Ex-Post Office CEO Paula Vennells

[simonineaston]

As I’ve remarked before, we’re watching a highly polished performance. Us ordinary folk hope against hope that these people will reveal hard truths - after-all, we tell ourselves, they’re under oath - surely they’ll do the right thing. But there’s much more to it than that.
Firstly, as public inquiry follows inquiry, skills with respect to responding to inquiry lawyers are learned. Second, senior witnesses are supported and coached by expensive and effective legal teams. Thirdly, the vested interest of The Establishment is considered important enough to warrant a closing of ranks and support that comes from Big Purses (ironically, funded by the taxpayer!)
Anyone who thinks this is a level playing field must have “come down with the last shower”… (to be honest, I don't really know what thst expression means but I still like it

[toontra]

I agree with your cynicism based on previous enquiries (the findings of the Chilcot enquiry were a disgrace), but in this case I think there will be serious repercussions, at least for the some of the lawyers involved. They have been shown to have committed perjury and abetted in the perversion of justice. That's about as serious as it gets and will open the way for professional, and possibly criminal, charges.

[Cowsham]

The trouble with this inquiry is that you're asking people who have made a career out of lying to go against all they've found to bring them success by telling the truth. It's not going to happen. I hope the judge and jury take the decisions they need to.

[reohn2]

The ones with most to gain from lying and dishonesty are those who are most likely to be believed and trusted.

I hope this isn't true

Millions believe Donald Trump.

Not to mention Boris Johnson,Nigel Farage,Rishi Sunak,Micheal Gove and uncle Tom Cobbly and all,and .........

[reohn2]

....... I think he will be looked back on in years to come as a brilliant mass communicator.

And so was Adolf Hit......

[simonineaston]

Lies and deceit is now embedded in our culture like never before. The nuance and subtely of the position taken by those in high places is truly shocking. They know the game and how it’s played and what they can get away with. There’s little or no risk for those involved, even when caught. We ordinary folk continue to put our faith in the vain hope that for once some of these people might eventually get dragged before a jury… and yet, thus far, there’s little sign of that happening.
And when it has happened, on the few rare occasions, the defendants walk away, often after ludricous goings on in court… we recall Saunders’ miraculous recovery and the claim by bankers that its impossible to remember all the conversations one had had on the grouse moor.
Today we saw the colossal chutzpah of the south west water companies upping the dividend literally on the back of folks being told there was nothing wrong with their water…
This sort of disgusting behaviour is now endemic - part of the fabric of our modern neoliberal society. What a huge error.

[Bonefishblues]

....... I think he will be looked back on in years to come as a brilliant mass communicator.

And so was Adolf Hit......

Goebbels was the communication genius, shirley?

Trump's communications will be studied for years to come, and AFAIK it does originate with him.

[Bonefishblues]

I agree with your cynicism based on previous enquiries (the findings of the Chilcot enquiry were a disgrace), but in this case I think there will be serious repercussions, at least for the some of the lawyers involved. They have been shown to have committed perjury and abetted in the perversion of justice. That's about as serious as it gets and will open the way for professional, and possibly criminal, charges.

PCOJ is key. Category 1 offences (knowingly sending innocent people to jail tips it into this I think...) plus high culpability would be between 4 and 7 years imprisonment under the new sentencing guidelines.

[reohn2]

....... I think he will be looked back on in years to come as a brilliant mass communicator.

And so was Adolf Hit......

Goebbels was the communication genius, shirley?

Trump's communications will be studied for years to come, and AFAIK it does originate with him.

Agree but Htler delivered,the lunacy just like Trump does.

And don't call me Shirley

[francovendee]

Lies and deceit is now embedded in our culture like never before. The nuance and subtely of the position taken by those in high places is truly shocking. They know the game and how it’s played and what they can get away with. There’s little or no risk for those involved, even when caught. We ordinary folk continue to put our faith in the vain hope that for once some of these people might eventually get dragged before a jury… and yet, thus far, there’s little sign of that happening.
And when it has happened, on the few rare occasions, the defendants walk away, often after ludricous goings on in court… we recall Saunders’ miraculous recovery and the claim by bankers that its impossible to remember all the conversations one had had on the grouse moor.
Today we saw the colossal chutzpah of the south west water companies upping the dividend literally on the back of folks being told there was nothing wrong with their water…
This sort of disgusting behaviour is now endemic - part of the fabric of our modern neoliberal society. What a huge error.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels the same way.
With the increasing use of AI it will only get worse. Lies will be normal and truth rare.

[DaveReading]

Lies and deceit is now embedded in our culture like never before. The nuance and subtely of the position taken by those in high places is truly shocking. They know the game and how it’s played and what they can get away with. There’s little or no risk for those involved, even when caught. We ordinary folk continue to put our faith in the vain hope that for once some of these people might eventually get dragged before a jury… and yet, thus far, there’s little sign of that happening.
And when it has happened, on the few rare occasions, the defendants walk away, often after ludricous goings on in court… we recall Saunders’ miraculous recovery and the claim by bankers that its impossible to remember all the conversations one had had on the grouse moor.
Today we saw the colossal chutzpah of the south west water companies upping the dividend literally on the back of folks being told there was nothing wrong with their water…
This sort of disgusting behaviour is now endemic - part of the fabric of our modern neoliberal society. What a huge error.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels the same way.
With the increasing use of AI it will only get worse. Lies will be normal and truth rare.

Not specifically in the context of the PO inquiry, but I'm optimistic that in the long run AI will actually make it easier to uncover lies and deceit.

[reohn2]

Lies and deceit is now embedded in our culture like never before. The nuance and subtely of the position taken by those in high places is truly shocking. They know the game and how it’s played and what they can get away with. There’s little or no risk for those involved, even when caught. We ordinary folk continue to put our faith in the vain hope that for once some of these people might eventually get dragged before a jury… and yet, thus far, there’s little sign of that happening.
And when it has happened, on the few rare occasions, the defendants walk away, often after ludricous goings on in court… we recall Saunders’ miraculous recovery and the claim by bankers that its impossible to remember all the conversations one had had on the grouse moor.
Today we saw the colossal chutzpah of the south west water companies upping the dividend literally on the back of folks being told there was nothing wrong with their water…
This sort of disgusting behaviour is now endemic - part of the fabric of our modern neoliberal society. What a huge error.

It's all part of the sh*tshow known as corporate capitalism...

[Cowsham]

Paula getting a grilling now and she says she started an initiative called " Bad News is Good News" designed to highlight any problems staff had encountered. Maybe she should've started " Bad Lies are Good Lies."

[toontra]

Jason Beer has nailed it with Vennells. He directly accused her of having lazer-like memory of details that deflect the blame to others but total amnesia for anything - absolutely anything - that would be an admission of wrongdoing. He illustrated his point with several specific examples.

This has been a consistent theme with witnesses, but this is the first time that an enquiry barrister has called it out. About time.

[reohn2]

Worms wriggle on barbed hooks in an attempt to escape,Vennells is no different to many other creeps in high places!