Current Politics in the United Kingdom

[Devius]

Originally Posted by Devius

Related...



Andrew Malkinson: End living cost charge for wrongfully convicted, Tory MP says
29 July 2023

Source:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66347594

Further related...



Criminal Cases Review Commission apologises to Andrew Malkinson after wrongly jailed for 17 years
Andrew Malkinson was wrongly convicted of rape in 2003 and spent 17 years in jail before his conviction was quashed after years protesting his innocence when new DNA evidence emerged.
Thursday 18 April 2024 17:31, UK

A man wrongly jailed for 17 years for a rape he did not commit has received an apology from the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).

Andrew Malkinson was jailed in 2003 but eventually released in December 2020.

His charges were quashed last year after new DNA evidence potentially linked another man to the crime.

The CCRC has now offered Mr Malkinson an unreserved apology after the completion of a report from an independent review by Chris Henley KC into the handling of the case.

CCRC chairman Helen Pitcher OBE said: "Mr Henley's report makes sobering reading, and it is clear from his findings that the commission failed Andrew Malkinson. For this, I am deeply sorry. I have written to Mr Malkinson to offer him my sincere regret and an unreserved apology on behalf of the commission.

"For me, offering a genuine apology required a clear understanding of the circumstances in which the Commission failed Mr Malkinson. We now have that.

"Nobody can ever begin to imagine the devastating impact that Mr Malkinson's wrongful conviction has had on his life, and I can only apologise for the additional harm caused to him by our handling of his case."

Mr Malkinson had protested his innocence for years.

He had applied for his case to be reviewed by the CCRC in 2009, but at the conclusion of its review in 2012 the commission refused to order further forensic testing or refer the case for appeal, amid concerns over costs.

A second application was rejected in 2020.

Critical DNA evidence had been available since 2007, but no match was found on the police database at the time.

Since Mr Malkinson had his conviction quashed, dozens of rape and murder convictions from before 2016 are set to undergo fresh DNA testing to identify potential miscarriages of justice.

The CCRC said it has re-examined nearly 5,500 cases that it previously rejected in the light of improvement in DNA analysis techniques.

Its initial trawl last summer found around a quarter of the cases are those where the identity of the offender is challenged.

Focusing on those, it says there are potentially several dozen cases where DNA samples could be retested using the DNA 17 technique, first introduced in 2014.

Source:
https://news.sky.com/story/criminal-...years-13117969

[foxbat1]

Originally Posted by U99

The worst punishment of all for a masochistic MP ... is removing the whip!! 😆🤣

Feels like a proper Tory scandal, like back in the 90s.



Great headline from the Mirror. I was reminded of the leaked Tory spreadsheet of dirt they had on their MPs from a few years ago. He's listed as being known to employ male prostitutes.

[Devius]

[Devius]

From BBC's live reporting...

7:18
Downing Street says 'Israel has a right to self-defence'

Hours after the reports of attacks on Isfahan in Iran, there is a reaction from the UK.

Downing Street says its understanding is that the source of the strikes on Iran has not been officially confirmed.

But the prime minister’s office says Israel has a right to self-defence, and added “we have been stressing to Israelis that what matters now is de-escalation".

So far there is no official statement from Israel that is claiming the responsibility for the attack, but the US officials who spoke to the US media say that Israel conducted the strikes.

[Devius]

Originally Posted by Devius

Related...

Tory MP suspended over alleged misuse of campaign funds

Source:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68841840

Further related...



Tory response to MP Mark Menzies allegations appalling, says activist

The Tory activist allegedly called by an MP in the early hours of the morning asking for money has told the BBC she is "appalled" by the party's response.

Katie Fieldhouse says Mark Menzies rang her at 3:15am one December morning asking for £5,000 to pay "bad people".

Mr Menzies was suspended by the Conservatives after claims he misused party funds and abused his position were published in the Times.

He told the paper he "strongly" disputes the allegations.

The Conservatives say they started an investigation after a complaint was made.

The BBC has approached Mr Menzies several times but he has not responded.

'Life or death'

Speaking through tears at her home in St Anne's, Lancashire, the lifelong Tory activist Ms Fieldhouse recounted the conversation she says she had with Fylde MP Mr Menzies in December of last year.

She told the BBC: "He said: 'I've got in with some bad people and they've got me locked in a flat and they won't let me out until I pay them £5,000'.

"I said 'I beg your pardon'. He said 'it's life or death Katie, I need £5,000 from the account'."

Ms Fieldhouse said she would not lend Mr Menzies money but claimed another activist did from their personal savings.

According to the Times, the sum was reportedly paid later that morning, by which time it had risen to £6,500, from the personal savings of another local activist, who was reimbursed from campaign donations.

Mr Menzies offered to repay the funds but claimed local Tories who controlled the account the money came from said he didn't need to, a source told the paper.

'Faith'

Speaking to the BBC, Ms Fieldhouse says she raised her concerns with the Chief Whip Simon Hart after further discussion of money involving Mr Menzies.

She said Mr Hart had listened to her story and that the Conservatives started an investigation.

She became frustrated with the way the Conservative Party dealt with the complaint.

"I put my faith completely in the party... nothing happened - I heard nothing... I am appalled."

She said her family had been loyal Conservatives for generations.

"The party has been part of my life, I've run every election campaign here for 40 years.

"I work myself into the ground for the party - all they hear is a 78-year-old little old lady."

She added: "I am not having this brushed under the carpet."

"The party has let me down. I have said; my faith in the party is like my faith in God... they've let me down.

"I watch people go for a walk in this quiet area. Do I want them to go out and vote for a man who gets himself locked up and needs money to get him out? No."

Mr Menzies had been chosen as the Tory candidate for the seat at the next election, where he has a majority of 16,611.

Ms Fieldhouse called for him to quit Parliament at the next election.

"If he falls on his sword... go away and start afresh. That's what I would like to happen."

The BBC did not initially name her but she has now agreed to be named and speak publicly.

Responding to the reports published in the Times, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "There are obviously a lot of unanswered questions in relation to these allegations.

"Not least why it seems the Conservative Party took so long to act and whether they've reported this to the police, who it seems to me should be involved in this."

In a statement, Lancashire Police said: "We are aware of reports in the media relating to a serving Member of Parliament. No complaint has been made to the police at this stage.

"We will make contact with those impacted in due course to see whether they wish to make a complaint."

The Times also reported Mr Menzies used a total of £14,000 - in several payments stretching back four years - from campaign funds to pay his personal medical bills.

A source close to Mr Menzies disputed the claim that it had been the MP's suggestion to use campaign funds to pay his medical bills, the paper reported, but the Times says the money was not repaid.

In a statement to the Times, Mr Menzies said: "I strongly dispute the allegations put to me. I have fully complied with all the rules for declarations.

Full article:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68851004

[Devius]

Jonathan Nunn: Conservative council leader resigns over abuse claims

A Conservative council leader has resigned amid claims that he kicked, punched, spat at and throttled women.

A BBC investigation heard accounts from five women about Jonathan Nunn, who had led West Northamptonshire Council since 2021.

The accusations, which the 59-year-old "strenuously denies", included threatening or controlling behaviour.

In a statement, he said it "was incredibly difficult to take this decision".

A long-serving Tory councillor, Mr Nunn was elected to lead the county's newly formed unitary authority in 2021.

He said he was "extremely proud of my achievements as leader of the council during a challenging time for local government and since the council was formed three years ago".

"West Northants Council is in a very good place," he added.

He said he was "pursuing discussions with the police relating to the relentless harassment I have experienced", which he said was a "huge distraction not only to me, but also to all the good work of the council".

Mr Nunn said: "With all this having a massive impact on my mental health and wellbeing, I have decided to step down as council leader while I deal with these issues."



In 2004 Mr Nunn admitted assaulting his then wife, Janice Nunn, for which he received a community order.

Mr Nunn told the BBC he had "always been open and honest" about the fact that 20 years ago he received a conviction for assault.

"Domestic abuse is never acceptable and I profoundly regret this," he added.

As council leader, Mr Nunn has acted as a spokesperson for various women's initiatives and launched a campaign tackling violence against women.

After the attack in November 2003, police said Mrs Nunn, 50, had bruising to her shoulder, arms, chest, back, buttocks and legs.

She has now told the BBC she suffered repeatedly during their two-year marriage and described her husband as "the angriest person" she had ever met.

On the night of the assault, Mrs Nunn said she was dragged to the floor and kicked "in full view of the neighbours", and she took refuge in one of their houses.

The neighbour, Paula Johnson, told the BBC "Jon barged in and was absolutely furious, shouting, 'you think you can protect my wife?', and she said he later "put his hands around my throat, and was squeezing really tightly".

In his police interview, he said it was "not his typical character" and he would "take steps" to ensure it did not happen again. He told police he did not recall attacking Ms Johnson.

The BBC has found that West Midlands Police recorded a domestic violence incident against Mr Nunn in 2008 involving another partner, Carolyn Marks.

Ms Marks has a recording of him repeatedly swearing at her for throwing half a pizza in the bin and calling her a "waste of space".

In 2012 a family court ordered that he should attend a domestic violence perpetrator programme.

His first wife, Maria Botterill, told the BBC Mr Nunn threatened her with a knife on more than one occasion, "whacked" her while she was a passenger in his car, spat at her and held her against the floor.

After announcing his decision to step down as leader, Mr Nunn said: "It is incredibly difficult to take this decision, not because of the job title but because of the pride and passion I feel for the council and the area that it serves.

"However, our greatest achievement has been to build a strong council that will continue to deliver for local residents."

Source:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan...shire-68844095

[Devius]

Steve Barclay asked if incinerator plans could be blocked

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay personally intervened to ask for advice on whether ministers could stop incinerators being licensed across England, including a controversial project in his constituency, the BBC understands.

Mr Barclay made an urgent request to government lawyers the day after planning permission was granted to build the waste plant at Wisbech in Cambridgeshire.

It is understood that MVV Environment, the company behind the plant at Wisbech, has now threatened the government with legal action after a temporary ban on permits was put in place.

Officials have previously raised concerns about Mr Barclay's involvement.

Mr Barclay has said that he had "previously flagged" his constituency interest and "said the policy needed to be delegated to another minister".

Under the Ministerial Code, ministers are expected to ensure there is no conflict of interest with their job as a constituency MP.

The decision to pause issuing new operating permits across England was made in April by a junior minister, Sir Mark Spencer, after Mr Barclay recused himself from decisions on incinerators.

Mr Barclay has said that he formally stepped away on 27 February.

The BBC has now seen a request for advice, understood to have to been to sent to lawyers by an official in Mr Barclay's ministerial office, almost a week earlier on 21 February.

It said that "the secretary of state has asked whether a secretary of state/minister can stop new permits and/or revoke ones for sites not in use until an assessment has been made of the need for residual treatment?"

A new incinerator needs both planning permission and a permit to go ahead.

Just under a week later, a junior minister, Robbie Moore, wrote to the Environment Agency saying he intended to halt decisions on permits for up to a year.

In legal advice, which was leaked to the BBC, a top government lawyer warned the plan would be "unlawful" and raised "serious concerns of perceived bias".

Sir James Eadie KC also warned that if a legal challenge came to court, ministers and advisers would have to turn over WhatsApps and details of conversations relating to the policy.

Sources close to Mr Barclay have insisted he had made it clear to officials from the start that incinerator policy would have to be dealt with by another minister.

The BBC understands that lawyers working on behalf of MVV Environment have written to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs threatening to take legal action if the pause on permits is not lifted.

Both MVV Environment and the environment department have declined to comment on possible legal action.

The government has said the pause on deciding permits was to allow environment department officials "to lead a piece of work considering the role of waste incineration in the management of residual wastes in England".

It is set to last until 24 May but could be lifted earlier.

Anti-incineration campaigners have said such an assessment is long overdue, as Wales and Scotland already have moratoriums in place which stop incinerators being built.

Industry insiders have suggested that an imminent pause on permits in England had not been expected

Source:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68850787

[foxbat1]

Most UK dairy farms ignoring pollution rules as manure spews into rivers

The majority of UK dairy farms are breaking pollution rules, with vast amounts of cow manure being spilled into rivers.

When animal waste enters the river, it causes a buildup of the nutrients found in the effluent, such as nitrates and phosphates. These cause algal blooms, which deplete the waterway of oxygen and block sunlight, choking fish and other aquatic life.

https://www.theguardian.com/environm...ws-into-rivers

Weren't we promised better environmental standards post-brexit?