Friday 11 September 2009

Terrorist

I was a bit incensed by the main headline on the front of this evening's free London papers: "Child sent to live with Jet Bomber". Apparently a child was sent by Haringey council to be fostered with the family where a terrorist lived who was plotting to blow up a plane.

The paper referred to it as a scandal (without any quote marks). They quoted the local MP Lynne Featherstone as saying "Just when you think Haringey cannot get any worse, it does. This beggars belief".

The child was sent there before anyone knew the man was a terrorist. As soon as the council found out, the child was removed. The man was under police surveillance -- but the social workers had no way to know that. So, what exactly is the scandal?

I'm wondering what the MP and/or the paper think the council should have done? Should they have known psychically about the terrorist, perhaps? Or perhaps just assume anyone Islamic is a terrorist? And then the paper ritually mentions Baby P and Victoria Climbie, as if there was some similarity. There is no evidence the child in this case was harmed in any way whatsoever.

Just when you think newspapers and MPs cannot get any worse, they do. This beggars belief.