Mr Bates vs The Post Office

[Boringvolvodriver]

Camoradi said:

Boringvolvodriver said:

Way behind but every time she says Alice, I just want to say Alice Alice who the ...... Is Alice!

Alice Perkins....

AKA Mrs Jack Straw.

I was more along the lines of the alternative version of the Smokie song!!

[C n C]

Looking forward to the others questioning her tomorrow.

I noticed a complete lack of reaching for the Kleenex throughout today - maybe advised after yesterday that it wasn't a good look coming over as completely insincere?

The only time she did show any emotion today was right at the end when it was mentioned she was a bit out of the loop in early 2019 due to personal circumstances. So "crocodile tears" yesterday for the victims, and perhaps genuinely upset about her own personal situation today?

It will also be interesting to hear (assuming this is made public), why Jane MacLeod, former General Counsel for the PO is not co-operating with the public enquiry, despite claiming she would do so earlier this year, and I'd love to know why she cannot be forced to do so. Apparently she's currently on a "career break" and lives in Australia. Sir Wyn mentioned at the end of today's session that an explanation will be provided to the participants tomorrow...

[pork911]

“Susan was possibly more loyal to her professional conduct requirements and put her integrity as a lawyer above the interests of the business.”

...


“This was, in effect, a missunderstanding between you and the keyboard?”

[Sway]

Thought it was NZ she'd fled to?

It'll be interesting to hear the 'explanation' - frankly, get the extradition paperwork filled out!

[C n C]

Sway said:

Thought it was NZ she'd fled to?

It'll be interesting to hear the 'explanation' - frankly, get the extradition paperwork filled out!

Yes, apologies - I believe you are correct.
I think she's originally from Australia, but is now in NZ.

[Bonefish Blues]

C n C said:

Sway said:

Thought it was NZ she'd fled to?

It'll be interesting to hear the 'explanation' - frankly, get the extradition paperwork filled out!

Yes, apologies - I believe you are correct.
I think she's originally from Australia, but is now in NZ.

Depends if giving evidence in a Statutory Enquiry is covered in extradition legislation. Perhaps not - I was researching the other evening but couldn't find anything definitive.

[LimmerickLad]

pork911 said:

“Susan was possibly more loyal to her professional conduct requirements and put her integrity as a lawyer above the interests of the business.”

...


“This was, in effect, a missunderstanding between you and the keyboard?”

[Sway]

Bonefish Blues said:

C n C said:

Sway said:

Thought it was NZ she'd fled to?

It'll be interesting to hear the 'explanation' - frankly, get the extradition paperwork filled out!

Yes, apologies - I believe you are correct.
I think she's originally from Australia, but is now in NZ.

Depends if giving evidence in a Statutory Enquiry is covered in extradition legislation. Perhaps not - I was researching the other evening but couldn't find anything definitive.

I meant for criminal charges!

[Stussy]

There’s certainly been some very long awkward silences today!

[skwdenyer]

Wills2 said:

skwdenyer said:

Boringvolvodriver said:

Wills2 said:

You can look at that from the other side as well, my biggest team was around 45 people with 4-5 direct reports, there were a number of people that when faced with an issue would just throw it up the line (here you go not my issue) that gets wearing and shows them to be completely disinterested in resolving issues which is a core part of anyone's working day.

You can tell me as much bad news as you want but you better also tell me what you have done to resolve it (that's not the same as resolving it) come in for advice, come in for support and help but don't walk in st on the desk and then walk out.

Totally agree with your last paragraph- it’s what I always told my staff

That's a very dangerous approach, because it prevents people who are not equipped for a solution, or who need you to solve it (because it is not their job or, frankly, because it is your mess) from bringing things in. Either there's a culture of open honesty, or there isn't; not "yes, but..."

Not if you actually make an effort to read what was written, but as this inquiry shows not everyone likes doing that when it gets in the way of their agenda.

I read the 2nd para as being the policy statement, and I've had plenty of staff who would interpret that as meaning they shouldn't bring bad news unless they were prepared to take some ownership of it. Apologies if that wasn't what you meant.

[Ken_Code]

Years ago one of our female salespeople turned out to be getting business from a Chinese bank despite us not having the best prices through having a relationship with a trader there.

In effect he was giving away shareholder value in exchange for sex.

When it came out he was prosecuted for fraud, and when found guilty taken straight out of court and shot in the head

For some reason this enquiry brought the story to mind.

[Pupp]

This wretched woman reminds me of a social worker (no less) that was parachuted into a Director of Planning and Development role at a Cambridgeshire authority I wasted 8 years of my life working for. Couldn’t lie in bed straight at night and when found out propagating alternative facts, thought contentious regulatory issues requiring informed decisive direction could be resolved with a group hug and a biscuit.

Cringeworthy

[Maxdecel]

A vociferous member of the public wishing her a good journey at the end.

Good "steer" Paula.

[anonymoususer]

Genuine question :
Could Paula Vennells simply refuse to attend ?

Oh and on Wikipedia it says Known for Post Office scandal

[Bonefish Blues]

anonymoususer said:

Genuine question :
Could Paula Vennells simply refuse to attend ?

Oh and on Wikipedia it says Known for Post Office scandal

Yes, but she'd be prosecuted under the Inquiries Act and be subject to the below:

A person who is guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level three on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the relevant maximum, or to both.
(8)“The relevant maximum” is—
(a)in England and Wales, 51 weeks;
(b)in Scotland and Northern Ireland, six months.

[anonymoususer]

Bonefish Blues said:

Yes, but she'd be prosecuted under the Inquiries Act and be subject to the below:

A person who is guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level three on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the relevant maximum, or to both.
(8)“The relevant maximum” is—
(a)in England and Wales, 51 weeks;
(b)in Scotland and Northern Ireland, six months.

Thank you
She could though stop answering questions though ? I seem to recall the Chairman - Mr Wyne ? mentioning about self incrimination or whatever it's called

[Bonefish Blues]

anonymoususer said:

Bonefish Blues said:

Yes, but she'd be prosecuted under the Inquiries Act and be subject to the below:

A person who is guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level three on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the relevant maximum, or to both.
(8)“The relevant maximum” is—
(a)in England and Wales, 51 weeks;
(b)in Scotland and Northern Ireland, six months.

Thank you
She could though stop answering questions though ? I seem to recall the Chairman - Mr Wyne ? mentioning about self incrimination or whatever it's called

Yes but Sir Wyn would want to check that it was a genuine exercise of her rights under legislation not to self-incriminate, she can't just decline without good reason

[anonymoususer]

Bonefish Blues said:

Yes but Sir Wyn would want to check that it was a genuine exercise of her rights under legislation not to self-incriminate, she can't just decline without good reason

Thanks again.
It's been very interesting watching her and IMHO a real shane Sky/ BBC News stopped streaming it due to the election announcement/ coverage. Thankfully the chap(ess) a few posts above has included a YouTube link
Thanks to both of you.

[Eric Mc]

Boringvolvodriver said:

I was more along the lines of the alternative version of the Smokie song!!

I prefer the original version by New World.

[732NM]

This woman would make a lousy poker player, she has some easy tells post answering questions where you see her reflecting on what she stated and then confirming in her head she went the right route she intended to go. She has the typical head nods of a clergy trained robot, where they try to reinforce their message with a physical inflection that unconsciously forces the person being spoken to, to absorb and agree their willed reality.

Body language experts would have a field day with this character.

Thankfully, Mr Beer is a brick wall. She's buggered.