Chris Galley to speak at 4.30

C Powell

So - in a criminal investigation - one of the possible defendants or witnesses is allowed to hold a press statement. Either the investigation is ongoing, in which case he should shut up. Or someone is to be charged, in which case he should also shut up and the jury should decide the matter.

The Definitive Polka Dot

While feeling Damian Green's pain, I must admit I like watching the chaos that ZanuLab is unable to control.

JR

It's worth following that link. 20 leaks? why's his solicitor giving a briefing?

George Laird

Dear C Powell

Do you believe in freedom of speech?

If the answer is yes, then the whistleblower can stand up and shout his head off if he wishes and you should have no problem with it.

It is only the authorities that are legally obliged to keep their mouths shut.

This is also supposed to be a democracy!

Another titbit which is open for a debate is the Data Protection Act 1998.

The jist re the Act is that a person can collect evidence if he thinks a crime has been committed, so Labour's attempts to bury the truth about illegal immigrants could well fall under that section or at least be argued in a Court of Law.

All that Galley has to do is stand up in Court and say that he had "reasonable belief" that a crime was being committed, or about to be committed.

Of course, his other piece of legislation which he is obviously relying on is the Public Interest Disclosure Act.

Galley allegedly was handing over information to an elected official, Damien Green who was doing his job of holding the Labour Government to account. I haven’t read anywhere he was passing about to everyone and his brother.

Finally, I am disappointed in your attitude, you may not like what Galley has to say, you may not think it is appropriate, you might not even like Galley or indeed his political stance but you should support his right to say it.

If you can’t support that then you give the green light to more Police State type action.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

C Powell

George Laird: You misunderstand me or perhaps I did not express myself well. I do support freedom of speech and more openness in government. But given that there is - apparently - a criminal investigation, I was surprised, that's all. My criticism was directed not at the whistleblower but at the authorities who used the fact of a criminal investigation to ransack an MP's offices and home but are then, apparently, happy for one of the people involved in the investigation to talk about it.

Investigations should be properly started, properly conducted and, if there is to be a trial, those trials should not be prejudiced. I don't believe the first has happened and it doesn't look as if the second is happening either.

C Powell

Galley's solicitor, it should be noted, is the same one who acted for Lord Levy in the cash-for-honours matter.

George Laird

Dear C Powell

Thank you for the clarification, everyone who has an interest in democracy and freedom of speech should be singing off the same hymn sheet on this one.

I hope the Conservatives and other Party MP’s put forward a motion of no confidence as soon as possible with regard to Michael Martin MP as Speaker of the House of Commons.

Another candidate for the sack is Serjeant at Arms, Jill Pay for failure to discharge her duty and contempt of Parliament.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Henry Rogers

George,

Plod needs yo be called to account too! Perhaps borrow some of their own thumbscrews and electric terminals and, after a short period of application, they'll tell us all who sent them out fishing!