Guido Fawked – Russian Hypocrisy

[Update at end of post]

Nowhere within the blogosphere is there more energy directed to exposing the hypocrisy of those pretending to have the highest of principles than the Guido Fawkes blog, home to the perpetually thirsty Paul Staines and his tame gofer, the flannelled fool Henry Cole. This less than dynamic duo set great store by exposing those who inhabit draughty glasshouses.

Hang on, this isn't the Independent ...

The campaign from the Laurel and Hardy of the blogosphere is particularly focused on politicians, and especially those whose view does not conform to their idea of ideological purity. Moreover, as was evident from their routinely nasty recent attack on William ‘Ague, they are particularly keen on laying into anyone that is even suspected of being gay.

So Labour MP Chris Bryant, who makes no secret of his sexual orientation, has been a favourite target for the Fawkes blog. Readers have been treated to a variety of nudge-nudgery recently, with “Chris Bryant on Gaydar”, “Cast-out Chris Courts Kids” (particularly vicious, but not surprising), and of course “Labour Unease at Billionaire Buddies” about his relationship with Evgeny Lebedev.

Yes, here was another Fawkes favourite: Russian oligarchs. Bryant has a column at the Independent, and so Staines and Cole trowelled on the fact that Lebedev Junior is a “bachelor” (geddit?!?), who has been seen at dinner parties with Bryant (geddit?!?). The Indy’s editor and Evgeny, it was suggested on the Fawkes blog, “no doubt talked about the weather” (geddit?!?).

Spot the Russian bung (both of them, that is)

This led on to such mildly pejorative phrases as “Moscow Gold” and “Billionaire’s Bung”, the latter being “Undeclared”. So it might be thought that receiving a five figure sum from a Russian source for services rendered would be A Very Bad Thing. But that thought would be misplaced, as can be seen from the screenshot above. Yes, that large advert at right is for the embassy of, er, Russia.

That’s right: Staines and Cole are more than happy to lay into anyone they don’t like for taking payments from an organisation under alleged Russian ownership, while being equally happy to trouser similar amounts from, er, an organisation most definitely under Russian ownership (and in their case, Russian state ownership to boot). Thus the Fawkes blog maintains its reputation for rank hypocrisy.

What was that about high principles? Another fine mess, once again.

[UPDATE 8 July 1220 hours: Staines has today agreed with Chris Bryant that he takes money from the Russian State, thus confirming his casual hypocrisy. So perhaps he could tell what the problem is with Bryant having a column at the Independent, whose owner is a British citizen.

After all, Staines has no problem cheering for Rupe, who formerly had Australian citizenship and now holds a US passport, nor for the legendarily foul mouthed Paul Dacre, who holds a British one. Or perhaps it's just another of those flexible high principles applied by The Great Guido. Another fine mess, once again]