Sunday Morning update

The home office is cleaned, the beds are changed so it's down to work again!

This Sunday we see the following:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8134807.stm

“Personal details about the life of the next head of MI6, Sir John Sawers, have been removed from social networking site Facebook amid security concerns. The Mail on Sunday said his wife put details about their children and the location of their flat on the site.”

(EDITOR: Clearly a wise choice for the job)

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-vs-the-conservatives-spending-cuts--the-truth-1732191.html

“Labour vs the Conservatives: Spending cuts - the truth As Gordon Brown and David Cameron argue over spending plans, Jane Merrick and Brian Brady examine the fine print and deliver their verdicts”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/duncan-im-being-persecuted-1732173.html

“Alan Duncan, the shadow leader of the Commons, yesterday criticised what he called a "witch-hunt" against him and other MPs over their expenses”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/matthewd_ancona/5743846/Gordon-Brown-out-of-step-as-Labours-chance-slips-away.html

“Gordon Brown out of step as Labour's chance slips away”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/gordon-brown/5725041/Gordon-Brown-says-You-cant-legislate-love.html

“Gordon Brown says: 'You can't legislate love'”

(EDITOR: A partially true bromide form Gordon Brown)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/jeffrandall/5725324/Gordon-Browns-attack-on-Tory-cuts-has-backfired-in-spectacular-fashion.html

“Gordon Brown's attack on Tory cuts has backfired in spectacular fashion Labour is in retreat as voters see through its public-spending propaganda and zero per cent spending rise, says Jeff Randall.”

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gYQBC2Z_wgUBw8bNP6gpf0_QOR4w

“Honesty expected' over spending”

(EDITOR: PA story)

4th of July. Time America joined the Commonwealth of Nations?

It's been a long time. But now, on 4th of July, 2009, it's time Britian told the European Union to 'spin on it' and took a much more active and positive role in the Commonwealth of Nations and invited the USA to join the Commonwealth.

Just imagine! Most of the free world would then be united under the banner of the Commonwealth of Nations! For such a giant market, the European Union would turn up with a begging bowl just to get to talk about trade with what would be the largest trading bloc in the history of the world!

There are still Royalists in America, so this might not be such an impossible aim...

http://www.angelfire.com/ex2/royalisttn/aboutus.html

“Royalist Party of America)

http://www.royaltymonarchy.com/

Theodore's Royalty & Monarchy Site.

So, come on America, here is an open invitation to join the 2.1 Billion of people in the Commonwealth.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/

Foreign and Commonwealth Office, for details of how to join us.

Happy 4th of July.

Saturday update.

Liberal Democrat MP a hypocrite, Miliband marginalised himself and Royal Mail are cross. Great week for Labour, And we haven't got Swine flu. Just a nasty bug.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8133654.stm

“A Tory peer referred to the police over expenses says it is part of a campaign of "attacks and innuendo" by an MP. “Colchester MP Bob Russell, who raised Lord Hanningfield's claims in the House of Commons on 21 June, did not confirm that he had made the complaint to police. But he said: "I have drawn to the attention of various authorities matters which I think are of concern which need looking at."”

(EDITOR: Much in the same way that Liberal Democrat MP Bob Russell has been tirelessly campaigning for the Liberal Democrat Party to return £2.4M of money 'donated' by Michael Brown? What's that, Bob? You haven't said a word on that?Sounds like a hypocrite...)

(http://order-order.com/2006/04/21/libdems-biggest-donor-arrested/)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6633266.ece

“The death of the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards has reignited the row over the lack of vital military equipment for British troops in Afghanistan”

(EDITOR: Brown and his cronies still don't give a damn about our service personnel, do they?)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1197323/Health-safety-chiefs-ban-bunting-town-carnival--make-lampposts-topple.html

“Health and safety chiefs ban bunting from town carnival... as it 'could make lampposts topple'”

(EDITOR: The council has admitted that its lampposts are in a dangerous condition and liable to topple over at any time. Not too bright, if you'll pardon the very slight pun... Gordon Brown's Britain. A very special place)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/5715576/Train-passengers-face-misery-after-nationalisation-of-East-Coast-rail-line.html

“Train passengers face years of misery after the East Coast rail line was taken over by the Government yesterday, transport experts have claimed. Ageing rolling stock could be forced into longer service, plans to create more seats on trains are likely to be delayed and major projects to improve services will be hit. They could include the temporary mothballing of Britain’s first 200mph line, the electrification of the Great Western and Midland main lines and the £16 billion London Crossrail scheme.”

(EDITOR: Our government. Staggering from one crisis to another...)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1197238/Father-saves-daughter-dying-lung-cancer-doctors-sent-home-antibiotics.html

“Father saves daughter from lung cancer after doctors sent her home with just antibiotics:

The osteopath sent his daughter back to the clinic with a letter insisting that she receive an X-ray.

The scan revealed a tumour taking up two-thirds of her right lung.”

(EDITOR: Will the anti-osteopathy clowns argue that he should have listened to the doctors and just let his daughter die? After all, Osteopathy is bad science, doncha know?!)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6637477.ece

“Miliband seeks talks with Iran over 'show trial'”

(EDITOR: The Iranians might not be taking Miliband seriously. Why ever not? Here's a clue...)

http://politicalbetting.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/miliband-banana.jpg

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherbooker/5743497/Lieutenant-Colonel-Rupert-Thorneloe-and-Trooper-Joshua-Hammond-not-have-died.html

“Lt-Colonel Rupert Thorneloe and Trooper Joshua Hammond should not have died”

(EDITOR: Will Wee Jimmy Broon, the Prime Ministerial Clown, ever do the right thing by our servicemen and women? No.)

http://news.scotsman.com/uk/Cabinet-minister39s-remark-prompts-gay.5429078.jp

“Cabinet minister's remark prompts gay Tory anger”

(EDITOR: Not just gay Tories...)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8134570.stm

“A man arrested after a knife attack on an 82-year-old woman is being held under the Mental Health Act”

(EDITOR: Pity he could not have been held BEFORE, not AFTER the attack...)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/article-1197391/Osborne-defends-Conservative-stance-private-equity.htm

“George Osborne last night hit back at accusations that the Conservatives will come down hard on private equity firms if they win the next election”

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/MPs-Expenses-Conservative-Alan-Duncan-Says-Daily-Telegraph-Allegations-Are-Deceitful-Journalism/Article/200907115329178?lpos=Politics_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15329178_MPs_Expenses%3A_Conservative_Alan_Duncan_Says_Daily_Telegraph_Allegations_Are_Deceitful_Journalism

“The shadow leader of the Commons said people are growing tired of the Daily Telegraph's "witch-hunt" on MPs' expenses”

(EDITOR: Careful, Telegraph. Lest Skeletons start to be pulled from the Telegraph's closet...)

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/andrew-grice/andrew-grice-tories-fear-scorched-earth-policy-by-government-1731262.html

“Andrew Grice: Tories fear 'scorched earth' policy by Government”

(EDITOR: Pass a law to sequestrate the wealth of EVERY former Labour MP and Peer. Simples! As the Meercat says...)

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britains-help-to-the-third-world-to-be--rebranded-ukaid-1731251.html

“Britain's help to the Third World to be rebranded 'UKAid'”

(EDITOR: pointless gesture politics doesn't get more pointless...)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/03/swine-flu-internet-drugs-warning

“Government warns public against swine flu drugs from internet”

(EDITOR: Apparently they are fake and might be dangerous. Rather like the nostrums from the Labour government...)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jul/01/passengers-east-coast-rail-franchise

“Ruth and Lawrence Hughes agree that greed caused the collapse of the east coast rail franchise, but the couple from York disagree on who was the greediest – the government or National Express. “

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/5736109/Tories-must-prove-they-can-be-trusted-with-power.html

“The Labour Government is behaving like a hot-air balloonist who is heading unerringly for the treetops and disaster. Ballast is being jettisoned in a desperate quest for greater height. Over the side this week went plans to part-privatise Royal Mail – dumped, said Lord Mandelson, because the market conditions were not propitious, though the real reason was that Labour backbenchers were in open revolt against the plan and could not be ignored by a weak Prime Minister. Dumped, too, were compulsory identity cards...”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/supportservices/5725492/Governments-failure-to-deliver-angers-Royal-Mail.html

“Government's failure to deliver angers Royal Mail”

(EDITOR: A great week for Labour...)

And on that note, the Saturday update is over. Wonder what Sunday will bring?)

Lawyers to pay claimants for pesonal injury work

A new website has been launched, which could revolutionise the way personal injury claims are handled in the future, resulting in the claimant being paid by the lawyer who takes on their case.

The Law Bazaar (www.thelawbazaar.com) has been set up by a solicitor with 20 years’ experience in personal injury claims in response to the ‘rip off’ schemes being run by claims management companies (CMCs) and insurers.

Costas Andrea, founder of The Law Bazaar and former equity partner at two top 100 law firms, commented, “Most people don’t realise that insurers make around £400 million each year solely by selling their own insured’s injury claims to their panel solicitors for up to £750 a time. The insurers and CMCs, appoint their own solicitors and arrange items such as medical examinations and vehicle hire – making money on each transaction. The person who is injured, however, sees nothing of the money accumulated by the insurers and CMCs but simply receives their damages.”

“I created The Law Bazaar to highlight the greed of insurers and claims farmers who are cashing in on the unsuspecting public. I wanted to help the claimant and the lawyer come together directly, with both benefiting financially. There is nothing that a claims management company does which the solicitor handling the case cannot do and therefore there really is no need to involve them in the process.”

Using The Law Bazaar, the claimant simply goes on to the website to register his or her injury case. An experienced personal injury lawyer will contact the claimant directly and pay £150 to The Law Bazaar when taking on the case. The lawyer, who is then around £600 better off than going down the traditional route of buying claims from insurers CMCs, is then in a position to offer some of this money to the claimant in addition to the damages relating to the case.

Solicitor, Tessa Shepperson, Honorary Secretary of the Norfolk and Norwich Law Society commented, “Through The Law Bazaar, the vast sums of money earned by large financial organisations on the back of people in distress is being exposed. I welcome The Law Bazaar as a much fairer system of handling injury claims.”

The Law Bazaar is not restricted to injury claims. It provides a virtual meeting place, putting individuals and businesses in contact with lawyers worldwide on all aspects of the law, including debt collection, employment, contract, family, property, wills, trusts and pensions. Free to use and anonymous, it provides clients with a non- threatening environment within which to interact with lawyers, enabling them to decide which lawyer to use based on price, expertise, location and client ratings. For further information, visit www.thelawbazaar.com.

I (probably) have Swine Flu

I seem to have come down with Swine Flu.

I was forbidden to visit the surgery. Instead I spoke on the phone to the triage nurse (in reality the fantastic and super-efficient senior nurse!) who, in consultation with the Swine Flu Helpline (a version accessible by medical staff only) decided that I should be given a prescription for Tamiflu. I then had a visit from a doctor (dressed in gloves and mask!) who took throat and nose swabs. He would then have to take them to the laboratory at the hospital himself. He test my wife at the same time.

I feel like crap, so might not be updating Thats News for a while. The services of Dr Jack Daniels may be called upon, I feel...

Wednesday update: Brown faces revolt

Not looking all that good for Brown, this Wednesday

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6611494.ece

“Alan Johnson signalled a significant reversal over the Government’s identity card policy yesterday when he ruled out making them compulsory for British citizens”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/5700798/Home-Secretary-abandons-compulsory-ID-cards.html

“Home Secretary abandons compulsory ID cards”

(EDITOR: After the government wasted Millions (or Billions) of Pounds on the scheme? Timer for Brown to go!)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/5703426/Teachers-to-face-five-year-checks-on-suitability-to-be-in-classroom.html

“Teachers to face five-year checks on suitability to be in classroom”

(EDITOR: This is not new. Back in the early 1970s, a teacher at my school was given a test found to be lacking and sent on a refresher course before he could teach again)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196680/Come-clean-public-spending-cuts-ministers-tell-Brown.html

“Come clean on public spending cuts, ministers tell Brown”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/5701120/Cressida-Dick-promoted-to-be-Mets-top-woman.html

“Cressida Dick, the police chief in charge of the operation that led to the death of Jean Charles de Menezes, has been promoted to become Scotland Yard's highest ever ranking woman officer”

(EDITOR: The Dick in charge of the de Menezes bungle has been rewarded with promotion)

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/07/01/fury-at-lord-reward-for-ex-speaker-115875-21485216/

“Former Speaker Michael Martin is to be made a peer, it emerged yesterday. His elevation to the Lords comes despite being the first Speaker to be ousted since Sir John Trevor was expelled in 1695 for taking a bribe”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5699352/Labour-MP-Harry-Cohen-quits-after-MPs-expenses-scandal.html

“A Labour MP who designated a converted schoolhouse in Colchester as his main residence while claiming second home expenses on a property nine miles from Parliament has announced his resignation”

(EDITOR: But it isn't his fault, you understand)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/jul/01/breakfast-briefing

“Breakfast briefing: Hackers in prison, bloggers set free”

(EDITOR: It transpires that the jailed hacker is in America, the not jailed blogger in the UK...)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6613399.ece

“If there is such a thing as Labour royalty — and why not? — then Neil and Glenys Kinnock are it.”

(EDITOR: Why not? Because they are supposed to be Socialists and above such things?)

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23713888-details/Wapping+HQ+must+be+greener,+Boris+tells+Murdoch/article.do

“Boris Johnson has forced Rupert Murdoch to rewrite his plans for an overhaul of his Wapping headquarters, saying the site needs to be more “eco friendly”.”

(EDITOR: Good for you, Boris)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196195/Tories-warn-riots-streets-Brown-keeps-quiet-cuts.html

“Brown facing revolt over plans to raid health, transport and education budgets to pay for latest round of spending”

I have a feeling this could be a lively Wednesday

Bottler Brown bottles again. No election this year

There will be no election this side of Christmas, apparently.

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/latestnews/Brown-backs-off-from-October.5412172.jp

“GORDON Brown yesterday signalled the general election was unlikely to be held until next year”

(EDITOR: No surprise there, then.)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/5690836/Deceit-over-cuts-wil-lead-to-riots-says-David-Cameron.html

“Britain faces “riots on the streets” if Gordon Brown’s “dishonesty” over public spending enables him to win the next election, David Cameron said”

(EDITOR: I rather fear he might be right)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1196427/Public-spending-lies-party-beneath-contempt.html

“With breathtaking contempt for democracy, Lord Mandelson casually lets slip in a radio interview that the Government will be postponing its public spending review until after the election. Are there no depths to which Labour won't sink?”

(EDITOR: I have a horrible feeling we wont have long to wait to find out...)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6605915.ece

“Brown takes cash from schools, roads and health to pay for 30,000 homes”

(EDITOR: But remember, folks! Labour are not the party of cuts!)

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2517268.0.Browns_policy_bid_to_rescue_premiership.php

“Gordon Brown's bid to save his beleaguered premiership and stay in power beyond 2010 was rubbished by opposition parties as an uncosted ragbag of "rehashed initiatives".”

(EDITOR: Sounds a reasonable assessment!)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6605850.ece

“Young people to lose benefits if they refuse job or training”

(EDITOR: If the Tories had suggested this, just imagine the Brownite shrieks!)

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/06/30/my-manifesto-115875-21482528/

“My Manifesto: Brown's £1bn to build homes and jobs for young: Gordon Brown unveiled his plan to rebuild the country yesterday by getting youngsters into work and constructing thousands of homes”

(EDITOR: As Brown seems to have problems abiding by the last Labour Manifesto, why should he be trusted with this one?)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/5661301/Trident-nuclear-deterrent-replacement-under-review.html

“Ministers have secretly placed the £20 billion replacement for Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent under review in a move which could see it dramatically scaled down”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jun/28/defence-projects-axed-save-money

“Defence projects worth billions of pounds, such as replacing the Trident nuclear deterrent, could have to be axed to help fill a "black hole" in the defence budget, senior military and political figures will warn tomorrow. Overstretch of the armed forces must be ended, according to a report whose authors include the former Nato secretary general, Lord Robertson, ex-Marine Lord Ashdown and former chief of the defence staff Lord Guthrie”

(EDITOR: Defence still seems impossible for Labour to get right, does it? Why is it that Socialists in other countries have no problem with spending money on defence but that the British Labour Party seems to think it immoral to pay our soldiers and service personnel a decent wage or to house them and their families in decent accommodation?)

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/06/30/gordon-s-1bn-challenged-91466-24019694/

“GORDON BROWN tried to stake the ground for the next election yesterday with a £1bn spending programme he hopes will revive his flagging political fortunes. The Government’s programme for the months leading up to the election includes extra training opportunities for young people, a series of England-only public service reforms and the removal of the final hereditary peers from the House of Lords. But the announcement, effectively a re-launch of Mr Brown’s premiership, was overshadowed by the intervention of Lord Mandelson, who said there would not be a Spending Review – which allocates cash to each Whitehall department – before the election.”

(EDITOR: So why DID Mandelson decide to intervene in such a fashion? In effect, slapping Gordon Brown, down?)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5687410/Commons-will-be-emasculated-by-expenses-proposals-says-Philip-Mawer.html

“Commons will be 'emasculated' by expenses proposals, says Philip Mawer: The House of Commons risks being "emasculated" by the Government's proposed clean-up following the expenses scandal, the former parliamentary standards watchdog has warned”

(EDITOR: That's probably the intended result, rather than an accidental by-product)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5639967/Eight-senior-Tories-decide-they-can-get-by-without-MPs-expenses.html

“Eight senior Tories decide they can get by without MPs' expenses”

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/andrew-grice/andrew-grice-its-your-choice--dodgy-gordon--or-honest-david-1721545.html

“Andrew Grice: It's your choice: Dodgy Gordon or Honest David”

And on that note, it's time to close this update. Though it#s only 7.25, so Gord knows what the rest of the day will bring. Only, perhaps Gord doesn't know? After all, Lord M's intervention must have irritated him. Unless Lrd M. is vainly attempting to reign Gord in? Or is he playing a longer game? If so, what? Who does Lord M. want in power? Himself or someone else? Interesting times ahead, I feel.

17 years' jail for rail cable thieves

Three men who caused repeated disruption to rail services in Kent after stealing live cable from railway tracks have been jailed for a total of 17 years.

Peter Penn (49) and Peter Taylor (53), both of Church Field, Snodland and Stuart Smith (27) also of Snodland, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday, 25 June, charged with conspiracy to steal and damaging property being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

Penn was sentenced to five years’ prison while Taylor and Smith were each imprisoned for six years.

The court was told the men’s thieving activities in over 20 separate incidents between December 2007 and August 2008 resulted in extensive delays and disruption to train services.

The group targeted railway lines between Maidstone and Strood and Rochester to Sole Street, cutting live cable from the tracks and causing damage to critical railway signalling.

DC Leigh Marshall, one of the investigating officers, said: "Not only did this group risk their lives by pulling live cable from the tracks but for very little financial gain they caused untold misery to thousands of commuters.

“The cost to Network Rail in terms of repairs and materials was estimated at £65,000 and the cost in terms of disruption and loss of service was estimated at £159,000.”

Smith was arrested on 1 February after his vehicle was recognised as one which had been seen at a location where cable was stolen on 28 January.

Penn and Taylor were also arrested on 1 February after they were recognised and identified from CCTV, which showed them as being at a location where cable was subsequently stolen.

In the final incident on Friday 1 August 2008, signalling cables were cut near to Snodland station, disabling a level crossing and causing heavy disruption to local traffic and train services.

Attending British Transport Police officers found a bonfire site nearby, along with discarded cable and a shirt. Peter Penn was stopped by officers on a nearby footpath, bare-chested, dirty and sweating.

Penn was arrested, with a positive DNA match from the shirt seized from the bonfire site confirming his involvement in the theft. He was subsequently charged, remanded in custody and later pleaded guilty to both charges.

Taylor and Smith were charged and pleaded not guilty, with a jury later finding the two men guilty on both counts.

DC Marshall said: "This group’s criminality had a direct impact on services and the ability of the railways to fully operate. For very little financial gain they inconvenienced many people and caused a financial impact on the railways of over £200,000.

“Cable theft such as this causes great inconvenience to train operators and passengers alike. In this instance, the thefts caused significant delays to services which no doubt affected a great deal of passengers.

“Stealing cable also puts those responsible in great personal danger of electrical shock and being struck by a passing train – those who trespass on to the railway to steal cable are not just risking a prison sentence, they’re risking their lives.”

Andrew Munden, Network Rail’s route director for Kent, added: "We are delighted the BTP has been successful in bringing them to justice and that the court has recognised the seriousness of the crime in the sentences which have been passed.

“As well as causing major disruption the theft of equipment from the railway costs the industry millions of pounds each year - money which cannot then be spent on improving services for passengers.

“In partnership with the charity Crimestoppers we are offering a reward of up to £1,000 to anyone who helps bring about convictions of these selfish thieves who are bringing misery to many hundreds of rail passengers."

Jon Hay-Campbell, Customer Services spokesperson for Southeastern Trains said: “We’re pleased the seriousness of this crime has been reflected in prison sentences. As well as being costly, train service disruption is always frustrating for passengers and has an impact on their families, friends and work colleagues too.”

In sentencing the group, Judge Martin Joy commented that society cannot tolerate attacks on an essential service to the public and the sentence was to deter others and protect the public

After sentencing, DC Marshall said: "It is pleasing that the court has imposed jail terms to reflect the severity of the offences and to act as a deterrent to others from being involved in cable crime."

Monday Morning Update: Gordon Brown's Britain. A scary place to live

Good morning. Well, here we are, another week. Coups, Iranian government acting like it always does, and at home? Why, this is what we have!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196150/Police-right-herd-protesters-say-MPs-condemning-G20-tactics.html

“Police have no right to 'herd' protesters say MPs condemning G20 tactics: The first major review of the 7million pounds operation also said officers who work with their identity numbers hidden or missing should face the 'strongest possible' disciplinary measures”

(EDITOR: About time, too.)

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/G20-London-Protests-Report-Into-Police-Role-Home-Affairs-Committee-Examines-Performance-Officers/Article/200906415322364?lpos=UK_News_Top_Stories_Header_1&lid=ARTICLE_15322364_G20_London_Protests_Report_Into_Police_Role%3A_Home_Affairs_Committee_Examines_Performance_Officers

“The practice of holding protesters in one place for long periods cannot be justified, the Home Affairs Committee report said”

(EDITOR: Sky's take on this)

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/SNP-will-block-nuclear-arms.5408959.jp

“SNP ministers last night served notice to a future Tory government that they would try to use devolved powers to block new nuclear weapons coming to Scotland”

(EDITOR: This story comes with a 'health warning' as it is written by David Maddox, often considered as a mouthpiece for the Labour Party, so anything he writes is automatically suspect!)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6597686.ece

“Lose Trident and win the moral war: Forget the financial, military and political arguments, owning nuclear weapons makes us hypocrites”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/jeremy_clarkson/article6590133.ece

“Why do the police need a spy drone for hippies?”

(EDITOR: Jeremy Clarkson makes a fair point...)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/5653589/Government-lambasted-for-further-regulation-reform-delay.html

“Government lambasted for further regulation reform delay: Postponement of White Paper adds to fears that it is no closer to overhauling the banking system”

(EDITOR: “Sir, Sir! Terrible crisis, sir! We can't find they key to the deckchair locker! We can't even BEGIN to start rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic!”)

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23712624-details/The+danger+when+Chancellor+and+Governor+fall+out/article.do

“The danger when Chancellor and Governor fall out”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/5663652/Commons-Speaker-John-Bercow-accused-of-profiting-from-work-as-Government-adviser.html

“Commons Speaker John Bercow accused of profiting from work as Government adviser

The new Commons Speaker has been accused of profiting from his work as a Government adviser on special educational needs: John Bercow was paid £40,000 by a health care firm which hired him after he wrote a report which led to a massive increase in special needs funding”

(EDITOR: I'd like to say that I can't believe this. But, sadly, these days I certainly can believe it.)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/article-1195819/EU-scupper-Treasurys-deal-rescue-Rock.html

“EU could scupper Treasury's deal to rescue Northern Rock”

(EDITOR: No change there, then?)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jun/28/fraud-inquiry-government-jobs-scheme

“Recruitment companies getting tens of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money to find jobs for the unemployed are at the centre of a fraud probe after staff made false claims of getting people into work. The Observer found that A4e, one of the government's biggest private contractors, is at the centre of the Department for Work and Pensions inquiries. It is understood that at least two other recruitment companies have been probed by the DWP. Last night Yvette Cooper, the work and pensions secretary, confirmed that investigations were under way and said she could cancel multimillion-pound contracts if widespread fraud was uncovered.”

(EDITOR: I'd like to say that I can't believe this. But, sadly, these days I certainly can believe it. -This opinion is a repeat of an opinion formed on a separate matter several minutes ago)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/feedarticle/8581767

“Gordon Brown is due to signal a major expansion of private sector involvement in health provision as he fights to revive his political fortunes”

(What?? Still stealing Tory policies?)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6591202.ece

“Britannia shrivels under Gordon Brown”

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196014/The-PM-Laureate--Brown-turns-poet-Andrew-Motion-liven-speeches.html

“The PM Laureate... Brown turns to poet Andrew Motion to liven up his speeches”

(EDITOR: Brown wants poems, d'you say? Here's one:

Wee Jimmy Brown,

what a clown!

He always shouts "up",

when he means "down.")

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8123195.stm

“The editor of the Daily Telegraph has defended his coverage of MPs' expenses, saying suggestions it had irreparably damaged Parliament were "rubbish".”

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196038/Labour-MP-Denis-MacShane-claims-expenses-laptops--just-years.html

“Labour MP Denis MacShane is facing further questions over his expenses after it was revealed that he claimed for eight laptop computers in just three years”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/5675166/At-least-85-sharia-courts-operating-in-Britain-says-Civitas-report.html

“At least 85 separate sharia "courts" are now openly functioning in Britain, almost 20 times as many as previously believed, a report by Civitas claims”

(EDITOR: Gordon Brown's Britain. More scary than ever)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196070/The-shocking-picture-white-boy-aged-11-converted-Islam-Choudary.html

“This is the shocking picture of a young, white schoolboy being converted to Islam by a cleric linked to a radical Muslim hate preacher”

(EDITOR: Gordon Brown's Britain. Just when you thought it was scary enough)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/feedarticle/8581924

“Many teenagers armed 'to feel safe'”

(EDITOR: Ditto previous comments)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196190/Look-whos-doing-Dave-Ed-Balls-opts-casual-look.html

“Ed Balls took a leaf from David Cameron's book yesterday, adopting the open-neck casual look as he sought to boost his credentials as a Labour leadership contender”

(EDITOR: Either that or he just didn't fancy wearing a tie on a warm, muggy day...)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6598065.ece

“Gordon Brown is to try to win back Labour’s core supporters with a pledge to give priority on housing waiting-lists to local residents”

(EDITOR: British houses for British Workers? Sounds familiar, doesn't it?)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/5673630/Doctors-and-nurses-demand-right-to-pray-for-patients.html

“Doctors and nurses should be able to offer to pray for patients without fear of disciplinary action, a medical conference will hear this week”

(EDITOR: Exactly HOW scary can Gordon Brown's Britain become? Fear of the sack for agreeing to a request for praying with a patient?)

And on that note, I'll bring an end to this article. Though I feel there'll be more to report by teatime.

Sunday Morning Update:BBC, Bercow and blunders

Sorry, but there was no Saturday morning update. My wife was poorly with bronchitis, so I looked after her, instead. But on with today's update!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6591122.ece

“Tell us the truth, Mr Brown: Would he lie to us? Extracting a candid answer from the prime minister isn’t easy, especially on public spending”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6590638.ece

“Profile: John Bercow: Little Mr Turncoat in an awfully big chair”

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1195968/New-Speakers-vow-improve-MPs-conduct-dented-Commons-door-repair-bill.html

“New Speaker John Bercow’s vow to improve the conduct of MPs suffered an embarrassing setback yesterday after it was revealed that he had to pay a repair bill for smashing down a House of Commons door. Hot-headed Mr Bercow told police to break into an office in the Houses of Parliament when they could not find the key. He was accused of vandalism and agreed to foot the bill for fixing it”

(EDITOR: Sounds a bit like a clown...)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/5651054/Speaker-John-Bercow-called-for-assisted-repatriation-of-immigrants.html

“John Bercow, the new Speaker of the House of Commons, called for a programme of "assisted repatriation" of immigrants during his time as a member of a far-right political group, it has emerged”

(EDITOR: Digging the dirt, or dragging the pond?)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2009/jun/27/1

“The new Speaker's first edict to ministers - to stop announcing policy via the media - has been roundly ignored”

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/alan-watkins/alan-watkins-labours-backbenchers-are-revolting-1722258.html

“Alan Watkins: Labour's backbenchers are revolting: The government's MPs want to pick a fight, whether its over the Speaker or the Iraq war inquiry”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8119975.stm

“From the choice of a new Speaker to what the Conservatives described as a "u-turn in slow motion" over the terms of reference for the Iraq inquiry, it has felt as if we are standing still whilst the world moves around us”

http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/33899/letter-from-westminster-250609

“It is a little known fact that the House of Commons starts its business every day with prayers. These take the same form every day and include an entreaty for us not to be motivated by a desire to please or unworthy ideals. Curiously the house did not have prayers at the start of business on Monday as it met to choose the new Speaker. Doubtless there will be a reason for that which has long since been lost in the mists of time.” (Writes Alistair Carmichael in the Shetland Times)

http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Brian-Monteith-Bercow--is.5404848.jp

“Brian Monteith: Bercow is MPs' chance to change”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/5649513/Mark-Thompson-defends-high-BBC-salaries-and-lavish-expense-accounts.html

“Mark Thompson, the director-general of the BBC, has defended the high salaries and lavish expense accounts enjoyed by the corporation's most senior executives”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8121728.stm

“After Tory Douglas Hogg's moat cleaning, and former Labour Deputy prime minister John Prescott's Tudor beams, we now have BBC boss Mark Thompson's Cessna charter”

http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2516931.0.mp_fights_challenge_after_comparing_brown_to_foot.php

“MP fights challenge after comparing Brown to Foot is criticisms of the Prime Minister prompted a member of his local party to try to table a motion of no confidence in the MP last week. The motion fell after a narrow majority of activists voted against debating its contents.”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6591262.ece

“ALISTAIR DARLING will keep voters in the dark about the government’s true spending plans for the next parliament, provoking a new row with the Tories. The chancellor has abandoned plans for a comprehensive spending review, which should have been held this year, until after the general election”

(EDITOR: Oh, Darling! How could you? Easy. He had training from a master...)

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/06/28/milburn-to-quit-as-mp-at-election-115875-21477522/

“Former Cabinet Minister Alan Milburn is to quit as MP for Darlington at the next election”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/feedarticle/8580692

“Tory leader David Cameron has warned the SNP not to "obstruct" a replacement for the Trident missile system if his party wins the next election”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/06/28/tridented-115875-21477554/

“Gordon Brown has ordered a major review of a £20billlion plan to replace Britain's ageing Trident nuclear missile system”

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/2009/06/27/flights-face-green-tax-in-new-bid-to-tackle-climate-change-86908-21475349/

“The Prime Minister said the aviation industry could be a potential source of revenue for a multi-billion-pound fund to tackle global warming”

(EDITOR: If the fares soar, then there will be less flights, so less income. Though this could be argued to potentially reduce pollution. But that's the last thing Brown wants. As Brown wants the aviation industry to be a 'potential source of revenue.')

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/39Serious39-financial-allegations-against-Aberdeen.5404473.jp

“THE new deputy leader of the ruling Liberal Democrat group on Aberdeen City Council was yesterday at the centre of allegations of "serious" financial irregularities. Veteran councillor Scott Cassie was elected to the deputy leader's post on Monday night, following a "coup" which led to administration leader Kate Dean being deposed from her post”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/5656436/Labour-to-abandon-target-culture-indicates-Liam-Byrne.html

“Labour to abandon target culture, indicates Liam Byrne”

(EDITOR: A bit late now, perhaps?)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/5664366/Two-British-hostages-in-Iraq-may-have-been-dead-for-18-months.html

“The two British hostages in Iraq whose bodies were passed to British embassy officials in Baghdad last weekend may have been dead for 18 months, according to officials familiar with the investigation. The fact that British kidnap experts involved in efforts to free the men - and three others kidnapped with them in May, 2007 - had no idea that the two had been dead for so long has shocked investigators”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/feedarticle/8579573

“The Tories were wrong to oppose devolution for Scotland, party leader David Cameron has conceded”

(EDITOR: The fact that Labour has been booted from power in Scotland might make Labour concede they were wrong to support devolution. However, it's a tricky thing, this democracy. People sometimes make up their own minds on how they should vote! Remarkable!)

And that's it for this morning. I have a fairly large scale event to cover today (but a 'fun' event, so my wife and I are looking forward to it) so there will probably not be any updates until very late Sunday evening or Monday morning.