British Government - Committing Criminal Act

[Hymie]

Many newspaper websites carried stories earlier today � concerning the British government buying a copy of a stolen DVD (from a convicted criminal), containing details of mega-rich people's secret bank accounts in Liechtenstein.

Bad enough that our scummy government have resorted to committing a criminal offence (buying stolen goods) � they now appear to have threatened anyone publishing this story, such that they have all removed the item from their websites.

Can anyone list UK news websites still carrying this story?

[spacechimp]

They musta got the idea off the Germans, eh?

[sir.prize]

Hymie - is this the story?

http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/channel/Finan ce/news/786024/hmrc-cash-liechtenstein-deep-th roat/

[spacechimp]

How come the British Government got away with paying 40 times less than the German Government? Is this 100k a little bit of a conservative account of the figure?

[Hymie]

Why not buy the DVD from the Germans and pretend that you did not know how they obtained it?

Better still, pay the Germans enough money to keep quiet, that they have sold you a copy - I think the F.O. need to employ me on �250K p.a. offering such good advice.

[vehelpfulguy]

I am sure the police, MI5 and other british secret organizations are playing money to criminals and other undesirables all the time.

Many informers will open up for money, and of course when we recruit a foreign spy as a double agent then I am sure plenty of money changes hands.

If buying this information helps trap British people who are avoiding paying tax (and perhaps earning money via crime) then I am in favour of it.

[jake-the-peg]

What if it had details of dru dealers or pedophiles on it?

Would you suggest they should say "Oh we couldn't do that it was illegally obtained"?

Isn't the point that you don't think Tax evaders are real criminals?

[Hymie]

The most interesting part of this story is not that the British government is involved in criminal activity � but that news organisations are willing to pull a story at their request.

Perhaps the news proprietors desire for a Knighthood is as strong as ever.

[fredpuli47]

A disc with data on ? Are we sure the government hasn't lost it yet?

[Bazile]

Some people on here makes me laugh
Do you mean our ' scummy' government as opposed to other countries ' whiter than white' governments ?

You seem to ( from your comfy armchair ) look at the world through rose tinted glasses .

Would you also oppose any government obtaining information this way - if for example it helps prevent those wishing harm to the country , from doing so ?

Unfortuntately we cannot nowawadays go about our business in complete safety , just hoping no harm will befall us - leaving those bad people out there to get on with it .

[fredpuli47]

You say 'appear to have threatened'. What's the evidence one way or the other? Where is there a website that doesn't report this story still ? It's been all over The Times, and is now.

Considering that the Diana inquest has heard evidence, from government agents, that they would murder someone, buying stolen data in order to catch those who are defrauding the taxpayers seems quite mild.

[Hymie]

I used to have a pair of rose tinted glasses, when wearing them, I saw all the wonderful things our government was doing � bringing democracy to Iraq & Afghanistan, with cordial relationships with other right thinking Middle-East countries such as Saudi Arabia � when I looked in the mirror, I saw a handsome young man, who saw a bright future for all mankind.

I have long lost those glasses, now I see our government invading other countries (killing their people) to ensure our continued supply of their oil, or to try and stop them supplying heroin in industrial quantities. Friendly with Middle-East counties who will sell us their oil, and in return buy our weapons of war (and won�t let their woman drive, let alone vote) � when I look in the mirror, I see an ugly old man, who has grown old with cynicism � so now you know.