A Speck In One Eye, A Plank In Another*

Sigh. The non-story continues, ably led by the *cough* impartial BBC.

Coulson got News International cash while working for Tories

News International paid the Conservatives' former communications director a severance package worth several hundred thousand pounds.

Shock! Horror!

BBC business editor Robert Peston said the instalments received by Mr Coulson totalled the full entitlement under his two-year contract as editor of the now closed tabloid.

Otherwise known as 'honouring obligations under an employment contract'. Something Labour are normally hot as a furnace on.

A Labour spokesman said: "David Cameron now faces allegations that one of his top advisers was also in the pay of News International.

"There are serious questions to answer about Mr Coulson's employment in Downing Street and the country should not have to wait for full transparency."

I think Labour are reaching a bit here, and there's not just a whiff of envy at the sum involved, but also the stench of some quite incredible hypocrisy.

Let's just rejig that Labour quote, shall we? Considering the charge (which is the only charge which can possibly be laid) is that Coulson had conflicting interests while doing his parliamentary job.

"Gordon Brown now faces allegations that one of his top advisers was also in the pay of the European Union"

"There are serious questions to answer about Mr Mandelson's/Mr Kinnock's employment in Downing Street/Westminster and the country should not have to wait for full transparency"

Coulson may well have been gentle on News International while the payments were running their finite course.

Mandelson and Kinnock (and probably others in Labour ranks) are in receipt of an indefinite pension (in fact, I believe Mandelson has two from the EU), which can be confiscated the moment they do or say anything which conflicts with anything Brussels wants to push through.

Coulson may have selfishly glad-handed NI for a bit while his dosh was being transferred; Mandelson and Kinnock were obligated to stifle any dissent to the EU while Brown signed the Lisbon Treaty in a back room against the wishes of his people and the manifesto upon which his party was elected.

Which do you, seriously, think is the more appalling abuse of power for personal financial ends?

This country descends into farce more every day.

* Matthew 7:3-5