-Caveat Lector- Euphorian spotted this on the Guardian Unlimited Politics site and thought you should see it.
To see this story with its related links on the Guardian Unlimited Politics site, go to http://politics.guardian.co.uk No 10 attacks media over Cheriegate Danny Penman and agencies Tuesday December 10 2002 The Guardian Downing Street has launched a withering assault on the media after nearly two weeks of embarrassing revelations about Cherie Blair's dealings with convicted conman Peter Foster. Tony Blair's official spokesman told the media to gain a "sense of perspective" over the issue. He said: "The central fact in all of this is quite simply nothing improper or illegal has been done or has been shown to be done." "At the end of it, what is the worst that Mrs Blair can be accused of? That she believed the best of someone? That she helped a pregnant friend understand the legal process? That she bought a flat for her son at university? "Are we saying that we have reached the point that the prime minister's wife is entitled to no privacy at all? That she and other ministers' wives have to keep a log of everything they do in case accusations are made? Accusations that turn out to be false?" There is a growing sense of anger in government circles about the way the media has treated Cherie Blair. Last night the international development secretary, Clare Short, waded into the debate by stating on Sky News that Cherie Blair was entirely innocent of any wrongdoing. Ms Short said: "If she's got any lack of judgement it's being kind and caring. "If she did anything that was foolish she helped out this friend who was pregnant and who was worried about whether the guy's case was being properly handled." The latest revelations came to light last night when it emerged that the prime minister's wife had telephoned Mr Foster's solicitors to reassure them that deportation proceedings against him would be handled in the normal way. Mr Foster was refused entry to Britain on August 31 because of his criminal past. He successfully appealed and is currently awaiting a final decision. Cherie Blair denies any attempt to influence proceedings. The prime minister's spokesman said: "She didn't involve herself in an immigration case, she did not contact the Home Office, she did not contact the immigration service. She helped her friend understand the process Peter Foster's solicitors were carrying out. That's not involving yourself in an immigration case. "Neither ministers, private staff nor officials from the immigration and nationality service have been contacted by Downing Street at any time on the matter of Mr Foster." Copyright Guardian Newspapers Limited <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
