Flagger Jamie produces the red card!

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Picture by leftofcentre

That little Jamie Bryson, eh? There he was, in his nice little suit and tie, hair shaved and oiled, dishing the dirt to the Stormont committee yesterday without fear or favour. Not that we understood it all. Like, when he started by saying that he’d refer to five people as A, B, C, D and E – and immediately after announced that he ‘could now reveal’ that A was Peter Robinson, B was, etc. What was all that about?

The key thing when allegations are made is, of course, supporting evidence. And Jamie left his with the National Crime Agency.  Peter Robinson wasn’t a bit pleased:

“The allegations made today lack credibility and can have no evidential basis. The scripted performance was little short of pantomime. It is outrageous that such scurrilous and unfounded allegations can be made without providing one iota of evidence.”

You’re absolutely right, Peter.  But for the rest of us it was still a bit hilarious, since the very same thing could have been said about the Chief Constable’s allegations regarding the IRA’s existence and its involvement in the killing of Kevin McGuigan. Except that Jamie is a wee flagger and the Chief Constable is a man of substance. Or at least that’s how a lot of people probably see things. Although keep in mind that we know one thing  about Jamie which we don’t know about George Hamilton: we know that Jamie detests the DUP, and when he votes almost certainly does not give them his vote. We’ve no way of knowing how George Hamilton regards the DUP. Although one might conjecture.

Anyway,  since no smoking gun has been produced, will Peter Robinson have been harmed by yesterday’s allegations? That’ll partly depend on his own performance before the committee in a few weeks’ time. But the allegations have been made and for some people, that’s enough. No smoke without fire. Mud sticks. Just as we’ll find it impossible to look at David Cameron and not think of that pig’s head, we’ll now look at Peter Robinson and find it difficult not to think of £7 million. And we’ll look at Sinn Féin and find it difficult not to think of the IRA. Although that last one is a bit different: unionist politicians have always looked at Sinn Féin and seen the IRA.

One question remains unaddressed after yesterday’s erudite performance. It concerns Jamie the flagger and his amazing ability to speak on complicated economic matters. Goldsmith’s poem ‘The Deserted Village’, written over three hundred years ago. catches something of the public’s surprise:

“And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew,

That one small head could carry all he knew”.

 

38 Responses to Flagger Jamie produces the red card!

  1. Freddy Mallins September 24, 2015 at 8:58 am #

    Hi, Jude. Bryson was surreptitiously invited into the Unionist tent during Hass. ( Does he not have links to Loyalist paramilitaries?) Anyway, it would appear that someone has briefed the little toe…fellow and that could well be the Poots-brigade. Who knows for sure. It all seems very strange that Unionism isnt grilled about their continued and various association with the lower elements in our society. Ah well, coming home to roost and all that.

  2. Calvin McGrath September 24, 2015 at 9:46 am #

    So allegations have been levelled directly at the DUP without supporting evidence.

    Can we now expect Ms Villiers to establish a 3 member panel to look into and report on the status of political corruption at Stormont ?

    Will the Chief Constable be making any public statements on the ongoing PSNI Nama investigation ?

    Surely mass arrests will now follow…

  3. neill September 24, 2015 at 9:54 am #

    Except that Jamie is a wee flagger and the Chief Constable is a man of substance

    Goes without saying really.

    Or at least that’s how a lot of people probably see things

    Intelligent people is what we call these people fancy joining the club?

    • Jude Collins September 24, 2015 at 11:25 am #

      I can see you don’t do irony, neill…

      • neill September 24, 2015 at 1:23 pm #

        Good comment coming from you Jude…

    • Calvin McGrath September 24, 2015 at 3:16 pm #

      Well, Neil. Men of substance or not as the case may be, allegations without supporting evidence need to be treated in the same manner.

      Tony Blair as PM stood in the Commons and made several allegations surrounding Iraq and intercontinental ballistic missiles, a man of substance as some would claim. He was still completely wrong, critically wrong.

      Whether it’s the CC, Jamie Bryson or even a PM, evidence not accusations matter.

      • neill September 25, 2015 at 7:01 am #

        He was asked to provide evidence and he didn’t isn’t that fairly conclusive?

  4. Séamus Ó Néill September 24, 2015 at 10:05 am #

    I suppose,until back-up evidence is produced, we’ll have to give him the benefit of the doubt although he ,himself ,was not so magnanimous ,never needing proof where others were concerned ! When I reflect on the shenanigans concerning land at Peter’s house…a £5 purchase here…a £5 sale there and an overall profit of £459,000 ,the involvement of Mr Frazer in those dealings ,and again the involvement of Mr Frazer in facilitating a loan for his wife’s lover (not alleging any wrongdoing on any part ) ,his sons implication in slightly opaque business transactions ,an office at Stormont etc,etc ,I think there may be a little bit more to the “Swish Family Robinson than meets the eye …..only conjecture of course…..

  5. Patrick September 24, 2015 at 11:51 am #

    “”Robinson’s claims to have effectively been whiter than white over expenses looked at best crass and his continual refusal to accept even the appearance of sharp practice over the £5 land deal looked extremely ill judged. When he then proceeded to conduct a series of extremely ill tempered media interviews it became clear that a man who once had a pretty good understanding of the public mood had retreated into a neverland of his own political fantasy. As an aside it is interesting that is was a property row / scandal which brought Robinson down: a most Irish of scandals judging by recent RoI political history for the most determinedly unIrish of political parties. ”
    The above was quoted on Slugger O’T website, funny enough on the 22/05/2010. History always seems to repeat itself but both the DUP and SF are Teflon. Nothing will shift them without the evidence

  6. Colmán September 24, 2015 at 12:27 pm #

    There are not enough blogs like yours Jude. Can you recommmend any other similar blogs?

    • Jude Collins September 24, 2015 at 1:28 pm #

      Bangordub

    • Ceannaire September 24, 2015 at 2:58 pm #

      Colmán, you should also try An Sionnach Fionn.

    • giordanobruno September 24, 2015 at 5:12 pm #

      And of course as a counter balance to Jude’s preponderence of posts criticising anyone but Sinn Fein, you better check A Tangled Web too.

      • Jude Collins September 24, 2015 at 5:59 pm #

        No, I think that Colman is looking for other sites that don’t follow the strong current of the mainstream media, gio. Maybe you misunderstood…

        • giordanobruno September 24, 2015 at 8:43 pm #

          It was a joke Jude. Do you not do humour?
          You are a paragon of reason compared to Mr Vance.
          Having said that, I still think it would be nice to see you putting some constructive comments about SF out there instead of just knocking Unionism all the time, and if you think I am exaggerating, take a look at your back catalogue.

          • Jude Collins September 24, 2015 at 9:18 pm #

            I accept fully what you say. But they are lining up to put the boot into SF – haven’t you noticed? I’m the butterfly (oops – unpopular image) flapping its wings in Belfast and causing (hopefully) a tsunami eventually…

          • neill September 25, 2015 at 7:53 am #

            Now now Gio don’t be pointing out the elephant in the room!

            As for people lining up to but the boot into SF well that’s a rich irony indeed.

          • Jude Collins September 25, 2015 at 8:16 am #

            Well I must say it’s an irony lost on me, neill. Maybe you’d explain to those of us who are slower learners than you?

      • paddykool September 24, 2015 at 9:21 pm #

        I’ll have you know gio that I’ll criticise just about anybody and everything without fear or favour! If it looks daft enoug I’ll laugh a
        t it…no matter the source..

        • giordanobruno September 25, 2015 at 7:17 am #

          paddy I will give you that.
          My theory is that anyone of a Unionist persuasion reading Jude’s blog will probably dismiss it as regurgitated pabulum from Connolly House. Result; no effect.
          However were he to suggest, say, a slight change in policy or tactics by Sinn Fein, as a well respected member of the Republican family, some supporters or perhaps even policy makers might agree with him. Result, a slight effect.
          Otherwise it is merely feeding the party faithful.

          • Jude Collins September 25, 2015 at 7:24 am #

            Gio, there are times – not often but times – when you talk awful rubbish. I am ‘a well-respected member of the Republican family’ – what sort of tosh is that? What evidence is there of this ‘family’s’ areas of respect.And what, in God’s name, are you doing reading and responding to ‘regurgitated pabulum from Connolly House’? As I say, there are times when you really sink and spew.

          • neill September 25, 2015 at 7:59 am #

            Now Jude don’t get testy many people who would come on this site would automatically assume you were part of the Republican family as you have never criticised SF to any degree so don’t get petulant when people point this out to you!

          • Jude Collins September 25, 2015 at 8:16 am #

            Not petulant, neill. As you know I value contrary voices on this site. But I don’t like people issuing descriptions of me which are vague but clearly intended to present me as some sort of cog in a big republican scheme. I’ve explained until I’m blue (green?) in the face: I believe republicans get absurdly bad press in the mainstream media – shamelessly bad press. I try in my feeble way to point out that same bad press may not be the whole story or may even sometimes be lies.

          • giordanobruno September 25, 2015 at 12:45 pm #

            Jude
            I honestly did not expect you to take umbrage at being described as a well respected member of the republican community. Hardly controversial!
            As to my other remark that is not necessarily my view of your writng, I am simply saying it is generally so close to the SF line that I think that is how it would be viewed by Unionist readers.
            Anyway I hope you will consider by broad point and occasionally go for positive and constructive pieces instead of negative.
            Its just a suggestion, from one of your ‘boding tremblers’.

          • jessica September 26, 2015 at 6:00 am #

            So you think if Unionists come on here, push their agenda and convince Jude to suggest a slight change in policy or tactics by Sinn Fein, then it might result in policy change.

            Shouldn’t surprise me, there isn’t a single policy has been put through without the DUPs approval. The slightest disagreement and the veto is (mis)used.

            Unionists do not share power and never will.

            Wed be best just to ignore them and let future generations who wont have the baggage fix things.

            There is no hope for the current generations, all we can do is get the building blocks in place for britains inevitable withdrawal and make sure it is peaceful in the meantime.

          • jessica September 26, 2015 at 6:07 am #

            Just to clarify, what I mean by ignore is let you have your tantrums, walk outs and suffer the frustration of the zealot parties.

            Not refuse to talk when things don’t go their way which is a unionist thing.

          • giordanobruno September 26, 2015 at 10:34 am #

            jessica
            I’m not sure if you were replying to me there or not.
            I do think there must be areas of policy or strategy where Jude might actually disagree with the party line and it might be occasionally worthwhile too see him write about that.
            Do you not feel the tone is unrelentingly attacking any perceived enemies of SF rather than saying here is how we (as republicans) could do things better.
            And I understand that Jude feels he is addressing an imbalance (which he has never quantified) in media coverage which is fair enough but as the saying goes;
            It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.

            Of course it is his blog and he will write what he wants, but I don’t see why I can’t make the suggestion, though it will be ignored.

          • jessica September 26, 2015 at 2:25 pm #

            I dont really think about it that way to be honest.

            I didnt support the GFA at the time, i did not agree with the changes to the articles.

            They have since convinced me it is the way forward and to be honest appear the most sincere and progressive of all of the parties in my own opinion.

            I am not a socialist so would not be in agreement with a lot of sinn feins policies, but they are certainly the most attacked of all the parties so I can understand his stance. Perhaps it will change when that does also.

  7. billy September 24, 2015 at 1:29 pm #

    mcguinness comes out or it looking stupid,hes supposed to know whats going on with all his highly paid staff ect keeping him up to date,

  8. Sherdy September 24, 2015 at 1:30 pm #

    Robinson yesterday criticised yesterday’s inquiry proceedings as a ‘pantomime’ and then said of course he wanted to take part! As the villain – oh no he’s not; oh yes he is!
    As you say Jude, Jamie produced no evidence, saying he had given it to the NCA. But I cannot imagine that happening before a copy or two had been made of it.
    When thinking about Robinson and the subject of money, this is not the first time questions have been posed.
    When he was a Castlereagh councillor he was on very good terms with property developer Freddie Fraser who seemed to be able to get planning permission in some surprising instances. And of course Iris had financial dealings with him in regards to helping out her toyboy of the time.
    Then when expenses at Westminster were being highlighted the Robinson name was pretty high up the expenses list.
    Now in the NAMA story, while all we have at the moment are allegations, our First Minister who should be looking after the financial wellbeing of the people of NI, may have some questions to answer, if not to the Stormont inquiry, then maybe to the NCA.
    How come there always seems to be a stench of dirty money swirling around Peter Robinson?

  9. Val L September 24, 2015 at 1:33 pm #

    Could he have been selling a coffee shop to Nama?

  10. Ryan September 24, 2015 at 3:21 pm #

    The irony of Robbo complaining about people (in this case Jamie) using privilege to make allegations. If I remember correctly Robbo’s former mentor Paisley was very fond of using privilege to make serious allegations, on one occasion Paisley used privilege to accuse the relatives of UVF/UDR murder victims of being involved in the Kingsmills massacre without a shred of evidence and Robbo sat very quietly throughout but that’s another story.

    If these allegations were made against Sinn Fein or SDLP members you can be certain Robbo would be saying “There’s no smoke without fire” right now. What with odd land deals in the past, his wife’s carry on with young men and getting loans for businesses, the Robinson family do seem to be, in my opinion, a bit “dodgey” or “crooked” as my Ma would say. Something tells me too that Robbo’s health scares aren’t as real as they seem, if they are genuine then their timing is very convenient. One way or another I think Robbo will be gone as DUP leader before the year is out.

    What interests me the most in all of this is Jamie Bryson’s sources and why did they go to him? Jamie refused to give his sources at the committee yesterday when asked. Are they the same people who arranged to meet Jamie in a hotel toilet to give him drafts of the Haass proposals? I think they are. It would make sense because how else would Jamie, who isn’t even a DUP member, know of the dealings of DUP members? (if there are any).

    Allegedly it was Edwin Poots who met Jamie Bryson in the Hotel Toilet and if that’s true then I would guess it was maybe, in my opinion, Poots that gave Jamie the info on any alleged dealings of DUP members with NAMA. It was reported that Poots tried to do a coup of the DUP leadership, maybe he’s still trying to?

    • Sherdy September 24, 2015 at 5:07 pm #

      Ryan, you think Robbo’s health scare may not be what it seems.
      We were told he went to A&E at the Royal because his cardiac medication was not agreeing with him, and he was admitted for 24 hours.
      Why was he kept in for 24 hours, and had it been anyone else would they have been admitted?
      Cardiac rehab nurses will tell you, on discharge, that if you are having such problems to ring your GP or the out-of-hours doctor. They will not suggest emergency admission just for medicine side-effects.
      Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone had access to Robbo’s special treatment?

      • Ryan September 24, 2015 at 6:28 pm #

        What I’m saying Sherdy is Robbo’s health scares are very convenient. At a time when accusations of dodgey deals with NAMA are being made against him and at a time when there’s a growing number of DUP members wanting rid of him as Leader of the party. I’m willing to bet my last pretty penny that Robbo will use his health as the primary excuse for stepping down as DUP Leader.

        Oh I’m sure Robbo has private health insurance when it comes to hospital treatment. I don’t know how much his yearly salary is but I’m sure its more than what me, you Sherdy, Jude and poor Neill combined would make in a year, and that’s not including investments and dividends he most likely gets. When your able to afford a half a million pound holiday home in Florida I’m sure the cost of private health care is a drop in the ocean for Robbo.

        Do I think if any Tom, Dick or Harry had heart problems would they be admitted to hospital for 24 hours? I doubt it very much. Especially with the state of our hospitals at the minute with massive waiting lists, etc. Though should we really be surprised they are in such a state? When the DUP minister in charge of Health works only an hour a week then resigns for the sake of selfish political interests? I suppose its a foolish question to ask: Is Simon Hamilton still getting paid a full wage? Ha! Of course the Gravy train is still on track.

    • neill September 25, 2015 at 8:04 am #

      So if its wrong for the DUP to name names under privilege then surely it surely must be wrong for Bryson to do the same wouldn’t you agree?

  11. Perkin Warbeck September 24, 2015 at 3:28 pm #

    The Culprit Cull

    In the prairies once roamed free the Bison
    Until felled as if by the likes of Mike Tyson
    Wee Jamie’s melodrama
    Naming names in NAMA
    Spare a Hail Mary for the targets of Bryson.

  12. neill September 25, 2015 at 8:37 am #

    Not petulant, neill. As you know I value contrary voices on this site. But I don’t like people issuing descriptions of me which are vague but clearly intended to present me as some sort of cog in a big republican scheme. I’ve explained until I’m blue (green?) in the face: I believe republicans get absurdly bad press in the mainstream media – shamelessly bad press. I try in my feeble way to point out that same bad press may not be the whole story or may even sometimes be lies.

    That is all very nice but if you read this blog over a long period of time I suspect many people would come to the conclusion that you follow SF`s line slavishly.

    Their is nothing wrong saying that SF get a tough media coverage however you go the completely the other way in following the line with no objections doesn’t that make you as bad as the media you condemn?