Lib Dems say Clegg was Unaware of Sexual Harassment Claims

Originally published on The Upcoming

Lib Dems say Clegg was unaware of sexual harassment claims
Nick Clegg has said he was unaware of sexual harassment allegations against former Liberal Democrat Executive Chair, Lord Chris Rennard.



Nick Clegg claims he didn’t know about sexual allegations against Lord Rennard.
Photo: PA
On 21st February, Channel 4 aired claims of Rennard’s sexual harassment. Since the controversial show, a Lib-Dem Party inquiry has been set up.

Party President, Tim Fallon, said in an interview to Channel 4 on 22nd February that Clegg only knew about the allegations when the show aired.

When asked if Clegg might have known about the allegations before, Fallon replied: “I’m sure that’s not the case,” adding the allegations are taken “dead seriously…having said that, a person is innocent until proven guilty”.

Vince Cable said the inquiry will: “establish exactly who said what to whom and whether these allegations were properly pursued at the time…rather than jump to conclusions we should just wait until this investigation has taken place.”

The complaints were first taken to Women’s Minister Jo Swinston and MP Paul Berstow.

The alleged victims received an email in 2008 stating: “there has been a long standing problem with a number of women where the abuse of Chris’s [Rennard's] position was clearly inappropriate” and that talks with “somebody senior in the party” meant Rennards had “been informed that the behaviour has to stop.”

In a statement after the Channel 4 show, Lord Rennard said: “in 27 years working for the Liberal Democrat Party, not a single personal complaint was ever made against me to my knowledge.”

At a conference on 19th of September 2009, Clegg praised Rennard saying: “if it wasn’t for [Rennard's] guidance and encouragement I wouldn’t have been elected as an MP…let alone now be running the party…we are immensely, immensely grateful for it.”

Rennard is known for his numerous political successes in by-elections. He is also an International Fund Raising (IFR) consultant.

A parliament gossip blog from 8th May 2011 about Rennard and the IFR hinted at Rennard’s alleged inappropriate behaviour.

It read: “It doesn’t look as though [Rennard] will have many junior staff to worry about, [IFR] appears to have only one female trainee for 23 consultants and associates. She might then find herself pulled in too many other directions to service the needs of Lord Rennard.”

The Liberal Democrats Constitution (last updated November 2012) states the party “oppose all forms of entrenched privilege and inequality”.

Boris Johnson Urges Ministers to Come Clean on Immigration

originally written for The Upcoming: http://www.theupcoming.co.uk/2013/02/22/boris-johnson-urges-ministers-to-come-clean-on-immigration/

Boris Johnson urges ministers to come clean on immigration
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has called for estimates on the number of Romanian and Bulgarian immigrants Britain can expect after Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg refused to divulge the information.

The Mayor reportedly called the Liberal Democrats a “great big vacillating jelly of indecision” for not releasing figures. This was said during a visit to Eastleigh’s by-election campaign where Johnson showed his support for Conservative candidate Maria Hutchings on Wednesday.


Boris Johnson has voiced his disapproval over the Lib-Dems’ refusal to release figures on the expected influx of Bulgarian and Romanian immigrants.
Earlier in the day, Clegg refused to give estimates on Call Clegg, a morning call-in show at LBC radio. Clegg admitted seeing estimates but said “the government is not going to pretend we have scientific figures”.

Defending his choice not to provide an estimate, Clegg said: “Under the last government there was a complete loss of confidence in the government’s ability to run an immigration system”, referring to the previous underestimate of the number of Polish and Czech workers.

Clegg reassured listeners that estimates would be revealed if they “become precise enough that we can merit putting them out there”.

In January 2014 transitional restraints on Romanian and Bulgarian workers will be lifted, creating concerns that there will be a massive influx of migrant workers.

The Migration Advisory Committee, a non-departmental public body of appointed experts who advise the Government on migration issues, provided estimates on Romanian and Bulgarian net migration in December 2008.

In 2005, the Treaty of Accession concerning Romania and Bulgaria’s joining the European Union asserted: “Bulgaria and Romania shall acquire the same rights and obligations under those agreements and conventions as the present [EU countries]”.

Current UK Border Agency regulations state Romanians and Bulgarians can come and live in the UK unchecked, as long as they are self-sufficient and not “an unreasonable burden on public funds”. They still have to apply for a work permit under most circumstances.

The non-affiliated body Migration Watch has also raised concerns along with Boris, claiming on its website: “There has indeed been a massive inflow of migrants from Eastern Europe; by 2010 the number of people born in Eastern Europe, but resident in the UK had risen to 776,000”.

On the 27th January, Boris told of his concern at “the wave of migration from Romania and Bulgaria expected this year” in an interview for The Sunday Telegraph.

On the 30th January, Romanian website Gandul hit back with a tongue-in-cheek advert campaign welcoming migrants to Romania, stating: “Half our women look like Kate [Middleton]. The other half, her sister”.

Tory MP: Christian beliefs "came into play" when voting against same sex marriage

Originally written for The upcoming: http://www.theupcoming.co.uk/2013/02/17/tory-mp-christian-beliefs-came-into-play-when-voting-against-same-sex-marriage/


Tory MP: Christian beliefs “came into play” when voting against same sex marriage
Secretary of State for Wales and Clwyd West MP, David Jones, has said that bringing up children is something same-sex couples “can’t do”.


MP David Jones (pictured), who voted against same-sex marriage, says his beliefs played a role in his vote.
Photo: Mirrorpix
He said providing a “warm and safe environment” for children can’t be done by same-sex parents and his religion was taken into account when voting. He explained: “yes, it was partly my Christian faith that came into play – but by no means the full reason.”

The Conservative MP also said his religion “certainly informs” his politics and he feels a sense of “loss” when not having gone to church recently.



The remarks were made in an interview with Adrian Masters on Wales’ Face to Face television programme this Thursday, after only Mr Jones and Environment Secretary Owen Paterson voted against the same-sex marriage bill on 5th February.

Defending his choice in the free vote, Mr Jones said he “felt overwhelmingly” that the “constituents of Clwyd West were opposed”.

A YouGov poll this January of influential people in England and Wales confirms 58% support same-sex marriage, while 27% oppose and 16% don’t know.

In a poll in April 2012, Wales and the South West voted 5% much more likely to vote under the coalition’s redefinition of marriage (to include same-sex marriages) and 7% much less likely to vote.

Mr Jones also said he was “not in any sense opposed to stable and committed same-sex partnerships” and that those who know him would not accuse him of homophobia, but the issue was “important” with “very strong and committed reasons on both sides of the argument”.

The TV interview was met with backlash from opposing MPs and English actor Charlie Condou, a parent in a same-sex partnership, was “astounded” and called Mr Jones’ comments “hate speech” in an online article for The Guardian.

Prime Minister David Cameron has backed Mr Jones and said he still has “confidence” in his colleague.

Egyptian News

Currently writing for 'Egypt Today' please follow links for news on the hepatitis C epidemic and WWE's Egyptian premier:

http://www.egypttoday.com/article/artId:978/WWE-Comes-to-Cairo-this-October/secId:49

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Jubilant Thrissur Pooram Celebrations 2012

Troy Dumais: USA Olympic Diver Profile

You’d never guess Troy Dumais possesses an exceptional portfolio of diving titles, medals and awards upon talking to him. Although Troy has represented the USA in three Olympics, is a world cup and world championship winner with no less than 33 national titles, he is almost unnervingly down to earth. The 2012 London Olympics could very well be Troy’s last chance to get an Olympic medal. When asked about competing Troy said: “Give me a medal or don’t give me a medal, I’m gonna work just as hard.” It appears he’s not just in it for the glory.

Surrounding Troy in the background of the new aquatics centre in Stratford, London, are echoes of perfect splashes from divers hitting the water at up to a terrifying 40mph. He is wearing a zipped up, shiny blue divers tracksuit, is well tanned and has pleading sharp blue eyes. As he talks he looks straight at you in an intensive pursuit of your full attention.

He’s also been to London many times in his sporting career; however, this is the first time the 32 year old has got to enjoy London. Also, you’d assume one of the world’s best divers visiting London experiences the top calibre hotels, restaurants and entertainment, but Troy said “I learnt the DLR and the Jubilee line!” genuinely seeming impressed and finding his new public transport skills entertaining. He then more soberly explains; “Enjoying London seemed like everything. I got to ride the London eye; even though it was raining it was a great experience.” He flashes a pristine white smile. Good to know not even traditional English weather can’t dampen this athlete’s grin.

Like all world renowned athletes, preparation is a vital aspect. All athletes are different, but Troy doesn’t have a premeditated list of lucky tasks to perform before a big competition, but simply: “I like to talk to people I care about, play around and get ready to rumble and listen to music.” Sounds simplistic enough, but Troy then explains there’s a bit more to listening to your favourite tune in between nerve-wracking dives in front of millions of spectators: “It blocks your thought process; instead of listening to you think, you’re listening to something else. One of your senses is being blocked so instead of hearing the score or people clap, you are staying inside yourself.” The art of staying ‘inside yourself’ seems to be a very important aspect of diving, as Troy describes the best tactic for performing well and diving immaculately after 30 years of training is to “just shut your mind and do them, just do them, don’t even focus.” So for any would be Olympic divers, all you have to do is train meticulously for 30 years and just shut your brain off in the middle of a gut wrenchingly important, career changing competition, in front of a massive judging crowd – whilst in speedos. Easy right?! But of course in Troy’s own words “the road of Troy Damais has not been easy, “it has so many drops, loop de loops, corkscrews - its highs and lows. I try to enjoy the highs and learn from the lows, it’s a continuing process.” This autobiographical confession comes after revealing when Troy first set his eyes on the high board – he was told he couldn’t dive. Due to insurance restrictions on a swimmer of Troy’s ability then, when Troy first approached the diving board, he was faced with a mental brick wall to climb: “they wanted me to learn how to swim, and do so many laps in the deep end and then so many in the shallow end, that was protocol - but it bought me down.” Luckily Troy took this experience and used it as motivation to learn to swim so no one could pester him away from the diving board.

Troy’s resilience in overcoming obstacles is from “being around my family, it has taught me how to keep pushing through.” A father that was a French Canadian ice hockey and tennis sporting star, Troy describes his childhood as “unique” and that his dad “didn’t want us to choose a sport, we just grew up doing whatever sports we wanted.”

The successful diver from the sporting background is, however, now thinking of leaving diving! But only when he can’t physically dive anymore, saying “until that day I’m gonna give it my all.” So we’ll have to wait and see what Troy does next.

Already volunteering back home in America, maybe Troy will go into metaphorically passing the Olympic torch as a teacher, describing his “greatest gift” as “the ability to help others” then elaborating: “I wanna see everyone do their best, when I see someone smile doing what they wanna do and they are happy, it makes me happy.” Troy’s main philosophy for aspiring athletes is to “never give up if someone tells you: you can’t do it, dig deep and show them that it’s possible.” Intense, but obviously passionate about what he does, it was unexpectedly educational and really infectiously positive to talk with the Olympian - and really surprising to think he gets the DLR, just like everyone else.

You can see Troy competing next June, for Olympic trials in the USA – if you can’t get a plane ticket “just google USA diving trials, you can watch it online.” And of course you can see Troy compete with his partner in the 2012 Olympics, let’s hope he gets a medal this time so he can progress to spreading more thought provoking wisdom to the next generation of athletes.

Degree Subjects Soon To Be?

This is more of a feature piece as recently the American site: http://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/2012/04/05/12-college-majors-we-hope-to-see-soon/ came to my attention. It highlights a massive gap in current education. Unfortunately degrees are often written by and decided when, in today's cheetah paced globalised world, they can be out of date by the time students open their books. This is a vital issue of discussion to make sure that students (especially as they are now paying astronomical prices in the UK!) get the best education that provides the skills wanted by employers and needed in the workplace of tomorrow. Politicians and employers complain that young people often don't have the skills needed for the jobs they want, so, when can we see the below subjects added to universities subject portfolios to give them the skills they need?

1. Content Engineering - The creating and harnessing of quality content for blogs, websites and social media has become a wallowing gap employers want to fill. It requires the ability to write to a high level, marketing, demographics and analytical skills of a high degree to be really good at this. The gap in the job market means this would be a highly employable degree that would provide a broad range of transferable skills in lots of areas.

2. Sports - Now this was suggested on an American site, in the UK there is sports coaching and sports science. But if you're very athletic it make sense to be able to study sports of a wide genre without having to specialise in science or coaching.

3.I.T for Medical Technology - I don't know anything about medical things, but I do know my health is important, I also know that technology is rapidly changing across the spectrum of subjects, but medicine is a science that leads in technology. So it makes sense to make sure we have specifically well-trained staff specially for operating medical technology. As patient data-bases to new cancer treatments excel in technological bounds, I want my doctor to have someone next to him who knows exactly how it all works. I am also sure that hospitals are in need of such qualified technicians, making it a highly employable degree subject, again with transferable I.T skills.

4. Social Media Studies - Some may think of such a degree with the similar disdain media students meet. But do not underestimate the enormous importance of social media. As a journalism student, in many work placements I have taken I have had to show my peers and superiors how to use social media. This skill most certainly gives me an advantage over others at the moment, it is one of my most employable, valued assets to be able to confidently navigate around social media and use it to my, or my employer's advantage. Degree students of social media will be snapped up immediately in the current starved social media jobs climate.

5. Mobile Phone Apps - I have friends who study design and graphics, who are now designing phone apps. This is the future, any one who wants to be taken seriously in the professional world has a smart phone now. This means successful, innovative phone apps are always going to be in demand. Just look at the creators of angry birds and the escalating popular 'draw something' app, whoever can come up with the next ones are simply the millionaires of tomorrow, so what better than to get a degree in such an opportune, prosperous subject.

6. Climate Change - I think this speaks for itself, as I look out the window every day with more and more extreme weather, I personally want some dedicated geeks on the subject now! There are courses in environmental science, but this is the planet we're talking about. We need people to be specifically, degree trained experts in this subject, this should have been a subject available to study ages ago!

7. Digital Publishing - Encompassing all the new ways information is published, online, e-books newspapers and magazines, social media etc. a detailed education in the digital publishing world is currently slim pickings for employers, despite it being vital to success for any business now to have a well functioning, good looking website with expertly engineered content.

8.Online Branding - Wow, online branding is so essential for profitable business! What successful brand can you think of that doesn't have a prominent online presence? That's right, none. Online branding is so easy to get wrong, the internet is like a permanent publishing forum for all the world to see, which is why it is essential to get expert branders who know their marketing, advertising, social media and online networking to make the most of your brand.

9. Organic Agriculture - Similar to climate change as a degree subject, organic food is the future. Now available in all supermarkets and small catering businesses thriving with organic produce, organic agriculture is major for the future of the planet and sustainability as well as being desperately needed by employers and consumers.

10. Patient Relations - Is Bupa struggling in the recession? No. Because they know their patients are the ones they rely on for income, so they look after them. Patient relations is something I personally think has slipped, with new restrictions on prescriptions because of pharmaceutical monopolies, government restraints on G.P's and constant demand on the NHS to be better, it's no wonder patient relations are under duress. Patient relations is a key skill that health care is very reliant on, how can you help someone without relating to them first? Again, I personally would like to receive medical treatment with well educated, professional patient relation.

11. Web Journalism - As a blogger and journalism student, this is definitely a subject that is pretty much self taught at the moment, with many of my peers falling through the gaps. Web journalism is the future of news, print is still important and has some time left for sure, but web journalism needs to be precise, it needs to be created by experts, as it has such a wide audience - the entire world. Having knowledge of the industry, web journalism is the future, the skills needed to be a successful web journalist are the ones that will get graduates employed.

12. Distance Education - I started my degree via distance learning with the Open University, I am also whilst interning trying to engage my peers online with distance learning - it's hard. I certainly think more research needs to be done on the people studying long distance, the strategies and teaching ideas used currently. More and more people are taking it upon themselves to distance learn to compete in today's workplace, to save money or juggle a hectic lifestyle, it's a growing industry that will need trained graduates to keep it growing and help educate more people. Essential for tomorrow's world.

So there you have it, if you're thinking about studying or already studied and found a gap in your education when it comes to finding a job, or employed and wondering what's holding you back form that promotion - let's hope these subjects are implemented into universities and available to study to help bridge the gap from today, to a much brighter future.

Again, the original blog this is based on can be found here: http://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/2012/04/05/12-college-majors-we-hope-to-see-soon/ please take a look, it gives more detail on the subjects mentioned!