Press freedom prevails over secret trials

SECRET trials have been ruled out by the British court of appeals following action by media groups.

Prosecutors had originally pushed for the trial of Erol Incedal and Mounir Rarmoul-Bouhadjar to be closed to the media and public, claiming it was a matter of national security. 

According to reports by the British Broadcasting Corporation Mr Incedal is charged with preparing for acts of terrorism, contrary to the Terrorism Act 2006 and a further allegation of collecting information useful to terrorism. Mr Rarmoul-Bouhadjar has been accused of possession of false identities and collecting information useful to terrorism.

In a statement following the verdict judges from the Court of Appeal said: "Open justice is both a fundamental principle of the common law and a means of ensuring public confidence in our legal system; exceptions are rare and must be justified on the facts.

"Any such exceptions must be necessary and proportionate. No more than the minimum departure from open justice will be countenanced."

The prosecution has previously stated that if reporting was allowed on the trail then it may be forced to abandon the case.

Ahead of the hearing Anthony Hudson, representing the media groups, was reported as saying: 

"We submit that the orders made mark such a significant departure from the principle of open justice that they are inconsistent with the rule of law and democratic accountability," adding. "This case is a test of the court's commitment to that constitutional principle in the admittedly difficult and sensitive cases where the state seeks to have trials involving terrorism heard in secret and relies in support of that on grounds of national security."

Despite striking down arguments that the entire trial should be held in secret strict rules have been laid down for what can and cannot be reported.

According the ruling journalists will be allowed to cover the swearing in of the jury and reading the charges, part of the judge's introductory remarks and a portion of the prosecution opening speech. If the defendants are found guilty then coverage of the verdicts and sentencing will be permitted.

The news has been welcomed by the press and human rights groups which had condemned the original decision as against the principles of British justice.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair's, wife Cherie Blair, an internationally renowned human rights lawyer, has given her view on the subject during an interview with a legal publication. 

"Secret courts can occasionally be justified. It is all about proportionality and where you draw the line. And who draws the line," explained Mrs Blair.

Previous attempts to hold secret trials in the UK have brought widespread condemnation from charities and the public. During one attempt in 2012 Amnesty International released a strongly worded statement criticising the government's plans.

"These proposals are dangerous and should be dropped," said Tara Lyle, Policy Adviser at Amnesty International UK.

“They will allow the government to throw a cloak of secrecy over wrongdoing, including matters as serious as the alleged involvement by UK officials in rendition, secret detention, enforced disappearances and torture."

Turkey may force action in Iraq

AS ISLAMIST insurgents gain ground in Iraq America may find its hand forced if Turkey takes action.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) has taken control of Iraq's second largest city Mosul and the home city of former dictator Saddam Hussein, Tikrit. The group, led by former Al Qaeda hardliner Abu Bakar al-Baghdadi, has also announced intentions to push on to Baghdad and beyond.

During the taking of Mosul insurgents kidnapped 49 members of the Turkish consulate, including three children. The attack follows the taking of 31 Turkish lorry drivers on Tuesday in the region.

 Turkish officials have threatened severe consequences if any of the hostages are harmed. 

"All those involved should know that if our citizens are harmed in any way, they will be the subject of harsh reprisals," Turkish media quoted Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as saying at the United Nations in New York.

As a member of the United Nations Security Council Turkey's actions may have wider implications for the growing conflict.

In a statement UN officials said that they "strongly denounced the taking of hostages at the Turkish Consulate and insist on the immediate and safe return of all personnel.  They condemned acts of violence against diplomatic and consular representatives, which endanger or take innocent lives and seriously impede the normal work of such representatives and officials."

Meanwhile United States Ambassador to the UN Samantha Powers said that she "strongly condemned attacks in Mosul by the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant and its efforts to turn back clock on Iraq's progress."

Turkish influence may put pressure on American President Barack Obama to take a firm stance against the terrorist campaign being waged in Iraq. 

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has informally called on the United States to provide air and drone support as ground forces attempt to repel the rebels. Battle weary America has not made any signs it will seek to become engaged in another conflict in the country, from which it withdrew troops in December 2011, preferring to provide aid to Iraqi forces to maintain its own security. 

Some American officials have already expressed concerns about becoming too involved. Instead they blame Prime Minister Maliki failure to include the Sunni population in politics for the current crisis. 

"He's obviously not been a good prime minister," the Associated Press reported Senator Bob Corker, top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as saying. "He has not done a good job of reaching out to the Sunni population, which has caused them to be more receptive to al-Qaida efforts."

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been hesitant to become embroiled in the situation, releasing a statement in which FCO Minister Hugh Robertson said: "We fully support the Iraqi government in its fight against terrorism, and call for the safety of all civilians to be ensured. It is vital that all Iraqi authorities co-operate to tackle the challenges Iraq faces, and we call for a new Iraqi government to be formed quickly to allow political leaders to work together to tackle the causes of insecurity in Iraq."

With the situation looking only to escalate and Turkish involvement plausible Britain and America may find that they are forced to do more than condemn and instead take action.

Tory's braced for storm over Oxfam backlash

CONSERVATIVE condemnation of Oxfam's latest advertising campaign has shown how out of touch the party is according to commentators.

The charity is currently facing investigation following a complaint by Tory backbench MP Conor Burns over the advert which depicts a 'perfect storm' of zero hour contracts, high prices, benefits cuts, unemployment and childcare costs causing poverty in Britain.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph Mr Burns said: "Many people who support Oxfam will be shocked and saddened by this highly political campaigning in domestic British politics.

"Most of us operated under the illusion that Oxfam's focus was on the relief of poverty and famine overseas. I cannot see how using funds donated to charity to campaign politically can be in accord with Oxfam's charitable status.

"For that reason I have asked the Chairman of the Charity Commission to investigate Oxfam as a matter of urgency."

Oxfam Campaigns and Policy Director Ben Phillips defended the advert, saying:  "Oxfam is a resolutely non-party political organisation, we have a duty to draw attention to the hardship suffered by poor people we work with in the UK.  

"Fighting poverty should not be a party political issue, successive governments have presided over a tide of rising inequality and created a situation where food banks and other providers provided 20 million meals last year to people who could not afford to feed themselves. This is an unacceptable situation in one of the world's largest economies and politicians of all stripes have a responsibility to tackle it."

The furore comes in the same week as the release of a joint report from Oxfam, Church Action on Poverty and the Trussell Trust revealed a startling rise in demand for food charity in the UK, with more than 20million meals provided in 2013, a 54% increase on the previous year.

The claims have been further supported by research conducted by Save The Children, which warns that if the current situation is not tackled by 2020 approximately 5 million children, one third of children, in Britain will "be sentenced to a lifetime of poverty".

Since the news broke social media has been ablaze with criticism for the complaint as users warn that the government is dangerously out of touch with the needs of the poorer elements of society.

 "@suemitton1: @Ed_Miliband MPs very unhappy with Oxfam poster 'The Perfect Storm' they say the truth hurts! Well done Oxfam! "

"@jasongorman: This is why the gov't was so keen to gag charities in their lobbying bill "

"@lizzjones18: Actually condemning Oxfam for telling the truth about Austerity Britain the perfect storm ! SHAMEFUL say Gov.."

"@Helen121: Tories attack Oxfam Perfect Storm poster as 'shameful' for exposing results their policies. You couldn't make it up."

With less than a year to go until the General Election the government may have found that by complaining it has drawn unwanted focus to the growing problem of poverty and inequality in the UK. 

America's tea break is over

DESPITE many commentators predicting that the Tea Party Movement had run its course yesterday's victory has reinvigorated the right wing group. 

Tea Party supporter Dave Brat's surprise victory over Washington power house Eric Cantor has provided a much needed boost for the flagging grass roots movement. 

Brat was quick to dismiss claims that he was actually a member of the Tea Party, claiming instead to believe in Republican values. 

He told America's Fox News: "I'm not holding anyone's feet to the fire but it wasn't a contest between the tea party and the Republicans and all this," he said. "Although I have tremendous tea party support and just wonderful people in the tea party and grassroots helping me out, and they're clearly responsible for the win... I ran on the Republican principles."

The defeat of Republican Majority Leader Cantor, who had been widely tipped to succeed John Boehner, has created uncertainty in beltway politics as officials on both sides of the divide fear it could harm the smooth running of government.

The Tea Party's proven track record of holding the nation to "hostage" on issues such as raising the debt ceiling has in the past led to concern that America could have been plunged into a further economic crisis. 

Unlike more moderate Republicans, such as Cantor, the Tea Party's unwillingness to compromise on key issues could make cross party agreement on key policies unlikely.

Speaking from the Richmond Hotel following news of his defeat Mr Cantor told supporters: "I know there's a lot of long faces here tonight. It's disappointing sure but I believe in this country. I believe there's opportunity around the next corner."

What that "opportunity" may be for the future of American politics is a question which many may now be asking. 

Brat's win against such a respected and powerful character as Cantor in a Republican safe seat despite being vastly outspent is being seen as a worrying sign that core Republicans are moving further towards the right wing of the party.

"The good news is dollars don't vote, people do," announced Mr Brat. "I've been a conservative my whole life," he added. "There's nothing hard right or far right about anything. I just believe in the ideas and that ideas matter in history."

Whatever the future holds for compromise on the hill one thing seems certain the tea break is over for the Republicans.

Defining Britishness is more than a sound bite Mr Gove

EDUCATION Secretary of State Michael Gove has announced this week that "British Values" will be instilled in school children in an attempt to combat extremism.

His statement came in the wake of allegations of attempts by Governors in five Birmingham schools to push forward an 'Islamic agenda'.

As part of his program of values Mr Gove's department will focus on religious tolerance, opposition to gender segregation and respect for the "primacy of British Civil and Criminal Law".

Critics have accused Mr Gove of using the situation in Birmingham as a smokescreen for larger issues, while causing a potential rise on Islamiphobia in the country. Meanwhile British Prime Minister David Cameron gave his support to the plan; claiming that it would be something which would be supported by the "majority of people in the country."

Managing Director of anti-extremist think tank, Quilliam, Ghaffar Hussain, warned:

“Discussions around Islamist extremism need to be more honest, rather than polarised by rival alarmist and denialist factions. Denialists must recognise that extremism is real. Pretending it is not, out of fear of negative repercussions, only encourages such repercussions by making the work of extremists easier, further fueling the far-right and aiding xenophobia.

Alarmists must recognise that the vast majority of parents, pupils and teachers at these schools are not extremists. The allegations, which Ofsted has now verified to a large extent, concern attempts by a small section of entryist hard-liners to paint themselves as ‘the community’. Succumbing to the idea that this faction is indeed ‘the community’ further fuels Islamists by legitimising them as the only interlocutors.”

Mr Gove's plan to force 20,000 primary and secondary schools to "promote British Values"  appears to be a shift from previous statements he has made on the subject. In 2007 he was quoted in Prospect Magazine as saying: "There is something rather un-British about seeking to define Britishness."

It is a statement which opponents of the plan have been quick to reiterate amid concerns over what impact the measures may have on the education system as a whole.

At present in the UK there are approximately 400 private single sex schools and about one third of all maintained primary and secondary schools are faith based.

Mr Gove's greatest challenge may yet be ahead of him as he attempts to further define what values sum up a multicultural Britain in the 21st century. Combining traditional concepts with the reality of a diverse and increasingly disillusioned population will prove a hard task if he hopes to succeed. 

With fears expressed in the media about wider actions being discussed, including secret trials without press involvement, there are many who may argue that this government is not suitable to define "British Values" at all.

Scotland's future will be based on passion not politics

WITH the battle for Scotland now into the final 100 days both sides are fighting hard to win the trust of voters.

While polling has provided mixed results in predicting who may be in the lead recent data comparing them all have provided an insight into how close the race currently is. Based on this ‘poll of polls’ the “Better together” campaign has a slight lead with 50 per cent of the electorate against the Yes campaign’s 36 per cent, with 14 per cent still undecided.

Voter turnout is expected to be high as the fate of Scotland and the Union is decided on September 18^th, with some observers estimating that 80 per cent of the electorate will cast their ballot. When compared to the 50 per cent turnout for the Scottish General Election in 2011 it starts to show how much people are paying attention to this particular election.

The election won’t be decided by those who are fighting for either side though. It is down to the floating voters who have still not made up their minds. The Yes and No campaigns know this and have gone to great lengths to get their messages across.

At times the debate has turned to negative campaigning, something not guaranteed to win voters over. Alex Salmond has repeatedly condemned Westminster for ‘fear mongering’ while the government has criticised the Yes campaigns uncosted policies and belligerent attitude towards anyone who disagrees with them.

The key issues have likewise turned from hard facts to playing on people’s hopes and fears. The Yes campaign has repeatedly attempted to reassure voters that not everything will change. Despite assurances to the contrary by Tory, Labour and Liberal Democrat Leaders the Alex Salmond has claimed that an independent Scotland will be able to retain the pound. Likewise dismissing statements from senior European Union politicians he has stated that Scotland’s place in the EU would be assured.

Meanwhile the Yes campaign has attempted to play on people’s fears of the future. They have claimed that an independent would not be able to afford the policies which Mr Salmond has proposed and focused on the need to stay united.

In move to play on these fears British Prime Minister David Cameron enlisted the help of American President Barack Obama last week to put forward his case. Speaking at a joint press conference in Brussels on Thursday President Obama said that Washington had “a deep interest in making sure that one of the closest allies we [America] will ever have remains a strong, united and effective partner.”

Leader of the recently rebranded ‘Better Together Campaign’, MP Alistair Darling, has called a vote for independence “a leap into the unknown to a very uncertain destination.” The newly named ‘No Thanks Campaign’ is trying to muster its forces to combat the vitality of the Yes Campaign. They are against a strong foe though. Scottish Nationalism is gaining strength and the spirit of Bannockburn is fuelling them on.

Speaking to Sky News Mr Salmond gave an impassioned statement: “This is the first time that people in Scotland have had a democratic opportunity to vote themselves into   independence. It is the opportunity not just of a lifetime, it is an opportunity of the centuries.”

This election may turn out to be more than just policy choices, it will be about passion and belief. ON 18^th September it will be decided whether that passion and belief is for a united or independent Scotland.

A shaky year ahead in British politics

AFTER throwing the full weight of party behind its candidate losing half its majority in the Newark by-election must be a call to reality for the Conservatives.

In seeing backing for the party drop, from a previous majority of 16,152 to 7,403, the party must now be asking itself if support in a “safe seat” can be so dramatically eroded then what hope do they have in marginal’s come 2015?

The Tory win may not have radically changed the British political landscape, however, the Newark by-election has put a few creases in the electoral map.

The results come at the same time as the junior coalition partner struggles to retain any political might at all. In Newark the Liberal Democrats were humiliated with a fifth place result which saw them lose the party lose its deposit. Despite hasty attempts to avert any damage and quash dissenters rumoured divisions within the party over Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg’s stewardship have added to the turmoil.

The Queen’s Speech, mostly containing uncontroversial minor policy administration, including a charge on the use of plastic carrier bags, has added yet more fuel to the fire that the coalition government may be out of ideas. With less than 12 months until the British electorate heads to the polls this could spell disaster for the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

Labour is not faring much better, finishing in third place in the Newark by-election with a fall of 4.65 per cent to 17.68 per cent of the vote overall. For all of Nigel Farage’s bombastic rhetoric about his “people’s army” the United Kingdom Independence Party looks unlikely, based on recent election results, to bring about a change in the political system. A deep sense of apathy has descended upon the voting public, as demonstrated by low voter turnouts in the local and European Union elections.

Both the Conservatives and Labour have attempted to rejuvenate their flagging appeal by bringing in big name American political advisers. The Tories are pinning their hopes on the man who masterminded US President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, Jim Messina. Meanwhile Labour has hired another former Obama man, the political heavyweight of David Axelrod.

With little to show in the way of effective policies, divisions in the government, perceived weakness in opposition and UKIP braying from the sidelines it is possible that the British public will be suffering from political fatigue come the 7^th of May next year. What is almost certain though is that unless the government actually governs during the next 11 month and the opposition demonstrate counter-arguments, rather than sneering asides, then all the flash and bang of American political campaigns will not overcome the lack of enthusiasm in the majority of the populace.

In Newark the Conservatives have claimed that they still have the support of voters with a strong majority. What they have failed to mention is that the majority means little when compared in overall numbers; in 2010 27,590 voted for the party, four years later this has plunged to 17,431. If that rate of drop off continues across the board then they may very be throwing a General Election to which no-one turns up.