Iain’s Blog

Hi,

Well we have got the final Christmas out of the way and the countdown is really picking up pace now, Keran has under 5 months to go and the days of reckoning approach for you know who.

But its Christmas so I won’t slate those that have put us in this position, that can wait. Except to say I was reading an article about Suzanne Holdsworth and the Chief of Cleveland Police saying how he supported his Officers in the case. I wonder if he supports the one that ’had’ to leave?

Why is an apology such a hard thing to give?

Colin Stagg waited too long, the De Menezes one seemed to come out quicker (more politics and an international aspect of course). It’s a pity that more Chief Constables don’t go on courses to remind them who is really in charge, not their ‘friend’ Jaqui Smith, no no no, its us of course. But sadly of course the top figures in all organisations seem to follow our politicians lead and apologise for ‘nowt’, find someone junior and do their legs. Maybe it’s about time we followed the American lead and elected our ’sheriff’s’. That could be interesting and maybe they get paid on results, the officers on the frontline get these incentives so why not the boys and girls at the top? Only seems fair if you ask me.

The Christams Eve service at our local church was wonderful as always, with snow falling inside the church again (why Michael Fish doesn’t do weather forecasts for inside churches I’ll never know). The shadows from the candles flickered right up to the rafters, a lovely way to start Christmas. Christams day itself was quiet, and I forgot to buy the Brussel Sprouts…shame! Not that I have anything against Brussels or for that matter any other European city (see what I did there…). But after a thorough Risk Assessment I thought it was only fair on the basis of maintaing good air quality not to add to the destruction of the ozone layer.

But we all enjoyed it, more for the fact if nothing else as I mentioned earlier it will be the last one behind bars. I remember last year hoping that the Attorney General would have done soemthing, but then hey she’s a politician, and there wasn’t much in it for her. But we have moved on from there and will fight for aslong as it takes to clear Keran and others from the curse of being labelled like this.

We are nowwaiting to crack on into the New Year and look forward to the challenges it will bring and the clearing of Kerans name.  I have pencilled in an apology from the Chief Constable and the Officers, CPS, Experts etc on or around the year 2024 (using Colin Staggs apology as a guideline). The same year we host the World Cup and win against Argentina with a handball from Peter Shilton who is stood in Row 56, seat 115. Sarcastic….I know, but I got a load more this Christmas. Just in time for the coming months.

Anyway the boys will be going into see their Mum soon, they had a cunning plan to’blow the doors off’ (Italian Job stylie) using Christmas Crackers tied together. But the Risk Assessment called forthe wearing ofgloves and goggles, so not cool at all. We can wait a bit longer.

We also had a lovely surprise Carol concert on the drive complete with Brass Band, courtesy of friends and neighbours. So a big thank you to all those who played, sang (apologies formy singing, I have a call from Simon Cowell who has said NO straight off…I hadn’t even applied for the show…yet) and supplied the Mulled Wine, Mince Pies etc. Some of these events we have had over the year should really become more regular.

Watching James May on TV earlier reminded me what a great childhood I had, we played and interacted with other kids…not screens. Clever though some of these consoles are, they aren’t as clever as the minds of children allowed to put them to full use. Although putting bangers in Airfix models is probably a MASSIVE Health  & Safety issue!

So I hope Santa brought you what you wanted this Christmas. To those away serving their country God bless and keep your heads down. Best wishes for 2009.

Anyway one final observation  before I push off, the remake of Survivors finished the other day on TV (the show were 90% of the world dies off due to a Flu virus), how clever are the BBC?! The first story on the 10 O’Clock news afterwards was of a Flu outbreak, reality TV or what! Time to stock up on tins and petrol and find a wind farm…..

Stay safe and look out for Zombies or was that I am Legend?

Iain

p.s.

Thanks again for all the cards, sorry we didn’t get many out there, but we would still be writing them, so many to write to. but we do thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

Hi,

 Since last I wrote we have piles of cards all over and Keran informs me she has over a 150 at last count, from all over and from people who we have never met, but who take the time to show they care. Thank you on behalf of us all, although Jamie whilst dusting earlier did moan there was too many, he did try and dust around them, but I spotted his deliberate ploy to make things easier for himself!

I then sent him up the chimmney to check it out and clean it before Santa comes, don’t worry though, I did a full risk assessment first. I tied him a car out front…

The sad thing is though that some of your cards have carried sad news, from illnesses, to incidents, to job losses and the rest. It sounds like 2008 hasn’t been a great year for many of us. But if we have the love and support of each other through these times, we can get through so much.

I was chatting to someone last week who has just suffered the same fate we did about a year ago and it was very weird for me to be in a position to give advice and feel a 1000% stronger (I’m using the Professor Roy Meadows maths and stat’s book) in comparison. Time is a great healer, the scars will always be there of course, but if there is anything I can do to help those who are going through their own private hell, I will always try to do what I can.

Their friendship and support has helped us, so it is only right that I do what I can. Never under estimate the power of a phone all, or a chat.

May 2009 be so much better for all those that need it to be, but if 2008 wasn’t such an Annus Horriblus (hopefully spelt that right - I may have just spelt ‘ugly backside’) may 2009 continue in the same good vein for you.

Take care

 Iain, (Keran) and the boys

Dear Santa,

I would like a bail out like the Banks please.

Or if Jaguar & Landrover get one, can I have one like them and an XF Type Jag and or a Range Rover, I see there are loads out there.

Failing that, cos I appreciate your Christmas Credit has been crunched, I’d like something else…

Justice (before May 2009 if poss)

Thanks for your help, by the way the mince pie has had to be removed from the fireplace this year, due to Health and Safety reasons. But if you can tell me if your nut intolerant maybe I can sort out one that won’t cause you any health issues. I have also removed the glass of booze due to the Drink Drive campaign (which is fair enough - you’ll be plastered by the end of the night).

Apologies to Rudolph, about the lack of carrots this year too, apparently, they cause mad deer disease, due to the orange colouring?

Love to you and your helpers.

Iain

Age 43

Hi,

Not long off the phone with Lee and it was great to hear them all and see them yesterday on the various TV reports and online.

It is nearly a year since I met Lee and another lady (separate case) in Yorkshire to discuss the nightmare that is these sort of medical ‘expert’ cases.

Radio 5 Live wanted to chat about how it Suzannes justice may help our quest. Yesterday seemed dominated by Miscarriages of justice, so it was appropriate to raise some of these issues again.

When you consider ‘experts’ (on either side) one will say its Black and one will say its White and its left for the jury to decide. I know I may not be the brightest candle in the box, but surely if you mix black and white you get grey?

In a court it shouldn’t be grey, but as clear as crystal. The use of unproven theories should be stopped NOW. There are cases being decided as I write.

I will bang on about a review, for as long as it takes, to improve the system, to protect the children, and their parents and carers from false accusations. We need to get the scales of justice balanced, and remove blinkers from investigators.

Its sad to hear the Met say they don’t want an enquiry into the Stagg saga, well sorry but they shouldn’t get a choice, other innocents died, that needn’t have and there needs to be an open and honest review, otherwise the same mistakes can all too easily be made again.

I also heard Peter Neyroud, the ex head of Thames Valley Police and now head of the Policing Improvement Agency talk about how things have improved since Stagg. Well lets not rest on our laurels, things can usually be done better. Public support is low at the moment with the Police. Which is sad as the Officers on the ground can often run around like mad things, taking call after call.

The Government should step back from micro managing the Police and other bodies and let them get on with it. Chief Constables need to remember its the public that employ them not the PM. Take Lancashire Police’s example and follow their lead.

The Police need to stop being fooled by 60mph impacts like in Suzannes case, HOW did she do it, in a tight space? I have been to the scene of quite a few Road Traffic Accidents and Collisions over the years and cars, motorbikes etc do a hell of a lot of damage leaving all sorts of marks and scrapes at speeds under 30mph. At 60mph they trash things. Maybe Cleveland Police should lead by example and apologise post haste to Suzanne and her family and Kyles family. Don’t wait years and years (like in the Stagg case), and be big enough to do it face to face…NOT via the Solicitors. Humble pie tastes no better the longer you leave it………

Mr Neyroud can always talk to me about a course for Police staff, and others into the problems of Noble Cause Corruption, tunnel vision and the like. I try to look for the positives as well as negatives and honestly  I don’t want the guilty to escape or the innocent to be found guilty. I hope the offer will one day be taken up.

Suzanne and Lee now can enjoy their Christmas and New Year together with the family and friends. Thank God that things are starting to swing round, lets just hope the pendulum stays in the middle and doesn’t veer too far off course again.

Happy Christmas to all, stay safe

Iain