Chakka, you see that as an excellent summary? It tells us how much he sold his house for, and amongst his supporters it's revealed an ex-Playboy model, and a member of a rock group - and David Aaronovitch has also mentioned 'know-nothing celebrities'. Why would The Times include such trivialities if not to attempt to denigrate this man's reputation? This is not objective reporting - it's gutter journalism far more worthy of less reputable publications, and I'm surprised you find anything to admire in it, because I certainly don't.
George Hastings is hedging bets. Odd how no one will actually say MMR is positively safe. However, to give The Times its due, the article does mention that cases of autism have risen over recent years, the causes of which remain poorly understood. The next questions then must be 'why are cases of autism rising, and what is the common factor?' MMR, by your own admission, is widely used, and since doubt has been levelled at it, perhaps the medical profession and the government, should muster the moral integrity to investigate it a great deal more thoroughly, and a great deal more responsibly. Having said that, it's no surprise they don't. After all, perhaps when the main aim is to save money, a bit of collateral damage in the shape of a few lives destroyed is acceptable.
We have yet to see anything from you or the other supporters of MMR that constitutes proof of any kind. There is little point in continuing to offer the views of biased journalists - that's not evidence, it's not proof - and it's not encouraging.