Jubilant Gail and Tommy Sheridan
Why don’t the tabloids realise that if they refused to pay for these “dishing the dirt” stories, the chances are they would get them for nothing anyway by self-promoting wannabees, as well as dumped lovers seeking revenge. There doesn’t seem to be a shortage of them.
Aren’t these wretched souls somehow led on by tabloids to spice up their tale to make it worth their while? What credibility does it create among the readers if these stories are paid for?
I’m not sure if this was the case with the ex-prostitute and two other women who claimed to sleep with the forceful Tommy Sheridan and scored a tremendous victory over the News of the World. However, what other motive could they have had for baring all and trying to ruin a high profile political figure?
The rag has been left with egg on its face and now more than 20 court witnesses face the prospect of being questioned for perjury. Doesn’t it make you wonder about other not-guilty trials that are held each day where the defendant is either convicted or acquitted – which means that one side has probably lied or fabricated their account before the court after swearing an oath to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
I have attended criminal trials and heard two totally different accounts of the same event, the jury has to choose which version they believe, they have to be sure beyond all reasonable doubt. But when a witness’s evidence is dismissed by a jury, it does not result in that person facing charges of perjury. Why not, if it appears they have blatantly lied, made up alibis etc? Perhaps if more people were prosecuted for perjury, lower profile cases too, then fewer people would be tempted to lie, though these cases can be very tricky to prove. As things stand, they seem to get away with it. Unless they have ruffled the feathers of the NoW and cost them a bob or two.
I would like to see a UK version of this Australian web that reveals how much the media pays for stories. It is quite revealing ….
Everything you say about the News of the World and paying for stories is right but also remember that Tommy, a skilled and practised orator, picked the territory on which he fought back – the Court of Session rather than the High Court.
Judges tend to ask for perjury investigations when it is obvious that one side has been fibbing in a trial where the only evidence is from alleged witnesses. It is then a question – as it appears to have been here – of whose word is the more persuasive.
I know I seem to want to be having my cake and eating it but I think there is more to hear about this case.
You are quite right, though, about the tabloids putting words into the mouths of the poor wretches they fish up for these stories and ramming them home with bundles of £10s, £20s and £50s. The whole thing is revolting and I would love there to be some sort of record of what newspapers paid.
Icedink, I once did some doorstepping for the NoW, I had to go to Clive James’ house in Cambridge and ask about him being seen dancing the salsa in a London club with a nubile lady. I agreed to do it for the experience, but I felt so tacky. His daughter answered the door who had done some work experience on the Cambridge News a short while before and she had shadowed me quite a bit.I felt so embarrassed when she answered the door and saw me with a tape recorder. Never again.
Ellee – so you took the Murdoch shilling – tut,tut!
I read that the NOTW are intending to appeal the verdict in this case, so the stakes are raised ever higher – the combined legals must already run well into six figures, small wonder the plaintiff ended up conducting his own case. Whether he can risk doing so in the Court of Appeal remains to be seen.
This is the other key issue in such cases – few have sufficient personal assets, not to mention the required bottle to take on the might of Fleet Street, especially News International, with their exceedingly deep pockets.
I like your point re non-prosecution of perjury. Same can be said for many other “laws” which causes criminals to play the whole disreputable system. Real policies to make the wheels of justice turn more smoothly should be prominent in the next manifesto.
I, like many Aussies, refuse to watch current affair programs, and purchase womens magazines, purely becuase of their cheque book mentality. To me, it’s just as bad as criminals profiting from their crimes whilst in jail.
Hey! Don’t stop it before I sell my story. Allow a brother to get paid