05/07/2009: "Lumley clashes with minister over Gurkhas"

the BBC just cannot help themselves,no matter how bad the government position, spin spin and more spin comes out of their news reports.

Joanna Lumley collared minister Phil Woolas, in the BBC studios, after yesterday being told that the prime minister himself was personally dealing with the issue, and ONE DAY LATER.. a letter goes out to Gurkhas, saying their applications had been refused.

Gordon Brown, who is dealing with it personally, didnt even know about the letters, so a furious Lumley forced the minister into an impromptu press conference and statement.

those receiving letters will now have their cases "reviewed" sympathetically, the other "review" already promised would now be complete by the end of july (a change from gordon brown's promises yesterday of the end of may) and yet another "review" of the 1500 applicants already, would be completed by the end of may.

the BBC reporter stated "of course the minister cannot be expected to do well up against a national treasure!"
utter tosh!

it was the fact that the minister had to answer questions directly, without any room for SPIN

the lesson here is clear.... during election campaigns for european and county council seats next month (and the forthcoming general election) people should gain access to the government ministers and hit them with direct questions with the press there... without a script and stagemanaged answer prepared (as they do at PMQs each week) then they are basically....knackered!