An honest politician? Whatever next?

[Gob]

Conservative MP Louise Mensch has admitted she "probably" took drugs with violinist Nigel Kennedy when she was working for record company EMI.

The MP for Corby said she had been contacted by journalists who said they knew she had taken drugs at a nightclub.

The journalists claimed to have photographs of the night in question.

Asked about the allegation, Kennedy said he did "remember having some great times" with Mrs Mensch.

Mrs Mensch, who also writes romantic novels under her maiden name Louise Bagshawe, has published an e-mail from investigative journalists accusing her of taking drugs and dancing, while drunk, with the musician during her time as a press officer for EMI a number of years ago.

She has also made public her reply to the journalists, which stated: "Although I do not remember the specific incident, this sounds highly probable... since I was in my twenties, I'm sure it was not the only incident of the kind; we all do idiotic things when young."

She later posted a message on Twitter saying her actions had been "idiotic", adding that it was "never a good idea to mess with your brain".

In a statement, Mr Kennedy said: "I am a socialist myself but do remember having some great times with my beautiful and very clever right-wing friend when she was at EMI.

"Louise is pretty scary and I would warn anyone that it's not a good idea to mess with her."

Mrs Mensch denied another allegation that she had been sacked by EMI for writing a novel during work hours.

She said she had used a work computer outside office hours for her book, but the stated reasons for her sacking had been "leaving work early", "missing the odd day at work" and "inappropriate dress".

She also denied making "derogatory references" to her former manager at EMI in one of her books.

John Whittingdale, the Conservative chairman of the Commons culture committee, on which Mrs Mensch sits, said: "It seems to me Louise has been admirably up front and honest and I think her reputation and credibility are enhanced by that."

A Labour member of the committee, West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson, told BBC2's Newsnight he did not care what Mrs Mensch "did in nightclubs in the 1990s".

He added: "What she has effectively done today is give a very big finger to a... journalist who is trying to dig up dirt on her from many years ago, probably because she is involved in exposing the truth about hacking and what went on on our committee."

Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, who was at Oxford University at the same time as Mrs Mensch, insisted he had only ever witnessed her enjoying a "small glass of sherry".

He told Newsnight the timing of the story was suspicious, although there was no proof there was an attempt to target her because of her involvement in the hacking probe.

Mrs Mensch's profile has increased recently as a result of her involvement in the phone-hacking scandal, questioning News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch as part of the culture committee.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-1 ... print=true

[Gob]

More;

"On 19 July, as part of the CMS Select Committee, I questioned Rupert and James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks on phone hacking at the News of the World.

I also focussed questions on whether hacking and blagging was, in fact, widespread throughout Fleet Street.

On 22 July I received the following email, which I reprint here in full and respond to below:

Dear Mrs Mensch

We are informing you that we have come into possession of the following information, about yourself, and would like to ask you for any comments, before we publish this information.

1. Whilst working at EMI, in the 1990s, you took drugs with Nigel Kennedy at Ronnie Scott's in Birmingham, including dancing on a dance floor, whilst drunk, with Mr Kennedy, in front of journalists. Photos of this exist.

2. Whilst working at EMI, in the 1990s, you wrote a novel, of a sexual nature, on your work computer, during working hours, and that it was this that caused EMI to terminate your employment. Correspondence of this exists.

3. The resultant novel included derogatory references to a driver called Roger, a character you based on Roger Lewis, your then line manager, Managing Director at EMI, who is now Group Chief Executive of Welsh Rugby Union.

We look forward to hearing from you.

With thanks

David Jones Investigative Journalists
###

My response to the allegations is as follows:

1. Although I do not remember the specific incident, this sounds highly probable. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Nigel Kennedy, whom I remember with affection. Additionally, since I was in my twenties, I'm sure it was not the only incident of the kind; we all do idiotic things when young. I am not a very good dancer and must apologise to any and all journalists who were forced to watch me dance that night at Ronnie Scott's.

2. Writing the first few chapters of Career Girls on my EMI computer is quite correct. However, it was all done after work hours. It was also not why I was fired by EMI. "Leaving work early" and “missing the odd day at work” along with "inappropriate dress" were the reasons quoted to me.

3. “Career Girls” was my first novel. I used the names of many real people I knew for minor characters, such as journalists, chauffeurs, bankers, and so forth. Roger Lewis was probably amongst them, as were (off the top of my head) Therese Coffey MP, now my colleague on the Select Committee, Jeremy Quin, Damian Hinds MP, Maurice Oberstein, Rod Clayton, James Robertson, and many more. None of them have ever complained about my using their names in this way.

I would also like to note that I am thrilled that Roger is now the Group Chief Executive of the Welsh Rugby Union. So many other co-workers from my music business days in the 90s have not found as exciting second careers.

Most importantly, I have not the slightest intention of being deterred from asking how far the culture of hacking and blagging extended in Fleet Street."

[Long Run]

By owning up right at the start, this probably becomes a one day story for Ms. Mensch (great name, btw). Hasn't she learned she should deny, delay, obfuscate?

[Gob]

I'm glad she didn't. I'm also glad she didn't try to lie.

BTW this "David Jones Investigative Journalists" doesn't seem to exist, political shenanigans I think.