pk1 wrote:I have deliberately refrained from making comments on the Sue Marsh / Maximus affair for many reasons but I think this from Johnny Void is taking it too far:
We do not know how deep Sue’s treachery goes, but in the interests of basic security we must make one assumption. Any information that you have ever given Sue Marsh should now be assumed to be in the hands of Maximus, the DWP, and particularly if you have taken part in protests or direct action, probably the police as well.
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There is
not a shred of evidence to suggest that Sue would have handed over any details to Maximus & I'm not sure if the para I have quoted would be considered libellous. I doubt Sue would sue (sorry !) even if that was the case but there has been some some vile abuse directed at her by people I thought would know better & the writer of that blog has now joined that list.
With respect, there is no evidence that she has details of this kind - and there is no evidence that she hasn't, either.
Whilst I appreciate The Void is using his usual stroppy language (which a lot of the time is both appropriate and amusing) his warning is not an unreasonable one to make, IMHO.
Many people gave Sue Marsh a great deal of very private and personal information in the wider interests of research; they did this in good faith and in confidence.
They did so for the greater good; and now they find that someone who apparently championed their cause is now working for what they perceive as the enemy.
Further, many people also donated money (some from very low benefit incomes) to help - some things were bought but a sum of money remains unaccounted for.
On both Sue's blog and Johnny Void's, I and others have expressed the view BTL that the insults need to stop and we should move on.
Many people have been campaigning for decades, and Sue is a recent (and now temporary) addition to their number, however high-profile. I got involved in disability rights back in 1995 when the DDA came in. People come and go; sometimes they sell out.
However - I am still very angry and I am not alone in feeling betrayed. Beyond her new-found ability to give her family a bit of financial stability, which is a very good thing and for that alone I am pleased for her, her justifications for taking this job are spurious at best.
There are people in my network who know a lot more about this than is generally known. That information may well come out in time; the fact that is hasn't so far demonstrates remarkable restraint on the part of those who now feel let down but unsurprised at this turn of events. I don't know Sue at all, personally; but some of my contacts do, and they have yet to respond, if they ever do.
There is often more to something like this than meets the eye - whilst I agree that some of the comments and blog postings have been unnecessarily vitriolic, I absolutely understand the strength of feeling behind them. Mainly because I share it.
Truth has a way of finding its home in the light eventually. Meanwhile, we move on; and the new enemy and DWP factotum is Maximus.
Whoever takes their shilling, we are paying for it in more ways than one.
So it is the turn of Maximus to be subjected to the same opprobrium as Atos were (and still are); and although it will make no odds to the viciousness of IDS and his henchmen, Maximus deserve all the hassle that will come their way.
Johnny Void is being no more vicious about Sue Marsh than he is about anyone who catches his ire - this is standard Void stuff.
I happen to think he makes a legitimate point, evidence or no.
I have a lot of respect for you and your views, pk - if you want to discuss this on a personal level, feel free to PM me.
) near Birmingham so have local knowledge...and must have been converted to Islam without my knowledge when downing a few pints of the brown stuff in the excellent Tap & Spile just off Broad St 
Somebody needs to explain the Law of Diminishing Returns to Lynton and Rupe.
