Meet the expert banned by the government for criticising them | LBC

Defence expert Dan Kaszeta was blacklisted from Whitehall after social media posts critical of the government were found on his Twitter account.
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[@OrcusMaximus]

Now we know why they disregard experts - they couldn't find any who weren't critical of the government!

[@toriesout8692]

And yet we’re supposed to be this beacon of free speech and the Tories be against cancel culture.

[@serinadelmar6012]

Only for show

[@jamescaley9942]

The tories never claimed that and nobody believes it. The only reason the Tories might look more progressive on free speech is because those who oppose the very idea of free speech are mostly from the left. The tories may be hyocritical but hypocrisy is the vice that pays hommage to the virtue. That is different to being a sworn enemy of free speech.

[@seaofenergy2765]

They are against *their* supporters or members being cancelled. Cancelling opposing opinions to theirs or evidence they dont like is only correct and proper of course.

[@cupguin]

Funny how "free speech" from the right seems to be hyper focused on not allowing any criticism of their speech. Because dissent or criticism is an attack on the value of absolute free speech but attacking people for dissenting protects it.

[@lanagibson4334]

Cancel culture comes from the Tories

[@richardbradley1532]

How can vetting someone for criticism of the government be impartial?

[@johnmartin9321]

IN A NUTSHELL !

[@neilstapleton30]

Yes, an oxymoron.

[@Hevlikn]

The Civil Service forced to undertake inane policies are (theoretically) impartial; it's the inane policies that are not.

[@percymacdonald6657]

Some premium doublethink going on there.

[@theamulas]

Excellent last name sir, I can tell you're a man of class and taste.

[@thefirm4606]

Cancelled by the anti-cancel brigade

[@johnfrancis757]

This government never ceases to amaze me ... what next, rounding people up if they dare to criticize our dear and beloved leaders?

[@rokmare]

Did you see the coronation?

[@DNRTannen]

new protest laws would like a word

[@anonomous8719]

Life under Labour

[@Coelacanth1]

@@anonomous8719 Of which is not in government to be in a position to prevent folk they don't like having an official public voice.

[@pete_lind]

UK and Russia both Jail journalist , how many millions were spend having police 24/7 round Ecuador embassy so that Julian Assange would not leave ? 7 years , 24/7 police operation , over 60 000 hours and how many officers wasted just for one journalist . if 10 thats 600 000 hours to pay wages , easily £10 mil spend .

[@bipolarminddroppings]

This guy is about as unoffensive as anyone can be. Mild criticism of the government now bans experts from speaking at government events, just wow.

[@poguemahone5476]

They don't want expertise, they want ideologues.

[@GeorgeGeorgeOnly]

Resmogg and his ilk like to believe that they are right, no matter what, even if they're wrong they're still right... it's just a metter of making things right. Oh, and don't be paying attention to anything like consequences, or any nonsense like that. It's merely socialists complaining that they didn't get what they want. Resmogg.

[@uqs57bju]

Absolutely. There is nothing that shows that he isn't at all competent in his field of expertise.

[@vincentvangogh8092]

they complain about cancel culture

[@Peelerville]

They banned dozens of scientists during Covid for not going a long with the narrative, what else did you expect.🤷‍♂️

[@iratecynic6745]

That's insane. They actually put this in writing? How was this not front page, it's outright censorship!

[@Neilhuny]

I'm not sure censorship is relevant to this - it may well be, but the main issue is that the government refuse to take advice and guidance from the best in the world because someone laughed at Nadine Dorries, or similar. Even if they trashed our PM or Foreign Minister an acknowledged world expert in a narrow field must be listened to!

[@Coelacanth1]

How was this not front page - The UK media is over 80% right wing and there supportive of the government and will do what they can to support the right wing.

[@ThomasDoubting5]

It's not censorship it's just plain willful ignorance

[@markwelch3564]

​@@Neilhuny if they laugh at Dorries, my regard for them goes even higher!

[@saturday1066]

dunno UK censorship laws (american here ... and I know we're different/psychotic/please stop doing what our gop do) but it seems MAYBE to not be? meaning, he's free to still speak BUT your gov refuses to listen? your gov refuses to even accept his analysis? (would UK gov accept his views if voiced by someone else - but SOURCED by him?)

[@coexcrew]

Wow James, thanks for giving this issue some visibility, truly chilling that experts are being excluded from the important conversations of our time

[@nick1065]

It’s blood curdling terrifying

[@flyingdutchman3483]

Jacob Rees Mogg likes us to think HE is the only expert on everything, and yet as a so called religious man he finds it very difficult to be truthful on almost any subject that may criticise Brexit or this government.

[@allip4226]

He is a vile man and educated far beyond his intelligence.

[@jeremymerrifield7244]

Never forget he lied to the Queen in her home ,to her face

[@tokododoo]

@@jeremymerrifield7244 Would you mind expanding on this? it the first time i came past this point... im curious what it would've been about

[@mcgoverg1]

@@tokododooproroguing parliament

[@BTRPaganMedium]

Mogg is a shining example of patriarchal narcissism at its best. He may be trying to emulate tRump and other MAGAts.

[@GeorgeGeorgeOnly]

"... this is to check if these people have ever criticised government officials or government policy. The vetting process is impartial and purely evidence based". IMPARTIAL!? Well there’s a most creative use of the word if ever I’ve seen it. That alone is entirely laughable.

[@UKprl]

What's that quote? "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." That's how I'd describe their use of _impartial_

[@nik-ev3eh]

Yup,anyone who thinks moggy is impartial has lost their marbles.

[@matthewlennon6289]

Forget the second sentence altogether - “to check if you have ever criticized government officials or policy”?? Oh, I must’ve forgotten that’s a no-go zone

[@GeorgeGeorgeOnly]

@@nik-ev3eh If anyone were ever to explain to him what democracy really is, he'd probably be either actually shocked, or completely incapable of comprehending what he'd just heard. The guy neither understands nor respects democracy and probably believes that it should only be a privilege to vote.

[@UKprl]

@@matthewlennon6289 Strikes me these are at least 4 scenarios that are actually different * critical of the current government in general terms * critical of a government policy * critical of a department's approach, implementation or interpretation * critical of a party political ideology (that could persist whether they happen to hold power or not) I'm willing to bet the the criteria blurs those lines especially if they are secret and you aren't allowed to read the rules nor challenge a decision that uses them.

[@grahamsmith2022]

Criticism of government policies is not allowed in North Korea or England.

[@alanhat5252]

@@iberian5319 you think restrictions are applied in those other nations? No, this is the English Government in Westminster.

[@SuperAltube]

Astonishing yet unsurprising.

[@hihosilveraway59]

Disgraceful behavior by government, 1984 revisited

[@bipolarminddroppings]

Tell me you haven't read 1984 without telling me...

[@jonathanboam5409]

@@bipolarminddroppings "The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." "We've had enough of experts"

[@BrofessorDG]

@@bipolarminddroppings well, you got the book quoted at you and lost.

[@paulcopsey6573]

1934....

[@petersvillage7447]

​@@BrofessorDG To be entirely fair, that particular quote has been repeated by James O'Brien so often (ironic - 'O'Brien', I mean) that being able to repeat it certainly doesn't mean you've read 1984. Not that this validates the original chap's observation, of course.

[@bishwatntl]

People who know nothing or who fear the truth hate experts.

[@Coelacanth1]

Rather I would suggest one would should refrain from indicating ' the truth ' when the truth is always contested to instead indicate ' an equally viable but different opinion ', for that is what experts offer ; an opinion.

[@brianpark8758]

​@@Coelacanth1 Opinions based on years of experience, their knowledge & expertise of the subject using the data available to them. It's not just somebody down the pub giving a half baked opinion based on his or her feelings & political world view.

[@nik-ev3eh]

@@Coelacanth1 an "expert' opinion!

[@Coelacanth1]

@@brianpark8758 Indeed, but it is still an opinion albeit an experience based opinion and an opinion that might not be shared by all in the same field given different experiences and conclusions formed from those experiences.

[@andyknowles772]

​@@Coelacanth1 Yes, that's what when I have a medical problem, I always ask the milkman for a diagnosis

[@ThomasKing19933]

So, we're not even allowed to criticize the government anymore? This is getting horrific.

[@chatham43]

...your extrapolation is frankly laughable Thomas...and there's nothing wrong with being middle class and championing Labour...when you have a valid point....😊

[@nik-ev3eh]

@@chatham43 who are you responding to?

[@ThomasKing19933]

​@@nik-ev3ehThe guy is a daily troll. I just ignore it lol.

[@nick1065]

@@ThomasKing19933 You’re the only troll here Thomas. Your daily comments and attention seeking here are just desperately sad.

[@monstabitta]

​@@nick1065 And you seem to be obsessed with Thomas if you know his daily routine!

[@johnwood4448]

It's what we've come to expect from the likes of Jacob Reece Mogg and Nadene Dorries? These people are beneath contempt.

[@chatham43]

...and you would know..?

[@dimitrius-r5sgamingchannel388]

​@@chatham43 And you don't?

[@MrRailjunkie]

@@chatham43 Everyone Knows but some people can't admit it because that would be an admission of being fooled by idiots.

[@blue_jay31]

For sure!

[@gerryg1056]

This also harks back to Michael Gove and his remark “I think the people of this country have had enough of experts......"

[@Coelacanth1]

That's the problem Gove ' thinks '

[@marklawes1859]

​@andikaye6827 No! He thinks that what he does is thinking but it is not.

[@cupguin]

I mean was he wrong? Even this show started with two people calling in to say they trust their own impressions of immigration over the actual figures being released.

[@chatham43]

...tongue in cheek...but it obviously went over your head.....perhaps?😊

[@LikeGod_ButBetterLooking]

​@@cupguin but siding with those people rather than explaining how moronic their stance is, was the problem...

[@phillydavison]

Can't underestimate how important James's show is.

[@jake751]

I'd much rather listen to novara media. James o'Brien voted conservative in 2019. Typical neoliberal centrist who wants everything his own way and f*ck everyone else.

[@MrNoelyG]

JRM needs locking up

[@realkangaroocafevietnam]

People like this educated, articulate, polite & very personable bloke with miles of credibility need to be heard. He obviously has so much to offer.

[@alecc_a7585]

too much to offer for the tories to allow his speech

[@Mark-ml3nv]

The only difference between current Tory government policy and Putin's Russia, is there the critics fall out of windows.

[@allip4226]

Don't give the Tories ideas!

[@maryfenton958]

Yes, or are found in a field with a needle in his arm... they called it suicide!

[@jonnylumberjack6223]

@@oommcc It's not better in Russia. We're in a bad situation, very bad. But we don't have Putin.

[@ArtyFactual_Intelligence]

And here they throw themselves out.....

[@rogerdodger1790]

Here's a difference, the tories are in no way Conservative.

[@MyBlargh]

He just described a tyranny.

[@ChrisPage68]

Ours is not a "friendly" government.

[@Captain_Kremmen]

Happily, Dan Kaszeta will still be a renowned expert in his field when Rees-Mogg is a forgotten footnote in history.

[@Coelacanth1]

Love it ; ' I'm half Lithuanian and I can smell Stalinism '

[@DJWESG1]

Faith agenda relies on it... ask Tony for more details.

[@ArtyFactual_Intelligence]

Half of Lithuanians can smell it marching up the road from Minsk!

[@blue_jay31]

For sure!

[@f1remandg]

What an intelligent balanced person!

[@lizcollinson2692]

No wonder they don't want him.

[@marvintpandroid2213]

The Tories are equating the Tory party with government, government is not just the party.

[@framazz7575]

nothing new, that's fascism 1.0

[@ziploc2000]

Two huge potential problems, either the Government think they're more expert than the experts (they're not) and don't need to hear opposing views, or they recognize that they are not as expert as the experts, but would rather push through bad legislation and ignore criticism. Either way is not the best way to run a country.

[@achandler6583]

Total power is totally corruptible.

[@gerryg1056]

This truly is Kafkaesque, as in Franz Kafka's novel "The Trial". "We are going to arrest you" "Why" "Because you broke the law" "What law did I break" "We are not going to tell you"

[@Coelacanth1]

We already have secret courts

[@marcusaurelius49]

Free speech for me but not for thee

[@ThomasDoubting5]

Our government is pathetic .

[@peteharper2687]

......well, thought crime is already a thing. If you think of chaining yourself to something or protesting on certain issues! So why not ban people that are critical of you, even if they are a world leading expert in their particular field. Insanity!

[@Aengus42]

This is EXACTLY the sort of guy we need as specialist advisor to the government. Erudite, principled, open, as he said "a radical centerist"! Plus, he seems like a chap you could, very happily, share a beer with. I don't want anything to do with a government that turns this guy away! The phrase "red flag" seems doubly apt!? Keep us posted please James! Edit: Plus, if the government is comfortable recording this in a letter just imagine what they're doing that they'd be uncomfortable publicising! 😱

[@clivecosta-correa2102]

"First they came for...." _The rancid Tories acting out Martin Niemöller's nightmare scenario in real time, 2023._

[@mikeenwright333]

This is insane.

[@roboldx9171]

Fascism in its purest form.- Get the Tories OUT.

[@chatham43]

...you spelt it correctly this time...only took you a dozen attempts...😂

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

I still remember when James O'Brien debated Jacob Rees-Mogg and the guy was as Articulate as a Dumpster Fire.

[@phillydavison]

Bit harsh on dumpster fire's.

[@huskym6]

Goodness!.... Someone who this government bans as world renowned expert because they've said he might not be a liar! what a wonderful country we live in 😊

[@frankpaterson9786]

Words fail me, not surprised though.

[@nni9310]

Another Tory scandal.

[@Coelacanth1]

Another one nay, the whole Tory government is an ongoing scandal

[@markwelch3564]

We appear to be accelerating from daily scandal to hourly...

[@chatham43]

...and another vacuous comment....it if doesn't rain...it pours

[@nni9310]

@@chatham43 indeed, but one does tire of it.

[@JustinTimeEnglishClip]

The Tories don't need experts. They were educated at Eton; they know everything! They proved its beyond doubt with Brexit.

[@OneEyedWheeler]

That's the tories all over, that.

[@alanbatty3825]

So - welcome to Russia, capital of which is a place called "Londongrad". We live in very worrying times. Thank you for drawing our attention to this - somehow I am not surprised. I wish I was.

[@lockydude007]

I didn't know that V for vendetta. Was a film about what was going to happen to the UK for real

[@Coelacanth1]

It is well know Alan Moore has zero trust for Torties

[@chatham43]

...you've seen the film...now go away...

[@davidripley2916]

Oh Yes! ⚠️

[@MyDisavow]

If a government cannot withstand a little criticism, some gentle teasing about daft things they do, if leaders cannot bear the weight of being hated by at least 1/3 of the population they lead, the government & the leader cannot be taken seriously on any level.

[@samwacker5075]

Jacob Rees-Mogg is a disgrace and will be forgotten over time

[@andrewkerr6188]

I agree about him being a disgrace. However I feel he is an absurd wazzock who should be remembered as a cautionary tale

[@chatham43]

...better than being never remembered....

[@bm8641]

Will not. He is the essence of Britain.

[@davidripley2916]

Not by me or Private Eye. . . 👓

[@MrRailjunkie]

Let's hope so.

[@drewcampbell8555]

Wait... did the Tories just "no platform" this guy? I thought only "wokists" did that!

[@nickwalters4594]

Just appalling

[@framazz7575]

wow, just wow, 1930s fascism in 2023, so glad you're out

[@HumanRightsEqualityForAll]

Are you sure this is the UK?

[@thefirm4606]

Not the uk I know

[@Coelacanth1]

Sadly yes, the UK as it has become. To say it has been noted the UK changed in 2017

[@HumanRightsEqualityForAll]

@@Coelacanth1 It feels like where I grew up.. failed state though ://

[@PanglossDr]

I guess I'm ruled out of everything then.

[@allip4226]

But I thought the Tories were against "cancel culture"? Or is that like law and order and family values - rules for thee but not for me!

[@jakelaughton683]

How can you send a letter praising someone for their knowledge and then telling them you're not interested in hearing it.

[@martinobrien7110]

A Warning From History. " Stalinist " .

[@timbeaton5045]

Basically Riche-Smugg et al, sticking their fingers in their ears and singing "La la la, I'm not listening!" Tossers.

[@monkeyfunk8371]

I imagine its just one of a number of secret rules and laws that nobody knows about till you start annoying the wrong people in the right places

[@chrisbirmingham5132]

One of the major problems here is that we don't have "protected speech", as they do in the USA. As the coronation recently reminded us, we're not citizens of this country, just subjects of the crown. We recently lost the right to protest (even to hold up blank pieces of paper in protest) and, without that, in practical terms we have barely any enforceable rights.

[@p4nd4b01]

That's actually true, UK is an absolute monarchy in disguise but the majority doesn't really realize it. All political powers do descend from the Royal Prerogative and the Privy Council is the core ruling institution, which indirectly affects all the power branches - parliament, government, court. And there is no constitution, which would eloquently define and protect civil rights or manifest general political architecture.

[@shadram_nz]

It's shocking that the new response to dissenting or challenging opinions is to just ban that person from speaking, rather than talking with and learning from them. And then they call the rest of us snowflakes...

[@petersloane5214]

If they silenced this expert......how many more experts have they silenced? Freespeech has gone.😠

[@Mr_Reset]

This is scandalous and what other secret rules could there be?!

[@RobertJones-wq4mq]

But that isn't cancel culture...

[@grantbeerling4396]

The issue is that Dan Kaszeta is an expert in a world where only opinions matter.

[@Barralet58]

And UK is a democracy 😂😂😂😂

[@marcopalazzo9349]

I'm so shocked, NOT!

[@Carlos12330]

Big Brother is watching you 😵‍💫😵‍💫

[@dambrooks7578]

How far will the banning of protest will this government go, why is not enough people speaking out on what this authoritarian governance actually is because with Braverman's Mussuolinies's Italy, or does saying so suddenly upset her and her husband because of all they have suffered.... Or they could stop being a growing dictatorship that nobody can hold a criticism of. Personal liberty is what the last war against exactly what they are trying to make a reality in this once better nation.

[@JK-zx3go]

Remember they don't do experts (the ones who don't agree with them anyway)

[@EddieChristie-rz9oz]

Aw really, not jacob. Such a shock. Yes sarc

[@davdonoghue]

Did that letter actually say - we dont want to hear what you have to say on chemical weapons because you disagreed with us about something ?

[@oskarrunhaar6607]

Not with us, but with their government.

[@johnhoward2577]

@@oskarrunhaar6607 with the Tories finally!

[@nickwalters4594]

Awful, but at least he's got a voice somewhere. Let that voice grow and forward it on...

[@chrissilver7719]

Well that just leaves the Daily Mail, Telegraph readership and the presenters at GBNews and even then. I seem to recall today Jacob Rees Mogg who devised this was in the HoCs criticising members of the government not responding to backbench MPs. He is also on GBNews frequently undermining the government. 😂😂😂😂

[@chatham43]

...is there a point there or am I being a little optimistic...

[@neilgarrick6401]

@@chatham43 think the point being - why haven't they banned JRM, he's guilty of the same 'crime' (criticising the government)? If he's exempt from being banned we'd not know the reason why, seems the rules are pretty much made up on the hoof

[@NavaSDMB]

Years ago, the company for which I worked transferred me to the USA. There was this... person who was supposed to help anybody that was moving into, out of or within the USA due to a job transfer or to being hired by the company. Some people loved her; I was in the other group. One of the heights of our interaction was the day when I pointed out several paragraphs in the "employee transfer" policy and was asked "where did you get that? You have no right to have that!"

[@markcranston4377]

I remain convinced that no one embraces cancel culture like the right. This guy was cancelled for critiquing the government, that's quite something.

[@martyndeyoung8207]

This is the first time I've heard this, but frankly - and sadly - it doesn't surprise me in the slightest.

[@outcastp23]

They did the same with Gary Lineker. Put pressure on director to get him suspended than a week later when everyone came out in support for Gary, tried to hide behind "BBC Independence".

[@danmayberry1185]

Exactly. One isn't a government employee, and the other isn't a BBC employee.

[@garrysinclair9767]

Your country is in trouble. Of course, I am telling some of you citizens of the UK nothing you do not know and indeed live on a daily basis. What surprises me is that some of you do not know this or simply do not agree that there are problems. I find this latter group bizarre.

[@helengilry1050]

Tory fascists.

[@wlchiswick]

We have a government that is threatened by Experts and Criticism. I wouldn't compare the Tories to Stalinism if anything this just reeks of insecure manchild

[@bazzfromthebackground3696]

"...this is to check if speakers have critisized government officials or policy. The vetting process is impartial..." I cannot believe these two sentences were actually written back to back. Whoever wrote that letter should be a novelist, because they are so much better at fiction.

[@gbspikyfish]

I appreciate the humorous way in which this was presented... but that is actually quite chilling. I mean, I know the current Tory party is a vile cesspit of incompetence, but openly stating that an expert in a field can be uninvited due to being critical of the party in power is really disturbing.

[@seymourbutts4654]

Are conservatives in your country learning from ours here in the US or is it the other way around ?

[@tomtheeagle1]

Harder and harder to tell them apart!

[@haybrain]

These Tories must be very very afraid . How guilty are they ?

[@realitymatters8720]

It is no crime having an ideology that conflict with reality ! Also not being moved by facts, is often seen as being true to principles, and considered a positive !

[@gillosborne9516]

We’re getting like Russia

[@denistierney4642]

Germany in the 30s comes to mind.

[@denistierney4642]

The lunatics have taken over the asylum.

[@fatimamirza2100]

Where America goes Britain follows 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@lafemmenikita123]

Just about to say the same thing

[@BadlydrawnBen]

And how many experts and scientists where silenced during the pandemic?

[@OrcusMaximus]

Prof Whitty got a fair bit of air time. The experts weren't ignored for the entirety of the pandemic, just parts. Could have been worse.

[@shonk3317]

Wow!

[@hammondpickle]

Any naive person might thing that JRM has some insecurities. Like he has to be the smartest person in the room, so no-one else is invited. Just him and his one-eyed teddy bear.

[@robertcoleman6153]

This is actually quite shocking. Presumably the next step involves appointing thought police?

[@davidripley2916]

They already have. The woman arrested outside the abortion clinic for "praying". . . In her head, NOT out loud. . . If they knew what I was thinking, I'd be in the 💩

[@Anabsurdsuggestion]

‘Impartial’ - lol. What a disgrace.

[@chatham43]

...not really...you spelt it correctly this time....😊

[@pascaledowling6309]

Calling JRM a wazzok would be kind. He is called much worse in this house alone every day 😂

[@vendettarising]

they made rules to ban experts who criticise them 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 we always knew this....just ask Dr David Kelly

[@Alex-cw3rz]

This is like something in 1984

[@vivekb1658]

This government is the biggest embarrassment for Britain and it’s democracy.

[@neilstapleton30]

This undermines the very government that are censoring/ ‘cancelling’ experts. Expertise is invaluable. In short it’s an own goal. This is aside from the very dark aspect of excluding or gagging those with whom you don’t agree politically. This sort of thing has happened before and didn’t end well.

[@therealrobertbirchall]

Cabinet rules that any charity can not receive government donations if it criticises government policy.

[@pilsyppah]

Banned for criticising the government… This is proper Soviet stuff. He should feel lucky for not being poisoned…

[@VoidDragon82]

No one should be surprised by anything the Tories do, unless they do something altruistic and socially responsible.

[@SusannaSaunders]

I'm stunned by the rental reform bill... Many Tories are landlords!

[@macdodd]

He should sue the government & JRM and see how they can argue the toss

[@georgeh5075]

As serious as this issue is, it's always funmy to hear Americans or American/Lithuanians in this cause, using Britishisms. Wassock was a nice one 😂