On Today programme of BBC Radio 4, on 15th of March, the Ministry of Justice Minister Crispin Blunt stated that, “We do have a problem with interpreters being unhappy with a system they no longer can take advantage of the way they have done before.”
As there is no evidence to support claims of abuse of the previous system by court interpreters and the minister cannot prove that interpreters are staying away from the Language Service FWA because of inability to manipulate the system, the statement is deeply insulting and slanderous. For over two years, Crispin Blunt and his department have tried to portray the previous system of provision of interpreters as inefficient, open to abuse and costly. Yet in their own words the only evidence they could provide to support these claims was of anecdotal nature. MP John Leech challenged Minister Nick Herbert in parliament last autumn about the topic of anecdotal evidence, but received no satisfactory answer.
In fact there is plenty of evidence to suggest that the reform of the provision of interpreters was based on very little data and one might argue that it is for this very reason that its bases are flawed and its implementation has been a disaster so far.
Instead of looking carefully at the fundamentals of the new FWA the minister prefers to shift the blame on interpreters by insulting them unjustly.
This affront to all RPSIs requires a public apology by Mr Blunt.
The aim is to lodge a complaint with Secretary of State for Justice Kenneth Clarke so every signature by the RPSIs counts.
I have been hearing from so many of you who are tired of being treated like a scapegoat for a broken system. Your stories about the disrespect shown by the ministry keep me focused on demanding that public apology. I am currently compiling all of these accounts to ensure the department understands that our professional reputation is not something they can simply brush aside.
March 22, 2012
Seeing the outpouring of support reminds me that we are not just nameless professionals being maligned by someone in power. Your reaction proves that the truth matters and that we refuse to be scapegoated for a system failure we did not create.
Reached 100 supporters
March 22, 2012
6 Comments
D
David Huang
14 years ago
Featured
The language services have been a total mess since they privatized it. Don't blame the pros who are actually doing the work.
J
Jane West
14 years ago
Featured
Enough with the smears. They are just trying to cover up the fact that the FWA is failing everyone.
E
Elena Dunn
14 years ago
Featured
Talk about unprofessional. Trying to shift the blame onto interpreters is a classic distraction from their own terrible policies.
M
Mark Yamamoto
14 years ago
Featured
Total lies. I work in the courts and the new system is a disaster. Crispin Blunt needs to get his facts straight.
S
Sarah Graham
14 years ago
Featured
This is just shameful. How can he make such wild accusations without a single bit of proof? Apologize now.
R
Robert Hunt
14 years ago
Featured
DISGUSTING behavior from a minister. Stop treating skilled people like criminals just to save face.
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On Today programme of BBC Radio 4, on 15th of March, the Ministry of Justice Minister Crispin Blunt stated that, “We do have a problem with interpreters being unhappy with a system they no longer can take advantage of the way they have done before.”
As there is no evidence to support claims of abuse of the previous system by court interpreters and the minister cannot prove that interpreters are staying away from the Language Service FWA because of inability to manipulate the system, the statement is deeply insulting and slanderous. For over two years, Crispin Blunt and his department have tried to portray the previous system of provision of interpreters as inefficient, open to abuse and costly. Yet in their own words the only evidence they could provide to support these claims was of anecdotal nature. MP John Leech challenged Minister Nick Herbert in parliament last autumn about the topic of anecdotal evidence, but received no satisfactory answer.
In fact there is plenty of evidence to suggest that the reform of the provision of interpreters was based on very little data and one might argue that it is for this very reason that its bases are flawed and its implementation has been a disaster so far.
Instead of looking carefully at the fundamentals of the new FWA the minister prefers to shift the blame on interpreters by insulting them unjustly.
This affront to all RPSIs requires a public apology by Mr Blunt.
The aim is to lodge a complaint with Secretary of State for Justice Kenneth Clarke so every signature by the RPSIs counts.
I have been hearing from so many of you who are tired of being treated like a scapegoat for a broken system. Your stories about the disrespect shown by the ministry keep me focused on demanding that public apology. I am currently compiling all of these accounts to ensure the department understands that our professional reputation is not something they can simply brush aside.
March 22, 2012
Seeing the outpouring of support reminds me that we are not just nameless professionals being maligned by someone in power. Your reaction proves that the truth matters and that we refuse to be scapegoated for a system failure we did not create.
Reached 100 supporters
March 22, 2012
6 Comments
D
David Huang
14 years ago
Featured
The language services have been a total mess since they privatized it. Don't blame the pros who are actually doing the work.
J
Jane West
14 years ago
Featured
Enough with the smears. They are just trying to cover up the fact that the FWA is failing everyone.
E
Elena Dunn
14 years ago
Featured
Talk about unprofessional. Trying to shift the blame onto interpreters is a classic distraction from their own terrible policies.
M
Mark Yamamoto
14 years ago
Featured
Total lies. I work in the courts and the new system is a disaster. Crispin Blunt needs to get his facts straight.
S
Sarah Graham
14 years ago
Featured
This is just shameful. How can he make such wild accusations without a single bit of proof? Apologize now.
R
Robert Hunt
14 years ago
Featured
DISGUSTING behavior from a minister. Stop treating skilled people like criminals just to save face.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach
250 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
or sign with Email
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
The language services have been a total mess since they privatized it. Don't blame the pros who are actually doing the work.