MoD seeks to cut soldiers' payout

"BBC NEWS | UK | MoD seeks to cut soldiers' payout
The Ministry of Defence will go to the Court of Appeal later to try to significantly reduce the compensation awarded to two injured soldiers. One, who was shot in the leg in Iraq, received £46,000, while the other, injured in training, got £28,750. Both had their payouts increased due to complications, but the MoD is arguing that they should only be compensated for their "original injuries"."

I already knew the MoD was tight, but this really takes the biscuit. Wonder just how many of the tight-arses behind this decision have even been shot at, let alone injured in the line of duty? Will they even remember the names of these soldiers when they retire on fat, civil service pensions?

BBC NEWS | UK | MoD seeks to cut soldiers' payout

Ex-MI5 chief attacks 42-day plan

"Ex-MI5 chief attacks 42-day plan
The former head of MI5 has dismissed government plans to extend the time terror suspects can be held to 42 days as not 'workable'.

Lord Goldsmith, who was attorney general when Tony Blair was prime minister, also opposed the plan, saying it risked "giving away the very freedoms that terrorists are trying to take from us'.

He told peers: 'We don't take away freedoms that people, and our ancestors, have fought for without very good cause...'

Former Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer said he would oppose the plans 'root and branch'.

Baroness Neville-Jones said of the 42-days plan: 'It represents yet another attack, on the part of the government, without justification, on fundamental democratic rights and freedoms that have underpinned our society for centuries.'"

I am so relieved that there are some in Government willing to speak out against all this new so-called anti-terror legislation, pressured onto us by the politics of fear. Why is it that Brown and his cronies can't see that every liberty we surrender is considered a victory by the terrorists?

BBC NEWS | Politics | Ex-MI5 chief attacks 42-day plan

MPs demand much more

"MPs demand 22% pay rise as Brown offers public sector 2% - Times Online
The chairmen of the Tory and Labour backbench committes held an unprecedented joint meeting to push for a £13,000 annual salary increase, The Times has learnt.

The MPs, whose salary is £59,095, are also demanding, in addition to the inflation-busting pay increase, an improved petrol allowance. Last year it was cut from 57.7p for the first 20,000 miles to 40p, in line with Inland Revenue rates. The revelation that MPs are seeking such a big increase, within seven months of the general election, is likely to attract widespread criticism at a time when the Chancellor is seeking to limit the public sector to increases of about 2 per cent."

Perhaps they'd like to see a national strike - the kind we got in the 1970s which brought the country to its knees? Coz that's what they'll get!

MPs demand 22% pay rise as Brown offers public sector 2% - Times Online

UK to press ahead with EU Treaty

"UK to press ahead with EU Treaty
The British government is expected to continue ratifying the EU Treaty despite its rejection by Irish voters. The British government says the Bill to ratify the treaty will continue its progression through Parliament.

A 'No' vote by Ireland could spell the end for the treaty - as it must be ratified by all 27 EU member states.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: 'On 1 June Baroness Ashton made clear in the House of Lords that we will have the 3rd reading of the Bill to ratify the treaty on 18 June. It's the intention of this government to complete the legislation programme that it's begun on the Lisbon Treaty."

Regardless of how stupid and pointless it might ultimately turn out to be. Brown can't possibly back down on anything, can he?

BBC NEWS | Politics | UK to press ahead with EU Treaty

Irish minister says EU vote lost

"Irish minister says EU vote lost
Irish Justice Minister Dermot Ahern says substantial vote tallies across the country show the European Union Lisbon reform treaty has been rejected. Tallies are not official, but Mr Ahern says it is clear the No vote is ahead in a vast majority of constituencies."

I guess the British Government can be happy they didn't waste money on a referendum now.

BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Irish minister says EU vote lost

Brown under fire

"BBC NEWS | Politics | Brown under fire over 42-day plan
David Cameron accused Gordon Brown of making 'so many concessions' in his bid to win the terror detention limit vote the legislation was now 'unworkable'. Mr Brown accused Mr Cameron of leading 'opposition for opposition's sake'."

Legislation for legislation's sake, Gordon?

"It would only be used with the support of the director of public prosecutions, the backing of Parliament in a vote, with judicial safeguards and only for a temporary period."

And how, exactly, would Parliament be able to vote without knowing the facts behind the case - which the Police and Security Services would almost certainly not want known?

"Home Secretary Jacqui Smith confirmed that suspects held beyond 28 days but then released without charge would be eligible for an "ex gratia" compensation payment."

I suppose the Police might be tempted to charge the suspect with something like littering just to avoid paying the compensation.

"Jonathan Evans, head of MI5, said the organisation was not best placed to advise because it was not responsible for prosecutions or criminal investigations."

If MI5 were at all in support of this, there's no way he would have made a statement like this.

BBC NEWS | Politics | Brown under fire over 42-day plan

MI5 chief clarifies 42-day stance

"MI5 chief clarifies 42-day stance
The head of the security service MI5 has clarified its position on government plans to seek powers to detain terror suspects for 42 days. Following controversy over MI5's failure to back the plans, Jonathan Evans said MI5 was not the appropriate body to advise on detention limits."

Or he could have stuck his head in the sand and shouted "LA LA LA I'M NOT LISTENING". But then that's Gordon's Brown's line.

BBC NEWS | Politics | MI5 chief clarifies 42-day stance

"Brown welcomes Thatcher to No 10
Former prime minister Baroness Thatcher has left 10 Downing Street after a meeting with Gordon Brown. Lady Thatcher, 81, spent more than two hours at her former home, where she was greeted with a warm handshake from the current prime minister.

Mr Brown recently surprised many by praising Labour's long-time political foe as a 'conviction politician'. The Tories said they were 'relaxed' about the meeting, pointing out that she had previously met Tony Blair. The visit followed an exchange of letters between Mr Brown and Lady Thatcher, who led the country from 1979 to 1990, shortly after he became prime minister in June."

I guess she is so impressed at how Blair and now Brown have continued her policies with New Labour, she wanted to thank him in person.

BBC NEWS | Politics | Brown welcomes Thatcher to No 10

"Thousands of crimes by under-10s Teenagers
Children committed 66 sex offences last year, figures suggest almost 3,000 crimes were committed last year where the suspect was too young to be prosecuted, the BBC has learned. Figures show there were about 1,300 incidents of criminal damage and arson, and over 60 sex offences where suspects were under-10s in England and Wales."

And here we see the result of New Labour's idiotic Nanny State.

BBC NEWS | UK | Thousands of crimes by under-10s