Reply to: He's so boring

[WTFH]

Oh and the only murky things are how the photographs got into the press, and how Durham police were harassed to waste money and time doing two investigations.

Nothing murky about it at all, when you find out who one of the "students" was (former Etonian, written for the Spectator, father is a writer for Briebart, good friends of BloJo), who gave the photo to Lozza Fox.

This eventually caused the incident to be investigated a second time.
So, two investigations into one incident, no fines, but it's still considered that it needs to be investigated more and more until a different result is achieved.
One police investigation into the multiple parties at downing street, several fines issued, several parties not investigated, and we're told we have to move on.

[Gibson]

Oh and the only murky things are how the photographs got into the press, and how Durham police were harassed to waste money and time doing two investigations.

You can't really blame them, it's their job

[d000hg]

Do you really think a former director of public prosecutions wouldn't understand the law and rules?

Understand yes, follow - well not necessarily. He'd also know exactly how to argue his way out. The police's job was to see if he broke the law, not followed the rules/guidelines. Again, which is the point you've avoided - Starmer made his whole position that Boris had to go for not following the guidance long before the police decided to get involved, but when it was his turn all that mattered was "following the law". Lots of the covid rules were never law.

Oh and the only murky things are how the photographs got into the press, and how Durham police were harassed to waste money and time doing two investigations.

Nothing murky about someone taking photos of a window in clear view.
Why is it a waste of time to do an investigation that proves someone innocent? They certainly had reasonable suspicion to investigate which they did and determined nothing illegal went on. Which seems the right way to work, given that retrospective covid breaches are now a thing.

[malvolio]

Do you really think a former director of public prosecutions wouldn't understand the law and rules?

Oh and the only murky things are how the photographs got into the press, and how Durham police were harassed to waste money and time doing two investigations.

Two students saw a meeting that appeared o break the rules, wee intelligent enough to realise it was Starmer, had a smartphone and realised the fourth estate would probably buy the photos. Not much of a conspiracy. More like damned good sense afaic...

As for Durham police, they were asked to do so by the Tories in the light of the Bojo conviction and guided by the local commissioner. Who happens to be a Labour mayor (who, incidentally, seems to have created the role for a deputy commissioner for one of her friends...). So clearly no bias there.

As with all modern politics, it stinks - but what's new.,

[SueEllen]

So it wasn't OK for a bunch of government people who all worked in the same place to have leaving drinks in between meetings, but it was ok to travel to meet people you don't normally see for some meetings, and break for drinks in between?

Different levels yes but all murky nonetheless. Remember that before Boris was found to have breached the law on one occasion, Keir was saying he should resign for being at any of them on principle. But as soon as Keir escaped a fixed penalty, the only thing which mattered was if he had technically infringed the law. All the cases where Boris was investigated and found innocent, Keir still maintains are causes for his resignation.

Do you really think a former director of public prosecutions wouldn't understand the law and rules?

Oh and the only murky things are how the photographs got into the press, and how Durham police were harassed to waste money and time doing two investigations.

[d000hg]

No

But was lockdown the issue? If it was ok for them to be together in a work meeting, then why would refreshments in that meeting be an issue (whether a 7 up, or a beer?). Big difference between Bojo's parties and a meeting with refreshments.

So it wasn't OK for a bunch of government people who all worked in the same place to have leaving drinks in between meetings, but it was ok to travel to meet people you don't normally see for some meetings, and break for drinks in between?

Different levels yes but all murky nonetheless. Remember that before Boris was found to have breached the law on one occasion, Keir was saying he should resign for being at any of them on principle. But as soon as Keir escaped a fixed penalty, the only thing which mattered was if he had technically infringed the law. All the cases where Boris was investigated and found innocent, Keir still maintains are causes for his resignation.

[Whorty]

During lockdown?

No

But was lockdown the issue? If it was ok for them to be together in a work meeting, then why would refreshments in that meeting be an issue (whether a 7 up, or a beer?). Big difference between Bojo's parties and a meeting with refreshments.

[d000hg]

I could drink in front of my laptop while working remotely...

Strange you could work remotely but Keir had to travel up here and have so-many in-person meetings they all needed curry and beer.

But silliness aside, I've genuinely (not for argument) forgotten what the meeting was - Durham city is a staunch Labour seat but our MP is a pretty insignificant backbencher and Keir is actually not so popular here - a very pro-Corbyn area with all the unions and mining background. Was it discussing how to win back the seats that were shock Tory victories in the GE?

[SueEllen]

During lockdown?

I could drink in front of my laptop while working remotely...

[d000hg]

Worked for one Co. who, every Friday afternoon, had a 'wine and cheese' afternoon.

During lockdown?

[SueEllen]

Worked for one Co. who, every Friday afternoon, had a 'wine and cheese' afternoon. Which was really a beer and crisps/nuts. The idea was to get everyone in the dept to stop for an hour and chat to their colleagues at the end of the week. General consensus was one drink, some drank alco, some just soft drinks. But the option was there.

Another, during the summer, had the directive that everyone finishes at midday unless they are working on something critical. Go to pub, go home, they didn't care.

I've worked for others who over the years have done variations of this.

So it's not that uncommon.

I've had similar.

Some of my client Cos have had a couple of small fridges full of alcohol for Friday late afternoon/early evening drinks.

Oddly no-one ever went to the local supermarket with a small wheelie suitcase to bring it to the office it was delivered with the tea,coffee and soft drinks.

[Whorty]

You whip out a bottle of beer at your desk next time you're at clientCo then.
I don't recall Boris sending people out with suitcases.

Worked for one Co. who, every Friday afternoon, had a 'wine and cheese' afternoon. Which was really a beer and crisps/nuts. The idea was to get everyone in the dept to stop for an hour and chat to their colleagues at the end of the week. General consensus was one drink, some drank alco, some just soft drinks. But the option was there.

Another, during the summer, had the directive that everyone finishes at midday unless they are working on something critical. Go to pub, go home, they didn't care.

I've worked for others who over the years have done variations of this.

So it's not that uncommon.

[WTFH]

You whip out a bottle of beer at your desk next time you're at clientCo then.

I have done, in the past, where appropriate - such as during a late evening meeting or go live. Not normally "whipped out", openly shared around, along with pizzas, etc.

I don't recall Boris sending people out with suitcases.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics...mourned-death/

(Is the Telegraph an acceptable source, or too socialist?)

[d000hg]

I'm not sure having a curry and one bottle of beer = boozing. It's not like he sent people out with suitcases to the local co-op to fill up. Unless, of course, he did guzzle gallons of beer, but the only photo the Mail published was enough evidence that he had a 24 pack to himself.

You whip out a bottle of beer at your desk next time you're at clientCo then.
I don't recall Boris sending people out with suitcases.

[WTFH]

It was OK to have a meal. Boozing at work is hardly a great look even before lockdown. Didn't see schools crack open a few bottles of cava for their staff meetings.

I'm not sure having a curry and one bottle of beer = boozing. It's not like he sent people out with suitcases to the local co-op to fill up. Unless, of course, he did guzzle gallons of beer, but the only photo the Mail published was enough evidence that he had a 24 pack to himself.