PMQ's

[VectraMan]

Coulson was vetted and apparently an innocent man.

He was an innocent man. He was only convicted yesterday.

[vetran]

He was an innocent man. He was only convicted yesterday.

he was apparently an innocent man. He was guilty of the offence at the time he was hired, that was proven by the court yesterday.

Innocent = he had not committed an offence
Apparently Innocent = he had not been convicted.

If I steal your sweeties I am guilty.

If I didn't steal your sweets and you accuse me I'm still innocent.

[Gittins Gal]

Anyone else find this whole phone hacking/Leveson business the most long winded, tedious, drawn out news story of all time?

Sick of hearing about it. A total non story.

[VectraMan]

he was apparently an innocent man. He was guilty of the offence at the time he was hired, that was proven by the court yesterday.

Innocent = he had not committed an offence
Apparently Innocent = he had not been convicted.

If I steal your sweeties I am guilty.

If I didn't steal your sweets and you accuse me I'm still innocent.

But how can an employer reasonable ascertain that somebody is innocent rather than "apparently innocent", when there hasn't even been a trial yet? They can't. So you either don't hire someone just because they've been accused of stealing sweets, or you assume they're innocent until proven guilty.

[vetran]

But how can an employer reasonable ascertain that somebody is innocent rather than "apparently innocent", when there hasn't even been a trial yet? They can't. So you either don't hire someone just because they've been accused of stealing sweets, or you assume they're innocent until proven guilty.

as I said 'apparently innocent'.

I don't think he had been charged at the time of hiring?