It is interesting that mcdonald wont repeat the allegations he was so comfortable stating in the commons. Posters here even have the courage of those convictions but not mcdonald. Uou have to ask why dont youLatest news on the BBC site:
Teesworks: Mayor Ben Houchen brands MP 'liar and a coward'
Conservative Ben Houchen attacked Labour's Andy McDonald over "corruption" allegations at Teesworks.www.bbc.co.uk
Private Eye and Teesside freeport
- Thread starter weemoby
- Start date
Rayman
Active member
The strangest aspect of this affair is that Labour haven't said much at all yet Houchen is gunning for McDonald rather than the increasingly informative Private Eye, FT, Grauniad and the Yorkshire Post.
motownjunk
Well-known member
What is even more interesting is that Macdonald is only repeating stuff published by private eye, the telegraph, the financial times, yorkshire post and tees valley and our Benny boy is showing no signs of suing any of them. Macdonald is an MP its his job to raise things concerning his constituents in parliament
TheLodger
Well-known member
Why should Andy McDonald concern himself with a frivolous lawsuit that very rich people will fund just to keep the heat off Houchen and his dodgy deals?
Muttley
Well-known member
Indeed if poor poor Ben was so inclined he already has several people he could sue, yet he performs the histrionics because it has been mentioned by a Labour MP. One might not unreasonably suspect an attempt at deflection.
You hear what you want to it appears MM.
BoroMart
Well-known member
It’s interesting that bull**** Ben hasn’t sued private eye , you have to ask why, don’t you
Yeah you do - no denying it applies both ways right?
Yeah absolutely no credit can be given to what you just said on the basiscdonald has no form whatsoever for doing that
Why do you think that is? Its a good point. Its political right? Head to head two rival nations? Its not like mcdonald at all
BoroMart
Well-known member
Not really. There is little to gain for McDonald speaking in public. He’ll get into a lengthy court fight that will be a distraction from his day job. Boucher will sue and then drag it out, and of course will have financial backing from his millionaire buddies. McDonald won’t.
BoroMart
Well-known member
It’s because McDonald will have less financial resources than Privaye eye and is less experienced in legal defamation, of which PE will have in house lawyers or retained specialists in this. McDonald is the easy soft target for Houchen (and his mates) to go for.
I would venture the whatabouterry you and others are engaging is the essence of deflection. My question stands, why wont mcdonald - not fr or yp or pe - repeat the accusation if he is so confident i. Them? Heck, given the supporting voice you list he should be utterly **** sure of himself, he could do it on a tarzy from the transporter for dramatic effect. Assuming andy mcdonald knows where that is
motownjunk
Well-known member
Whether he has form or nor its still his job.
Easterside_Red
Well-known member
I think your mask has slipped there fella.
BoroMart
Well-known member
Defamation law suites can be difficult and are really largely about who has the most money and best lawyers. Ask Carol Cadwalleder who had a horrific time won 2 of the 3 suites against her after 5 years of legal wrangling and still ended up about 300k out of pocket. That money means nothing to houchen it would to McDonald right or wrong, his statements would be picked over and any dubious get out clause would be identified by houchens lawyers. They would employ SLAPPS to muddy the waters and grind him down, defamations is a rich man’s law
Thats what im saying - but he has been pretty inconspicuous to date on teesside matters hasnt he. We deserve better
Chris_Boro
Well-known member
He's done all he needs to do in raising it to parliament, just as a number of other MP's have done.
Others, such as Private Eye and the Yorkshire Post will do the rest.
If you blatantly block all transparency in a publicly funded project with none tendered awards, that's only making private individuals £millions, then you'll be accused of corruption.
If Houchen and his gang have nothing to hide then they can easily dispell those accusations with full transparency.
Appreciate a civil and informative answer that adds to the discourse
So you reckon houchens backers would foot a legal bill that mcdonalds would not or could not
BoroMart
Well-known member
Absolutely. It’s in their benefit to have that fight, if they are making millions off it. Even if it’s just a SLAPP suite. To them it would be a sunk cost. To McDonald it could be his family home. It’s not a risk worth taking for him.
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Easterside_Red
Well-known member
Andy McDonald doesn't have 'backers'. He's an opposition MP on a relatively modest salary.
Houchen on the other hand.............