Crispin Blunt comes out of the closet.

[Opinionated]

Slightly old news now I know, full story from Telegraph.
The third in a series of personal life statements in the short time the coalition have been in power, following from Laws and Huhne, makes me wonder if a memo has gone round instructing ministers to put out the trash so as not to be open to criticism of personal sleaze!
I must say he's a very brave man to admit this, but it's very sad to consider that he may not have risen within the party had he been open before this. Of course it's his wife and family who have my sympathy.

[Midas]

Slightly old news now I know, full story from Telegraph.
The third in a series of personal life statements in the short time the coalition have been in power, following from Laws and Huhne, makes me wonder if a memo has gone round instructing ministers to put out the trash so as not to be open to criticism of personal sleaze!
I must say he's a very brave man to admit this, but it's very sad to consider that he may not have risen within the party had he been open before this. Of course it's his wife and family who have my sympathy.

It is strange how there seems to have been a rash of "I'm gay" revelations coming out recently, if you'll excuse the pun. It does indeed make you wonder whether someone has said something as you suggest.

But as I said in the thread about William Hague, certainly as far as I'm concerned, whatever his inclinations are, as long as they don't affect his job, are really irrelevant and ideally should really concern just him and his family alone. I know that freedom of the press is generally a very good thing, but I sometimes wonder whether they have too much freedom when it comes to people's private lives.

[ryoden]

I know that freedom of the press is generally a very good thing, but I sometimes wonder whether they have too much freedom when it comes to people's private lives.

I would disagree that they have too much freedom, there have been several cases of gagging orders recently with regards to high profile figures, so they are amply able to defend themselves against the media (overly in some cases). I know that every case is different and I would prefer a judge to do just that; judge each case on it's merit, whether it's beneficial considering the person's position as to whether the knowledge deserves to be in the public domain.

It's the same with media stars, they are happy to accept addulation, media glare (and the vast proceeds from the general public) when it suits them but when it comes to bad publicity then suddenly it's "their private life"

I would be happier if the press were less interested in sensation and more interested in accurate newsworthy reporting though.

[Midas]

I would disagree that they have too much freedom, there have been several cases of gagging orders recently with regards to high profile figures, so they are amply able to defend themselves against the media (overly in some cases). I know that every case is different and I would prefer a judge to do just that; judge each case on it's merit, whether it's beneficial considering the person's position as to whether the knowledge deserves to be in the public domain.

It's the same with media stars, they are happy to accept addulation, media glare (and the vast proceeds from the general public) when it suits them but when it comes to bad publicity then suddenly it's "their private life"

I would be happier if the press were less interested in sensation and more interested in accurate newsworthy reporting though.

To save repeating myself, I've just made my point on this very subject in the William Hague thread - here.