The home secretary, John Reid, made clear yesterday he is prepared to declare a "state of emergency" to suspend key parts of the human rights convention if the law lords do not overturn a series of judgments that have weakened the anti-terrorist control order regime.
His warning to the courts followed his acute embarrassment yesterday when he had to confirm to MPs that three terror suspects whom he had placed under control orders to prevent them travelling to Iraq to kill British and US troops had all absconded on Monday night.
Source: Guardian UK
To read the full story, please click on the source
Showing posts with label UK News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UK News. Show all posts
Friday, May 25, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Bid to put off info time-wasters
Plans are due to be unveiled to deter "pointless and mischievous" requests under the Freedom of Information Act.
UK Information Commissioner Richard Thomas will say the act's reputation is being jeopardised by such inquiries.
He cites a request to the Foreign Office on the amount spent on Ferrero Rocher chocolate and one on eligible bachelors in the Hampshire police.
But he will stress that the act "reinforces good government" and should not be fought over.
More than 100,000 public bodies, including government departments, councils, the NHS, and universities, have been subject to potential FoI requests since 2005.
Preventing requests
In a keynote speech, the commissioner will say FoI should not be regarded as a threat even when it reveals information that is "embarrassing" or "uncomfortable".
He will urge public bodies them to adopt a positive approach to openness.
"After nearly two-and-a-half years FoI is delivering real benefits," Mr Thomas will say.
"There is a presumption of disclosure, unless there is a genuine reason to withhold information."
The commissioner is due to outline new guidelines, highlighting the right of public bodies to reject "vexatious" requests.
Some have been bombarded with inquires - the BBC, for example, has received more than 90 from one individual about the amount of expenses paid to senior staff.
"A charter for responsible FoI requests will help to prevent requests which have no serious purpose or value, impose disproportionate burdens or have the effect of harassing the public body," Mr Thomas will say.
The suggestion, however, is likely to prompt criticism from those already concerned at attempts by some MPs to restrict the scope of the act.
Source: BBC News
Editor Notes:
So it looks like the UK Government wants to limited what information is given out, One thing I want to know is what was "pointless and mischievous" request. There has been no examples, I do know that people are questioning the 7/7 Incident, could it be this? Which I don't think is "pointless and mischievous"
UK Information Commissioner Richard Thomas will say the act's reputation is being jeopardised by such inquiries.
He cites a request to the Foreign Office on the amount spent on Ferrero Rocher chocolate and one on eligible bachelors in the Hampshire police.
But he will stress that the act "reinforces good government" and should not be fought over.
More than 100,000 public bodies, including government departments, councils, the NHS, and universities, have been subject to potential FoI requests since 2005.
Preventing requests
In a keynote speech, the commissioner will say FoI should not be regarded as a threat even when it reveals information that is "embarrassing" or "uncomfortable".
He will urge public bodies them to adopt a positive approach to openness.
"After nearly two-and-a-half years FoI is delivering real benefits," Mr Thomas will say.
"There is a presumption of disclosure, unless there is a genuine reason to withhold information."
The commissioner is due to outline new guidelines, highlighting the right of public bodies to reject "vexatious" requests.
Some have been bombarded with inquires - the BBC, for example, has received more than 90 from one individual about the amount of expenses paid to senior staff.
"A charter for responsible FoI requests will help to prevent requests which have no serious purpose or value, impose disproportionate burdens or have the effect of harassing the public body," Mr Thomas will say.
The suggestion, however, is likely to prompt criticism from those already concerned at attempts by some MPs to restrict the scope of the act.
Source: BBC News
Editor Notes:
So it looks like the UK Government wants to limited what information is given out, One thing I want to know is what was "pointless and mischievous" request. There has been no examples, I do know that people are questioning the 7/7 Incident, could it be this? Which I don't think is "pointless and mischievous"
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Police chief slams 'Orwellian' CCTV
A senior police officer has warned that the proliferation of CCTV cameras risks creating an "Orwellian" society.
Ian Readhead, Deputy Chief Constable of Hampshire Police, said he did not want to live in a country with surveillance on every street corner.
He questioned whether the expansion was justified in areas where there were relatively-low crime levels.
The Hampshire force area includes the small town of Stockbridge, where parish councillors have spent £10,000 installing CCTV.
"I'm really concerned about what happens to the product of these cameras, and what comes next," he told BBC One's Politics Show.
Mr Readhead also called for the use of speed cameras to be reviewed, and more consideration of why DNA was kept.
There are an estimated 4.2 million CCTV cameras in the UK - one for every 14 people.
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas has raised concerns about Britain "sleepwalking into a surveillance society", with more cameras on the street and extensive monitoring of consumer behaviour.
However, supporters say CCTV is a crucial tool in deterring crime and catching criminals, and the innocent have nothing to fear.
Source: Guardian UK
Ian Readhead, Deputy Chief Constable of Hampshire Police, said he did not want to live in a country with surveillance on every street corner.
He questioned whether the expansion was justified in areas where there were relatively-low crime levels.
The Hampshire force area includes the small town of Stockbridge, where parish councillors have spent £10,000 installing CCTV.
"I'm really concerned about what happens to the product of these cameras, and what comes next," he told BBC One's Politics Show.
"If it's in our villages, are we really moving towards an Orwellian situation where cameras are at every street corner? And I really don't think that's the kind of country that I want to live in."
Mr Readhead also called for the use of speed cameras to be reviewed, and more consideration of why DNA was kept.
There are an estimated 4.2 million CCTV cameras in the UK - one for every 14 people.
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas has raised concerns about Britain "sleepwalking into a surveillance society", with more cameras on the street and extensive monitoring of consumer behaviour.
However, supporters say CCTV is a crucial tool in deterring crime and catching criminals, and the innocent have nothing to fear.
Source: Guardian UK
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Al Fayed wants Queen quizzed over Diana's death
Lawyers for Mohamed Al Fayed today tried to embroil the Queen in the Diana, Princess of Wales, inquest.
To read the full story, please click on the source
They called for the monarch to be "directly approached" over an infamous conversation she allegedly had with the former royal butler, Paul Burrell, in which she warned him of unknown "powers" at work in this country.
Mr Burrell, who previously worked for the princess, made the claim after the collapse of his Old Bailey trial for theft.
Source: Guardian UKTo read the full story, please click on the source
Reid to expand use of Taser stun guns
The use of Taser stun guns could be extended to non-firearms police officers, the Home Office said on Wednesday.
Home Secretary John Reid is due to tell the Police Federation's annual conference in Blackpool that he wants to see more frontline police officers carrying the 50,000 volt devices.
The guns, which temporarily disable a suspect, can only be used by firearms officers at the moment, but Reid wants to extend the use to non-firearms officers working in specially trained units.
Currently, officers can only use the guns when confronted by an armed person, but under the plans, officers will also be able to use them if they face violence or threats, the BBC reported.
Taser guns have been used in 619 incidents since their introduction in the UK four years ago, a Home Office spokeswoman said.
The plans have angered human rights groups who say Tasers have been linked to dozens of deaths in America and Canada.
The Home Office said no deaths have been linked to their use in Britain.
An independent medical panel is carrying out research on whether the guns, which fire two barbed darts trailing electric wires, can cause serious injury.
If the plans get the go-ahead, trials could begin from September.
Source: Reuters UK
Home Secretary John Reid is due to tell the Police Federation's annual conference in Blackpool that he wants to see more frontline police officers carrying the 50,000 volt devices.
The guns, which temporarily disable a suspect, can only be used by firearms officers at the moment, but Reid wants to extend the use to non-firearms officers working in specially trained units.
Currently, officers can only use the guns when confronted by an armed person, but under the plans, officers will also be able to use them if they face violence or threats, the BBC reported.
Taser guns have been used in 619 incidents since their introduction in the UK four years ago, a Home Office spokeswoman said.
The plans have angered human rights groups who say Tasers have been linked to dozens of deaths in America and Canada.
The Home Office said no deaths have been linked to their use in Britain.
An independent medical panel is carrying out research on whether the guns, which fire two barbed darts trailing electric wires, can cause serious injury.
If the plans get the go-ahead, trials could begin from September.
Source: Reuters UK
Lawyer for bomber's widow condemns police
The solicitor of a woman released without charge after being arrested in connection with the July 7 bombings has condemned police for her treatment.
Last night Scotland Yard confirmed three people arrested in connection with the July 7 bombings had been released without charge.
Those released include Hasina Patel, 29, the widow of London bombings ringleader Mohammed Sidique Khan.
Ms Patel's solicitor, Imran Khan, said he was relieved his client had been released, but shocked at the way she had been treated.
He said police had destroyed relations with the Muslim community in the way they had behaved towards the widow of Mohammed Sidique Khan.
A fourth man aged 34, Khalid Khaliq, remains in custody after police were granted a warrant to detain him for further questioning until May 21.
The two men released are Ms Patel's brother Arshad and Imran Motala.
The four were arrested in a series of anti-terror raids last Wednesday, during which properties in West Yorkshire and the West Midlands were searched.
All four, held on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, were taken to the high-security Paddington Green police station in London for questioning.
Mr Khan told BBC News 24: "I'm relieved that she's out after her ordeal and shocked that the police only revealed at the last minute information which they had in their possession before Hasina was arrested which shows she had no idea, not an inkling of what Mohammed Sidique Khan was going to do."
While Mr Khan said he was not at liberty to reveal what that information was, he said it showed "clearly and unequivocally" that she knew nothing of what Sidique Khan was planning.
Source: The Independent
To read the full story, please click on the source
Last night Scotland Yard confirmed three people arrested in connection with the July 7 bombings had been released without charge.
Those released include Hasina Patel, 29, the widow of London bombings ringleader Mohammed Sidique Khan.
Ms Patel's solicitor, Imran Khan, said he was relieved his client had been released, but shocked at the way she had been treated.
He said police had destroyed relations with the Muslim community in the way they had behaved towards the widow of Mohammed Sidique Khan.
A fourth man aged 34, Khalid Khaliq, remains in custody after police were granted a warrant to detain him for further questioning until May 21.
The two men released are Ms Patel's brother Arshad and Imran Motala.
The four were arrested in a series of anti-terror raids last Wednesday, during which properties in West Yorkshire and the West Midlands were searched.
All four, held on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, were taken to the high-security Paddington Green police station in London for questioning.
Mr Khan told BBC News 24: "I'm relieved that she's out after her ordeal and shocked that the police only revealed at the last minute information which they had in their possession before Hasina was arrested which shows she had no idea, not an inkling of what Mohammed Sidique Khan was going to do."
While Mr Khan said he was not at liberty to reveal what that information was, he said it showed "clearly and unequivocally" that she knew nothing of what Sidique Khan was planning.
Source: The Independent
To read the full story, please click on the source
Thursday, May 10, 2007
ID card costs rise above £5bn
The official cost of the controversial ID card scheme has risen to £5.31bn.
The figures were released as Tony Blair announced his departure, leading to claims from the opposition that the government was "burying bad news".
The Tories and Lib Dems also claimed that the Home Office broke the law by releasing the updated figures a month later than they should have.
The Home Office put the £400m increased costs down to extra staff carrying out vetting and extra anti-fraud measures.
To read the full story, please click here: BBC News
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Blair 'turned blind eye to Iraq intelligence' in Bush meeting
Tony Blair turned "a blind eye to intelligence" and failed to challenge George Bush over claims that Saddam Hussein was developing nuclear weapons, according to new claims published this week.
A note of a private meeting between Mr Blair and President Bush in January 2003 shows that Tony Blair failed to confront Mr Bush when he claimed Saddam Hussein had tried to buy aluminium tubes for nuclear weapons production.
Mr Blair did not contradict the President despite having received "private briefings" which indicated that the aluminium tubes were more likely to be for conventional weapons, according to the new edition of a book by the international lawyer Philippe Sands published tomorrow. The claims in a new US edition of the book, Lawless World, will raise fresh questions about whether Mr Blair played a secondary role to President Bush.
Source: London Independant
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