Longmore gives WN the silent treatment (From Worcester News)
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Bill Longmore gives WN the silent treatment
9:46am Friday 14th December 2012 in News By Tom Edwards
KEEPING SCHTUM: Bill Longmore
BILL Longmore is being urged to start being more open with the media after refusing to take calls from the Worcester News since he was elected.
Before West Mercia’s new police and crime commissioner was elected, he was available on his mobile phone seven-days-a-week.
After winning the election the Worcester News was told a new ‘protocol’ is in place whereby the media must go through one of two taxpayer-funded press departments to contact him.
One is West Mercia Police, which has a press officer working on all PCC enquiries. The other is Shropshire Council’s media team.
Last week a series of calls to Mr Longmore’s phone went unanswered, until Tuesday.
When it was made clear the Worcester News was looking to speak to him, the person who answered responded by saying he was busy.
Yesterday morning, when the Worcester News again asked to talk to him, we were told “he won’t be doing that” as he had a busy day of meetings.
The Worcester News has had to rely on press releases sent out by his media team – but requests for an interview via that route have been unsuccessful.
We were able to surprise Mr Longmore by going to see him face-to-face when he made a trip to the University of Worcester on Monday, where he backed an anti-domestic violence campaign.
As soon as we asked a question over his deputy the interview was stopped, and we were told Mr Longmore would not be drawn on the topic.
In contrast to his refusal to talk to the Worcester News, Mr Longmore gave an interview on radio yesterday, where he blamed a “small minority” of people deliberately attacking him for political reasons.
Mid-Worcestershire Peter Luff said: “I think his attitude to the media is very worrying. He should be open to scrutiny.”
Councillor Adrian Hardman, the leader of Worcestershire County Council, said: “Saying nothing will not do – he ought to talk.”
UPDATE 2.25pm:
Comments(42)
skychip
says...
11:39am Fri 14 Dec 12
Respectable
says...
11:56am Fri 14 Dec 12
What sort of deluded arrogant fool would summarise that figure as a few people stirring up political trouble..
Can you image the Fench, Spanish, Greeks, Irish , Italians etc etc accepting this type of dictatorship from the winner of a flawed election..?? Only in The UK would you get away with this...
induby
says...
12:33pm Fri 14 Dec 12
New Kid on the Block
says...
12:58pm Fri 14 Dec 12
induby wrote:Perhaps instead of relying on a member of the editorial staff reading these comments it would be more effective if we emailed direct to the Editor.
F.A.O. "Worcester News editor", would you be willing to put a petition against Mr Longmore continuing his position as PCC, im sure you are aware of the overwhelming feeling of your readers and as Mr Longmore seems to be under the illusion that these feelings are from the political minded few,then maybe you might oblige your readers with the opportunity/platform to show him otherwise.
The email address is on the contacts page.
At the same time you could also pick a national paper and contact them, as well as sending an email via the West Mercia Police or any other route you can find.
The more pressure that can be brought to bear on this man to explain his actions the better. He claimed he was going to listen, he doesn't appear to want to but if we shout loud enough we may be able to make sure he hears us.
mayall8808
says...
1:06pm Fri 14 Dec 12
truth must out
says...
1:39pm Fri 14 Dec 12
induby
says...
1:41pm Fri 14 Dec 12
New Kid on the Block wrote:I have emailed Mr Kelso and encourage others to do so also, It appears to me that Mr Longmore is the kind of person who needs the truth rammed down his throat before he takes any notice of it
induby wrote:Perhaps instead of relying on a member of the editorial staff reading these comments it would be more effective if we emailed direct to the Editor.
F.A.O. "Worcester News editor", would you be willing to put a petition against Mr Longmore continuing his position as PCC, im sure you are aware of the overwhelming feeling of your readers and as Mr Longmore seems to be under the illusion that these feelings are from the political minded few,then maybe you might oblige your readers with the opportunity/platform to show him otherwise.
The email address is on the contacts page.
At the same time you could also pick a national paper and contact them, as well as sending an email via the West Mercia Police or any other route you can find.
The more pressure that can be brought to bear on this man to explain his actions the better. He claimed he was going to listen, he doesn't appear to want to but if we shout loud enough we may be able to make sure he hears us.
New Kid on the Block
says...
1:57pm Fri 14 Dec 12
induby wrote:Perhaps some of the "social media" users could also join in and increase the pressure on this man to explain his actions.
New Kid on the Block wrote:I have emailed Mr Kelso and encourage others to do so also, It appears to me that Mr Longmore is the kind of person who needs the truth rammed down his throat before he takes any notice of it
induby wrote:Perhaps instead of relying on a member of the editorial staff reading these comments it would be more effective if we emailed direct to the Editor.
F.A.O. "Worcester News editor", would you be willing to put a petition against Mr Longmore continuing his position as PCC, im sure you are aware of the overwhelming feeling of your readers and as Mr Longmore seems to be under the illusion that these feelings are from the political minded few,then maybe you might oblige your readers with the opportunity/platform to show him otherwise.
The email address is on the contacts page.
At the same time you could also pick a national paper and contact them, as well as sending an email via the West Mercia Police or any other route you can find.
The more pressure that can be brought to bear on this man to explain his actions the better. He claimed he was going to listen, he doesn't appear to want to but if we shout loud enough we may be able to make sure he hears us.
I don't have a twitter or facebook account but those of you who do please help.
SkipMaster
says...
3:33pm Fri 14 Dec 12
https://email.number
10.gov.uk/
It says clearly "...due to the volume of e-mails received, we will not be able to guarantee a personal response. However, all e-mail messages received will be read by staff in the Prime Minister's Office".
saucerer
says...
3:52pm Fri 14 Dec 12
I fear that we will be wasting our time with this man and will have little opportunity to hold him to account or eject him until the next PCC election.
And as for him being too busy to talk to anyone, that's probably because he's identifying which other of his old pals he can else appoint. If this is the way all PCCs are acting, then the Chief Constable for Gloucestershire Police had the foresight and done the right thing in resigning.
RichE76
says...
4:45pm Fri 14 Dec 12
blueworcs
says...
4:46pm Fri 14 Dec 12
mayall8808
says...
4:47pm Fri 14 Dec 12
Do not send one send multipules.
Hillbilly1
says...
5:12pm Fri 14 Dec 12
Even when he does open his mouth he is talking garbage! A small minority of people deliberately attacking him for political reasons? Where? I just see a large majority of people attacking him for reasons of incompetence and cronyism! Politics hasnt even been mentioned!
The man seems so far out of his depths, he doesnt even know how to drown!
johncarnie
says...
5:15pm Fri 14 Dec 12
westmercia-pcc.gov.u
k
but I've tried and he's not talking to me either!
Or e-mail the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel (thats the panel he ignored) sclark@worcestershir
e.gov.uk
As to Barrie Sheldons tweet! wot a twerp! Given what is going on how can we trust you to focus on drugs.....etc.!!!!!
outside-edge
says...
5:20pm Fri 14 Dec 12
It needed a winner who would put faith back into this procedure and show that it could work, something it desperately needs at this early stage
Sadly, Mr Longmore's actions, from what I have read on this website, don't apppear to be doing this with the Public at large.
Four years salary at £75 000 =
£300 000 for the full term and
£200 000 for the deputy, a grand total of Half a million pounds.
As a tax payer and 'constituent' who is represented by Mr Longmore, I'd really like to hear from him as to what he is about and how he justifys his actions so far. Is he being arrogant by not talking to journalists, or has he something to hide or just plain scared?
Niko80
says...
5:42pm Fri 14 Dec 12
Hack
says...
5:54pm Fri 14 Dec 12
The very sad thing is that Longmore now has no credibility. No police respect. No public respect. A matter of time I feel before he is obliged to stand down.
rackedoff
says...
6:24pm Fri 14 Dec 12
jb
says...
6:55pm Fri 14 Dec 12
Obviously just three hours away from his new job!
The Doosra
says...
7:14pm Fri 14 Dec 12
Hillbilly1
says...
7:23pm Fri 14 Dec 12
catsndogs
says...
7:26pm Fri 14 Dec 12
reflector
says...
7:26pm Fri 14 Dec 12
Still no word from any of the Tory and Lib Dem MP's who foisted this unwanted and deeply flawed idea on us. In fairness, I don't suppose they ever envisaged that anyone so arrogant and ignorant would ever get elected but it is they who are really responsible for the present situation.
Hack
says...
7:41pm Fri 14 Dec 12
catsndogs wrote:Now there's a thought. What about getting police permission to march through Worcester in opposition to the new 'Commissioner'. Any takers? That would get the nationals taking notice.
What we need is a public demonstration to show the ground swell of no confidence in Bill Longmore
Keith B
says...
7:52pm Fri 14 Dec 12
It is time to start the ball rolling to remove him from office - if only because he lied in his manifesto about how he was going to conduct himself in office (oops, does that disqualify Clegg too).
In his election address Mr Sheldon said on his behalf
"Bills aims are to listen to the people and provide a strong voice to champion their needs."
Well Bill, our needs are to know what you are doing for your £300 a day and what your mate is doing for his £200 a day. Wasn't there also something about keeping in touch with the people.
Oh and by the way Bill - don't insult me by calling me political. I simply don't think you're good enough to do the job.
mauro balbino
says...
9:47pm Fri 14 Dec 12
97% = small minority ???
How could it be for politics if I voted you for being independent?
Naive I was on both options, I confess...
And we are suppose to talk to press and answer even undesirable questions, aren't we?!
I thought I voted a person with previous experience, but I voted an arrogant instead.
truth must out
says...
10:10pm Fri 14 Dec 12
You are a disgrace, seems to me you just want the money and not do anything to earn it........!!!
pronstar
says...
10:41pm Fri 14 Dec 12
grumpy woman
says...
12:32am Sat 15 Dec 12
Bill Chapman
says...
8:37am Sat 15 Dec 12
http://epetitions.di
rect.gov.uk/petition
s/41806
imustbeoldiwearacap
says...
8:38am Sat 15 Dec 12
pronstar wrote:I would agree with you on your final point, however our publicly elected officials whether they be PCC's, MP's, Councillors etc need to be seen to be honest and act with integrity (given the MP's expenses saga and other corruption issues in public office) Bill Longmore appears at the moment to be both dishonest and without integrity. It is perfectly fair for us to judge him on these actions - after all the man has the power to hire and fire the Chief Constable - will one of his mates in the Lodge? be our next CC? Until he faces hiis critics and justifies his actions we are liberty to critisise. So Bill MAN UP!
I haven't read all the comments in this latest WN story milking the PCC debate bandwagon but I think that its time to let Mr Longmore & his deputy get on with the job and let us judge them by their results, don't you think?
Bill Chapman
says...
8:38am Sat 15 Dec 12
gmoore1207
says...
11:06am Sat 15 Dec 12
reflector
says...
12:54pm Sat 15 Dec 12
It seems clear that with the police facing substantial financial cuts, the government was keen to get someone to do its dirty work for it and, then blame the likes of Longmore. However, the quality of many of the "elected" Commissioners is such that the whole idea has been brought into disrepute almost from the word go.
The sooner that the Government realises that this has been a horrendous mistake, the better. No-one should ever be put into any kind of position where they have licence to act as a dictator, least of all if they only enjoy the support of around 5% of the electorate.
Poor old Bill is clearly out of his depth but that only compounds the problem.
Worcesterwench
says...
4:47pm Sat 15 Dec 12
I would rather my tax be spent on extra bobbies!
Keith B
says...
9:03pm Sat 15 Dec 12
pronstar wrote:1933 - Berlin Post. I think that its time to let Mr Hitler & his deputies get on with the job and let us judge them by their results.
I haven't read all the comments in this latest WN story milking the PCC debate bandwagon but I think that its time to let Mr Longmore & his deputy get on with the job and let us judge them by their results, don't you think?
Pronstar is of course right - it IS a bandwagon and yet the hundreds of comments are all from people who don't know each other, haven't consulted - indeed are normally at each others throats in these columns, yet seem to be pretty united in their opinions regarding the suitability of this man for the job. It isn't orchestrated, it's just happened.
Why - because once in office his profile has raised and people can now see what a huge mistake they made in allowing this appointment through their own apathy.
Don't worry - it's now only three years and five months to go (as the term of office has already been reduced by a panicking government.)
Incidentally - What happens if Longmore dies in office? Is it like the American system where the Vice President steps in? Is Barrie just a heartbeat away from being the first totally un-elected PCC. Or is he effectively already in post?
pronstar
says...
12:41am Sun 16 Dec 12
Graham Price
says...
9:57am Sun 16 Dec 12
When was it taken?
1955?
Am I alone in thinking that there should be a current picture used by the media of our Dear Leader in order to accurately portray this elected official whose salary is paid for by the likes of you and me?
New Kid on the Block
says...
8:12pm Sun 16 Dec 12
Graham Price wrote:I totally agree, how can we have any faith in a man who won't even use a current picture.
The photograph of our Dear Leader, PCC Bill Longmore used by Worcester Evening News at the top of this story is a groteseque misrepresentation of the truth.
When was it taken?
1955?
Am I alone in thinking that there should be a current picture used by the media of our Dear Leader in order to accurately portray this elected official whose salary is paid for by the likes of you and me?
For a more up to date picture try
http://the-100th-mon
key.co.uk/wp-content
/uploads/2012/11/lon
gmore.jpg
or
http://www.bill4pcc.
co.uk/_/rsrc/1350284
342637/in-the-news/p
hoto-video-page/Bill
%20with%20Labour%20c
andidate%20Simon%20M
urphy%20%28small%29.
jpg?height=251&width
=320
More Tea Vicar
says...
9:51am Thu 20 Dec 12
But the whole PCC elections and now the expense of the post, plus the obvious waste on the likes of Abu Hamza, the DG of the BBC etc, suggests that public money is being wasted at a prodigious rate.
The government can blame its predecessors for some of this, but a lot of it seems to be within the government's remit to cut.
Dickie of Dodderhill says...
11:19am Fri 14 Dec 12
The Government should not hide behide the County Council, they are not in a position to sort this out.
The Government started this sorry mess off, they should clear it up.
Mr Longmore complains that a small majority are complaining for political reasons, take a look at the WN comments Mr Longmore, a lot of us voted you in !!