The Father Ted Defence

[Stillhomewardbound]

Counsel: M'Lud, my client, Mr.Catnapp intends to offer the Fr.Ted defence.

Judge: What??!! The Fr.Ted defence?? Wh .. wh .. wha .. what is this FATHER TED DEFENCE. Is it recognised by the Bar?!

Counsel: Indeed, m'lud, it is certainly offered up at many a bar.

Judge: Oh, very well, then. Let's have it.

Counsel: You see, that money was just 'resting' in that account!!

[Flosshilde]

Is it the same 'Catnapp' who has been touted as the next England team manager after the previous one resigned?

(Not that I'm the least bit interested in football, but it was difficult to avoid when the last 5 minutes of 'Today' on Radio 4 this morning was about it - together with the sports slot & other mentions, to be followed by it as the lead story on the 9.00 bulletin )

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Any truth in the rumours that Mr Catnapp is the UK entry in the next Eurovision Song Contest?

[scottycelt]

Is it the same 'Catnapp' who has been touted as the next England team manager after the previous one resigned?

(Not that I'm the least bit interested in football, but it was difficult to avoid when the last 5 minutes of 'Today' on Radio 4 this morning was about it - together with the sports slot & other mentions, to be followed by it as the lead story on the 9.00 bulletin )

Totally agree, Floss, and I am a big football fan ...

Had to smile, though, when the BBC Sports Correspondent referred to the England Manager's job as 'the biggest in football' ...

Not if you happen to be born North of the Border or anywhere else outside of Little England it damn well isn't ...

[mangerton]

Totally agree, Floss, and I am a big football fan ...

Had to smile, though, when the BBC Sports Correspondent referred to the England Manager's job as 'the biggest in football' ...

Not if you happen to be born North of the Border or anywhere else outside of Little England it damn well isn't ...

Typical anglocentric BBC.

As for Redknapp being the next England manager, apparently he can't read or write.

Sounds rather over-qualified to me.

[Mr Pee]

There are times when I find the snobbery and condescension displayed by so many on these boards quite nauseating.

[eighthobstruction]

anyway, at least we will now hear what folk ACTUALLY thought of his over-priced Deepness....gesticulation ain't what it was [and never was at all in engerland....ever]

....two fingers [whoops] and good riddythingy....CIOA!!

[Mr Pee]

Counsel: M'Lud, my client, Mr.Catnapp intends to offer the Fr.Ted defence.

Judge: What??!! The Fr.Ted defence?? Wh .. wh .. wha .. what is this FATHER TED DEFENCE. Is it recognised by the Bar?!

Counsel: Indeed, m'lud, it is certainly offered up at many a bar.

Judge: Oh, very well, then. Let's have it.

Counsel: You see, that money was just 'resting' in that account!!

Well, Mr. Redknapp has been cleared of any wrongdoing by due process of law, so if you are party to any further information then I think you have a duty to disclose it.

If not, shut up.

[eighthobstruction]

I believe Mr Laws is coming off the back benches to take up the reins till the end of the season....

....typed while in the bath [walter winterbottom, walter winterbottom]

[MrGongGong]

There are times when I find the snobbery and condescension displayed by so many on these boards quite nauseating.

they sent you here for me and ferneyhoughgeliebte didn't they ? as a post operative tonic

[Flosshilde]

When I posted my previous comment I hadn't heard that Mr Catnapp had been cleared. I subsequently read that the 'Taxpayer's Alliance' was criticising the MMRC for bringing the case. It would seem that they would prefer possible tax avoidance to be ignored - perhaps they should rename themselves the 'Don't Want to Pay Tax Alliance'? (Especially as they would seem to be a Tory party front)

[Bryn]

When I posted my previous comment I hadn't heard that Mr Catnapp had been cleared. I subsequently read that the 'Taxpayer's Alliance' was criticising the MMRC for bringing the case. It would seem that they would prefer possible tax avoidance to be ignored - perhaps they should rename themselves the 'Don't Want to Pay Tax Alliance'? (Especially as they would seem to be a Tory party front)

Surely more a case of the MMRC needing to prepare a stronger set of evidence in the future.

[Flosshilde]

Absolutely. Redknapps activities sounded well dodgy, & the HMRC (apologies for the earlier mis-type) needs to up its game (if I might employ a sporting metaphore) in getting a convincing case together.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Absolutely. Redknapps activities sounded well dodgy, & the HMRC (apologies for the earlier mis-type) needs to up its game (if I might employ a sporting metaphore) in getting a convincing case together.

Are we sure they didn't assemble a good case? Or was it that the jury were all Spurs supporters, or had inside news that the defendant might shortly be called up for work of national importance?

Quite seriously I can well imagine that a jury of 12 average Brits would be pretty reluctant to convict a popular public figure of tax evasion. Different of course if defendant was a banker or mega-rich businessman...

[Bryn]

I think it far more likely that the evidence with which the jury was provided was simply not strong enough for them to be sure, beyond reasonable doubt, of the guilt of Mr. Nap-handed.