(CC) licensed:esparta

Words spoken cannot be recalled

There's no such thing as an "off the record" comment as Jersey's First Minister Frank Walker found out to his cost last night on "Newsnight".

"You're trying to shaft Jersey internationally"

Not only is there no such thing as "off the record" this comment can also be misquoted by Jeremy Paxman several times before being corrected.

Childline's President, Ester Rantzen, as one would expect, is far too experienced a broadcaster to follow Jeremy's leading question " you heard that didn't you?' but rather bridges neatly with her "what concerns me most" before going straight in with her key bullet points.

When an issue as serious as the Jersey inquiry into child abuse in the former Children's Home is being aired is not the time to try to "promote your reputation internationally".

It's time to hold your hands up, recognise that things have gone badly wrong and need to be resolved.

Going into denial or dodging the issue is not the response of a caring, responsible organisation, it will only bring further mistrust and a host of hostile questions.

BBC "Newsnight" is a great place to find examples of how to handle or how NOT to handle media interviews. If you missed last night's Paxman interview check it again now on http://news.bbc.co.uk/