Cameron apologises over Wikipedia change
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Independent Minds
David Cameron apologised today after one of his staff changed the Wikipedia entry for artist Titian to try to win a bizarre argument with Gordon Brown.
But the Tory leader still insisted he was right that the painter died at 86, rather than living to 90 as the Prime Minister claimed.
The argument was sparked last month when Mr Brown used an anecdote about the artist to explain the financial crisis.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he said: "I'm reminded of the story of Titian, who's the great painter who reached the age of 90, finished the last of his nearly 100 brilliant paintings, and he said at the end of it, 'I'm finally beginning to learn how to paint,' and that is where we are."
The remarks were much-mocked at the time, and yesterday Mr Cameron got a big laugh at PMQs by suggesting they showed Mr Brown never got his facts right.
"You told us the other day you were like Titian aged 90. The fact is Titian died at 86," he said.
Initially Wikipedia is believed to have recorded the artist as having died at 90.
But in the aftermath of the exchanges, an overzealous Conservative staffer altered the the online encyclopaedia to try to prove his leader right.
At 12.34pm, Titian's date of death was altered from 27 August 1576 to 27 August 1572.
Numerous changes have been made since, which can be tracked with software on the site. The argument is unlikely to be resolved, because academics have never been able to agree on Titian's exact lifespan.
Speaking on LBC Radio today, Mr Cameron said the member of staff at CCHQ had been disciplined for taking matters into his own hands.
"I was trying to use a light hearted way of making the point that the Prime Minister often says things at Prime Minister's Questions that are not true," Mr Cameron said.
"The person at central office who then altered the Wikipedia entry - putting on the correct information, because I think Titian did die at 86, there's some dispute among academics - but nevertheless that was the wrong thing to do. He shouldn't have done that, he has been disciplined for doing that.
"And the Conservative Party I think rightly has put up its hands and said, 'Look, this happened and it shouldn't have done'."
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Comments
"Read all about it: Toffs are arrogant numbskulls who, instead of trying to fix this mess, argue about the death-age of someone who died over 400 years ago..."
Annoying, yes. News? No.
This isn't school. It's real life.
How UNBELIEVABLY petty is it for this publiclly paid idiot to quibble over a 'fact' which no-one can prove or disprove, when the sense of what Brown was saying related to the point that people continue to learn throughout their lives through experience (good & bad). It makes me very angry to see any politician sneering insults when the substance of the sneer is such a nonentity.
Cameron would be wise to note the sense of Brown's comments and learn from his experience in this matter.
I have absolutley no confidence he will.
I say let Cameron be Prime Minister. He'd last about 3 months in the current global economic climate...
That would be a lesson he'd never forget...
The trick is never to let anyone know you have done it, ........ well perhaps only one other person. We all need a bit of affirmation and as George Wishart said "WE only need ane for a sacrifice."
Remember, Eastasia is the enemy, we've always been at war with Eastasia.
-"I was trying to use a light hearted way of making the point that the Prime Minister often says things at Prime Minister's Questions that are not true," Mr Cameron said.
-No, Mr Cameron, I don't believe you. I think you made this comment because you are not capable of making constructive comments that add something to a debate. This is the easy way to make a living in politics. Being "funny".
party.
New Labour may be bad, but Tories are so much worse.
Opinion of all politicians is deservedly pretty near rock-bottom but such petty point-scoring is pathetic.
Cameron and his bevy of old Etonians are flawed slick salesmen who will be a disaster for the UK .
Cameron would do himself. the Conservative party and the country a favour by behaving less like a mindless smart Alec at PMQs and delivering measured counsel and questions that touch the centre of our many problems not flailing about like a debating bobbysoxer peddling personal abuse.
And Mr. Cameron has the cheek to call Brown a liar. ".......Prime Minister often says things at Prime Minister's Questions that are not true,"
Mr Cameron knows that PMQ's is just a meaningless game. No Prime Minister has ever answered an opposition leaders question. Not in my memory anyhow.
To be as pedantic as Cameron, PMQ,s lasts for 30 min not an hour.
He tries to verbally assault and batter his opponent, showing his sneering contempt in every word.
When his "facts" don't completely stand up, his mates behind the scenes quietly alter the evidence.
All Cameron can do is argue about words rather than real substance and policy.
This is one man I would not trust in a crisis - he is still the P.R. man he was at Carlton Communications.
sincerity of recent gushing public apologies for things that either no one really cares about (christian bale saying a naughty word, Rossy Wossy and his side kicky wicky making prank calls) or they are matters that have had such a serious impact on peoples lives (bankers apologizing for dissolving peoples life savings) that saying sorry really isnt enough.
I think apologizing is increasingly being used to justify or admonish far too many things. Perhaps the government should deploy an expensive think tank to study and regulate the appropriate use of remorse. Until that time Cameron should resign. I for one wouldnt be sorry