Binyam Mohammed is a UK resident recently released, due to the UK Government’s insistence, from Guantanamo Bay. He alleges that he was tortured in Morocco with the knowledge, if not the permission, of UK Authorities. The evidence that Mr Mohammed suffered severe torture while held in Morocco to where he was flown by US Authorities is strong.…
At a meeting earlier this week a fellow peer said that most people still don’t have a clue as to what we do. So here is a summary version of my week. MONDAY: Office to answer mail, e-mails, brief PA, meet on individual basis with several fellow crossbenchers to discuss forthcoming business, possible debate topics,…
A very belated happy new year to everyone. A Statement on Gaza was repeated in the House of Lords Chamber on Monday, the day we all returned. Ministerial Statements follow a specific procedure and are intended to inform the House rather than provide the opportunity for a debate. This convention is often ignored by participants…
Perhaps we all feel pretty helpless about Zimbabwe, amongst a number of other countries of repression and violence; I certainly do! I’ve gathered from almost a year of blogging that foreign affairs are not among the most favourite topics for contributors, but I am going to have my say. Here is a huge country with…
WE are moving into a pre-election period; how do I know this? The Government is getting a bit more nervous than usual about winning votes in the House of Lords. A couple of weeks ago, I was asked to talk to the assembled Government Front Bench and happily did so. However, what emerged was a very definite perception…
