Sir Humphrey: 'Oh Prime Minister what a lovely letter and so personal and touching - especially the natural earthy hand'

'I feel so emotional about this, Prime Minister, that I'm going to give the whole transcript to The Sun, whilst posing with a phone looking angry'.

I agree with you on this one Track_Link, as much a we can all sympathise with the mothers grief the Sun is exploiting the mother.

Possibly.

The free press is probably the most powerful element of British democracy these days, sadly; as in this complex society we'll learn little of the workings of power without the 'expose' (accent over the last 'e'!). Add to that the Internet we're probably in the most transparent 'era' in all history; it either drives away 'good politicians' to hide in other careers or drives misdoing underground.

It is likely that Brown is the last 'non-media' 'persona' to make it to high office; whatever your competency technically you must 'look good'. Our desire for a charismatic 'feel good' image is more of an indictment on us and our lack of 'depth' than Brown though. We should look to ourselves and inability to 'shape a debate' that has significance; the shallow buyers of the Sun are the cancer . As in "Happy is the land who has heroes; unhappy is the land who has need of heroes" (Brecht)

Heard this on the way in, seems it started off as an apology and then rapidly descended into questions about equipment etc. Being a bit cynical I just wonder who was feeding her the questions??

I have all the sympathy in the world for the mother after losing her son however, I feel she cant see that she is getting played along by the stun for their own reasons.

I am sure we all know of someone who has been killed that even if they were outside the main door of a fully equipt operating theatre wouldn't have survived.

The mother is an attention seeker of the highest order in my opinion.

The Sun exists for two reasons.

To make Rupert Murdoch money.
To shunt out Rupert Murdochs political beliefs.

Don't get me wrong, I think Brown is a Grade A Cnut - But this exploitation of a dead soldiers Mother is sickening.

Forces Favourite my Arrse.. Much like their 'Gotcha' headline The Sun have no idea.

Is this a case of the Scum riding along with the current liking by most of the public for the military?
Is the military "sexy" at the moment,that and the Scums public backing of Dave?

Or their semi-literate journos are lurking on here and haven't got the brains to come up with a decent story (not that normally bothers them) so pinch the most popular topics on here to curry favour.

Although I have no time for The Sun, or indeed any of the Red Tops, I have found the conversation between Brown and Mrs Janes interesting; I'm amazed at how tongue tied a man in his position is.

Blatant exploitation of personal grief for a political agenda, headlines and commercial profit. I'm not sure which motive is most distasteful but it certainly demonstrates that more despicable people than Brown are involved in this sorry affair.

Stunt

It's not as if the PM called him by another name.

The Janes I knew in the army (no relation to the deceased)was forever being referred, in error, as James-even with the fully-sighted.

No parent should have to bury their son or daughter but this really deflects from the tragedy of so many parents-many of whom I suspect have received a small measure of solace from a PMs letter.

I have no doubt that the PM is mortified by the error-most of us would be if we made the same error-but I have not reason to think that the sentiments he expressed have been heartfelt- after all didn't they lose a child? and Gdsmn Jane's mother's (and the Sun's) comments must have come as a real slap in the face.
If you think he deserved that, we're really on a different wavelength

Forces favourite my ricker. Brown was flustered because he doesn't have a clue, the mother was flustered because she didn't really fully understand all the things she had been goaded into saying by the scum journos who were then recording the call.

Things like this will play into Browns hands, not against.

Exploitation of a greiving mother by a bunch of stupid muppet journo's.

My sympathy to the mother but,how did the Scum get hold of the transcript of a private phone call,between a bereaved mother,and the Prime Minister,and why all of a sudden does her agenda change from "why are you a crap speller" to "if there were more helicopters,my son would have been alive now"?

Personally,I think that the Murdoch media empire should f*ck off back to his homeland,preferably somwhere around Alice Springs!

Very press like questions, i wonder who she discussed them with prior to getting the phone call?

Personal opinion -

Gordon Brown was wrong to SEND out a letter so badly written and illegeable (should have been checked).
His conversation with Mrs Janes should have been a straight appology, with an offer to meet and discuss things in person. Not what seems to be a 13 minute arguement.

Jacqui Janes although suffering a substantial loss has allowed herself to be guided on a political angle buy a tabloid newspaper. She is right to be angry, but there are ways to address such issues. Having it out over the phone is not one.

We wont all agree, but thats my thoughts.

Fugly,

You said it much better than i did....

Her husband needs to get a grip of her if you ask me. Not one other family has complained about his grammar or handwriting. He spelt her surname wrong by a genuine mistake. She should see the hand written letter for what it is intended to be and stop getting on her high horse.

I await replies from hand-wringers and wailers.

The Sun is a very clever paper in many respects; the market drives its editorial style which is carefully fitted to its readership. Those that pay for it are rewarding its activity.