Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Darren Hayes' racist problems

Metropolitan Police, called to Busaba Eathai restuarant, arrested someone who sounds a lot like Darren Hayes:

"We can confirm that a 35-year-old man was arrested by Westminster police on suspicion of racially abusing a member of staff.

"He was arrested after voluntarily attending a Central London police station by appointment. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries, until the 21st of September."

Today, though, Darren Hayes' lawyers have issued a statement which says he's innocent:
“Darren is unable to comment to any extent as the incident is presently under investigation by the police, with whom he has cooperated fully.”

“However he is deeply upset at the allegation which he strenuously denies and anyone who knows Darren will recognise that the particular nature of the allegation is totally abhorrent to him and contrary to everything for which he has stood.”

As Drowned In Sound point out, that's quite verbose for someone who is "unable to comment". And since when did being accused of something mean you couldn't say "I'm innocent" - especially when you haven't been charged with anything.

There's also something slightly ominous in the use of past tense there - "contrary to everything for which he has stood". A slight air of "if those downtrodden people think I'm sticking up for them again after this..." which we're sure the spokesperson didn't intend.


11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dont you think you are being overly picky? They said he strenously denies the charges thats equal to innocent.

Anonymous said...

Would it have better if his lawyers had said nothing - wouldn't that look worse. I think you are reading a lot into a short statement. I personally think its a load of rubbish, I don't think he has done/said anything at all. Someone just wants to make trouble and this is probably the easiest way to do it!

Simon Hayes Budgen said...

Anonymous #1: I think you've fundamentally misunderstood: the whole point is that the legal statement said "he can't comment" on the claims, and then... goes on to comment on the claims.

anonymous #2: You accuse me of "reading a lot into a short statement" and then loudly proclaim that your take on it is that "it's a load of rubbish".

Except, of course, it isn't: there may or may not have been an assault, which may or may not have been racially motivated - but, clearly, police did take Hayes off for questioning.

The 'easiest' way to make trouble for someone wouldn't be to somehow lure them to a restaurant in Soho and engineer a situation in which they found themselves at the heart of an incident to which the police were called, surely?

Anonymous said...

"The 'easiest' way to make trouble for someone wouldn't be to somehow lure them to a restaurant in Soho and engineer a situation in which they found themselves at the heart of an incident to which the police were called, surely?"

No, but you're overlooking the possibilty it was simply an opportunistic situation. The alleged victim could have recognised Hayes, and saw the chance of making a quick buck.

Or does the possibilty of innocent until proven guilty not exist in the world of Simon h b, where sarcasm is the prime directive?

Anonymous said...

The alleged victim could have recognised Hayes

I find that rather difficult to believe...

Anonymous said...

Even if the alleged victim had recognised Hayes - which, as you say, is pretty unlikely - I find it still further hard to believe that said victim would then have gone, "Ah! You can't move for gossip about Darren Hayes in the tabloids, so I'll make up some fake claims of racist abuse in order to make my fortune and never have to work again, HAHAHAHA." Come on. If the claims were about Amy Winehouse, I actually might believe they were fake, based on those grounds, but Darren Hayes? Really?

Anonymous said...

You cannot assume that they did not know who he was. Personally I don't believe these allegations at all. He wore the aborginal flag whilst performing at the closing ceremony of the 2000 olympcs.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, because wearing a flag on your shirt once means you can never be called racist for the rest of your life.

Allegations might be true, might not. Won't know until the police finish their investigation.

Simon Hayes Budgen said...

Anon 7.47pm:

Anonymous said...

"The 'easiest' way to make trouble for someone wouldn't be to somehow lure them to a restaurant in Soho and engineer a situation in which they found themselves at the heart of an incident to which the police were called, surely?"

No, but you're overlooking the possibilty it was simply an opportunistic situation. The alleged victim could have recognised Hayes, and saw the chance of making a quick buck.


Well, yes, that's possible. About as likely as someone claiming that one of Cutting Crew stole their iPod - although anyone who recognised one of Savage Garden would presumably also be aware that the likely payday from the Daily Mirror for a "I was beaten by Darren Hayes" story isn't going to be worth the hassle.


Or does the possibilty of innocent until proven guilty not exist in the world of Simon h b, where sarcasm is the prime directive?

I don't think the original post actually offers any weight to either the police or Hayes' statements. Oh, and sarcasm is only the second directive.

Anonymous said...

Okay, the story is not what I have a problem with. What I have a problem with is how many of Hayes' supporters are all up in a tiffy over this because this man that they "know" would never do anything like this. Well, I ask, how "well" do you "know" Hayes? Have you lived with him? Have you spent many days and nights of your life with him? The only way to really "know" someone is to have lived with them. You get to see the real side to them. Not the performer side that fans see when they meet a singer. To these people who believe his innocence (and yes, he has to prove that in court), what makes you think he COULDN'T have said these racial things to this man? He IS human, is he not? Yes, he may be a "nice guy" but even "nice guys" have their day. Unfortunately in the world of show biz it is soon discovered that the feet of those we have worshipped are made of clay.

So see, my dear blindsighted fans, just because a celebrity treats you well and seems to "love" their fans, remember that you are their meal ticket so it's kind of important that they DO love their fans.

Hey, I'm not saying Hayes is guilty. I'm just saying keep a clear mind about it and remember he is a person, not some kind of imortal God who could never, ever do anything wrong. Anyone on the face of this planet can do something wrong. We are all human.

Anonymous said...

i think darren hayes is the nicest singer ever and is against racism so i think he is inoocent. what did he say though?

Post a Comment

As a general rule, posts will only be deleted if they reek of spam.