Another attack in north Belfast The news that another man has been attacked in the Brompton Park area of the city is news that we should not be reading about. Not because it should go unreported, but because it ought not to be happening… read rest of story at Michael Campbell. Continue reading blogged elsewhere: another attack – when will the scum stop?
In recent months, some republican prisoners being transferred to court from gaol in Northern Ireland have been complaining about the way in which they have been searched on leaving and reentering HMP Maghaberry. Whilst this is perhaps not the best way of searching them, and I understand that a new method of searching is being introduced, they should be glad that in Northern Ireland we do not act like the prison guards in Singapore. In Singapore it seems that they put you in these orange overalls and they handcuff you at the back, they cuff your ankles, and then they … Continue reading Prisoners have human rights too
Following the news that their Lordships* of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom have ruled†, giving access for lawyers to those being questioned by the police in Scotland, I am wondering how long it will take for Scottish Tory, David McLetchie MSP, and his ilk to start lobbying for the repeal of the ECHR from the Scotland Act 1998. Up until now, under Scots Law the police could question for up to six hours without a lawyer being present. The ruling now means that the Scottish Executive / Scottish Government (if you’re Alex Salmond!) must bring forward legislation to … Continue reading Lib Dem Ministers, you’ve betrayed our Party’s beliefs enough
With the news that the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom is to rule on the case of Peter Cadder, a teenager charged with assault and breach of the peace, who was convicted on the basis of evidence gained before he spoke to his lawyer. from BBC News it is clear that the Scottish Conservatives are not in favour of the continued incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights in Scots Law. The Scottish Tories MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, David McLetchie, told BBC News, This issue is now coming to a head. If the Supreme Court decides in favour … Continue reading Scottish Tories not in favour of Human Rights
In East Tyrone Magistrates Court yesterday a phrase was used by a detective constable in a bail hearing that has my brain considering whether this is correct or not. The defendant was arrested at the scene of the finding of some ammunition and a holdall containing a revolver in a car in which he claims he was being taken to be a victim of a “so-called punishment shooting”*, lying face down on the back seat with a blanket over his head. His solicitor said, bail should be permitted as his client had no previous record. Yet the detective constable replied: … Continue reading “known to police”: the whole truth?
A visitor to our city was walking along North Queen Street last evening, and suffered a homophobic verbal assault in the vicinity of the Chinese takeaway in North Queen Street. He contacted me as he knew of my involvement with the Liberal Democrats in the area and that I am Vice Chair of the LGBT Independent Advisory Group to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Read the rest of the story here Continue reading posted elsewhere: homophobic abuse close to home
Today is Anti Slavery Day in the United Kingdom and EU Anti-Trafficking Day. Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister, David Ford MLA, launched a new campaign last week called Visitor or Victim. The campaign is run in conjunction with the Police Service of Northern Ireland through the Organised Crime Task Force. Below is the front cover of the leaflet. The leaflet is in nine languages (English, Mandarin, French, Romanian, Lithuanian, Russian, Thai, Czech and Albanian) will be placed at all points of entry to Northern Ireland, as well as in other venues like doctor’s surgeries and hospitals. David Ford MLA said at … Continue reading visitor or victim? UK Anti-Slavery Day 18 October 2010
Northern Ireland for the relatively uninformed people of the rest of the United Kingdom is peaceful. Or so they think. Last night, a police officer was taken to hospital after suffering a head injury in Ballyclare, County Antrim. He was on a routine patrol. He has subsequently been released. Some time later, other police vehicles and officers were attacked by petrol bombs. Who are these attackers? They are masked men thugs. Thugs who hide behind masks rather than showing their faces. Thugs who know that the vast majority of Northern Irish society is not behind them. But they seem intent … Continue reading we must not let the thugs take us back in time
Last year, a fundamental change in the British judiciary occured on this day. For after centuries of being the final court of appeal in England (and the rest of the United Kingdom as it was annexed united to England, the House of Lords ceased to function in this way. During the fifty-fourth Parliament of the United Kingdom, the Constitutional Reform Act 2008 (c.4) was passed. This created the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. Sadly this sounds very American to my British ears. There didn’t really seem very much wrong with the old system, but we have to get on … Continue reading one year on: let’s think of the judiciary
Gyronny Herald 