osborne.
At least one of these witnesses would be prepared to support Nat Rothschild's version of events, were it ever to come to court.
I'm 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~04~RS~)
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Some friend !!
It would seem to me that he prefers to keep people about him of influence and wealth and play the two off against each other.
But the end game is the appearance of even more influence
Its a game as old as the hills, the " Prince " rides again.
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Wow bob this is blatant even for the BBC.
What next? Pictures of Cameron is his pants?
Have you got bored of being accused of manipulating the market by using price sensitive information and tried to do something different?
Jesus get a job at Heat magazine.....
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Come on Robert
There is so much going in the financial world at the moment and all you can report is a bit of tittle tattle worthy of the red top sunday papers. Pathetic !!
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this game has been played before and played to death, party funding is a minefield and needs regulation.
the only problem this story shows is that every party is corrupt, self interested and greedy organisations that should no longer have a role in todays society.
or at least a system be placed where an indipendent group can keep tabs on them.
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What has this got to do with Business? Robert shouldn't you be entertaining us with some grim business news information? Oh i see £50,000 donation may impact the economy conservative spending etc etc.... Gotcha.
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Robert - I am wrong to think this is pure party politics you are doing now.
£50k to the Conservative party and a he said, she said story about it.
The economy is rolling on today and there are other stories to cover. This is one for Nick Robinson.
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Dear Robert
They are all at IT, anything for a Freeby, Blair was reknown for it, SO WAS LLOYD GEORGE.
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So, the Tories are the bad guys because of a donation they never received, but Mandleson is above repute because the EU didn't find evidence against him.
Nothing like more BBC bias sent directly from Labour HQ!
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Sorry, is this not the same Russian that Peter Mandleson met on the same boat.
He seems conspicuous by his absence from the story.
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When asked why the Rothschilds had been able to accrue such enormous wealth, the great Baron replied, "We always sold too soon".
Examination of this list of Nat's pals seems to demonstrate that the current generation of Rothschilds prefers "friends" who always sell out as soon as possible when the possibility of a fast buck or a freebie presents itself.
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Oh God, it's back to the future. Mandelson hasn't been back in town 5 minutes and it's like the early days of New Labour all over again. Is this what the next 18 months will be like - briefings and smears to try and distract our attention from the collapsing economy? Something, you would think that would be of interest to a Business Editor.
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So, we are to take the word of a man who made millions from running a hedge fund? A man who has benefitted from the ineffective regulation of the finance industry as introduced by the Labour Party? A man who would, no doubt, take advantage of his relationship with Peter Mandelson, the new Business mandarin of the Labour Government. A man who would be delighted if that relationship were to continue past the next General Election?
And you don't think that this is just another Mandelson tactic to deflect attention away from himself?
Really, Mr Peston, you can be quite foolish sometimes. Or, perhaps, I am just being cynical?
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Not in power yet and already the sleeze has started. Poor old Tory toffs with their begging bowls outstretched to Red Russia- Laugh or cry?
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I don't understand why you, as business editor, are writing about this Robert.
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"I love the smell of smokescreen in the morning - It smells like... Victory !! "
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MR PESTON ...ARE YOU INSANE!!!!!!
WHO HAS ALLOWED YOU TO EVEN MENTION THE NAME "ROTHSCHILD" , REAL MEANING IS "RED-SHEILD", ON THE BBC.
REMEMBER THIS STATEMENT IN 1790 BY THE ROTHSCHILD WHO OWNED/RAN THE BANK OF ENGLAND.....
"LET ME ISSUE AND CONTROL A NATIONS MONEY AND I CARE NOT WHO WRITES THE LAWS"
OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!
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Oh dear, Robert - you'd just managed to lift yourself into the upper echelons of UK journalism, and now this.
I suggest you stick to writing about the economy. If you've nothing clever to say today then just keep schtumm.
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Fishy smell, albeit I'm not sure what this has to do with BBC Business reporting, as such? Can you enlighten me please? Am I to draw a link between these allegations and the world of commerce?
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
I never previously thought of Robert Peston as the type to join a pop band, but all of a sudden I can seeing him fitting in nicely with Hearsay's current line-up.
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This story is the least of our worries at the moment.
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#3
tittle tattle indeed. A mild breeze in a tea cup. I don't know why the British press get their knickers in a twist about such things.
It is worth noting that in Greece, where all this allegedly took place, political parties are funded by (amongst other things) bribes demanded by, and paid to, corrupt tax inspectors. And no-one bats an eyelid...
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This stinks of a banking conspiracy to me!
The Conservatives start to side with the public and criticise the bankers, and suddenly the knives come out for Osborne.
It is very like when Elliot Sprizter opposing a bank bail-out, and all of a sudden he was caught with his pants down and hookers on his credit card.
I have no love of politicians, but I still trust the Tories more than a scheming banker!
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Is this not the job of Nick Robinson?
No more off the record briefings, no more spinning. I like Leopard's spots, because they never change.
Wasn't their some history between Mandelson and Osborne in Corfu as well?
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Robert,
Please stick to giving us depressing financial news about the collapse of the world's financial system that makes us want to commit suicide - not this!
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No-one gives a 'Four X' at this time.
You're the BUSINESS editor!
Get with the programme.
GC
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So what else goes on at these parties that we don't get to hear about?
Given the thinly veiled threat at the end of his letter ('keep our private parties private or I'll dump you in it too') he doesn't want it getting out...
It is clear that attending such a party will compromise a politician, the only solution is for politicians never to attend such events.
Should the tories *REALLY* have ignored their concerns over mandleson, just because Nats wanted them to?
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Astroturf for sale...
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......and the key figure in all this intrigue is?
Peter Mandelson.
This story also raises more doubts about the contacts that Robert Peston has in high places.
Bradford & Bingley.
Lloyds and HBOs.
...and now the Deripaska Affair.
Leaks, innuendos and spin via a BBC journalist. Not exactly investigative journalism more like being played the fool.
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Ignoring the knashing of teeth from the biased Tory lovers on this blog but surely shows some stupidity on the Tory side.
It was them that brought this out into the open trying to fling dirt at Mandelson - they must have known they were dirty themselves.
Its straight out of Gordon Browns book "101 things to make yourself look stupid" - just below "10p tax removal" and above "no early General Elections"
Is the next election really going to be about which party is less bad? I guess all are like that anyway I suppose.
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Name dropping again Robert? Boots not fitting again? So much for the independent journalist, or should that be with a capital 'I'? Stick to doom and gloom, that's what you are best at.
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why does robert peston keep his job with the bcc? are they not supposed to be politically unbiased?
labour (& mandelson) have previous here - that's why there is clearly a question to be asked about mandelson's involvement with this guy in his capacity as the euro business minister. yet again though, any enquiries which the labour party would rather not entertain are simply spun, either to suggest no wrong doing, or to paint others in a bad light (again, sheadloads of previous here).
i'm sure that peston would prefer his beloved labour party was just left alone to further drag the values of fairness further into the gutter (moral compass - don't make me laugh) thankfully, anyone interested in seeing the facts reported correctly has many other media outlets to view.
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Ho Hum Booby P.
Seems that unless there is the edge of a crisis, you tend to steer towards a provocative tone to try to get some heat back into a situation you can be a part of.
Why not focus instead on what happens after the bail out(s) / additional stimulus packages etc. i.e. if you are minded to be provocative, why not question closely why no-one seems to have a plan or a framework for how wholesale markets should be recreated and how the different participants should interact. something more prescriptive and less provocative.
Whether Osborne solicited or not, I still find it difficult to see what all the fuss is about the conservatives. Labour ain't good either. Hobsons Choice.
bw
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Robert, this is a disgrace! Why are you venturing onto Nick Robinson's turf? Are you outing yourself as a NuLabour supporter??
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ROTHSCHILD......
ALL I NEED TO KNOW IS A STATEMENT FREELY AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AND MANY BOOKS BY MR MAYER AMSCHEL ROTHSCHILD...
"LET ME ISSUE AND CONTROL A NATIONS MONEY AND I CARE NOT WHO WRITES THE LAWS"
THIS IS A FACT...A TRUE STATEMENT...YOU CANNOT MODERATE THE TRUTH......
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I've got it!
For all those who think this blog is a about business, forget it. Sorry to disappoint.
The common thread is how well connect Mr. Peston is. Business stories were just a side issue to the main story.
And just to let you know, it will be Sir Peston before too long, I have been reliably informed.
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You really have nothing to do this morning.
What a crap argument/story.
And if they are raising funds rather than stitching the tax payer as the Labour party does. What is the problem?
You have really reached the lows.
I think its time for you to move on and maybe join News of the world, Sun or maybe Hello.
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if these parties wish to continue playing at politics then they should grow up and learn to take responsibility for themselves and there members. going into debt just to win an election is moraly inept, and shows that party has no grasp of budgeting thus they should be held accountable to the public who supports them, and learn how to budget.
this run away train method of government will derail and cause no end of damage to the country.
each party that wishes to fund an election campaign should have a set ammount of money available to them and they must work within this budget as proof they can run a countries finances.
if they overspend they should have to explain and appologies.
this running off to obtain funds from companies and business men is offensive and corrupt thus it shouldnt be allowed by any means.
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Not sure there is a story here and, if there is, not a business one! It seems that the doubt is about a donation that didn't happen and a spat amongst so called friends. All quite usual in recent years, but the person with power is the one you barely mention, curious that or am I just being cynical?
Haven't you got more pressing issues, like the Government adopting a scorched earth policy leading to real hardship in 2010/2011 to pay for the so called Keynesian boost?
Banks being strong armed into providing debt at the same disastrous levels as 2007 as if high levels of debt had not contributed to the current problems?
I had started to enjoy your blog, a pity for you to debase it with this non story.
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Sorry, is this not the same Russian that Peter Mandleson met on the same boat.
And may (in my opinin) have received the 50k instead whilst Osbourne was dealing with sea sickness
Then gets back into government with a peerage
Oh no hold on - they were acting out James Bond and it was in fact a Poker School
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MORE rubbish from Peston and Nu Labour - your anti Tory bias and that of BBC is really on show - why not be a REAL journalist and delve into Lord????? - what a joke - Mandelsons dealing and machinations in EU.
Still, great to have Campbell and Mandy back - best present the Toryies ever will get - watch it all rebound on Brown when Mandy resigns AGAIN - as for Peston - nothing happening in business??? - boom and bust Labour - RECORD borrowing - Recession, and we get this drivel.
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Does Mandy pull your strings now, Robert?
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More government propoganda from Robert. And isn't his brief business and economics, not politics?
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£50,000 that wasn't accepted pails into insignificance to the £1million plus Bernie Ecclestone gave, got his way and was given back! And the £650k that was illegally accepted from David Abrahams but has yet to be given back. And the loans for Lordships affair. And the Smith Institute affair. And the recent Opinion Leader Research scandal.
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Before taking this too seriously remember that Robert Psetons dad (and source of many of his recent scoops) is the economist and Labour peer: Maurice Peston, Baron Peston of Mile End.
Party political bias at the BBC, never!
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I'm curious as to why so many of the correspondents here feel the need to critisize Robert Peston for his contribution to a current news story? Surely not Tory supporters? Heaven forfend.Well I think we can draw our own conclusions can't we.
The vehemence is unmistakeable. and a sure trademark.
I for one have absolutely no problem with Robert Peston adding to a current story. Isn't that what informed debate should be about.
And as Nick Robinson so rightly says, if you jump in to the gutter ( referring to the initial 'leaks' from Mr Osborne) then be prepared to get dirty.
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I am shocked and dismayed that there was no mention of how many topless/nude females were also involved (and how !!).
All of our best selling (red bannered) dailies would have gone on at great lengths about this !! Some might even provide full colour pictures of aforementioned persons in their Page 3 !!
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Wee George Osbourne may have to pay for own accomodation for his next hols. Skipping around London spilling the beans on the rich and powerful is not a good way to make friends and influence people.
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Well we can tell Mandelson and Campbell are back can't we? And Robert Peston (Business Editor, who should really look at his job description sometime), has fallen for it hook, line and sinker.
Given your actions and "stories" of the last month will Gordon be giving you your own desk in Number 10? He may as well, you don't seem to be getting your information from anywhere else at the moment.
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Fifty thousand eh.
Thats about a millionth of the amount of taxpayers money Gordon has just spent.
And it deserves a proportionate amount of coverage in this otherwise fascinating and highly relevant blog.
Whats happening with the Lehman CDS's - was it just a storm in a teacup?
Please can you get back to business, both literally and figuratively.
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Tell us something we don't know Robert.
No-one who lives in Britain actually thinks any politician is straight (except my dear old mother - bless her).
Maybe the story should have been about the fact that Nat Rothschild is from a family of Monarchists who have been manipulating European economies since the Napoleonic wars and have plundered gold with the assistance of our fine (and corrupt) Government for nearly 300 years.
The family which is so powerful it has manipulated every Government we have had since the 1800's and who made it's fortune out of wars fought by men in the name of freedom - only to be enslaved on their return by locking them into interest payments on the money they now need to borrow from those same people - who by the way did not fight, but merely profitted.
....nothing new then - George Osborne is merely following tradition.
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I get it, you did see my post regarding you're skill, or lack of it, so you decided to take action and branch out a bit.
Sorry Robert, I really am, but it's still rubbish.
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What a state this country is in, I want to get out but can't sell my house.
We are in big trouble, which famous person said 'a parcel of rouges in a nation'?
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Dear Robert
Tut tut.
I thought you were better than this. Taking your blog - a must read overt the past month - down market.
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Dear Robert,
Please tell us how one tells- on meeting someone twice- whether or not they make allegations lightly? How does one judge? What does someone that makes allegations lightly look like? Is it the shape of their skull or something?
DO tell us- it may come in useful some day.
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Please, tory supporters, resist the urge to make the same point over and over in the comments. It's very boring to read.
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Even ignoring the fact that this story is outside your brief, Robert, it is a classic case of Westminster navel gazing.
No money changed hands and therefore the story has no other substance other than a game of Politician/Tycoon semantics.
This seems to be the first instance of you straying into simply political stories so if you are to avoid potentially justified claims of political bias please explain why you haven't quoted your Rothschilds contacts in relation to the Mandelson side of the story? Either both are relevant to your brief or, as I believe, neither are.
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Why is nobody asking what the lovely Peter's relationship is with Deripaska, is it possible they're "just good friends" ? Whatever the relationship, it is hardly fitting for a cabinet minister, I seem to remember another cabinet minister who lost his career because he was " friendly " with the same woman as a Russian; he wasn't even" friendly " with the Russian. Mandelson seems to be followed by muck and corruption.
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Why does today's comment list make me think there's a three-line whip out to get the Tory attack dogs savaging the messenger rather than dealing with the message? I'd love to see the GCHQ email log for 30 Millbank today.
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What is especially disgraceful is that the BBC's business editor is pursuing this political tittle tattle the day after the worst public borrowing figures since 1946 were announced. Which is the bigger story Robert? A donation which was never made to an opposition party, or the simply dreadful state of the nation's finances?
Robert, you are blatently showing your true colours as yet another BBC NuLabour apparatchik!
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You boys are just upset that Sophie Raworth showed more bottle than both of you put together, and now you are trying to catch up !
Keep up, boys, keep up !
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Another Labour stooge 'Outs' himself at the BBC.
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Business is not undertaken by companies, and politics is not undertaken by political parties.
In each case, PEOPLE are the activists.
George Osborne aspires to be in a psoition to control public spending, and to influence the outlook in all aspects of the economy; his personal integrity IS important, and all earlier posts which belittle the significance of this story miss the point.
George Osborne got into the gutter, to reveal the contents of private conversation [with Peter Mandelson] at a private party [hosted by Nat Rothschild], and seems surprised that he has become soiled.
I strongly suspect that Osborne will have to go, and - as with almost all political scandals (including those of Mandelson and Blunkett) - it will be the denials and cack-handed attempt at a coverup that will do for him, rather than the original 'offence'.
He probably did nothing wrong, but denying having done anything at all - when there are wtinesses - is likely folly.
As to Mr Rothschild's credibility, I feel more inclined to believe someone with hundreds of millions of pounds of personal wealth (and who therefore has little to lose, or indeed gain) than a money-seeking politician.
How long until someone brings up the subject of state funding of political parties...?
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I suppose we should be grateful he is not talking about nationalisation of the building industry.
I still remember what happened to B and B.
It is easy to close a company very difficult to replace the lost jobs and services.
And of course competition will fall for deposits.
Especially with the high paying internet banks being frozen.
And the number of bank branches will fall in cost cutting and closures.........
Expect long queues ....
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A couple of points Mr Peston;
First, why is this story relevant to you as Business Editor?
Second, Mr Osbourne has been the most active in asking for an inquiry regarding your source for the bank's bail out story you wrote about a couple of weeks ago. Rightly so, as a number of FSA rules were breached by whoever leaked the details. Surely then it is sensible to conclude that you have a conflict of interest in running this Osbourne story.
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#58, kaybraes
Mandelson was NOT a Cabinet minister at the time.
How would you feel if everyone you had EVER had dinner with (or even spoken to at a private party) was to be held up as an example of your fitness to hold on to a job, possibly years later? (I know that I would not enjoy that level of scrutiny.)
Analogising to the Profumo 'Affair' is just plain silly...
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#55, Dorte2
Look in the mirror, and trust everyone else....
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Ref: #59. At 11:43am on 21 Oct 2008, FiniteResources wrote:
Why does today's comment list make me think there's a three-line whip out to get the Tory attack dogs savaging the messenger rather than dealing with the message? I'd love to see the GCHQ email log for 30 Millbank today."
That sounds like paranoia. I am an ordinary member of the public (albeit a Tory voter) blogging from my home in Worcestershire. I am outraged that the BBC Business editor should blog on this political tittle tattle (which is fair enough for Nick Robinson) instead of concentrating on the big business story, which is the worst public borrowing figures since 1946. That just has to be down to pure, personal bias by Robert Peston, yet the BBC is supposed to be impartial.
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Finite resources @ 11:43
No three line whip required and not of all us reviled by this are Tories. Bear that in mind. If it looks like a pig, smells like a pig and oinks like a pig then the chances are it's a pig.
This has got the Prince of Darkness written all over it and the thing that you need to understand is that to achieve mastery of the dark arts you need two things: 1) Someone to brew the poison and 2) A willing journalist and editorial team to spray it around.
If 2) had a little more integrity and acumen then the dark arts would not have the atmosphere to breed.
Unfortunately Pesto is out of his brief on this one and has fallen, blindly (we hope), for the bait.
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Robert,
As you are citing your personal experience of Nathan Rothschild to support your blog, would you be so kind as to expand on when and where you have met him, and how you come to know him well enough to make such chacter judgments ?
I have heard mention else where of some link to a shady organisation called 'common purpose'.
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Never mind the fact that Gordon Brown is making up statistics on the hoof to support his false claims about reducing national debt (national debt rises, but hey don't worry, we'll just take out the banking liabilities and pretend they don't exist).
And all this after he has the cheek to criticise banks for off balance-sheet liabilities; ignoring the fact he's excluded the PFI and public sector pension liabilities from the government debt for years.
But hey, don't worry, a non-donation bit of counter-spin from the Mandleson camp that can be used to try and paint the Tories as sleazy is clearly far more significant than our economy going to the dogs under Labour.
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Hi, my name is Robert Peston and I've met one of the Rothschilds you know! Big deal - get over it.
Are you angling for a society gossip column now that interbank rates are coming back into line and the financial feeding frenzy has ground down?
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This article has indeed plumbed new depths. I had a comment deleted in an earlier RP thread for being offensive to RP. It is quite apparent that I was nowhere near offensive enough.
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all parties need money fo elections and when poper scheme is agreed there is bound to be fringe donations
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BBC: Robert Peston's blog: Keep up-to-date with the latest business analysis
Here's an actual business story Robert:
BBC: Factory gloom 'worst since 1980'
Declining demand for UK-manufactured goods and falling output cause the sharpest single quarter fall in manufacturing confidence in 28 years.
How about a story from the dirty world of 'making things' rather than the dirty world of 'making things up'.
Did you write this story here because:
"During his time as Political Editor he memorably fell out with the then Downing Street Press Secretary Alastair Campbell who regularly mimicked Peston's habit of flicking back his hair and once responded to a difficult question with the words: "Another question from the Peston school of smartarse journalism." (Wikipedia)
Couldn't you not stop yourself?!
GC
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Assuredly we'll be reading about Pesto's knighthood in the New Year.
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So a Tory has a go about some of your reports affecting the market...then this.
Oh Dear.
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There was a time when BBC journalism stood for something.
Stick to economics - in case you hadn't noticed its a big news item at the moment.
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Umm arn't you the business editor?? What does this have to do with business..theres that little thing of the credit crunch and the recession going on don't you know?
Or are you angling for Robinson's job? You seem to have the 'inside-line' so to speak already after all...
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Its is not your position to pass comment on what Nat Rothschilds personality is llike you should just report the news as it is. I thought your area was business not this nonsense. The public know this is just Mandelson dripping poison to pay G. Osborne back who caught him out on a much more serious issue. I feel if you and the BBC do not start reporting fairly the public will stop listening.
I dont know anyone who thinks that even if G. Osborne went for a donation its as serious as a PM who constantly tells untruths and is never pulled up by you or your colleagues for it.
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the big story of the day is its pay up day for the 340 billion of credit default swaps on Lehmans. Which is a lot of money for anyone to find right now?
still if yapparrazzi stories pass for business at the bbc these days....
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Robert said...
'He's also extremely well-heeled, having made hundreds of millions of dollars as a partner of the New York hedge fund, Atticus.'
Robert...you betray yourself with this line. How shallow of you to judge people by how many millions they have made. I don't suppose the surname had anything to do with it (the millions or your deference).
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Leave the Politicians at it! Yachts, billionaires, hedge funds, political donations, I'll stick to camping in the rain.
21st is d-day on Lehman CDS is it not?
Expalining this article to us would be most welcome.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/99527-settlement-auction-for-lehman-cds-surprises-behind.
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Well done Robert.
Mr Mandellson's Poodle Rides Again!
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How journalism works: George Osborne aks for Robert Peston (for it is he) to be investigated over his reporting of the banking crisis. Peston not happy about this. Peter Mandelson, Master of the Dark Arts, knows Peston well and knows he is upset about Osborne. So Mandy gives Robert an off the record briefing about Corfu allowing Robert to get his own back on that interfering Osborne. The BBC and Government ministers working together hand in hand - the true legacy of New Labour....
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So commenting on the fact our output has fallen to their worst levels since the 1980s wasn't worthy of our business attention today.
There is an implication of wrongdoing and that is all at this time. I think they all need to calm the hell down before they get themselves into more trouble - and the BBC needs to reflect on it's reporting and it's impartiality
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Why has the story broken today?......I wonder what bad news the government wants to be deflected!
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I gather from the blogs that Osborne has asked the serious fraud office to investigate broadcasting of certain issues relating to the financial crisis.
Shouldn't you be clear the there is a conflict of interest here Mr Peston?
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Although interestingly, if one is being investigated by the FSA (over one's wild and uncontrolled journalism which adversely affected the markets), and a certain shadow chancellor is encouraging that investigation, would it not be a fine idea to begin smearing that shadow chancellor?
And I always thought the dark arts were the preserve of the politicians.
Not any more they aint.
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New Labour spin doctors please note:
When you wish to plant political gossip stories you 'Press 2' to get through to Nick Robinson.
If you want to plant a business related story (such as a leak about unstable banks) you 'Press 4' for Robert Peston.
Please plant your story with the correct person next time.
Thank you.
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#53
"We are in big trouble, which famous person said 'a parcel of rouges in a nation'?"
It was a poem by Robert Burns but he was talking about his fellow Scots. The whole text is apposite:
"Fareweel to our Scottish fame,
Fareweel our ancient glory;
Fareweel ev'n to the Scottish name,
Sae fam'd in martial story.
Now Sark rins over Solway sands,
An' Tweed rins to the ocean,
To mark where England's province stands-
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!
What force or guile could not subdue,
Thro' many warlike ages,
Is wrought now by a coward few,
For hireling traitor's wages.
The English stell we could disdain,
Secure in valour's station;
But English gold has been our bane-
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!
O would, or I had seen the day
hat Treason thus could sell us,
My auld grey head had lien in clay,
Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace!
But pith and power, till my last hour,
I'll mak this declaration;
We're bought and sold for English gold-
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation! "
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Robert,
Ouch - you seem to be taking a thorough beating today. I must say that I agree with the general opinion. Stick to business - stop writing this rubbish.
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So Mandelson rides again. Yawn. Please Robert, do return to analysing the economy!
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Oh dear Mr Peston. Can you actually see the stings connected to your body, let alone the puppeteer operating them? Whats all this to do with you? I wonder.
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Unbelievable that this blog is still at the top of Peston's Picks. Here we have some real business news:
1. Worst PSBR figures since 1946.
2. Factory gloom worst since 1980.
3. House sales slump 53% from last year.
And what does the BBC's illustrious Business Editor major on - some political tittle tattle he should leave to colleagues such as Nick Robinson.
Now what does that tell us about Robert Peston's political leanings? I used to take Peston seriously, but no more!
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Why on earth is this your story. You are just appallingly prejudiced against the tories and should go now.
The puff on Rothschild is disgraceful. It basically calls osborne a liar. Your peerage cant be far off.
Get back to business where at least you have 5% understanding
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Sorry, Robert, I cannot believe you are seriously spending time on this rather grubby little story. It is a mildly interesting example of political mudslinging, as well as an unedifying indication of the sort of company that politicians if the two main parties keep.
Apart from that, I think I would rather our license payers' money was spent on reporting serious financial and political issues - there are just one or two around at the moment.
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> The sum in question was £50,000.
Hm... that's about the same that this "credit crunch" has cost me. Shame really - I could have had so much more fun for that money if I'd just given it to George Osborne at one of my home-brew parties!
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Oh dear.
Couldn't possibly be a bitch spat with someone who is asking for you to be investigated for (allegedly) announcing price senstive information without going the proper channels (hint: look up RNS)
You wear your partisanship slightly too obviously, even for the BBC.
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Erm, business and economic news, anyone? I'd say leave this for Nick Robinson to report...
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The comments regarding Robert are again unfair.
How sad it is that the first time we get a journalist who says it how it is - and the powers that be turn on him.
Still going on about how Robert manipulates the markets and the financial system are we?
What is it - you simply cannot accept the fact that it's families like the Rothschilds who have been manipulating the financial system in this country for decades.
Jokers the lot of you - fighting about Red vs Blue when all the time the same people are walking away with the wealth.
Divide and conquer - and 80% of the people on this post have already been divided and conquered.
Suckers.
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Oh dear Robert you certainly know how to upset Tory supporters. They cannot think about losing the next election, they are just peeing themselves.
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Following Osbourns poor performance recently - this has given him a real boost.
He come over as clear and confident - dismissing side issues, focusing on the issue in point and answering them etc...
Superb performance - well done George!
Mandy lookes slimier than ever.
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#87 - "I wonder what bad news the government wants to be deflected!"
Well, there seems to be a choice of two:
1. Factory gloom worst since 1980
2. House sales slump 53%.
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Hmmm... Interesting. However, even more interesting is The CDS market.
The CDS market is not regulated. [YET!] Hence, there is little if any, in margin requirements. Even 1% in margin equates to 550 Billion dollars - capital that CDS sellers [insurers] cannot afford to lock up in these times. So explain that in terms of Mandy economics
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I'm shocked that the BBC is as usual trying to blow an anti-Conservative story out of all proportion!
Top story on the BBC, which frankly looks like a tabloid when it comes to editorial decisions.
This is a nothing story, created purely as a cheap counter to Osborne's attack on Mandy earlier this month.
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Step back out of the box, folks. After a few weeks where classic capitalism has taken a pasting second only to the collapse of communism (and thank the Lord for that, or you'd have had soup kitchens in Stepney again), we need to set sail in a more moderate direction.
As some of you have said, Robert is the son of one of the last of an endangered species, the Socialist Economist. At the moment, politics is dominated by Thatcherite conservatives, and there's bugger-all difference between Tories and nu-Lab, or at leastr insufficient to matter.
On the other hand, we came to a fairly conclusive decision here about a week back that if the UK's going to hold together, we need a greater degree of social responsibility in its leadership. That's why I sent him in search of Tony George, another of his Dad's erstwhile academic cronies, and close to Rahere's family too, to start forming your thinking about what it actually takes. And that's what this is about, clearing some of the deadwood so you begin to understand a bit about what real world politics is to do with, the art of the economically possible, not of Hackneyed daydreams.
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A secret party on a Super Yacht. British MPs. Billionaires, bankers and bribes.
Even a Rothschild thrown in for good measure.
David Ike would go mental for this story.
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This story is pathetic. Has the writer run out of so called "exclusive" and "what I can now reveal" gloom and doom type nothing stories? He has now turned to tittle tattle playground stuff. Grow up man.
As for well heeled - whats well heeled about gambling?
As for the BBC - why are you so afraid of the tories winning the next general election. For years now the bias in BBC reporting towards Labour has been so overwhelming to the point of being sickening. Im not really intersted in the USA elections but again the bias pretty overpowering from you lot.
Cant you just report the news instead of trying to make it?
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I am surprised at how many people on this list do not recognise that shady elite meetings on yachts is exactly how business is done. Robert is only doing his job.
And what are you all going to do about it... vote - ha! as if that would be at all useful.
We have just donated billions to the Rothschilds in the so-called banking bailout.
Now they have the keys to your houses, they are writing your P45's and closing your factories, cancelling your healthcare. That is quite important. No?
Anyone curious to know how come Mandelson was parachuted back into the UK, without a single voter to support him, and receive an award from the establishment? This is a man connected with business in a time when businesses are collapsing left right and centre. I want to know every damn thing this person has been doing. I also want to know why they were colluding on an elite yacht when they should be defending our soveriegn interests, and why the establishment has rewarded him with a title.
Also, worth noting is that the story broke in The Times, and Rupert Murdoch was moored alongside Rothschilds yacht.
This is manipulation of the democratic process and I do not believe a measily 50 grand is the real incentive.
Robert, I look forward to your follow up whereby you reveal what was really at stake and when the army are going to be called in to bomb Corfu into the Med.
Infact if you can just print out their plans for our collective internment it would save us all a whole pile of worry. You might even be liked.
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So if there was a discussion about a donation and how it could be concealed in the presence of George Osborne he will obviously do the decent thing and resign. I'm sure that's what Dave and the New Cuddly Tories would want.
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More political trivia and dirty tricks I suspect.
Taking the emphasis off the real problems again.
Anyone in politics who can't handle their private life in an impeccable manner shouldn't be in the job.
Anyone's decision to put themselves in such a vulnerable position to be 'set up' shows a bad lack of judgement and immaturity.
It could be a blessing in disguise for Cameron.
There is no shortage of excellent candidates to take over the job.
His running mate Ken Clarke for one.
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#85
Makes up for the right wing and Murdoch's press in the 1980s then - how come the right don't like the same 'trick' being played on them as they played on the left back then, if you chose to live in a glass house it's best not to throw stones at other peoples houses in case they return the favour...
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yes robert the people on here have not realized how bad things are going to get robert, and no one cant blame in trying your hand at other things , as in a little while there will be no buisness to report on.
i have just heard on the bbc news chanel that las vegas as just lost 10,000 jobs in the last month and 20,000 homes are up for grabs, trouble no one as any money to buy them even at 50% of there reduced price.
uk internal buisness also as just fallen to its worst since 1992.
and you know where not in an offical resession yet even though it is being alredy reported.
WHERE FALLING OFF THE END OF A CLIFF PEOPLE WAKE UP
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Mandelson says, as reported on the BBC News website today "We have a very strong productive base in the UK."
BUT on the very same website we have a report stating from the latest CBI survey that "a drop in output has caused the sharpest single-quarter fall in manufacturing confidence in 28 years."
Leave politics and tittle tattle alone and get behind the really important BUSINESS NEWS.
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In reference to comments made by the one or two Labour stooges who have popped up to do their master's bidding. Seeing through shallow bias in the BBC and objecting to the miserable record of Gordon Brown and his government do not always make one a Tory. Simple.
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You cant expect the bbc to report on whats really going of. the poeple of this country have got enough on there plate, without having to know the real truth
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Where`s the beef?
Our elected officials are corrupt degenerates.
We knew that(?),and anyone with an ounce of good sense won`t be voting for them.
Shame on anyone who votes for the tri-axis dictatorship party.
I wonder what the "entertainment" consisted of?
No doubt something vile and despicable which could be used against them should the need arise.
Nice to see the al-beeb shooting their World-view in the foot!
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Do any of you 'spin' gripers understand the implications of this?
When was Nat Rostchild a piper for the Labour cause? As far as is known about him he has payed money into the Tory coffers. A more interesting angle is what was his motivation? Did he feel disgusted that long term friend Osborne undermined his generosity by leaking an off the record chat with Mandelson?
George Osborne and David Cameron are in bed with the city boys. They receive money from Hedge Funds and discuss policy with them behind closed party doors. For many years much of their money has come through American corporate/individual funding, not originally illegal. Just no one has been bothered to follow that up. Their major backer Michael Ashcroft funds the party through minor non-profitable companies. The fact that a party funded like this is not important?
A party in bed with big business does not lead to effective financial governance. At the moment all that can be expected from a new Tory government is a reduction in income tax, sometime in the future? No doubt Bush like only for the rich. What an Economic policy. I did want change from this government but the Tories are no option.
If you can't see the influence of business on politics being relevant in this climate to Peston, you lack any right to good financial governance. More needs to be made of the Tories closeness to high finance and hedge funds. Whereas Labour's light touch is now perceived wrong, the point of all this is that on economic policy the Tories offered us nothing different.
Everyone clamours for better regulation at the FSA. Then you can't be bothered on the effects of a party's policy influenced by big business. Clearly those of that disposition are clueless on how effective regulation can be acheived. Whilst you all attack Brown, quite rightly so, you rush to poor little Bullingdon Boy Osborne's defence. So right you are. I suppose you've all made millions in the asset price crash, as you knew exactly what was to come? Or was it that you knew exactly what had happened?
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It's a great relief that the banking crisis has subsided to the point where RP comments on this kind of story.
I wonder what Machiavelli would have said about political donations? Probably something that would now sound incredibly naive when compared with current practices.
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And just why, as Business reporter, would you be spinning this particular story?
Were you on the yacht? Were you privy to what was said or not said?
No...didn't think so.
Stick to the business of 'business'.
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Oh dear! Where does one go now for unbiased truth? Some of us would like that, even in the world of politics, business, journalism and vested interests. Naive, perhaps, but where is our "Prince of Light"? If ever one was needed, now is the time.
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Mr Peston
Would this be the same Mr Osborne who referred your targeted leaking of, market sensitive, inside information, concerning the governments "bailout" of several high street banks, to the Serious Fraud Office?
Outside the parallel universe of the BBC, this sort of reporting is called "politics", "gossip" or "tittle tattle". Clearly inside Brown's Broadcasting Corporation the chance to 'mud sling' the opposition takes precedence over everything.
And to think that if we refuse to pay for this drivel, we get sent to jail! Unbelievable.
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Sounds like a Labour sting operation on Osborne who didn't play ball, so they play the man instead - well what do you expect from Mandelson
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BBC journos have got themselves in a right pickle because their story is being sourced and directed by Peter Mandelson.
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Great opportunity for Cameron to show he has 'bottle', the underpowered Osborne appears to have 'strayed'.
What would have been the consequences of simply admitting that a donation was discussed, it goes on all the time.
I visited the Con Party website once for information and later received a request to join and/or donate, what's the difference ?
I always wanted something in common with a Rothschild, we both refused to donate.
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For all those who question this blogs relevance, remember that should the Tories (actually manage to string two policies together for more than a couple of days and) win the next general election Osbourne will be the person - presumably - running the UK's economy. The business community needs to know who he mixes with and who he might be 'bouncing' policy around with, the press behaved in exactly the same way with Blair and Brown between 1994 and 1997.
I bet if Darling had been consulting with a certain Mr Scargill the right would not be making the same sort of comments about it's irrelevance to this blog and that it should be left to the political blogs...
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Now that's the Peston we have come to love. The word "I" within the first ten words of the article. We want more of this.
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They must have been getting over-confident, despite the stage-managed humility of their conference: Tory sleaze is back before they've even been elected.
If a donation had taken place, it would have been an even bigger scandal.
But the fact that they seem to have been soliciting one - and failed - is just as big a story.
It indicates a lack of judgement and a supine attitude to the mega rich - showing up Tory rhetoric for what it is.
A private education can help you into Oxford, but it doesn't mean you have brains or common sense.
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Of course this story has nothing wahtsoever to do with the fact that George Osborne has supported a Tory MP's decision to report you to the serious fraud office for your 'scoops' into the banking crisis.
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#113. At 1:33pm on 21 Oct 2008, Boilerplated wrote:
#85
Makes up for the right wing and Murdoch's press in the 1980s then - how come the right don't like the same 'trick' being played on them as they played on the left back then, if you chose to live in a glass house it's best not to throw stones at other peoples houses in case they return the favour..."
The interesting thing about Boilerplated's post is the clear admission that a 'trick' is being played on the Conservatives.
Well, I for one am still waiting for Peston to address the business stories of the day.......a cousin of mine has just been made redundant - surely the BBC business editor should be looking at what is happening to the real economy, rather than engaging in gutter politics - leave that stuff to Robinson.
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Robert,
Can you please stick to your remit. This is not an economics/business story.
Amazing how the BBC panders to New Labour. Have you had a visit from peter Machiavelli Mandelson? How much were you paid? Amazing how easily a rumour can start, isn't it?
I expect better reporting for my licence fee.
Thank you.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
As far as I am concerned, that only time politician of any affiliation is not telling untruths is when they are asleep, any other time I expect at least small measure of "inaccuracies" if not downright lies.
Still, it is good to see that we are dealing with important things on this blog today and not wasting time on such things as the Lehmans settlements and what exactly is happening regarding the Lloyds takeover of HBOS.
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I've read plenty of comments on BBC blogs before accusing the BBC of blatant pro-Labour and anti-Tory bias. I have, in the past, dismissed those as the rantings of right wing loonies who think the Daily Mail is an unbiased source, and have been happy to defend the BBC for what has mostly been excellent and unbiased reporting.
But not today. I find it astonishing that anyone at the Beeb thinks this is a real news story. Is there even a shred of evidence that Osbourne has done anything even slightly illegal?
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Nat Rothschild is the epitome of everything that is wrong in this world.........
He creates nothing while gambling other peoples money destroying people and industries in the process...hes very good at it ,it would appear.
Unfortunately our politico's always aspire to be like him so hang off the coat tails for the crumbs,the poor mites have to survive on kitchen allowances which wouldnt keep this man in champagne for a week.
Perhaps an article on how the abromovich's etc of this world actually got their vast fortunes would be enlightnening you will find millions living in poverty while they swan around the med in their yachts . With our current political system in the UK and even laxer EU controls they find it easy to gain favour and in effect control policy making in the west ,creating even more wealth for themselves in the process.......
The whole system is corrupt but the only people who can change it are the people involved so we just have to sit back like spectators at a show while our lives and jobs are in the hands of these people.It doesnt bear thinking about ,the common man is just a tool of these people nothing more or less, although it should be remembered revolutions do happen every now and then.....
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As a Labour supporter, but as a supporter of our democracy in general can I put my views on the sometimes unfair and ill-thought out accusations on this and many other blogs concerning politicians and money.
Whilst it is certainly unwise to solicit money from foreign sources for obvious reasons, it does not make George Osbourn either corrupt or dishonest.
The money is not going into his pocket, the Tories, as with any party needs funding. As the general population seems unwilling to give any money to a group of people who are general perceived now as a bunch of crooks, exactly who is going to fund them.
Barak Obhama has just raised $100 Million, that puts that into some perspective even given the relative wealth of our countries. If we keep putting our politicians down we are only undermining our own democracy
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Only fifty grand?
That's a twentieth of a Bernie Eccleston or a thousandth of a Lord Sainsbury or less than 50% of a mortgage loan from a colleague.
Oh its also about 0.025% of Mr Deipaska's stake in Arsenal.
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I have to say that none of this gang of the rich, powerful and (in some cases) disatinctly dodgy, seem in the least bit edifying.
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IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FRAUD THAT IS THE FRACTIONAL RESERVE BANKING SYSTEM....STOOPID!
It's the Rothschild's best kept secret. Get rid of the FRB......and all the world's wounds would be healed overnight.
It wasn't denigrated in the oldest books for nothing (i.e. the Bible, Old Testament, Koran etc. etc.)
Expel USURY......you know it makes sense!
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Amazing how Mr. Peston knows so much about Nat Rothschild having only met him twice and the clear implication that Rothschild is quite truthful about what he knows and the tacit suggestion therefore that Mr. Osborne has done wrong. Another Labour loving, unbiased, impartial journalist employed by the BBC. Hope that when the Tories sue they include Robert Peston as one of the defendants.
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#137, and what was the source of the $100 million that Obama raised?
Did it come from public donations from individuals or large corporations?
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Poor little George looked like a frightened rabbit in the headlights at his Press Conference. He has been caught out and must now be dumped. It will be interesting to see whether Cameron has got the guts to do it. It's all very well promising to clean up Party Funding but it takes guts to do the right thing. I don't think either Osborne or Cameron have any character to do the right thing.
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#135
You forget, this story is just a reaction to what was reported in the Times newspaper, if the BBC (and all other broadcasters) were to ignore such reports people like you would be screaming censorship as soon as a story critical of the dealing within the Labour party was supressed...
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Were these "witnesses" a certain Mr P. Mandelson and a certain Mr T. Blair?
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Fascinating to read the Robinson blog where so many are insisting this story ought to be confined. Over there the tory cries of discomfort seem somehow more authentic and less uncomprehending, the story easier to cope with, perhaps by dint of the volley of accusations of Labour bias (it was Tory bias but the other day) that Nick is getting.. .Less ingenuous this side of the tracks. Possibly because Robert talks confidently of witnesses. What company one keeps indeed. Fascinating.
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#140 - Sadly most people don't know and don't want to know how the system makes them poor and keeps them there. As long as they think things will get better for them sometime, they will put up with any amount of rubbish.
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@143
Mr Cameron has to dump him otherwise he will not get elected.
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Why did the BBC play this down when it was Mandelson under the spotlight and is only playing it up when Osborne is accused? I thought the BBC was supposed to be impartial.
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It is an error of judgement for a business reporter to run with this story. It would have been better left to Nick Robinson.
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#138
"That's a twentieth of a Bernie Eccleston or a thousandth of a Lord Sainsbury or less than 50% of a mortgage loan from a colleague. "
You miss the point. IF this donation has been asked for, and even more importantly had it been given, it would have been illegal as the donor is not a UK citizen.
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Looks like you struck a nerve!
You can tell how damaging Tory Central office thinks this is, they?ve got all their bloggers and commentators posting about how pro-Labour the BBC is. What next, Norman Tebbit on the Today Program asking for your head?
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Robert,
This is a 'no business news' story. However, I'll go by the mantle of 'no news is good news' especially at the moment with all the wotsits hitting the fan.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Please stick to the financial crisis, Robert. Its what you're good at.
More drivel like this and you will lose me and most of the rest of your readership.
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This really, really stinks! We did not hear a word on the BBC when the papers were full of Mandelson's activities but the very moment it comes to the Tories the airwaves are hot, hot, hot.
Whatever can the explanation be?
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#142
Both. American as individuals are far more likely to put money towards a candidate than us Brits. Yet the Americans are under no illusions as to the nature of their politics. It is far more the preserve of the rich and corporate funding than UK politics, and perhaps we should appreciate that a bit more, which in many ways is my argument.
While we should root out corruption at all levels, we have got to the point whereby the contempt the public are now holding our politicians will stop talented people from participating.
Personal interest:- I have known many Coucillors in my time, of all political hews, and I know them as often hard working people putting a lot into their community, often at cost to themselves in disruption to work, career, homelife etc. Yet I have seen these self same people being openly accused of being dishonest and corrupt by people who have done nothing for their community. One guy I knew worked virtually to his dying breath actually helping people who where much fitter than he was. He did not escape insult and it almost brought me to tears.
People forget with Blair how he gave up a lucurative career as a barrister to enter parliament. Given the time, he could not have gone in with any thoughts of being in the governing party, let alone PM.
Whilst there are slimeballs and slease, I urge people to show a little bit more respect and understanding. In my opinion it is often the media who show copious amonts of dishonesty and misrepresentation of the facts. If party's are starved of cash this puts the representation of their views far more in their hands than it is now, and I think it is too far already.
We might as well get all the media organisation heads together and ask them to work out who they want as PM and cut out the middlemen (us) completely. Certainly a cheaper option
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#150
"It is an error of judgement for a business reporter to run with this story. It would have been better left to Nick Robinson."
Rubbish, this story should not go any were near Mr Robinson - for the reason look at his Wikipedia entry - one can't help who your parents are but a budding journalist can avoid generating positions that conflict with later journalists intrests...
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I don't understand all of the comments criticising this blog today? George Osborne wants to be the next Chancellor (or at least the next Conservative one, as Darling might not make it another 18 months) - If that's the case, then his actions and character are very worthy of discussion. Especially from the BBC business editor - Chancellor / Business - Get it?!
This is the man who wants us to believe he and his party will lead us into a healthier economic landscape. Since all other issues are off the table at the moment except the economy, then it is the Shadow Chancellor who sets the tone and speaks for the whole party. If he is corrupt or capable of serious errors of judgement, then I want to know before the election (which I doubt he'll be around to see now).
Its a shame, as I think he has done a commendable job over the past year and together with Cameron has really pushed the image of the "foisty old duffers" of the Tory party into the past.
Conversely I do agree that this is probably Labour spin, engineered by Lord Mandy and Camp Bell (which is lamentable and repugnant) because they recognise that George Osborne is the voice of the Right at the moment (more screen time due to crunch, etc) and he is outperforming dear old Darling and needs to be discredited.
All in all a poor showing by Labour and the Conservatives (more Labour, possibly), but certainly a business related story (The Prince of Darkness is Business Secretary, after all - George Osborne needs to show the electorate he's a decent man and a safe pair of hands for the economy, etc)...
A blog is meant to be the writers observations, not just their job, isn't it? In this sense, Robert Peston's doing fine today (and I dont always say that!).
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Is any of this important? It is just drivel.
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#146 . The negative posts on here are largely concerning Robert Peston's straying from reporting on business matters. Nearly all posters believe that a business blog is not the forum to discuss this matter - which is why the debate on the issue itself is being conducted on Nick Robinson's blog.
#152 . I doubt many, if any, of the posters are here at Tory HQ's request - I know I'm certainly not. I'd be just as agitated by Mr Peston's line in this matter if he'd blogged regarding Lib Dem/Labour affairs in this manner. By taking an ad hoc line in reporting on such matters his motives have the right to be questioned.
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#144
"You forget, this story is just a reaction to what was reported in the Times newspaper, if the BBC (and all other broadcasters) were to ignore such reports people like you would be screaming censorship as soon as a story critical of the dealing within the Labour party was supressed..."
Where were the frenzied main news item reports and blog posts last week when it was proved pretty conculsively that Blair lied to the Commons about Bernie Ecclestone and tobaco advertising? This story was played down by all the media...
That's real self-censorship.
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#152. At 2:49pm on 21 Oct 2008, jockusa wrote:
Looks like you struck a nerve!
You can tell how damaging Tory Central office thinks this is, they?ve got all their bloggers and commentators posting about how pro-Labour the BBC is. What next, Norman Tebbit on the Today Program asking for your head?"
That the BBC has a pro-Labour bias has been obvious for years - much prefer Channel 4 News myself to anything the Brown Broadcasting Corporation puts out. And no, I am nothing to do with Tory Central Office.
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- While I might defend RPs actions at #159, I can't defend the moderators decision to block my comment at #154!!!
I was simply asking post #58 kaybraes if "friendly" meant what I thought it meant, in context. If they've got away whith that, I dont understand why my post has been blocked?
Go back and read #58. Fairly clear, but not allowed to be discussed? Ridiculous.
If you come to read it and it's gone, after being there for 3.5 hours, then you missed a treat and the mods got it!
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Well, Well, Well,
They are not even in power and it seems as if we are returning to the 1980's and early 90's of Tory sleeze.
U cannot trust labour, but at the moment you can trust them more that the Conservatives. The only ones they want to Conserve is themselves and their own interests.
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Lots of Tories appear to be getting ants in their pants over this being reported! There are identikit responses from the same people on Nick Robinson's blog.
Hey, Conservatives! Just because one of the Blue Rinse Brigade's blue-eyed boys have been caught out telling porkies doesn't mean that Labour are pure as driven snow: They're not! Or that the evil Robinson/Peston axis are out to get you.
Paranoid or what???
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Mandy and Osborne. What a pair, though the answers to the journalist's questions from the shadow chancellor left us with more doubts than before about what actually happened as he was less than convincing. Will he be pursued like Mandy was and be forced out.
There must be doubts about his judgment given role in getting the Mandy story out.
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for all those saying
"why report this"
Open your minds people.
rob is providing the links you need, to understand this fantom crisis.
I say fantom as This is all just a game.
The rich NWO/Rothchilds moving there political chess pieces into position, with the trillion dollar derivative WMD`s positioned to take out the non-compliant corperations.
Unfortantly we are all desposible pawns in the sick game.
when the next electon comes around, people beware, newlab and cons are only puppets. There not really in control !
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Robert, your "performance" on the 1 pm news was outstanding. It was clear as day that you were making stuff up as you were speaking. Or maybe you have perfected the "stream of consciousness" technique. All you did was connect some people and some events. And as if by magic, you got a story. It's really ok. I understand that as the financial crisis story becomes boring, you don't want to leave the limelight. So, here is my humble idea for you. You should see if you can connect Russian oligarchs, the Tories and some American banks and politicans. If you can, you should have a very neat and explosive story about how the whole financial crisis has been orchestrated by say 10/11 powerful people around the world. Don't let me down, now !
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#150
"It is an error of judgement for a business reporter to run with this story. It would have been better left to Nick Robinson."
I disagree but I can't say why as the BBC are censoring the facts.
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Are you paranoid yet RP?
If 99% of all the comments on this blog are not a co-ordinated attack, then all politicians are honest.
Never have I seen such a directed single topic response as this. It is astounding that the message in all the comments is the same with almost no deviation from the script. In normal blog replies, the richness and diversification of views and words is wide and varied. Here however, cut and paste has been used to excess.
Carry on RP.
Perhaps tomorrow you can comment on the weather, followed by fashion tips. I will of course still read your blog, if not for your view on such things, then for the vitriolic comments that will ensue
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I presume the writing of this kind of stuff is the "quid pro quo" demanded by Labour in the faustian pact which delivers Peston's "scoops" (which aren't, in fact scoops: a scoop is the result of a journalist investigating, not being offered information in the equivalent of a brown envelope).
And no, I'm not a Tory supporter (I have serious doubts about "Dave" and "Boy" George's competence). Just someone who resents being compelled by law to pay a tax for politically biased "news", "comment"whose partiality is manifest and debased "entertainment".
Hasten the day when the BBC has to compete in the market place like the newspapers and magazines it seems to emulate: I know I wouldn't pay for it !
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I think all the criticisms of Robert Peston and the BBC being too pro Labour are missing the point. This story is more pro Tory than anything, as anyone with half a brain can recognise Labour "spin" over Tory "sleaze" at play. No money was taken - This is a nothing story invented by Mandy and Camp Bell.
If anything we should be commending The BBC on their unbiased exposure of Labour Spin.
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I assumed that HEAT was an optional rag - and that our licence fees paid for unbiased journalists reporting important facts........but maybe with the heat on the journalist this is what happens?
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Nice little distraction to cover the real news today.
Nissan is going onto short time working.
One of our biggest inward inverstors who created thousands of jobs on Tyneside is now being affected by the recession.
Is this really so unimportant it does not make national news?
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#162
Bernie is a UK citizen, Osborne's Russian 'friend' is not, that is the story here, one was a legal donation (even is full of sleaze) and the other would not be - this is not about political sleaze but possible criminality.
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So Nat Rothschild is a tenacious steely individual who has made millions from his interests.
The real question you should be asking is how he has all this money, yet the financial sector has been in meltdown and what part his association with an EU Trade Commisioner played in this. I don't believe you are foolish enough to take this Mandelson inspired smear at face value. Are you promoting a non story to cosy up to the new Trade Minister?
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I see the hand of Lord M of Voldemort behind this ?
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Get back to work you lot!!!
GC
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#137 Biscuiteater.....
You (and anybody else who belives in democracy) are totally deluded!
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I just registered at bbc blogs today - only to tell the BBC that Im fed up with the constant and blatant bias seen here and in general on the BBC (UK and in the USA) I also wanted to complain about the reporting quality of this Peston person and has non stories. I also asked what was so well heeled about gambling and ended with a request that the BBC report the news and not make it. No foul language was used but my comment was censored - why BBC?
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Gordon Brown is going down do to a decade of sick pidgeons coming home to roost, so drags Mandy in to divert things for a while.
RP is going down for flouting FSA inspired laws on market manipulation, so also drags mandleson in to divert things for a while.
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What were all these people doing sunning themselves abroad when they should have been back home, noses to the grindstone and paying tax like the rest of us?
Are these people friends of each other, or, is it a case of there being no such thing as a free lunch? I suspect the latter.
I think it is time to get out the tumbrils, the pitchforks and all the other paraphenalia of revolution and go and do one. I have had enough of these dreadful people ruining our lives!
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#180
And your solution is......
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#181 - My comments on the BBC Have Your Say site are often rejected. I sometimes post many a commet on the same topic just to see what the bias is and which way it is loaded by which of my posts are rejected and which ones are published.
IF anyone believes the BBC is unbiased, then that person is truely a child of the establishment.
Pulling that idea to this blog, and the single minded attack on our dear RP, then at least free speach is all well and good as long as it has nothing to do with the truth.
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I don't understand what is wrong if he had asked for it. Only issues is whether he was prepared to give some thing in return when they return to government.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
# 168 southerngent1972
I go along with with the message in your post.....but a few spellings went too far.
fantom = phantom
there=they're
corperations=corporations
desposible=disposable
unfortantly=unfortunately
electon=election
I don't mind you spelling Rothschild incorrectly by the way.
Apologies for being patronising....I'm just getting old and so it's my job! Please don't let me put you off posting.
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176
And IF Mandleson gave false information on his mortgage application form that WAS criminality.
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#186
"I don't understand what is wrong if he [Osborne] had asked for it. Only issues is whether he was prepared to give some thing in return when they return to government."
In four words - the legality of it...
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The BBC are clearly feeling the heat on this story.
If it had been Nick Robinson reporting solely then the BBC reporting would have had some teeth, but Robert Peston????????
Robert Peston has a dubious history when it comes to scoops. His close links to this Labour government are now well known.
Mr. Peston is clearly putting a deliberate spin on this affair...... and we all know who for.
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The BBC must be really worried there's going to be a Tory victory at the next election. At a time of economic turmoil, with the country in a recession, on the day the CBI announces the largest fall in orders for a generation, the BBC leads with the story of George Osborne allegedly attempting to solicit an illegal donation. Come on BBC, get real, you are supposed to be impartial. Your pro-Labour, anti-Conservative bias is a disgrace.
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Bob, You have been mentioned in the press for causing all sorts of woes, but i would point to the feeding frenzy in the media on the 'credit crunch'. This week it was 'reported' that unemployment could get to 2 million and the recession might accelerate etc. Well, it wil now. This was on a BBC news show, and as far as i can tell, News is what has happened, and this was just speculation.
If the press reported a plane crash, everyone who was due to book a flight tomorrow would be ever so slightly nervous, if the press trumpeted that a plane could fall from the sky tomorrow, i wonder how many holiday makers would drive to the countryside instead?
The press does influence public behaviour, or companies and political parties wouldn't bother spending billions advertising or trying to get news papers on their side.
Talk about the positives, look for the successes, stop this feast of gloom!
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Now that the banks[Sodor mites] are going to be regulated and pulled along by Gordon the bank engine ,they may not be able to advance the easy st credit to pollytitical parties before removing the toxic waste from out of their AAA's holes [with a view to having only one between them ready for when they dance cheeque to cheeque with the par lammentable buttocracy running the show offs into the wrecksqueuers]
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#188 - Obviously #168 is a texter, not a poor wordsmith. Did you say it was something to do with your age?
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There are nearly 500 comments on your and Nick Robinson?s blog about this story, 80% accusing you both of left leaning bias. However as most posts are from the same people posting well in to double digits, it?s hard to take any of them seriously (especially as some of the aliases are obviously the same people, see above).
Nice to see ?Dave? embracing new technologies and replacing ?spin doctors? with ?blog doctors?. However it?s a shame that the Tories V2.0 are still trying to censor the BBC. Careful, if you carry on like this we may only be able to access your blog if an actor reads it out.
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Mr Peston: Considering Osborne compained about you don't you feel it's not a good idea for you to take sides ? Lets be honest - you weren't interested in the Mandelson aspect of the story (i.e. Business) but are interested in political funding.
Something isn't right here.
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Well I see that RP is still not commentating on the serious Business news stories of the day.
It is very sad really - don't the BBC appreciate just how bad this looks for them?
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Oh, come on Robert leave this for Nick Robinson and stick to Business and not Politics.
Are you doing Mandleson's bidding? Did you write an article in the same vain about Mandelson and his alleged conflicts of interests? No.
George Osborne has denied the allegations that he sought a donation as opposed to Mandelson when on TV this Sunday when he wouldn't directly say that there was a conflict of interest, as he was involved in EC trade decisions relating to aluminium import tariffs.
Who are the other "witnesses" apart from Rothschild then? Is it Mandelson? Mandelson apears to have a hazy memory when it comes to recollecting how long he has known Mr Deripaska - claims they met on a few social occasions in 2006 and 2007 when they have known each other much longer. This sounds like typical Mandelson spin - he wants to deflect the attention from himself.
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If I was asking for a donation from a russian billionaire then i would certainly ask for more that £50k.
Mr Osborne doesn't appear to me a fool willing to risk his career or the reputation of his party for a £50k from a billionaire.
Sounds to me like some Conservatives unhappy with Osborne's performance against the government during the stock-market melt-down are trying to cause him problems, or else the government are simply trying to deflect attention from their own woeful performance.
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#185 peterbaldwin
speach => speech
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191
"The BBC are clearly feeling the heat on this story"
But not as much as the Conservatives are, in fact I suspect that the BBC are feeling quite chilled about this story, after all what they are doing is reporting the breaking of the story by the Times newspaper and not breaking the story themselves...
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It's about time the BBC was privatised. Its political bias is so blatant it just cannot be taken seriously as an independent news organisation. I'm incensed at having to pay a TV license tax to an organisation that acts as a mouth piece for the Labour Party.
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Robert, I suggest that you speak to your bosses about some retraining. Try some impartiality courses beginning with the fundamental rule of journalism, ie I must check my facts before making sweeping statements and must not try to influence the public by foisting my own political sympathies (which are clearly Labour in your case) on them.
I do hope Labour reward you adequately for your stirring - Lord... Robert Peston perhaps?
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*184 Biscuiteater
"And your solution is..."
Not addressed to me but hey!
My solution is to stop giving these "political" charlatans the mandate to decimate our fellow citizen`s lives every ten years.
Most of us will eventually be driven into the dust by the hyper-rich and their stooges(and lose our nation in the process).
Fine by you I take it?
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Anyone notice how the pound is tanking against the dollar today?
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Well, well, well, there is a THIRD version of Nat Rothschild's letter.
How many revisions has this letter gone through?
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Theres a lot of wild paranioa on this blog today.......
I would agree the BBC are hanging to the left slightly but they are not as bad as some on here would like to think.
I have to agree with the point - I have no idea why RP is getting involved with this when its NRs territory.
Is Peston making a move for Robinson job/blog?
Peston was last heard off mic on the BBC news saying "Whooohahahahah.....soon it will all be mine!! mine I tell you!!!MINE!!!!
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What an utter non-story.
Mr. Osborne denies that a donation was made.
Mr. Deripaska denies that a donation was made.
There is no evidence that a donation was made.
On evidence, I'd say, at this stage, no donation was made. Do you have proof to the contrary?
So, did they "discuss" a donation? I guess the following conversation would constitute that:
Mr. D: "Hey George, want a donation?"
Mr. O: "Sorry, that would be illegal."
Mr. D: "You sure comrade?"
Mr. O: "Yes, quite sure thank-you."
Shocking stuff.
Come on BBC, I know you really want some mud to throw at the Tories, but please, this is juvenile.
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Surely, if you must report on this sort of thing, should you not be asking the question of how it is that two members of the rich elite have more sway with senior politicians than the 40 million or so voters in the UK?
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RP, your 6pm BBC news report was, as always, unbiased and struck at the heart of the issue. Will you get your own TV slot?
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The ROTHSCHILD empire have been playing games of chess with us mere mortals for centuries so beware of ANYTHING that they claim. Machiavellinism doesn't even begin to describe all that they are about.
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#205
(My solution is to stop giving these "political" charlatans the mandate to decimate our fellow citizen`s lives every ten years.)
Who is going to stop them? Unless you or a friend of yours has any army it is going to have to be via the ballot box. Who are you going to vote for. Any political party needs to raise money unless it is financed by a single super-rich person, which brings its own problems, it is going to be by the public digging in, or raised through tapping up the rich and businesses. As on my previous post, and the start of all of this, politicians are all considered a bunch of crooks, who is going to donate. Then onto my final stayement about the power of the media.
Churchill said "Democracy is a terrible form of government, but it is the best there is."
I believe in our democracy and never expected it to be faultless.
If undermined too much is vulnerable to be overrun by a powerful personality/celebrity exploiting all our base paranoia. Just read your 20C history to see what happens then.
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Peston can?t stay on after this episode. The story, itself, is a non-event: no money passed over, the right decision was made about a donation and at worst it?s the word of two people against two others. Yet Peston (not even a political correspondent) is in the thick of the squabbling, acting as spokesman for one side. And the target of these accusations has been pressing for an investigation into Peston?s possible leaking of information concerning the banking crisis. Once the reporter becomes the story, he has to step down.
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How can we have faith in in Mr Peston (the egotiscial man, who insists upon putting the "I" into BBC news reports.
A BBC reporter who believes this to be the most important story of the day. As a small business proprietor I have more to worry about than how the very privaleged do business. Mr Peston please stick to finacial matters or are you replacing the post left by Nigel Dempster. Politics nor socail diarist are yoour remit.
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Take a look at
http://www.dejanlucic.net/THE%20ROTHSCHILD%20OCTOPUS.html
Where it says
?An important role in the colonization of Montenegro was played by Oleg Deripaska, a Khazar multimillionaire from Russia. Nathaniel Rothschild himself has boasted of having excellent relations with him.
****
As one of Rothschild branches, Deripaska?s company Rusal bought KAP (The Alluminium Plant Podgorica).
****
Through its affiliate Salamon, it took over the bauxite mine in Niksic. ?
Just what has Osborne got himself into.
The aluminium links from Rothschild to Deripaska to Mandelson are thicker than water.
What on earth was he doing consorting with such people, - for free holidays!
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To be succinct, why have you and Robinson spent the day trying to smear Osborne with such a tissue-thin story, and who asked you to do it?
Where is the objectivity, honesty, factual content, unbiased expression of facts? You seem to have abandoned the last little bits of journalistic integrity today.
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Very interesting how the Robinson reports compare to the Peston reports, even more so when some complain that the BBC are swinging one way or the other, IMO if this was a game of media tennis the score would be duce...
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There is nothing happening in the financial world today .
Mortgage offers are not falling 50% YoY
Cable not at 1.68
Manufacturing outlook is the best for 20 years
Oh well nothing to see hear, for the impartial business editor.
Thanks Peston, Glad my TV taxes are being used in an unbiased constructive manner.
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*213 Biscuiteater
If no one voted for them,It would create the opportunity for REAL politicians to come forward.
Don`t get me wrong,I also think that the fractional reserve banking fraud has to be abolished in order to fix the corruption in politics.
The lesser of two evils is still plenty evil.This electoral treadmill grinds our people into the dust
Just look at the majority of our fellow citizens.They`ve been brutalized,and completely disenfranchised.
"It`s what we`ve always done" does`nt cut the mustard any more.
P.S Quoting Churchill in my opinion is a bad joke.He was an unashamed war-mongerer with the blood of millions on his hands.He bankrupted this nation(we`ve never fully recovered) for his rich business friends.
Still,he was voted the "Greatest Briton Ever".
I wonder why(rhetorical)?
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One thing we can all surely agree on, whether we are Mandelsonian (unlikely), Osbornite, or Deripaskite, is that we don't much care for Nat Rothschild or his role in all this.
And if we don't trust him much, there isn't much left of the latest twists in the story.
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Time to put up or shut up. Either complain to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and the Electoral Commission, or get off the high horse and back in the gutter.
The fact that there are apparently three iterations of the infamous Times letter and the story has wilted from soliciting a £50K donation (yeah right!) to talking about donations does not look good for Rothschild, the Times, and those BBC correspondents that are lapping up whatever they are being drip-fed.
I trust the BBC will look over Mandelson's misdeeds with equal fervour...assuming the corporation has recovered from the Hutton emasculation which seems to have set the news agenda in recent years. I'm particularly suspicious of Mr Peston, who seems to have been acting as the official mouthpiece of No 10 or the Treasury in recent weeks, with a noticeable effect on the markets.
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Why are you meddling in politics Robert?
Has Nick Robinson started blogging the markets?
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161 re 146Simon2224
Well perhaps Robert did scoop ( and continues to) where Nick followed- and this is what is troubling you. Unfair to Nick perhaps but one tries to comprehend. But are you also saying that you are blanking all of this out? Far be it from me to pass relevance-to-blog judgments, but it would seem to myself as an unwordly creature that the market price of one's grandmother was a fit topic for both business and political narratives at this particular time. Long may they thrive and the excellence of these two excellent journalists continue to be more than you deserve. I think the word dullard may not be entirely inappropriate here, and one that I would think fit to apply to yourself.
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Sadly, Robert your reputation has taken a severe hit. A cobbler should stick his last. Get back to business unless this story is really about a hedge-funder and impropriety. Balzac once said "..behind every great success lies a great crime". Will a new name enter the list?
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Apparently Robert Peston has been accused of breaking a few laws (and bringing down the entire British banking system in the process) himself (see http://www.order-order.com/2008/10/exclusive-michael-howard-complains-to.html and http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/oct/19/bbc-peston-creditcrunch ), so perhaps this is just a case of him making as much noise as possible about someone else's supposed scandal and hoping that everyone will forget about his own misdeeds.
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So the son of a Labour Peer (Robert Peston) is given a story by a Labour Cabinet Minister about a Tory Shadow Cabinet Member.
The fact that Mandelson blames Osbourne for the leaking of the story that he was bad mouthing Gordon Brown as late as July and Peston blames Osbourne for the fact that Peston is to be investigated by the SFO.
Quite simply Peston cannot be regarded as an impartial reporter on this matter and in any other organisation would be suspended or moved to handle less sensitive material until the matter is resolved.
Bring back Jeff Randall
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This is getting ridiculous! The same few people appear to be posting 100's of similar sounding comments. This story must have Tory HQ really worried!
What would these same people say if it was a Labour politician involved?
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I take it Nat Rothschild is a Labour supporter. Why hasn't he investigated the Cash for honors scandal, donations by proxy for a builder or the 45 minute claim for irag's WMD and the death of Dr David Kelly.
It seems to me that Labour MP's are above investigative journalism as they are unwilling to publish any wrong doing about a Labour MP but are happy to hound a Tory MP for just discussion.
I guess it's a good day to bury bad news
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I would reserve your praise of the "steely" Mr Rothschild. Historically, his family have thrived on the "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" deals between governments and plutocrats across the world since the "Red Shield" went up above the family counting-house in the middle ages. One alleged conversation about an alleged donation that never happened pales into insignificance. So why make a fuss about it now? Could it be instead that he is choosing:
- to exercise some personal animus against Osborne?
- to undermine Osborne for not "playing ball" in some other way?
- to pay back some favour to Mandelson?
- to punish Osborne after his "pure poison" outburst?
Who knows? We may never know his true motivation and further speculation is pointless. But one suspects that Mr Rothschild will fade into the political background once this little spat is over and go back to furthering his own interests quietly and in private. We shall not have found in him a new public avenger to wield the "sword of truth and shield of justice" on our behalf against the wrong-doings of the rich and mighty.
Then again, perhaps I am being totally unfair to a citizen devoted first and foremost to the pursuit of purity and honesty in our public life and my personal prejudices are blinding me to a noble act that has knowingly brought the guns of the Tory party to bear on him in the press and, potentially, in the courtroom. Sorry, but my gut just doesn't let me see it that way.
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By gum the "Tory faithful" are on message via the pagers.
This issue stinks to high heaven, anyone with a single brain cell can see that Osborne is "manipulating his answers to any pointed questions.
When will politicians realise we, the general public are not as daft as they think we are.
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230 fully agree. The reformed playboy Mr Rostchild comes from a family famed for its cunning over the years. It seems highly unlikely someone with such a family track record would make such a stand for honour. Not say Mr Rotschild lacks honour, but rather why would he step out of the shadows for something so trivial.
My guess would be that this is simply a deliberate attempt to damage Mr Osborne's career.
Whether this is because Rothschild is backing the Tories and sees Osborne as a weak link or whether he's trying to strengthen Gordon is hard to say.
It is also quite bizarre that Mr Rosthchild is being hailed as a paragon of virtue by the BBC. Haven?t we been told over the past few weeks that hedge fund managers are little better than parasitic vermin. People who manipulate situations to make high returns by betting on the difficulties of others...
All in all, the media and most particularly the BBC are being played like a fiddle. Why is this 'none event' being given so much coverage. Auntie seems to have become little more than a rich mans puppet.
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Waiting with baited breath for your comments on the Governor of The Bank of Englands speech last night Robert.
No.
Peters asked you to keep this one rolling so the plebs don't spot were in recession has he.
Dreadful.
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It's amusing to read some comments on here accusing CCHQ for blogging en masse because a lot of the comments are similar. Have they not considering that it may also be the case the comments are similar because it's very difficult not to come to the same conclusions when looking at the facts. And the facts are:
1) Robert Peston is Business editor
2) This is not a business story, it's a political story
3) Nick Robinson is Political editor.
4) Robert Peston has not run a political story like this before
5) This story shows Conservative MP George Osborne in a bad light regardless of what or what he hasn't done
Meanwhile...
6) Robert Peston is soon to be investigated for allegedly breaching FSA rules regarding his Bank bail-out meeting story a couple of weeks ago.
7) George Osbourne is the main instigator in asking for an inquiry over the source of Robert Peston's story.
8) It has been alleged in Parliament by a number of MPs that the Government was responsible for the leak
9) This story shows Conservative MP George Osborne in a bad light regardless of what or what he hasn't done
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What has Robert Peston got to do with this? He is the business editor not the political editor.
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How does Robert do it, lead the charge, twist the story, dig the dirt support number 10. Come off it Peobert the real story here is Peter Mandleson - he's up to his tricks again, trade minister looking after himself living the good life, now trying to hide the fact he there overnight "keep me hidden in the dark".The prince of darkness strikes again.
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Post 176.
Just what nationality were the Hinduja brothers?
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Oh dear Peston. What a scandal. Foreign money in politics. I am shamed at two things that a) You bought this up! and b) Osbourne only asked for 50 grand not 50 million!
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#144: I don't necessarily expect the BBC to ignore the story completely, but it's way over the top of them to give it the huge prominence they have done.
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"I'm Robert Peston, the BBC's business editor. This blog is my regular take on the business stories and issues that matter."
That's from your own blog - to deviate from your brief under the spell of the Prince of Darkness is a pretty poor show for a supposedly unpartisan journo. For the first time I can remember I actually turned off my radio rather than hear your news items yesterday.
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@188
My appoligies for the spelling.
After 7 X 12 hour night shifts to pay the morgage on my negetive equity property.
spelling is very low on my list of priorities + i was rushing before my wife discovered me neglecting my chores.
Thanks for your support though :)
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Dear BBC and Robert
I cannot believe that so much fuss is being made over this upper crust tittle tattle -
While you, the media, are devoting time and column inches to this non event Gordon is skating away from his guilt ridden position relative to our severely wounded economy aided and abetted by the evil "Prince of Darkness" master of spin. What a birthday present you served him up !
How can anyone hail Gordon as a hero on any count when his pathetic stewardship has all but wrecked this country.
Still you have to fill media time etc - and if that's a problem I suggest you extend simply come dancing from 5 hours air time a week to say 10 or even more that should help !!
Better still invite "The Prince" on to the next series of "Simply" he seems to be a slippery mover.
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228
"The same few people appear to be posting 100's of similar sounding comments"
I have looked carefully at the wording of your post again and I must say that you do convey a most paranoid impression. Do you not think it possible that different people might have similar views?
Welcome to the blog if you are new, but let us try to hide our naivety. I do mine.
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This is a matter of the greatest importance to the BBC Business editor, I guess, because Osbourne is likely to be the next UK Chancellor.
It's a business matter because the Russian chap probably wasn't contemplating a 50K gift because blue is his favourite colour. I suppose he may have a tattoo of Maggie somewhere, you never know, but Depriaska probably also expected a business benefit for himself once Ozzy and his chums take over.
There's plenty to say for members of the UK Govt, which Osbourne almost is, being on cordial terms with Russian and other oligarchs- they run the world, after all.
With this in mind, I'd have thought Ozzy would have been better off negotiating a future loan for UK PLC when he takes the reins, rather like the one Iceland has been offered by Russia, but much larger, than a pitifully small gift for the Tories.
Perhaps the 50K was just a taster. In any case, Ozzy's been caught with his tongue rather too close to the Russian's posterior. He will have to resign, and Cameron looks weak for not sacking him.
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Mr Peston, your conduct of the past few weeks/months will come back to haunt you. You are making a complete idiot of yourself, the sad thing is that you are probably the only one who does not realise it.
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Looks like most people think you're a biased pro labour supporting "investigative" non business reporter Bob.
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Robert can you remind us here if perhaps you have a conflict of interest.
Are you by any chance best friends with the PR for Rothschild's hedge fund?
Can you confirm or deny you are in fact the son of a Labour peer of the realm and have enjoyed a lifetime of friendships with Labour figures?
Do you have any comment to make as to whether this makes you anymore a 'fit and proper' person to be a supposedly neutral and fair political journalist - any more so than Adam 'Mr Anji Hunter' Boulton over at Sky?
Can we have some answers to this and the final question which is why do you EMphasISE all the wrong bit in the vocaBULary you use on TELEvison?
It appears most others here believe you a Labour stooge.
The BBC's behaviour over this affair has been absolutely disgraceful.
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Dear bentnotbroken
The simple answer to where to go for unbiased broadcast news is ITV or Sky. If you are a loyal BBC1 news watcher, you will be shocked - and reassured - by the unbiased coverage. I say this as a newspaper reporter with some years of experience - and yes, I have tried to remain unbiased in me past reports. Good viewing.
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They don't like it up 'em
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Ha ha
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This story was broken by a chap called Nat Rothschild.....in a letter to the Times who invited Mr Osbourne to the meeting
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4982254.ece
Mr Rothschild was a friend of George Osbourne and David Cameron, and has earned a living that appears to have benefited from his Russian connections
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/3236091/Nat-Rothschild-profile.html
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article1918066.ece
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Philip_Rothschild
1) Why did Osbourne go.....because Rothschild was an old friend
2) Why did Rothschild write the letter to the Times defending Mandelson...and trying to indict Osbourne. By doing so he has made an enemy for life of the future prime minister and his expected chancellor....what is going on.
3) Could it be that Rothschild's intent was to support Mandleson.....who as trade commissioner had helped those connections
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4982163.ece
4) But why does the BBC concentrate on the Osbourne angle as does Paxman. Why nothing about Mandleson signing into law a reduction in tariff that saved Rothschild's Russian fried $200m per year, why nothing about Mandleson holidaying on his yacht.....this stinks
Conclusion: But the unanswered question is why Rothschild...today a Swiss citizen, writes to the Times raising this Osbourne issue to take the heat off Mandleson.....what underlies that.....now there is something for proper journalism, not the unthinking crap produced by Paxman this evening.
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Hmm, Nat Rothschild, multi zillionaire hedge-fund spiv and Swiss tax exile, is now outed by Peston's paranoid bloggers as a closet socialist, who deliberately framed poor old Buffy Osbourne, Gryffyndor's pocket-money wiz?
Stop his tuck shop allowance at once, and let him report to the prefects after prep.
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For someone who had a bit part in the BBC just a couple of months ago you are fast turning into something akin to a poor red top journalist.
Your hysterical approach to reporting has turned me off watching the news and you bring all of the BBC - Labour bias to the for every time you open your mouth.
Another tit for tat story and you treat it like it's the end of the world. Time you were moved to Junior Newsround.
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What a disgraceful piece of journalism. Why are you commenting on politics - you are the business correspondant
Where is the story here - no donation, no evidence, no proof - just one bitter man pursuing his own agenda and you have swallowed it whole.
This is a disgraceful piece of pro Labour rubbish and so typical of the bbc coverage of this story - did Peter Mandelson give it to you directly
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Shadow Chancellor illegally taps up Russian oligarch, putting likely next UK Govt. in his debt.
That's not Business News, Peston old chap. Kindly go back to doom and gloom, it was doing quite well for us Tories.
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