Christopher Glamorganshire: The story so far (as seen on the blogs)
At the risk of upsetting the sensitive souls of those in power [in Wales anyway], I wondered what I could do next. Shall I talk further about a well-known catchphrase of all talk and little action or failures that have left Wales firms 'poor cousins'? The economy in crisis seems to be a popular topic for the foreseeable future and has been for some time. Not today.
Standing up for a blogging brother. This will do for now.
Following the original article in the Western Mail by Martin Shipton, 9th July 2008 there clearly has a lot more mileage to go in the story of Christopher Glamorganshire, with the latest from the real journalists being that of the BBC, Political Editor Betsan Powys on 18th September 2008.
Betsan clearly has the insider's view looking at the detail of information provided, but we still haven't heard from the Glamorganshire blogger despite numerous attempts from the media to get a message to him. Both Matt Wardman and I have been contacted over the last few months to see if we can get a message across [mediums in the blogging world], and I can only imagine that other bloggers have also been contacted this way. We both are unsure as to whether we are doing this former blogger the power of good by documenting his case in this way, nevertheless we support you, and the best of luck to you Christopher.
My sources in the Welsh power-hub tell me that the tribunal is set for January 2009 [not confirmed].
The following is a list of blog posts to date that cover discussion [those I can find] on the "neutral" blogger that was sacked by the Welsh Assembly Government:
- One law for the rich, 9th July 2008 Socialist Party Wales
- All the best Chris 9th July 2008, Miserable Old Fart
- Chris Glamorgan goes to Court 9th July 2008 Valleys Mam
- Welsh blogger's legal action 9th July 2008, Ordovicius
- Freedom of Speech: Standing up for the right to blog 9th July 2008, Miss Wagstaff Presents
- Christopher Glamorganshire: What a price to pay for freedom of speech 10th July 2008, Miss Wagstaff Presents
- LITERATURE - Christopher Glamorgan's Blogging 10th July 2008 Damon Lord Linguanaut
- Dooced Welsh Civil Service Blogger goes to Industrial Tribunal Today 11th July 2008 Wardman Wire
- In Wales they sack bloggers, don't they? 11th July 2008, The Daily Telegraph Blogs
- Welsh Civil Service Blogger goes to Industrial Tribunal Today 11th July 2008, Matt Wardman for Our Kingdom
- Inside the Assembly jail 11th July 2008, Cambria Politico
- On Exams, Christopher Glamorganshire and blogging 11th July 2008 On a Hill
- Tidbits electronig 12th July 2008 Dancing the Polka with Miss El Cajon
- What a price to pay 12th July 2008 Facebook Causes
- Risk worth taking? 12 July 2008, David Jones MP
- Welsh Assemby sacks blogger 12th July 2008 Paul Canning
- Christopher Glamorganshire sacking story cut and paste Promotional Tour 13th July 2008 Wardman Wire
- Civil servant who blogged about government dumped 13th July 2008, So Said the Organization
- Seen Elsewhere (7) 13th July 2008, Question That
- Blogpower Roundup - Ian_QT 13th July 2008, Blogpower
- Should you be fired for blogging? 13th July 2008, Dube
- Setback for public sector bloggers 13th July 2008 Dave Press
- Christopher Glamorganshire: Questions to be Answered, 15th July 2008, Wardman Wire
- Christopher Glamorganshire: Questions to be Answered 16th July 2008, Miss Wagstaff Presents
- Previous Welsh bloggers who lost their jobs: This is a new ballgame 16th July 2008 Wardman Wire
- Welsh Blogger Fired from Assembly, Sues 16 July 2008 Committee to Protect Bloggers
- Previous Welsh bloggers who lost their jobs: This is a new ballgame 17th July 2008, Miss Wagstaff Presents
- Matt Wardman on Radio Wales Good Evening Wales 4th August 2008, Wardman Wire
- Blogging civil servants 4th August 2008, Peter Black AM
- Matt Wardman on Radio Wales Good Evening Wales about Civil Service Bloggers 4th August 2008, Wardman Wire
- POLITICS - Did I kill Pippa Wagstaff [includes section on CG]? 11th August 2008, Damon Lord
- WAG and the Assembly Commission catching up with the times...eventually 12th September 2008, Miss Wagstaff Presents
- Free speech, huge bills? 18th September 2008, Betsan Powys (BBC)
- A Betsan by any other name would smell as sweet 18th September 2008, Miss Wagstaff Presents
- Betsan has the inside on this one, 18th September 2008, Valleys Mam
- Still Supporting Chris! 19th September 2008, Miserable Old Fart
- The 'Welsh' Civil Service Code v Christopher Glamorganshire's Blog, 19th September 2008, Miss Wagstaff Presents
- Christopher Glamorganshire Back in the News: Welsh Civil Service Code, 19th Sept 2008, Wardman Wire
- This was Christopher Glamorgans profile - good sense of fun, 19th September 2008, Valleys Mam
If you have seen any articles that are not on the list, please let us know in the comments section.
Posts
51 comments:
No news yet from inside Cathays Park. Someone should overhear HR talking on their many coffee breaks. It's only a matter of time.
Standing up for a blogging brother. This will do for now.
Great stuff. Are you going to use your sockpuppets on this one too? Or are they reserved for "blogging brothers" who point out that you're a Tory in sheep's clothing? Just asking.
A colleague mentioned that he's still unemployed and cannot get a good reference from WAG.
Diddums to Ordo. He's so upset that he's removed the link to your blog from his.
"who point out that you're a Tory in sheep's clothing?"
This comes from a man who has changed his name 3 times. Probably got three identities with the DWP.
It speaks volumes when Alan in Dyfed can get a job with Plaid Cymru and Ordovicius can't. I wonder if they believe that his blog is doing them harm
I've heard that he works for a consultancy firm based in the bay.
Betsan Powys must be back from leave by now.
Send her an email as she's in communication with Rhodri Morgan, the unions, civil service gossipers, Christopher Glamorganshire, and on occasion... God!
Lets hope Chris Glam gets a fair hearing and the outcome he/she desires.
Has anyone convinced Christopher Glamorganshire to open up his blog again? I want to see what all the fuss is about. Hopefully he can be convinced to return to Welsh blogging as they are low in number.
Freedom of Speech !
An expensive dish to experience, if you have experienced it you will wish to share it, in fact you will insist everyone else experiences it with you.
Naturally, if you are a liar, or tend towards obfuscation, or favour hypocrisy, you will wish to ration this great delicacy, this rationing is called censorship, and our politicians and senior civil servants do not know how to function without it, censorship that is.
Yours, and Christopher Glamorganshire's Freedom of Speech is a most valued possession. Without this speech you are little more than "Serfs".
.
Does he still have his face book account, that may be a way to contact Chris G.
I have also blogged a few that you have missed.
I wonder what he feels about us keeping the pot boiling, hope we are not harming his case.
An one know anyone inside WAG -didnt you have some colleagues commenting before
Valleys Mam - can you post links to your blog posts here?
I believe so Valleys Mam - I recall that Christopher Glamorgan (or someone who used that moniker) emailing me to join-up/be a friend or whatever it is called and I agreed. I just sent him a "Hope ur hanging in there" message.
He can bounce back no matter what happens.
Ordo - what's up me old mate. Lost your sense of humour? You have too much time on your hands that's your trouble! Get married and have some kids! That will take your mind off petty stuff!
You're telling me. You can easily spot the Ordo anonymous troll comments. The man's a lemon.
Ordo has for the time being 'lost it'. He dishes it out at the drop of a hat but can't stand it when it is dished back. He dislikes trolls but is one himself.
Ordo has for the time being 'lost it'. He dishes it out at the drop of a hat but can't stand it when it is dished back. He dislikes trolls but is one himself.
Bless.
Why have you changed your name three times Ordo? You are now the top Plaid blogger and the top blogger in Wales - you top the list and you still can't find a job?
Ordo> Are you a free nationalist? Not tied at the neck to Plaid Cymru? If so, I suspect we are very similar in outlook me being a free nationalist and all. What I don't understand is why you get so upset with anything Pippa Wagstaff writes. If you would just bite your tongue on that score and stopped being a troll on her blog there’s at least an evens chance that we would be best of buddies. There are Welsh nationalists on both the right and left and in between who are not comfortable being in the Plaid Cymru camp for all sorts of reasons. Like you I don’t expect long term unemployed to get up and walk into a job, though I have to say that your talents are at an extraordinary level and even with your eye disability you are very employable if you only put your mind to it.
Ordovicius could be used as a case study for any political party formulating a welfare to work policy.
"Why have you changed your name three times Ordo? You are now the top Plaid blogger and the top blogger in Wales - you top the list and you still can't find a job?"
Think Adam Price MP and many others would disagree. Just because someone posts several times a day in order to catch the attention of others, getting links in return that give them a high Wikio rating, doesn't make them a top blogger.
You're spot on when it comes to the month of the tribunal. Does anyone know the exact date and whether you have to put your name down to attend?
I imagine the public seating area will be limited and suggest that you contact the Tribunal Service at the earliest opportunity as soon as the date is announced.
I attended the tribunal of a colleague two years ago. They can be a little bit stuffy at times but this one could be different considering the nature of the case and that WAG is the employer.
"They can be a little bit stuffy at times"
That's enough talk about civil servants. Seriously, there should be a couple of senior civil servants in attendance as it is their actions that will have to be defended in sacking Christopher Glamorganshire.
Should be an enjoyable sight to see some of them put under pressure for once. Watch them squirm!!!
What I don't understand is why you get so upset with anything Pippa Wagstaff writes.
Software upsets me. Bloggers (and trolls) don't ;)
I may be taking a short break from blogging, but I do check the comments now and again.
Please try and keep to the topic at hand and not use my posts to wind-up Sanddef or provoke each other into what could be described as a virtual scrap.
You're not up to date, I'm afraid. He's not Sanddef any more. Not quite sure who he is at the moment, but certainly not Sanddef.
and not use my posts to wind-up Sanddef
Don't worry yourself about that. Winding up trolls is something I do to relax. As you can see, it takes very little effort. ;)
Chatted to Christopher 'Glamorganshire' at the WMC the other week. He seemed in good spirits and wouldn't talk about the tribunal, not that I asked him anything about it.
My gf told me last night that his old manager now works with the prize pillock of Wales, the second rate First Minister.
What's all the fuss about? He got sacked and that's it. It's a pity that they don't sack some more. Let's start with the top down and cull some of the board that run the assembly.
Most civil servants can't hack it in the real world of business and are too reliant on their annual leave, flexi leave, public holidays. The general attitude is one of...
let's see how little we can do before each holiday we can take.
Jonty, I know your comment is about the civil service, generally, let's not be too harsh about it. I've read the comments on a previous post and he seemed well liked by those that new him.
Let's wish him all the best as WAG have already spent a generous sum on solicitors to fight their corner and defend their case.
This has gone on since Autumn 2007. GOD KNOWS HOW MUCH IT IS COSTING THE TAXPAYER.
Betsan mentioned that solicitors were involved. If only she had reported the name of the firm of solicitors. Perhaps then we could discover if it was the same firm that was reviewing Welsh blogs.
The Wardman Wire reported it was Morgan Cole in Cardiff
I mentioned earlier that I spoke to a mate who works in human resources to see what all the fuss was about and the response was "He was just unlucky to have done it at that time".
I've been told that the former Permanent Secretary, Sir Jon Shortridge who was mentioned in name by the BBC, wanted all "IT abusers" punished. This was partly down to a leak from Cabinet Secretariat at the time, and the Perm couldn't tolerate such events happening on his shift.
I've heard that he's been unemployed all this time. Reading between the lines it sounds like they've hounded him from the start.
Does anyone know how much WAG have spent on the case? I would've thought that Betsan and pals would be requesting that under freedom of information.
The Western Mail were big on these requests a while back but now spend too much time suckig up to Plaid and the coalition government.
If he has been unemployed all this time, he must have lost it all by now. Poor bugger. All this fuss over a blog that was harmless and amusing.
Betsan's post on this topic has started off the rumour mongers in Cathays Park.
Word is that the PCS union let him down and he had to take on the fight alone. His union representative was also too inexperienced and badly advised him from the start.
An external legal team were hired to deal with the case on behalf of WAG and were advised to bog him down with paperwork and harrass him within the law.
HR are wondering what to do next and how far they can take it.
I'll keep you posted.
I work in the Ministerial division and heard that Rhodri Morgan was requested to be a witness at the tribunal. That would've been worth attending.
All this fuss over a poxy ex civil servant. The Welsh blogosphere and media hardly covers politics that well, nevermind the working life of public servants.
When are you back Miss Wagstaff? Are the rumours true that you've been caught out and face the sack yourself?
The Western Mail are useless at covering stories. The newspaper published the first article on Christopher Glamorganshire and then stopped talking about it. Bet they had a tip-off from those Cardiff Bay types in a bid to discredit his case.
"Word is that the PCS union let him down and he had to take on the fight alone"
Most reps are vastly inexperienced and are left seeking advice at every step. They're only equipped to handle to most simple of cases.
I keep on seeing 'Glamorganshire' at the WMC and he's still on Facebook but won't be my friend.
If I were him I'd start blogging again and publish the bloody lot online. About time the underdog bit those in charge firmly on the arse. He/she must know enough to embarrass and get some revenge in the bargain.
Is this what Betsan Powys is talking about?
Someone told me a while back that the WAG will go all the way and are using this case to set an example in the Welsh civil service to ensure that no other will dare to blog. This seems to make some sense as the general consensus is that his blog divulged no internal information. Why else would they pursue this course of action?
Standard practice of the public sector to go for costs. Watch out Glamorgan!!!!!!!
The blog was well written. Given the writing skills of the majority of public sector staff, they should have given him promotion. Only in Wales we see this happen. No wonder our government is the laughing stock of the UK.
He should give his story to the papers if they continue to hound him
Post a Comment