As Channel 4’s Alex Thomson crowed yesterday about action taken by the NUJ against blogger David Leggat, it raised more questions than answers.
Thomson has restated his claims on various occasions that he was threatened by “a local journalist”
I have covered this ”story” before:
http://williampoole.wordpress.com/2012/04/17/useful-idiots/
It was established that the “threat” that Thomson was quoting was a myth.
Thomson, of course, reported his “threat” to Strathclyde Police.
When Strathclyde Police dismissed the claims, and the Telegraph reported that Strathclyde’s finest had claimed it was “laughable”, Thomson attempted to silence the Telegraph, who pulled the article. He stated that the Police were still investigating.
At that point, my own blog on the subject was pulled. I did it in the interests of fairness, as it appeared that the “investigation” was still open
It later became clear that the Police had thrown the claims out. At that point I republished my blogpost
http://williampoole.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/glasgow-the-toughest-gig/
The quote there from the Telegraph reporting that Strathclyde Police had thrown out the “case” was as follows:
“Alex Thomson case dropped
An odd footnote to the Rangers saga was resolved on Tuesday. Strathclyde Police confirmed that their investigation into an alleged threat made by an unnamed Scottish journalist against Alex Thomson, Chief Correspondent of Channel 4 News, has closed after no evidence was found.
A Strathclyde Police spokesperson told The Daily Telegraph: “An investigation was carried out but we were unable to establish any evidence of criminality.”
So, if the Police think that Thompson’s claims of threats are “laughable” as the first Telegraph report suggested, then why would the NUJ take action?
Leggat, of course, has a different view from Thompson in his own blog this morning.
Leggat’s blog is a no holds barred written attack on Thompson, which is understandable, however I do believe he may be missing the point.
If Leggat had already resigned from the NUJ, due to pressure from the union to go easy on fellow journalists, following complaints, then that is the real story.
If Leggat is correct, it would appear that the NUJ couldn’t apply a £1000 fine and suspend him from the union if he’d already resigned, which would make Thompson a liar.
Given that we already knew Thompson was a liar, that’s hardly a revelation
What is more important is a campaign to silence a journalist who exposes the lies and agenda of liars like Thompson, and uncovers their agenda.
I have no doubt that Leggat will turn his attention to those who bullied him out of the NUJ and tried to suppress free speech, and for me this is where he should be applying his energy. Others can take up the mantle of defending Rangers. I believe Charles Green is more than capable.
The NUJ, which counts Irish Republican bigots Phil MacGiollabhain and Roy Greenslade amongst its most influential members, has bullied a brave blogger for standing up to their agenda.
The NUJ President certainly looks comfortable with the two republicans here.
The NUJ should not be silencing journalists or bloggers if they dare to criticise fellow members. Journalism should be about free speech.
While I find myself in disagreement with Leggat with regards to his feelings on Charles Green, I believe he has to fight for real justice after a campaign to silence and discredit him by NUJ bigots who wish dissenting voices silenced and wish to make an example of him to journalists in the mainstream media.
Leggat may have information that Strathclyde Police will act on the allegations of corruption from Thompson, and he may well be right.
How many more people will Thompson get to bully first though?
Bill
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