tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post9165591508468902205..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: The Consequences of the Arrest of the Ashford OneIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-76553971972518000282008-11-28T17:30:00.000+00:002008-11-28T17:30:00.000+00:00Jack wrote ... Perhaps I'm being naive, but is ...Jack wrote <I>... Perhaps I'm being naive, but is it not reassuring that the police can 'dare' to arrest and interview whoever they suspect of wrongdoing, regardless of ther position? ...</I><BR/><BR/>How many participants were arrested during the Danish Embassy demonstrations? How many afterwards?Bert Rustlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11603898539529306184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-56132705936223298492008-11-28T16:33:00.000+00:002008-11-28T16:33:00.000+00:00Perhaps I'm being naive, but is it not reassuring ...Perhaps I'm being naive, but is it not reassuring that the police can 'dare' to arrest and interview whoever they suspect of wrongdoing, regardless of ther position? The nature of his 'crime', to me, is beside the point and for the police and CPS to decide- not outraged politicians and bloggers. And any MP who would wilfully obstruct police in their duty (for example, by blocking the door to an office), should be hit with the full force of the law.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15602655401031376182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-84288674967069872622008-11-28T13:34:00.000+00:002008-11-28T13:34:00.000+00:00taapestry wrote ... I campaigned outside the Labou...taapestry wrote <I>... I campaigned outside the Labour Party conference ...</I><BR/><BR/>A youtube video of the encounter would have enabled the Electorate to see for themselves.<BR/><BR/>Is it legal to record one's own conversations in a public place without the correspondents knowledge? Consent? To video the same?Bert Rustlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11603898539529306184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-34793570748376412132008-11-28T11:59:00.000+00:002008-11-28T11:59:00.000+00:00Bert Rustle. I campaigned outside the Labour Part...Bert Rustle. I campaigned outside the Labour Party conference in defence of the freedom of people to choose to hunt wild animals if they wished, on the Promenade at Blackpool in 2004.<BR/><BR/>There were no people around, other than me and my colleague and some suited Labourites who studiously ignored us.<BR/><BR/>Old Bill wandered up and said that we had to stop demoing as we were in breach of the Public Order Act.<BR/><BR/>Which section, I asked.<BR/><BR/>Section 9.<BR/><BR/>This section requires that the Police expect that a demonstration is going to lead to a riot.<BR/><BR/>I enquired of Old Bill who was there who might cause a riot - not Labour MPs presumably?<BR/><BR/>The reply was telling. I was told that it would mean a night in jail and I cold argue my case with the Magistrate in the morning.<BR/><BR/>We agreed to stop demoing and go home.<BR/><BR/>But a squad of coppers then came and inspected our vehicle and refused to let us go. They decided that a particular poster was offensive. It had a picture of Tony Blair doing a NAZI salute opposite one of Hitler, captioned 'The First European To Ban Hunting..'<BR/><BR/>We agreed to remove them which we did but they still left two stooges instructed not to allow us to move on.<BR/><BR/>They gave us a running verbal assault on the evils of hunting and how it had to be banned.<BR/><BR/>The Police were openly acting as heavy-handed agents of the Labour government to suppress our tiny demonstration.Tapestryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17267094484651413428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-42868273864391472412008-11-28T11:55:00.000+00:002008-11-28T11:55:00.000+00:00Second attempt to post this (b****y Google!) - and...Second attempt to post this (b****y Google!) - and I hope no-one else has made this point. someone said: <BR/><I>It's a serious charge, and may well be reduced to some other charge if they do charge him in the end. But using this as the basis of the arrest at this stage suggests to me they may not be able to fit what they accuse him of doing into any relevant legislation, like the Official Secrets legislation.<BR/><BR/>November 27, 2008 11:26 PM</I><BR/><BR/>Maybe they are using these powers because since Mrs T's reform of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) in 1989 it is no longer possible to use its criminal sanctions just to threaten/punish leakers and recipients just because their activity is politically embarrassing. This little known common law offence (with its potential life sentence punishment!) has been dug up and dusted off to gag whistleblowers and silence effective opposition.MattLondonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09038685160541450257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-30881664293175692882008-11-28T11:39:00.000+00:002008-11-28T11:39:00.000+00:00I wonder, did the police find any bombs or bomb-ma...I wonder, did the police find any bombs or bomb-making equipment, any guns? Was Bin Laden included in Green’s ‘friends’ on Facebook and did he have terrorist training videos in his collection? Maybe he should declare to the Conservative Party his affiliation with Al-Quaeda?<BR/><BR/>Welcome to the Labour Reich. How long before we can all fear that early hours hammering on the front door?Neal Asherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13933911904170752700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-33295170862005412142008-11-28T11:31:00.000+00:002008-11-28T11:31:00.000+00:00A little background on the common law offense that...A little background on the common law offense that was somewhat egregiously utilised in this case. The Nolan committee suggested a decade ago that it be clarified and put on a statutory basis.<BR/><BR/>http://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/parlment/nolan3/misuse-1.htm<BR/>15. A common law offence of 'misconduct in a public office' exists at present, and prosecutions are still undertaken from time to time. We believe that the new statutory offence should be developed from the common law offence. ...<BR/>18. <B>The unifying factor of the common law cases appears to be the existence of some improper, dishonest or oppressive motive in the exercise or refusal to exercise some public function, rather than a mere abuse of power. There are few prosecutions, suggesting that action is taken only when misconduct is particularly gross.</B> The advantage of creating a statutory offence of misuse of public office would be that some clearer indication could be given in the statute of the circumstances in which an offence might occur. The limits should not have to be drawn by the jury unguided.Nigelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18171835878570773595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-51578786583788058142008-11-28T11:18:00.000+00:002008-11-28T11:18:00.000+00:00Obituary: British Freedom 1215-2008It was announce...Obituary: British Freedom 1215-2008<BR/><BR/>It was announced today that British Freedom had died, aged 797, following an eleven-year battle against a cancer. <BR/><BR/>(full Obituary at http://tinyurl.com/6z2eeh)<BR/><BR/>It's all over, folks - The Brown Regime (I will no longer grace this Junta with the term 'Government') have finally stooped to using the Police to repress legitimate political Opposition.<BR/><BR/>Kiss your Freedom goodbye, because it died last night.<BR/><BR/>Now all we have to look forward to is the Civil Contingencies Act and the long reign of 'President-for-life' Brown.<BR/><BR/>DungeekinDungeekinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09181585428709956991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-19506109542452883372008-11-28T11:13:00.000+00:002008-11-28T11:13:00.000+00:00It was Michael Martin LINKIt was Michael Martin<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.talkcarswell.com/show.aspx?id=270" REL="nofollow"> LINK </A>Old Holbornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10164491045068093627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-19359566737017712522008-11-28T11:02:00.001+00:002008-11-28T11:02:00.001+00:00Obviously there are a lot of details we need to kn...Obviously there are a lot of details we need to know yet about this matter, but it stinks of Broon.<BR/><BR/>David Davis wasn't given much time on the Today programme, but one of his points was that it is intended to intimidate whistleblowers in Westminster.<BR/><BR/>David Cameron should have been doing the rounds of all the radio and TV studios this morning. He's been too quiet, AGAIN.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-31532597847134563652008-11-28T11:02:00.000+00:002008-11-28T11:02:00.000+00:00How is this different to the dozen BNP people arre...How is this different to the dozen BNP people arrested for distributing a leaflet in Liverpool last weekend? The BNP stated that the CPS had previously seen the “Racism Cuts Both Ways” leaflet and that the CPS stated that it was not actionable. Those arrested were bailed several hours later without charge.<BR/><BR/>I do not recall a single Establishment Party member denouncing these arrests last week but several are already denouncing the arrest of Damian Green.<BR/><BR/>How are the two arrests different?Bert Rustlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11603898539529306184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-18009424840717281332008-11-28T10:55:00.000+00:002008-11-28T10:55:00.000+00:00As a Green Party activist, I share the deep concer...As a Green Party activist, I share the deep concern at this apparent abuse of police powers. If Ministers were not informed (as a Minister claimed on the Today programme), the government officials who took this decision must be outed and disciplined. <BR/><BR/>Please give my sympathies. Nine hours in custody is very boring (I speak as a Trident Faslane arrest veteran). I hope he had a book.DocRichardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08903964792092284406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-91079880497471738732008-11-28T10:45:00.000+00:002008-11-28T10:45:00.000+00:00Lest we forget the last govt. Things always happen...Lest we forget the last govt. Things always happened like thisSimon Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15328606546904222885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-17312907315325594602008-11-28T10:36:00.000+00:002008-11-28T10:36:00.000+00:00Does anyone have a list of the occasions when Gord...Does anyone have a list of the occasions when Gordon Brown relied on leaked documents when he was an opposition spokesman? There must be plenty of examples around. When they are publicised can we expect him to be arrested and questioned for 9 hours?Colin Hugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02258228677000932255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-59506488504920934902008-11-28T10:34:00.000+00:002008-11-28T10:34:00.000+00:00Did anyone hear Phil Woolas on the radio this morn...Did anyone hear Phil Woolas on the radio this morning? More or less admitted Labour had asked police to go after Damien Green. <BR/>Believe it or not, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ghana were once democratic countries. Their downfall began like this. Elected govts arresting one politician here, a journalist there, people get scared as they have families and businesses, so they don't want their lives disrupted and cease to object or comment whenever the govt does something, and it all goes downhill from there.<BR/>Good luck everyone, I have family in America, my husband and I get on really well with them so we can always get a flight in a hurry when things start to go really pear shaped. To those who don't have that option, well, you had your chance to fight Labour and their Common Purpose friends.<BR/>And Iain, stop praising Hazel Blears, she's part of the problem.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-49614780538057320602008-11-28T10:33:00.000+00:002008-11-28T10:33:00.000+00:00To Strapworld @ 8:56...Softly softly catchee monke...To Strapworld @ 8:56...<BR/><BR/><I>Softly softly catchee monkey</I><BR/><BR/>Cameron is playing it correctly IMO. No point in him going off on one at a press conference that will hardly get a mention. Better for him to stay calm, get the party in step and deliver the blows in the House. <BR/><BR/>Interesting to note the volume of Labour Troll activity this morning (check out ConHome). Co-incidence, I'm sure.Windsor Tripehoundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16923036087016324862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-80316916444575968562008-11-28T10:27:00.000+00:002008-11-28T10:27:00.000+00:00First they bury news, then they try and silence th...First they bury news, then they try and silence the Opposition. <BR/><BR/>The ghosts of Stalin, Hoenecher and Pol Pot must be so proud. Their bastard heir is alive and well and resident in Downing Street.Kcilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08804564584929975056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-18430170236881100802008-11-28T10:24:00.000+00:002008-11-28T10:24:00.000+00:00Could this be Ian Blair getting his revenge for Bo...Could this be Ian Blair getting his revenge for Boris forcing him out?<BR/><BR/>As has been mentioned, today's his last day in post so by the time it's been discovered he was responsible, he'll be miles away.Green_Anorakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14653354477508576881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-38836290265525341202008-11-28T10:22:00.000+00:002008-11-28T10:22:00.000+00:00Primly Stable forgets the main part of his argumen...Primly Stable forgets the main part of his argument....WHO was in charge when Lord Levy and others were arrested.....Oh, I forgot, it was a LABOUR Government!!!!<BR/><BR/>Primly stable has neither the sense or intelligence to work this one out. Obviously a bunker boy or girl. Employed by the state to TELL and SPREAD LIES.strapworldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18228784526399929300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1455437166169427192008-11-28T10:14:00.000+00:002008-11-28T10:14:00.000+00:00I received a parcel of leaked Home Office memos th...I received a parcel of leaked Home Office memos this morning- anyone fancy leaking them?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-2678649144055374722008-11-28T10:05:00.000+00:002008-11-28T10:05:00.000+00:00"There are times when I begin to wish David Davies..."There are times when I begin to wish David Davies had won the leadership election ..."<BR/><BR/>Aye. Twenty four seven three six five, Not an.Cathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06547260901711082162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-83037213520421103252008-11-28T10:04:00.000+00:002008-11-28T10:04:00.000+00:00To Primly Stable:If the Damien Green incident were...To Primly Stable:<BR/><BR/>If the Damien Green incident were to do with similar cirumstances over party funding then I'd be happy with the police action. Indeed I'd be posting asking why Cameron didn't undertake a full review to ensure that the Tories were blamesless, lambasting him for inaction.<BR/><BR/>This is different. Its about an increasingly dictatorial govt clampinmg down on freedom of inquiry into the govt's policies. <BR/><BR/>Contrary to this govts attitude and that of its supporters who will excuse its every transgression of civil liberties for purely party political reasons and nothing more, suppressing non-violent political opposition and freedom of speach is NOT "The Right Thing To Do".not an economisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08679610738502901666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-89288964767223620672008-11-28T10:02:00.000+00:002008-11-28T10:02:00.000+00:00Primly_Stable - this came from a complaint made by...Primly_Stable - this came from a complaint made by a SNP MP. Everyone knew what was being investigated, and kid gloves were used, despite very real grounds for the investigation.<BR/><BR/>Imagine of Gordon Brown had been arrested under the previous Conservative govt as shadow chancellor, using anti-terrorism police, for receiving leaked information. Your Guardinista co travellers would have been up in arms.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the spin - but the mere fact your trying to spin it shows that this has been politicly motivated. ( As by the way does the great care not keep the PM's hands clean ).Man in a Shedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00990902055642035293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-69692359249318147482008-11-28T09:58:00.000+00:002008-11-28T09:58:00.000+00:00Primly Stable says "As usual Tory hypocrits can't ...Primly Stable says "As usual Tory hypocrits can't cope when they get treated like everyone else."<BR/><BR/>I am not a Tory - but I think this abuse of power by the government/police is truly disturbing. When you say 'like everybody else' - what do you mean? We are all in this together. Get a grip.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-60169167018129661872008-11-28T09:40:00.000+00:002008-11-28T09:40:00.000+00:00When Ruth Turner and Lord Levy were frogmarched ou...When Ruth Turner and Lord Levy were frogmarched out of their homes in the small hours of the morning on a trumped-up charge that was the result of a political campaign by opposition parties (and were both released without charge) the usual suspects were all very clear that it was very important for the police to be able to arrest whoever they wanted to.<BR/><BR/>As usual Tory hypocrits can't cope when they get treated like everyone else. "Don't you know who I am?!!"Primly_Stablehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15658580330261585149noreply@blogger.com