View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
May 23, 2009

Why the bean-counters are now taking their revenge

By Grey Cardigan

In the wake of the scandal over MPs’ expenses, every hack from here to Wapping has been confessing to minor abuses of the company’s money (not the public’s money) in the past.

The old favourites like the deceased camel and the wellington boots with the string still attached have had a good airing. My own invention – reverse mileage – which first appeared in this column a few years ago, seems also to have passed into folklore, with several commentators and columnists claiming it as their own. But I’m obliged to the blog of George Dearsley, a hack of some distinction, for the opportunity to revisit the claim submitted by the legendary sportswriter Peter Batt after a telephone interview with a racehorse trainer.

Batt duly put in a receipt for a meal he’d had with his wife and two young kids on expenses. When quizzed as to why there were two ‘children’s portions’on the restaurant receipt, a straight-faced Peter said: ‘They were jockeys”.

Lovely stuff, and a splendid example of how we always managed to outwit the bean-counters. Until now, of course, when they’re exacting a most painful revenge.

 

 

 

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network