Tony Blackburn Sacking. Fuzzy Logic

[Zacs-Master]

I don't think TB has done himself any favours in combating the accusations when he says:

“The reasons for the BBC taking this decision are that my evidence to Dame Janet Smith shows, I believe, that a cover up took place - one that I had no knowledge of. This goes against what the BBC believe."

Huh?

[Togo]

Or he refuses to be part of a whitewash.^^

[naomi24]

Mikey, Blackburn is simply trying to protect his ass, in the face of what can only be described as a car-crash of an Enquiry for the BBC. //

I know you're a great fan of the BBC (as am I from a consumer's point of view), but what you've said makes no sense. If Tony Blackburn was, as you say, trying to 'protect his ass' his wisest course of action would have been to say what the heavyweights wanted him to say. That way he'd have kept his job. I think Togo is closer to the mark when he says //Or he refuses to be part of a whitewash.//

[naomi24]

Mikey, and another thing. Why do you think he wants to 'protect his ass'? What do you think he's done to feel the need to do that?

[andy-hughes]

It appears to hinge around the fact that there is documentary evidence that TB was interviewed twice, by a QC, and by the BBC, and in the Inquiry, he denied being interviewed.

So the Inquiry Head has stated that she doesn't believe that TB was not interviewed, ergo he is, at best, being uncooperative, and at worst, not being honest.

The BBC seem to be agreeing that the former is sufficient to sack him - we shall see if Mr Blackburn's legal team agree.

[naomi24]

andy-hughes, //there is documentary evidence that TB was interviewed twice, by a QC, and by the BBC,//

I understood that there is no documentary evidence of those interviews. Perhaps I've misunderstood, but if such evidence does exist Tony Blackburn would be pretty stupid to deny having been interviewed. Seems very odd.

[naomi24]

andy-hughes, //In the report, Dame Janet Smith cites testimony that Blackburn was interviewed twice by senior BBC manager Bill Cotton and Sir Brian Neill QC//

‘Testimony’ does not equate to documentary evidence. Tony Hall refuses to say whether he thinks Blackburn lied to the Dame Janet Smith inquiry.

If hard evidence existed – and if those interviews happened, I’d be surprised if they weren’t recorded - there would be no question. The inquiry – and Tony Hall - would be left in no doubt that Tony Blackburn lied. I say again, there's something very fishy going on here.

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-02-25/bbc-director-general-tony-blackburn-was-sacked-because-his-evidence-to-savile-inquiry-fell-short-of-what-was-required

[andy-hughes]

Naomi - Thanks for the update - I wasn't listening closely to what Tony Hall said - but I bet Tone's lawyers will be!!

[naomi24]

You're welcome.

[mikey4444]

Naomi...maybe its got something to do with this :::

"The veteran DJ, who has threatened to sue the BBC, said the report included an accusation he was among celebrities who "seduced" a 15-year-old girl"

[mikey4444]

If I were forced to believe either Dame Janet Smith, or an aging DJ, who stood around and watched Savile get away with his disgusting behaviour, I know who I would choose.

[DTCwordfan]

mikey, be careful, that's hovering on being defamatory and almost libellous.

[mikey4444]

DTC.....Are we to believe that Blackburn worked alongside Savile for over 40 years, and wasn't aware of his horrible habits ? Did he miss the continual traipsing of young girls into Savile's dressing room in some way ?

That stretches credibility too far.

[naomi24]

Mikey, read the links.

//Mr Blackburn said that neither Dame Janet's report into Savile, nor the BBC, made any suggestion he was guilty of misconduct with the girl, nor did a coroner's inquest or a subsequent police inquiry.//

//“In 1971 allegations were made by the mother of a 15-year-old girl whose diary apparently contained suggestions that she had been seduced by celebrities including me. I am told that the mother told the BBC, a few weeks after her initial complaint, that her daughter had withdrawn the allegation against me.

“I have never seen the diary and neither has anyone at the BBC or the Dame Janet review. //

DTC is right. Don't let your hero worship of the BBC addle your brain.

[mikey4444]

Blackburn MUST have known about Savile. Its inconceivable that he didn't.

[Peter Pedant]

// If I were forced to believe either Dame Janet Smith, or an aging DJ, who stood around and watched Savile get away with his disgusting behaviour, I know who I would choose.//

forced to believe ...... interesting idea
forced to choose I can understand better

There was once a judge who inquired into SHipman and got a reputation as an axeman for the Establishment - she was told that no records of Pontefract existed but that once Dr Shipman had stood at the end of a ward and looked very angry indeed
and she said OK I will give that 20 - his tally is not 354 but 374

http://www.pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk/news/local-news/shipman-s-death-toll-at-pgi-1-1237394

[DTCwordfan]

whether correct or incorrect on that, mikey, you have to have proof to make such a comment and I am assuming that this remark of yours is supposition. If so, that puts you in a position of transgression when it comes to libel law.

[Bathsheba]

Is it just me "waiting for the other shoe to drop".......A certain Mr C Richard?

Baths
x x x

[mikey4444]

DTC...I stand 100% by what I said at 18:05. If the Editor thinks it might bring about problems, than he can withdraw the post.

[DTCwordfan]

well as they said about Monica, it will all come out in the wash...

[naomi24]

Mikey, //Blackburn MUST have known about Savile. Its inconceivable that he didn't. //

Why? Do you know the details of your colleagues personal lives? I don't and I don't want to. The minute there's a sniff of scandal about anyone in the public eye, you're right at the front ready to hang, draw and quarter.