It’s always worth listening to Michael Howard’s views on constitutional and legal matters – he was one of the first Conservatives to speak about “repatriating” policies from the EU as I recall, an idea that was considered extreme at the […]

This afternoon as part of his new EU policy, David Cameron promised a National Sovereignty Act, to make clear that British institutions ultimately rule on our relationship with the EU. I watched his speech, and thought he made a pretty […]

A special Commons committee chaired by Sir Ming Campbell is currently inquiring into the arrest of Damian Green MP last year, and search of his Parliamentary offices; and on Monday they heard evidence from the former Speaker, now Lord Martin. […]

They’re still at it. Suzy Gale, wife of the Conservative MP Roger Gale, says

I have taken advice from an employment lawyer and if this goes ahead I will be taking legal action for unfair dismissal or positive [sic] discrimination […]

We’re getting used by now to MPs moaning that the sensible expenses rules now being applied to them are supposedly unlawful. The latest claim is that preventing MPs from employing spouses and relatives would lead to unfair dismissal, […]

As you may well already know, Trafigura have abandoned their attempts to injunct publication of the “Minton report” – as the Guardian reported last night. I’m sorry to keep saying I told you so but the Guardian story confirms […]

The Guardian today is reporting that Carter-Ruck has written to the Speaker arguing that discussion of Trafigura and the injunction against the Guardian is sub judice. Here’s the Carter-Ruck letter.

First, what the letter says. To be fair to […]

I seriously dislike the word governance. Okay, it has some reasonable uses: in the phrase corporate governance, for instance, in which it has a useful sense of oversight from on high. Otherwise, it’s unbearably pompous. I […]

The Culture, Media and Sport committee, inquiring into allegations about the News of the World’s hacking into people’s voicemail, is hearing evidence from its editor today; proceedings have been livened up somewhat by News International’s lawyer’s objection to […]

I’m always amused when anyone – often it’s some kind of campaign group – claims that this or that Parliamentary bill “could” breach human rights. As often as not, it’s simply a tactical claim: whoever it is opposes the measure […]