Breaking news: McCanns connection to secret organisation
Scottish Knights Templar
Justice For Madeleine
Related link.
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Missing terror suspect rearrested
Missing terror suspect rearrested
"A terror suspect who went on the run has been recaptured by police after two days.
Scotland Yard said that the 24-year-old who can not be named for legal reasons, was arrested in east London.
The man, understood to have been due to stand trial accused of involvement in a major plot involving mass casualties, was reported missing from his home in the capital on Friday.
He had been held under strict bail conditions".
Let me get this straight, "in a major plot involving mass casualties". Would that be potential mass casualties had the plot succeeded?
"A terror suspect who went on the run has been recaptured by police after two days.
Scotland Yard said that the 24-year-old who can not be named for legal reasons, was arrested in east London.
The man, understood to have been due to stand trial accused of involvement in a major plot involving mass casualties, was reported missing from his home in the capital on Friday.
He had been held under strict bail conditions".
Let me get this straight, "in a major plot involving mass casualties". Would that be potential mass casualties had the plot succeeded?
Hidden spy camera to catch fly-tippers is taken to rubbish dump
Hidden spy camera to catch fly-tippers is taken to rubbish dump
A spy camera, estimated to cost £10,000 and designed to catch fly-tippers, was cleared by council workers after it was concealed in a rubbish bag.
Just a thought, but wouldn't the sight of a black bin bag containing rubbish (and a camera) attract other people to dump their rubbish there?
A spy camera, estimated to cost £10,000 and designed to catch fly-tippers, was cleared by council workers after it was concealed in a rubbish bag.
Just a thought, but wouldn't the sight of a black bin bag containing rubbish (and a camera) attract other people to dump their rubbish there?
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Queen to buy £10 million private jet
Queen to buy £10 million private jet
Proclaims the Telegraph article.
However, as you read on you discover that the Queen is not to buy it at all but the government is from taxpayers money.
Given that the Queen has a personal fortune of over £200,000,000, and given that it is a private jet, perhaps she should fork out for it instead?
Proclaims the Telegraph article.
However, as you read on you discover that the Queen is not to buy it at all but the government is from taxpayers money.
Given that the Queen has a personal fortune of over £200,000,000, and given that it is a private jet, perhaps she should fork out for it instead?
Blood money: the MPs cashing in on Zimbabwe's misery
Blood money: the MPs cashing in on Zimbabwe's misery
Tory frontbenchers are among those with shares in companies accused of propping up the violent – and now illegal – regimein Harare.
Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve heads a list of Tory MPs with sizeable shareholdings in companies accused of propping up Robert Mugabe's regime, The Independent on Sunday can reveal today.
The other side of the coin here.
Tory frontbenchers are among those with shares in companies accused of propping up the violent – and now illegal – regimein Harare.
Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve heads a list of Tory MPs with sizeable shareholdings in companies accused of propping up Robert Mugabe's regime, The Independent on Sunday can reveal today.
The other side of the coin here.
Robert Mugabe to be sworn in before election results announced
Robert Mugabe to be sworn in before election results announced
Robert Mugabe will be inaugurated as President of Zimbabwe this afternoon, even though the results of Friday's presidential election have not yet been announced.
I wonder how such a low turn out of voters will produce a record victory at the polls?
Cop a load of this...
Cop a load of this...
The last we heard from Sir Ian Blair, in the media, was that he intended dealing robustly with Tarique Ghaffur and letting him know who was boss.
Then, not a peep out of Sir Ian Blair.
I wonder why?
Cop a load of this...
Britain's most senior Muslim policeman stashed away emails and letters for three years to support his discrimination claim.
Innocent or guilty you're still guilty
Innocent or guilty you're still guilty
There is no doubt that the police cocked up big time with Ian Huntley in the Soham murder case.
Nevertheless, it is no excuse to cock up big time again this time with innocent until proven guilty people. Apparently, CRB checks only contain details of convictions. Whereas, enhanced CRB checks also include details of allegations not proven. And, employers can decide that you are guilty and sack you even though the allegations may not be true.
This is all because of the exaggerated danger of the paedophile.
There is no doubt that the police cocked up big time with Ian Huntley in the Soham murder case.
Nevertheless, it is no excuse to cock up big time again this time with innocent until proven guilty people. Apparently, CRB checks only contain details of convictions. Whereas, enhanced CRB checks also include details of allegations not proven. And, employers can decide that you are guilty and sack you even though the allegations may not be true.
This is all because of the exaggerated danger of the paedophile.
Sir and Lady Tory Sleaze in new scam to rob the public
Sir and Lady Tory Sleaze in new scam to rob the public
When Sir Nicholas and Lady Winterton were caught out claiming expenses for a mortgage for a property they owned outright, and prevented from claiming anymore for it, they decided to put the property into a family trust and seek another flat so that the public can go on paying for their expensive lifestyle.
It is disgusting that this thieving pair were not ordered to pay back the £66,000 that they stole from the public purse. And, it is even more disgusting that David Cameron is allowing them to get around the rules and rob the public some more. They should be stripped of their titles. Sir and Lady Robalot!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Sleazy Tories?
Sleazy Tories?
Iain Dale blogs this.
Chris Paul responds here.
Chris Paul comments:
I agree with you Iain! I'll say that again: I agree with you Iain! But I can count a baker's dozen of Tories who have done far far worse both in terms of amount and potential influence and list some of them here. You are of course included in the graphic, albeit with a question mark, as the proud reporter of the Davis expenses which later somethingly unravelled. Nothing to do with you I'm sure. But strict liability and all that.
As for Grim Up North suggesting that planning permissions in Glasgow - often years ago - were expedited in some way by Wendy Alexander in return for £1500? That is extraordinarily defamatory and silly IMO. Unless that is you know something we don't Susan?
If so you should tell Iain or he should take your comment down as a precaution.
Landowners with sensible schemes in the correct urban zones for those schemes get planning permission. Without giving small change to junior pollies with no infliuence over those (semi-judicial) decisions. Ridiculous.
June 28, 2008 3:55 PM
Iain Dale responds with his comment:
Chris Paul, Be very careful. My registration of David Davis's donations were entirely correct and above board, so I would be very careful about insinuating any different. There was a technical error by his Association on a donation before the previous election, which, as you may remember, was well before my time.
June 28, 2008 4:25 PM
Handbags at dawn? A bun fight? Warning shots fired...
The government must act on the Corston report
The government must act on the Corston report
Juliet Lyon
Progress towards implementing recommendations on women in prison is too slow: this is as unforgivable as it is inexplicable
"What should concern us most: that women, who make up only 6% of the prison population, account for half the incidents of serious self harm in custody or that, knowing this, the government is failing to act on a blueprint for reform that would give vulnerable women a chance to quit a vicious cycle of drugs, drink, mental illness and crime, and get their lives back on track?".
Juliet Lyon
Progress towards implementing recommendations on women in prison is too slow: this is as unforgivable as it is inexplicable
"What should concern us most: that women, who make up only 6% of the prison population, account for half the incidents of serious self harm in custody or that, knowing this, the government is failing to act on a blueprint for reform that would give vulnerable women a chance to quit a vicious cycle of drugs, drink, mental illness and crime, and get their lives back on track?".
Man says he was beaten by police
Man says he was beaten by police
A man has complained to police alleging he was attacked by two officers who mistook him for a car thief outside his home in Warwickshire.
David Markham, whose two brothers are police officers, suffered bruising to his head, ribs and back and currently has only 40% vision in his left eye.
Man jailed for 'worst' child porn
Man jailed for 'worst' child porn
A man found with images of "the worst child abuse ever seen" has been jailed for an indefinite period.
"He would serve a minimum of two years before being considered for parole, Southwark Crown Court heard".
The worst child abuse ever seen and yet a minimum of 2 years?
School caretaker who fell off ladder wins damages
School caretaker who fell off ladder wins damages
A school caretaker who was injured falling off a six-foot stepladder has won damages after claiming he was not trained to use it properly.
Anthony Gower-Smith, 73, who claimed to have used ladders for more than 30 years, said bosses did not show him how to use the stepladder safely.
Unbloodybelievable!
A school caretaker who was injured falling off a six-foot stepladder has won damages after claiming he was not trained to use it properly.
Anthony Gower-Smith, 73, who claimed to have used ladders for more than 30 years, said bosses did not show him how to use the stepladder safely.
Unbloodybelievable!
Friday, June 27, 2008
MP escapes 'prison bars of time'
MP escapes 'prison bars of time'
New Zealand MP Nandor Tanczos smashes watch as he resigns
Nandor Tanczos, a Rastafarian New Zealand MP, smashed his watch to pieces as he resigned from Parliament, declaring that he was now free from "the prison bars of time".
Witness intimidation: Judges won't be cowed into denying a fair trial
Witness intimidation: Judges won't be cowed into denying a fair trial
It is impossible to square anonymity with defendants' rights. So we need another solution
David Pannick
The Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, yesterday told the Commons that the Government intends to publish a Bill next week that will allow witnesses who fear intimidation to give evidence anonymously in criminal trials.
But legislation will not achieve the desired objective of ensuring the conviction of the guilty and will only delay the need to consider alternative means of addressing the problem of intimidation.
It is impossible to square anonymity with defendants' rights. So we need another solution
David Pannick
The Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, yesterday told the Commons that the Government intends to publish a Bill next week that will allow witnesses who fear intimidation to give evidence anonymously in criminal trials.
But legislation will not achieve the desired objective of ensuring the conviction of the guilty and will only delay the need to consider alternative means of addressing the problem of intimidation.
1066 and all that...
1066 and all that...
Labour came a humiliating fifth place behind the BNP and the Greens last night in the Henley by-election caused by Boris Johnson’s election as London Mayor.
Gordon Brown’s first anniversary as Labour leader began with the party securing only 1,066 votes, losing its £500 deposit, and having its working majority in the House of Commons cut to 65, as John Howell, the Conservative candidate, succeeded Mr Johnson in the Oxfordshire seat.
1066 and all that, the Battle of Henley, one in the eye for Labour. Less popular than the BNP...
Labour came a humiliating fifth place behind the BNP and the Greens last night in the Henley by-election caused by Boris Johnson’s election as London Mayor.
Gordon Brown’s first anniversary as Labour leader began with the party securing only 1,066 votes, losing its £500 deposit, and having its working majority in the House of Commons cut to 65, as John Howell, the Conservative candidate, succeeded Mr Johnson in the Oxfordshire seat.
1066 and all that, the Battle of Henley, one in the eye for Labour. Less popular than the BNP...
Italy to fingerprint all Roma gipsy children
Italy to fingerprint all Roma gipsy children
Then they will build special camps for them and build showers...
Then they will build special camps for them and build showers...
Water is wet
Water is wet
According to the National Association of Probation Officers, some released prisoners are re-offending...
Now, if they came out with a report which said none were re-offending that would be news!
According to the National Association of Probation Officers, some released prisoners are re-offending...
Now, if they came out with a report which said none were re-offending that would be news!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
David Cameron must withdraw Iain Dale's membership of the Tory Party for this racist remark
David Cameron must withdraw Iain Dale's membership of the Tory Party for this racist remark
Story here.
Why publish a magazine and not follow your own editor's advice? Iain Dale has failed the character test.
Totally unacceptable!
Bum deal at ASDA
Bum deal at ASDA
Whilst ASDA are quite happy to exploit child labour by selling and making huge profits from clothing made in sweat shops abroad, all of a sudden they have got all moral about the innocent photo of a 5 month old baby's bottom. Haven't I seen this before in ASDA on baby wipes?
WARNING LOOK AWAY NOW IF YOU ARE EASILY OFFENDED BY "KIDDIE PORN"
Shock, horror, splutter...
Call this a democracy?
Call this a democracy?
England and Wales have a more punitive judicial system than most of the world's dictatorships.
It is only right that Nelson Mandela should speak out against Robert Mugabe's regime. It is a pity whilst he is in the UK he could not say a few words about our Bricks of Shame, the penal system, then perhaps Jack Straw might have listened.
England and Wales have a more punitive judicial system than most of the world's dictatorships.
It is only right that Nelson Mandela should speak out against Robert Mugabe's regime. It is a pity whilst he is in the UK he could not say a few words about our Bricks of Shame, the penal system, then perhaps Jack Straw might have listened.
Breaking in to prison
Breaking in to prison
By David Ramsbotham
A royal commission would let some light into the closed shop of Britain's Prison Service
In 1777, John Howard John Howard, then high sheriff of Bedfordshire and responsible for the inspection of Bedford prison, was so appalled by the disgraceful conditions that he found there, and elsewhere, that he published a startling book entitled The state of the prisons in England and Wales. It contained the now famous statement that "the care of a prison is too important to be left wholly to a jailer". Today I shall be tabling a motion for debate in the House of Lords calling for a royal commission into the state of our prisons in 2008 saying, in effect, that the care of our prison system is too important to be left wholly to the Ministry of Justice and the Prison Service.
Of course neither overcrowding nor shortage of resources, the two scourges of the prison system, is the fault or responsibility of the Prison Service. Of course there are some marvellous people doing wonderful work in our prisons and there have been improvements in many aspects of treatment of and conditions for prisoners in recent years. In addition no one could accuse either the Home Office or the Ministry of Justice of being idle because, in addition to deluging parliament with a torrent of criminal justice legislation, it has bombarded the Prison Service with initiative after initiative, report after report and change upon change. But, because none of this has had any clear strategic direction, it has all amounted to failure when set against the reconviction rate, which has risen from 55% – which was bad enough – in 1997 to 67% for adult males today.
The state of our prisons is not just a sudden accident. I shall remind the House that the rot set in in 1877 when local prisons, housing unsentenced and short sentenced prisoners, paid for by local taxes, were nationalised with convict prisons, paid for nationally, housing longer term prisoners, under a Prison Commission. The needs of each group are different and their merger has led to compromise in the use of resources, denying each group of what is possible.
Even more relevant though, in supporting a case for a royal commission, was the abolition of the Prison Commission in 1962, following which prisons were put into a Prisons Department in the Home Office, under a senior civil servant. Now, whatever prisons are, they are not parts of a Whitehall ministry. Civil servants serve ministers; they do not run large, people orientated organisations. From that moment on, the only time that outsiders have been allowed to comment on the working of the Prisons Department and Prison Service has been when they have been brought in to write reports following disasters – a remark that was made to me in my first week as chief inspector.
In the debate I shall be cataloguing all the aspects of the state of our prisons that need attention, relating how they have been identified in these reports, but subsequently ignored. Lord Mountbatten after the Brixton escape in 1963, Mr Justice May in establishing the independent inspection of prisons but not the Prison Service in 1979, Lord Woolf in his report on the riots in Strangeways in 1990, Sir James Lygo in his report on the management of the Prison Service in 1991 and Sir John Woodcock and Sir John Learmont in their reports on the escapes from Whitemoor and Parkhurst in 1995 all could have been listened to with advantage. What is more, the only White Paper on prisons, Custody, Care and Justice, published with the agreement of all political parties in 1991, remains unactioned to this day.
Since then there have been two internal inquiries that have recommended the continuance with status quo that is patently not working and two reports by Lord Carter of Coles that have resulted in the creation of a National Offender Management Service that has been ridiculed since its undiscussed appearance, and the proposed building of Titan prisons, each holding 2,500 people, which has been greeted with similar scorn.
All is clearly not well, and, in my opinion, will not become better until some light and air is let into the closed shop of the Ministry of Justice and the Prison Service. Royal commissions are a well tried, but less frequently used way of doing this. They are made up of experts who take evidence in public and publish reports. I believe that such an exercise can only help both the ministry and the service resolve the problems that they appear to be unable to do, because they are too close to daily events to be able to take a dispassionate and informed look. Therefore the purpose of my exercise is constructive and not destructive. All that it requires is an acceptance of facts and a willingness to listen. I suspect that the public would not have them do otherwise.
By David Ramsbotham
A royal commission would let some light into the closed shop of Britain's Prison Service
In 1777, John Howard John Howard, then high sheriff of Bedfordshire and responsible for the inspection of Bedford prison, was so appalled by the disgraceful conditions that he found there, and elsewhere, that he published a startling book entitled The state of the prisons in England and Wales. It contained the now famous statement that "the care of a prison is too important to be left wholly to a jailer". Today I shall be tabling a motion for debate in the House of Lords calling for a royal commission into the state of our prisons in 2008 saying, in effect, that the care of our prison system is too important to be left wholly to the Ministry of Justice and the Prison Service.
Of course neither overcrowding nor shortage of resources, the two scourges of the prison system, is the fault or responsibility of the Prison Service. Of course there are some marvellous people doing wonderful work in our prisons and there have been improvements in many aspects of treatment of and conditions for prisoners in recent years. In addition no one could accuse either the Home Office or the Ministry of Justice of being idle because, in addition to deluging parliament with a torrent of criminal justice legislation, it has bombarded the Prison Service with initiative after initiative, report after report and change upon change. But, because none of this has had any clear strategic direction, it has all amounted to failure when set against the reconviction rate, which has risen from 55% – which was bad enough – in 1997 to 67% for adult males today.
The state of our prisons is not just a sudden accident. I shall remind the House that the rot set in in 1877 when local prisons, housing unsentenced and short sentenced prisoners, paid for by local taxes, were nationalised with convict prisons, paid for nationally, housing longer term prisoners, under a Prison Commission. The needs of each group are different and their merger has led to compromise in the use of resources, denying each group of what is possible.
Even more relevant though, in supporting a case for a royal commission, was the abolition of the Prison Commission in 1962, following which prisons were put into a Prisons Department in the Home Office, under a senior civil servant. Now, whatever prisons are, they are not parts of a Whitehall ministry. Civil servants serve ministers; they do not run large, people orientated organisations. From that moment on, the only time that outsiders have been allowed to comment on the working of the Prisons Department and Prison Service has been when they have been brought in to write reports following disasters – a remark that was made to me in my first week as chief inspector.
In the debate I shall be cataloguing all the aspects of the state of our prisons that need attention, relating how they have been identified in these reports, but subsequently ignored. Lord Mountbatten after the Brixton escape in 1963, Mr Justice May in establishing the independent inspection of prisons but not the Prison Service in 1979, Lord Woolf in his report on the riots in Strangeways in 1990, Sir James Lygo in his report on the management of the Prison Service in 1991 and Sir John Woodcock and Sir John Learmont in their reports on the escapes from Whitemoor and Parkhurst in 1995 all could have been listened to with advantage. What is more, the only White Paper on prisons, Custody, Care and Justice, published with the agreement of all political parties in 1991, remains unactioned to this day.
Since then there have been two internal inquiries that have recommended the continuance with status quo that is patently not working and two reports by Lord Carter of Coles that have resulted in the creation of a National Offender Management Service that has been ridiculed since its undiscussed appearance, and the proposed building of Titan prisons, each holding 2,500 people, which has been greeted with similar scorn.
All is clearly not well, and, in my opinion, will not become better until some light and air is let into the closed shop of the Ministry of Justice and the Prison Service. Royal commissions are a well tried, but less frequently used way of doing this. They are made up of experts who take evidence in public and publish reports. I believe that such an exercise can only help both the ministry and the service resolve the problems that they appear to be unable to do, because they are too close to daily events to be able to take a dispassionate and informed look. Therefore the purpose of my exercise is constructive and not destructive. All that it requires is an acceptance of facts and a willingness to listen. I suspect that the public would not have them do otherwise.
So What?
So What?
Boy, 12, had terrorist murder videos on mobile
"The discovery was revealed yesterday to show how children of all religions could be attracted to al-Qaida".
I have seen such videos myself here this does not mean that I am attracted to al-Qaida or a Muslim. Nor does it mean that the 12 year old boy could be attracted to al-Qaida. It's just the shock horror value, in the same way that pornography has its value.
I am surprised that the Guardian is falling for this alarmist nonsense!
Boy, 12, had terrorist murder videos on mobile
"The discovery was revealed yesterday to show how children of all religions could be attracted to al-Qaida".
I have seen such videos myself here this does not mean that I am attracted to al-Qaida or a Muslim. Nor does it mean that the 12 year old boy could be attracted to al-Qaida. It's just the shock horror value, in the same way that pornography has its value.
I am surprised that the Guardian is falling for this alarmist nonsense!
The Ghaffur versus the gaffer
The Ghaffur versus the gaffer
Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, will hold a face-to-face meeting today with the senior officer who has accused him of racist bullying.
Sir Ian said that he would deal with Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur "robustly and quickly" if he rejected his authority as the Met's commanding officer.
A head to head contest between the Big White Chief and the Red Indian Chief. We already know that the Big White Chief speak with forked tongue, like Hilary Clinton he dodged imaginary bullets...
Perhaps, Harriet Harman should have a word in Sir Ian Blair's shell like?
Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, will hold a face-to-face meeting today with the senior officer who has accused him of racist bullying.
Sir Ian said that he would deal with Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur "robustly and quickly" if he rejected his authority as the Met's commanding officer.
A head to head contest between the Big White Chief and the Red Indian Chief. We already know that the Big White Chief speak with forked tongue, like Hilary Clinton he dodged imaginary bullets...
Perhaps, Harriet Harman should have a word in Sir Ian Blair's shell like?
Prostitutes offer petrol discounts
Prostitutes offer petrol discounts
American prostitutes are offering free fuel after finding that high petrol prices were keeping customers away.
In the Nevada desert, where it is legal to run brothels, truck drivers make up a significant proportion of the men who like to pay to stay awhile.
But with bowser prices making filling the tank of the big rigs which ply their trade on America's highways almost prohibitively expensive, something has had to give.
Fill her up and whilst you're at it put some gas in the tank...
American prostitutes are offering free fuel after finding that high petrol prices were keeping customers away.
In the Nevada desert, where it is legal to run brothels, truck drivers make up a significant proportion of the men who like to pay to stay awhile.
But with bowser prices making filling the tank of the big rigs which ply their trade on America's highways almost prohibitively expensive, something has had to give.
Fill her up and whilst you're at it put some gas in the tank...
Ian Brady told to 'put up or shut up' over Keith Bennett Moors Murder claims
Ian Brady told to 'put up or shut up' over Keith Bennett Moors Murder claims
The Moors murderer Ian Brady has been challenged to "put up or shut up" over his claims that he is ready to guide police to where he buried one of his victims, Keith Bennett.
And to think he was once my next door neighbour at Gartree prison. We never spoke, save for saying thanks when he smuggled me a smoke when I was undergoing punishment.
The Moors murderer Ian Brady has been challenged to "put up or shut up" over his claims that he is ready to guide police to where he buried one of his victims, Keith Bennett.
And to think he was once my next door neighbour at Gartree prison. We never spoke, save for saying thanks when he smuggled me a smoke when I was undergoing punishment.
Great train robber Ronnie Biggs could be free in a year
Great train robber Ronnie Biggs could be free in a year
Ronnie Biggs, the Great Train Robber, will have his case sent to the Parole Board and could be freed from prison by July next year, his lawyer has said.
On the basis that he is extremely unlikely to re-offend and does not pose a risk to the public, the Parole Board should direct his release. The Great Train Robbery is coming up to 50 years ago. It's high time the State consigned it's desire for revenge to history.
Ronnie Biggs, the Great Train Robber, will have his case sent to the Parole Board and could be freed from prison by July next year, his lawyer has said.
On the basis that he is extremely unlikely to re-offend and does not pose a risk to the public, the Parole Board should direct his release. The Great Train Robbery is coming up to 50 years ago. It's high time the State consigned it's desire for revenge to history.
A quarter of adults to face 'anti-paedophile' tests
A quarter of adults to face 'anti-paedophile' tests
A quarter of the adult population faces an "anti-paedophile" test in an escalation of child protection policies, according to a report.
"The launch of a new Government agency will see 11.3million people vetted for any criminal past before they are approved to have contact with children aged under 16.
But the increase in child protection measures is so great it is "poisoning" relationships between the generations, according to respected sociologist Professor Frank Furedi.
In a report for think tank Civitas, he said the use of criminal records bureau checks to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults has created an atmosphere of suspicion".
Firstly, I am suspicious of calls for the safety of children when the authorities are content to let the McCanns evade responsibility for child neglect and evade bringing them to jutice.
Secondly, I refer to Civitas as Silly Ass for obvious reasons...
A quarter of the adult population faces an "anti-paedophile" test in an escalation of child protection policies, according to a report.
"The launch of a new Government agency will see 11.3million people vetted for any criminal past before they are approved to have contact with children aged under 16.
But the increase in child protection measures is so great it is "poisoning" relationships between the generations, according to respected sociologist Professor Frank Furedi.
In a report for think tank Civitas, he said the use of criminal records bureau checks to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults has created an atmosphere of suspicion".
Firstly, I am suspicious of calls for the safety of children when the authorities are content to let the McCanns evade responsibility for child neglect and evade bringing them to jutice.
Secondly, I refer to Civitas as Silly Ass for obvious reasons...
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Justice behind the screen
Justice behind the screen
Like good curry, good law is hard to cook up in haste. The government, however, has little alternative but to legislate quickly in response to a court ruling last week that could put dangerous men out on the loose. A £6m murder trial collapsed yesterday, because it relied on anonymous testimony - a reliance that the law lords had last week declared illegal. In the words of the presiding judge yesterday, their decision had "derailed" the case. The Lords ruling came in a separate murder case and had already made inevitable the quashing of the conviction there. It could soon scupper several gangland prosecutions - not to mention some terrorist trials that are already in train. Judge-bashing populists will no doubt take last week's decision as fresh evidence that the courts are out of touch and indeed dangerous. The truth is that the law lords' reasoning was perfectly sound, although the consequences of their ruling are, indisputably, a mess.
Son of supergrass
The law lords are right: offering total anonymity to witnesses creates a serious legal hazard
Back in the 70s, when the police found it almost impossible to get convictions in the growing number of armed robbery cases in London, the prosecuting authorities hit on the idea of the supergrass. In exchange for a short sentence and a new identity, former armed robbers could give evidence against their colleagues. Initially, the idea was a spectacular success, the number of armed robberies declined sharply and many career criminals were jailed for long sentences.
In recent years, London has faced a wave of a different form of armed crime and one of a more deadly nature: gang murders. While the average murder clear-up rate is an admirably high 80% to 90%, in such crimes convictions were running at about half that level. How would it be possible to halt the killings and jail the gunmen?
This whole idea of rebalancing justice in favour of the victim was a bad idea from the start, because it obviously leads to an injustice against the accused.
Now Jack Straw is in a panic as he tries once more to patch up the damaged public confidence in the Criminal Justice System. He will be seeking to introduce legislation which will have retrospective effect. This has all the hallmarks of Alice in Wonderland and the White Queen punishing before the crime has been committed.
Like good curry, good law is hard to cook up in haste. The government, however, has little alternative but to legislate quickly in response to a court ruling last week that could put dangerous men out on the loose. A £6m murder trial collapsed yesterday, because it relied on anonymous testimony - a reliance that the law lords had last week declared illegal. In the words of the presiding judge yesterday, their decision had "derailed" the case. The Lords ruling came in a separate murder case and had already made inevitable the quashing of the conviction there. It could soon scupper several gangland prosecutions - not to mention some terrorist trials that are already in train. Judge-bashing populists will no doubt take last week's decision as fresh evidence that the courts are out of touch and indeed dangerous. The truth is that the law lords' reasoning was perfectly sound, although the consequences of their ruling are, indisputably, a mess.
Son of supergrass
The law lords are right: offering total anonymity to witnesses creates a serious legal hazard
Back in the 70s, when the police found it almost impossible to get convictions in the growing number of armed robbery cases in London, the prosecuting authorities hit on the idea of the supergrass. In exchange for a short sentence and a new identity, former armed robbers could give evidence against their colleagues. Initially, the idea was a spectacular success, the number of armed robberies declined sharply and many career criminals were jailed for long sentences.
In recent years, London has faced a wave of a different form of armed crime and one of a more deadly nature: gang murders. While the average murder clear-up rate is an admirably high 80% to 90%, in such crimes convictions were running at about half that level. How would it be possible to halt the killings and jail the gunmen?
This whole idea of rebalancing justice in favour of the victim was a bad idea from the start, because it obviously leads to an injustice against the accused.
Now Jack Straw is in a panic as he tries once more to patch up the damaged public confidence in the Criminal Justice System. He will be seeking to introduce legislation which will have retrospective effect. This has all the hallmarks of Alice in Wonderland and the White Queen punishing before the crime has been committed.
Ex-soldier arrested for kidnap after citizen's arrest of hooligan
Ex-soldier arrested for kidnap after citizen's arrest of hooligan
An Army veteran was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping after carrying out a citizen's arrest when young hooligans attacked his home.
Frank McCourt, 57, returned home to find his wife Maria in tears on the sofa after their £170,000 semi-detached home in Crawley, West Sussex was targeted by a gang throwing sticks, stones, mud and eggs.
He rang a police anti-social behaviour hotline and was put on hold for 45 minutes before deciding to take matters into his own hands.
If the police fail to respond and a citizen is not allowed to perform a citizen's arrest, what is one supposed to do?
An Army veteran was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping after carrying out a citizen's arrest when young hooligans attacked his home.
Frank McCourt, 57, returned home to find his wife Maria in tears on the sofa after their £170,000 semi-detached home in Crawley, West Sussex was targeted by a gang throwing sticks, stones, mud and eggs.
He rang a police anti-social behaviour hotline and was put on hold for 45 minutes before deciding to take matters into his own hands.
If the police fail to respond and a citizen is not allowed to perform a citizen's arrest, what is one supposed to do?
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Boris Johnson the Thief of Baghdad not the cigar case should be in police custody
Boris Johnson the Thief of Baghdad not the cigar case should be in police custody
The new London Mayor, Boris Johnson, has a shady past. He is a self-confessed thief. I seem to recall him campaigning and suggesting that the police should tackle petty crime in a zero tolerance approach. But, leave him out of the equation he now says it is wasting police time to investigate his act of thievery.
Big energy price increases likely
Big energy price increases likely
Big increases in gas and electricity bills are likely this year, leading energy suppliers have confirmed.
Bosses of the big six energy firms are answering questions about prices from MPs on the parliamentary business and enterprise select committee.
Sam Laidlaw, the chief executive of Centrica, which trades as British Gas, said it was "clear that gas prices are going to have to move up".
He acknowledged that predictions of 40% price rises could be accurate.
Last year my gas bill went up by 25% on two separate occasions, that's a rise of 50%. This year it has gone up 17% already, that's 67%. If this rise of 40% goes ahead that will make it 107% in less than a year!
If inflation is only at 2.5%, allow another 1.5% for the Chancellor's lie, that's 4% why are we having to pay the other 103% above inflation?
Pub to close over razor wire row
Pub to close over razor wire row
A landlord is closing down his pub after the local council refused to let him keep razor wire around it.
Wayne Etheridge installed the security device at the Royal Oak, in Amblecote, Stourbridge, after burglers struck three times in less than a year.
Dudley Council said he did not have planning permission and a planning inspector has told him to take it down.
But Mr Etheridge said he had been unable to get insurance without it and had no choice but to close the pub.
He said 12 staff would be made redundant on the last day of trading on 6 July.
Let me get this straight. You need planning permission to protect your property from burglars? Why not simply grant a belated request like happens to these corrupt MPs who delve into the property market on their fiddled expenses? It seems crazy that you cannot get insurance without razorwire, and then you cannot install it without planning permission. Meanwhile, whilst the council acts like silly buggers 12 people are going to be thrown out of work and have to claim state benefits.
Tell me the world isn't going mad, please!
Pssssst! Landlord, I did hear that Tony Martin has a secondhand double-barreled shotgun for sale...
Bail hostel staff in strike vote
Bail hostel staff in strike vote
Avon and Somerset Probation service staff are being balloted for strike action over plans to downgrade workers at some bail hostels.
Union leaders claim proposals to replace experienced workers with less experienced ones could pose a risk to staff and public safety.
The probation service said public protection was its main priority, but it also had to provide value for money.
If a strike goes ahead police officers would be used to run the hostels.
I think I have got a better idea. Withdraw the Army from Iraq and Afghanistan and mobilise the troops into the bail hostels. I remember when Frankland Prison first opened and the Prison Officer's Association refused to man the jail, so the Prison Service got the Army into run the jail. The downside to this was that when they withdrew they took everything with them that was not nailed down and the Prison Service had to refurbish the jail at the taxpayers expense!
Prison reported 'fictional' data
Prison reported 'fictional' data
Managers at a prison have been accused of making up figures relating to how long inmates spend in their cells.
There were "fundamental problems" at Leeds Prison, despite attempts to improve, said a report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers.
She said the amount of time inmates were reported to be spending out of their cells was "simply fictional".
Lies, damned lies and statistics! This is hardly setting a good example for prisoners to follow.
Row over prison phone call costs
Row over prison phone call costs
An official complaint about telephone calls from prison costing seven times normal payphone rates has been made by the National Consumer Council (NCC).
There is no excuse for this conduct from BT. They are subjecting a captive audience to unfair contract terms. Many prisoners are still only receiving £4.50 per week pocket money. And, the cheapest BT phonecard is £2.00. It is daylight robbery to charge prisoners 7 times more than any person outside of prison to make a phone call. It is against the law to make prisoners pay for their own imprisonment, which the Prison Service and BT have conspired to do. The security aspect has to be paid for by the State, ultimately the cost must be borne by the taxpayers. It's the price of protecting the public, it does not come for free.
An official complaint about telephone calls from prison costing seven times normal payphone rates has been made by the National Consumer Council (NCC).
There is no excuse for this conduct from BT. They are subjecting a captive audience to unfair contract terms. Many prisoners are still only receiving £4.50 per week pocket money. And, the cheapest BT phonecard is £2.00. It is daylight robbery to charge prisoners 7 times more than any person outside of prison to make a phone call. It is against the law to make prisoners pay for their own imprisonment, which the Prison Service and BT have conspired to do. The security aspect has to be paid for by the State, ultimately the cost must be borne by the taxpayers. It's the price of protecting the public, it does not come for free.
Justice must be done: But why has it cost £6M?
Justice must be done: But why has it cost £6M?
I am aware of the principle that not only must justice be done, but it must be manifestly seen to be done. Having said, that why has this case cost £6M so far and what will it cost for the retrial?
Camera obscurer
Camera obscurer
I took Rocky for his usual walk in Pearson Park at approximately 9am. And I noticed a man about my age with a camera in his hands and the strap around his neck. He appeared to be looking for a shot. I thought he was a day or two too late to capture interesting images of the devastation to the branches and trees caused by the knock on effect of the Typhoon more severely felt at the other side of the world. The Park Rangers had quickly cleared the debris.
As I neared the pond area, I saw the new but old looking Park Ranger coming towards me. I said to Rocky, "look who it is", and he started wagging his tail and stretching forward on the lead to greet him. He appeared to be in a mildly agitated state. "Have you seen a strange looking man with a camera?", he asked. "I've seen a man with a camera, down the bottom there", I pointed to the other end of the park, "but I wouldn't say he was strange looking". The Park Ranger said, "We've had a couple of reports about a strange looking man with a camera taking photographs".
Now that is strange, having a camera and taking photographs with it! 'Even stranger would be taking photographs with out one', I thought. Still, I looked about us and could not see any children. "I cannot see what all the fuss is about, it is legal to take photographs, you know", I said. The Park Ranger appeared to be considering whether it was all worthwhile his walking to the other end of the park for nothing, and decided against it and walked back to the hut behind the Victorian Conservatory.
Rocky and I continued our morning walk, around the pond and past Penna's ice cream hut, and Queen Victoria's statue, it was the last leg of our journey. Then the thought struck me, 'This is probably how the man with the "dangerous dog" story started and got out of control'.
As we neared the other end of the park, I looked across the park and there he was, the phantom photographer, snapping away at a woman sat on a park bench with her two dogs beside her. It must have been a digital camera, because every so often he paused and she got up and they both examined the images on the screen. I have to say, it did not look strange to me at all. It looked perfectly normal and innocent behaviour.
Related link.
I took Rocky for his usual walk in Pearson Park at approximately 9am. And I noticed a man about my age with a camera in his hands and the strap around his neck. He appeared to be looking for a shot. I thought he was a day or two too late to capture interesting images of the devastation to the branches and trees caused by the knock on effect of the Typhoon more severely felt at the other side of the world. The Park Rangers had quickly cleared the debris.
As I neared the pond area, I saw the new but old looking Park Ranger coming towards me. I said to Rocky, "look who it is", and he started wagging his tail and stretching forward on the lead to greet him. He appeared to be in a mildly agitated state. "Have you seen a strange looking man with a camera?", he asked. "I've seen a man with a camera, down the bottom there", I pointed to the other end of the park, "but I wouldn't say he was strange looking". The Park Ranger said, "We've had a couple of reports about a strange looking man with a camera taking photographs".
Now that is strange, having a camera and taking photographs with it! 'Even stranger would be taking photographs with out one', I thought. Still, I looked about us and could not see any children. "I cannot see what all the fuss is about, it is legal to take photographs, you know", I said. The Park Ranger appeared to be considering whether it was all worthwhile his walking to the other end of the park for nothing, and decided against it and walked back to the hut behind the Victorian Conservatory.
Rocky and I continued our morning walk, around the pond and past Penna's ice cream hut, and Queen Victoria's statue, it was the last leg of our journey. Then the thought struck me, 'This is probably how the man with the "dangerous dog" story started and got out of control'.
As we neared the other end of the park, I looked across the park and there he was, the phantom photographer, snapping away at a woman sat on a park bench with her two dogs beside her. It must have been a digital camera, because every so often he paused and she got up and they both examined the images on the screen. I have to say, it did not look strange to me at all. It looked perfectly normal and innocent behaviour.
Related link.
McCanns in the dock
McCanns in the dock
The reason why the McCanns are in the dock is that they lied, and lied and lied...
They lied about the checks (every hour then when that wasn’t received well ever half hour)
They lied that they were performing the checks themselves (then it became known other men in the group were also checking on the McCann kids)
They lied even after that in the TV interview when Kate says she discovered Madeleine gone ‘on one of my checks’ – it was the only check she made that night.
They lied about the distance from the apartment to the Tapas bar
They lied that you can see the apartment from the Tapas Bar
They lied about whether they actually saw Madeleine with their own eyes or just listened at the door (as did their friends)
They lied about who checked and when (changing their stories)
They lied about who remained at the table all evening and who was absent
They lied that leaving 3 children all under four years old alone at night ‘at the time was not irresponsible’
Their friends lied about seeing Murat there that night (as incoming and outgoing phone records placed him consistently at home)
They lied about Bundleman.
Tanner lied about when she gave Bundlemans details to the Police (changing the date)
Tanner lied about the description of Bundleman (changing the height and appearance)
Wilkins & Gerry or Tanner lied about that check when they were all in the same place but never saw each other.
They lied that the door was locked and changed it to unlocked when it was not well received.
They lied that the door was closed, then it was open because of ‘danger of fire’
They lied about the shutters being jemmied or forced
They lied to friends, family and media when the called them that night telling them of an abductor who had broken into their apartment
Gerry lied when he said there was no way Madeleine could have gotten out of bed and then said she must have wandered off.
Gerry later lied in his blog saying the twins must like their new cots because they were asleep by 7:30pm which was very unusual, and yet the twins were asleep by 7:30 on the night of May 3rd allegedly.
They lied to friends, family and media in phone calls that night saying the Police had not shown up when they were already there.
Kate lied to Mrs Fenn saying the Police had been called.
They lied saying they had called the Police when it was in fact Mark Warner
They lied when they said it felt so safe and then said they knew they were being watched.
They lied to family, friends and media on the phone that night when they said nobody was doing anything wheen in fact locals, holidaymakers and staff were all helping search.
They lied when they said they were all searching when Kate and Gerry were hitting phones until midnight and Tanner claims she knew nothing of the disappearance until another friend knocked on her door.
Gerry lied when he asked for a priest claiming not to know where the church was.
They lied as to what time the Police arrived
They lied that Cuddlecat was Madeleine’s favourite toy and then that it was a present to be given to her on her fourth birthday.
They lied saying they would cooperate fully with the investigation
They lied saying they would not do anything to hinder the investigation
They lied that the fund was going to be a charity.
They lied that the fund would help other missing children and families of.
They lied when they said they didn’t know Murat.
They lied when they said they would stay in Portugal until their daughter was found.
They lied when they said they were going to learn Portuguese.
They lied that it could not possibly be Madeleine’s blood in the trunk of their hire car. And then they took the same vehicle out of circulation so no further tests could be carried out upon it.
They lied about not discussing the case and met with the Tapas 9 secretly.
Gerry lied about where his wallet was apparently stolen, Waterloo station and then near Downing Street.
They lied when they said abductions like this (snatched sleeping from a hotel or apartment) happen a lot, they don’t.
They lied about the fund not being used for personal matters and then it paid their mortgage.
Kate lied about coming into contact with 6 dead people in her 1 day a week job as GP to explain the cadaver scent on her clothing.
They lied about cuddlecat having the scent of Madeleine and being comforting and then as soon as they heard the dogs were coming Kate announced she had washed it because it smelled of sun tan lotion. Making forensic analysis of it much harder.
They about the crime scene, about how many people came into the crime scene, walked around and contaminated it, again making investigation much harder and destroying much evidence according to detectives.
Gerry lied about the existence of the tennis bag.
They lied about going to sue media companies.
They lied about the film deal.
They lied about sacking Justine McGuinness and her subsequent departure.
They lied about returning to Portugal for questioning voluntarily and now will only do if their Arguido status is lifted. They have also appointed General Pinochets extradition-fighting lawyers.
Gerry lied about his faith.
They lied to the local catholic priest (who now claims he was deceived by the McCanns) and then deserted him for the Anglican reverend instead and never, ever took confession apparently.
They said a lie detector test would clear them and now refuse to take one.
They lied for months saying they were not suspects in the disappearance of their daughter and were then both made formal Arguido / suspects under Portuguese law.
They lied about the possibility of sedation and then claimed ridiculously that perhaps the Abductor had sedated all 3 of their children before making off with Madeleine.
Gerry lied about Kate’s ability to cope with three children on her own when her own Parents and her own diary say different.
They lied about the amount of alcohol consumed that night.
In another lie about cooperating they refused to provide their mobile phone records to the pj.
Kate explaining away the scent of death of cuddlecat because she took the childs 4th birthday present cuddly toy to work and exposed it to contact with 6 dead people.
They lied how everything had been so normal up til May 3rd when it is now known that Mark Warner staff had received complaints from other holidaymakers because of their home alone children crying and seeming in distress. This also brought Mark Warner staff looking for the McCanns on the night of the 2nd and insisting they attend to their distressed children.
They lied about 90 minute tennis lesson with several versions of the story being put out by official sources within the McCann Camp
They and at least one friend lied about Madeleine’s last meal on May 3rd.
They lied about the abductor entering through the window and then changed it to the patio doors.
Matthew Oldfield lied about his check on the McCann children changing his story not once but twice.
Kate lied about physically searching for her daughter but then admits to not have done so in a tv interview.
McCanns claim they were the first to arrive to tapas on May 3rd, Rachel Oldfield claims they were the last to arrive.
Despite being in Rome and Madrid and claiming to be spending the rest of the week quietly at home in PDL with the twins, the hire car in it’s first week clocked up over 500 miles.
Gerry lied about his checks on the children in the apartment, at first having claimed to have entered several rooms later then claiming the abductor must have hiding in the apartment while he was there.
Gerry and O Brien have lied about their locations when holding a mobile phone call together on June 10th as verified by phone records and pinpointing.
Jane Tanner has changed her statements, arrival time at tapas, direction of travel, checking times for night of May 3rd.
Najova Chekaya who joined the tapas 9 at the table at 9:30 states nobody left the table until Kate went to check. Putting Oldfields, O Briens, Tanners and Gerry McCanns statements into question.
Hat-Tip for the list of lies Tony Q at the 3As
Idea: Jailhouselawyer
Photoshop: RonKnee
The reason why the McCanns are in the dock is that they lied, and lied and lied...
They lied about the checks (every hour then when that wasn’t received well ever half hour)
They lied that they were performing the checks themselves (then it became known other men in the group were also checking on the McCann kids)
They lied even after that in the TV interview when Kate says she discovered Madeleine gone ‘on one of my checks’ – it was the only check she made that night.
They lied about the distance from the apartment to the Tapas bar
They lied that you can see the apartment from the Tapas Bar
They lied about whether they actually saw Madeleine with their own eyes or just listened at the door (as did their friends)
They lied about who checked and when (changing their stories)
They lied about who remained at the table all evening and who was absent
They lied that leaving 3 children all under four years old alone at night ‘at the time was not irresponsible’
Their friends lied about seeing Murat there that night (as incoming and outgoing phone records placed him consistently at home)
They lied about Bundleman.
Tanner lied about when she gave Bundlemans details to the Police (changing the date)
Tanner lied about the description of Bundleman (changing the height and appearance)
Wilkins & Gerry or Tanner lied about that check when they were all in the same place but never saw each other.
They lied that the door was locked and changed it to unlocked when it was not well received.
They lied that the door was closed, then it was open because of ‘danger of fire’
They lied about the shutters being jemmied or forced
They lied to friends, family and media when the called them that night telling them of an abductor who had broken into their apartment
Gerry lied when he said there was no way Madeleine could have gotten out of bed and then said she must have wandered off.
Gerry later lied in his blog saying the twins must like their new cots because they were asleep by 7:30pm which was very unusual, and yet the twins were asleep by 7:30 on the night of May 3rd allegedly.
They lied to friends, family and media in phone calls that night saying the Police had not shown up when they were already there.
Kate lied to Mrs Fenn saying the Police had been called.
They lied saying they had called the Police when it was in fact Mark Warner
They lied when they said it felt so safe and then said they knew they were being watched.
They lied to family, friends and media on the phone that night when they said nobody was doing anything wheen in fact locals, holidaymakers and staff were all helping search.
They lied when they said they were all searching when Kate and Gerry were hitting phones until midnight and Tanner claims she knew nothing of the disappearance until another friend knocked on her door.
Gerry lied when he asked for a priest claiming not to know where the church was.
They lied as to what time the Police arrived
They lied that Cuddlecat was Madeleine’s favourite toy and then that it was a present to be given to her on her fourth birthday.
They lied saying they would cooperate fully with the investigation
They lied saying they would not do anything to hinder the investigation
They lied that the fund was going to be a charity.
They lied that the fund would help other missing children and families of.
They lied when they said they didn’t know Murat.
They lied when they said they would stay in Portugal until their daughter was found.
They lied when they said they were going to learn Portuguese.
They lied that it could not possibly be Madeleine’s blood in the trunk of their hire car. And then they took the same vehicle out of circulation so no further tests could be carried out upon it.
They lied about not discussing the case and met with the Tapas 9 secretly.
Gerry lied about where his wallet was apparently stolen, Waterloo station and then near Downing Street.
They lied when they said abductions like this (snatched sleeping from a hotel or apartment) happen a lot, they don’t.
They lied about the fund not being used for personal matters and then it paid their mortgage.
Kate lied about coming into contact with 6 dead people in her 1 day a week job as GP to explain the cadaver scent on her clothing.
They lied about cuddlecat having the scent of Madeleine and being comforting and then as soon as they heard the dogs were coming Kate announced she had washed it because it smelled of sun tan lotion. Making forensic analysis of it much harder.
They about the crime scene, about how many people came into the crime scene, walked around and contaminated it, again making investigation much harder and destroying much evidence according to detectives.
Gerry lied about the existence of the tennis bag.
They lied about going to sue media companies.
They lied about the film deal.
They lied about sacking Justine McGuinness and her subsequent departure.
They lied about returning to Portugal for questioning voluntarily and now will only do if their Arguido status is lifted. They have also appointed General Pinochets extradition-fighting lawyers.
Gerry lied about his faith.
They lied to the local catholic priest (who now claims he was deceived by the McCanns) and then deserted him for the Anglican reverend instead and never, ever took confession apparently.
They said a lie detector test would clear them and now refuse to take one.
They lied for months saying they were not suspects in the disappearance of their daughter and were then both made formal Arguido / suspects under Portuguese law.
They lied about the possibility of sedation and then claimed ridiculously that perhaps the Abductor had sedated all 3 of their children before making off with Madeleine.
Gerry lied about Kate’s ability to cope with three children on her own when her own Parents and her own diary say different.
They lied about the amount of alcohol consumed that night.
In another lie about cooperating they refused to provide their mobile phone records to the pj.
Kate explaining away the scent of death of cuddlecat because she took the childs 4th birthday present cuddly toy to work and exposed it to contact with 6 dead people.
They lied how everything had been so normal up til May 3rd when it is now known that Mark Warner staff had received complaints from other holidaymakers because of their home alone children crying and seeming in distress. This also brought Mark Warner staff looking for the McCanns on the night of the 2nd and insisting they attend to their distressed children.
They lied about 90 minute tennis lesson with several versions of the story being put out by official sources within the McCann Camp
They and at least one friend lied about Madeleine’s last meal on May 3rd.
They lied about the abductor entering through the window and then changed it to the patio doors.
Matthew Oldfield lied about his check on the McCann children changing his story not once but twice.
Kate lied about physically searching for her daughter but then admits to not have done so in a tv interview.
McCanns claim they were the first to arrive to tapas on May 3rd, Rachel Oldfield claims they were the last to arrive.
Despite being in Rome and Madrid and claiming to be spending the rest of the week quietly at home in PDL with the twins, the hire car in it’s first week clocked up over 500 miles.
Gerry lied about his checks on the children in the apartment, at first having claimed to have entered several rooms later then claiming the abductor must have hiding in the apartment while he was there.
Gerry and O Brien have lied about their locations when holding a mobile phone call together on June 10th as verified by phone records and pinpointing.
Jane Tanner has changed her statements, arrival time at tapas, direction of travel, checking times for night of May 3rd.
Najova Chekaya who joined the tapas 9 at the table at 9:30 states nobody left the table until Kate went to check. Putting Oldfields, O Briens, Tanners and Gerry McCanns statements into question.
Hat-Tip for the list of lies Tony Q at the 3As
Idea: Jailhouselawyer
Photoshop: RonKnee
Monday, June 23, 2008
Blacks are racist claims the Tory party
Blacks are racist claims the Tory party
"Darcus Howe is a nasty, odious racist", claims conservativehome. The comment was made by Justin Hinchcliffe who has a link to the Tottenham Conservatives, in this post "The statement Boris should have made: I will not throw a good man to the wolves". Talk about the kettle calling the pot black!
Interestingly, this potential libel was published following my comment being deleted by the whiter than white Tim Montgomerie editor of the racist blog. He claims not to have censored the comment by deletion, rather it was:
"COMMENT OVERWRITTEN.
Posted by: jailhouselawyer | June 23, 2008 at 12:44"
I Googled it to see if my comment had in fact been overwritten as the editor claimed, or censored as I claim:
"overwrite
(redirected from overwritten)
Also found in: Financial, Encyclopedia 0.04 sec.
o·ver·write (vr-rt)
v. o·ver·wrote (-rt), o·ver·writ·ten (-rtn), o·ver·writ·ing, o·ver·writes
v.tr.
1. To cover (something) with writing.
2. To write about in an artificial or an excessively elaborate, wordy style.
3. Computer Science
a. To destroy or lose (old data) by recording new data over it: accidentally overwrote an important document.
b. To record (new data) on top of already stored data, thus destroying the old data: overwrote an updated document on top of an earlier draft.
v.intr.
To write artificial, excessively elaborate, or wordy prose".
What is also interesting is that following Justin Hinchcliffe's link to the Tottenham Conservatives, I was greeted by a banner proclaiming "Conservatives - It's time for change". There's me thinking it means that they are going to change from the Nasty Party with all it's racism ingrained, to a more enlightened party...
The article is about what Boris should have done instead of sacking his adviser. There is hypocrisy at work here, because the editor removed my comment at the slightest remark by some idiot calling himself or herself "Common Sense":
"'racism' as defined by Passing Leftie is an objectively anti-British construct.
PS - Having said that, the nonsense written by 'jailhouse lawyer' is actually racist, as well as being deeply stupid, and should be removed.
Posted by: Common Sense | June 23, 2008 at 13:10".
Had the idiot taken time to read it properly he or she would have seen that I was not the author having merely copied and pasted what I had read elsewhere and provided the necessary link. I beg to differ that it "is actually racist" at all.
In any event, if proper common sense was used by the editor he would have deleted the potentially libellous claim that "Darcus Howe is a nasty, odious racist". If I were Darcus Howe I would be suing them for every penny they have. They would have to prove all three elements "nasty", "odious" and "racist" in a libel action.
UPDATE: I have since left the comment below on conservativehome and it will be interesting to see how the editor responds to it.
"I hope that Darcus Howe sues for libel for this comment by Justin Hinchcliffe @ 14.17 "Darcus Howe is a nasty, odious racist".
Is Tim Montgomerie colour blind in that he cannot see when someone who represents the Blues in Tottenham libels a blackman?
Posted by: jailhouselawyer | June 24, 2008 at 00:09".
Photoshop of Boris: RonKnee
Racist killer captured after bid to flee court
Racist killer captured after bid to flee court
Son of police officer guilty of racist murder. He may have joined the Army to continue his racist killings. And, yet, The Herald describes him as an Iraqi war hero! It is getting ridiculous when everybody who serves in Iraq or Afghanistan are described as heroes. This used to be the label bestowed upon those who's courageous act went beyond the call of duty. I think it was Margaret Thatcher who devalued this whole thing by awarding Colonel 'H' a VC during the Falklands/Malvinas conflict. All he did was stick his head up and say "Right lads, up and at 'em" before he got it blown off by a bullet.
Heads up to Jemmy Hope for alerting me to this story in the comments section of No Laughing Matter below.
Son of police officer guilty of racist murder. He may have joined the Army to continue his racist killings. And, yet, The Herald describes him as an Iraqi war hero! It is getting ridiculous when everybody who serves in Iraq or Afghanistan are described as heroes. This used to be the label bestowed upon those who's courageous act went beyond the call of duty. I think it was Margaret Thatcher who devalued this whole thing by awarding Colonel 'H' a VC during the Falklands/Malvinas conflict. All he did was stick his head up and say "Right lads, up and at 'em" before he got it blown off by a bullet.
Heads up to Jemmy Hope for alerting me to this story in the comments section of No Laughing Matter below.
Zimbabwe's Morgan Tsvangirai seeks refuge in Dutch embassy
Zimbabwe's Morgan Tsvangirai seeks refuge in Dutch embassy
Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwe's opposition leader, has taken refuge in the Dutch embassy in the capital Harare apparently fearing for his own safety.
The Dutch foreign ministry confirmed that the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change had spent the night in the embassy but had not requested asylum.
Apparently, South Africa, Russia and China will oppose UN Security Council resolutions to relieve the situation in Zimbabwe caused by Robert Mugabe and his Army Generals. As Annie Lennox said on the Andrew Marr show on Sunday, let's hope that Nelson Mandela will speak out and condemn the military regime posing as a democratically elected government.
Nelson Mandela flew into Britain today at the start of a star-studded series of celebrations to mark his 90th birthday.
The climax of the former South African's president's visit will be an outdoor concert in Hyde Park on Friday featuring Queen, Leona Lewis, Annie Lennox and Dame Shirley Bassey.
Councils told to stop snooping
Councils told to stop snooping
Councils are to be ordered to stop using controversial snooping laws to investigate petty offences such as dog fouling, littering and breaches of school admissions policies.
Councils urged to stop snooping over 'trivial' offences
Town hall leaders were warned by the head of the Local Government Association (LGA) they risked alienating the public and being stripped of the right to use spying methods.
Link.
Not before time! This kind of surveillance has echoes of Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Prisoners riot for more sex
Prisoners riot for more sex
Inmates at a prison in Paraguay have rioted because they want more sex.
The unusual demand was among a long list of gripes which sparked a violent protest yesterday in the Esperanza prison, just outside the capital, Asuncion.
Prisoners seized the director of the prison and several other administration staff as they took over the facility.
They demanded more time to have sex with their wives and girlfriends and an end to mistreatment by prison guards.
Many Paraguayan prisons allow conjugal visits during the day. The rule also applies at Esperanza but clashes with the prisoners' working hours, during which they run small businesses such as clothing factories.
Prisoners said they had complained that work was getting in the way of pleasure, but had not been heard by administrators, so they decided to riot.
Derlis Osorio, the Paraguayan justice minister, said the riot ended after a tense, four-hour stand-off and there were no deaths or injuries.
It was announced last night that the prisoners had won part of their battle. Officials said prisoners would be allowed more conjugal visits during the day, outside working hours.
They promised to improve the way guards treated inmates, to investigate claims of abuse and to end the regime of strip searches of visitors.
But it was not clear whether prison authorities agreed to allow night time conjugal visits - which was at the top of the prisoners' wish-list.
No sex please, we're British...
Inmates at a prison in Paraguay have rioted because they want more sex.
The unusual demand was among a long list of gripes which sparked a violent protest yesterday in the Esperanza prison, just outside the capital, Asuncion.
Prisoners seized the director of the prison and several other administration staff as they took over the facility.
They demanded more time to have sex with their wives and girlfriends and an end to mistreatment by prison guards.
Many Paraguayan prisons allow conjugal visits during the day. The rule also applies at Esperanza but clashes with the prisoners' working hours, during which they run small businesses such as clothing factories.
Prisoners said they had complained that work was getting in the way of pleasure, but had not been heard by administrators, so they decided to riot.
Derlis Osorio, the Paraguayan justice minister, said the riot ended after a tense, four-hour stand-off and there were no deaths or injuries.
It was announced last night that the prisoners had won part of their battle. Officials said prisoners would be allowed more conjugal visits during the day, outside working hours.
They promised to improve the way guards treated inmates, to investigate claims of abuse and to end the regime of strip searches of visitors.
But it was not clear whether prison authorities agreed to allow night time conjugal visits - which was at the top of the prisoners' wish-list.
No sex please, we're British...
Tory plan to ease overcrowded prisons by overcrowding them even more
Tory plan to ease overcrowded prisons by overcrowding them even more
"The uncomfortable truth is that too many of our jails are unproductive human warehouses where idleness reigns and drugs are rife".
"The uncomfortable truth is that too many of our jails are unproductive human warehouses where idleness reigns and drugs are rife".
MEP arrested on fraud allegation
MEP arrested on fraud allegation
A member of the European Parliament for the East has been arrested on suspicion of obtaining money by deception.
Tom Wise, 60, from Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire was questioned by police on Friday about an alleged fraud. He was later given bail.
The former policeman who was elected for UKIP had the party whip withdrawn in 2007 and now sits as an independent.
Mr Wise, who represents Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, was elected in 2004.
He is one of seven MEPs covering the east of England.
A spokesperson from Bedfordshire Police told the BBC a man was arrested for obtaining money by deception and has been released on bail pending further inquiries.
A member of the European Parliament for the East has been arrested on suspicion of obtaining money by deception.
Tom Wise, 60, from Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire was questioned by police on Friday about an alleged fraud. He was later given bail.
The former policeman who was elected for UKIP had the party whip withdrawn in 2007 and now sits as an independent.
Mr Wise, who represents Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, was elected in 2004.
He is one of seven MEPs covering the east of England.
A spokesperson from Bedfordshire Police told the BBC a man was arrested for obtaining money by deception and has been released on bail pending further inquiries.
MPs set to claim £40,000 perk
MPs set to claim £40,000 perk
Members of parliament could receive a standard allowance of £40,000 a year on top of their salaries to pay for a second home in London, under proposals to be finalised this week.
A committee of senior MPs, chaired by Michael Martin, the Commons Speaker, wants to add the payment to MPs’ salaries of £61,820.
Under the new arrangement, MPs would be spared the scrutiny that comes with submitting individual receipts for the running costs of their properties.
Critics argue that if the proposed reform is adopted it will amount to rewarding MPs for their recent abuses of the system. MPs have been caught making inflated claims for household goods and gardening services.
Members of parliament could receive a standard allowance of £40,000 a year on top of their salaries to pay for a second home in London, under proposals to be finalised this week.
A committee of senior MPs, chaired by Michael Martin, the Commons Speaker, wants to add the payment to MPs’ salaries of £61,820.
Under the new arrangement, MPs would be spared the scrutiny that comes with submitting individual receipts for the running costs of their properties.
Critics argue that if the proposed reform is adopted it will amount to rewarding MPs for their recent abuses of the system. MPs have been caught making inflated claims for household goods and gardening services.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Ex-BNP activist 'recruiting prisoners to join al-Qa'ida'
Ex-BNP activist 'recruiting prisoners to join al-Qa'ida'
A former British National Party activist who converted to Islam in a maximum-security jail is being held in isolation on suspicion of trying to recruit fellow prisoners to terrorist groups.
Stephen Jones has been confined to a segregation unit in Whitemoor prison, Cambridgeshire, for three weeks while the intelligence services investigate his alleged links to al-Qa'ida.
It is thought to be the first time a prisoner has been put in isolation because of fears he was attempting to radicalise other inmates. The authorities were also said to be concerned about his safety. Two other Muslim prisoners are thought to be in the same unit.
Fears have been growing that extremist groups are using prisons as a fertile recruiting ground. Britain is believed to have more prisoners with terrorist sympathies than any other European country.
The Prison Officers' Association (POA) has called for extremist prisoners to be kept away from inmates who could be vulnerable to radicalisation.
Well, this is certainly a new twist to the tale of the poacher turning gamekeeper...
A former British National Party activist who converted to Islam in a maximum-security jail is being held in isolation on suspicion of trying to recruit fellow prisoners to terrorist groups.
Stephen Jones has been confined to a segregation unit in Whitemoor prison, Cambridgeshire, for three weeks while the intelligence services investigate his alleged links to al-Qa'ida.
It is thought to be the first time a prisoner has been put in isolation because of fears he was attempting to radicalise other inmates. The authorities were also said to be concerned about his safety. Two other Muslim prisoners are thought to be in the same unit.
Fears have been growing that extremist groups are using prisons as a fertile recruiting ground. Britain is believed to have more prisoners with terrorist sympathies than any other European country.
The Prison Officers' Association (POA) has called for extremist prisoners to be kept away from inmates who could be vulnerable to radicalisation.
Well, this is certainly a new twist to the tale of the poacher turning gamekeeper...
Little Brother the answer to Big Brother
Little Brother the answer to Big Brother
Justice For Madeleine - Let Her Speak Out campaign
The aim of the campaign as it says on the McCann is just that. We have heard from the McCanns full of worms crawling all over us. Its time to put up or shut up from both sides. Madeleine deserves justice not what the McCanns say since 3 May 2007 happened. The McCanns have a conflict of interests, clearing their name of all wrong doing. And saying they want the taker(s) of Madeleine brought to justice. If the McCanns are in anyway involved in Madeleine's disappearance, there is the potential of a conflict of interests. Therefore an independent party should represent Madeleine. We intend to make an application to be joined as an interested party with rights of audience.
Do you believe that the McCanns are guilty?
Justice For Madeleine - Let Her Speak Out campaign
The aim of the campaign as it says on the McCann is just that. We have heard from the McCanns full of worms crawling all over us. Its time to put up or shut up from both sides. Madeleine deserves justice not what the McCanns say since 3 May 2007 happened. The McCanns have a conflict of interests, clearing their name of all wrong doing. And saying they want the taker(s) of Madeleine brought to justice. If the McCanns are in anyway involved in Madeleine's disappearance, there is the potential of a conflict of interests. Therefore an independent party should represent Madeleine. We intend to make an application to be joined as an interested party with rights of audience.
Do you believe that the McCanns are guilty?
Madeleine McCann: parents' court bid for information
Madeleine McCann: parents' court bid for information
Kate and Gerry McCann are to ask a High Court judge to order the release of police documents which they hope will kick-start the search for their missing daughter Madeleine, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.
The McCanns hope their application to Mrs Justice Hogg will result in Leicestershire Police opening their files on scores of reported sightings of Madeleine, most of which have been passed on to them by police in Portugal, where the four-year-old disappeared in May last year.
Until now police in Leicestershire, the McCanns' home county, have refused the couple's requests for information about sightings, saying they are bound by the terms of an agreement with Portuguese police.
But Mr and Mrs McCann, who retain the services of a Spanish-based detective agency, are anxious to make sure that every possible lead has been checked out, which they believe the Portuguese police, whose investigation is gradually being wound down, may not be able to do.
The Telegraph can also disclose that Madeleine was made a ward of court last summer at the request of the McCanns, to empower judges to act in her best interests in any legal dispute such as the case which is about to be heard.
Clarence Mitchell, the McCanns’ spokesman, said: “I can state that on the instigation of Gerry and Kate McCann Madeleine is a ward of the High Court of England and Wales.
“An application has been made on Madeleine’s behalf by her parents for disclosure of certain documents. The hearing is currently scheduled for July 7 in the High Court in London.
“It has been the stated intention of Gerry and Kate McCann to leave no stone unturned in doing everything necessary to search for their daughter, as would any parent.
“This application is just part of their search for Madeleine.”
Madeleine’s status as a ward of court has never been disclosed by her parents, who quietly made a wardship application in the High Court just weeks after she went missing.
The couple’s legal team had advised them to ask for Madeleine to be made a ward of court because wardship status gives the courts certain statutory powers to act on her behalf in legal disputes such as the one which has arisen with Leicestershire police.
They still believe their daughter is alive and hope the police files may contain information which could yet lead to a breakthrough.
The case is listed to be heard in open court on July 7 in the Family Division of the High Court in London, and is expected to be contested by Leicestershire Police, according to legal sources.
Clarence Mitchell, the McCanns' spokesman, said: "Kate and Gerry have always said that they will do whatever is necessary to find Madeleine and that they will leave no stone unturned in their search for their daughter.
"They will take whatever legal steps are necessary if there is information out there that can assist their private investigation into finding Madeleine. Beyond that I cannot make any comment."
Mr Mitchell said the hearing would not involve any attempt by the McCanns to clear their names by proving they were not involved in their daughter's disappearance from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz. They remain official suspects, or arguidos, in Portugal.
In recent months the couple have become increasingly frustrated at the slow progress of the Portuguese investigation, and they suspect that many possible sightings of Madeleine have not been followed up at all.
If they are given access to the police files on reported sightings, each one will be looked into by private investigators retained by the couple.
For the past year the McCanns have employed Metodo 3, a Barcelona-based detective agency, to carry out an investigation in parallel with the Portuguese police inquiry.
The agency has checked out sightings as far afield as North Africa and South America – all of which have proved to be false – using either its own staff or affiliated firms, which it says it can do far more quickly than the police.
In one instance earlier this year, the agency ruled out a sighting of Madeleine in Chile within three hours of receiving a tip-off, by employing local investigators to track down the girl concerned. The agency argues that police would have taken days to achieve a similar result because they would have been hampered by bureaucracy and official procedure.
Earlier this week Portugal's Attorney General suggested that police files may be opened up at the end of July, but the McCanns fear his comments may prove to be another false dawn.
Their case is being heard in the Family Division because it involves the welfare of a child. Mrs Justice Hogg, a specialist in child welfare cases, is the sister of former cabinet minister Douglas Hogg and the daughter of former Lord Chancellor Lord Hailsham.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Come into my parlour said the spider to the fly.
John Bolch at Family Lore has more here.
Kate and Gerry McCann are to ask a High Court judge to order the release of police documents which they hope will kick-start the search for their missing daughter Madeleine, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.
The McCanns hope their application to Mrs Justice Hogg will result in Leicestershire Police opening their files on scores of reported sightings of Madeleine, most of which have been passed on to them by police in Portugal, where the four-year-old disappeared in May last year.
Until now police in Leicestershire, the McCanns' home county, have refused the couple's requests for information about sightings, saying they are bound by the terms of an agreement with Portuguese police.
But Mr and Mrs McCann, who retain the services of a Spanish-based detective agency, are anxious to make sure that every possible lead has been checked out, which they believe the Portuguese police, whose investigation is gradually being wound down, may not be able to do.
The Telegraph can also disclose that Madeleine was made a ward of court last summer at the request of the McCanns, to empower judges to act in her best interests in any legal dispute such as the case which is about to be heard.
Clarence Mitchell, the McCanns’ spokesman, said: “I can state that on the instigation of Gerry and Kate McCann Madeleine is a ward of the High Court of England and Wales.
“An application has been made on Madeleine’s behalf by her parents for disclosure of certain documents. The hearing is currently scheduled for July 7 in the High Court in London.
“It has been the stated intention of Gerry and Kate McCann to leave no stone unturned in doing everything necessary to search for their daughter, as would any parent.
“This application is just part of their search for Madeleine.”
Madeleine’s status as a ward of court has never been disclosed by her parents, who quietly made a wardship application in the High Court just weeks after she went missing.
The couple’s legal team had advised them to ask for Madeleine to be made a ward of court because wardship status gives the courts certain statutory powers to act on her behalf in legal disputes such as the one which has arisen with Leicestershire police.
They still believe their daughter is alive and hope the police files may contain information which could yet lead to a breakthrough.
The case is listed to be heard in open court on July 7 in the Family Division of the High Court in London, and is expected to be contested by Leicestershire Police, according to legal sources.
Clarence Mitchell, the McCanns' spokesman, said: "Kate and Gerry have always said that they will do whatever is necessary to find Madeleine and that they will leave no stone unturned in their search for their daughter.
"They will take whatever legal steps are necessary if there is information out there that can assist their private investigation into finding Madeleine. Beyond that I cannot make any comment."
Mr Mitchell said the hearing would not involve any attempt by the McCanns to clear their names by proving they were not involved in their daughter's disappearance from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz. They remain official suspects, or arguidos, in Portugal.
In recent months the couple have become increasingly frustrated at the slow progress of the Portuguese investigation, and they suspect that many possible sightings of Madeleine have not been followed up at all.
If they are given access to the police files on reported sightings, each one will be looked into by private investigators retained by the couple.
For the past year the McCanns have employed Metodo 3, a Barcelona-based detective agency, to carry out an investigation in parallel with the Portuguese police inquiry.
The agency has checked out sightings as far afield as North Africa and South America – all of which have proved to be false – using either its own staff or affiliated firms, which it says it can do far more quickly than the police.
In one instance earlier this year, the agency ruled out a sighting of Madeleine in Chile within three hours of receiving a tip-off, by employing local investigators to track down the girl concerned. The agency argues that police would have taken days to achieve a similar result because they would have been hampered by bureaucracy and official procedure.
Earlier this week Portugal's Attorney General suggested that police files may be opened up at the end of July, but the McCanns fear his comments may prove to be another false dawn.
Their case is being heard in the Family Division because it involves the welfare of a child. Mrs Justice Hogg, a specialist in child welfare cases, is the sister of former cabinet minister Douglas Hogg and the daughter of former Lord Chancellor Lord Hailsham.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Come into my parlour said the spider to the fly.
John Bolch at Family Lore has more here.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Oh Susannah don't you pine for me?
Oh Susannah don't you pine for me?
I wonder what was going through Susannah Reid's mind when she suggested to Tim Henman "Let's see your sex"? Was it a Freudian slip? And all this before the 9am watershed...
It puts a whole new meaning to success breeds success...
Anyone for tennis...I mean...
Jail staff criticised over death
Jail staff criticised over death
Staff at a prison have been criticised by an inquest jury for "neglect" of an inmate who hanged himself in his cell.
I wonder if they had a Listener scheme operating at the prison? And, if not, why not? If there was, why was not a listener employed? The Listener scheme is pretty much like the Samaritans and the inmates involved with the scheme receive training from the Samaritans.
Staff at a prison have been criticised by an inquest jury for "neglect" of an inmate who hanged himself in his cell.
I wonder if they had a Listener scheme operating at the prison? And, if not, why not? If there was, why was not a listener employed? The Listener scheme is pretty much like the Samaritans and the inmates involved with the scheme receive training from the Samaritans.
Prison had 'criminal subculture'
Prison had 'criminal subculture'
There was a "criminal subculture" at a jail at the time a prisoner was killed by two inmates, an inquest has heard.
I have to say, this headline is rather like saying water is wet...
Abu Hamza to be extraditied to US
Abu Hamza to be extraditied to US
LATEST: Radical cleric Abu Hamza loses court battle against extradition to the US. More details soon...
Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza has lost his High Court bid against extradition to the US where he faces terror-related charges.
The Egyptian-born preacher is currently serving a seven-year jail term in the UK for inciting murder and race hate.
Hamza, 49, from west London, is wanted by American authorities on 11 charges, including sending cash to al-Qaeda.
It is possible he could appeal against the judges' decision at the House of Lords.
LATEST: Radical cleric Abu Hamza loses court battle against extradition to the US. More details soon...
Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza has lost his High Court bid against extradition to the US where he faces terror-related charges.
The Egyptian-born preacher is currently serving a seven-year jail term in the UK for inciting murder and race hate.
Hamza, 49, from west London, is wanted by American authorities on 11 charges, including sending cash to al-Qaeda.
It is possible he could appeal against the judges' decision at the House of Lords.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Four escape from detention centre
Four escape from detention centre
"Four detainees from an Oxfordshire immigration centre are on the run after seven people escaped overnight".
Why are we wasting valuable police resources on people who should not be detained in the first place?
Soldier 'died during punishment'
Soldier 'died during punishment'
"A soldier collapsed and died of heatstroke while being subjected to an informal Army punishment known as "beasting", a court has heard".
Isn't that cap badge the Prince of Wales regiment? In any event, Charlie, and Ma'am, doesn't it make you proud to be British, or German, as the case may be?
And to other news...
Wife 'died a hero' in Afghanistan
"The first British female soldier killed in Afghanistan has been praised as a "hero" by her husband".
My first reaction upon hearing this was 'What a waste of meat!'. I wonder if this was taking Tomboyism too far? In any event, a male is a hero and a female is a heroine. But, I would not have called it a heroic act to be simply blown up by a landmine. Shit happens! I thought the Army employed mine detectors? We shouldn't even be in Afghanistan. One death over there is one too many. If politicians think the war is such a good thing, I suggest they get their arses over there and fight rather than fiddle their expenses!
Berlusconi the Godfather of asses makes an ass of the law
Berlusconi the Godfather of asses makes an ass of the law
Silvio Berlusconi suspends his own trial
"Silvio Berlusconi has been accused of "disfiguring" Italian democracy for personal advantage after passing a law that will see 100,000 criminal trials – including his own – suspended".
It used to be rather 100 guilty men go free than 1 innocent man gets punished, now it appears 100,000 guilty get off to save the political skin of 1 man, the Boss of Bosses...
Silvio Berlusconi suspends his own trial
"Silvio Berlusconi has been accused of "disfiguring" Italian democracy for personal advantage after passing a law that will see 100,000 criminal trials – including his own – suspended".
It used to be rather 100 guilty men go free than 1 innocent man gets punished, now it appears 100,000 guilty get off to save the political skin of 1 man, the Boss of Bosses...
Shocking pink?
Shocking pink?
Homeowner forced to paint her house pink
"A homeowner has been forced to paint her picturesque £1 million cottage pink to make it match a nearby property".
Surely, this has to be taking things too far?
U Turn?
U Turn?
"U" A man who was once called one of the world's most wanted terrorists is to be freed under similar bail conditions which led to the release of al-Qa'eda preacher Abu Qatada.
Y?
U couldn't make it up, could u?
"U" A man who was once called one of the world's most wanted terrorists is to be freed under similar bail conditions which led to the release of al-Qa'eda preacher Abu Qatada.
Y?
U couldn't make it up, could u?
Doctor I'm in trouble...dearie dearie me
Doctor I'm in trouble...dearie dearie me
Internet addiction is a 'clinical disorder'
"Obsessive internet use is a public health problem which is so serious it should be officially recognised as a clinical disorder, according to a leading psychiatrist".
What do you mean doc? I'm only on it 16 hours a day!
Then there is this problem...
Teenagers 'hacked into school computers to change their grades'
Two teenagers face years in jail after allegedly hacking into school computers and altering their grades.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
MP couple broke expenses rules over flat
MP couple broke expenses rules over flat
Tory MPs Sir Nicholas and Ann Winterton were today found to have broken Parliamentary expenses rules by claiming rent on a flat they had bought outright.
But the Commons Committee on Standards and Privileges accepted that the breach regarding the £700,000 London property was accidental.
The couple can continue to receive expenses against the costs of the flat until September, the sleaze watchdog ruled.
The Wintertons bought the flat in the early 1990s, but subsequently paid off the mortgage.
They then put the property into a family trust in order to avoid inheritance tax.
Since February 2002 they have occupied it as tenants, and paid the trust rent using their Commons allowance for running a second home.
The Committee branded the arrangement an "unusual" use of expenses, and criticised the Wintertons for failing to check regularly whether Parliamentary rules still allowed it.
Hasn't the Commons Committee on Standards and Privileges heard of the legal maxim "ignorance of the law is no excuse"?
Tory MPs Sir Nicholas and Ann Winterton were today found to have broken Parliamentary expenses rules by claiming rent on a flat they had bought outright.
But the Commons Committee on Standards and Privileges accepted that the breach regarding the £700,000 London property was accidental.
The couple can continue to receive expenses against the costs of the flat until September, the sleaze watchdog ruled.
The Wintertons bought the flat in the early 1990s, but subsequently paid off the mortgage.
They then put the property into a family trust in order to avoid inheritance tax.
Since February 2002 they have occupied it as tenants, and paid the trust rent using their Commons allowance for running a second home.
The Committee branded the arrangement an "unusual" use of expenses, and criticised the Wintertons for failing to check regularly whether Parliamentary rules still allowed it.
Hasn't the Commons Committee on Standards and Privileges heard of the legal maxim "ignorance of the law is no excuse"?
EU rejects Amber Alert and McCanns to be charged soon
EU rejects Amber Alert and McCanns to be charged soon
I don't know what the McCanns are laughing about, because they will be laughing on the other side of their face soon. Firstly, the European Parliament has rejected the McCanns Amber Alert scheme and decided instead to implement 116000, the single EU hotline number for missing children. Secondly, the Portuguese authorities have decided to charge the McCanns with child neglect and abandonment. When the McCanns are given the evidence of the case against them, the papers will highlight the necessary intent of the McCanns to neglect and abandon their children.
Photoshop: DixonCox on the 3As forum.