Disappointing news for UK folk following on from the false allegations made by fantasist (and paedophile) Carl Beech who claimed there was a paedophile ring in the UK parliament (and was believed, largely due to pressure on the police from the then deputy leader of the Labour party, Tom Watson):
(Carl Beech's false stories about UK public figures have much in common with Wade's and James' stories about MJ.)
I'm glad that MJ's music is unlikely to be the topic of any decisions made by the organisation 'UK Music'! However, it's interesting how widely Tom Watson is being condemned at least among musicians, now that the Carl Beech trial (and enquiry) are over and his allegations have been proved to be false.
I hope that people like Reed etc who 'promoted' the false allegations against MJ might be equally condemned after the R&S cases are finished- but I'm not overly optimistic.
Tom Watson is the new boss of UK Music despite having fuelled a conspiracy culture that saw innocent stars accused of abuse... so it's no wonder leading voices from Tim Rice to Cliff Richard are joining in a chorus of outrage
- Prominent musical figures are publicly questioning his suitability for the role
- Mr Watson had notoriously promoted fake allegations of a VIP paedophile ring
........Last month it was announced that the former MP was the new chairman of UK Music, which represents record labels, composers, publishers and promoters.
He triumphed over 79 other applicants for the job which requires, according to the advert, 'a wide-ranging and relevant experience of the commercial music environment'.
But a backlash is in full swing. A number of prominent figures are publicly questioning Watson's suitability and claim his appointment to the reported £60,000, 40-days-a-year job was the result of a 'stitch up' by insiders with links to New Labour.
UK Music is even in danger of falling apart, as one of its most important member organisations is threatening to pull out if Mr Watson remains in the post.
Aside from his lack of music business experience, much of the disquiet centres on Watson's disastrous judgment in promoting fake allegations of a VIP paedophile ring fuelled by the claims of fantasist Carl Beech.
Beech, aka 'Nick', made a series of devastating false claims of child sex abuse against a number of famous politicians and soldiers, including former Home Secretary Leon Brittan and Normandy veteran Lord Bramall, who had their homes raided by police.
Watson's reckless intervention, using parliamentary privilege, helped create a febrile environment which also saw music legend Sir Cliff Richard and former Radio 1 DJ Paul Gambaccini investigated by police for separate unfounded sex allegations. The fallout from that scandal is ongoing and threatens to taint Watson's new employers.
Last night Sir Cliff, falsely accused of sex abuse in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal, made clear his opposition to Mr Watson's appointment in strongly worded statements released to the Mail.
He said of Mr Watson: 'I would certainly not want to be represented by him, for anything.'
A spokesman for the star said his views are shared by a number of prominent industry figures, who also object to the ex-Labour MP's new job. He said: 'Sir Cliff is surprised and concerned about the appointment of Mr Watson as Chairman of UK Music and the appropriateness of him representing artists and song writers.
'This is a view shared by Sir Tim Rice, Nicky Chinn, Mike Batt, Gary Osborne, Tony Hatch, Mitch Murray and Sharleen Spiteri amongst many others.'
Oscar winner Sir Tim, whose hit shows include The Lion King and Evita, told the Daily Mail: 'I have no knowledge of any musical experience or expertise that Mr Watson may or may not have.
However in view of the fact that by his actions in connection with Carl Beech he has assisted in seriously harming the lives of several people in the music business I find it extraordinary that he should be appointed to such an important position in the industry.'
Sir Tim spoke out after music industry veteran Mike Batt, who had hits with The Wombles and wrote Art Garfunkel's No. 1 hit Bright Eyes, posted an open letter on his website strongly condemning UK Music's decision.
It alleged that Watson has enemies across the political spectrum and is an unsuitable candidate to lead an organisation whose primary role is to represent the music industry to Westminster and Whitehall.
Alluding to the VIP child sex scandal, it states: 'Can the industry be assured of a welcome with Watson as its flagbearer, and if not, is it worth the risk?'
Last night Mr Batt told the Daily Mail: 'It's a massive own goal for UK Music to appoint this reviled man as chairman because it's a job that requires respect from and good relationships with all participants, plus a thorough knowledge of the industry's inner workings.'
Pop guru Chinn — who produced and wrote hits for Tina Turner, Mud and Sweet — said of the rebellion against Watson: 'This is an extremely serious attempt by very serious people to ensure someone with such a low moral compass combined with so little knowledge of the music business does not walk into a position of importance that he doesn't remotely merit.'
Mr Gambaccini, presenter of Radio 2's Pick Of The Pops, said the appointment of Watson 'is yet another kick in the teeth' for those in the 'falsely accused community' and one which 'breaks my heart'.
'Although I will continue to present the Ivors [awards organised by the Ivors Academy, a UK Music member] I feel completely estranged from the organisation itself, which I know supported the choice of Tom Watson.'
He added: 'This is Tom Watson who, when Carl Beech was imprisoned, could have offered a heartfelt apology to the people he had wronged, but who instead said, 'I was also a victim of Carl Beech'.
'No, Tom, you weren't. You were his enabler.'
Meanwhile, Richard Lyttelton — a former president of the Royal Albert Hall and EMI Classics and Jazz — told the Mail: 'My concerns about Tom Watson's appointment are based on his qualifications for the job, his apparent lack of moral compass, his seeming inability to determine facts [in the Beech affair] his credibility with government and the media and my understanding that there were better qualified candidates.'
..............There is another link between Labour and UK Music decision makers. Former rock musician Crispin Hunt is chairman of the Ivors Academy and one of UK Music's ten directors. He is also the stepson of Mark Fisher, culture minister in Tony Blair's government.
Mr Hunt has reportedly described Watson as 'the right person for the moment and beyond'.
Such a view is not shared, apparently, by Ged Doherty, chairman of the British Phonographic Industry, which represents 400 companies and runs the Brit Awards, Mercury Prize and Classic Brit Awards.
The BPI is the most powerful of the ten groups with representatives on the UK Music board and Mr Doherty has reportedly said Watson's appointment would cause damage 'equivalent to Momentum and the Labour Party'. There are real fears the BPI might quit the consortium.
Last night a spokesperson for UK Music, which declined to say how much Watson will earn, said: 'All UK Music's member organisations were actively involved in the extensive and widely advertised recruitment process for the new Chair which culminated in the appointment of Tom Watson.
'It was ratified by the UK Music board in March and widely welcomed across the music industry.'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...trage-Tom-Watsons-new-role-UK-Music-boss.html
UK Music:
UK Music is an industry-funded body, established in October 2008, to represent the collective interests of the recorded, published and live arms of the British music industry.
Through collective representation, UK Music promotes the interests of record labels and music publishers (major and independent), songwriters, composers, lyricists, musicians, managers, producers, promoters, venues and collection societies.
Through member engagement we ensure a collective voice across the sector is identified. Through lobbying we ensure that voice is heard.
UK Music exists to guide policy makers towards decision-making in the best interests of our sector and the best collective interests of our membership, now and for the future.
UK Music represents and promotes the interests of every part of the British music industry.
UK Music publishes research on the economic value of the music industry to the UK economy in our Music By Numbers report and its predecessor reports Measuring Music and Wish You Were Here.
UK Music works to ensure that the copyright, which underpins music, is recognised and valued at all levels of Government, throughout the wider economy and by consumers.
https://www.ukmusic.org/about/