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Friday 15 December 2017

Private Eyes and Ears

Someone told me the other day about a Radio 4 interview during which Ian Hislop discussed what he didn't know about Sir Jimmy Savile. Now, I haven't heard this, so I cannot repeat what he said. But, I believe in deeds, not words. After all, would you sit right next to a man you suspected was a child rapist ? 


Now, this video is definitely worth watching. It kicks off with a discussion of the hoax 'transcript' of 'outakes' from Savile's guest appearance, and quickly moves on to the subject of who KNEW what and when ! Hislop repeats what just about everyone else in the know, didn't. Yes, he'd heard rumours, but he knew nothing ! 

At 1.46 minutes - "It's what the word 'Know' means. If you say, 'I knew about it' you mean, you'd heard the rumours. Everyone had heard the rumours. If you actually knew about it, you should have done something about it. The only people who know about it are people to whom it happened, and they tend to be - disadvantaged, 12 and not in the mood to go to a court trial. I mean, that is why nothing came out"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H24mFoSWpsc 

But, 12 year old's, don't stay 12 for more than 365 days Mr Hislop. But, I'll not come back to that flippant part of your - otherwise sensible argument. Sensible, that is, if you've not the editor of the magazine Private Eye since 1986. You can read all about it's relationship with the defamation courts, here. As you can see they didn't exactly give a 'fuck' did they ?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_Eye

Must say, I do admire their spunk ! A magazine after my own heart ! LOL



 Before there was Ian Hislop, there was Richard Ingrams and it was his magazine that first published the Savile allegations, because he thought it was a good story !






 c


But, why would someone, anyone mention rumours ? After all, you didn't during your long tenure at the Eye !


 It's that 'know' word again isn't it ? That's their great excuse isn't it ? But, surely, in the Savile case, there has to be more to it that simply not 'knowing'. Because, if we're to believe the likes of Paul Connew at the Mirror, those that did allegedly KNOW, had repeatedly contacted the press before Savile died. According to him, he was alerted in 1994. The alleged knower's contacted the Sun in 2007. Heck, they even contacted the Police, and still, the press didn't know enough to risk a few quid in the courts. 

http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/why-oldie-exposed-savile-child-abuse-i-just-thought-it-was-good-story/ 

If it doesn't make sense - it isn't true ! As Judge Judy would say 

But let's hear from Mr Hislop's opposing captain on the Have I Got News for You  front. What did Paul Merton not know, or more crucially - not believe about his guest panelist back in 1999 ?







Read that again - " How can he be ? He is the most recognisable man in Britain, how could he possibly be doing this stuff without people saying: 'that's the man' 


Hard not to like Paul Merton isn't it ? He went that one bit further. He added that bit of common sense that's missing from nearly all the press reportage so far. After all : How could he have gotten away with such hideous crimes for so long ? Someone, would have exposed him. Someone who knew would have followed through on their accusations. After all, they'd already gone to the Police, and the press, hadn't they ?

Happy Christmas Guys and Gals