October Surprise - Hastert - wants to talk to pages who were propositioned

House Speaker, Dennis Hastert's office announced a toll-free number 866-348-0481 that former pages can use as a tip line to report any past improper conduct.

The greeting for the tip line is as follows:

“Thank you for calling the tip line for the United States House of Representatives. If you have information regarding former Congressman Mark Foley and his contacts or communications with any current or former House Pages, or any other information or concern about the House Page program, please leave your information at the tone. Please speak slowly and clearly, and please spell out any names to which you refer. You are encouraged, but not required, to leave your name and contact information. You should be aware of any information you provide may be referred to federal and state law enforcement authorities and/or to House investigative authorities. Thank you for your call.”


In the spirit of enquiry of course - no intention of gagging them.

Meanwhile Hastert spokesman Ron Bonjean denied that openly gay senior congressional aide Kirk Fordham notified House Speaker Dennis Hastert's office more than two years ago about possible inappropriate contact between former Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., and underage congressional pages.

Hastert's office quotes the Speaker ..."“As the Speaker I take responsibility for everything in the building. The buck stops here. The safety and security of the students in the Page program is imperative. "

BBC4 Radio News PM prgram at 6.00 pm BST says that a secretive Press Conference has been called by the Speakers Office in the next few hours and speculate he is to announce his resignation.