Interestingly, i have achieved a slight movement. i wrote to Smooth Ops and said the V-sign picture response to anyone wishing to complain was a disgrace to the BBC and an abuse of power, given the current controversy. And John leonard has agreed to remove the picture. Which I entiely agreee might have been funny a few weeks ago, but is now sick..
   He has also released a very verbose response to those asking questions about the reaward procedures. Unfortunately, I do not have the technology to put a clickie to it here(it is on the BBC message board). The intiguing thing about his response is that it purports to answer the question "Did Lakeman's the White Hare come in the top four of numbers of votes for best tarditional track". However, if you read his answer closely (with the benefit of the thought that he might have taken legal advice), you will realise he does not answer with a "yes".
    So I ask the question again.
John Leonard, did Seth Lakeman's recording of the White Hare actually come in the top four numbers of votes cast for "Best Traditional Track"? It's a simple yes or no answer.
    I don't know the answer this question. I am a boring old git who has been a professioanl folk musician for forty-odd years, and I have has some strange communications from people who prefer to remain anonymous. I am not going to win the Prettiest Folk Singer award in the immediate future, so I am not thretaened in this situation. But all of us in the folk world are threatened by the general suspicion.