The week that was: Iraq Inquiry, Night Jack, MPs' expenses, and Phil Woolas
I always seem to go on holiday when there is a busy week of news, and so it happened again.
So I thought it worth writing a post about the week that was, if only for my own sake to help catch up with the news properly.
Last Monday the Government finally agreed to hold an inquiry into the Iraq war, only to bungle the issue over whether it would hear evidence in private or public.
We now know that Gordon Brown said it should be held in private at the instigation of Tony Blair.
Every time Gordon Brown has a chance to take control of the political agenda he some how messes it up and turns it into a controversy.
On Tuesday the blogosphere was stirred up by the Times unveiling of anonymous police blogger Night Jack (AKA DC Richard Horton who serves with Lancashire Constabulary).
I've read a number of articles about this since, and I still can't really make my mind up over this issue.
Controversy still rages of course in Liverpool over the anonymous Evil Cabal blog and its successor Liverpool Subculture.
Fleet Street Blues thinks the Times was right, Emily Bell of the Guardian thinks they were wrong. What do you think?
Then on Thursday we had the shambolic release of MPs' expenses with vast chunks blacked out. Enough has already been said on this, let's wait and see who they choose as the new speaker today, but I am starting to doubt all the rhetoric we have heard about everyone wanting to be open and transparent.
A week last Friday we also learnt of Phil Woolas appointment as minister for the North West.
The choice means a second MP from Greater Manchester in the regional role, and may raise eyebrows in Merseyside with many convinced the government has shown a Manchester bias over recent times.
He has dismissed this though saying: "Whatever the jokes about rivalry, the fact is that, throughout history, Manchester and Liverpool have risen together and fallen together."
Let's not forget the trouble Beverley Hughes (the previous incumbent) got into with the Daily Post when she tried to claim Liverpool had claiming hundreds of civil servant jobs had been created in Liverpool.
Finally on Friday I was named Young Journalist of the Year 2009 in the North West, so a big thanks to all readers and contacts who made this possible with your tip offs and help.
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Dale Street Associates
David Bartlett
City editor of the Post and Echo covering politics, regeneration, and urban affairs.
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The successor to Liverpool Subculture Blog is Prof Chucklebutty
http://profchucklebuttychronic.blogspot.com/
Tatty-bye folks.
Flattering, but the Cabal and Subculture were news breaking blogs with some alarmingly accurate accounts of HenshawâÂÂs legacy and the lunacy that followed. It also seemed to be supported by many town hall mandarins when it suited. My husband's Capital of Custard 2008 blog and his follow up, Chronic calls are either him off in a parallel world with matching slacks or a simple commentary on news and events with added whimsy. (it's the marrowfat peas)
Anyway, I think he's retired since he discovered a rich new jam seam under the world heritage site. It'll all have to come down I'm afraid.
So anyway, how was Presthaven Sands this year Mr Barcode? Did you put a strong sunfactor on or long trousers - remember those legs last year? Red raw!
Congratulations on the award. very well deserved.
Thank you Tony, young Bartlett got an award as well you know.