DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Two-faced Beckham and a broken system

Published: 20:56 EST, 5 February 2017 | Updated: 20:57 EST, 5 February 2017

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David Beckham's private email exchanges with his PR chief Simon Oliveira were exposed this weekend

Appearing on Desert Island Discs last month, former England captain David Beckham said he hoped to be remembered as much for charity work as for football. ‘It is not just about the money we raise. It is meeting these children and knowing we are changing their lives,’ he said.

What a grotesque contrast between that saintly persona and Beckham’s private character, as exposed by the publication this weekend of email exchanges with his PR chief Simon Oliveira.

They suggest him to be both vain and greedy, and his generous-hearted ‘Roy of the Rovers’ public image a sham designed to secure him a knighthood.

Told he has been rejected by the honours committee because of question marks about his decidedly murky tax affairs, he reacts with petulant fury.

The Mail must make one thing absolutely clear: we do not endorse the hacking of private email accounts. But just as with MPs’ expenses, sometimes the publication of material obtained illegally is very clearly in the public interest.

And isn’t it revealing that when the emails became public, Beckham used expensive lawyers to gag the Press?

The emails suggest him to be both vain and greedy, and his generous-hearted ‘Roy of the Rovers’ public image a sham designed to secure him a knighthood. Pictured, the former England captain with daughter Harper (right)

Now, put to one side what these foul-mouthed emails say about the character of this multi-millionaire. Consider instead the shadow it casts over Britain’s already debased honours system (and for that matter, over his wife’s OBE – the reasons for which remain utterly elusive).

How, for instance, does Mr Oliveira know that tax is the reason his client has been refused a knighthood, when the honours system is supposed to be shrouded in secrecy?

Indeed, the strong impression given is that officials – whether authorised or not – are prepared to negotiate over awards handed out in the name of the Queen and steer recipients on how they can secure a gong. In Beckham’s case, by writing a cheque to HMRC.

For honours recipients who have made genuine contributions in science or the arts, or charitable giving, that suggestion will leave a very bitter taste in the mouth.

More than ever before, it is clear the system needs urgent reform if it is to regain any semblance of public trust.

Brexit battle (Part 2)

Given the euphoria of last week’s historic vote, it would be easy to think the battle in Parliament over leaving the European Union is over.

But as their every action has shown in the seven months since June’s referendum, there is a group of hardcore Remainers who are hellbent on blocking Brexit.

Many see their chance this week in amendments to the Article 50 Bill. Some two dozen treacherous Tory MPs are threatening to vote with Labour, the Lib Dems and SNP, and could easily overturn the Government’s wafer-thin majority.

The most damaging amendments could undermine Mrs May’s negotiating position or even derail Brexit entirely in two years’ time.

On this the Mail is clear: any vote against the Bill is a vote against the referendum result, and to frustrate the will of the people.

They were convicted of the most horrific offences – including rape and sex trafficking – against vulnerable girls in Rochdale.

Now, four members of a grooming gang are using taxpayer-funded lawyers to resist attempts to deport them.

For their victims’ sake, they must be removed as quickly as possible.

Today the Mail publishes a glorious historic photograph of Her Majesty the Queen by David Bailey, as she becomes our first monarch in history to reign for 65 years.

To our Sapphire Queen, this country owes an enormous debt of gratitude.

We wish her well and – for so many reasons – hope very much to cheer her again in her Platinum 70th year.