Who guards the guards? (3)
Some bloggers will be aware of the on/off running battle between Iain Dale and Tim Ireland. And that Iain Dale's Diary has recently had a face lift to try and improve its image. But, all that glitters is not gold. For example:
"Rules of Engagement
Iain Dale 2:19 PM
RULES ON COMMENTS
I welcome a healthy debate on this blog. It's what blogging is all about. Strongly worded comments are acceptable, but libellous ones are not. It is commonly thought that somehow bloggers operate outside the law of libel. This is an incorrect assumption. If I feel that any comment could be contrued as libellous I will not allow it through comment moderation.
Swearing is banned on this blog. If you use a swear word in your comment, again, it is liable to be deleted without explanation.
Anonymous posting is allowed, but if it is insulting to me or other people posting in the thread I reserve the right not to allow it through.
Please try to be as polite as possible. People seem to think that the internet can be used to say things to people which you wold (sic) never dream of saying to their face. Strong argument is welcomed, but please try to steer clear of personal insults where possible.
If any of these rules are continually transgressed I reserve the right to ban an individual from posting further comments.
In short, I reserve the right to delete any comment made on this blog with no explanation. This is a debating forum which I have created and if people do not like my rules they should feel free not to participate.
If you have suggestions for further rules of engagement, please feel free to leave them in the comments on this thread".
Now we have read the theory, let us see it in practice with this post and the comments here.
In particular, "...libellous ones are not. It is commonly thought that somehow bloggers operate outside the law of libel. This is an incorrect assumption. If I feel that any comment could be contrued as libellous I will not allow it through comment moderation". I recall Iain Dale stating on more than one occasion that he is not a lawyer. Therefore, how can he construe what is deemed as libellous? Perhaps, he should sell his new Audi and spend the money instead on seeking the legal advice from a libel lawyer (I don't mean that plonker Donal Blaney who is a tax lawyer and stepping into a minefield for his BNP chum Guido Fawkes/Paul Staines)?
It is arguable that I am a lawyer, like Donal Blaney, the laws of libel are not my specialist area. Nevertheless, I would construe this comment as a libel:
"Anonymous jus' passin' thru' said...
verity and geoff.
jailhouselawyer describes himself as a prison law consultant and presumably gets paid for his activities.
As he is in receipt of Benefits and is clearly not making himself available for work, he obviously needs a little help.
National Benefit Fraud Hotline:
0800 854 440
These people would love to help him towards his goal of rehabilitation into mainstream society.
Happy to Help.
February 04, 2008 4:41 AM".
It is accepted that Iain Dale is not a lawyer. However, he does claim to know what is insulting and what is not. And claims the right to decide who he will allow to be insulted and who he will not allow to be insulted on his blog:
"Anonymous posting is allowed, but if it is insulting to me or other people posting in the thread I reserve the right not to allow it through".
In my view, the following comments are insulting of and to me:
"Anonymous Geoff said...
No Jailhouselawyer, it doesn't help at all.
If I'm ever in the market for a second hand axe (slightly used) though then I'll give you a shout.
February 03, 2008 9:50 PM".
"Anonymous verity said...
Geoff - Jailhouse Lawyer would do well to drop his laughable professorial stance regarding crime. He doesn't understand that anyone who knows who he is wouldn't touch his link with a barge pole. He got some trash law degree in prison because they had to keep him occupied for 18 years or whatever it was (not long enough to pay for taking a life).
He claims to be a media consultant on prison law, but he also claims benefits from the British taxpayer, meaning relatives who loved the woman whose life he terminated with his axe attack are probably contributing to his upkeep, which goes against human nature.
In fact, there ought to be a series of boxes to tick on tax forms. Do you want money to go to providing prisoners with TVs and gym facilities? Tick here. Do want your money to go to building special muslim toilets facing away from mecca with your taxes? Tick here. Etc.
That would be illuminating, would it not?
February 04, 2008 12:40 AM".
"Anonymous jus' passin' thru' said...
verity and geoff.
jailhouselawyer describes himself as a prison law consultant and presumably gets paid for his activities.
As he is in receipt of Benefits and is clearly not making himself available for work, he obviously needs a little help.
National Benefit Fraud Hotline:
0800 854 440
These people would love to help him towards his goal of rehabilitation into mainstream society.
Happy to Help.
February 04, 2008 4:41 AM".
It will be noted that my comments are on topic, and not deserving of such treatment from someone who claims to be not only a respectable and responsible blogger, but also a respectable and responsible member of the Tory Party. It is not a libel to call Iain Dale both a liar and a hypocrite. Nor is it insulting to make a statement of fact. When, if ever, does Iain Dale intend to clean up his act? Could it be because it is deemed too dirty even for the Tories that they will not select him to run for a Tory seat (other than that in the small room)?
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
It's appalling, isn't it? And Dale regularly allows attacks like this against you to stand without challenge or deletion.
ReplyDeleteBlogged here.
Normally, I'd chip in under comments at Dale's, but - as you no doubt already know - I am now banned 'forever' for complaining to Iain that he did not follow his own rules.
If bloggers want to have a moderation policy they should at least try to be consistent about how they apply it. On my blog I don't allow gratuitous swearing because I know it is read by a lot of constituents who would not expect to read that sort of thing from their local councillor.
ReplyDeleteIf, however, they want to say 'it's my blog and I'll allow what I want to no matter how inconsistent it may be applied' then I suppose that is also up to them... but I don't think they should get all high and mighty about it.
By the way, John, I have said before, that Iain Dale and co. persistently allowing through the sort of comments they do about you can only mean they are condoning and encouraging it.
ReplyDeleteHis rules basically say no different to what he has been doing previously, making it up as he goes along.
ReplyDeleteThank **** he didn't get selected as the candidate.
Hi Tim: It was only the other day that Iain Dale claimed that he was neither a liar and a hypocrite, over the Derek Conway affair. The charges stand, he has no defence. Cheers for blogging it as well. I meant to correct Bob's last post on Iain Dale where he said he had banned me from commenting. That was you in my case it was the removal of my link because I linked to your blog.
ReplyDeleteBob: Too true. Too true.
simo: Ch-ch-ch-changes. He would not get my vote. That makes Conway and him.
Iain Dale should be Prime minister. One rule for us - another for you.
ReplyDeleteVerity appears to be in need of a parting in his/her hair. A truly twisted individual. FJL perhaps?
ReplyDeleteJust to say that ANY comment left on blogger can be traced by the IP address through blogger REGARDLESS of if was left in the guise of "anonymous" or not. Even if the commenter is on a dynamic IP his/her location can be determined by a phone call to their ISP as long as the time and date is registered. And it is.
ReplyDeleteDale being a liar and a hypocrite is only the half of it.
ReplyDeleteOutside of his inner coterie of useful idiots, there is a common perception that Dale is an arrogant, smug cunt.
It's not one that I subscribe to, of course.
But only because he is a prick.
Do I win £5.00?
EQG: Will you accept a bouncing cheque for the princely sum of £5?
ReplyDelete