MPs £100 per week snouts in the trough
It has emerged that checks designed to put an end to MPs fiddling their expenses will not extend to having to produce receipts to justify the £400 they claim each month for food allowance.
I get £55 per week Job Seekers Allowance. This has to cover food, gas and electric and any other household expenses. I find it deplorable that MPs grant themselves twice this much just for food per week. And, then do not have to prove that they have actually spent this money on food.
Every penny of taxpayers money should be accounted for by these thieving bastards. It is not good enough to claim that it is not practicable to provide receipts. If they are not prepared to provide receipts then they should not be able to claim the expenses. It is time that this licence to rob us blind was revoked.
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.
Site Meter
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Elderly 999 caller being sued
Elderly 999 caller being sued
"An ambulance worker who fell outside the house of an elderly woman is planning to sue her".
BBC 1 Look North report here.
I think that this is disgusting that the ambulance worker is suing an 82 year old woman with heart problems for his own carelessness. To blame the elderly couple because their security light went off because he was out of range of the sensor is a ridiculous claim. He was not even on their property at the time of the accident. However, I do think that it is too narrow minded that ambulance workers are not covered by their personal liability insurance outside of their vehicles. It would be absurd if they refused to get out of their vehicles on this basis after answering a 999 call.
UPDATE: Following my picking up of this local story and running with it nationally and internationally, the BBC decided to pick it up and run with it nationally and internationally. This little old blogger of the new media is glad to be of assistance to the old media and how to spread the news...
"An ambulance worker who fell outside the house of an elderly woman is planning to sue her".
BBC 1 Look North report here.
I think that this is disgusting that the ambulance worker is suing an 82 year old woman with heart problems for his own carelessness. To blame the elderly couple because their security light went off because he was out of range of the sensor is a ridiculous claim. He was not even on their property at the time of the accident. However, I do think that it is too narrow minded that ambulance workers are not covered by their personal liability insurance outside of their vehicles. It would be absurd if they refused to get out of their vehicles on this basis after answering a 999 call.
UPDATE: Following my picking up of this local story and running with it nationally and internationally, the BBC decided to pick it up and run with it nationally and internationally. This little old blogger of the new media is glad to be of assistance to the old media and how to spread the news...
Gambler loses £2m bookies claim
Gambler loses £2m bookies claim
"A compulsive gambler has lost his bid at the High Court to force bookmaker William Hill to repay his £2m losses".
I should think so as well! It would appear that common sense has prevailed.
"A compulsive gambler has lost his bid at the High Court to force bookmaker William Hill to repay his £2m losses".
I should think so as well! It would appear that common sense has prevailed.
The prisoner of Dhaka
The prisoner of Dhaka
This illegal incarceration should be a global cause celebre, but instead there is a shameful silence
"There is a decent, brave man sitting in a dungeon in a country where the British empire began - a country of poets, singers, artists, free thinkers and petty tyrants. I have known him since a moonless night in 1971 when he led me clandestinely into what was then East Pakistan and is now Bangladesh, past villages the Pakistani army had raped and razed. His name is Moudud Ahmed and he was then a young lawyer who had defended the Bengali independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman".
This illegal incarceration should be a global cause celebre, but instead there is a shameful silence
"There is a decent, brave man sitting in a dungeon in a country where the British empire began - a country of poets, singers, artists, free thinkers and petty tyrants. I have known him since a moonless night in 1971 when he led me clandestinely into what was then East Pakistan and is now Bangladesh, past villages the Pakistani army had raped and razed. His name is Moudud Ahmed and he was then a young lawyer who had defended the Bengali independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman".
Britain sentences to death an Iranian for being gay
Britain sentences to death an Iranian for being gay
"A gay teenager who claims he faces the death penalty in Iran after his boyfriend was executed there two years ago has spoken of his anger and disappointment at losing his legal battle against deportation".
This young man is not a suspected terrorist. Nevertheless, in effect, Britain has reintroduced the death penalty via the back door if it continues with its proposal to return this young man to Iran. Britain is aware what happened to his boyfriend and must know that in all probabilities the same fate awaits this young man. It is bad enough that this country condoned torture with its authorising or turning a blind eye to flights of extraordinary-rendition. What makes this worse, in my view, is that the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, is gay and he is sentencing another gay to death.
"A gay teenager who claims he faces the death penalty in Iran after his boyfriend was executed there two years ago has spoken of his anger and disappointment at losing his legal battle against deportation".
This young man is not a suspected terrorist. Nevertheless, in effect, Britain has reintroduced the death penalty via the back door if it continues with its proposal to return this young man to Iran. Britain is aware what happened to his boyfriend and must know that in all probabilities the same fate awaits this young man. It is bad enough that this country condoned torture with its authorising or turning a blind eye to flights of extraordinary-rendition. What makes this worse, in my view, is that the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, is gay and he is sentencing another gay to death.
Harassed lawyer to get record £13m award
Harassed lawyer to get record £13m award
"A City lawyer who was left too ill to work after alleged bullying and harassment at her office is in line for record sex discrimination compensation of more than £13 million, it has been disclosed".
Even if her claims are justified, that she was bullied, harassed and the victim of sex discrimination, I fail to see how she reaches a claim for £13M in damages. If she is awarded this amount, then truly it is compensation culture gone mad!
"A City lawyer who was left too ill to work after alleged bullying and harassment at her office is in line for record sex discrimination compensation of more than £13 million, it has been disclosed".
Even if her claims are justified, that she was bullied, harassed and the victim of sex discrimination, I fail to see how she reaches a claim for £13M in damages. If she is awarded this amount, then truly it is compensation culture gone mad!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Socialism has died under the Labour government
Socialism has died under the Labour government
According to Newsnight tonight, the rich have got richer and the poor have got poorer under a Labour government. So much for so-called socialism. Whatever Blair was he wasn't a socialist. He chose not to tax the super rich non-domiciles. Apparently, their status goes back to the Napoleon War and it was decided that plantation owners were exempt from the 2/- in the £ income tax. I think it is time that this piece of history remains history, and the super rich of today get taxed the same as everybody else. I don't suppose I will hear the bastards getting hit in the pocket in the budget tomorrow. No doubt Darling will announce measures which make the poor even poorer still and the rich even richer still.
According to Newsnight tonight, the rich have got richer and the poor have got poorer under a Labour government. So much for so-called socialism. Whatever Blair was he wasn't a socialist. He chose not to tax the super rich non-domiciles. Apparently, their status goes back to the Napoleon War and it was decided that plantation owners were exempt from the 2/- in the £ income tax. I think it is time that this piece of history remains history, and the super rich of today get taxed the same as everybody else. I don't suppose I will hear the bastards getting hit in the pocket in the budget tomorrow. No doubt Darling will announce measures which make the poor even poorer still and the rich even richer still.
Cute little puppy
Cute little puppy
TV newsreader eaten alive by small puppy dog disappointed at coming 2nd in it's class at Crufts.
Well, almost, it tickled me when I saw it. A rather nervous Peter Levy forgot never perform with kids or animals.
TV newsreader eaten alive by small puppy dog disappointed at coming 2nd in it's class at Crufts.
Well, almost, it tickled me when I saw it. A rather nervous Peter Levy forgot never perform with kids or animals.
Sour grapes?
Sour grapes?
"A successful accountant is suing Marks and Spencer for £300,000 after he slipped on a rogue grape in the car park of a store".
"Alexander Martin-Sklan, 55, has launched a damages case at High Court claiming the accident had left him depressed and lacking confidence which caused his business to nose-dive".
"Mr Martin-Sklan says that poor cleaning practices at the store meant a grape became stuck to his shoe during his shopping trip and caused him to slip and fall, rupturing his quadriceps tendon, as he pushed his trolley to the car".
If I was the judge, I think I would have one hell of a job keeping a straight face hearing how the slipping on a grape caused depression and lack of confidence. I think a better explanation is that his business started to nose dive, he started to get depressed and lose confidence. Therefore, M&S becomes the target for a confidence trick. The old slip on a banana skin is updated to the grape...
Goa mother 'may face negligence investigation'
Goa mother 'may face negligence investigation'
"The mother of the teenager murdered in Goa may be investigated for negligence, it has been reported.
Sky News claims that the chief minister of the Indian state intends to question Fiona MacKeown over why she left her daughter Scarlett Keeling in the care of people she had only known a few weeks".
I could not help wondering why a responsible mother would leave her 15 year old daughter in the charge of a strange man?
And given that the legal age for drinking alcohol in Goa is 21, why was the arrested barman serving alcohol to a 15 year old girl?
The age of consent in Goa is 18.
"The mother of the teenager murdered in Goa may be investigated for negligence, it has been reported.
Sky News claims that the chief minister of the Indian state intends to question Fiona MacKeown over why she left her daughter Scarlett Keeling in the care of people she had only known a few weeks".
I could not help wondering why a responsible mother would leave her 15 year old daughter in the charge of a strange man?
And given that the legal age for drinking alcohol in Goa is 21, why was the arrested barman serving alcohol to a 15 year old girl?
The age of consent in Goa is 18.
Lighter sentences for 'desperate' thieves
Lighter sentences for 'desperate' thieves
"Burglars and thieves who steal to fund an addiction to drugs, gambling or drink could escape jail even if they target a vulnerable victim such as an elderly shopkeeper, under new official guidelines".
I am in debt. I am desperate. Instead of me going out and robbing to alleviate my suffering, and getting caught and it costing more to go through the Criminal Justice System, do you think the government will wipe out my debt like it does for Third World countries?
"Burglars and thieves who steal to fund an addiction to drugs, gambling or drink could escape jail even if they target a vulnerable victim such as an elderly shopkeeper, under new official guidelines".
I am in debt. I am desperate. Instead of me going out and robbing to alleviate my suffering, and getting caught and it costing more to go through the Criminal Justice System, do you think the government will wipe out my debt like it does for Third World countries?
Senior Camilla bodyguard 'shoots himself'
Senior Camilla bodyguard 'shoots himself'
"A senior bodyguard to the Duchess of Cornwall has been found dead after apparently shooting himself".
This is a tragedy. I think I would shoot myself if I had to constantly look at Camilla. What is a greater tragedy, is that it costs the taxpayers £2.6M per year to police guard a property which Camilla very rarely visits. This is totally unacceptable. She should sell the house and put the proceeds back into the public purse.
"A senior bodyguard to the Duchess of Cornwall has been found dead after apparently shooting himself".
This is a tragedy. I think I would shoot myself if I had to constantly look at Camilla. What is a greater tragedy, is that it costs the taxpayers £2.6M per year to police guard a property which Camilla very rarely visits. This is totally unacceptable. She should sell the house and put the proceeds back into the public purse.
MPs given tighter rules on expenses
MPs given tighter rules on expenses
"MPs will have to submit receipts for expenses claims over £25 - instead of the current limit of £250 - from 1 April, the Commons Members Estimate Committee announced today".
In my view, this does not go far enough. It still allows MPs to claim 7x£25=£175 per week without any explanation.
"MPs will have to submit receipts for expenses claims over £25 - instead of the current limit of £250 - from 1 April, the Commons Members Estimate Committee announced today".
In my view, this does not go far enough. It still allows MPs to claim 7x£25=£175 per week without any explanation.
Civil Serf suspended for alleged breach of Civil Service Code
Civil Serf suspended for alleged breach of Civil Service Code
The Civil Service Code is deemed to be a legally binding contract between employer and employee.
"6. You must not:
misuse your official position, for example by using
information acquired in the course of your official duties
to further your private interests or those of others;".
"The government is planning to issue guidelines on how civil servants use social networking sites and blogs".
"A DWP spokeswoman refused to confirm whether the blogger had been identified, saying: "All civil servants have to follow the civil service code"".
Whitehall crackdown on bloggers and social networks after Civil Serf
"Sir Gus O’Donnell, the Cabinet Secretary, is to set out new guidance to civil servants to cover blogging and online social networks following the demise of the “Civil Serf” blogger, The Times has learnt".
Whitehall gag after Serf's blog rebellion
"Ministers have been accused of "gagging" civil servants after a junior official was threatened with punishment over her internet blog about Whitehall".
"The 33-year-old woman, known as the Civil Serf, faces a reprimand and even possible dismissal from the Department of Work and Pensions...Two possible culprits have now been identified and the Serf could be disciplined on Tuesday".
The Civil Service Code is deemed to be a legally binding contract between employer and employee.
"6. You must not:
misuse your official position, for example by using
information acquired in the course of your official duties
to further your private interests or those of others;".
"The government is planning to issue guidelines on how civil servants use social networking sites and blogs".
"A DWP spokeswoman refused to confirm whether the blogger had been identified, saying: "All civil servants have to follow the civil service code"".
Whitehall crackdown on bloggers and social networks after Civil Serf
"Sir Gus O’Donnell, the Cabinet Secretary, is to set out new guidance to civil servants to cover blogging and online social networks following the demise of the “Civil Serf” blogger, The Times has learnt".
Whitehall gag after Serf's blog rebellion
"Ministers have been accused of "gagging" civil servants after a junior official was threatened with punishment over her internet blog about Whitehall".
"The 33-year-old woman, known as the Civil Serf, faces a reprimand and even possible dismissal from the Department of Work and Pensions...Two possible culprits have now been identified and the Serf could be disciplined on Tuesday".
Monday, March 10, 2008
MoD plans raid on landmine removal fund to keep Tornados flying in Iraq
MoD plans raid on landmine removal fund to keep Tornados flying in Iraq
"Money set aside to clear landmines and remove arms from conflict zones is to be raided to pay a private defence contractor to keep Tornado jets flying in Iraq, according to a confidential memo seen by the Guardian. The Ministry of Defence plans to pay BAE Systems from the multimillion-pound Conflict Prevention Fund - which covers projects such as destroying weapons in Bosnia and landmines in Mozambique - to subsidise the £5m-£10m cost of servicing each of the six planes".
It's enough to make Princess Diana turn in her grave. Now, if Prince Harry really had any balls he would be jumping all over the MOD for this despicable stunt!
"Money set aside to clear landmines and remove arms from conflict zones is to be raided to pay a private defence contractor to keep Tornado jets flying in Iraq, according to a confidential memo seen by the Guardian. The Ministry of Defence plans to pay BAE Systems from the multimillion-pound Conflict Prevention Fund - which covers projects such as destroying weapons in Bosnia and landmines in Mozambique - to subsidise the £5m-£10m cost of servicing each of the six planes".
It's enough to make Princess Diana turn in her grave. Now, if Prince Harry really had any balls he would be jumping all over the MOD for this despicable stunt!
Fresh questions on torture flights spark demands for inquiry
Fresh questions on torture flights spark demands for inquiry
"MPs and human rights groups yesterday demanded an independent inquiry into the use of UK territory by CIA "torture flights" as fresh questions emerged over the government's handling of the issue.
Ministers are coming under growing pressure as officials made it clear they still could not be certain of the extent to which US aircraft made use of British facilities when taking alleged terrorists to prisons where they were likely to be subjected to inhumane treatment".
"MPs and human rights groups yesterday demanded an independent inquiry into the use of UK territory by CIA "torture flights" as fresh questions emerged over the government's handling of the issue.
Ministers are coming under growing pressure as officials made it clear they still could not be certain of the extent to which US aircraft made use of British facilities when taking alleged terrorists to prisons where they were likely to be subjected to inhumane treatment".
Gambler lawyer loses all and sues casinos
Gambler lawyer loses all and sues casinos
"A former lawyer who gambled away nearly £500,000 has lodged a £10 million lawsuit against seven casinos, claiming that they had "a duty of care" to spot her compulsive behaviour and intervene".
Like the bloke who is suing bookmakers because he lost his money, I have no sympathy for this woman. Even if her claim had merit, which I don't believe is the case, why is she claiming £10M when her loss was only £500,000?
"A former lawyer who gambled away nearly £500,000 has lodged a £10 million lawsuit against seven casinos, claiming that they had "a duty of care" to spot her compulsive behaviour and intervene".
Like the bloke who is suing bookmakers because he lost his money, I have no sympathy for this woman. Even if her claim had merit, which I don't believe is the case, why is she claiming £10M when her loss was only £500,000?
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Nick Clegg: Let voters sack corrupt MPs
Nick Clegg: Let voters sack corrupt MPs
Before:"MPs caught misusing public money should face by-elections where constituents would have the chance to sack them, the Liberal Democrat leader told his party conference today".
After: Voters sack the corrupt MPs.
Before:"MPs caught misusing public money should face by-elections where constituents would have the chance to sack them, the Liberal Democrat leader told his party conference today".
After: Voters sack the corrupt MPs.
Blogger forced into silence
Blogger forced into silence
Following the MSM publicity in the Sunday Times and Sunday Telegraph, the Civil Serf blog has been pulled.
This has to be a blow against freedom of speech.
UPDATE: Are you sure? Your search for Civil Serf in DWP found 309 hits.
Following the MSM publicity in the Sunday Times and Sunday Telegraph, the Civil Serf blog has been pulled.
This has to be a blow against freedom of speech.
UPDATE: Are you sure? Your search for Civil Serf in DWP found 309 hits.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)