Ruth Kelly – media spin, the need for facts and back to the Opus Dei argument

From a parent’s perspective it is difficult to understand a position where an individual who has been cautioned for downloading child pornography can then be given a teaching job – especially teaching PE.  If I found out this had happened in my childrens’ school they would move.

David Willets has been on sky this morning with quite a reasoned approach, saying that Ruth Kelly needs to answer some questions and that it is the answer to those questions should decide whether she stays or goes.

Sky are doing their bit to contribute to the spin agenda by citing the Conservative position as one of needing to consider her position.   As ever with the media, the headline is all.  So far the response to those questions have been a series of “not me guv” responses from Ruth Kelly and junior Ministers and a promise of an urgent reconsideration.  It is vital that the Minister responsible for this decision takes responsibility and explains why they made it.

Personally I refuse to separate any discussion on Ruth Kelly’s future without repeating that her association with Opus Dei means that she should not be in the job anyway.   Articles confirming this association are here:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1411905,00.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4190115.stm

I have said before that Opus Dei are not the organisation portrayed in the “Da Vinci Code” so judgement should not be made based on that work of fiction.   However, judgements should be made on their own information and the widespread concerns that exist about their methods.  For instance, one issue that schools face is self-harm amongst children – this is a complex area that needs serious consideration.  S o could someone please explain how a Minister who belongs to an organisation that supports self-mortification can have any credibility in this issue.  (This rebuttal of the Da Vinci Code on Opus Dei’s own website makes it plain that Self-Mortification and self-harm is an accepted practice).

I repeat what I have said before, Opus Dei has extremist elements.  Whilst obviously there can be no doubt that the extent of that extremism is nothing like what we see elsewhere, giving authority to one such organisation gives credibility to all.