Andy Gray & Richard Keys: As much class as rats with gold teeth.....

In the sexist scandal, the backlash was initially heaped on Andy Gray, but over the past few days it has been Richard Keys who has emerged as the one ex-colleagues at Sky Sports despised the most.

Stories of Mr Keys's attitude towards women in general and production staff at the station in particular, are being circulated with venomous delight and it appears that over the years both Keys and Gray behaved like boorish chauvinists, displaying about as much class as rats with gold teeth.

However, it does raise the question why they got away with it for so long? Surely Sky has a responsibility to all its staff, not just its highly-paid and often over-rated high-profile "talent"? Over the years, judging by some of the stories emerging, the attitudes and actions of both men must have been observed by senior staff and, if so, why was their behaviour allowed free rein? It reflects badly on Sky management that such an abusive culture thrived at the station.

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak: Packs his money into large suitcases...

Following his television appearance last night, which inflamed the protesters even more, it is almost a foregone conclusion that President Hosni Mubarak will head off into the sunset. For the moment, as he packs his money into large suitcases, he refuses to resign, although it appears he still does not appreciate how much his own personal leadership is the target of the hate.

For three decades he and his corrupt cronies have ruled Egypt, getting richer on American aid money, while offering the population no hope in return. It is not only a worrying time for Egypt, but also Western powers, wondering who and what will replace the current administration. America has long supported Mubarak and may well face the fury of the Egyptian masses for this.
Today, is a decisive day for the protesters, who are being supported by religious elements and much will depend on the number of protesters, the ferociousness of the riot police and the reaction of the army.

For a nation, cowed by its leaders for decades, it is a brave move to openly protest, but if the crowd swell into sufficient numbers, then President Mubarak and his suitcases will be heading for the airfield. Then one wonders which country will be next for change.....

Richard Keys resigns from Sky in sexist row!

So, Richard Keys failed in his attempt to keep his job and resigned from Sky, before being pushed or shunted into a lesser role. It means the station is now free to revamp its football front-line presenting team in its bid to attract a broader and, no doubt, younger audience. It has all worked out nicely for Sky!

The football world has mostly been silent on the latest scandal to hit it, but the message must now be clear that sexist and offensive remarks, whether about women, blacks or gays, will not be tolerated.

It will take a little longer for the message to get through to some of the fans who inhabit the terraces.

Andy Gray & Women: Do all blokes really talk like him?

What I find interesting about the furore over Sky’s football pundit Andy Gray and his sexist comments about the lineswoman and that outrageous remark to his Sky colleague when he invited her to place his microphone down his pants, is the impression that, although most of us are shocked by his behaviour, there is that guilty acceptance that worse has been said when groups of males get together.

Other allegations to emerge about Andy Gray, the father of several children by various mothers, include his arrogant behaviour towards backroom staff at Sky, do not paint a picture of a nice man. However, the leaking of his remarks, presumably by someone at Sky, could have an ulterior motive, including revenge for his action in suing the News of the World over alleged phone-tapping. Both Sky and the newspaper are owned by News International.

Mr Gray worked for Sky for close on two decades but was sacked without remorse. “It was offensive behaviour. We had no hesitation,” was the statement from the station. Mr Gray was paid £1.7 million a year for his services as a pundit, but he had got too big for his boots and it was known that the broadcaster wanted to revamp its sports coverage, in an effort to broaden its audience base. It was suggested that the 55-year old Mr Gray did not fit their new profile and his case wasn’t helped by his deep unpopularity amongst station staff.

Richard Keys, who was involved in the backchat over the lineswoman, has so far held on to his job by his fingernails. It did help him that he telephoned Sian Massey, the lineswoman and others to apologise for his part. If he remains at Sky it is likely to be in a reduced role, something his inflated ego may not be able to accept.

The conversation between him and Mr Gray took place when both thought the microphones were switched off and under those circumstances there have been debates across the land over whether that made their remarks any less offensive. But the general view is that Andy Gray, in particular, deserved his comeuppance.

Andy Coulson and Phone- Hacking: Hello...is it me you are looking for?

As the police announce another probe into the phone-hacking scandal following additional and "significant information", has Andy Coulson just resigned in time to save the Prime Minister even further embarrassment?

It appears the latest information has been provided by News International, owners of the News of the World, after their own internal investigation and, although officials say David Cameron and James Murdoch did not discuss the case when they met over Christmas, it does raise questions about the Prime Minister's judgement in holding the meeting in the first place.

As politicians and celebrities line-up to sue, the new information is said to implicate senior employees within the corporation. The whole phone-hacking scandal has already badly-damaged the News of the World and it is now likely we will see a few more sackings and resignations.

Rupert Murdoch is said to be furious over the whole affair and the new investigation by police is bound to create even more embarrassment for News International. The fact that the new information comes from an internal investigation suggests that Murdoch himself ordered a clean sweep of his empire.

The scandal comes at a bad time for Mr Murdoch, who is fighting to take over BSkyB in its entirety. It raises further questions about one organisation holding too large a stake in the country's media.

It would be naive to still think that the phone-hacking was just the work of a couple of rogue reporters and if Andy Coulson wasn't directly involved, then surely as Editor he should have known what was happening on his watch?

Andy Coulson: The wolf-pack is circling....

Andy Coulson is a clever man, so from the day he joined Mr Cameron’s team at Number 10, he must have added his forced departure to the career plan.

As the months have gone by, the investigation into the News of the World phone-hacking scandal has escalated and it was only a matter of time before his boss, Mr Cameron, started to feel squeamish. And it must have been more and more difficult for Andy Coulson to do his job, when he was spending most of the time defending himself.

If resigning on the day Tony Blair was giving evidence to the Iraq Inquiry was meant to lessen the media exposure to Mr Coulson’s departure, it failed. Mr Blair is yesterday’s man and added nothing very new to his testimony today. Coulson on the other hand was an appointee of David Cameron who has continually defended him. That may be the sign of a man loyal to his people, or it could be a sign of weakness in that on making the appointment the Prime Minister couldn't bring himself to undo it. Until now.

The rest of the media smell a bigger story developing that could engulf Mr Coulson and News International. The wolf-pack is circling.

Piers Morgan: A massive ego.....

Piers Morgan has a massive ego and it must be said here in the UK those who dislike him far outnumber those who do. I do. He is vain beyond narcissism and his interview style can be both fawning and cringing, but always interesting. His appointment to take over from Larry King was a gamble for him and CNN and it appears to have paid off, with mostly good reviews for his first show – a “love-in” interview with Oprah Winfrey.

He absolutely loves publicity and welcomes it whether good or bad, but often on Britain’s Got Talent he showed great warmth and sympathy towards contestants, especially Susan Boyle, with whom he shares a mutual worship.

What will please Piers most is that, all going well, he will become as famous as Simon Cowell in the United States, if not as rich. The latter will annoy him no end.

Chinese President Hu Jintao visits America: Full Imperial honours....

The visit of the Chinese President Hu Jintao to the United States, has been quite fascinating to watch, with one superpower (America) nervously ensuring that its guest was greeted with the full Imperial honours befitting the leader of another emerging world power.


It seems last time Mr Jintao visited Washington he wasn't best pleased to be honoured by George W Bush with the Chinese equivalent of a takeaway. (Lunch actually!). This time President Obama wanted to ensure that his guest would return to his homeland having witnessed all the pomp of a full-blown State visit.

Although in terms of financial muscle and massive population, China is a powerful country, but for sheer military power and world influence, it has yet to match that of the United States and is unlikely it ever will. American culture, through movies and music, has ingrained itself across the world, something the Chinese cannot replicate.

However, China with its mountain of money and cheap labour, impacts on the global economy and both it and the United States have to find ways to work together to avoid trade wars and in dealings with countries, like North Korea, which are seen as a danger to world stability.

There is a belief in the West that China is only comfortable in its friendships with countries lacking in democracy or human rights. It is a perception it needs to change if its influence is to be welcomed or acknowledged, as a power for good.

Alan Johnson: It's personal...and what about Balls?

It is sad that after years of distinguished service to Labour, Alan Johnson has resigned from his post as Shadow Chancellor and ever more labelled as the man who didn't get to grips with his last brief.

His decision to resign came as a shock to his many friends and very few foes within the political establishment, but tonight there was confirmation that in citing "personal" reasons he has, unlike many politicians, spoken the truth.

Unfortunately, as a public figure he is unable to keep those very reasons private, as the media fought to be the first to reveal the truth. We now know that it was his wife's affair with one of Mr Johnson's security team which has led to his resignation.

Ed Miliband could have done without the drama, especially since he had no real choice but to appoint Ed Balls as Shadow Chancellor, despite their opposing views on how Labour's opposition to the government's economic policies should be handled.

Is this the beginning of a new Labour feud? Mr Balls is a heavyweight politician feared by his friends and enemies alike, often treating both in the same off-hand bruising manner. He is a key ally of Gordon Brown and some say he shares with him a brooding need to avenge any perceived slight. He can't have been best pleased when the man, once his junior, soundly thrashed him in the leadership battle, or appointed Alan Johnson above him.

Ed Miliband may show public enthusiasm for his new appointee, but he will not rest easy at night wondering if and when the other Ed will have the balls to contradict him over future strategy.

Picture: Alan Johnson

Ricky Gervais: The Golden Globes one jibe too far?

I am not a fan of Ricky Gervais, his humour leaves me cold and there is a suggestion that his latest appearance in hosting The Golden Globes was not only one jibe too far, but also the end of his own Hollywood career.

However, this is the second year running he has hosted the big event, so the powers who hired him cannot really have expected anything less than his badly-timed delivery of insults and innuendos, including his remarks about certain followers of Scientology.

"Also not nominated: 'I Love You, Philip Morris'. Jim Carey and Ewan McGregor. Two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay. Sort of the complete opposite of some famous Scientologists then...My lawyers helped me with the wording of that joke."

Most of the stars in attendance at the Hollywood bash have fragile egos and there was an uncomfortable tension throughout Gervais's appearance. Skiting people is one thing, but being unnecessarily cruel is another, but this has become his stock in trade. Sadly for me Ricky Gervais is a one-trick pony who made a great show called "The Office" and has done nothing really worthwhile since.

He has become the embarrassment he once portrayed....although perhaps he was just playing himself all along.

Nick Clegg: The difference between a misfortune.....Oldham & Saddleworth result

"The difference between a misfortune and a calamity is this: If Gladstone fell into the Thames, it would be a misfortune. But if someone dragged him out again, that would be a calamity."
Benjamin Disraeli

I don't know why I was reminded of the above quote when the results for the Oldham & Saddleworth by-election came in and the Liberal Democrats had a respectable showing in second place. I was actually thinking that it meant Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the junior partners in the Coalition government could pontificate on how the party's showing in this election was "a good result". And for him it was, although it needed Tory voters to achieve it and he can't always rely on their support.

David Cameron, the Conservative Prime Minister, did visit and campaign in the constituency for his own party's candidate. But there has been criticism that he really wanted the Liberal Democrats to win, if only to attempt to silence those within that party who want no truck with the Conservatives and who fear annihilation at the next general election. However, he has left himself open for back-sniping from his own party colleagues who resent his support for the Liberal Democrats at the expense of his own Tory candidate.

Many Tories believe that their party's campaign was deliberately low-key and crossover votes for the Liberal Democrats actively encouraged. While Mr Cameron may have got away with it this time, the growing resentment at Conservatives grassroots level, would make such a strategy difficult to adopt next time round.

For Nick Clegg, the second place result meant it wasn't disastrous for his party or for his own position within it, but he must be nervous for the future. People within the LibDems and the public in general have taken an intense dislike to him. He just isn't trusted anymore and one wonders what he needs to do to regain the confidence of the British people?

As the Pope did when he invited disillusioned Anglicans to embrace Catholicism, Ed Miliband has reached out to Liberal Democrats, inviting them to ditch their well-intentioned beliefs and instead join his Labour Party. While Mr Miliband can sigh with relief that his first by-election as leader went his way, it doesn't mean that Labour have been forgiven for the deeds of the previous administration.

But, where Labour is winning the argument is that there is a belief the spending cuts and taxes undertaken by the Coalition government are too fast, too deep and more to do with ideology than actual need. The rise in petrol prices is of concern to just about everyone and there is simmering anger that the government is so anxious to display machismo that it is failing to hear the murmurs of protest.

In the months ahead when the cuts, taxes and unemployment really take hold, Mr Clegg may well lie in bed and, in-between counting the number of his conquests in a bid for some sleep, a part of him will wonder if the aphrodisiac of power is worth the hassle.

Jordon: Another marriage about to bite the dust.....

You have to congratulate Jordon (aka Katie Price) for once again hogging the front-pages, not for her humanitarian work this time (only joking!)....but for another marriage about to bite the dust.

While husband Alex Reid sits in one part of the house wondering how far down the Z-list he will go, the wife is busy with the lawyers making sure he doesn't get a penny of her hard-earned millions as she waves him goodbye. It seems that a statement ending their 11-month marriage was due to be issued yesterday, but he has refused to accept the inevitable and just won't go quietly. Or she was waiting to finalise a Sunday newspaper deal!

It is always sad to hear of any relationship breaking up, but in this case we all just knew it would come to this, suspecting that what started out as a publicity stunt will now end because Jordon is either too bored to care, or because she has found someone else who will help her prolong life on the celebrity circuit.

There is something really tacky about Jordon, who has no loyalty or respect for anyone or anything other than her superficial life played out in the media. Once Alex is out of the house she will re-invent herself, have a new man on her arm and continue to coin in more cash with her TV show, newspaper and magazine spreads.

Killings in Arizona: The problem with Sarah Palin...

I am not a fan of Sarah Palin, I mean there is something about the woman that makes me think when she passes by a mirror no image shows, but there is something opportunist about blaming her for the assassination attempt on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the killing of six others.

The problem with Sarah Palin is that she appeals to the extreme, uttering her right-wing bigoted nonsense without any sense of responsibility, but she did not put the gun into the hands of Jared Loughner, the man arrested for the horrific killings in Arizona.

What people like Mrs Palin do is create an atmosphere of intolerance, stirring a kind of hatred, like that of Anita Bryant, the anti-gay campaigner of the dark ages, who smiled her way with homophobic rhetoric while gays were being removed from jobs, attacked or worse.

After days of silence about the Arizona incident, Mrs Palin has come out fighting, accusing her critics of "blood libel", a term normally associated with historic false accusations that Jews killed Christian children for their blood to use in religious ceremonies. But in her response, she has shown a coldness in her concern for Mrs Giffords and the six dead, which many in the US will find tasteless and one wonders if there will be a backlash against her?

President Obama has flown to Arizona to see the injured Mrs Giffords and attend a Memorial Service in honour of the victims. He is also expected to make a speech in response to the tragedy.

Footballers & Sex: Caught with his willy out....

What is it with footballers and sex! While David Beckham has regained his image as the clean-cut representative of football, The Sun reports another premier division footballer has been caught on film with his willy out!

It seems that the player, from one of the top ten clubs, was in an orgy with three Swedish blondes and two other males, but allowed himself to be filmed and photographed. The police are now investigating an alleged blackmail threat.

These players get paid fortunes, so wouldn't you think they would have at least one person amongst their entourage to keep them out of trouble, or at least advise them where and when to take their willies out!

Banker's Bonus Saga: Size matters....

For bankers size matters...and when it comes to their bonus package the bigger the better...and to hell with the government and for that matter the general public.

David Cameron and George Osborne may make efforts to sound tough and even threaten to sulk big-time if those nasty people award each other bonuses that the rest of us see as being beyond avarice, but one gets the impression that the money men really don't give a damn!

It is only right that the banking institutions within the UK should reward those who drive the economy and, let's not forget, provide around 20% of tax money, but perhaps they themselves should at least acknowledge the public's anger and somehow postpone behaving like kiddies in a sweet shop. Especially as it was the availability of taxpayers money that saved many of them from the (relative) poor house.

Be that as it may, it is big bonuses that drives world banking and two public schoolboys called David and George will never be able to change that deep-seated culture. Call me cynical, but I also suspect that they know it and their mutterings are for public consumption only.

Meanwhile, Ed Miliband continues to attack the Prime Minister and Chancellor for failing to act on the bonus issue, but frankly, he and Labour have a little way to go before the country trusts them again with the economy.

Michael Jackson: The spectacular show goes on....

It is almost a spectacular show in itself as members of Michael Jackson's family put in personal appearances at the preliminary hearing on the involuntary manslaughter charge against Dr Conrad Murray, the late star's personal physician.

I cannot help but feel that there must be many in the medical profession and a few other less eminent figures who right now are praying that "there go I but for the grace of God". Because Dr Murray was not the first, but unfortunately for him the last, who took large amounts of cash in return for providing the troubled star with whatever he required, even if in the end their greed and Jackson's own pathetic behaviour, would eventually lead to his death.

Michael Jackson was a unique star. Of that there is no doubt. He may even have been a great father and he certainly loved other people's children, although how much will forever be debated. However, there is a sense that Dr Murray is in the position he is in, not just for his own actions, but to reap revenge on all those who pandered to the demands of the selfish Mr Jackson.
It is generally accepted that prior to his death, the star avoided other members of his family, rarely seeing them from one year to the next, but since his demise they appear to have decided to re-write history, unable to resist high-profile appearances at any event concerning their late brother, including this court hearing.

From what we hear, he was a good dad and his three children clearly idolised him. It is just a great pity that others around him were unable to rein in his excesses. It is an awful shame that in death he has made an absolute fortune, enough to clear the massive debts that haunted him.

And clearly enough for others to still want a piece of him.

George Osborne: Richer and posher....

The UK media jumped on the news that while we at home shivered and counted our pennies in preparation for the higher taxes to come, including today's VAT increase, the man who declared that "we are all in it together" was enjoying a trip to the luxury ski resort that is Klosters.

George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, went ahead with a planned trip to the Swiss resort, even though his boss, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, cancelled his own Christmas break in Thailand for fear the suffering British public might rebel at such insensitivity.

But for Mr Osborne, in reality much richer and posher than Mr Cameron, what the tax-paying peasants would think of his extravagant behaviour would be much too common to be of concern. But then why should it bother him? After all, he is of the rich ruling class, who was educated at schools where the cost of one term is higher than the yearly earnings of the majority of workers. It is unlikely he could even begin to comprehend the impact his spending cuts and tax increases will have on an ordinary household in Britain.

At present it appears to be Nick Clegg and his Liberal Democrats in the Coalition who are bearing the brunt of public anger, but once the government's planned action starts to bite it is likely Cameron and Osborne will begin to feel the heat of negative public opinion.

It would be stupid and dishonest of Mr Osborne to hide his privileged upbringing and wealth, as it would for the Tory MP Zac Goldsmith, who spent his Christmas in Barbados, where his villa is said to have cost £8,000 per week. His daddy left him £300 million in his will.

We read in horror that the North Korean leaders spend millions on luxury lifestyles while the population starve. I am not drawing comparisons with our own leaders, but at a time when people in the UK have lost their jobs, or are about to and the high price of petrol already a hot topic of conversation in workplaces and homes across the land, it would be dangerous if members of the Coalition were to cock a snook at those who vote for them.

Public confidence in the Coalition cuts has still to be earned, so it might be better if Mr Cameron and his cabinet team pretended to be in sympathy with the common people, many of them worrying if they will have a home to live in by the end of the year. Jetting off on expensive sunshine breaks may not be the right way to show solidarity.

USA: The Mad Hatter's Tea Party....

Not wishing to disrespect our USA cousins, but the more I read about this movement, the more it resembles The Mad Hatter's Tea Party....although slightly more dotty and with characters even madder.

One understands, in fact should encourage, efforts to reduce federal government, lower taxes and upset the established parties, but when right-wing nationalism is thrown into the pot, then so does intolerance.

It seems to me that what could be good about the movement is tainted by the willingness of those involved to allow any phobic view to be expressed, so long as it is not a liberal one. In fighting the federal government and President Barack Obama, there is a tendency for every nutter in the land to hitch a wagon to the cause.

Of course, Mr Obama has surprised everyone by ending the year in a position of strength and with some co-operation between his Presidency and the Republicans. There is even positive talk about his second-term. The high-command of the GOP has most to lose by a fractured opposition, especially when the party is still awaiting the emergence of an obvious Presidential candidate. Party bigwigs would rather gorge their eyes out with hot pokers than endorse the Madwoman of Alaska, but her popularity is such that they need her to voluntarily withdraw from any suggestion she might put herself forward for the Presidency.

Sarah Palin may attract large crowds and big TV and book deals, but there are not enough people in America who actually believe she would make a good occupant of the White House. Is there?

The concept of a grassroots movement free of established structures, is a brilliant one, but to succeed it needs a cohesive leadership. This is a party in name only, with a bunch of egotists climbing on the bandwagon until the next cult comes along.