Sir Glen
Mileandahalf. The answer is a simple interest in fair play. If Torpy or others in similar positions are to be critised in the media, they are usually offered the opportunity to reply. Even if they are not, then at least they know who it is having a go at them. This is obviously not the case in Prune, is it.?
What is more, I think you forget that Torpy and others are very constrained by ministers in what they may or may not say. Do you not recall the incident when CGS (the present very good one) was thought to have spoken out of turn, and was thefore recalled post haste to the minister's office in MOD to explain himself, leaving his wife behind to take the graduation parade at Dartmouth?
Apologies for the minor typing error; I thought we were on an intellectual plane a little higher than quibbles like that.
With all good wishes. JP