Weather Afternoon: 12°c Sunny spells Tonight: 4°c Clear Night

News

HEADLINES:

Brown's got time ... to call Talent judges over Boyle

Joe Murphy, Political Editor
01.06.09

Gordon Brown today spoke of his concern about stricken Britain's Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle.

The Prime Minister revealed he phoned judges Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan last night after she was taken to the Priory clinic.

Speaking on GMTV, he said: "I hope Susan Boyle is OK because she is a really, really nice person. I think she will do well."

Mr Brown said his whole family watched the live final of the talent show but were divided in their support between Ms Boyle and the "absolutely wonderful" dance group Diversity.

Tory MP David Davies attacked Mr Brown for making a "cynical" attempt to appear in touch with the public.

"It just seems a cynical move to distract attention from the two big issues of the economy and the MPs' expenses scandal," he told the Standard. "These are the things he should be addressing."

Reader views (23)

 Add your view

well then , is this gordo "getting with the job" ??

- Neil, london

What a "plonker". This says it all about Gordon Brown

- Pat Morgan, spain

Should have known that if El Gordo was backing her she didn't have a hope in hell of winning! When did he last get anything right.....?

- Mark, London

Crash Gordon would make himself more popular if he resigned now from his un-elected position!

- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London

This "act" says it all.

- Pat, Spain

WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY HYPOCRITICAL GESTURE (BROWN APPEARING TO BE CONCERNED OVER SUSAN BOYLE).

SUSAN BOYLE'S CAT PEBBLES HAS MORE CREDIBILITY, INTEGRITY AND DIGNITY THAN ANY MP.

- Reuben Camara, Morecambe/Lancaster

Very well said Jan, Tottenham. It is easy to forget who the innocent person is here; never in anyone's wildest dreams did anyone think Susan Boyle would become a global celebrity before this show started out. Simon and Piers have clearly milked it and it worked look at the ratings, I hope they think it was worth it, now leave the lady alone.

- Gary, brentwood

Perhaps GB is trying to become a judge on BGT when his party losses the next election. The sad point is that there is more talent on BGT then there is in flash gordon's cabinet. The BGT contestants expenses will be accounted for, unlike the ministers.

- Frank, Denmark

don't worry everyone, Gordon will once again "Do all that it takes...." and "...everything he can...." to ensure that Susan makes a full recovery and has a very successful career. Watch out susan, everything this man gets involved with crashes & burns!!!!

- Malcolm, London

Sorry Jan,tottenham, but the notion that Simon Cowell et alia are cynical is hardly excuse or reason for Gordon Brown to join in. He is only using Susan Boyle as a distraction.

- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK

Gordon Brown, sad figure of a PM. Pathetic. Country on it's knees and you find time to worry about a reality show contestant.

- Goggs, London

This pathetic effort to show his caring side and his common touch is nauseating.
The buffoon should be concentrating on sweeping his rotten Ministers & MPs out of the Commons with no severance pay rather than suggesting he gives a damn about Susan Boyle.His easy manner on YouTube showed how connected and genuine he is about popular culture.

- P Doff, audierne france

Whisper it softly, but rumour has it that Gordo McMitty has booked himself into the Priory for an undisclosed mental condition.

- Ted, London

What everyone conveniently overlooks is that Susan Boyle is an adult with profound learning difficulties who has problems coping with every day situations, let alone the spotlight glare to which she has been subjected. Hence her being taken to The Priory.

Correspondents call Brown cynical - he is nowhere as cynical as Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan - who have exploited her and the audiences who have looked no further into Susan than her amazing voice.

Throwing people to the lions is as alive and well as it was centuries ago.

- Jan, tottenham. london

It shows how Gordon Brown is totally in touch with the citizens in the UK and has their interest at heart.

- Ian, Reading, England

Always good to know Crash is focusing on important global issues. I'm sure his concern for Ms Boyle is nothing to do with the fact that she's Scottish. Shame he doesn't seem to give a damn about the British electorate ........

- Marianne, SW France/London

This is just a pathetic attempt to demonstrate empathy with the people - the truth is no one gives a toss what GB thinks

- David, SOUTHAMPTON

Brown's attempt at trying to be in touch with the public is more transparent than my windows after the window cleaner has been.

Has he really got nothing better to do than phone the BGT judges? Isn't there an economy that needs saving somewhere?

- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland

Does Crash Gordon not have ANYTHING to do?!?? I thought he was so busy with finance - that is covering up the Nu Labor parliamentary frauds...

- Georgie, Islington, London

David Davies is nearly right, though the word "cynical" would imply forethought. Many pundits claim Gordy is an intelligent man. So why does he come across as a punch drunk boxer waving his arms is desperation seeking a miracle will happen. The problem with such a plan is it would require mass hypnotism to make us forget his endless failings and for the rest of the world to forget the money we owe.

- Gary, brentwood

I am at a loss to understand whether the Prime Minister is attempting an imitation of Nero's violin recital amidst the Roman conflagration, or the rearrangemeent of deckchairs on board the Titanic.

And he thinks aan election would cause chaos!

- John C, Leatherhead, UK

Sounds like Crash Gordon has simply given up and is now just waiting for his retirement.

- St, London

I don't think I'd care to have anyone so clearly demented as Brown, not to kmention dishonest, and publicly loathed, as a character witness. Sorry Susan Boyle, but you've just been forced into the position of the weakest link. Goodbye,

- Lezli, London / ENGLAND


Add your comment

 

Your email address will not be published

Terms and conditions make text area bigger You have  characters left.


 

Don't Miss
  • Kate Winslet and Sam Mendes

    Kate, Sam, that film ... and a high-stakes break-up

    They were thought of as Hollywood’s golden couple, the British pair who seemed to have the happiest of marriages. And no one is rejoicing that Kate Winslet and Sam Mendes have come to the end of the road
  • Gordon Taylor

    The big interview: Gordon Taylor

    The PFA's £1m-a-year boss prefers to castigate the leading clubs rather than tick off some of his members for their off-field antics

How Saddam will turn into an Irish guard

It was an iconic moment in the Iraq War when those huge statues of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad were toppled from their pedestals in 2003. Now I hear that parts of the melted-down Iraq dictator and his henchmen will be recycled as an Irish Guardsman

All stories


Promotions

Win a Carluccio's Gift Box

Plus the perfect after dinner coffee with Taylors of Harrogate.


Haiti earthquake

The latest Evening Standard reports from Haiti plus details on how to donate


Life Insurance

Get £150k life cover from just £1.08 a week