Cameron criticised for 'Team Nigella' intervention in trial

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...-in-trial.html

David Cameron has been criticised by a judge for his "regrettable" intervention in the trial of two former aides to Nigella Lawson.

The jury trying the two women for fraud was told to ignore the Prime Minister's comments that he is a "massive fan" of Miss Lawson and regards himself as a member of "Team Nigella".

What is Cameron doing commenting on ongoing trials in the media and why was everyone following this case decided to treat it as if it were a soap opera and dividing themselves into 'Teams'?

I suspect he feels bad for her - after the torrid time she had in the *witness* box it's hard to remember she isn't actually on trial.

MPs can, and do, use Parliamentary privilege to say all sorts of things that would land anyone else in the dock. Seeing as this country is suppsoed to be a parliamentary democracy, I think that's fair enough. The judge should just suck it up and get on with his job, part of which is guiding the jury as to what they should evaluate and what they should ignore.

Originally Posted by Chris

I suspect he feels bad for her - after the torrid time she had in the *witness* box it's hard to remember she isn't actually on trial.

MPs can, and do, use Parliamentary privilege to say all sorts of things that would land anyone else in the dock. Seeing as this country is suppsoed to be a parliamentary democracy, I think that's fair enough. The judge should just suck it up and get on with his job, part of which is guiding the jury as to what they should evaluate and what they should ignore.

I didn't think Parliamentary privilege applied in the case of media interviews but even if they did no one is saying he has broken any law, just that it was an unwise intervention for a Prime Minister to make. I also don't see the relevance of it being a democracy, it doesn't seem fair for defendants to see the Prime Minister commenting on their case. Again not saying it's illegal but it is an error of judgement.

Anyway my main problem is the way public figures are going around with this '#TeamNigella' stuff. This is the kind of thing teenage girls do on Twitter between media created rivalries with pop stars or the Twilight movies, not adults discussing criminal trials and a messy public divorce.

[Gary L]

I don't see the problem really. it's not as if people take any notice of what Dave says. or that Dave's opinion counts for anything?

Originally Posted by Damien

I didn't think Parliamentary privilege applied in the case of media interviews but even if they did no one is saying he has broken any law, just that it was an unwise intervention for a Prime Minister to make. I also don't see the relevance of it being a democracy, it doesn't seem fair for defendants to see the Prime Minister commenting on their case. Again not saying it's illegal but it is an error of judgement.

Anyway my main problem is the way public figures are going around with this '#TeamNigella' stuff. This is the kind of thing teenage girls do on Twitter between media created rivalries with pop stars or the Twilight movies, not adults discussing criminal trials and a messy public divorce.

You're right, it doesn't - my mistake, for some reason I thought this had come up in PMQs yesterday.

Nevertheless, if there was a legal issue, that's for the reporter and his publisher, not the person whose spoken words they are quoting.

As for the wording ... Well, he was taking part in a 'selfie' at someone's memorial service the other day. What else dd you expect?

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by Chris

Well, he was taking part in a 'selfie' at someone's memorial service the other day. What else dd you expect?

I know.
what a plonker.

Originally Posted by Chris

You're right, it doesn't - my mistake, for some reason I thought this had come up in PMQs yesterday.

Nevertheless, if there was a legal issue, that's for the reporter and his publisher, not the person whose spoken words they are quoting.

Again he is within his rights to say it legally, I just think it was a bit of a gaff for him to do so considering he is the Prime Minster. They usually just retort that they won't comment on a ongoing trial. It's not something I am massively upset though, just a bit miffed.

As for the wording ... Well, he was taking part in a 'selfie' at someone's memorial service the other day. What else dd you expect?

Nothing much. The Team thing was just an avenue for me to moan more generally about it. People are associating themselves with a team, as if this were a fangirl twitter fight or a football match, over a serious legal trial and a separate but connected divorce in a way that would have been the basis of a joke in Brass Eye or The Onion. :rem:

The Selfie I think was fine. The whole atmosphere was jovial and people were signing and dancing around them. Edit: Not that I like the concept of selfies, bunch of preening narcissists!

Reading the Interview the 'Team Nigella' part wasn't a quote. It was put to him by Fraser Nelson and Cameron responded that he was rather than quoting the phrase himself, which is better IMO, makes me sound less like a teenager.

http://www.spectator.co.uk/features/...-team-nigella/

We pass a road sign that says ‘Beaconsfield Services’, which is my four-minute warning. I ask a question I feel sure he’ll dodge: about the trial of Charles Saatchi’s former housemaids and the revelation that his ex-wife, Nigella Lawson, used cocaine. Her fans have rushed to her defence: ‘Team Nigella’ is used as a hashtag on Twitter and even sprayed on city walls. Is the Prime Minister on Team Nigella? ‘I am,’ he says. ‘I’m a massive fan, I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting her a couple of times and she always strikes me as a very funny and warm person. Nancy [Cameron’s nine-year-old daughter] and I sometimes watch a bit of Nigella on telly. Not in court, I hasten to add.’

Much softer than The Telegraph's take. Still not the wisest thing to say but clearly nothing too untoward.

[richard s]

Just love Nigella... I can dream can't I.

[solitaire]

Originally Posted by richard s

Just love Nigella... I can dream can't I.

Me too!

[Arthurgray50@blu]

A judge can order a re-trial on the grounds that Cameon has said something concerning Nigella.

What people dont realise is that Cameron should keepo his nose out of things that dont concern him.

AND a judge can order Cameron to go before him and ask, why he said that comment.

I was on a jury many years ago, and a judeg ordered a retrial, when a juror was seen talking to a member of the prosecution.

Asked by a reporter if he like Nigella, he said "yes".

Not quite the same as a juror talking to a member of the prosecution team, is it?

[GrimUpNorth]

Originally Posted by richard s

Just love Nigella... I can dream can't I.

When someone mentions Nigella, I can't help thinking of the calendar towards the end of the Lamshank Redemption.

Cheers

Grim