joebean 803 Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 Anybody with any understanding of how things work in Government, or for that matter, anybody with any ability at all to think coherently, would be able to recognise that Ashford's whole approach to this, from the reading out of the "letter" to the apparent destruction of the "letter" lacks judgement, credibility or integrity. That is not in question. The question is "what can anybody do about it"? The answer to that, before the next election, is probably nothing. This is precisely why HQ, DA and the people behind this episode are content to present at so-called Briefings explanations and stories that are incredulous. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
finlo 4,704 Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 No, but he's got the measure of all these slimey fuckers! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scotty 495 Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 3 minutes ago, Barlow said: Yep. You can bet your bottom dollar that if for some reason the letter was needed by the Minister, it would suddenly reappear (unshred itself, dog regurgitate it, ashes reconstituted, or simply lifted from the back of the bottom drawer) What a sad post. That is on file now ffs Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scotty 495 Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 1 minute ago, finlo said: No, but he's got the measure of all these slimey fuckers! Finlo, this site is here for comedy value and has no place in reality. why don’t people realize this. ? Does anyone really think anyone gives a fuck what is said in here ?. Sadly it is getting more like Facebook. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
finlo 4,704 Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 2 minutes ago, Scotty said: What a sad post. That is on file now ffs i have to admire your unfailing faith in all these useless fuckers Dilli! 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scotty 495 Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 1 minute ago, finlo said: i have to admire your unfailing faith in all these useless fuckers Dilli! I will pass on your comments Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Barlow 669 Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Scotty said: What a sad post. That is on file now ffs Our work destroys nothing unless absolutely essential for space. Project files well and truly complete and near 20 years old might get binned although we consider scanning first. No one who is business or worldly savvy destroys anything. CERTAINLY not something a few days old and CERTAINLY not when used in a briefing. The epsiode is incredulous Edited November 20, 2020 by Barlow 3 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Barlow 669 Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 Lawyers,if it suits them, are quick to say that anything over 6 years can be destroyed. I find that ridiculous as we are often retrieving files far older than that. The tax office, for example can go back 20 years if they feel it is justified. But a couple of days....nahhh!!! I think Ashie has let the ego go to his head: A. For using the 'letter' in the first place and B. For using the 'destroyed' excuse All unbelievable. 'Lettergate' - what a cracking word! 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Declan 7,173 Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 Some of the language is very politician-like “a testing regime that is second to none” ...”the envy of many countries”. Is that nebulous unprovable assertion the sort of phrasing a scientist would use? One whose job is all about precision and evidence? Also I’m not clear what point he was making in reading that letter in answer to the question “What is your reaction to Dr Glover’s resignation and why do you think it’s reached that point?” 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hampsterkahn 366 Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 DA happened to be Health Minister at the start of a Pandemic-an unenviable position. In early March, advice was scant and that from PHE was appallingly poor ( as late as 23 March PHE dismissed the risk of transmission to care homes) The DHSC had been recently rearranged with a CEO largely off Island. He managed. I think he coped very well.Unlike the chief Minister, he answered questions well, could “think on his feet “ , and didn't get irritable. Now , the “letter” incident has really tripped him up- badly. Why on earth mention receiving an anonymous letter regarding a staff member resigning ? -or anything else for that matter ? -and then going on to quote from it ? This lack of judgement has been further compounded by the announcement that the letter has been destroyed. With no sense of irony, “ Data Protection” is cited as the reason for “data” not being “protected”, Why can’t such things be quickly resolved, “Honour satisfied “ , feathers un ruffled and preened , pride, and humble pie swallowed and everyone just get back to doing their bloody jobs in these unsettled, dangerous times ? 6 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Apple 625 Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 As it stands the current DHSC policy is for materials used as press releases have to be kept for 6 years and DA has deviated from the Department's policy. Anyone else could be subject to some form of disciplinary process. It should be referred to the Tynwald Standards Committee. DA must be aware of the strength of feeling about this. It will undermine his future attempts now to provide the trust, confidence and integrity any DHSC Minister will need to provide as leadership to get us through the next 12 months. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Uhtred 9,887 Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 9 hours ago, Barlow said: Our work destroys nothing unless absolutely essential for space. Project files well and truly complete and near 20 years old might get binned although we consider scanning first. No one who is business or worldly savvy destroys anything. CERTAINLY not something a few days old and CERTAINLY not when used in a briefing. The epsiode is incredulous Of course they do destroy items that can’t sustain scrutiny or which would rapidly become a significant risk. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cassie2 31 Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 (edited) On 11/20/2020 at 12:56 AM, hampsterkahn said: DA happened to be Health Minister at the start of a Pandemic-an unenviable position. In early March, advice was scant and that from PHE was appallingly poor ( as late as 23 March PHE dismissed the risk of transmission to care homes) The DHSC had been recently rearranged with a CEO largely off Island. He managed. I think he coped very well.Unlike the chief Minister, he answered questions well, could “think on his feet “ , and didn't get irritable. Now , the “letter” incident has really tripped him up- badly. Why on earth mention receiving an anonymous letter regarding a staff member resigning ? -or anything else for that matter ? -and then going on to quote from it ? This lack of judgement has been further compounded by the announcement that the letter has been destroyed. With no sense of irony, “ Data Protection” is cited as the reason for “data” not being “protected”, Why can’t such things be quickly resolved, “Honour satisfied “ , feathers un ruffled and preened , pride, and humble pie swallowed and everyone just get back to doing their bloody jobs in these unsettled, dangerous times ? DELETED IN PROTEST AT THE FORUM MODERATOR JW Edited January 3 by Cassie2 1 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Wright 7,883 Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 7 minutes ago, Cassie2 said: Proudest and warmest congratulations are in order again. I see that The Hon. David Ashford M.B.E., M.H.K. has now also been further honoured with the award of the D.S.M. - The Distinguished Shredding Medal. It is believed that this may be the first time that this very great honour has ever been given to someone in the Isle of Man. It is not just a very great honour for the man himself but also of course for the whole I.O.M. Government, its huge and expensive 'Communications Team', its DHSC top hierarchy and all of us here - we the people of the island. He’s had the CDM for years... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tetchtyke 261 Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 I couldn't give the tiniest little shite about the merits of the spat between Dr Glover and Minister Ashford. I just really don't get why a grown adult politician lowered himself to this. I don't get the thought process. You thank everyone at the lab for their work, say you're sorry she feels like that, and get on with running the country. It's the lack of judgement that I find puzzling because, up to now, he's actually done a good job in very difficult circumstances. 9 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.