MP found guilty of fiddling, but escapes an actual criminal charge?

[LazyGun]

I do not really understand this at all.

If she was declared unfit to face trial for psychiatric problems, why did they not postpone the trial until she was declared fit?

If there was no prospect of an improved psychiatric status, why is she not being treated in an institution?

And if a trial is convened, despite her absence, and if she is found guilty, as she was - why is it she manages to evade an actual criminal charge?

Could she enjoy a miraculous recovery over the next few months, and continue her life without serving a prison sentence or having a criminal conviction against her name?

I really am puzzled by this whole process; It does stink of privilege; one could hardly imagine joe bloggs down the street being able to employ this kind of defence.....

http://www.guardian.c...ran-bogus-mp-expenses

[ludwig]

I'm sure she'll cheer up a bit now she's not going to prison. I know I would.

[andy-hughes]

'Cheer up'? Please refer to my previous answer.

Thanks.

[ludwig]

Sorry andy, I don't have your patience. I don't like liars, thieves or hypocrites, and I don't particularly care when bad things happen to them. As she's all three I'm finding it extra hard to find any sympathy for situation she finds herself in.

[andy-hughes]

Fair enough ludwig.

I do find flippant comments about Depression to be hard to handle - but I appreciate the candour of your view.

There is no doubt that this odious woman has cheated and lied over a period of time, but I would not wish the resultant illness on anyone.

[ludwig]

Don't worry, I know what depression is, and I know it's no laughing matter.
There was a deliverate flippancy in my remark, but it was directed at her rather than other sufferers or the concept of clinical depression as a whole.
Maybe it seemed callous, but as to the reason for that see my previous reply.

[joeluke]

It's yet another example of our flawed justice system......lets let people off just because they've suddenly become 'depressed' due to the fact that they've committed a crime and some feel sorry for them

If a paedo/rapist had 'depression' should we let him off???

[andy-hughes]

joeluke - this lady has not 'become depressed' she has contracted 'Deprression'.

The differerence in an alegory?

Being 'depressed' is spraining your ankle, having Depression is having your leg cut off with a rusty saw, no anesthetic, and an amateur surgeon who likes blood and noise and taking his sweet time.

Hope this helps.

[joeluke]

^ 'having your leg cut off with a rusty saw, no anesthetic'

Yeah, I've seen that film too




Moran was depressed when she was fiddling her expenses big time was she?

I very much doubt it

[starone]

Is she still an MP? She shouldn't be if she is! Andy is right. Clinical depression is a dreadful thing. I wouldn't like to have it and I know a couple of people with it and I would not like to be them.

[LazyGun]

@Andy I am fully conversant with just how serious clinical depression is and can be and the impact it can have upon those genuinely afflicted.

However, someone should be fully entitled to question and be sceptical of a diagnosis of clinical depression arrived at in a person of entitlement at a convenient time for the defendant: a diagnosis that renders her effectively immune to punishment or even reimbursement, without being accused of belittling or demeaning the severity of the disease or being insensitive to the distress of those who are genuinely afflicted.

If she is faking, if she has managed to fool those who have examined her, then she is the one performing an injustice against those genuine sufferers of depression - not those that question her actions or her defence.

Being labelled as soulless or ignorant for questioning the accuracy of the diagnosis in this particular case is both excessive and unwarranted and I find the accusation of yours quite offensive, if I am being honest.

[plautus]

She was Noo Labour, weren't she? She hadn't been trained in proper fiddling!

[joeluke]

Lazygun.....good post, well put and exactly what I meant, I was just more straight to the point

[andy-hughes]

LazyGun - I fear I posted in haste and without proper thought and reason.

Please accept my sincere apologies for any offence caused, which on reflection I see was utterly without foundation.

[stokemaveric]

they are a law unto themselves.......

[LazyGun]

@Andy

Thank you for your apology, which is much appreciated.

[askyourgran]

I could be depressed then, all I do is shopping cleaning and watching TV, I haven't got a dog. I bet she finds her exuberance again when they give a conditional discharge. What a cop-out.