The family that fought back
James Harkess explains why he took on Alan Clark over allegations in the former minister's diaries
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference."MY DAUGHTER Josephine felt very strongly that the sleazy allegations made about her by the priapic diarist Alan Clark should be challenged.
My wife had been told by Clark in 1992 that there was no mention of my family in his diaries and when this proved to be untrue Josephine had the courage to take issue with him through the Press, and we supported her.
A few journalists hailed the ex-defence minister - whose diaries boast 'I do not in the least mind showing my penis to girls' - as witty, heroic, epitomising an 18th-century bounder, which is their prerogative, if a callous and overbearing attitude to women can be seen as such.
Others, more correctly emphasised his confession to have a different standard of morals from ordinary mortals, or his evidence to an Old Bailey jury [in another scandal] that he had been 'economical with the actualite'.
Stung by certain other revelations, Clark's wife retorted about 'bitches from Essex' and 'people from below stairs'. Those who enter the fray in order to expose sleaze and corruption in high places must expect a hungry and highly competitive Press to grab at stories in a battle to boost circulation.
It is really the public that has been victimised by the sleaze (be it sexual or financial) that has caused so many members of John Major's Government to resign or be accused.
It is said that the fish stinks from the head. If so, then the small part we played, along with many others, may assist in replacing Mr. Major - now overtly supported by only 218 out of 650 MPs. Sooner than later, it looks as if the victimised electorate may choose Tony Blair to sweep away the moss."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments