As most of you will know, I’ve already written about why the sinking of the Belgrano was not a war crime – and indeed justified – but some may wish to watch this interview with me on Sky News on today, the 40th anniversary of the sinking.
Mrs Thatcher got savaged by some member of the public in what should have been an easy question & answer session on the BBC's national current affairs programme Nationwide. Mrs T ran wary of taking questions from the public after that. I believe the matter hinged on something she said, and stood by, which has been shown to be incorrect: that the Belgrano was proceeding towards the task force at the time.
And yet (I"m going to quote here from your post on Apr 18!) Sir John Nott said "... Any ship can turn in an instant."
I have a clear recollection of seeing The Sun's "Gotcha" front page. I was a paperboy in Essex aged 14 at the time.
But what I also remember is the picture; the fanous one of the sinking ship, listing, with its bow blown off.
So: what I really remember is a conflation of the front page of my late Mum's Daily Mail, and the furore that followed that particular edition of The Sun. [Headline composed by Wendy Henry as I recall.]
Good piece to camera. My only quibble, and it is for the journo. There is no need to qualify the Royal Navy, in the same way one doesn't quality the RAF or the Royal Mail.
I'm fascinated by how the people who think this was a war crime would have been among those of whom the Junta would have thrown out of a helicopter.
Is that standard storage protocol for a gun - propped up in the corner behind the sofa?
I was about to deal with some rats....
Run out of printers?
I have mine on the wall by my desk – next to the swords. (Gouda, NL is a rough town.)
Excellent summary, Guy.
I lived near Catterick Garrison, Richmond, at the time.
None of my acquaintances in the forces considered the sinking anything other than anecessary act of war.
The most vociferous opponent of the war itself, was my recently married pal, Mike Lee!
He and his new wife had to cancel their honeymoon when the SS Canberra was requisitioned!
I also seem to recall:
Mrs Thatcher got savaged by some member of the public in what should have been an easy question & answer session on the BBC's national current affairs programme Nationwide. Mrs T ran wary of taking questions from the public after that. I believe the matter hinged on something she said, and stood by, which has been shown to be incorrect: that the Belgrano was proceeding towards the task force at the time.
And yet (I"m going to quote here from your post on Apr 18!) Sir John Nott said "... Any ship can turn in an instant."
Memory is a fickle thing.
I have a clear recollection of seeing The Sun's "Gotcha" front page. I was a paperboy in Essex aged 14 at the time.
But what I also remember is the picture; the fanous one of the sinking ship, listing, with its bow blown off.
So: what I really remember is a conflation of the front page of my late Mum's Daily Mail, and the furore that followed that particular edition of The Sun. [Headline composed by Wendy Henry as I recall.]
Yes, you're absolutely right about that conflation!
Good piece to camera. My only quibble, and it is for the journo. There is no need to qualify the Royal Navy, in the same way one doesn't quality the RAF or the Royal Mail.
Thanks for sharing Guy!
Well said Guy, measured and concise. 👏
Nicely done. Imagine appearing live undoubtedly trumps talking head work!
He's a live talking head!