Know Your Rights

The first in a very occasional series connecting current news stories with random other links, all set to lyrics of songs by The Clash.

This is a public service announcement ... with links

You have the right not to be killed
Murder is a crime
Unless it was done by a policeman or aristocrat
Know your rights

I was going to link to something about Thomas Cholmondeley for the 'aristocrat' bit, but that's pre-empting the outcome a bit.

Coming soon, the various measures for calculating inflation will be plotted against 'Lost in the Supermarket'.

How to Vote (Pt 2)

1. Go to polling station.
2. Collect ballot paper.
3. Go to booth.
4. Mark an 'x' next to your preferred candidate.
5. Do NOT eat the ballot paper.
6. Place ballot paper in box.

If you absolutely have to eat your ballot paper, remember you can do it with relative impunity in the comfort of your own home by requesting a postal ballot. Don't worry, somebody else will probably vote for you anyway.

Health and Social Care Bill

A spy has pointed out to me two articles in the Solicitors Journal, 'Human Rights Act extended to cover residents in private care homes' and 'Form and Function', which cover proposed amendments to the Health and Social Care Bill which will reverse the decision of the House of Lords in YL v Birmingham as far as private care homes are concerned. I wrote about this way back when, and I think that this is only part of the answer and one of the politically easier options for the Government as it avoids tackling tricky issues about the wider reach of the HRA. It's worth noting that the Department of Health press release does contained buried away in the notes to editors this little gem:

"The Government is also considering how to address the wider question of the scope of the Human Rights Act, and has undertaken to consult on this issue."

All in all, it's a step in the right direction as far as I'm concerned, but cannot be seen as the end of the road.

Not a waste of time at all

Scott Baker LJ has ruined everybody's hopes of finally getting to the bottom of what really happened to Diana, Dodi and Henri Paul by shooting down Mohamed al Fayed's claims that MI6, Prince Philip, Slobodan Milosevic and you killed them, stating that there was no evidence to suggest otherwise.

Ask yourself this though, if MI6 did kill somebody then they'd make sure that there wasn't any evidence, wouldn't they?

He also appears to have ruled out any possible participation by the lone gunman, Savo Milosevic, a Paul McCartney lookalike, Alex Krycek, Martin Bormann or New Coke.

Scott Baker LJ noted that Mike Mansfield had dialled down the crazy compared to al Fayed:

"Mohamed Al Fayed's beliefs are to be contrasted with the way in which his legal team have been approaching the matter to witnesses. Advocates are bound by professional rules of conduct which do not allow them to make allegations of serious misconduct for which there is no evidence. Those representing Mohamed Al Fayed did not suggest to a number of the key players in the alleged conspiracy that they had played the part ascribed to them over the years."

Expect some sort of intervention soon from Heather Mills as to why Part VII of the Bar Code of Conduct is all part of the system's way to defeat justice.

No word yet though from Mansfield as to whether the current form of al Fayed's Thames-side toy is simply part of an incredibly cunning long term strategy to make them the Manchester United of London.

All in all money well spent then.