Accrington Web - View Single Post - Cherie Auctioning an autographed copy of the Hutton report into David Kelly's 'suici

thejokerman · 24-05-2006, 22:36

Two Labour MPs behind the fundraising event where a copy of the Hutton report signed by Cherie Blair was auctioned have said theyregret any offence.
Chris Bryant and James Purnell said it was a private event and no money would now be accepted for sale of the report.
The Hutton Inquiry was convened after the death of government scientist Dr David Kelly, named as a source for a BBC story about the Iraq War.
Mr Kelly's local Tory MP, Ed Vaizey, says the auction caused offence.
Mr Vaizey made the claim after Tony Blair said he did not believe any offence was intended by auctioning the report into the weapons expert's death.
The report raised £400 for Labour coffers when it was auctioned in Mayfair in London last week.
In their statement, Mr Bryant and Mr Purnell said that they had not received any money for the report.
"This was a private event. No-one intended to give offence, and if there is any offence we sincerely apologise," they said.
"We have not received any money for this item and we want to make it clear that we will not accept any."
A Commons motion has already condemned the auction, which was attended by a number of government ministers, as "in appalling bad taste, arrogant and crassly insensitive" and for causing distress to the Kelly family.
It called for Labour to say sorry "for such tasteless and offensive conduct and to donate the money raised to an appropriate charity".
'Outside our control'
At prime minister's questions, Tory MP Robert Goodwill asked Mr Blair if it was right that copies of a report on an inquiry into a public servant's death should be "signed by celebrities" and "auctioned to raise funds for a political party".
Mr Blair replied: "I do not believe that any offence to anyone was intended."
However, minutes later, in a point of order, Mr Vaizey, who represents Wantage in Oxfordshire, told MPs: "When the prime minister said no offence was intended to be caused by the sale of that document, I can assure him that it was caused."
Solicitor Peter Jacobsen told BBC News that Dr Kelly's family was not going to comment on the controversy over the auctioning of the report, or Mrs Blair's signing of it.
He said the family viewed the affair as a matter outside their control.
Suicide
The prime minister's official spokesman said he would not get involved in the row, adding that "it was a party matter and nothing to do with us".
Meanwhile Conservative MP Graham Stuart is urging Sir Alistair Graham, chairman of the committee on standards in public life, to investigate.
But Sir Alistair said the complaint was entirely outside his remit as Mrs Blair was not a public office holder.

24-05-2006, 22:36	#14
thejokerman Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 36 Liked: 0 times Rep Power: 0	Re: Cherie Auctioning an autographed copy of the Hutton report into David Kelly's 'suici Two Labour MPs behind the fundraising event where a copy of the Hutton report signed by Cherie Blair was auctioned have said theyregret any offence. Chris Bryant and James Purnell said it was a private event and no money would now be accepted for sale of the report. The Hutton Inquiry was convened after the death of government scientist Dr David Kelly, named as a source for a BBC story about the Iraq War. Mr Kelly's local Tory MP, Ed Vaizey, says the auction caused offence. Mr Vaizey made the claim after Tony Blair said he did not believe any offence was intended by auctioning the report into the weapons expert's death. The report raised £400 for Labour coffers when it was auctioned in Mayfair in London last week. In their statement, Mr Bryant and Mr Purnell said that they had not received any money for the report. "This was a private event. No-one intended to give offence, and if there is any offence we sincerely apologise," they said. "We have not received any money for this item and we want to make it clear that we will not accept any." A Commons motion has already condemned the auction, which was attended by a number of government ministers, as "in appalling bad taste, arrogant and crassly insensitive" and for causing distress to the Kelly family. It called for Labour to say sorry "for such tasteless and offensive conduct and to donate the money raised to an appropriate charity". 'Outside our control' At prime minister's questions, Tory MP Robert Goodwill asked Mr Blair if it was right that copies of a report on an inquiry into a public servant's death should be "signed by celebrities" and "auctioned to raise funds for a political party". Mr Blair replied: "I do not believe that any offence to anyone was intended." However, minutes later, in a point of order, Mr Vaizey, who represents Wantage in Oxfordshire, told MPs: "When the prime minister said no offence was intended to be caused by the sale of that document, I can assure him that it was caused." Solicitor Peter Jacobsen told BBC News that Dr Kelly's family was not going to comment on the controversy over the auctioning of the report, or Mrs Blair's signing of it. He said the family viewed the affair as a matter outside their control. Suicide The prime minister's official spokesman said he would not get involved in the row, adding that "it was a party matter and nothing to do with us". Meanwhile Conservative MP Graham Stuart is urging Sir Alistair Graham, chairman of the committee on standards in public life, to investigate. But Sir Alistair said the complaint was entirely outside his remit as Mrs Blair was not a public office holder.