This is edition 2025/99 of the Ten@10 newsletter.
Welcome back. It's 2025 and 20 years since I started writing about politics and anything else that took my fancy. Thank to my VIP members for making this site what it is today. In July we will be having a 20th birthday celebration. Stay tuned for more announcements.
This is the Ten@10, where I collate and summarise ten news items you generally won't see in the mainstream media.
Enjoy!
1. Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion
Liam Hehir
- 🎥 Secret Recordings: Michael Forbes, PM’s deputy chief press secretary, resigned after allegedly recording sex workers without consent, raising privacy concerns.
- 💼 Prostitution Debate: The broader issue is his visit to brothels, which is not openly discussed in the media, even though prostitution is legal.
- ⚖️ Public Trust: Public perception of prostitution remains negative, despite its legality, and it raises questions about judgment and character in government officials.
- 🔒 Security Risks: Prostitution’s connection to crime, including blackmail risks, compromises public trust and safety, which are vital for senior government roles.
- 🏦 Banking Risk: Banks avoid providing services to brothels, reflecting risk assessments rather than moral judgment.
- 🔓 Compromise and Vulnerability: Forbes’ behavior, including giving up his phone PIN and leaving it behind, raised concerns about potential exploitation and blackmail.
- 📱 Phone Investigation: Police seized both his personal and work phones, showing the seriousness of potential compromises in his position.
- 🎯 Public Expectations: Senior officials must maintain integrity and avoid compromising situations, especially in high-stakes environments like government.
- ⚖️ Ideological Clash: While defending liberal ideals, the realities of government function and risk management must be considered, especially in relation to blackmail and vulnerabilities.
- 📢 Wider Discussion: Forbes' resignation is necessary, but it highlights the broader issue of maintaining high standards for senior officials in government.
