Mobile phone seized; parliamentary computer seized; police aggressive at the Parliamentary “crime scene”; flat searched with wife and daughters at home; up to 20 counter terrorist police involved; Cameron informed of search as the police “marched up the steps” of Parliament. David Davis: For five years I have avoided using […]
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Damian Green arrest worrying for democracy – David Cameron
From the Guardian: The Conservative leader said that it was “a worrying stage in our democracy” if shadow ministers could not release information in the national interest. “If this had happened in the 1930s, Churchill would have been arrested,” said Cameron, in a reference to the way Winston Churchill used […]
Read More‘Summary justice’ soars as courts bypassed – Times Online
From the Times: Out-of-court punishments accounted for more than half of all offences dealt with by the criminal justice system last year, according to figures published today. As food for thought, compare to the 1689 Bill of Rights which provided for freedom from fine and forfeiture without a trial. read […]
Read MoreLong hours and stress drive lawyers to drink and drugs
The survey, by the magazine Legal Business, also says that there is evidence of “cocaine clubs” in law firms’ basements and of partner-led games of poker and taking cocaine with clients. But it also finds that law firms are ignorant or indifferent to the problem. One lawyer is quoted: “I […]
Read MoreUnder funding of the Courts Service
A magistrate reports: the Courts’ Service has to save ninety million pounds in the next three years following a lower-than-necessary allocation by the Treasury. This vast sum cannot be saved without drastic cuts to the quality of justice, to the fabric of courthouses, and to the staff employed in them. […]
Read MoreFormer police officer held in cell after confronting yobs
A former police officer was arrested and held in a cell after confronting a group of unruly teenagers over their behaviour. The former inspector, who served 30 years with the Met, said: I still can’t believe this. As far as I am concerned, the police just abrogated their responsibility and […]
Read MoreJack Straw wishes to strengthen the use of anonymous evidence
Jack Straw has a case, but this story is magnificent fuel for the present debate on civil liberties. Would you mind being held for 42 days yourself, before being charged, and then convicted on the strength of anonymous evidence? If you think it unlikely, consider the now long-standing abuse of […]
Read MoreSir Ian Blair calls time on policing targets
Sir Ian said that if targets were picked locally, rather than being imposed by central Government, they would be “completely different”. A further change in the political weather? The BBC also reports Blair: Public ‘lack crime figures faith’. read more | digg story
Read MoreCharge or Release
Liberty’s campaign continues, describing Britain’s powers as an international disgrace. Some snippets from their latest campaign email: Not Genuine Emergency Powers: The proposal has been dressed up with more language about ‘grave and exceptional terrorist threats’, but there is still no legal requirement for a terrorist emergency to exist and […]
Read MoreCannabis blunder at Tokyo airport
An unwitting passenger arriving at Japan’s Narita airport has received 142g of cannabis after a customs test went awry, officials say. Admittedly, the policeman who stuffed an illegal drug into a random case had broken their rules, but is it really a good idea to have policemen in the baggage […]
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