Paul Burgess: A Rule of Law Surprise Party(gate) – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted February 10th, 2022 in constitutional law, coronavirus, news, political parties, rule of law by sally

‘Partygate could tear apart the UK government but, regardless of one’s political preferences, there have been some good things that have come from the episode. Where it is not unusual to see different conceptions of the Rule of Law invoked on opposing sides of an argument, it was a pleasant surprise to see opposing sides invoke the concept in support of the same argument in a way that’s recognisable. “The Rule of Law” was deployed in a way that reflected the concept’s core purpose: holding those in power to the same rules and standards as everyone else and to deter the arbitrary application of power. However, this moment of unity is unlikely to settle the perennial contest relating to the concept’s meaning.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 10th February 2022

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Sir Keir Starmer in the clear over office beer – The Independent

Posted February 7th, 2022 in coronavirus, news, police, political parties by tracey

‘Durham police have investigated and said no offence was committed when the Labour leader was filmed having a drink indoors in April 2021.’

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The Independent, 7th February 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Parliament watchdog will not open new investigation over Johnson’s flat refurb – The Guardian

Posted January 11th, 2022 in inquiries, news, parliament, political parties, standards by tracey

‘Boris Johnson will not face a new investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner, Kathryn Stone, over the refurbishment of the Downing Street flat, No 10 has confirmed.’

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The Guardian, 10th January 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ex-Tory minister Andrew Griffiths raped his wife, family court judge finds – The Independent

‘A former Conservative minister has been found to have raped and physically abused his wife by a family court judge who considered evidence at a private trial.’

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The Independent, 10th December 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Jeremy Corbyn secures apology, damages from councillor over tweet – Local Government Lawyer

‘Former Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn has accepted an apology and substantial damages from a councillor who published a fake picture of him appearing to endorse the Liverpool terrorist attack.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 25th November 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Britain First activist faces retrial for alleged assault at hotel housing asylum seekers – The Independent

Posted November 12th, 2021 in assault, asylum, coronavirus, hotels, immigration, news, political parties, retrials by tracey

‘Magistrates have set aside the conviction of a Britain First activist accused of assaulting a security guard at a hotel housing asylum seekers. James White, 31, will face a retrial for assault at Coventry Magistrates’ Court on 7 March. He was found guilty of the offence in his absence on Monday, but the conviction was ruled unsafe two days later after his lawyer successfully argued proceedings had gone ahead unfairly.’

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The Independent, 11th November 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Britain First activist convicted of assaulting security guard at hotel housing asylum seekers – The Independent

Posted November 9th, 2021 in assault, asylum, hotels, immigration, news, political parties by tracey

‘A Britain First activist has been convicted of assaulting a security guard at a hotel housing asylum seekers.’

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The Independent, 8th November 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

David Davis vows to lead rebellion against judicial review changes – The Guardian

‘The former cabinet minister David Davis has pledged to lead a rebellion against the government’s changes to judicial review, calling them a worrying assault on the legal system and attempt to avoid accountability.’

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The Guardian, 25th October 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

HRA reform in this parliament, Raab promises party faithful – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The Human Rights Act will be overhauled before the next general election, the lord chancellor and justice secretary pledged today.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 5th October 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Government poised to water down ‘radical and necessary’ overhaul of England’s planning system, report suggests – The Independent

Posted September 13th, 2021 in bills, government departments, housing, local government, news, planning, political parties by tracey

‘The government is poised to abandon key elements of its “radical and necessary” overhaul of England’s planning laws – which ministers argued would “help us build the homes our country desperately needs” – following a backlash from Tory MPs and voters in the south, according to a report.’

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The Independent, 11th September 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Saturday musings: the Charity Commission and “political” campaigning – Law & Religion UK

Posted September 6th, 2021 in bills, charities, Charity Commission, elections, news, political parties by tracey

‘The Runnymede Trust is a charitable think-tank focused on race equality and race relations in the UK. The Charity Commission opened a compliance case in April 2021 after complaints about the Trust’s response to the report by the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities (“the CRED report”) and the trustees’ decision to work with the Good Law Project to challenge certain public appointments. The Commission also noted the appearance of a senior executive of Runnymede at an event organised by a political party, alongside several elected representatives and affiliated speakers. The issue, in short, was whether the Trust was engaging in party-political activity, contrary to charity law – and the Commission has concluded that the Trust has not broken the law. So far, not much obviously to do with “religion” – but read on.’

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Law & Religion UK, 4th September 2021

Source: lawandreligionuk.com

Man guilty over abusive emails sent to Starmer and Thornberry – BBC News

Posted September 3rd, 2021 in electronic mail, harassment, housing, local government, news, political parties by tracey

‘A man who sent dozens of abusive and threatening emails to Sir Keir Starmer and Emily Thornberry has been found guilty of harassment.’

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BBC News, 2nd September 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

High Court gives go-ahead for judicial review challenge over ‘Levelling Up Fund” – Local Government Lawyer

‘The High Court has granted the Good Law Project permission for its legal challenge against three Whitehall departments over the multi-billion pound “Levelling Up Fund”.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 23rd August 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Tory MPs suspended for trying to influence judge in Elphicke case – The Guardian

‘Several Conservative MPs will be suspended from the Commons for a day and told to apologise for trying to influence a judge presiding over the trial of a colleague for sexual assault, the standards committee has ordered.’

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The Guardian, 21st July 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Jeremy Corbyn investigated by parliament’s sleaze watchdog over legal support – The Independent

Posted July 9th, 2021 in legal representation, news, parliament, political parties, standards by tracey

‘Jeremy Corbyn is under investigation by parliament’s sleaze watchdog following allegations he did not properly declare financial support given to him for legal disputes related to antisemitism claims.’

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The Independent, 8th July 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Jeremy Heywood’s widow questions Greensill inquiry chief’s independence – The Guardian

‘The widow of the man who was the UK’s top civil servant during the early years of the Greensill lobbying scandal has raised concerns over the independence of the official appointed by Boris Johnson to run an inquiry into the affair.’

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The Guardian, 1st July 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Oil firm led by Tory donor investigated over alleged bribes in nine countries – The Guardian

Posted June 21st, 2021 in bribery, corruption, energy, miners, news, political parties, Serious Fraud Office by tracey

‘A multinational oil firm which was led by a major Conservative donor has been under investigation for allegedly paying million-pound bribes to secure contracts in nine countries. The anti-corruption agency the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has been examining allegedly suspicious payments made by the UK-based firm Petrofac.’

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The Guardian, 20th June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Legal action launched over Boris Johnson award of peerage to Tory donor – The Independent

‘Anti-corruption campaign the Good Law Project has launched a legal action over the award of a peerage to Conservative party donor Peter Cruddas. Boris Johnson overruled advice last year from the House of Lords Appointments Committee against making the businessman a Lord – the first time the watchdog’s recommendation has been ignored.’

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The Independent, 13th June 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Rodney Brazier: Mr Johnson and His Flat – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted May 4th, 2021 in ministers' powers and duties, news, parliament, political parties by tracey

‘Let me begin with what should be platitudinous. The presumption of innocence is a cherished legal principle in the United Kingdom. No one is guilty of a crime unless a court so decides after a fair hearing, and anyone accused of wrongdoing short of a crime is entitled to the protection of an analogous principle. Politicians must account to Parliament, and are answerable to the voters. Politicians must obey the law and comply with relevant codes of conduct.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 4th May 2021

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Boris Johnson flat inquiry: what sanctions can watchdog impose? – The Guardian

‘Boris Johnson is bracing for an investigation by the Electoral Commission into payments covering renovations to his Downing Street flat. What will the process will look like and what sanctions could the Conservative party face?’

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The Guardian, 28th April 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com