A cautionary tale from France

Two stories from France today: first, that of Brigitte Bardot and her conviction by the Paris Tribunal Correctionnel for incitement of hatred towards Muslims. It wasn’t her first conviction, either. This time (the offence goes back to 2006) she wrote on her website, referring to Muslim method of slaughtering animals, to which she objects on […]

Detention of terrorist suspects: Liberty’s dodgy factoids

I stopped in my tracks the other day on Borough High Street when I saw a poster from Liberty telling me the UK detains terrorist suspects longer than anywhere in the western world. Not because I was shocked at the apparent lack of freedom here, but at the slackness and irresponsibility of this campaign. I […]

Chirac interviewed by examining magistrate

Le Monde says the former French President was questioned this morning by juge d’instruction Xavière Siméoni. The dossier she’s investigating relates to the misuse of funds from the office of the mayor of Paris – Chirac was mayor until 1995 when he won the Presidency.

Sarko’s legal axe-woman

Not only is the French justice minister Rachida Dati planning to close courts – Le Monde reckons a quarter of civil courts and half of employment tribunals are going to go; she’s also suggested in an answer in the National Assembly that legal aid may be made be subject to contribution. She’s not making herself […]