What if Helen Goddard had been a pederast?

Teacher Helen Goddard, 26, has been sentenced to 15 months for having sex with one of her 15-year-old pupils.

The court heard trumpet teacher Helen Goddard used sex toys and fluffy handcuffs on the "vulnerable" child, helped weave a web of lies so the girl could stay in her flat overnight, and took her on a dirty weekend in Paris, where they joined a gay pride march.

Goddard is slim and attractive and has had boyfriends in the past so many have been quick to defend her. One man on The Sun's website even says that he hopes Goddard's career has not been too damaged!

I offer three alternative scenarios - would they have defended her if Goddard had been a stereotypical lesbian - all dungarees, sensible shoes, cropped hair and tattoos?

Would they have defended her if Goddard had been a 26-year-old man seducing a 15-year-old girl and finally would they have defended her if Goddard had been a 26-year-old man seducing a 15-year-old boy?

Brown's cowardice comes to the fore again

Once again Gordon Brown demonstrates his innate cowardice.

He announces that he would not ask Colonel Gaddafi about compensation for victims of the IRA financed by Libya when he met Gaddafi.

Now, back home he announces that British diplomats would now help in lobbying the Libyan government for compensation.

Funny he didn't do that when he met Gaddafi - Brown is a coward through and through.