Spot the Difference
Labour's old guard is out to defend the indefensible - and not for the first time
The party's dinosaur elements is trying to gloss over the behaviour of Phil Woolas - the fomer MP and government minister who has been booted out of Parliament - for spreading malicious lies about his Lib Dem opponent in the May general election.
The argument of the 'Save Woolas' brigade is that their man has not received - due process.
Because Woolas has indicated his intention to appeal the damning verdict of two high court judges - and presumably he remains 'innocent' in the eyes of some at least.
Unless and until he has finally and incontrovertibly been proved guilty - in some higher place or court - which might take years, of course.
Well these same tender mercies were not shown to the three former Labour MPs now facing court charges over their election expenses - Jim Devine (a Scot and former Unison official), David Chaytor and Elliot Morley.
None of these chaps has been found guilty of anything - as yet - of course.
Nonetheless they were bundled out the door and declared 'persona non grata' by the Labour hierarchy - without so much as a backward glance.
So what's the difference between Phil Woolas and Jim Devine?
The party's dinosaur elements is trying to gloss over the behaviour of Phil Woolas - the fomer MP and government minister who has been booted out of Parliament - for spreading malicious lies about his Lib Dem opponent in the May general election.
The argument of the 'Save Woolas' brigade is that their man has not received - due process.
Because Woolas has indicated his intention to appeal the damning verdict of two high court judges - and presumably he remains 'innocent' in the eyes of some at least.
Unless and until he has finally and incontrovertibly been proved guilty - in some higher place or court - which might take years, of course.
Well these same tender mercies were not shown to the three former Labour MPs now facing court charges over their election expenses - Jim Devine (a Scot and former Unison official), David Chaytor and Elliot Morley.
None of these chaps has been found guilty of anything - as yet - of course.
Nonetheless they were bundled out the door and declared 'persona non grata' by the Labour hierarchy - without so much as a backward glance.
So what's the difference between Phil Woolas and Jim Devine?
