International Law

Saddam Hussein had no direct ties to al-Qaida, says Pentagon study

Posted on March 13, 2008
Saddam Hussein had no direct ties to al-Qaida, says Pentagon study"A US military study officially acknowledged for the first time yesterday that Saddam Hussein had no direct ties to al-Qaida, undercutting the Bush administration's central case for war with Iraq"...

In full: MPs' 'John Lewis list'

Posted on March 13, 2008
In full: MPs' 'John Lewis list'"Here is Parliament's Additional Costs Claims Guide - known as the "John Lewis List" - in full. It is used by House of Commons officials to determine whether an expenditure claim submitted by an MP is reasonable. MPs can claim items up to £23,000 per year"...

Lord Dirty Money Ashcroft

Posted on March 13, 2008
Lord Dirty Money Ashcroft click image to enlargeThere is something not right about Michael Anthony Ashcroft being described as a British businessman. As I understand it, British businessmen are required to pay tax. And yet, Michael Anthony Ashcroft does not pay any tax in this country...

The Right Leaning Tree just right for Total Politics

Posted on March 13, 2008
The Right Leaning Tree just right for Total PoliticsThe less than upstanding Iain Dale exposed.UPDATE: Iain Dale "Excuse the coughing and spluttering. And apologies for the lack of regularity of blogging this week. Work commitments and a streaming cold have not really been conducive to heavy blogging...

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Lord Ashcroft's dirty money laundered at Iain Dale's laundrette

Posted on March 13, 2008
Lord Ashcroft's dirty money laundered at Iain Dale's laundretteBob Piper wonders whether Iain Dale's Diary should be called Lord Ashcroft's Diary after it has emerged that the tax evader is bankrolling Iain Dale's latest scam Total Bollocks. Bob picked up the story from Kevin Maguire, at the New Statesman, who caught Iain Dale lurking about in one of Lord Ashcroft's flats paid for out of money that should have gone into the public purse...

Elderly 999 caller being sued

Posted on March 12, 2008
Elderly 999 caller being sued"An ambulance worker who fell outside the house of an elderly woman is planning to sue her".BBC 1 Look North report here.I think that this is disgusting that the ambulance worker is suing an 82 year old woman with heart problems for his own carelessness...

Gambler loses £2m bookies claim

Posted on March 12, 2008
Gambler loses £2m bookies claim"A compulsive gambler has lost his bid at the High Court to force bookmaker William Hill to repay his £2m losses".I should think so as well! It would appear that common sense has prevailed.

The prisoner of Dhaka

Posted on March 12, 2008
The prisoner of DhakaThis illegal incarceration should be a global cause celebre, but instead there is a shameful silence"There is a decent, brave man sitting in a dungeon in a country where the British empire began - a country of poets, singers, artists, free thinkers and petty tyrants...

Britain sentences to death an Iranian for being gay

Posted on March 12, 2008
Britain sentences to death an Iranian for being gay"A gay teenager who claims he faces the death penalty in Iran after his boyfriend was executed there two years ago has spoken of his anger and disappointment at losing his legal battle against deportation"...

Harassed lawyer to get record £13m award

Posted on March 12, 2008
Harassed lawyer to get record £13m award"A City lawyer who was left too ill to work after alleged bullying and harassment at her office is in line for record sex discrimination compensation of more than £13 million, it has been disclosed".Even if her claims are justified, that she was bullied, harassed and the victim of sex discrimination, I fail to see how she reaches a claim for £13M in damages...

Socialism has died under the Labour government

Posted on March 11, 2008
Socialism has died under the Labour governmentAccording to Newsnight tonight, the rich have got richer and the poor have got poorer under a Labour government. So much for so-called socialism. Whatever Blair was he wasn't a socialist. He chose not to tax the super rich non-domiciles...

Cute little puppy

Posted on March 11, 2008
Cute little puppyTV newsreader eaten alive by small puppy dog disappointed at coming 2nd in it's class at Crufts.Well, almost, it tickled me when I saw it. A rather nervous Peter Levy forgot never perform with kids or animals.

Sour grapes?

Posted on March 11, 2008
Sour grapes?"A successful accountant is suing Marks and Spencer for £300,000 after he slipped on a rogue grape in the car park of a store"."Alexander Martin-Sklan, 55, has launched a damages case at High Court claiming the accident had left him depressed and lacking confidence which caused his business to nose-dive"...

Goa mother 'may face negligence investigation'

Posted on March 11, 2008
Goa mother 'may face negligence investigation'"The mother of the teenager murdered in Goa may be investigated for negligence, it has been reported.Sky News claims that the chief minister of the Indian state intends to question Fiona MacKeown over why she left her daughter Scarlett Keeling in the care of people she had only known a few weeks"...

Lighter sentences for 'desperate' thieves

Posted on March 11, 2008
Lighter sentences for 'desperate' thieves"Burglars and thieves who steal to fund an addiction to drugs, gambling or drink could escape jail even if they target a vulnerable victim such as an elderly shopkeeper, under new official guidelines".I am in debt...

Senior Camilla bodyguard 'shoots himself'

Posted on March 11, 2008
Senior Camilla bodyguard 'shoots himself'"A senior bodyguard to the Duchess of Cornwall has been found dead after apparently shooting himself".This is a tragedy. I think I would shoot myself if I had to constantly look at Camilla. What is a greater tragedy, is that it costs the taxpayers £2...

MPs given tighter rules on expenses

Posted on March 11, 2008
MPs given tighter rules on expenses"MPs will have to submit receipts for expenses claims over £25 - instead of the current limit of £250 - from 1 April, the Commons Members Estimate Committee announced today".In my view, this does not go far enough. It still allows MPs to claim 7x£25=£175 per week without any explanation.

Civil Serf suspended for alleged breach of Civil Service Code

Posted on March 10, 2008
Civil Serf suspended for alleged breach of Civil Service CodeThe Civil Service Code is deemed to be a legally binding contract between employer and employee."6. You must not:misuse your official position, for example by usinginformation acquired in the course of your official dutiesto further your private interests or those of others;"...

Thatcher false alarm

Posted on March 10, 2008
Thatcher false alarmHat-Tip GUF

MoD plans raid on landmine removal fund to keep Tornados flying in Iraq

Posted on March 10, 2008
MoD plans raid on landmine removal fund to keep Tornados flying in Iraq"Money set aside to clear landmines and remove arms from conflict zones is to be raided to pay a private defence contractor to keep Tornado jets flying in Iraq, according to a confidential memo seen by the Guardian...

Fresh questions on torture flights spark demands for inquiry

Posted on March 10, 2008
Fresh questions on torture flights spark demands for inquiry"MPs and human rights groups yesterday demanded an independent inquiry into the use of UK territory by CIA "torture flights" as fresh questions emerged over the government's handling of the issue...

Gambler lawyer loses all and sues casinos

Posted on March 10, 2008
Gambler lawyer loses all and sues casinos"A former lawyer who gambled away nearly £500,000 has lodged a £10 million lawsuit against seven casinos, claiming that they had "a duty of care" to spot her compulsive behaviour and intervene".Like the bloke who is suing bookmakers because he lost his money, I have no sympathy for this woman...

Nick Clegg: Let voters sack corrupt MPs

Posted on March 09, 2008
Nick Clegg: Let voters sack corrupt MPsBefore:"MPs caught misusing public money should face by-elections where constituents would have the chance to sack them, the Liberal Democrat leader told his party conference today". After: Voters sack the corrupt MPs.

Blogger forced into silence

Posted on March 09, 2008
Blogger forced into silenceFollowing the MSM publicity in the Sunday Times and Sunday Telegraph, the Civil Serf blog has been pulled.This has to be a blow against freedom of speech.

George Osborne plays The Joker

Posted on March 09, 2008
George Osborne plays The JokerThis morning I caught a bit of Andrew Marr with George Osborne and watching the latter's lips I was reminded of those of The Joker in Batman. God help us if this comedian ever becomes Chancellor.

Margaret Thatcher subject of an infectious clap

Posted on March 09, 2008
Margaret Thatcher subject of an infectious clapYesterday I reported that Margaret Thatcher has been in hospital. Today I read on Iain Dale's Diary that Margaret Thatcher has been the subject of an infectious clap.

The lady who said she is not for turning takes a turn

Posted on March 08, 2008
The lady who said she is not for turning takes a turn"I've just spoken to some people close to her, and I think what seems to have happened, Lady Thatcher is susceptible to heat and it sometimes gives her - and it does sometimes with old people - a turn".

Defendant in a Kentucky courtroom socks his lawyer

Posted on March 07, 2008
Defendant in a Kentucky courtroom socks his lawyerhttp://www.yourfilehost.com/media.php?cat=video&file=attorney_ko_ed.flvHow not to break into a car.http://kaotic.com/3547_Car-Thieves-Stop-At-Nothing.html

The man stood on the burning deck...

Posted on March 07, 2008
The man stood on the burning deck...

Barack Obama 'will repair image of US in UK'

Posted on March 07, 2008
Barack Obama 'will repair image of US in UK'"America needs to work hard to regain the trust of the British public following the Iraq war and the Bush years, a senior adviser to Barack Obama says today".And my advice for this this senior adviser is rent the following film for Barack Obama from Blockbuster...

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