Not Spin - A Downright Lie

Iain Dale uncovers some good stuff. This piece, which exposes Gordon Brown's 'ordinary guy' tube trip as a probable scam is a good example. What Iain has highlighted is that the person quoted in the press after our Gordo came and sat next to her is a New Labour stooge.

Where I would differ from Iain on this is that I wouldn't describe it as Spin. If this was staged then it was a con-trick; a downright lie. Let's stop pretending that this sort of conduct is acceptable by describing it as something other than what it is. Spin is about making sure your own perspective on policy and performance is put across - there is something acceptable in this. Where facts and information can be manipulated it is important that your own view is put across.

Staging an event and pretending it happened by chance in order to deliberately misinform the public is a lie, it is totally unacceptable.

We now find out if the press are to give Gordo a honeymoon (he doesn't deserve one). If they report this apparent piece of deceit then we know that he gets honest treatment from day one.