Constance Briscoe

[limitedperiodonly]

I've been holding off for days because there's just been opening evidence.

But today it was said in court that she told the police that Chris Huhne had a homosexual relationship and that he infected Vicky Pryce with something he said he caught off bedsheets.

But apparently she didn't say that.

I apologise. For the sake of integrity I'd normally do a link, but I can't find one. But I heard it reported on R4's PM, which is reputable, and I couldn't wait any longer

It's going to get so fucking dirty, isn't it?

And as I've said before, I am astounded that people who would consider themselves to be so clever, can behave in such unwise ways.

[Caitlin17]

Constance Briscoe has always struck me as a deeply unpleasant and selfish person.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Not unwise - fucking revolting people. Not surprised they were all thick as thieves, shit finds it's own level.
Everything that comes out just proves this more.

[hackmum]

I'm astounded too. When the Vicky Pryce trial was on, I had this mixture of feelings: astonishment that she could be so stupid as to get herself into this mess; an unworthy schadenfreude that someone so full of herself could be brought so low; but also a sadness at how she was being punished disproportionately (not just the prison sentence but the horrible publicity) for what was in a way a fairly unremarkable crime. I couldn't help feeling sorry for her in the end.

But why don't these people know better? Briscoe is a part-time judge, after all.

[AngelaDaviesHair]

No idea if she lied or not, but I don't understand how CB and VP thought they could play with fire, in the form of various journalists, and not get burned. They clearly thought they were in control and had anticipated all the possible consequences. It was bizarrely naive.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Don't think it was naivety, just arrogance.

[AngelaDaviesHair]

You are probably right.

I am also perplexed by why CB sports the very worst weaves ever seen in public in the UK, but that is not relevant, I admit.

[sweets83]

It amazes me how we as a nation are so judgmental. He without sin....????
She is human and she has made a mistake. Over a wrong doing are we going to forget that she is an inspiration to every black woman!! She shows with world with her story that it doesn't matter your past you can overcome anything and take control of your future and be successful and for that i take my hat off to her. Everyone makes bad decisions and most get away with it and some don't but because of her position in society...that she has overcome massive hurdles that most wouldn't understand....it should be exposed and then the public want to slate her for what? It was okay when she shared her inhuman experiences with the world but now that she shows she IS human its a big thing. Constance I hope you are out there reading this. I will always respect you for being you! You inspired me at a time in my life that I felt that I lost the self motivation to continue. I am a single parent who had my daughter whilst studying for a degree in law. When I began to see my situation as an obstacle and end to my dreams I got back up again...because if Constance could get through what she did and become such a wonderful role model then what couldn't I do. I don't mean to bore you all with my comments. To be honest this is the FIRST time in my life replying to a blog but it has really upset me to read some of these comment. We all make mistakes and being in the public eye does not make you inhuman!! When they fall they need someone to pick them up and say everything will be okay... just like WE do.

[Caitlin17]

Criticising anyone for being judgemental about Constance Briscoe is a bit rich. Every article I've read about her has involved her laying into other people.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Oh Sweets thanks for joining to post that. That was hilarious! Please come onto the funny accidents thread. It's well suited to your talents.

[AngelaDaviesHair]

are we going to forget that she is an inspiration to every black woman!!

Speaking as a black woman, can I just say oh hell no she bloody isn't! Not an inspiration, not a role model.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Angeladavies I've just had that convo with my oldest dearest friend - if it's you, P, coming on here you (and I are outed!). Ps 4th is good if its you lol.

[AngelaDaviesHair]

Not me, no real life convos lately!

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Good

[AngelaDaviesHair]

But tell me more about your conversation-what did you decide?

[Onesleeptillwembley]

She rung to arrange a visit to mine, we live in separate counties now. I relayed the role model stuff to her. Once she'd finished spluttering with outrage and laughter she said exactly what you'd said but in a less polite way. It was just the timing that was funny.

[limitedperiodonly]

sweets83 I've shamefully neglected this thread in favour of talking about Celebrity Big Brother. But I'm back now and I want to thank you for your contribution.

As an aside, as a middle-aged white working class woman working in the media, I just want to say what a shining example Rebekah Brooks presents to us all.

[AngelaDaviesHair]

That has made me laugh!

[sweets83]

I didn't say the woman is a saint nobody is and we all have characteristics as a result of our childhood, the way we have learnt to socialise and behave. She may not necessarily be a role model due to her personality I meant in relation to her academic and career succession. I don't mind people disagreeing, I just gave my point of view!

[QueenQueenie]

I am a lawyer. Anyone who thinks that writing that autobiography AND being a part time judge has a problem with boundaries and appropriateness in my view. I do feel sympathy that she has had some terrible experiences and am mightily impressed by the way in which she overcame them... but, her judgment is clearly badly skewed (imo).

[HomeHelpMeGawd]

I think some of you are being quite rude to sweets for making the valid points that (1) we all of us make some awful mistakes with awful consequences, and we should have that in mind when tempted to laugh at people's falls from grace, and (2) becoming a black female judge is an impressive achievement.

[HomeHelpMeGawd]

Maybe we could celebrate some amazing black women instead? Here's someone who I think is pretty impressive:

www.commentconference.com/thegenderagenda/vivian-hunt.htm

[limitedperiodonly]

Anyone who thinks that writing that autobiography AND being a part time judge has a problem with boundaries and appropriateness in my view

That's what I said on a Vicky Pryce thread queenqueenie. Or something similar. I think I was asking how she could sit in judgement over someone accused or convicted of the behaviour she accused her mother of.

I also found her keenness for publicity unsettling in a judge or lawyer. Though she's not alone - Michael Mansfield, Clive Stafford-Smith, Helena Kennedy, Imran Khan, Mark Stephens etc. Some of whom I like more than others.

I'm not a lawyer btw. Someone who was, said something like it being part of a judge's training to set personal feelings of vengeance aside, but given that, it was useful for someone with Briscoe's experience and background to be a judge.

It was a reasonable argument and made sense. I still wondered at Briscoe's judgement in and out of court, but I wasn't going to fight with the poster. It was an interesting point, even if I didn't agree with all of it.

[AngelaDaviesHair]

I wasn't rude to sweets.

I get rather irritated at the uncritical way many people have adopted the idea anyone in the public eye is a 'role model' and the idea that 'role models' are always needed, perhaps even that without them (especially in the black community) people almost can't be expected to achieve. it is not an attitude my parents' generation espoused and they did all the better for it.

Also, I don't believe it is a particularly helpful or healthy perspective to regard people with a bit of public profile as role models. Nor then, because they are role models and therefore important either forebear from criticising them if they appear to have behaved badly or criticise them more harshly because of all the people to whom they are apparently role models who will be upset.

And while I'm getting all this off my chest, I do also get irritated with the way black people are so frequently held up as representative, whether of negative stereotypes seemingly being proved true, or of black achievement.

Constance Briscoe is just one individual black woman. She doesn't necessarily tell or show you anything about black people more generally and no one, however well-meaning, should burden her with the responsibility of doing that. And if you judge her, judge her as an individual.

I am not accusing anyone of saying that on this thread, but it is a viewpoint that informed my reaction to the post.

[limitedperiodonly]

I agree with lots of angela's points from my my own perspective.

I'd only add that being a role model is a burden unfairly thrust upon people just getting on with life and that I would instinctively mistrust anyone who seeks that label out.

[HomeHelpMeGawd]

Angela, I didn't say you personally were rude to her. I didn't particularly have you in mind. If you re-read the thread, you'll see that others were rude to her.

I'm afraid I disagree with you profoundly about role models. There is a fair bit of research that shows the importance of role models in encouraging behavioural change, for example by giving courage to people to try do something they may otherwise be intimidated by. Role modelling need not involve seeking out the public eye or the label; it may be no more and no less than someone doing their job really well and being rewarded for doing so, e.g., through promotions.

Ultimately, I prefer to focus on the followers rather than the leader though, per Derek Sivers' fabulous how to start a movement.