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Tories caught changing Titian entry in Wikipedia to trap PM
Paul Waugh11.02.09
The Tory party was today caught red-handed trying to manipulate Wikipedia to embarrass Gordon Brown.
A party official amended the online encyclopedia within minutes of Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons to back up an attack by David Cameron on Mr Brown.
Mr Cameron ridiculed Mr Brown's recent comparison of himself to the artist Titian, saying: "You told us the other day you were like Titian aged 90. The fact is Titian died at 86!"
But there is doubt over the painter's exact age and four minutes after PMQs, a Tory official changed the Wikipedia entry on Titian to make him younger.
The Evening Standard has discovered that the address of the manipulator was listed as "Conservative Central Office".
A party source said: "We don't approve of members of staff changing Wikipedia. In this case it was an over-eager member of staff trying to put right an incorrect entry in Wikipedia."
The Prime Minister had said during the recent Davos summit that his own experience of handling global economic crises reminded him of Titian who painted until he was 90 and said: "I'm finally beginning to learn how to paint."
Reader views (16)
I have read these posts with great interest as I like to keep one eye on British politics. It’s about time he paid more attention to the simple people rather that watching re-runs of Rab C Nesbit and Supergran.
Likening British politics to the growing of vegetables is truly a thought provoking statement, and one I will put to my students at Bishop Burton College. They may not be the most educated bunch but they love a good discussion. Last weeks topic was whether the voice over by Elizabeth Daily as Babe in Pig in the City was akin to the sounds made within our sty. Results of the vote were 7 – Yes; 4 – No; 4 – Don’t Know; 3 – Didn’t understand the Question; 2 – Missed the vote due to going for a cigarette.
Incidentally, I prefer likening British politics to playing a fruit machine in Butlins. It usually costs you money, but on the occasion where you think you might be a winner, you put your hand in the trough for some “Coin of the Realm” only to find its full of urine
- Prof Dave Watson, Bishop Burton College, Yorkshire
'Home James and don't spare the horses' so said my mother on the way home from a family trip to the seaside. I was only 7 at the time but this confused me as my father isn't called James and we were in a car, not a horse drawn carriage? I spent the next 25 years believing my mother to be completely mad. I even had her sectioned under the mental health act. Turned out the saying was from a 1970's TV programme. Unfortunately, my mother is now completely mad having lived with a load of nutters for quarter of a century. C'est la vie!
- Mr A Winkle, Boston Spa, Yorkshire
I once went and stayed in a hotel with a sports team, it was supposed to be a serious event, but when I got there it was all urination and tash booneys. It wasnt my thing at all, but I got associated with them and in the end, I had a choice, to take part in it or to step up an leave. I chose to leave but I think they then may have accused me of being posh and blamed me for all of their misbehaviour! This is how the tories are today, its a party which is behaving badly, but if you are just one posh lad from Manchester, what are your choices? You could go along with it and be dragged into debauchery, or you could take the high moral ground and step away from it and then no doubt be blamed anyway.
I cant help thinking that if we would all just grow tomatoes in a drive for self sufficiency, the world would be a better place. So come on Phyllis, show us your tomatoes!
- Mr Pansy, Manchester
Your commentee Phyliss has the right idea. Politicans these days have absolutely no idea what's going on in the real world. I was only saying to my wife the other day as she was pruning a cactus, those politicians have absolutely no idea what's going on in the real world. Tomatoes are one thing, but just you wait until the field mushroom starts poking it's nose into the breakfast arena, then there'll be trouble make no mistake about it.
- Mr J Splendid, Weston Super Mare, Somerset
The problem you have with these kind of things is it only takes one posh one to cause a problem and embarass others. I once had a very nice hockey team stay in my hotel, but one posh gent from Manchester spoiled it for everyone else by behaving in a thoughtless manner.
It seems that the Tories have their own version of this problem; one person in central office has taken a unilateral initiative and smashed the china in a bucket so to speak, reflecting badly on the rest of the team, in this case the Tory party.
Lessons in life I am afraid. The Tories need to recognise these lessons though and realise that analogies about Titian dont always help us. If you run a small hotel in Brid, its not about obscure artistic references, its about lobster fishing mainly and if you cant get the right dog to do the job, then its hard to look much further.
- Stan Havenholme, Bridlington
Someone once made a good case of likening the political scene to growing vegetables particularly tomatoes. Older over-rippened ones are basically the older politicians pretending they know what it takes to fill up your breakfast plate there & then wheras the younger greener ones are the upcoming breakfast platter provider. I know what I'd take everytime & that would have to be home grown at the very least.
- Phyliss Havenholme,, Bridlington, Yorkshire
I would like to put Mr Boggis right regarding his Yorkshire saying. The correct contextual meaning of 'Titian is as Titian does' would be 'Gordon Brown may be the big cheese, but scottish cheese is neither big nor particularly well flavoured' I can see where Mr Boggis may have become confused however.
- Terry Spoon, York, North Yorkshire
The UK is in this mess because we don't and haven't had since the days of Wilson and Heath politicians who are worthy of the name,They are purely sales men,gloss and spin and no substance.When i look at the front bench of the conservative opposition i'm reminded of mischievous 2nd form school boys,such a childish and silly action as altering a wikipedia site to try to gain a political advantage is a typical school boyish attempt to hood wink the grown ups,god help us.
- Kev, London-UK
Dave really should do his own research rather than relying on immature Tory boys to provide the questions and jokes.
- R Pitts, Dulwich England
Having just met some more of these new tories in waiting - all I can say - is baton down the hatches - its going to get worse - and I vote conservative.
I was quite shocked by the inexperience, over confidence and general unsuitability of attitude some of the younger conservatives from Central Office seem to be exhibiting.
I wait in anticipation.
- Ss, w6
We have a saying in Yorkshire, "Titian is as Titian does". I dont know who Titian is, but I can explain what our proverb means. Basically, it translates in this context as "i do know that Gordon Brown probably doesnt know who I am but I am not Scottish he is so who is the king now? Ha ha yes, exactly, bardy on chin caps sort it out." Now, that may not be fully clear either, so, you have a choice. Either try to follow this gibberish, or when it comes to the next election use your brain and vote for the person who talks most sense. And on that basis, Todd Boggis for PM???
- Todd Boggis, York, Yorkshire
If we actually vote in the next general election my friends and myself will base our decisions on reasoned mature debate and discussion. The pity is that whilst politicians such as Enoch Powell, Alan Clark and Tony Benn were all capable of it the current generation are all about sound bites and photo opportunities. Do they not realise that the country is in one hell of a mess and it is not just Gordon Brown's fault. Thatcher, Major and Blair all contributed to the mess!
- Michael, London
Home come Cameron got it wrong, unless he was told before the change was made?
- Frank, Kissamos Greece
No, they're not.
- Lee, Wolverhampton, England
Regrettably as government at both national and local level is now run by young media and communication people this sort of idiocy will only continue.
- Patrick Griffin, Dalston, London
The sad thing is they are likely to form the next government.
- Mick, London, England
