Poachers and Gamekeepers

We often make the comparison between poachers (outside the law) and gamekeepers (upholding the law), most often these days when someone from the wrong side of the law takes on the gamekeeper role. Until today I hadn't considered that you could simultaneously be a poacher and a gamekeeper. Consider the case of Don Touhig, whom I, in common with most of the country, had not heard of until yesterday. He is the chairman of the Members Allowance Committee which Gordon Brown has assured us will bring about a radical shake up of the system.

Oh yeah? Mr Touhig has been, and as far as we know remains, a vigorous opponent of change and transparency and a keen ally of the Speaker. He was in the vanguard of resistance to exposure of any of these receipts in the first instance and had the High Court not disagreed would have been successful in keeping the lid on this can of worms.

Mr Touhig has also been a "flipper" and has no doubt benefited from the egregious system he is dedicated to maintain - proof, if any were needed, that you can be both a poacher and a gamekeeper at the same time.