A judge-shaming list is bad for justice – The Guardian

‘Judges shouldn’t be frightened to set precedents. A list of those that have “gone too far” – including over a Guardian freedom of information request on the Prince of Wales’s letters – risks deterring justice.’

Full story

The Guardian, 12th May 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Determinations and findings of the Hillsborough inquests – Home Office

Posted April 28th, 2016 in inquests, parliament, press releases, sport, unlawful killing by tracey

‘Home Secretary Theresa May gives a statement on the findings of the Hillsborough inquests.’

Full statement

Home Office, 27th April 2016

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Government has a ‘duty’ to safeguard thousand year old tradition of printing laws on vellum, says minister – Daily Telegraph

Posted April 20th, 2016 in archives, legislation, news, parliament by sally

‘The Government has a “duty” to safeguard the thousand-year-old practice of recording Britain’s laws on vellum, a minister has said as he confirmed his department has found the £80,000 needed to safeguard this “great tradition.”‘

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 20th April 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Ministers drop plans for war powers law – The Guardian

Posted April 19th, 2016 in armed forces, bills, news, parliament, war by sally

‘Ministers have abandoned plans to introduce a war powers act that would enshrine into law a commitment to seek parliamentary approval before deploying British troops in combat.’

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The Guardian, 18th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Chills, thrills and surprises: ten years of freedom of information in the UK – OUP Blog

Posted April 12th, 2016 in freedom of information, legislation, media, news, parliament by sally

‘The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act has been in the news again, when the controversial Independent Commission, much to the surprise of many, concluded the Act was ‘generally working well’, had ‘enhanced openness and transparency… there is no evidence that the Act needs to be radically altered’.’

Full story

OUP Blog, 10th April 2016

Source: http://blog.oup.com

Revealed: the loophole that lets lobbying companies keep their clients a secret – The Independent

Posted April 11th, 2016 in disclosure, lobbying, news, parliament by tracey

‘Lobbying companies working at the heart of Whitehall are exploiting loopholes in transparency legislation that allows them to avoid declaring clients who pay them thousands of pounds to help influence Government policy, The Independent can reveal.’

Full story

The Independent, 10th April 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

MPs could face ban on hiring family and spouses under expenses review – The Independent

Posted April 5th, 2016 in expenses, families, housing, news, parliament by sally

‘MPs who employ relatives and claim money to rent accomodation could soon be blocked under a new review of politicians’ expenses.’

Full story

The Independent, 4th April 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

DWP tribunal criticises Labour MP Jess Phillips for ‘showing too much affection and friendship’ – The Independent

‘A Labour MP has been criticised by a judge at a tribunal for showing too much affection and friendship towards a constituent on disability benefits. ‘

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The Independent, 3rd April 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Lords curbs will tilt balance of power towards government, say peers – BBC News

Posted March 23rd, 2016 in news, parliament, regulations, veto by tracey

‘Government plans to remove the House of Lords’ ability to veto some draft laws would “tilt the balance of power… towards government”, peers have said. A review of the Lords’ powers was set up after peers voted down planned tax credits cuts – later axed by ministers. But its scope has been criticised by two Lords committees who say its proposals would “damage” Parliament’s role and should be shelved.’

Full story

BBC News, 23rd March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

House of Lords votes to let lone child refugees come to Britain – The Guardian

Posted March 22nd, 2016 in bills, children, immigration, news, parliament, refugees by sally

‘The government has been defeated in the Lords as peers voted to allow 3,000 unaccompanied child refugees into the country.’

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The Guardian, 21st March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Last living suspect in VIP paedophile ring inquiry will not face charges – The Guardian

Posted March 21st, 2016 in child abuse, complaints, inquiries, murder, news, parliament, police by tracey

‘The last living suspect at the centre of a police investigation into an alleged VIP paedophile ring that was accused of killing three children has been told he will face no charges. Harvey Proctor, the former Conservative MP, was given the news on Monday afternoon following a conversation between his solicitors and a senior Met officer.’

Full story

The Guardian, 21st March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

MP Simon Danczuk admits wrongly claiming £11,000 expenses – BBC News

Posted March 18th, 2016 in expenses, news, parking, parliament by tracey

‘MP Simon Danczuk has been ordered to repay thousands of pounds after admitting an expenses claims “error”.’

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BBC News, 18th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Peers defeat trade union funding reforms – BBC News

Posted March 17th, 2016 in bills, news, parliament, political parties, trade unions by tracey

‘The government has been heavily defeated in the House of Lords over trade union reforms Labour fears will cost it millions of pounds in funding. Ministers want to require Labour-affiliated union members to “opt in” to paying a levy to the party. But peers voted by 320 to 172 to apply the changes to new members only and with a 12-month transition period.’

Full story

BBC News, 16th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Goddard inquiry to hold preliminary hearing on abuse linked to church – The Guardian

‘The Wednesday in an investigation into the track record of Anglican churches in England and Wales in preventing exploitation, dealing with perpetrators and helping survivors to overcome trauma and obtain justice.’

Full story

The Guardian, 16th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

MPs break the rules ‘because they do not agree with them’, says standards watchdog Kathryn Hudson – Daily Telegraph

‘The comments will add further pressure on MPs to beef up the watchdog which polices their work, perhaps by giving members of the public a vote over decisions whether or not to reprimand errant MPs.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 15th March 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Mike Ashley: Could Sports Direct boss be jailed in Big Ben? – BBC News

‘Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has been warned he could be in contempt of Parliament if he continues to refuse to appear in front of a committee of MPs. It sounds serious – but what could actually happen to him?’

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BBC News, 16th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Commons sleaze watchdog in crisis as QC rubbishes legal arguments against reform – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 11th, 2016 in news, parliament, professional conduct, standards by tracey

‘Sir Kevin Barron steps aside from chairmanship of Standards Committee, as Lord Lester describes attempts to stop lay members from being given a vote as “absurd.” ‘

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 10th March 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Government suffers two defeats in Lords on Immigration Bill – BBC News

Posted March 10th, 2016 in bills, employment, immigration, news, parliament, Sunday trading by sally

‘The government has twice been defeated in the Lords over its Immigration Bill, shortly after losing a vote in the Commons on Sunday trading.’

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BBC News, 9th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Peers inflict second government defeat on disability benefit cuts – BBC News

Posted March 1st, 2016 in benefits, bills, disabled persons, news, parliament, social security by sally

‘The government has been defeated in the House of Lords for a second time over plans to cut some disabled people’s benefits by £30 a week.’

Full story

BBC News, 29th February 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

SRA: We want to be accountable to Parliament, not the Law Society – Legal Futures

‘The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has asked the House of Commons’ justice select committee to assume responsibility for holding it to account once independence from the Law Society has been achieved.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 26th February 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk