Barry: Fair questions or an unhealthy obsession?

Sep 30 2009 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

It’s no secret that the Labour woman has been in poor health for some time and last year Ms Mountford confirmed that she would not stand for re-election for health reasons.

But she has repeatedly refused to say what she is suffering from. I should know because I’ve asked her repeatedly.

Every time I do a story which mentions Ms Mountford’s poor health I feel compelled to ask her for the details.

In journalistic terms it’s a no-brainer. It’s far better for the reader to have the detail that Ms Mountford is suffering from X than simply to know she is “in poor health.’’

So I ask her every time. And every time she refuses to answer, saying it’s a private matter – which of course it is.

I don’t blame her. If I were in Ms Mountford’s shoes, I think I would expect some privacy.

I don’t believe she’s wrong to refuse to answer my question.

But neither do I think I’m wrong to ask. It’s my job to ask awkward questions.

However, when I ask Ms Mountford about her health, it’s me who feels awkward. A part of me thinks that I’m prying into something which is no business of mine.

This should be no surprise. After all, I’ve been a human being a lot longer than I’ve been a journalist.

I wonder if Mr Marr also felt uneasy as he popped the pill question on Sunday.

Maybe someone should ask him.