Should Tom Watson Resign?

[Deskdiary]

Should Tom Watson resign over his disgraceful actions in the 'VIP Paedophile' witch hunt?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7565499/Victorian-priest-poet-Cardinal-Newman-canonised-historic-ceremony-Vatican.html

Supplementary question - am I wrong in thinking he's disgusting in considering himself a victim?

[New Judge]

//So I'm wondering just what he did that was unreasonable.//

He met Carl Beech as part of his (Watson's) campaign to have historic abuse allegations investigated. He remained in close contact with and lent support to Beech as he persisted with his incredible allegations. He publicly spoke out against those whom Beech had falsely accused, going so far as to accuse Lord Brittan of being "close to evil", an accusation based solely on Beech's unsubstantiated and wholly incredible accounts. Lord Brittan was suffering from serious illness whilst the investigations (based on Beech's accusations which were supported by Watson) were conducted. He was interviewed whilst effectively on his death bed and died before it became clear that the allegations were pure fantasy. Mr Watson had to apologise to the widowed Lady Brittan.

How's that for starters?

[jno]

thanks, NJ. I think accusing Brittan of being evil was well beyond the pale. (The fact that he was dying doesn't seem relevant; investigators shouldn't stop work because of a suspect's health.) The rest I'm less sure about: the allegations weren't "incredible" at the time, bearing in mind that allegations against Savile were also thought to be so but were shown to be true. It was in order for police to learn from their actions, or inaction, over Savile.

[andy-hughes]

I am not sure if the allegations against Savile have been proven, obviously he was never interviewed so an objective assessment will never be possible.

[jno]

I'm prepared to go with the sheer weight of evidence in Savile's case. There's no point in excusing him on the grounds that he didn't go to trial: plenty of claims were made at the time, all ignored.

[Gromit]

Speaking of Saville, he was a friend and confidant of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. She recommended him for an honour, but that was knocked back.
So Watson isn’t the first gullible idiot.

[jno]

she did get him a knighthood in the end, but it was her fifth attempt.

[woofgang]

Its the bit about giving Carl Beech information that sticks in my craw. I suspect that the police would have made less of a dogs breakfast of the whole thing had political pressure not been brought to bear and if Tom Watson had not made the thing so personal.

[jno]

that may well be right, woofgang. Anyway, NJ's statement that Watson was accusing Brittan in public (even if it was in Parliament, I don't know if that was the case) answers my query: that was clearly indefensible.

[andy-hughes]

Jon - to be absolutely clear, I am in no way 'excusing' Savile in any way, but as my record on this site shows, I try to be as fair and objective as I can, even against the tide of assumes on here (!).