Gordon Brown attacked over letter 'insult' - Page 5

10-11-2009, 16:37

Not sure about the full text, but just seen the headlines on News 24 and it said that she accepts his apology but hopes he has sleepless nights thinking about her son. They also had some geezer on saying that she thought she had been manipulated by the media.

No links on bbc as I type this though.

punky · 10-11-2009, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

What did the statement say?

It was more of an interview in the end although BBC News called it a statement.

Paraphrasing parts of it

1. She's not be manipulated by the media but they are mis-representing her
2. She's not being political and not trying to paint Brown as insensitive.
3. She accepts Brown is sorrry but wishes he handled it differently
4. Pushed hard on the lack of resources
5. Doesn't feel Brown knows what its like to lose an adult child although she conceeds he does know how it feels to lose a young child (as does she apparently)
6. She's setting up a fund for her son to provide squaddies with equiptment so they don't have to buy.
7. Claims all other mums who have lost sons are behind her.
8. Went into a lot of details about Jamie Janes which I feel was entirely unnecessary.

10-11-2009, 16:57

We have to remember though that this is a mother in pain and probably saying and no doubt doing things she would never normally do and completely believe the sun is misrepresenting her as that seems to be how they normally operate. I have no doubt when she looks back on this in a few years time there will be more then one aspect she regrets but until we have been in the position of losing one of our kids in these circumstances i don't feel judgement of the mother is right.

Osem · 10-11-2009, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by RizzyKing

We have to remember though that this is a mother in pain and probably saying and no doubt doing things she would never normally do and completely believe the sun is misrepresenting her as that seems to be how they normally operate. I have no doubt when she looks back on this in a few years time there will be more then one aspect she regrets but until we have been in the position of losing one of our kids in these circumstances i don't feel judgement of the mother is right.

Agree she almost certainly isn't thinking straight - who on earth would be? She's also an angry woman in unbearable pain so we must all make allowances for that fact.

I heard her recorded conversation with Brown and an interview with her this afternoon. She seems to have accepted the situation more now as might be expected. There's no doubt the Sun have tried to make the most of this to embarrass Brown but I don't feel they've misrepresented her in what comment I've heard from them so far. I don't buy or read the Sun so can't comment on what they may have written however.

rogerdraig · 10-11-2009, 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

I'm sorry for this woman's loss and I understand her anger but I deplore the lack of dignity with which her son's sacrifice is being associated now.

I also think she is being used by the paper whom won't give a second thought once her story is no longer newsworthy.

This lad deserves a better memorial than being used to sell newspapers.

agree with that

plus as a dyslexic ( no one would have guessed that

) i find the idea that just because some ones writing is untidy or miss spelled is automatically insulting insulting in its self

he personally bothers to write that should be appluaded no mater what the rights and wrongs of the conflict are

i think what ever he did would have upset this lady if it had been typed we most likely would be hearing that he couldnt be bothered to write a personal letter

and as above i think the paper is using her

**Damien** · 10-11-2009, 21:04

It seems The Sun is backing way off this now after the reaction from it's commentators, some of it's own reporters, and other figures. Even Daily Fail commentators were expressing sympathy for Brown.

SB_07 · 10-11-2009, 21:07

Gordon Brown's handwriting is awful.

**Maggy** · 10-11-2009, 21:13

Wow!

http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thre...20091110221051

I think this is backfiring on the Sun...

Flyboy · 10-11-2009, 21:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osem

Agree she almost certainly isn't thinking straight - who on earth would be? She's also an angry woman in unbearable pain so we must all make allowances for that fact.

I heard her recorded conversation with Brown and an interview with her this afternoon. She seems to have accepted the situation more now as might be expected. There's no doubt the Sun have tried to make the most of this to embarrass Brown but I don't feel they've misrepresented her in what comment I've heard from them so far. I don't buy or read the Sun so can't comment on what they may have written however.

Well, it seems to have backfired on them, Apparently, the majority of support from their readers is for the Prime Minister, as it is amongst Westminster as a whole. It also seems as the majority of the media are supporting him as well.

**Damien** · 10-11-2009, 21:22

According to The Guardian The Sun's new political editor advised against going in strongly on this. I am guessing he was overruled, especially as this week is an especially powerful moment to exploit the deaths of servicemen.

Flyboy · 10-11-2009, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Wow!

http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thre...20091110221051

I think this is backfiring on the Sun...

I have just flicked thorough the first fifty or so messages on this article and I couldn't find one which supported the Sun's approach. Virtually every one of them of them sympathised with the Prime Minister.

**Damien** · 10-11-2009, 21:30

That's a first for the BBC Have You Say section. Usually populated by foaming at the mouth cranks.

Gary L · 10-11-2009, 22:03

Listening to the recorded conversation between her and Gordon. she sounds like she's interviewing him on behalf of The Sun. as much as I feel sorry for her and her son. the discussion was about apologising for the spelling mistakes, which she doesn't seem to want to accept. she just wants to talk the politics of it all.

TheDaddy · 11-11-2009, 06:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

don't forget he read his name out wrong in Parliament.

I don't care who brought this up, this is disgraceful behavior for a PM. It wouldn't be accepted from a subordinate, that's for sure.

Well if he read it out wrong to chances are a subordinate is responsible then.

**Damien** · 11-11-2009, 08:11

Was The Sun always this active in supporting (or opposing) a party?