Can’t blog today without mentioning US President Elect Barack Obama. Whether his politics are to one’s taste or not (and I’m not sure we know anything much except the generalities) his election last night is surely a fantastic indication of faith by the American people in justice, equality and a new order in domestic and…
The Counter-Terrorism Bill completed its Committee stage in the Lords on Tuesday. The proceedings included the removal of the clauses providing for ministers to determine that some inquests be held in secret. Lord Lester of Herne Hill, a member of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, spoke to outline some of the objections that would be…
The Government has announced that it will support amendments to the Counter-Terrorism Bill to remove the provision empowering ministers to order inquests to be held in secret on grounds of national security. The provision for inquests to be held in secret had attracted widespread opposition and has been touched upon by some readers in responding to an…
Although Parliament has risen for the recess, reports from select committees continue to be published. Indeed, what has been remarkable so far has been the number published and the publicity they have received. Although we are now in the quiet season (more commonly known as the silly season), the extent of media coverage has been notable. Since…
The report of the Joint Committee on the Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill received little if any media coverage. However, the report of the Lords Constitution Committee on the Counter-Terrorism Bill has received substantial attention. The report was published yesterday. The report focuses on the provisions for pre-charge detention and questioning and on inquests. The committee…
