I am sure Gilligan will get right on it……………………………….one day!

Yes, you are spot on. The idea of Gilligan receiving awards for journalism just shows how much the Insider, Westminster village is so far up their own backsides they would not know a piece of honest journalism if it hit them in the face.

Or is it only wrong if Boris doesn’t do it too?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/aug/06/london.boris

It’s not just Gilligan’s hypocrisy at issue here, it’s also his bare faced lies. He said before polling day he’s subject Boris to the same scrutiny he had with Ken. He has not and he has shown little or no inclination to do so.

The man has no credibility as a journalist and to my mind him winning any award for ‘journalism’ speaks volumes about the value of such an award.

http://davehill.typepad.com/london3ms/2008/08/mayoral-adviser.html

I suppose there was an open recruitment process for hiring Nick boles, Tim Parker, Anthony Browne and the rest?

Oh there wasn’t?? I suppose you’ll be making a stink about that Andrew? Oh you won’t? Why ever not?

Physician, heal thyself. I wouldn’t come around here trying to lecture people on cynicism, progressiveness or principle, if I were you, mate…

“The Mayor wants to make clear that he has no problem with the staff who by all accounts served the previous Mayor well. The Mayor has followed legal advice on this matter and made a decision with the taxpayer in mind. These members of staff are entitled to these settlements. They are only receiving what they are entitled to. Some members of staff have over 20 years loyal service in local government and payments were agreed with this in mind.”

Seems a reasonable chap.

They may be ex Socialist Action members but thats neither here or there, unless they enacted policies we can disagree with. In the same vein, Policy Exchange is running the GLA office now. Is that a problem in itself?

There are serious issues about Boris’s advisers — not least his decision not to fully reform the appointments and scrutiny process. But that doesn’t make the payments to the Socialist Action cabal any less shocking.

But those payments were already agreed no? Is anything being done here that wouldn’t happen in other govt depts or under Boris’s administration? I’m not defending it, but just saying this finger-pointing done by the Evening Standard is highly hypocritical (as Dave points out) unless they apply the same standards to Boris’s team.

Also, you might reflect upon the fact that the mayor’s office has not denied that Johnson’s advisers – mostly “unelected place-people” if you prefer – will benefit from the same arrangements in due course.

You might also find this post interesting:

http://davehill.typepad.com/london3ms/2008/08/the-story-is-in.html

Regards.

There are serious issues about Boris’s advisers — not least his decision not to fully reform the appointments and scrutiny process. But that doesn’t make the payments to the Socialist Action cabal any less shocking.