Saturday, November 12, 2005
Our Political Police.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke has admitted that he asked chief constables to lobby MPs to support the anti-terrorism bill and push for 90 days detention without charge, but denies attempting to politicise the police.
Cabinet members are being wheeled out to defend the government, the police, and Prime Minister Blair.
Defence Secretary John Reid said the accusations that the police had been "politicised" before the vote were a smokescreen to cover Tory embarrassment at blocking the 90-day proposal. Reid went on to accuse the opposition of a "slur on the integrity of the police".
The police, while entitled to give a view on matters concerning legislation which will directly affect them, undoubtedly played politics regarding detention. An intense lobbying campaign is not the same as giving advice.
Chief constables, who are not elected by the public, have clearly attempted to interfere in matters that are dealt with by elected MPs.
Of course they have become political, no longer neutral.
As for slurs on the integrity of the police, Reid is talking nonsense. It doesn't need the Tory party to cast aspersions on their integrity - that was shot along with Jean Charles de Menezes on a tube train at Stockwell Station, and with the lies and attempted cover-up which followed.
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Tory leader Michael Howard has asked Tony Blair if police now need authorisation from Charles Clarke before appearing on the media, after John Reed made remarks during an interview which appeared to suggest specific approval would now be needed.
Cabinet members are being wheeled out to defend the government, the police, and Prime Minister Blair.
Defence Secretary John Reid said the accusations that the police had been "politicised" before the vote were a smokescreen to cover Tory embarrassment at blocking the 90-day proposal. Reid went on to accuse the opposition of a "slur on the integrity of the police".
The police, while entitled to give a view on matters concerning legislation which will directly affect them, undoubtedly played politics regarding detention. An intense lobbying campaign is not the same as giving advice.
Chief constables, who are not elected by the public, have clearly attempted to interfere in matters that are dealt with by elected MPs.
Of course they have become political, no longer neutral.
As for slurs on the integrity of the police, Reid is talking nonsense. It doesn't need the Tory party to cast aspersions on their integrity - that was shot along with Jean Charles de Menezes on a tube train at Stockwell Station, and with the lies and attempted cover-up which followed.
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Tory leader Michael Howard has asked Tony Blair if police now need authorisation from Charles Clarke before appearing on the media, after John Reed made remarks during an interview which appeared to suggest specific approval would now be needed.
© Colcam 2005-2007
