It’s not unusual for a Home Secretary to ignore research advice. Not all of the advice is good. Not all of the policy decisions the advice has generated have been sensible or survived first contact with the streets. Anyone remember offences brought to justice targets? These seemingly smart measures were brought in by the Government […]
In 1986 when the sectarian carnage of Northern Ireland’s Troubles was running hot in my Fermanagh border community, I left to start my first term at Durham University. Like many young people from a Protestant heritage, further education over on the “mainland” was a both a way to expand your academic horizons and to explore […]
Yesterday Oxfam was hauled to the court of parliament to face the International Development committee. The court of public opinion has already passed sentence, with thousands of cancelled subscriptions to this beleaguered charity. The familiar but necessary rituals of abasement and shame were deployed. I have no doubt that both Oxfam GB’s Director Mark Goldring […]
Speaking in Bethlehem the day after the slaughter at the Manchester Arena in May last year, Donald Trump made the following observation: “So many young beautiful, innocent people living and enjoying their lives murdered by evil losers in life. I won’t call them monsters because they would like that term. They would think that’s a […]
Last week I was in Brussels taking part in a discussion on radicalisation in prison. The event was hosted by the European Policy Centre, an independent think tank normally graced by the EU aristocracy. Perhaps the uncomfortable subject matter – the ghost at the banquet of European integration – kept Junker, Rompuy et al away. Maybe […]
Dear Mr Gauke, Welcome to the Ministry of Justice and congratulations on your appointment. Your track record as an able and talented Treasury minister precedes you and I know the legal community are very pleased that – finally – a qualified solicitor is at the helm as Lord Chancellor again. However, many of your immediate […]
The row over the release on parole of convicted serial rapist John Worboys shines a necessary light on the difficult relationship between justice for offenders and victims. That there is conflict at this level isn’t always the symptom of a broken system – it’s often the way good decisions are made. When I was a prison […]
We all know that alongside the divorce bill and citizens rights, the Irish border completes the unholy Trinity of Brexit negotiation blockers. A minority Government, in hock to its absolutist faction and reliant on DUP support to survive, can never really have much room for manoeuvre. Hence the opportunistic swirl of ludicrous hyperbole ranging from […]
Before the war memorial in Enniskillen became an international symbol of inhumanity, it stood unremarked at the centre of my home town. I passed it countless times, never heeding the 650 inscribed names of my county’s fallen in the Great War. Bouges and Balfours, Cassidys and Clarkes, Gaels and Planters – all minced regardless in […]
What do we do about British citizens who join the Islamist death cult, travel to Syria and then try to return to this country? Jihad in the Levant is a risky business. There aren’t many people in the UK, affected as we have been by the murderous sadism of ISIS, who would argue with Defence […]
We were told just yesterday by Andrew Parker, the head of MI5, that we are experiencing a “dramatic” increase in Islamist terrorist activity. Those who want to do our country lethal harm have never been more active. I know from some small personal experience that the people in his organisation work flat out to frustrate […]
Last year I led an independent Government review which allowed me a brief and privileged glance into our national security arrangements. My area of enquiry was Islamist extremism in prisons and how to combat the lethal threat it poses. During the course of the review I had access to people and information which helped inform […]
