FROM PA: The Government was today accused of "trying to bury bad news" over the release of details of the terror suspect who absconded while on a control order. Shadow Home Secretary David Davis interrupted a Commons debate on the Pensions Bill just after 5pm to make a point of order on written statements expected to be delivered today. "On the order paper today there are three written statements from the Home Office: criminal records update, Independent Race Monitor and the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005.
"As yet none of those statements have been put in the vote office and one of them at least, the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005, we believe refers to another piece of bad news, namely the loss of another suspected terrorist under the Control Orders Act. I am concerned that the Government, which should have published these by now, is trying to bury bad news.
Is there anything you can do to accelerate the release of these written statements?"
Deputy Speaker Sylvia Heal said: "Written ministerial statements should indeed be laid in the House promptly and I will have your point investigated."
Yes, and when will that bloody ACPO letter be released ? Somebody must have a copy of it ? Or doesn't the Association of Chief Police Officers have the original on a computer that they can email to our friends in the media ?
ReplyDeleteAfter all, John Reid is not exactly helping them a lot by cutting the amount of dosh they have for crime fighting purposes - fight back, folks.
bleedin good job the deputy speaker was sitting - gorbals would have done him for asking party political questions.
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't already seen it, check out the great 'Matt' cartoon in the Telegraph today...
ReplyDeleteWhile we're at it, what about some theme songs for the 'Home Office'.
What about 'Billy Ocean' and 'Caribbean Queen [No more love 'on the run']'
Or what about REO Speedwagon 'Take it on the run, baby, take it on the run'
Or the Eurythmics 'To run away from you, is all that I can do'...
I would suggest 'Hit the road, Jack' but I'm afraid it's a little before my time, so I don't know the artist.
"The individual is not believed to represent a direct threat to the public in the UK at this time."
ReplyDeleteThis rather reminds of me of a press release many moons ago, at the time of the 'troubles' in Northern Ireland.
Words to the effect that the escaped convict 'was no more dangerous to the public than any other murderer'.
How do you 'Rochdale' bad news?
ReplyDeleteThey are still at it, aren't they? I am reminded of something Tony Benn said in one of his (admittedly rare) lucid intervals:
ReplyDelete"We should put the spin doctors in spin clinics, where they can meet other spin patients and be treated by spin consultants. The rest of us can get on with the proper democratic process."
"The individual is not believed to represent a direct threat to the public in the UK at this time."
ReplyDeleteIs this like some government Ministers !!?