Duncan Bannatyne: I've received death threats on Forest website
Saturday, April 3, 2010 Interviewed by the Daily Telegraph to promote his new TV series Duncan Bannatyne's Seaside Rescue that begins this week on Virgin 1, the Dragon's Den entrepreneur and president of No Smoking Day has made the most extraordinary claim:
‘I want to do more hard-hitting documentaries. I’d certainly like to do more on tobacco because there are still some things the tobacco companies are doing they shouldn’t be doing,’ he says.
Of course, no matter how rich you are, when you start throwing stones at massive corporations, some are returned with interest.
'I did get death threats,' he says. 'Forest [the pro-smoking lobby group] did a website called Ban Bannatyne and there were a couple of death threats on that. But that made me feel, “Yeah, bring it on.” I’m right about this. We’ll keep fighting that war.’
Death threats?!
The Forest website doesn't have any comments (death threats or otherwise) so he must be referring to this blog.
I have looked at the "offending" post (entitled Is it time to ban Duncan Bannatyne?) and I can't find anything that resembles a "death threat".
One or two abusive comments, certainly, but nothing more sinister than "I know where Bannatyne likes a good night out. Believe you me he will get the benefit of my wisdom." (Thank you, Dave Atherton.)
If Bannatyne thinks that's bad, I advise him not to read THIS post by Dick Puddlecote.
You can read the full Telegraph article HERE.
PS. Please don't rise to the bait and, well, you know ...
Simon Clark
Writing on THIS thread last year Basil Brown expressed a desire to "punch his [Bannatyne's] beady little lights out". Is that a death threat? I'm not sure. I'll keep looking.
Reader Comments (31)
I noticed Mr BAN-antyne was enjoying a portion of fish and chips on the photo on the Telegraph article.
Better hurry up mate, fast foods next.
LOL.
I'd like to prick his over-inflated ego, does that count?
Damn
He is a certified idiot. I have spoken to him a few times and he just has no idea what to say and spews ignorance and intolerance. The ltimate oxygen thief
Bannatyne may know how to make money, but it still does not mean he rates highly on the intellectual scale. I have found most of his comments, on smoking and smokers, both objectionable and bigoted. He is the classic born again non-smoker - full of self-righteousness and importance.
Money may buy him some column inches in some newspapers, but if you spout rubbish expect to be challenged by people of an opposite persuasion and viewpoint. Arrogant idiot!!
I hate to be the one to break it to him but.. he is going to die.
It's not a threat though, just a fact of life..
Bannatyne does have spin and the smear down to a fine art.
The context of knowing where he goes is that there is a place in the City of London where he visits, I by coincidence do too, occassionally. I could spin that out by saying that on that evidence I am the epitome of self restraint and discretion, but the fact of the matter we appear never to of been there at the same time.
When I am out for a night out I more interested in having fun than bring my soap box with me.
Most businessman within their own companies exercise enormous power, and are not used to dissent. So hence when people articulately argue against Bannatyne we hear the stamping of feet and see toys strewn around the pram.
If you need any further evidence of the devisive nature of the smoking ban, look no further.
Simon
Is this not slander from Banny? I'm not an expert on the law but this lie would seem slanderous against Forest.
I was just going to post the same as Mark. Surely he can be legally challenged for such a remark, as he has defaced the name of Forest when no such statement was said. People will now be accusing Forest of saying it, so a negative consequence will be born directly from his lie.
If Banny wants to do more Hard hitting TV,he could always host a show about the Lies and false claims concerning Passive smoke /SHS dangers,that would be well worth watching.
There is no excuse for violent threats towards anyone. But I can't recall any being made. I certainly haven't! Apology please, Mr Bannatyne?
One sincerely hopes the silly Bannatyne chappy gives adequate coverage of boarded up pubs in his TV show
about the seaside resorts.Probably blame the sub prime crisis in the mid US states. Why are we even discussing two bit barrow boys like this loathesome
Pict.
What troubles me is that blinkered idiotic Scotsmen like him have a pubic voice in television and newspapers. Dangerous. That applies to Bannatyne as well!!
I heard Big Tobacco has been developing an army of genetically modified man eating ferrets that will scamper about the four corners of the earth looking for sweaty socks called Duncan. They will terminate with extreme prejuduce. It might seem extreme to kill so many innocent people just to get one man but such is the power of this highly effective advocate it is better to be safe than sorry.
I think Mr Bannatyne is confusing comments indicating that there are some people out here in the real world who wouldn’t give a tinker’s cuss – and some who would be actively pleased - if he was “found drowned” (to quote the man himself) with a declaration of intent to do the deed themselves. How strange that a man of such wealth isn’t able to employ a literate person who can explain the difference to him ……
Here's a death threat for daffy Dunc:
He can come round my house and I will smoke a fag in front of him, no doubt he'd be dead from shock within minutes.
Mark asks:
"Is this not slander from Banny? I'm not an expert on the law but this lie would seem slanderous against Forest."
Quite simply - yes.
Since - as appears to be the case - DB alleges an incitement to/threat of criminal behaviour on a NAMED website whose comments are moderated.
This implies either collusion or negligence on the part of the moderator.
If I, for example, were to allege (falsely) that I had been the victim of death threats from DB, then the latter would be quite entitled to sue for defamation.
It's that simple
The moderator should get his solicitor to draft a strong letter requesting that DB withdraw his foolish remarks - or bear the consequences.
The Laws of England are not there merely to provide a cudgel FOR the Bully Boys. They are there also to provide a SHIELD for the innocent victims of bullying.
That, at any rate, is my view...............
Simon, I would have thought if there was evidence of death threats...which is a serious allegation...then perhaps the advice of a solicitor is in order.
If untrue then this is defamortory.
I do not think that Bannatyne's statement is of any interest at all. He is a silly person, and he knows it. That is what these silly people do, you see. When Dave Atherton taxed this silly professor, Repace, (who was one of those silly professors who originated the idea that passive smoke was harmful), Repace could not answer Dave's questions regarding just how harmful is 'second hand smoke'. He had to resort to claiming that Dave was a 'tool' of Big Tobacco. Repace could not show any significant harm from second hand smoke. Further, Dave was able to show that the studies indicated only a most minuscule POSSIBILITY of harm. Note that we are saying MINUSCULE and POSSIBLE. That is, there may POSSIBLY be harm, but, if there is, the HARM is MINUSCULE. It is like saying this: in a horse race, there is a possibility that a horse called Red Rum might appear at the start. That is a possibility, although that possibility is minuscule. It is also a possibility that Red Rum, if it appears, might also win the race, In other words, there is a possibility of a possibility!
That is the basis upon which our freedoms are being destroyed.
Junican -
Yes, people like DB are 'silly' - if by that you're referring to those with a somewhat cavalier regard for the Truth.
Sadly, however, the 'silliness' of the Arnotts, the Gores, the Cheneys etc - especially when echoed by Second League Celebrities like Bannatyne - tends to reinforce the Orthodox View required by Government, and perpetuated by its agents (witting or otherwise) in the MSM.
Every propagandist understands the power of Reiteration - and the public sympathy generated by the creation of False Victims.
Remember when the oft-heard "I don't think THAT's a politically correct thing to say " began life as a JOKE ?
It's because such silliness is NOT challenged with sufficient force by sufficient numbers of intelligent people that we are now edging towards a Police State.
Silliness can be dangerous...............
Agreed. Sue him. These people need to be taken to court rather than hiding behind their PR machines, pet scientists (whose findings would collpase if ever examined, but they never are (aprt from in blogs, of course)) and complicit media.
Sue him. The law isn't just there for his ilk to bully normal people - it's there for all.
...or, if he wants to avoid legal action, a public apology.
Trust the likes of him to be so darned arrogant as to even consider the fact that any normal person would risk giving up their liberty, never mind take the trouble, to make a death threat against him. We have far more pressing things to worry about and concern us than a jumped up little Scotsman with a healthy bank balance and inflated ego!
Hmmm.
Sometimes chancers like this do not have as healthy a bank balance as they make out ?
Mine wasn't an expression of wishing to actually harm Bannatyne physically, just a kneejerk response borne of frustration.
In retrospect, it was an unwise posting, akin to an outbreak of road-rage. I am sorry if DB has interpreted this as a threat. It was not and is not. I shall re-phrase my original comment thus:
A typical sociopath nulab/BBC bully. The only real distinguishing feature of his "I wish I was Alan Sugar" persona is an unusual combination of dullness, ignorance and that particular kind of overweening self-righteous arrogance that makes one want to burst the bubble of his pomposity through reasoned evidence-driven debate.
Hope that's clear. :-)
You don't think DB is a vampire * do you ?
I mean .it's quite fashionable to be one now isn't it.
I suspect DA is too !
Calling Van Hellsing !
Calling Van Hellsing !
Definition of vampire from online dictionary.
1. A reanimated corpse that is believed to rise from the grave at night to suck the blood of sleeping people.
2. A person, such as an extortionist, who preys upon others.
3. A vampire bat.
Well I think in this case it is No 2.
Oh did I just say No 2 ?
Let's all send him some garlic granules in the post, Specky !
Non-weapons grade.
It's a pretty reliable test, in my experience.
And I believe this is one of the few things NOT covered by Anti-Terrorist Legislation.
Best to check first, though..............
Vampires don't have hair plugs, generally. As if he think they are fooling anyone.
Deluded, vain, ignorant, egotistical little prat.
And as to his:
"I want to do more hard-hitting documentaries..."
I bet he's got John Pilger worried............
If he won't apologise then sue him. Most of the public probably believe him. Also, ask him whether he thinks that the unregulated use of tanning machines in his gyms is harmful.
Did anyone see him on that chef/caterer programme last month? the two guys had to cook for a dinner party at his house in France and he was so utterly pompous and rude, in front of his guests, to the boys. i cringed all the way through, he is an embarrasment.
Since all peers of good breeding wisely fled the House of Lords some time ago under the Blair Tyranny, leaving Lords Martin, Sugar,Mandleson and more of That Ilk, why not Lord Bannatyne? Another real waste of space, who frankly should have been preferably put down at birth. Long may he languish.