Wednesday, July 21, 2010

David Miliband's severe case of false memory syndrome

Alex Salmond was of course absolutely right to highlight David Miliband's hopelessly clumsy attempts to shift his ground on the Megrahi case, and if this skewering helps to finish off the elder Mili-brother's leadership bid, I certainly won't be crying any tears for him. But listening to the recording of Miliband's latest comments, what leapt out at me the most was his claim that "there is a problem" because we had been told Megrahi's release was ordered on the grounds that it was "certain" he would be dead within three months.

Well, there's a problem all right, David, and it appears to be with your memory. Let's have a look at what Kenny MacAskill actually said at the time...

"Mr Al-Megrahi was examined by Scottish Prison Service doctors on 3 August. A report dated 10 August from the Director of Health and Care for the Scottish Prison Service indicates that a 3 month prognosis is now a reasonable estimate. The advice they have provided is based not only on their own physical examination but draws on the opinion of other specialists and consultants who have been involved in his care and treatment.

He may die sooner - he may live longer. I can only base my decision on the medical advice I have before me."


Now, I wonder where precisely in those words Miliband was detecting such a degree of "certainty"?

4 comments:

  1. Spot on, as usual James. I've linked to my post on the subject, I hope you don't mind.

    PS... I hope this does for Milly (please can I have a kiss Mr President) the elder. Lying git.

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  2. Yes, I'm beginning to think an Ed Miliband victory might be the lesser of the various evils (Abbott would be best but she presumably doesn't have a realistic chance).

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  3. Come now fellows, a centre-right Blair-like posh boy like Miliband the Elder winning the Labour leadership would probably be best for us.

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  4. Ah, right enough, Ezio, there's always the eternal dilemma of choosing between what would be best, and what would be BEST.

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