Absolutely Anything.

[Just-Jude]

Should Smith be sacked along with the rest of the DWP liars who made up these fantasy stories?

Should they be the one's now being sanctioned instead of job seekers?

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/aug/18/dwp-admits-making-up-positive-quotes-from-benefits-claimants-for-leaflet

[Jackdaw33]

Couldn't have put it better myself.

[andy-hughes]

divebuddy - "Probably because they know that moon-howling lefties will go on and on and on about some piffling technicality rather than give any credit for actually helping people on benefits."

But if there is nothing wrong with the leaflet, then the lefties can howl until Doomsday, and they government can laugh at them for being fools with no point to make, and the government can ask what all the fuss is about.

But that’s not what happened is it?

The government did change their leaflet, they did withdraw the social media links.

IDS did deny that there was a problem, and dumped the issue on his Director of Communications, who promptly denied knowing anything about it!

Odd behaviour for a government department that has ‘done nothing wrong’, wouldn’t you say?

[janbee]

Beware the IDS of ... well, any month really !

[sp1814]

If I saw that leaflet, I would immediately assume that they were actors/models. I would't believe for a moment that the testimonies were real. But then again - I'm looking at the link in the Guardian which according to andy_hughes, have been amended.

If the originals had a tag "Real stories from real people", then that would have been deliberately misleading - but I really don't think it's a sackable offence.

I mean - we get it all the time.

I always find it curious when a celebrity says "we" in an advert.

For example, Phil Spencer from Location Location Location was in an ad last year for (I think) a company that provides insurance for landlords. He clearly states "At Landlordsforyou.com, we have trained staff who...(etc)".

But Phil Spencer does not work for www.landlordsforyou.com.

He's a tv presenter who works with the most annoyingly shrill woman ever born.

[andy-hughes]

divebuddy - "Like I said, a piffling technicality, having no importance compared to the real issue - helping people on benefits."

Good morning.

I think we have expressed our divergent views to a point where we have to agree to differ – thanks for the debate, see you on the next one.

[Quizmonster]

"IDS still got his finger on the button then", as stated above.
Well, at least that's a change from its usual place; namely, firmly ensconced in his own fundament! Everything the man has touched throughout his life has been a disaster, so why anyone - including Cameron - should expect anything else now is a mystery.

[douglas9401]

Where's the harm when governments and their departments play fast and loose with the truth?

Just give me 45 minutes and I'm sure I'll have some thing ready and worth dying for.

[youngmafbog]

Neither do I find it, it is only the self righteous Tory haters such as AH who do.

[andy-hughes]

youngmafbog - " ... it is only the self righteous Tory haters such as AH who do."

I don't think I am self-righteous, and I am not a 'Tory hater' - I hate any government which lies to me. If you think I am a Tory hater, you should see me when I am asked about Blair's government and their war-mongering!

[douglas9401]

Ah, 'haters'. End of discussion.

[Gromit]

IDS will not be sacked this side of the EU referedum.

IDS is in the Cabinet because Cameron wants his enemies close. If IDS went to the back benches now, he would cause Cameron far more headaches by ralling the right of the party. When the referendum is over with, the Conservative Party will change in complexion rapidly.

[mikey4444]

This was deliberately designed to mislead, and the DWP have been caught red-handed. But much as I dislike IDS, and I do, its not easy to pin this on him. Anyway, there are lots of other reasons why he should be sacked !

[Quizmonster]

Given his history, how dim do right-wing MPs have to be to consider Irritable Dowel Syndrome as a leader/rallying-point for their cause?

[mikey4444]

IDS was a failure as Tory Party leader a few years ago, and has gone downhill from there ! 'orrible little man !

[Old_Geezer]

Fictional examples should be labelled as such.

I look upon this as a verbal warning situation since it is presumably a first offence. But now the publicity has been so great, others ought not expect to be treated leniently for not knowing their job.