Author Archives: Jo

New motion for Spring Conference – Jo’s post today on Lib Dem Voice

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Jo

On Lib Dem Voice today, Jo has updated on the progress of the secret courts Bill in the House of Commons, and asked for support for a motion for Spring Conference in Brighton. The deadline for us to submit the … Continue reading →

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Amnesty response to 2nd reading of Secret Courts Bill tomorrow

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Jo

Amnesty calls the Justice and Security Bill “a key moment for open justice”. The second reading of the Bill is tomorrow (Tuesday 18th December). http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=20523

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Guardian leader from Saturday – Secret courts litmus test for the Liberal Democrats

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Jo

Saturday’s leader from the Guardian makes it clear how crucial an issue secret courts are for the party. Where are the Liberal Democrats red lines if not on civil liberties? Another way of putting might be, if not to stop … Continue reading →

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My reply to Nick Clegg’s civil liberties email today

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Jo

Dear Nick, Thanks for your email about the Liberal Democrats successes this week on civil liberties. I was very pleased to hear of your decision to stand up for protecting freedoms of the individuals against an overreaching state. And the … Continue reading →

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Useful update from Amnesty International

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Jo

Update from Amnesty International here about what they are asking their supporters to do to contact their MP, and suggestions of how to respond if the MP concerned supports the Justice and Security Bill: http://www2.amnesty.org.uk/blogs/campaigns/justice-and-security-bill-has-your-mp-responded-you

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Bill (as amended by the Lords) now up on parliament website

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Jo

See here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/2012-2013/0056/lbill_2012-20130056_en_2.htm#pt2-pb1-l1g6 So this is the version which includes some improvements to the ways in which secret courts can be applied for. However the amendments do not kill off secret courts or Part II of the Bill altogether, and … Continue reading →

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Report on last night’s Report Stage debate in the Lords

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Jo

Thanks to the wonders of Hansard, here is the list of the peers who last night voted (sadly, unsuccessfully) to delete secret courts from the Justice and Security Bill, with their party affiliation. I am immensely proud that sixteen of … Continue reading →

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Campaign update

Posted on November 18, 2012 by Jo

We have been working hard this week and over this weekend continue to make the case to scrap Part II of the Bill. Depressingly, not only has the UK been criticised in the Russian media for our “hidden justice” this … Continue reading →

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Halloween nightmare for government on secret courts?

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Jo

In another blow for the government and supporters of the “secret courts” provisions, the government’s independent equality and human rights watchdog, the EHRC, has today stated the Justice and Security Bill breaches the Human Rights Act. The Equality and Human … Continue reading →

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Does Ken Clarke not understand his own Bill?

Posted on October 27, 2012 by Jo

According to the Guardian, Ken Clarke has apparently lashed out at campaign organisations calling for Part II of the Justice and Security Bill to be scrapped. Clarke says critics are wrong to allege that judges do not have decision making … Continue reading →

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