Lynne ok. Things tough at work but who cares after that?
We saw the specialist at the breast clinic and he said not to worry. Infection of the ducts but not breast cancer. Thank God. Still need results of a mammogram to be 100% certain but doctor said just a precaution.
Went to Alma Da Cuba in Seel St for lunch to celebrate. Incredible place. Converted church and worth a visit on visuals alone. Food (tapas) fine. Lynne ate all the prawns but I'm so relieved she's ok that I didn't complain.
Also ate at Living Room recently as guest of Carolyn Hughes whose PR company is working with us on a new cookery series. Food there has got better and better and always fun with Carolyn.
Working through a lot of strategy stuff at work at moment and pressure really on.
Have to position ourselves to capitalise on culture year and build up.
Lunch on Thursday with City Council Leader Warren Bradley. Nice straightforward guy. Lot of big challenges ahead but seemed philosophical about most of it.
Refreshing to hear him talk sensibly about the relationship between press and council. He knows there will be criticism.
Annoyed we got beaten to the punch by our siter paper the Daily POst on getting and interview with the girlfriend of alleged terror suspect in Wavertree.
Much happier today when we got the link with Liverpool gangland. Just want to be first with everything. All the time.
Friday night now and knackered. Ready for home. Harry 13 going to a disco. Have to go to get him at 10pm so no wine. Golf in the morning...and fantastic page one on tomorrow's Echo.
Stephen M. Birmingham wrote...
Hello Alastair. Hope you and your family are well.
You write:
“Annoyed we got beaten to the punch by our siter paper the Daily POst on getting and interview with the girlfriend of alleged terror suspect in Wavertree. Much happier today when we got the link with Liverpool gangland. Just want to be first with everything. All the time.”
Here’s a question for you: Can one be first, “all the time”, without compromising the truth?
I have here, open before me, a copy of Friday’s publication. The headline spanning pages 2 and 3 reads: ‘JEKYLL & HYDE EXISTENCE OF THE AL-QAIDA MONEY MAN’ (i.e. Libyan-born Mohammed Benhammedi, aged 39).
That’s quite a stretch considering Benhammedi’s alleged wrongdoing extends only as far as the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG). Must I remind you that even this rudimentary link is, thus far, unproven?
Seemingly unsatisfied with due process, the news editor, perhaps through a rush of blood, has approved of an emotionally potent over-simplification (Al-QAEDA MONEY MAN!).
[For your information, ‘Al Qaeda’ is simply an abstract noun; its meanings include ‘pattern’, ‘formula’ and ‘base’.]
I think your headline is inaccurate and wholly inappropriate.
If anything, Benhammedi’s arrest should further serve to highlight the double standards, hypocrisy, and convoluted web of deception that is the ‘War on Terror’.
Untill recently, the British government not only allowed the LIFG to develop a base of logistical support and fundraising on its own soil, it also actively supported its cause – that being the overthrow of Colonel Qadhafi’s regime, which it deems oppressive, corrupt and anti-Muslim.
Ex-MI5 officer David Shayler alleges that a failed attempt to assassinate Qadhafi in 1996, by the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, was financed by British intelligence.
Interestly and perhaps tellingly, the Home Office only banned the LIFG from operating inside the UK on 10 October, 2005.
Why does your paper – my paper! - make no mention of our own government’s extensive links with these very same Islamic groups?
Posted by: Stephen M. Birmingham | February 13, 2006 6:31 PM