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1. Fall-out from day 8 of Westminster hearings at #CSAinquiry – in 13 tweets.
Some further key points about yesterday’s testimony by David Steel, #LordTittleTattle, at Westminster hearings.
For background, see my tweet round-up of day 8 yesterday:
Some further key points about yesterday’s testimony by David Steel, #LordTittleTattle, at Westminster hearings.
For background, see my tweet round-up of day 8 yesterday:
2. For David Steel #LordTittleTattle, the start of his leadership of the Liberal party was over-shadowed by Jeremy Thorpe.
His latter years as a LibDem peer will be overshadowed by Cyril Smith.
Jeremy Thorpe and Cyril Smith – the two bookends of Steel’s dismal political life.
His latter years as a LibDem peer will be overshadowed by Cyril Smith.
Jeremy Thorpe and Cyril Smith – the two bookends of Steel’s dismal political life.
3. Happily, counsel for #CSAinquiry reminded David Steel #LordTittleTattle that he had learnt of the allegations about Cyril Smith (to which he confessed to Steel) around the time of Jeremy Thorpe’s trial.
Steel said: “Yes. The Thorpe thing was a very ghastly experience.” ...
Steel said: “Yes. The Thorpe thing was a very ghastly experience.” ...
4. Asked whether his failure to act over Cyril Smith in 1979 was linked to Jeremy Thorpe case at time, David Steel #LordTittleTattle told #CSAinquiry: “I don’t think so, no. I have obviously thought about it because that’s the allegation in some of the... [inquiry] statements.”
5. As one survivor in public gallery pointed out to me immediately after the testimony of David Steel #LordTittleTattle, he walked from the witness box at #CSAinquiry and chatted to colleagues, seemingly oblivious to the bomb he had just set off to obliterate his reputation...
6. And, after the 67-minute session, a lawyer for one core participant at #CSAinquiry looked visibly shocked in ante-room outside hearing room. “That was a complete car crash,” was the only comment.
And that was clear for all to see – except for David Steel #LordTittleTattle.
And that was clear for all to see – except for David Steel #LordTittleTattle.
7. When the questions at #CSAinquiry finally stopped after a long hour for David Steel #LordTittleTattle, he added two points to inquiry panel.
First, he suggested that political parties should be able to check on election candidates with Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)…
First, he suggested that political parties should be able to check on election candidates with Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)…
8. I predict now that #CSAinquiry will say how very grateful it is for the suggestion by David Steel #LordTittleTattle that political parties should be able to carry out DBS checks on election candidates, and duly recommend exactly that.
But that will not save Steel’s skin…
But that will not save Steel’s skin…
9. David Steel #LordTittleTattle added to #CSAinquiry: “I am a bit concerned about the unqualified way in which, ‘You cannot libel the dead.’ The dead have got relatives and friends, and I think it’s rather scandalous.” No thought still for survivors of the likes of Cyril Smith.
10. In my view, #CSAinquiry must reach the inescapable conclusion that David Steel #LordTittleTattle failed dismally to respond anywhere near properly to the allegations about Cyril Smith when he first heard them in 1979 – especially in light of Smith’s confession to him.
11. In my view, #CSAinquiry inevitably also has to condemn David Steel #LordTittleTattle for his derision of allegations about Cyril Smith as “tittle tattle” and “scurrilous hearsay” given the compelling nature of evidence against him, as found by inquiry’s Rochdale report.
12. In addition, in my view, #CSAinquiry must inevitably condemn David Steel #LordTittleTattle for his derision of allegations about Cyril Smith given that the CPS admitted that there were three missed opportunities to prosecute him, let alone Smith’s confession to Steel.
13a. Overnight, Jo Swinson, LibDem MP and deputy leader, announced that party had begun disciplinary action against former Liberal leader David Steel #LordTittleTattle following his #CSAinquiry testimony.
See my tweet round-up of “car crash” from yday:
See my tweet round-up of “car crash” from yday:
13b. But the failure to act over #VIPaedophiles must not all be blamed on the dismal David Steel #LordTittleTattle.
His pathetic response to the claims against Cyril Smith and, worse, his derision of them, typifies MPs’ and UK authorities’ failure more widely – and the media’s.
His pathetic response to the claims against Cyril Smith and, worse, his derision of them, typifies MPs’ and UK authorities’ failure more widely – and the media’s.
