Straw vetoes Iraq minutes release

"BBC NEWS | Politics | Straw vetoes Iraq minutes release
Justice Secretary Jack Straw has vetoed the publication of minutes of key Cabinet meetings held in the run-up to the Iraq war in 2003. He said he would use a clause in the Freedom of Information Act to block the release of details of meetings in which the war's legality was discussed. Releasing the papers would do 'serious damage' to Cabinet government, he said, and outweighed public interest needs."

Presumably vetoed because he knows what a bunch of deceiving tykes it will reveal the Government to be.

"'There is a balance to be struck between openness and maintaining aspects of our structure of democratic government,' he [Straw] said."

There was no democracy involved in the decision to go to war - the Cabinet's decision was a complete travesty.

BBC NEWS | Politics | Straw vetoes Iraq minutes release

Britain - a Police State? Surely not? Well, in the last three days, we have:

"Police chief's 'Orwellian' fears
A senior police officer has said he fears the spread of CCTV cameras is leading to 'an Orwellian situation'. Deputy chief constable of Hampshire Ian Readhead said Britain could become a surveillance society with cameras on every street corner."
BBC NEWS | UK | Police chief's 'Orwellian' fears

...then we have:

"Brown will not block secrecy bid
Gordon Brown has rejected calls to block a controversial move by MPs to get out of freedom of information laws. MPs pushed the plan closer to becoming law earlier in what critics called a 'shameful day for Parliament'. The MPs say they want to protect private letters from constituents - but critics say the move would also allow them to keep their expenses secret."
BBC NEWS | Politics | Brown will not block secrecy bid

...and now we have:

"Staff asked to 'snoop' for police
Council staff, charity workers and doctors could be required by law to tip off police about anyone they believe could commit a violent crime. The Home Office proposals, leaked to the Times newspaper, insist public bodies have 'valuable information' that could identify potential offenders. Possible warning signs could include heavy drinking, mental health problems or a violent family background. The Tories say the plans would require staff to 'snoop on their customers'."
BBC NEWS | UK | Staff asked to 'snoop' for police

And people wonder where all those ex-Stasi members disappeared when the Wall came down...

Technorati tags: police state Government secrecy freedom of information