FRENCH SHIPYARD TO BUILD NEW MEGA CRUISE SHIPS TO SERVICE UK CRUISE BOOM

Julian Bray writes:   In what will be seen as a major blow to the UK coalition government, and to any future revival of the UK shipbuilding and ship repair industry; the US owned cruise line Royal Caribbean's third multiple Azipod driven Oasis-class ship (and as is usual a lucrative ongoing maintenance contract for years ahead is also tied in) will be built by the STX shipyard in France, and the vessel delivered, to fully enter service in mid-2016. 

The cruise line also confirmed that it took an option for a second ship with a potential delivery of mid-2018.  The shock decision to use France rather than Finland, finally slams the door for the UK, in securing any substantive orders or ongoing ship repair contracts for this new megaclass of cruise ships, which will service European waters, although the cruise line rarely caters for French and German speaking guests, but relies on its English speaking clientele for its continuing revenue streams.

The order for the ship was flagged up in October, but it has been unclear until now, which shipyard or country would actually build it. Both Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas were built at STX Turku in Finland, but Finland was unable to underwrite adequate up front funding to secure the ship order.  The ship being handed over in stages, so it is essentially down to the shipyard to initially carry the financial burden. The fact that France in the eurozone and  is also said to be on the verge of EC special measures, it begs the question of how France was able to finance the whole deal without assistance from both the EC and the French government, which of course flies in the face of community eurozone monetary rules.

The South Florida Business Journal, let slip that the price per berth for the ship will cost less than either Oasis or Allure, pointing strongly to French Goverment fixers to deliver the lower price option, possibly with EC Eurozone backing.  Although the cruise line did not provide the actual price, its projected capital expenditures for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 are $1.3 billion, $700 million, $1.2 billion, $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively.   STX France also built Cunard's Queen Mary 2.


Contributor: Media Expert, Aviation, Politics & Travel Commentator, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 01733 555319) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK

CUNARD QE2 TO BE BROKEN UP SOLD TO CHINESE BY DUBAI WORLD FOR £20 MILLION

.
The iconic former Cunarder the QE2 is set to be broken up and sold for scrap metal to the Chinese for £20 million by the current owners the cash hungry Dubai World .

 This development follows the failure of a project to bring it back to the famous cruise liner back to Britain as a five-star floating hotel, an idea originally floated on this blogsite CDUCK News

 The iconic ocean liner - which also served  as a troop carrier during the Falklands War  - has been docked in a commercial port in Dubai since it was sold for £100m in 2008.  The London bid had the verbal support of Chancellor George Osbourne, and London Mayor Boris Johnson

The cash strapped Dubai World organisation had originally planned to convert the QE2 into a luxury hotel at the tip of the man made Palm Jumeirah island.   But after years of frenetic spending Dubai World had to be finalcially bailed out and the liner has remained docked in less exotic Port Rashid for the last five years clocking up running costs of £650,000 a month.


Earlier this month, a British consortium presented Dubai with a £70m bid to bring the QE2 to London and convert into a five star hotel moored opposite the O2 Arena.   The QE2 London bid had the support of George Osborne and Boris Johnson and claimed it could have brought up to 2,000 jobs to London. But the proposal didn't have the active support of the Labour opposition and other sections of the coalition.  A Chinese crew of around 20 is said to have boarded the vessel QE2 at Port Rashid last Friday, leading to fears it has already been sold as scrap \and would be discreetly moved during the winter holiday season.

 Roger Murray of the QE2 London is reported to have said: ‘We have been told the ship is going to be put into a dry dock before being taken to an unknown destination in the far east.  Our investors were set to give £20m for the ship itself plus £60m for renovation and the cost of bringing the ship back to Britain.  But the ship could raise as much as £20m as dead weight scrap and the Chinese cash would be immediate.’

When Istithmar – part of the state conglomerate Dubai World - bought the QE2 from Cunard in 2007 it agreed it would not sell it on for at least ten years.   But a source close to Dubai World said he believed ‘a contract modification could be agreed’ allowing it to be sold on for scrap.




Contributor: Media Expert, Aviation, Politics & Travel Commentator, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 01733 555319) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK

Interim guidelines on prosecuting cases involving communications sent via social media, issued today by the Director of Public Prosecutions

DPP interim guidelines on prosecuting cases involving communications sent via social media

Published December 19, 2012


Interim guidelines on prosecuting cases involving communications sent via social media, issued today by the Director of Public Prosecutions


Introduction
1. These guidelines set out the approach that prosecutors should take when
making decisions in relation to cases where it is alleged that criminal
offences have been committed by the sending of a communication via
social media. The guidelines are designed to give clear advice to
prosecutors who have been asked either for a charging decision or for
early advice to the police, as well as in reviewing those cases which have
been charged by the police. Adherence to these guidelines will ensure that
there is a consistency of approach across the CPS.

2. The guidelines cover the offences that are likely to be most commonly
committed by the sending of communications via social media. These
guidelines equally apply to the resending (or retweeting) of
communications and whenever they refer to the sending of a
communication, the guidelines should also be read as applying to the
resending of a communication. However, for the reasons set out below,
the context in which any communication is sent will be highly material.

Click on READ MORE link below:

BBC Polllard Review e-mails powers staff reshuffles:

The email message below is being sent to all BBC Staff by Time Davie Acting DG
Check against Delivery !

Dear All,

We have received and considered Nick Pollard’s report on the management of the original Newsnight investigation into Jimmy Savile and the subsequent Editor’s blog.

I want to share with you the key findings and what we are going to do about the recommendations, which we accept in full.

I think it’s worth remembering why we originally commissioned such a thorough and independent report. Accusations of a ‘cover up’ were being made against the BBC, and that management placed unjustified pressure on the team not to run the story. The independence and integrity of our journalism is crucial to the publics' trust in us.

I am pleased to say that the review found no evidence of any improper pressure to prevent the broadcast of the Newsnight investigation or to protect the Jimmy Savile tribute programmes.

That said, the report exposed clear failings in some of our systems, the way we work together and make decisions. It also picks up on specific issues such as the role of Editors’ blogs and the comprehensive use of the Managed Risk Programme List as a way to highlight potential issues relating to programmes. You can see a copy of the full Pollard Review report here.

What matters now is what we do about these findings. Again, you can see the full Executive Board and Trust response here. The actions we are taking relating to organisation and culture include:

· Newsnight is one of our flagship journalism programmes and we need to revitalise it. We have decided that the best way forward is for there to be a new senior editorial team on the programme. Peter Rippon, who has been Editor for the last four years, has agreed that this is in the best interests of himself and the programme. We are now talking to him about another role in the BBC, commensurate with his skills and experience. The post of Editor Newsnight will be advertised in the New Year and Karen O’Connor will continue as Acting Editor in the meantime.

· Helen Boaden will be returning to her post as Director of News tomorrow. This morning, the Deputy Director of BBC News, Stephen Mitchell, tendered his resignation which I have accepted with great sadness. He has been an outstanding and loyal servant of BBC News over the past 38 years and is widely and rightly admired for his editorial judgement and personal integrity. He will retire from the BBC at a date to be agreed next year, in the course of which he will hand over his responsibilities as head of news programmes.

· Improving the way we share information about the highest risk programmes and investigations across the BBC by making the Managed Risk Programme List work better. We’ll also see how we can improve communication at the senior level across Divisions in a way that also safeguards editorial independence. We do not propose to tackle these issues by adding increased processes or compliance.

· Reviewing how we publish Editors’ blogs.

· In the longer term, both myself and Tony Hall will look at what needs to change within the management and culture at BBC News while making sure we continue to produce outstanding journalism day-in-day-out. We will also look at how we make sure silos don’t get in the way of effective team-working and sharing information across the BBC.

· Finally, we will consider roles and responsibilities at the top of the BBC to ensure effective oversight of editorial standards.

The Trust are also publishing the editorial standards findings into what happened with the Newsnight McAlpine investigation on 2 November, which includes the full MacQuarrie report here. What happened was unacceptable and no one can be under any illusion about the seriousness of the mistakes made and there are some organisational changes as a result. We have sought to be fair to the individuals involved, recognising their previously long and unblemished record of service with the BBC and the exceptional circumstances in which they had been placed.

Specifically, Adrian Van Klaveren, Controller Radio 5 live, will start a new senior role and we’ll confirm details early in the New Year. He will hand over his responsibility for Radio 5 live to Jonathan Wall who will be Acting Controller while the process for a full time replacement is completed. As already mentioned, there will be a new Newsnight senior editorial team and Liz Gibbons, Deputy Editor of Newsnight, will move to another role in BBC News. Peter Johnston continues in his role as Director Northern Ireland.

These reviews have been a tough process for the BBC and particularly for the individuals involved, all of whom have had long and respected careers at the BBC. We have already faced significant consequences including the resignation of a DG. Looking forward, the changes we need to make to ensure these failings do not happen again are not about new rules and regulations. They are about making existing processes work and improving the way we communicate and make decisions. I hope that with a new year, we can draw a line under it, learn from our mistakes and refocus on our audiences.

Best regards,

Tim Davie
Acting Director-General

Acting BBC DG Tim Davie announces 5 Live controller Adrian Van Klaveren is stepping down from his role.

In an email to staff, Davie said Van Klaveren will move to a new senior role within the BBC in the new year, and hand over his responsibility for Radio 5 live to Jonathan Wall who will be Acting Controller while the process for a full time replacement is completed.

Adrain sent a note to staff saying his departure from the national station is not representative of the way he performed his job there, more about the events which happened whilst he was temporarily looking after another role.

The full email to staff from Tim Davie this afternoon also said there will be be a new senior editorial team on Newsnight, and Helen Boaden will be returning to her post as Director of News tomorrow because of recent investigations into Jimmy Savile allegations.

In additional Adrian Van Klaveren has made a statement saying “it is a very sad day for me at the end of an incredibly difficult few weeks.

The full statement is below:

Your support over this period has been nothing short of overwhelming and has meant so much to me. I do not propose to go into detail here about the events surrounding the Newsnight Report on 2nd November but you can read the BBC’s account elsewhere. What is of course especially hard to take is that I am leaving 5 live as a result of events which had nothing to do with how I carried out my job here. Rather it happened after I had just begun a temporary role in the most challenging of circumstances.

What I do want to say today is that I have had a wonderful five years at 5 live. Together we have taken audience numbers and quality ratings to record highs, we have won many awards including Sony Radio Academy Station of the Year and we have successfully moved to Salford. We have started to embrace a digital revolution and there have been so many wonderful moments, culminating last summer in the Olympics and Paralympics, described last weekend in a review of the year as “radio’s crowning achievement of 2012.”

I will miss 5 live terribly, the programmes, our listeners but, much more than anything else, I will miss all of you who work on the station. You are without doubt the best team of people I have ever worked with. Every day you make brilliant radio with a spirit and passion I have rarely seen elsewhere. You can look to the future with pride and confidence and it has been an honour to have played a part in shaping those prospects. I would like to thank all of my colleagues across BBC North where I believe we have started to build something which will help guide the reinvention of the BBC and equally I would like to thank colleagues from all parts of BBC Radio for their support over the past few years.

There’ll be more details of my new job early in the New Year. As I begin what will without doubt be a new and fascinating chapter in my BBC career, I will be handing over 5 live to Jonathan Wall who will be Acting Controller for the next few weeks. I wish him and the rest of you all the luck in the world and I will now return to being one of 5 live’s most dedicated listeners.

Best wishes and Merry Christmas

Adrian



Contributor: Media Expert, Aviation, Politics & Travel Commentator, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 01733 555319) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK

Hoax call nurse found dead.

The nurse who was working at the King Edward VIII private hospital treating the Duchess of Cambridge when telephone hoaxers struck earlier this week has been found dead..  Nurse Jacintha Saldanha was found in Weymouth Street, near the King Edward VII Hospital in London this morning.

The hospital released a statement: “We can confirm the tragic death of a member of our nursing staff, Jacintha Saldanha.  Jacintha has worked at the King Edward VII Hospital for more than four years. She was an excellent nurse and a well-respected and popular member of staff with all her colleagues. We can confirm that Jacintha was recently the victim of a hoax call to the hospital. The hospital has been supporting her at this difficult time.”

Hospital chief executive John Lofthouse said: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies at this time are with her family and friends. Everyone is shocked by the loss of a much-loved and valued colleague.”

Lord Glenarthur, the hospital’s chairman, said: “This is a tragic event. Jacintha was a first class nurse who cared diligently for hundreds of patients during her time with us. She will be greatly missed.”

Scotland Yard said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Two Australian radio presenters  impersonated the Queen and the Prince of Wales to dupe Ms Saldanha into giving a condition update on Kate, who was suffering severe morning sickness at the private hospital. The presenters did however passed a recording to lawyers to obtain clearance, before broadcasting the tape to their Australian audiences.

The presenters, from 2Day FM, remarked during their show how their efforts were the “easiest prank call ever made”, as they put on mock British accents they later described as “terrible”.

In a statement today, Scotland Yard said officers were called at around 9.35am this morning to a report of a woman found unconscious at an address in Weymouth Street, W1.

It said: “London Ambulance Service attended and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Inquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances of the incident.

An internal investigation is being held by the Hospital, sources this afternoon suggest the Chief Executive John Lofthouse,  is considering his own position.


Contributor: Media Expert, Aviation, Politics & Travel Commentator, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 01733 555319) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK

OPERATION YEWTREE UPDATES >>> Max Clifford arrested and bailed in Operation Yewtree sex offences investigation. Allegations relate to 1977.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013 Sir Tim Bell deserves a mention and this gem from GUIDO FAWKES www.order-order.com could well line the walls of the 'Others' file.

http://orderorder.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/timbell.jpg 

An early contender for the funniest quote of 2013, spinmeister Lord Bell has been musing ( http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/news/1164615/   )  on lobbying and PR:

>  'Although people constantly accuse us of being the most evil, corrupt sons of the devil, we aren't. We are actually the most truthful people in the world, because we know that the truth works.'

Rewind back to November 1977  though and Tim Bell himself claims that he was not telling the truth after he was charged with "wilfully, openly, lewdly and obscenely" exposing himself "with intent to insult a female" under Section 4 of the 1824 Vagrancy Act. He was found guilty and fined £50 by Hampstead Magistrates Court after a solo erotic incident visible at his bathroom window. 

According to his biographer Mark Hollingsworth, Bell "admitted the conviction but denied that the event took place. He confided to a colleague that his lawyers, Butcher Brooks and Co. advised him to plead guilty to avoid a scandal." Was he guilty - as he claimed - or not? Is that "how the truth works"?

Add a comment to this post:  http://order-order.com/2013/01/02/bell-does-not-have-the-ring-of-truth/ #respond

Max Clifford tells us in his book “Read All About It” that he took extra care to make clear that underage girls were never allowed at his infamous sex parties. According to Clifford:

“The parties initially took place about once a month, then weekly. I became the ringmaster, a role I like to have in many aspects of life, and particularly when I’m in the middle of big stories. The parties became my circus and various people performed in different ways. I didn’t allow drugs to be taken or anyone underage to come… Although what I’ve done is certainly immoral, sexual procuring has never bothered me as long as the people involved have been old enough to know what they’re doing.”

Courtesy GUIDO FAWKES www.order-order.com 




Breaking: Did this original CDUCK story on the BBC VT Christmas Tape spark off Max 'Yewtree' enquiry? Judge for yourself, click the link. 


+++  Latest December 6th 2012 21:15hrs  Max Clifford, having spent all day being questioned by the Met Police, with required breaks, and this evening released on police bail made a short statement on the steps of Londons' Belgravia Police Station  +++

+++  "These allegations are damaging and totally untrue, on a personal level very distressing to my wife and family. Anyone who knows me, would know they are untrue". 

Reporters asked: How old are these allegations Max ? He responded 1977." +++




Max Clifford:   Allegations relate to 1977 Mr Clifford confirmed 

Max Clifford, Press Agent, and serial self publicist who claims to be a leading public relations expert, has been arrested in a dawn raid at his home, by detectives investigating historic sex offences.  Mr Clifford was arrested by the Met Police officers as part of Operation Yewtree.



Max spills the beans on radio with James Whale....


Scotland Yard earlier said officers had arrested a man in his 60s "on suspicion of sexual offences" and had taken him to a Central London police station. Max Clifford is the the sixth person to be questioned as part of the operation.

Police launched Operation Yewtree to investigate historic allegations of sex offences after revelations that the late Sir Jimmy Savile had abused young people during his broadcasting career.

Operation Yewtree has three strands.

One is looking specifically at the actions of Sir Jimmy Savile, the second strand concerns allegations against "Savile and others". The separate third strand relates to alleged complaints against other people unconnected to the Sir Jimmy Savile investigations.

Scotland Yard said the man arrested on Thursday morning had been arrested as part of this last separate category of the operation.

Mr Clifford was arrested at this Surrey home at 07:40 GMT and taken to a central London police station.

Five people have now been arrested and a sixth has been questioned as part of the Met's Yewtree investigations.

Contributor: Media Expert, Aviation, Politics & Travel Commentator, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 01733 555319) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK

Autumn Statement Main Points Overview

• OBR lowers growth forecast  by 2017 just 2.8%
• Borrowing Forecasts revised  £108 billion, but could fall to £31 by 2018 but figured disputed
• OBR on course to meet fiscal mandate 
• Debt target missed 
• Net debt will not fall until 2017
• Cuts to continue to 2017/18
• Departmental budgets reduced by 1%
•  Corporation tax cut to 21% to April 2014
• Working Age Benefits and Credits uprated by 1 %  ie they will fall in real terms
• State Pension Uprated in line with inflation 
• Personal Income Tax allowance to rise to approx £9,040 per annum
• Higher rate threshold up 1%
• Higher rate pension capped at £40k
• Fuel energy January 3p rise in fuel duty cancelled outright!
• Shale Gas incentive  - new Quango - the Office for Unconventional Gas 
• £5 billion for investment  in infrastructure 

Kate: All you need to know about Hyperemesis Gravidarum?

Smile Kate, the Telegraph says it might be a case of  third and forth in line of succession ...

Julian Bray comments: As a simple handy guide for the thousands of well-wishers, journalists and broadcasters from all over the world,  doorstepping the private London hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge is spending an uncomfortable few nights, just what is this [phonetic] hyper-em-esis gravid-arum all about? 

It's generally recognised that 'Morning Sickness' is fairly routine or a common complaint among pregnant women, and is sometimes enhanced when twins are expected, or IVF in some form, had been employed. In numerical terms, for most, a temporary but minor nuisance. For the chosen few, hit with the very serious and distressing enhanced condition, as experienced by the Duchess of Cambridgeshire, the sickness can strike at any time of the day or night, and may continue for several months throughout the course of the pregnancy. 

Simply for women with hyperemesis gravidarum, the problem is serious  - and unrecognised or untreated potentially dangerous. All too often pregnant females do not seek medical assistance, thinking it is just a condition associated with a normal pregnancy, but their vomiting is extreme, and as such no food or liquid can be kept down. This is where medical intervention usually in the form of a 'drip' is introduced to keep fluid levels up. Although morning sickness usually passes as the pregnancy progresses hyperemesis gravidarum can last beyond past the first third or trimester of a normal pregnancy. It should, say doctors, pass by week 21 of pregnancy, but can as we have seen last much longer.

Turning to the symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum. Females with hyperemesis gravidarum will from time to time experience tiredness and possibly dizzy spells, they will probably  lose some 10 per cent of their body weight weight but clearly not in a 'nice'way. The condition has a number of side effects for example they may find they're passing urine less often. The real danger say most medical professionals is that of dehydration, this is a condition faced daily by aid workers, in famine prone areas of the word, simply fluid is lost from the body and not fully replaced. Symptoms from forms of Dehydration include headaches, palpitations and in some cases confusion. Nutritional balances in the body can also be affected, so it is vital all symptoms are properly reported and treated.

So what are the causes of hyperemesis gravidarum ?  One in 50 pregnant women will experience Hyperemesis gravidarum It is more common in young mothers, also women in their first pregnancy, and those with multiple pregnancies ie twins or IVF.

The cause of hyperemesis gravidarum isn't fully known, although there are, as you might suspect, a number of theories, including changes in hormones, emotional changes occurring during pregnancy, nutritional deficiency, and gastrointestinal dysmotility where food binds or clumps in the digestive system, rather than moving smoothly through it. A full review of all medications taken over the previous year clearly needs to be undertaken.

Because the cause is not yet really understood, it's not possible to prevent hyperemesis gravidarum occurring. However, it is possible, and very important, to recognise it and treat it successfully.

So how can hyperemesis gravidarum be treated?  In the early stages, women with hyperemesis gravidarum may be advised to rest and possibly eat bite-size pieces of dry toast or dry crackers,  before getting out of bed, they should also have frequent but small meals. Fried or spicy foods, or even smells that trigger symptoms of nausea and vomiting, are best avoided. Some may benefit from eating ginger or foods prepared with ginger, such as ginger biscuits and crystallised ginger, or drinking ginger herbal tea.

A treatment which is often used to combat sea sickness:  Acupressure may help: Simply press a finger or thumb against the inside of the wrist or wear an elastic wristband with a plastic button or bead  sewn into it. Doctors may also recommend anti-nausea medication..  With severe symptoms, admission to hospital for a few days for observation and to treat dehydration with intravenous fluids may be the answer.  If the problem isn’t recognized and treated early there may be other issues such as premature labour and pre-eclampsia.

Although we have covered most of the symptoms and possible outcomes, it isn't possible to know all the circumstances of individual cases;  this can only be achieved  by medical consultation. But when the Prince hurries into his waiting car through a bombardment of flash bulbs you can understand why a jolly interview might not be forthcoming from the young concerned Royal.


Contributor: Julian Bray, Media Expert, Royal & Society Watcher Aviation, Politics & Travel Commentator, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, Equity Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2  (UK HOME ISDN 01733 555319) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK

Duchess of Cambridge, pregnant and driven to Hospital...

Julian Bray writes: Following mounting speculation and a few unguarded leaks it's finally confirmed: The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby, is less than 12 weeks pregnant, and as is usual the announcement was made by St James's Palace, this afternoon (Monday December 3rd 2012).  

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and other members of both families are be said to delighted with the news and congratulate the happy couple .

But the announcement was on the back of an element of drama,  as the palace also confirmed Kate had been admitted to a private hospital for treatment for a severe bout of morning sickness, known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum. She's expected to stay in for a few days. 

She was taken unwell during a visit to relatives, the Cambridges arrived at the St Edwards Hospital in Central London, by private car from Bucklebury in Hertfordshire, where they had been visiting the in-laws, Kates parents. 

The official line from the palace:  "The Duchess was admitted this afternoon to King Edward VII Hospital in central London with hyperemesis gravidarum.

"As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter."

Royal sources say the Duchess knew late last month that she was pregnant and has been scaling back her royal rota  of engagements, and contrary to some views Kate has not ruled out some maternity nurse help and a possible resident nanny for the first year at least.  It's expected that like Diana, the Norland Nanny agency will be an early port of call. The nurses in their distinctive brown uniforms, have looked after many Royals over the years, whatever gender the Cambridges produce, the infant Royal will be third in line of succession to the throne.

Meanwhile back at King Edward VII Hospital, the media pack is encamped on the doorstep and growing by the hour. In 2000, the Hospital changed its name from King Edward VII’s Hospital for Officers to King Edward VII’s Hospital Sister Agnes and in accordance with its charitable aim, the financial benefits to which Officer patients had been entitled, were unconditionally extended to all ranks of serving and ex-Service personnel.



Contributor: Media Expert, Aviation, Politics & Travel Commentator, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 01733 555319) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK

WHERE DOES THE UK'S OVERSEAS AID GO? Prepare to be shocked

So who gets the £100,000,000  per annum for Uganda? 

It has been announced today that £100 million pounds is to be spent on urgently needed flood defences in the UK but that is exactly the amount we pay over to Uganda each year, £100 million. India cops off with £280 million. India has a space programme complete with rockets, and an Indian company owns our steel mills, and Jaguar Land Rover Cars ...

So sitting down, blood pressure pills taken? Prepare to be outraged, here is just a selection. The complete DFID list is on the spreadsheet link below.  All the figures are in £ millions.... and the best part is we don't actually know where its all spent! Merry Christmas...

Aid from the UK in £ millions...

Ethiopia (£290m)
India (£280m)
Pakistan (£267m)
Bangladesh (£200m)
Nigeria (£180m)
Afghanistan (£178m)
Tanzania (£150m)
DRC (£147m)
Sudan (£140m)
Uganda (£100m)  
Kenya (£100m) 


https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/lv?key=0AonYZs4MzlZbdHlLaVZaWjlsbHExVmpnbU41ZDJhYmc&hl=en&rm=full#gid=0



UPDATE: The Uganda President has just taken delivery of two mega expensive custom built  presidential motor cars manufactured in Germany by Mercedes Benz, a new Mercedes Benz S600 Pullman Guard, the transaction valued at $1.4 million...and brokered through a Belgian security company. The UK gifted £100 million to Uganda last year.


 http://www.observer.ug/

Local journalist  SIRAJE LUBWAMA,in Kampala writes:

The debate about the profligate expenditure of the state on cars was thrust back into the public domain after Museveni unveiled a new Mercedes Benz S600 Pullman Guard during the independence golden jubilee celebrations at Kololo Independence grounds, Tuesday.

The limousine is estimated to cost between $300,000 to $1.4m. There are various estimates about what the state paid to secure Museveni the car that was individually tailored in the German city of Stuttgart, with some reports putting it at an eye-popping Shs 2bn. 

This comes after government dipped into the public purse to buy cars for each of the 385 lawmakers at Shs 103m apiece (collating a grand total of Shs 39bn). The Speaker of the House and her deputy also were furnished with sleek cars that cost Shs 860m apiece. 

Observers find it ironical that whereas the Finance ministry has in the last three financial years failed to secure funds to implement the student loan scheme and bridge the funding gap in the health and education sectors, it has managed to find money to buy cars for the government officials.

Contributor: Media Expert, Aviation, Politics & Travel Commentator, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 01733 555319) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK

Rotherham Results in Lab Hold

Sarah Champion (LAB) secures clear victory despite swing to UKIP.

Sarah Champion's victory sees Labour retain Rotherham seat vacated by Denis MacShane, who quit  after admitting fiddling his MPs'expenses.

Despite a 7.13% swing from Labour to UKIP, Sarah Champion has a majority of 5,218.

The full results of this by-election are as follows:-

Sarah Champion (Lab) 9,866  (46.25%, +1.62%)
Jane Collins (UKIP) 4,648  (21.79%, +15.87%)
Marlene Guest (BNP) 1,804  (8.46%, -1.96%)
Yvonne Ridley (Respect) 1,778  (8.34%)
Simon Wilson (Cons) 1,157  (5.42%, -11.32%)
David Wildgoose (Eng Dem) 703  (3.30%)
Simon Copley (Ind) 582  (2.73%, -3.58%)

Michael Beckett (Lib Dems) 451  (2.11%, -13.87%) LOST DEPOSIT
Ralph Dyson (TUSC) 261  (1.22%)
Paul Dickson (Ind) 51  (0.24%)
Clint Bristow (ND) 29  (0.14%)



Contributor: Media , Aviation, Politics & Travel Expert, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 downline +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 017 33 55 53 19) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs Glensound C5 SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK

THURSDAY UPDATE: LEVESON INQUIRY REPORT PUBLISHED

Lord Justice Leveson 












Julian Bray Media Commentator writes: "Well it could have been worse." This seems the be the general feeling from the few conversations, I've had  immediately the £5.5 million Report was published. 

A huge weighty tome and delivered very quickly, but with subtle recommendations, no legislation to control or shackle the press or media at large, and a suggestion that the Ofcom model of arms-length regulation as applied to broadcasters should be adopted.  

A shade of 'statutory underpinning' and a ratcheted up regulatory system will clearly upset some sections of the print media, and a recognition that news editors collectively command substantial power and undue influence (but sub-Editors can daily ruin careers!) 

The fallout will be in the political arena, as Lord Justice Leveson, has very clearly passed the baton back to the media industry and Parliament. The report says that legislation would not create a body to regulate press, and that there has to be a change in press regulation, but the change as such has to come from the media itself.

He recognised  the PCC had failed, and that a new body was required and that senior politicians accept politicians and press are too close. The counsel for the 'victims' addressing the media welcomes the report and the recommendations set out.

The key factor now has to be the willingness of Press Barons and Editors to sign up. However The Spectator has already placed on record that it wants nothing to do with any regulatory system, perhaps the 'subtle' approach might win them over..... the jury as the say is still out and  Cameron and Clegg had yet to wade in....

Update: having waded ( sorry Rebekka!) in, we are no further forward. Cammy with a 24 hour advance reading of the tome, has set his jaw against it. Parliament regulating the press will see the tories on the opposition back benches until hell freezes over. But Brian has got the politicians off the hook, for a few months anyway.

The 'hacked off' campaign will now 'wither and die on the vine' as it were as there is no media circus or platform for future output. A few fading careers back on track, a bit like "Eat a Celebrity, spit out a Politician in Aus" ( new TV format my copyright) Milly with his new red tie is in a right pickle because secretly he agrees with Cammy, but has to bluster for the next couple of years, just to stay in the loop.

Have to admit the media training is going well, Milly far more assertive, less nasal, and developing quite a machine gun delivery, a better line in jokes and running gags.   Cammy setting up a possible legislation drafting operation just in case also takes the heat out of the issue and neatly sidelines the whole matter.

Cleggy facing the wrong way, back to back with Cameron,  both have the duelling pistols drawn; but only Cammy has filled it with powder and shot. Labour however holds the flint and tinder, won all the seats last night, The Lib Dems lost their deposit in Rotherham, the Tory lost his bottle on late night telly. Good to See ir David Frost back on late night BBC1, which of course is where he started.

Charlotte Church played a blinder on Question Time and we might see more of her in this very grown up debating mode. Very apt, as the more it all changes, it continues to remain the same.    Its all going very well, and Brian is immediately heading for Australia for a lecture tour, but if his Worshipfullness nicks my TV programme idea, I'll.....sue or is that mediate, arbitrate, go for counselling, complain, or head for the pub?  You put it to the committee. Pint of Oakhams Bishops Finger landlord , yes, and in view of the Church of England decision earlier tres appropriate. Finally spare a though for Derek Jamieson, a veteran of Fleet Street and following his memorial service at St Brides Church had his ashes scattered along Fleet Street. Do they mean me?  Oh yes, rest well dear friend. Amen          

The Report published at: 

http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc1213/hc07/0780/0780.asp. 

The Executive Summary published at: 

http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc1213/hc07/0779/0779.asp


Contributor: Media, Aviation, Politics, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 downline +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 017 33 55 53 19) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs Glensound C5 SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK

Sailing or Stepping By? Exit George Entwhistle, with £450K, on the good ship BBC Director General. Boaden & Mitchell Update

+++ Breaking News Sunday: George gets a £450k pay off +++

Don't believe everything you  read...

Julian Bray, Media Commentator writes: Sailing By, the haunting theme tune for the BBC shipping forecast ….is so apt, is the BBC really a 'rudderless ship'? Yes, as new state of the art 21st Century cruise liners, don’t have a rudder, but sport azipods....!  

I have to declare an interest, my own BBC career was in the 60’s, 70’s and 80's.  I still freelance for the Corporation, and many other broadcast outlets, these days by ISDN, FTP and Skype all around the world..  

But in those early enterprising days, making a decent living out of something I loved, broadcasting, was not the prime motivator, (many hard working broadcast journalists in BBC Local Radio having just suffered a savage 20% cut in station funding, will tell you, in 2012, they are still well behind on wages).  

My rapidly growing City & financial PR commercial business Leadenhall  (UK PR WEEK Top 150 firm within 18 months of startup) provided the income stream.  I was sucked into the business world and quickly understood the value of Profit and Loss. I was however, later to bid with HTV (now ITV Wales), for the emerging satellite news contracts, effectively combining both disciplines news and commerce.  NOW Television News and CNS - City News Service was created.

Acres of newsprint and hours of valuable broadcast time is being devoted to the honourable demise of the BBC’s latest victim of  Sir Jimmy Savile, the hapless, but technically talented, well respected, gentle George Entwhistle.

The role of Director General is something from a bygone and equally gentle age, the age of the White Star Line in turn swallowed up by the early Cunard and the analogy to cruise ships and rudders, is a good one.

The BBC operates around the clock, and around the world, so do cruise lines. Whatever part or discipline of a cruise line company, the function can be mirrored in the vast super cruise liner now being driven towards the rocks, if you can believe the red tops…. And like the BBC new cruise ships don’t have rudders. They have bolt on electric motors and steerable fans (azipods) and bow thrusters, both for propulsion ie direction and steering, the functions are one and the same.

But enough of this, and if I see Steve Hewlett or any of the other naysayers, trotting out the same world weary worn mantras then I will throw my yellowing copy of the outsourced Radio &  Television Times at my five valve radiogram, just as soon as I have tuned into  Hilversum and unplugged the Televisor. Yes, that was the true age of the grandly sounding BBC Director General, Editor in Chief. But the although the technology has moved on, the job specification of the Director General  has stayed the same, cast in green granite.

But how do we resolve the current catalogue of disasters and create calm out of chaos, and see if crisis management can play a part, or do we shuffle off the problem, to an Inquiry and let it report back in a year or so? Hope that its all blown over….everything changes but it all remains the same…

No. Ownership of the BBC has to be regained, the pirates have boarded the ship over the last decade and have to be defeated….. amazing how the cruise line metaphors…work so well.

The solution: The job of DG isn’t fit for purpose and no one currently working at the BBC has the individual ability to perform all parts of the role. Or put another way the Cruise Director of the mega cruise ship Independence of the Seas explained his role thus: “This is a self contained floating City of  five thousand souls, constantly moving around the world, I am all over this ship 24 hours a day, like a cheap suit, there is nothing going on, apart from hotel operations and the Bridge that I do not know about, it is the only way to work it. I only ask questions when I already know the answer. I work five months non-stop seven days a week,  and then take eight weeks off, then back on again.  It works as I’ve been doing it for nine years.”

Clearly Lord Patten and his BBC Trust have yet to come to terms with the many header hydra they have created. The cruise lines in the 21st Century have all but cracked it , but as we saw with the Costa Concordia, even cruise ship can capsize or run aground.

The role of Director General has to be recast along business lines so his /her job description would read as that of a Chief Executive Officer, the editor in chief remit is out of place and clearly unworkable and needs a dedicated Editorial Compliance Director, tasked exclusively with news management and not sidetracked by speeches, meetings with the Trust and consultants and not tasked with PR and political policy activities,  to which all broadcast journalists and programme makers have direct and immediate access. It will certainly mean a clear out of senior news management, so Helen Boaden and her deputy might be sprucing up CVs, for pastures new ...

All programme editorial plans, at three stages of commissioning, will need to be signed off, thus releasing the financial resources required to complete that stage of the operation. No sign off, no budget, follow the money trail, and all else will come to light.

Nothing moves at the BBC, without an element of funding. 

News agenda breaking news productions where the lead times are just a few hours would still; go through the process buit the stages would be rolled up into one simple compliance action.  This will be a streamlined process, not involving more than say two sheets of paper.

The key being financial approval to proceed will have been examined along with the legal and news values of the story, programme or line of inquiry. The areas overlap, the story is strong so I will need extra financial resources and therefore I need the sign off from Editorial Compliance -  am I winging this or following the BBC Guidelines?   News Agenda short lead time productions such as Newsnight will also go through the same process.

But first the BBC Trust will also have to examine its own role in all this they could have after all refused to accept George Entwhistles resignation, Lord Patten admitted he had several meetings with George but claims Mr Entwhistle still wanted to jump ship. Perhaps the good Lord didn't try too hard?

Admittedly his previous role was that of Director of  Vision so some mud from that function, was still attached when the DG role was offered, and perhaps the BBC Trust should have showed a far greater level of practical induction support. Even factory floor employees go through a period of induction and not just immediately thrown to the baying pack of rival news company newshounds,  and an even greater public mauling from the corporations own well loved news rott,weillers. In future no early morning studio interviews, well until the sun is over the yard arm, would seem to be a sensible standing instruction.

Finally, move the entire news and current affairs operation back to London where it belongs and possibly move the BBC Trust  et al to the celebrated 'gun and crime capital' of the UK Salford..... where do I sign?

Finally, re-employ George Entwhistle, within the corporation, good talent coupled with experience is still  hard to find. Most senior roles in  corporations have a built in trial period, so each side can see if the offer is all that it is cracked up to be. There is no disgrace in being both honest and honourable. George has bucket loads of each...

(C) Julian Bray 2012


+++ BREAKING NEWS: The full BBC statement on Boaden/Mitchell and the rest of MacQuarrie on Newsnight +++

BBC has issued the following statement:

Ken MacQuarrie, Director of BBC Scotland, has reported his findings into the Newsnight broadcast on November 2 2012. 

The following actions have been announced:

1. To address the lack of clarity around the editorial chain of command, a decision has been taken to re-establish a single management to deal with all output, Savile related or otherwise.

2. Helen Boaden has decided that she is not in a position to undertake this responsibility until the Pollard review has concluded. During this period Fran Unsworth will act as Director of News. In line with this decision, Ceri Thomas will act on a temporary basis as Deputy Director in place of Stephen Mitchell.

3. To address the pressure on the Newsnight team Karen O'Connor has agreed to take on the role of Acting Editor of Newsnight.

4. Consideration is now being given to the extent to which individuals should be asked to account further for their actions and if appropriate, disciplinary action will be taken.

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The MACSHAME DOCUMENTS READ AND WEEP

Standards and Privileges Committee - Second Report 
Mr Denis MacShane

Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. 

The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 31 October 2012.



http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmstnprv/635/63502.htm

This extract gives you a flavour: 

4  Conclusion 

Cooperation with the inquiry

41.   As the Commissioner says, Mr MacShane cooperated fully during the first part of his inquiry. Once that inquiry was resumed, this cooperation ceased for nearly 3 months. He claimed that the Chair had advised him to respond to the Commissioner's letter through a lawyer, a claim which Mr MacShane has since withdrawn. Members under investigation are free to take advice, if they feel it desirable, but the House requires them to respond to the Commissioner and the Committee's inquiries. Mr MacShane has explained the pressure he was under:[41] he should still have responded to the Commissioner's letters. It was open to him to explain that he was unable to deal with the matter immediately: instead he ignored it.

42.  The House of Commons's disciplinary system depends on investigation by an independent person. It is based on the principle that Members will provided the information the Commissioner needs to consider a complaint. In this case, we consider that we have sufficient information to come to a judgement. That does not excuse Mr MacShane's failure to cooperate with the Commissioner's inquiries, which is in itself a serious breach of the Code of Conduct.

Computer Equipment

43.   We agree that Mr MacShane's claims for his computer equipment were excessive, and should have been seen as such. We do not believe that any reasonable Member would have considered it proper to have allowed interns to take laptops provided by the public purse away with them at the end of their internship. As the Commissioner found, Mr MacShane's claims for computer equipment did not meet the requirement to ensure that expenditure funded by the IEP was "wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred on Parliamentary duties."[42] As the Commissioner also found "Mr MacShane was also in breach of the rules in submitting the same invoice twice for a computer he bought in December 2007 for £498.95. I fully accept that this was a mistake on his part and agree with Mr MacShane that it is unfortunate that this was not picked up by the Fees Office at the time."[43]

Claims relating to the European Policy Institute

44.   The most serious findings relate to the expenses claims submitted to support Mr MacShane's work in Europe. The Commissioner considers that some of the activities behind those claims were permissible. The claims totalled £12,900; the Commissioner considers that although it is impossible to say what proportion of the claims were outside the rules, it may have been in the order of £7,500.[44] Over the course of the inquiry, Mr MacShane has repaid the entire £12,900 and he has apologised for his actions to the Commissioner and to us.

45.  The real mischief of Mr MacShane's actions was that the method he adopted of submitting false invoices, as the Commissioner said, bypassed the checks and controls the House had instituted in a way which enabled Mr MacShane to spend public money as he thought fit. For example, one matter which we consider to be of the utmost gravity is Mr MacShane's use of public money to support European travel.







Contributor: Media, Cruise Line , Aviation, Politics & Travel Expert, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 downline +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 017 33 55 53 19) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs Glensound C5 SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK

Oh Sandy you're NO lady....

Julian Bray writes:  I'm pleased that we have managed to dramatically highlight the plight of the UK (and Brazilian - don't ask) contingent of New York Marathon runners on American News Networks, the marathon is due to take place on Sunday - yes this Sunday. The UK runners need to be confirmed on a 'plane to NYC on Friday, the organisers say its still on, so does a NYC councillor, I contacted directly via Twitter earlier today.... fingers crossed, and the best of luck to all! 

Having said all that we now have confirmation from a reliable source that a quantity of hushed electric generator sets have been withdrawn from the marathon event and diverted to emergency power resources. What is a worry is that our source confirms the movement order was cancelled 'as the event isn't going off' Our local sources say the build up i.e. the finish line stand and tents are being built, but only a cynic would suggest that in order to underline the decision to pull the event, a lot of positive PR can be gained if the sponsors boards are all over the news networks before they are put back on the trucks, NYT seems to be onto it as well.  

Latest: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/31/sports/new-york-marathon-officials-determining-storms-effect-on-race.html?nl=todaysheadlines&_r=0

Meanwhile our thoughts are with America tonight..  Our picture shows cars submerged at the entrance to a parking garage in New York’s Financial District in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012.



Cars are submerged at the entrance to a parking garage in New York’s Financial District in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012.    Picture courtesy AP


Contributor: Media, Cruise Line , Aviation, Politics & Travel Expert, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 downline +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 017 33 55 53 19) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs Glensound C5 SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK

Sir Jimmy Savile, Max Clifford rains on the party as Johnny Beerling has walk on part...

 Its called – continuity – and free publicity in the TV trade!


It was all going so well, the police worked out an arrest strategy with Gary Glitter (Paul Gadd) who now lives in London, near the top of the list, and a long line of aging Disc Jockeys, Television Grandees including Wil D'eath and retired production staff of all grades, plus the entire pensioned off inmates of Brinsworth House - the luvvies retirement home -  were in the frame to be grilled by the police teams, looking into the serial sexual harassment and rape related activities, of the now disgraced (and belatedly disowned by his relatives) Sir Jimmy Savile. 

So what went wrong? Two words MAX CLIFFORD, we all fell for it. To be fair a master stroke from the canny self styled PR Guru (I’d prefer old time Press Agent) Max, all tanned and well groomed, standing in the garden – just to the left of his Bentley - of his well appointed country residence.

We’ve seen this ploy before – the garden interview that is. Last time it was cheating footballers, in the middle of Summer, but this weekends effort, when the weather had dived to near freezing, but Max ever the professional, still wore the same sunny outfit as seen on TV before  – its called – continuity – in the TV trade!

Max has small but expensive offices in Central London, the walls lined with framed newspaper headings, but to show off his clients, and to make a sales pitch to new ‘worried’ clients. It proves he is the king of media hype, just watch the rat pack and assorted TV  News companies traipse down to the MC country pile. The phones in his office then do ring off the hook.

It very nearly came off Max, you really had us all fooled. The script was almost the same as he used for previous garden ‘live TV News  pieces to camera’  “I’ve had lots of worried pop stars, phoning me up all week and I expect many more will do so in the coming weeks.”

For ‘pop stars’ substitute ‘footballers’ -  ‘managers’ – ‘politicians’- even hamsters. It’s all money in the bank for Max. If ‘worried’ time expired pop stars are silly enough to take up the offer, then so be it. Max wins…

The softening up process began days earlier with Freddie Starr seemingly trying to make an urgent date with police, so we must ask the question who really ate the hamster? Freddie or Max? Or did they have half each? It’s a good line, Freddie says he needs to clear his name (but if he’s innocent then why clear his name?) and a welcome shot of publicity would be good for his career in his twilight years.

Clearly anyone ‘papped’ or associating with the disgusting old shell-suited paedophile in the last fifty years ; and those well placed public sector officials who gave our Jimmy the keys to all manner of forbidden delights, will all be awaiting the early knock on the door.

Hopefully the police and the Crown Prosecution Service will get to the bottom of fifty years of a ‘tsunami of filth.’ Meanwhile Max Clifford needs like every business to do some publicity, pay for advertising and promotion to top up the corporate coffers, so Max does what he does best. Free no cost publicity on all the prime TV news programmes! Brilliant!

Now if you think I am being hard on Max, well no. The whole Jimmy Savile story just gives and gives, in news agenda terms, many more months of this, and for some reason more images of the disgusting old pervert continue to prop up each latest news bulletin, rather than substituting a lingering shot of the NSPCC logo or simply the childline number.

But if we really are to get to the root of it all, and remember this all goes way back to the swinging 60’s. I’d round up everyone who had ever worked with BBC VT ! Yes the infamous BBC video tape department, known universally as VT.

For many years, all the bloopers, and other choice reels of tape, naughty out takes if you like,  would be routinely sent to VT for consideration for inclusion in the BBC Special staff Christmas tape (copies given out to staff but for obvious reasons, never ever broadcast). In later years when some ‘stars’ including one 'Big Spender'started complaining their 14 retakes rehearsal had found its way on to the VT Christmas tape, it got closed down. But the 60’s and 70’s are safe, the tapes survive!

There are still many bootleg copies of the Christmas tapes around, and some retired VT people may well  have saved some of the juicer moments, probably on 3 inch Ampex tape, gathering dust in several lofts somewhere. The point being that most video tape in those days, was routinely wiped and re-recorded but the bloopers for VT, were never ever erased or used again……and the tapes apparently contained much more than just bloopers, and some cuts just too hot for the Christmas tape.....

But what about those who did cruelly and cynically take advantage of under age or vulnerable young males and females? Clearly they should be found and punished. Untold damage has been done to several generations, and those who knew what was happening, and were in a position to prevent it happening, decided to do nothing. Clearly they are just as guilty by association, and the book in every case should be thrown at them.

Johnny Beerling - employed Savile 

Speaking of which,  former BBC Radio 1 controller Johnny Beerling is chairing a bid by Radio Skipton to win a community radio licence.  He’s joined up with Revolution programme controller John Evington to apply for a licence, aiming to provide the Yorkshire town with a local station.

Skipton was home to Yorkshire Dales Radio, aka Fresh Radio, which was recently sold to UKRD and re-branded as Stray FM and moved to Harrogate.

A board of trustees will oversee the running of the station with Johnny Beerling, who lives in the area, as its chairman.

Johnny Beerling: “Apart from reflecting local news and events we will embrace local sporting clubs, schools, youth activities.........."   Clearly Beerling is somewhere on the police 'of interest'  list as controller ofRradio One, he know the deceased pervert Jimmy Saville for several decades and no doubt can fuilol in some of the missing details.

But whoever they are, or however highly regarded they may be now, all should be interviewed, and if anyone out there does have information, now would be a very good time to find a lawyer, put personal affairs in order and produce all the evidence. They might also like to consider a large financial donation to the NSPCC, it seems we all prefer to give money to the RSPCA to help animals and a far lesser amount to the NSPCC, such is the value of human life.

Rather than endless pictures of the serial abuser Savile,  on TV News
how about this as a  practical replacement?

Contributor: Media, Cruise Line , Aviation, Politics & Travel Expert, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 downline +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 017 33 55 53 19) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs Glensound C5 SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK

Memorial Sevice for Derek Jameson on 28 November

St Bride's Church Fleet Street  

Memorial for Derek Jameson 

on 28th November 

A memorial service for Derek Jameson will be held at St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London EC4 at 11.30am on Wednesday 28th November, the day before what would have been his 83rd birthday. 




Contributor: Media, Cruise Line , Aviation, Politics & Travel Expert, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 downline +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 017 33 55 53 19) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs Glensound C5 SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK

'PENTAGON COMPUTER HACKER' GARY McKINNON EXTRADITION TO USA BLOCKED BY HOME SECRETARY

Gary McKinnon, 46,

Julian Bray writes:  Medically impared Gary McKinnon, 46, who allegedly whilst looking on the internet for evidence of UFO's,  hacked into a series of Pentagon computers, shortly after 9/11, from his bedroom computer terminal in the UK, allegedly disabling USA mainframe military and intelligence computers, will not be extradited to the USA. 

The decision was taken on medical grounds, and therefore the extradition would "be a breach of his human rights,"  the Home Secretary confirmed in the House of Commons this afternoon.  

This ends a 10 year campaign to keep Gary McKinnon in the UK. 

This follows on from the UK government decision announced yesterday, to withdraw from all Pre-Lisbon EC directives on law and order, criminal justice and effectively ending the current European arrest warrant system.  


Contributor: Media, Cruise Line , Aviation, Politics & Travel Expert, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 downline +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 017 33 55 53 19) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs Glensound C5 SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK

Gibraltar 'being excluded' from cruise ship 'ports of call'

The border entry point is the spanish side of the Gibraltar airport runway

Julian Bray writes: Gibraltar could soon be dumped as a regular Port of Call by cruise ships in coming seasons, senior industy sources have indicated.  As reflected in a parliamentary debate on Gibraltar in the House of Commons, London, earlier today (Wednesday 15th October); which reported the recently elected Spanish Government is no longer co-operating in the trilateral talks on maintaining cordial relations between Gibraltar and Spain. 

It also comes on a day when the |Home Secretary Theresa May MP announced the UK is withdrawing from all EC pre Lisbon Police and Criminal Justice matters, reserving the right to opt back in to single EC measures as appropriate.

 As a result a growing number of cruise lines are considering dropping Gibraltar and no longer consider it as an  important port of call, following a renewal of repetitive border delays between the Rock and Spain.

Delays of up to five hours at a time are being experienced as the local Guardia Civil  [GC] (The Guardia Civil is in essence the Spanish gendarme. It is a police force that has both military, maritime and civilian functions plus a foreign peace-keeping role. It enjoys military status and is the equivalent of a federal paramilitary police), GC units are closing the border for several hours at a time, on the pretext of conducting searches for smuggled goods from Gib into Spain and the reverse. In addition they are conducting patrols allegedly within British territorial waters, which has frequently involved the armed intervention of the Royal Navy.

Clearly cruise line guests making day trips to Spain, and on organised coach excursions are not arriving back in time due to the border delays, and in most cases the cruise ship has to vacant its berth, leaving passengers stranded. The delays either require the offloading of the missing passengers luggage, or at their own expense passengers to travel by rail or air to the next port of call.

Cruise lines have also noted that by excluding Gibraltar  they can extend time at provisioning ports such as Lisbon, Vigo and Barcelona, and also preserve the high level of on-board spend where duty free tobaccos, alcohol and shopping are now an important part of the profitability of any cruise.  In particular Vigo in Gallicia, Northern Spain has made a substantial investment in a new cruise terminal, ship provisioning and port side visitor attractions,

The border delays have also affected the rapid transit of seriously ill passengers to Spanish hospitals. In some cases it is claimed,  'private ambulances' (hearses) have also been refused entry to Spain, and the body has had to be repatriated 'Medevac'  by air from Gibraltar airport.

Other problems are also caused by Spanish hospitals and medical clinics refusing to accept the European Health Card, and demanding payment in full from British Citizens before they will offer treatment or supply medications. They say the Central Governemen,t of Spain isn't refunding the costs involved although the funds are being paid by the UK.



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Costa Concordia Trial - What a VOYAGE DATA RECORDER does and why it's important

Julian Bray writes: As the trial of the captain of the wrecked  Costa Concordia cruise ship gets underway in Italy, and with it some dubious techinical accuracy is peppered around the media . The lastest item of interest is the so called 'Black Box recorder' or more accurately a Voyage Data Recorder [VDR]. This is far more than just a voice recorder ( as it has been called repeatedlyy!) and we give the full range of the telemetrics in a list beow

For this reason, and to comply with SOLAS (Saving Of Lives At Sea) regulations  - first introduced after the RMS Titanic disaster, 100 years ago -  all ships must now have an active VDR fitted which will record dozens  channels of information (data) over a 12 hour period immediately before an incident than its smaller brother on board an aircraft. This is achieved by a continuing recording, which constantly overwrites the recorder, but capturing at least 12 hours of data before an incident.

A VDR or voyage data recorder is an instrument or protected data capsule safely installed on a ship, usually on the upper sun deck or in a forward external exposed position and isn't painted black but 'day-glo' orange or yellow. The kit is set to continuously record vital information channels related to the operation of a vessel. In addition to data collection and recording it als captures radio, ship announcements and general conversation taking place on the bridge and other key areas.


The VDR under SOLAS regulations must capture and record the following:

Date and time
Ship’s position
Speed and heading
Bridge audio
Communication audio (radio)
Radar data
Post display data
Echo sounder  (!)
Main alarms
Rudder (or azipod propulsion) orders and response
Hull opening (doors) status
Watertight and fire door status
Speed and acceleration
Hull stresses
Wind speed and direction

Contributor: Media, Cruise Line , Aviation, Politics & Travel Expert, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 downline +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 017 33 55 53 19) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs Glensound C5 SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK

Did the old soldiers sting the Sunday Times?

Julian Bray writes: The classic sting set up by The Sunday Times featuring several highly decorated retired Generals and Chiefs of Staff seemingly offering access is nothing new. If the newspaper had only bothered to go through old printed copies of the then Institute of Public Relations Members handbook,  they'll find scores of  pensioned off service personnel and others on shorter military contracts all listed as associates or following an exam process a full Member of the Institute. Indeed one former President of the IPR, Lex Hornsby CBE had a string of Generals, as he put it 'on tap.'

The PR consultants act as the legal buffer, and our retired solider or airman simply an advisor to the PR firm, and nowhere is it more obvious than the hospitality suites at the Farnborough Air Show or any of the social calendar events helpfully listed by Debretts. As for access to Ministers, the route is usually through their office and parliamentary private secretary or through the MP's constituency organisation.

An interest in a mutual charity or cause also works wonders, a modest cash donation or the supply or long term loan of equipment or 'no-fee' consultancy service  is also another route. In just about every case  where this has happened access has bee granted or an introduction made to an enabler who will complete the trickier parts of the process.

 As to actually profiting from the deal, as so many public organisations now use fee earning interim staff, the interim will naturally rely on his own networking system such as the Executive Grapevine and like organisations where the sole aim is to put 'networking' and 'access' on a professional basis.

The retired military men were clearly part of this networking process and as the Sunday Times will have edited parts of the video tape,the full discussion would not have been reflected. Simply until the contract is signed sealed and delivered the law hasn't been broken, some loose talk and bit of bravado might have taken place but no more than one fisherman taking to another about the size of the last carp they each caught but had to put back. "It was hug, honest!, they might have each exclaimed.


The late Sir Ernest Harrison, then the boss of a small firm Racal making military radio systems, was however a master at gaining access and indeed on one such Government sponsored sales visit to his firm in 1972 with a visiting foreign power, he urged me to 'put a few bob' into a tiny business he'd just floated, it was called Vodata and the shares just 10p. Following a name change and also a  change of direction from making military radios Vodafone was born, the rest is history.

Sir |Ernest: Trust me this is worth a small punt..

And that tip from Sir Ernest? No, like an idiot I didn't buy any shares! If I had in 1972 put £500 in, today a few million would certainly be in my pocket....

So although the news media likes a good story, in this case it really is better in the telling than in the execution. Nothing to see here, move on!        






Contributor: Media, Cruise &Shipping, Aviation, Politics & Travel Expert, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 downline +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 017 33 55 53 19) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs Glensound C5 SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK

Sea Princess passengers stranded ashore in New Zealand

The Sea Princess arrived in Akaroa Harbour New Zealand marking the start of the cruise season shortly before before the severe weather closed in.

Julian Bray cruise and travel journalist writes: A storm battering New Zealand has left some 700 cruise ship passengers stranded overnight in Canterbury, as the Princess Cruises' Sea Princess swung on its  anchor riding out a storm in Akaroa Bay.   The storm uprooted trees, caused power cuts as it  as it swept across the country. The ship had dropped anchor and  passengers transferred safely ashore by a shuttle tender service from its four 60+ passenger tenders. In order to complete the operation, specially trained crew, open a lower hull mounted access port, lowering down a landing platform, just a few feet above the normal waterline. In normal conditions the expert crew would assist the passengers (and in some cases wheelchair users as well)  but if the weather is rough, then normally the port of call would be dropped from the schedule. In this case the 700 had already been safely taken ashore, but the weather suddenly blew up stranding the guests.

The European and American passengers from the Sea Princess cruise ship initially took shelter in the Akaroa Area School gymnasium, as the rough conditions have made it unsafe for them to return to the ship   A spokesman for the Maison de la Mer Hotel, said he had been contacted by the cruise company to see if they could block book the hotel

Local reports suggest that by 10am the weather was 'looking pretty nasty', with trees blocking roads and power lines down.

Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism spokesperson claimed the situation was being handled well, and that the Akaroa community had all rallied together to accommodate the passengers in both hotel and private accommodation.




Contributor: Media, Cruise Line , Aviation, Politics & Travel Expert, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 downline +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 017 33 55 53 19) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs Glensound C5 SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK