Leo Varadkar story in The Village??? - Mod Notes and banned Users in OP updated 16/05

_Kaiser_

seamus wrote: »

Seems to me that MOT supposed what would happen if the IMO found out.

There's no text in that list saying, "Don't tell anyone where you got this", or "Don't tell the IMO". All it says is, "This isn't final, don't take it as gospel".

If this was something Varadkar thought was dodgy and underhanded, don't you think he'd have been careful *NOT* to be sending texts about it and asking his secretary to send it out?

That was in a previous text in the first batch released. The "inner sanctum" were very concerned about keeping it close and not leaking where they got it.

McMurphy

thomas 123 wrote: »

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11Uy5vmEwqoxLfhGaq2DDFQy3DDyNJk-L/view?usp=drivesdk

Claims he did meet Harris for lunch “on the quite”. Contradiction no 1.

Someone lied by the looks of things.

FrancieBrady

Looks to me that The Village is going to do this in a way to flush out those in FG who stand over this behaviour.
A slow drip drip of the info...jump off the support band wagon now or risk further embarrassment.

Arghus

The timing of the US election and the resulting media coverage couldn't be better from Leo's perspective.

_Kaiser_

Arghus wrote: »

The timing of the US election and the resulting media coverage couldn't be better from Leo's perspective.

Yup. I bet he's wishing he could have made his statement today instead.

bureau2009

You certainly can't admire Varadkar, Fine Gael Ministers, Michael Martin after this debacle.

But we certainly can admire The Village Magazine.

Doing the state some service.

LollipopJimmy

stockshares wrote: »

You feel bad for MOT?

He comes across as a Charlatan

Coming across as really overstating his relationship with Leo and Simon

seamus

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

That was in a previous text in the first batch released. The "inner sanctum" were very concerned about keeping it close and not leaking where they got it.

MOT said it was all hush hush and on the sly. Judging by the rest of his texts, he was desperate to claim that he had an inside track on the goverment and all sorts of connections that would big up the NAGP.

There are no texts from Varadkar telling MOT that this wasn't above board.

There could be, but we can only go on what's in front of us.

If anything, it looks like with the NAGP floundering, MOT was so desperate to keep Mr. Bowes's interest that he was fabricating all this secret insider stuff as well as lunch with Harris.

If there are more texts that show otherwise, then we will see.

If there aren't, then I feel especially sorry for Mr. Bowes that he was so taken in by all this to the extent that he's gone and made a Garda complaint based on MOT's bullsh1t.

Hubertj

bureau2009 wrote: »

You certainly can't admire Varadkar, Fine Gael Ministers, Michael Martin after this debacle.

But we certainly can admire The Village Magazine.

Doing the state some service.

I would hope they would do the same to any political figure and it isn’t a specific targeting of only 1 person/party. This sort of behaviours, however wrong, has to be brought to the attention of public and authorities irrespective of who it is or what party they are member of.

Jinglejangle69

seamus wrote: »

MOT said it was all hush hush and on the sly. Judging by the rest of his texts, he was desperate to claim that he had an inside track on the goverment and all sorts of connections that would big up the NAGP.

There are no texts from Varadkar telling MOT that this wasn't above board.

There could be, but we can only go on what's in front of us.

If anything, it looks like with the NAGP floundering, MOT was so desperate to keep Mr. Bowes's interest that he was fabricating all this secret insider stuff as well as lunch with Harris.

If there are more texts that show otherwise, then we will see.

He even says Leo is cagey after the broadband incident.

McMurphy

seamus wrote: »

MOT said it was all hush hush and on the sly. Judging by the rest of his texts, he was desperate to claim that he had an inside track on the goverment and all sorts of connections that would big up the NAGP.

There are no texts from Varadkar telling MOT that this wasn't above board.

There could be, but we can only go on what's in front of us.

If anything, it looks like with the NAGP floundering, MOT was so desperate to keep Mr. Bowes's interest that he was fabricating all this secret insider stuff as well as lunch with Harris.

If there are more texts that show otherwise, then we will see.

If there aren't, then I feel especially sorry for Mr. Bowes that he was so taken in by all this to the extent that he's gone and made a Garda complaint based on MOT's bullsh1t.

So contrary to Leo getting his good friend a confidential document behind the rest of the Govt back, he got it for someone he is barely friends with.

Not a great look either way.

timmyntc

Interesting to how the line has changed from "it's nothing, a non-story, no evidence of wrongdoing" to "O'Tuathail is just making things up about docs being confidential"

And all the TDs being rolled out to face the media have echoed the same sentiment - clearly the spin machine is trying to go into overdrive to salvage this situation

Skeetur

The recent screenshots seem to back Leo's version more than anything else. He seems professional in all communication, there's no friendly chit chat despite the other guy trying and the Harris message confirms they were communicating with him as head of the NAGP.

While the other guys messages to Bowes make it look like he's a complete clown making out he's getting top secret info from a pal.

weldoninhio

Skeetur wrote: »

The recent screenshots seem to back Leo's version more than anything else. He seems professional in all communication, there's no friendly chit chat despite the other guy trying and the Harris message confirms they were communicating with him as head of the NAGP.

While the other guys messages to Bowes make it look like he's a complete clown making out he's getting top secret info from a pal.

Harris blew him off. He admitted as much yesterday. When asked if he had "looked into" getting MoT a copy of the agreement, he said no he didn't.

I don't buy O Toole being a complete clown/fall guy.. his use of language and composition makes him sound like a younger man alright but his position as of late in the media re : Covid-19 and his being the head of the organization would make me think that he perhaps has had some help, how else would somebody who looks more at home being fired by Alan sugar, show up at the heart of such a row?? he's a spoofer but I don't believe Varadkar when he understates his significance to him.

Has he even given an account of his version of things or is he 2 atmospheres down with cement loafers???

stockshares

FrancieBrady wrote: »

Looks to me that The Village is going to do this in a way to flush out those in FG who stand over this behaviour.
A slow drip drip of the info...jump off the support band wagon now or risk further embarrassment.

Helen McEntees position is precarious esp if it's found that Leo broke the law

timmyntc

The best thing that could happen for FG for Varadkar to step down - the longer himself and others refuse to acknowledge any wrongdoing, the more it'll hurt their popularity. Same goes for FF & the greens, anything associated with this & seen to be condoning will be politically toxic.

Be an interesting election when it comes

shatners bassoon

weldoninhio wrote: »

Harris blew him off. He admitted as much yesterday.

Jesus that's a bit graphic

stockshares

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

Coming across as really overstating his relationship with Leo and Simon

These Drs were obsessed with financial gain, very very greedy .

It's not as if any were in dire need, although the NAGP itself was in financial difficulties.

They were hoping to get all services under the NAGP and destroy the IMO.

yes indeed, he sounds like he has a Zuckerberg manual under his pillow!!!
It's going into the fire now only to be replaced by how to make friends and influence people maybe!

stockshares

timmyntc wrote: »

Interesting to how the line has changed from "it's nothing, a non-story, no evidence of wrongdoing" to "O'Tuathail is just making things up about docs being confidential"

And all the TDs being rolled out to face the media have echoed the same sentiment - clearly the spin machine is trying to go into overdrive to salvage this situation

When asked by Peadar Toibin did he consider the Doc to be public or confidential Leo said Confidential .

Video of Q+A. Peadars Qs at 04:48:00
https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/oireachtas-tv/video-archive/

I Am The Law

Arghus wrote: »

The timing of the US election and the resulting media coverage couldn't be better from Leo's perspective.

I don't have much time for US politics, I'd prefer to watch Leo go down.

seamus

McMurphy wrote: »

So contrary to Leo getting his good friend a confidential document behind the rest of the Govt back, he got it for someone he is barely friends with.

Or...he got it for the head of a GP's union in the interests of ensuring that the deal could be secured with all GPs.

That's what MOT said his intentions were with Harris. Why wouldn't he have said exactly the same thing to Varadkar?

mr_edge_to_you

FrancieBrady wrote: »

Looks to me that The Village is going to do this in a way to flush out those in FG who stand over this behaviour.
A slow drip drip of the info...jump off the support band wagon now or risk further embarrassment.

A slow drip will just lead to fatigue. People just won't be arsed. Before we know it, we'll be into December with some lifting of restrictions and looking forward to Christmas.

James Brown

seamus wrote: »

Or...he got it for the head of a GP's union in the interests of ensuring that the deal could be secured with all GPs.

That's what MOT said his intentions were with Harris. Why wouldn't he have said exactly the same thing to Varadkar?

Because Leo always comes through or whatever he what's app'd. This wasn't a one off. Also Leo leaked a confidential document to his pal. This is the issue. His intentions are only known to himself. All we do know is he leaked a confidential document regarding health negotiations behind the back of the health minister, government and after Harris had refused.

Nobotty

mr_edge_to_you wrote: »

A slow drip will just lead to fatigue. People just won't be arsed. Before we know it, we'll be into December with some lifting of restrictions and looking forward to Christmas.

The seriousness or not that people take what Varadkar did,weren't cosgrave and the village Quare stupid not to hold onto this until week two of an election?
Worse they picked election week in the states and as bad luck (for them) would have it an exciting week long news cycle all absorbing election result at that

Too late now

Holy Mary

Dying out now, with the last embers turning black.
Not even a vote of no confidence proposed.

Even Micheál is fed up.

“the essentials of the agreement were out there” in the public, Mr Martin warned the Sinn Féin leader that “it’s a dangerous place to be on the high moral ground” and said she should approach issues “with a greater humility”.

The Taoiseach referred to an article on the unmasking of Stakeknife, an IRA informer, and on British intelligence and the infiltration of the IRA. “If I was in your party or movement I’d be looking around every day and wondering who my friend is.”
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/taoiseach-dismisses-calls-for-ag-to-be-consulted-over-whether-varadkar-broke-law-1.4400051

seamus

Bowie wrote: »

Because Leo always comes through or whatever he what's app'd. This wasn't a one off.

"Leo always comes through" sounds like a spoofer pretending to be better connected than he is.

There's no evidence (yet) that this was anything except a one-off.

Let's wait and see what Michael Smith decides to release next.

Smacruairi

That's the sad bit about all of this. It'll fade, Leo will survive and nothing, absolutely nothing will change in a system that is disgusting.

If i leaked a document at work, and was caught by the bollix, I'd be packing my things with only myself to blame. We have a leader of the country do something he knows isn't right, and his followers rally around to defend their tribe.

It's not the worst thing a politician has done, but golf gate etc has shown that the Irish people are absolutely sick and tired of people thinking they are above the law, just do your job properly and professionally and don't take the piss. We all make mistakes x minimise them, learn from them, and move on if it was an honest mistake.

This turning everything into a tribal game, of faux outrage, but more damningly, the circling of wagons, deflection and lack of accountabilities and responsibility is just sickening. We should demand better, not make excuses and look to deflect ownership on technicalities.

They say democracy gives you the reps you deserve, well the standard of expectation and discourse in the world at the moment is infantile, intentionally ignorant bs - that's exactly what we have in office.

JohnnyFlash

I’m a canny political animal at the best of times and knew this wasn’t going to be a resigning matter from the moment it was published.

A lot of men (always men) around here wasted a huge amount of time over the past few days coming up with increasingly lurid fantasies, speculation and opinions on this relatively minor matter. What a massive waste of time.

Leo has a few bruises but will dust himself down and get on with the good work he is doing. The only politician who had to resign this week was a SF senator who somehow forgot she had 10000 Sterling in grant money lodged in her personal bank account.