When the story broke that Gary Barlow had been avoiding tax what was the one feature that the BBC emphasised first and foremost?
That David Cameron didn’t think Barlow should lose his OBE.
This line led every report on this throughout the day and I thought at the time that it was probably a less than subtle attempt to link Cameron to the super rich and suggest he is siding with them…..a line also spun by Labour’s Ed Milliband….coincidentally….and here by Hodge the Dodge….
Take That star Gary Barlow should keep OBE – Cameron
David Cameron has rejected calls for Take That singer Gary Barlow to hand back his OBE after it emerged he had put money into a scheme ruled to be set up for tax avoidance purposes.
The chair of the Commons Public Accounts Committee Margaret Hodge had suggested Barlow “might show a bit of contrition by giving back his OBE”.
I was reminded of that when the Daily Mail published this today:
Will tax dodger Gary Barlow’s support for the Tories backfire on his chum Dave?
I don’t think it was an accident that the BBC were highlighting Cameron’s thoughts on every bulletin throughout the day and a reasonable case could be made that they were deliberately trying to stir things up and make Cameron look as if he is indeed only looking after the interests of the rich.
There is a tremendous difference between taking part in a ‘tax avoidance’ scheme that your accountant assures is legal – and having it subsequently declared illegal and hiding money in the first place.
Of course if you’re a Tory that changes things substantially.
well …
if he s been avoiding paying all that tax, an OBE …
they ve got no chance 😀
It was amusing that Caroline (window dressing) Flint got so exercised by this on QT the other night, accusing the Tories of aiding and abetting these schemes and Gary Barlow in particular.
Amusing, not least because Barlow signed up for this scheme in April 2010.
Now then, Flint, who was in power in April 2010? Perhaps the BBC with their 8000 world respected journalists and access to Wikipedia might be able to help. The BBC do though seem remarkably less than inquisitive.
The BBC do though seem remarkably less than inquisitive.
Top down astounding uncuriosity.
Along with rot.
Market rate glass bunker cubicles (the very definition of transparency) out and then down through all staff.
I’ve always wondered why Gary Monotone got so much flack from the BBC. He seemed quite ordinary to me, for a boy band singer. Odd that they hate him so much but play his music constantly. Could it be they put up with Gary because of the more BBCish Robbie Williams?
No they hate Barlow because they obviously knew, well before the public, that he is/was a Tory.
I should’ve known really …
Did they get so upset when Jimmy Carr was found out?
I think St Margaret of Hodge is conveniently forgotten when tax arrangements are mentioned ( and chid care scandals/cover ups).
I assume that no one at the BBC or in the Labour party has any money in ISAs.
That’s how I avoid paying tax on my savings.
I’m on a different scale to Barlow but the principle is the same.
Margaret Hodge? Stemcor? Not really in a position to criticise anyone for tax avoidance is she?
Her hypocrisy is amazing
Sense Barlow is so despised for actually making his money out of talent as bought and sold in the market.
You know-as opposed to bleeding us all dry via the license fee.
We have a choice with Barlow, and nor whether we have to pay for the BBC and its rummage sale of liberal tropes…and Saviles socks.
I`m no fan of Barlows-but the BBC won`t forgive him for being supportive and kind to those who serve in Afghanistan.
Now had he confined his “wars” to “AIDS” or “female empowerment”…the BBC would be leaving him alone.
Hope Gary tells the f***in BBC what to do with their cheridee buckets when Lenny and Gabby come calling later on this year…
‘When the story broke that Gary Barlow had been avoiding tax what was the one feature that the BBC emphasised first and foremost? That David Cameron didn’t think Barlow should lose his OBE.’
Eh, no it wasn’t, wrong.
‘I thought at the time that it was probably a less than subtle attempt to link Cameron to the super rich and suggest he is siding with them’
Very subtle, very very subtle indeed.
‘chair of the Commons Public Accounts Committee Margaret Hodge had suggested Barlow “might show a bit of contrition by giving back his OBE”.’
And what party does she belong to? We’re not told. How very subtle BBC with your anti-Labour bias.
‘I was reminded of that when the Daily Mail published this today’
In the Daily Mail. Yes, which is not the BBC. And this somehow supports a case of left wing bias? Oh dear Alan.
I don’t think it was an accident that the BBC were highlighting Cameron’s thoughts on every bulletin throughout the day and a reasonable case could be made that they were deliberately trying to stir things up and make Cameron look as if he is indeed only looking after the interests of the rich.
Vance you have the logic of a bog door.
Since Take Everything’s singers tax dodge has been a big story and since Barlow is a prominent Tory, hardly surprising that there is interest in the PM’s comments. But to find a conspiracy in that shows how utterly paranoid people selling yoghurt end up!