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Saturday, November 23, 2024

Another bad day in Toryland

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Every day brings immoral and illegal behaviour by these ideological despots and every day the vast majority suffer at their hands.

Contempt of Parliament

Criticism has been directed towards allies of Boris Johnson, including Nadine Dorries and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, for exerting “improper pressure” on the Commons investigation into whether Johnson lied to MPs regarding partygate. The privileges committee’s special report on “sustained interference” identified seven MPs and three peers who were implicated in the investigation. The group has been accused of employing “unprecedented and co-ordinated pressure,” which had significant personal and security ramifications for the individuals involved.

Prominent Conservative figures, such as former cabinet minister Priti Patel and Lord Zac Goldsmith, who currently serves as a minister, were also named in the report. Additionally, MPs Mark Jenkinson, Michael Fabricant, Brendan Clarke-Smith, and Andrea Jenkyns were cited for publicly criticising the investigation through tweets and media interviews, aimed at undermining the credibility of the committee and influencing the outcome of the inquiry.

The report specifically highlighted the actions of Mr. Rees-Mogg and Ms. Dorries, who utilised their platforms on GB News and TalkTV, respectively, to launch the most vehement attacks. It also condemned the selective pressure applied to Conservative members of the committee, pointing to an email campaign orchestrated by the Conservative Post website, which urged them to resign. Over 600 emails were sent to Conservative committee members within days, some appearing to originate from Lord Cruddas and Lord Greenhalgh, both of whom received peerages from Boris Johnson.

While the committee did not recommend any sanctions, it suggested that the House of Commons should consider further action, if necessary. The report proposed that MPs should collectively agree that attempts to impugn the committee’s integrity or engage in lobbying or intimidation of its members could be treated as contempt of parliament.

Despite the publication of the report, allies of Boris Johnson remained defiant. One individual stated that they would regard the criticism as a badge of honor, emphasising their responsibility as MPs to scrutinize and comment on such matters. Michael Fabricant responded to the report with a tweet, stating that respect for the committee needed to be earned. When asked about the report, Mr. Rees-Mogg ignored questions and simply remarked that he was heading to Church (how ironic). Mr. Jenkinson criticised the committee’s findings, asserting that the tweet he had posted was not referring to them but rather to the media’s witch hunt against Boris Johnson.

Notably, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson dramatically resigned from his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat after the privileges committee concluded that he deliberately misled the House with his denials concerning partygate. Leading up to the report, allies of the former PM had labeled the committee a “kangaroo court,” criticised its members, and accused them of bias, particularly targeting the Labour chair, Harriet Harman. In its findings, the committee expressed concern that if such behaviours were left unchallenged, future inquiries of this nature would become impossible. They emphasised the need for a committee to protect the rights and privileges of the House and its members from both formal and informal attacks or undermining designed to discourage their fulfillment of their duties.

If they cannot obey by the rules they should resign. However, principles have appeared to have been are jettisoned when wealth and power are at stake.

Rwanda deportations illegal

The government’s proposed deportation scheme to Rwanda has been overturned by the Court of Appeal, following a successful challenge by campaigners and asylum seekers. The High Court’s previous ruling, which designated Rwanda as a “safe third country” for migrants, has been reversed by three judges. This marks another development in the ongoing legal battle to implement the controversial scheme, which was announced in April of the previous year as part of efforts to address Channel crossings.

Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett, announcing the verdict, stated that he does not believe that migrants would be exposed to the risk of being returned to their home countries from Rwanda. However, he emphasised that Rwanda is not a safe place for them to be accommodated while their asylum claims are being processed. The judge concluded that the High Court’s decision, classifying Rwanda as a safe third country, has been overturned, and unless the shortcomings in Rwanda’s asylum process are rectified, the removal of asylum seekers would be unlawful.

The Rwandan government expressed disagreement with the ruling, asserting that the nation is one of the safest countries in the world (you have to admire their sense of humour). Government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo stated that while the decision ultimately rests with the UK’s judicial system, they dispute the notion that Rwanda is not a safe country for asylum seekers and refugees. She highlighted Rwanda’s recognition by the UNHCR and other international institutions for their exemplary treatment of refugees, adding that the government remains committed to making the partnership work and supporting migrants in building new lives in Rwanda.

Lord Burnett clarified that the court’s conclusion is based on legal considerations and does not express any view on the political merits of the policy. While he personally agreed with a prior ruling affirming the legality of the scheme, the other two judges did not share the same opinion. The judge underscored that the court unanimously accepted that the assurances provided by the Rwandan government were made in good faith. However, the majority of the court believed that the evidence did not establish that the necessary changes had been reliably implemented or would have been in place at the time of the proposed removals. Consequently, sending individuals to Rwanda would violate Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which the government is required by Parliament to comply with.

The Court of Appeal’s judgment received praise from Green MP Caroline Lucas, who described the Rwanda scheme as inhumane, immoral, and unworkable. She called for an asylum policy that treats people with respect and dignity. However, Tory MP Simon Clark expressed deep disappointment with the ruling, considering it contrary to the clear will of Parliament. He anticipates that the Home Office will promptly appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

The government’s plan to send tens of thousands of migrants over 4,000 miles away to Rwanda as part of a £120m agreement reached with the Rwandan government last year has faced significant obstacles. The policy, initially introduced under Boris Johnson and continued by his successors, aims to address small boat crossings in the English Channel. However, no migrants have made the journey so far. The first flight, scheduled for June of the previous year, was halted at the last minute following an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.

Campaigners have strongly criticised the policy as cruel and likely to cause immense human suffering, leading them to pursue legal action to prevent its implementation. The government argues that the current system incentivizes dangerous Channel crossings and emphasizes that inaction is not a viable option. In December of the previous year, the High Court rejected several legal challenges against the plans, affirming that the Rwanda proposals align with the government’s legal obligations. However, campaigners were granted permission to contest the ruling at the Court of Appeal, and the hearing took place in April prior to the recent judgment.

We now await the next sociopathic policy to emanate from the bowels of the Tory party and pray heavenly justice will eventually prevail. After all the chances of Jacob Rees-Mogg getting in to a heaven are up there with Oliver Reed become the patron saint of abstinence.

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