On what subject? This is not an intelligence matter if the claims that Hedges are not a spy is true.
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On what subject? This is not an intelligence matter if the claims that Hedges are not a spy is true.
On what subject? This is not an intelligence matter if the claims that Hedges are not a spy is true.
On any subject. If I were to send them an enquiry asking if you were a spy, they wouldn't say no, they'd say they don't comment on intelligence matters. It's a blanket response to everything.
On any subject. If I were to send them an enquiry asking if you were a spy, they wouldn't say no, they'd say they don't comment on intelligence matters. It's a blanket response to everything.
Badly worded so, she should've stopped after "ongoing legal proceedings".
Badly worded so, she should've stopped after "ongoing legal proceedings".
Not at all. In your quote there is an ellipsis. It is quite plainly stated separately, it isn't a single quote.
Well, no, but that's not the point. He a 31 year old PhD student. Research in that area Middle East security - will always look shady.
I suspect the overlap between academia and security services in this area is not as great as the overlap with the arms industry. That's also where his consultancy work seems to have been focused.
A point another academic made on the radio was that the UAE are really close allies of the UK. There is nothing that this chap could have found out that they wouldn't have told us if we had just asked.
More likely in my mind that he personally pissed off some bigwig who decided to teach him a lesson.
Did anyone explain to the ‘academic’ that perhaps all countries aren’t open and honest with each other?
The British Government lies to its people all the time.
Not at all. In your quote there is an ellipsis. It is quite plainly stated separately, it isn't a single quote.
Yeah I get that mate, I just think there was no need to say anything else after that bit.
Yeah I get that mate, I just think there was no need to say anything else after that bit.
They haven't said anything. They've literally answered the question with "we never respond on intelligence matters". As they do with every such question on the subject. What are you expecting? It's what they always, without exception, say.
SilverFox2
Well-Known Member
I fully agree Shirley.I really see and appreciate your sincerity but you are being dragged into a topic which is not really football related. Other than empty seats that's all they have left now.
Football has become too predictable so how do we keep our customers?
Their blend of ignoring us, waiting for a loss or belittling our success now needs to be topped up with attacks away from football if only to protect their profitability.
They haven't said anything. They've literally answered the question with "we never respond on intelligence matters". As they do with every such question on the subject. What are you expecting? It's what they always, without exception, say.
Do you honestly not appreciate how that can be construed as the acknowledgement of this being an intelligence matter suggests he is in fact a spy?
Do you honestly not appreciate how that can be construed as the acknowledgement of this being an intelligence matter suggests he is in fact a spy?
No. Because the whole point of that answer is that it is a blanket one to every single question. It's entirely deliberate in order that you can't construe it that way - no denials, no acknowledgements, ever. Just a "we don't comment" in all circumstances. If they sometimes talked about it, sure. They don't.
dickie davies
Well-Known Member
This is the UAE perspective, from The National: https://www.thenational.ae/uae/courts/the-curious-case-of-matthew-hedges-1.796251
That puts a whole different spin on the affair after what's been said in the British media
Saddleworth2
Well-Known Member
Clear as day. Guy was spying and was caught. Not exactly 007, more Austin Powers. UAE tried to deal with it behind the scenes and our lot dropped the ball either through negligence or deliberately. You can call me Q.
Different to the football media yes.That puts a whole different spin on the affair after what's been said in the British media
BBC published some interesting articles but only after he was released
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46322425
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-46318655
George Hannah
Well-Known Member
Got David Haigh on Sky telling us how horrific it was for him doing a two year stretch in the UAE after being convicted of fraud.Different to the football media yes.
BBC published some interesting articles but only after he was released
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46322425
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-46318655
No agenda for his company 'Detained in Dubai' here then.
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Gorton_Tubster
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How anyone can read anyting and trust it nowadays I dont know.That puts a whole different spin on the affair after what's been said in the British media
blueju
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I can't remember, absolutely pathetic challenge for the ball thoughMusampa?
I guess it's too much to expect the likes of Ronay and Hattenstone to publicly admit they jumped the gun a little bit early, and in their haste to demonise a set of supporters they didn't even consider the possibility that a Brit was banged up abroad for totally legitimate reasons.
As details come out we can see that it was never a clear case of right vs wrong, which makes some journos insistence that your average football fan take sides utterly ridiculous.
I've liked Ronays articles in the past, but he has no credibility for me until he holds his hands up on this. Hattenstone I've never been keen on but would give him some credit if he publicly apologised.
As for the rest (Harris, Castles etc), they made their bed long ago.
As details come out we can see that it was never a clear case of right vs wrong, which makes some journos insistence that your average football fan take sides utterly ridiculous.
I've liked Ronays articles in the past, but he has no credibility for me until he holds his hands up on this. Hattenstone I've never been keen on but would give him some credit if he publicly apologised.
As for the rest (Harris, Castles etc), they made their bed long ago.
scousemanc
Well-Known Member
If Foden doesn't start tonight the usual suspects will quickly move on from City being responsible for locking up spies to not giving kids a chance. It's relentless ladies and gentlemen, not to mention blatantly transparent. Bring it on, I love it!
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