[jfman]

I am absolutely appalled by much of what I've read over the last few days on this thread, and I don't intend to (but may) keep contributing as further evidence arises until there is clarity.

I don't agree with all of Pierre's statements but there's an underlying issue - we live in a country with legal standards, and moral standards, that we expect from politicians and others of public standing, or we just exist in one where the law is the law and go out and enjoy yourself otherwise.

The obvious risk - to someone in the journalism trade - at existing in a moral vacuum is that the politician across the table can expose you to your wife, your children, your parents, etc.

It embarrasses me that other forum members who I generally, and often wholeheartedly, associate with do not recognise this.

Many of us will have employers that request us to act beyond reproach for the risk we tarnish their reputation, in the private sector but most definitely in the public sector. I've no idea why the fifth highest paid member of BBC staff is exempt.