Tag: Law

Starmer & Savile

Matthew Steeples calls out fake news site ‘Politicalite’ for falsely blaming Sir Keir Starmer for failing to prosecute the paedophile Jimmy Savile

Anyone who tells you Sir Keir Starmer isn’t a vast improvement on Jeremy Corbyn as leader of Her Majesty’s official opposition has to be off their merry rocker. That’s a fact, but, naturally, the spin campaign against this Southwark born Leeds and Oxford graduate has already kicked in.

With the self-declared “hottest right-wing tabloid news outlet [who support] Brexit, Trump and Populism” (take that to mean: “trashy fake news rag”) that is Politicalite claiming that Sir Keir “helped [the] renowned paedophile [Sir Jimmy Savile] evade justice in 2009, three years before he died,” one can see evidence of both the hard-left Corbynistas seeking revenge and the far-right looking for a new ‘leftie’ enemy to pin shame on.

Sir Keir, to the contrary of what the moronic headbanger founder of Politicalite, Jordan James, declared as fact very clearly condemned the situation that led to Savile getting away with his crimes. In 2013, he told the BBC’s Panorama:

“Without a change in the law, there’ll be another Savile… I think this is a very real issue that has been with us for a very long time. You can go back to the 50s and probably earlier to find examples, but you can find many more recent examples, and it’s a very simple proposition: if you’re in a position of authority, and you have cause to believe that a child has been abused, you really ought to do something about it.”

Whilst Starmer also admitted that Savile needed to be a “watershed moment” and wakeup call for the CPS – which he headed between July 2008 and November 2013 – he subsequently acted to propose altering the tests used to assess complainants’ credibility in sexual violence cases. In October 2013, he even went as far as to state: “For too long, child sexual abuse cases have been plagued by myths about how ‘real’ victims behave which simply do not withstand scrutiny. The days of the model victim are over. From now on these cases will be investigated and prosecuted differently, whatever the vulnerabilities of the victim.”

Hatemongering Politicalite, on the other hand, is a ‘publication’ that deserves to be called out. It has promoted Tommy Robinson and given a platform to James Goddard, the ‘Yellow Vest’ convicted of harassing the ex-MP Anna Soubry in 2019. Here, indeed, is something that the nation should most truly be ashamed of.

Pictured top: Sir Keir Starmer with his wife, Victoria.

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April 9, 2020
Jessica Jackson Sloan (born Jessica Hurst)

Born in Alabama in 1982, Jessica Jackson Sloan has morphed from a high-school dropout with a baby and a drug addict, jailbird husband in 2004 to, most bizarrely, one half of a “criminal justice reform dream team” with Kim Kardashian in 2020. “Steely-eyed blonde,” divorced and the co-founder of #Cut50 – a bipartisan effort aimed at reducing America’s incarceration rate – this Santa Clara University of Law graduate became Mayor of Mill Valley City Council in Marin County, California in 2015 and got herself involved with her “famous reality star legal apprentice” thanks to Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Jackson Sloan claims to want to “craft better policies that help, not hurt,” yet the choice of the somewhat shady company she keeps will continue to leave many questioning this plainly fame and power hungry woman’s true motivations.

April 6, 2020
Another Bamber Bungle

Further questions about the conduct of Essex Police raised as it is revealed they destroyed the bible, nightclothes and pillows that were found with the victims at White House Farm on the night of the 1985 murders

On Monday on Twitter, the @Bambertweets account shared a piece of little-known information that raises yet more questions about the safety of the conviction of Jeremy Bamber over the murders at White House Farm during the night of the 6^th and 7^th August 1985.

In a tweet, the ‘Official Campaign’ for Jeremy Bamber shared an image of his late sister, Sheila Caffell, a diagnosed schizophrenia sufferer, alongside a letter from the Criminal Cases Review Commission to Glaisyers Solicitors LLP (whom then represented the convicted serial killer).

That correspondence, dated 20^th March 2000, contained a statement that tellingly reads: “It is desirable that this information does not become generally known” and given its contents, we can now see why.

Most shockingly, the letter informs Jeremy Bamber’s legal advisors that June Bamber’s nightdress, Sheila Caffell’s nightdress and Ralph Bamber’s, Daniel Caffell’s and Nicholas Caffell’s pyjamas were all “destroyed in 1986” along with a bible found next to Miss Caffell and various pillows and pillowcases.

Given Essex Police’s mismanagement of this investigation is abundantly clear and that there are discrepancies relating to call logs and timings and issues relating to non-disclosure and contamination of evidence, yet again we join those suggesting that Jeremy Bamber’s conviction deserves to be reinvestigated. We neither claim Mr Bamber is innocent or guilty, but at the very least, this is a matter that should finally be properly examined on the basis that it is clearly unsafe.

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The 20th March 2000 letter from the Criminal Cases Review Commission to Glaisyers Solicitors LLP and Sheila Caffell.

The scene of the murders – White House Farm, Pages Lane, Tolleshunt D’Arcy, Maldon, Essex, CM9 8AA.

Ralph and June Bamber.

April 2, 2020
The Rt. Hon. The Lord Sumption OBE, PC, FRHistS, FSA

Eton and Oxford educated former Supreme Court judge and historian Jonathan Sumption, as a barrister, successfully represented the billionaire Roman Abramovich against the late oligarch Boris Berezovsky. Formerly one of the highest paid legal eagles in Britain, this father of three termed his £1.6 million salary “puny” in 2001 in a letter to the Guardian and subsequently charged the extraordinary sum of £800,000 to successfully represent the UK government in what was then then the largest class actions against the state ever in 2005. The trial lasted just four weeks. Sumption speaks French and Italian fluently, owns a chateau in South West France and serves as a director of the English National Opera. He became an outspoken critic of the “hysteria” over the police reaction to coronavirus outbreak in the UK in March 2020. Of this “frightening opponent” with an “icy analytical instinct,” the Guardian’s Wendell Steavenson suggested: “Sumption is a man who cannot stop thinking” whilst the former Labour spinner Alastair Campbell more simply concluded: “Brain the size of a planet.”

March 31, 2020
Angry About Otters

Wiltshire manor house owner proves himself a fine example of an ‘angry person in a local newspaper’ in ranting about otters

Whilst most people are worrying about where they can buy bog roll during the coronavirus lockdown, 83-year-old John Aeberhard of Steeple Ashton has taken the time to contact the Wiltshire Times to “warn other fishpond owners to beware” about the threat of otters.

Manor house owner Mr Aeberhard, previously the protector of 30 goldfish, koi and other carp, told the paper’s reporter, one John Baker, of how 22 of them were “killed in raids on his pond.” He remarked: “I and my grandchildren are very upset, as the fish all had names.”

At first, Aeberhard blamed a heron – of which he’s previously shockingly admitted to catching two in “heron wires installed above and the perimeter of the pond” – but when his gardener suggested “it could have been otters,” the pensioner decided to install electric wires.

Describing these carnivorous mammals as “in reality vicious fish killers,” Mr Aeberhard plainly will be leading the way in calling to eliminate these beautiful creatures. Thankfully British law still protects these them and on the government’s guidance website for clarity, we point this ‘Angry Person In A Local Newspaper’ to the paragraph that reads: “You’re breaking the law if you capture, kill, disturb or injure otters.” He should also be made aware: “If you’re found guilty of an offence you could get an unlimited fine and up to 6 months in prison.”

Now, Mr Aeberhard, please be civil and leave the descendants of Henry Williamson’s ‘Tarka’ alone. And whilst you’re at it also, leave the herons be as well.

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March 29, 2020
Arise The Gavinator

Gavin Newsom brings hope to America and we expect him to great things as 40^th Governor of California; we also urge him to do what he can to free the victims of parental abuse, the Menendez brothers

Gavin Newsom, as the 42^nd Mayor of San Francisco, achieved much. This spirited businessman brought in same-sex marriage in violation of the then state law, implemented a programme that provided permanent housing with support for 7,000 homeless people and did much to support workers’ rights.

Awarded the title of “America’s Most Social Mayor” based on his prominence on social media in 2010, here is a politician who has thrived because he does things differently. Charismatic and forward thinking, Newsom’s first book, Citizenville, explored how technology can transform democracy and in 2014, by then the 49^th Lieutenant Governor of California, he became the only statewide politician to endorse the legalisation of cannabis.

More importantly, illustrating his thoroughly decent personality, in 2012, Newsom supported a sadly failed measure that sought to end the death penalty in California. He cited that California had spent $5 billion since 1978 to execute just 13 people and also stated that the death penalty was “immoral” and “did not deter crime.”

Yesterday, Newsom – a possible future President we’d go as far to say – was sworn in as the 40^th Governor of California. Walking in the shoes of Arnold Schwarzenegger will undoubtedly be a new challenge for him and presiding over the most populous and prosperous state in the United States will certainly bring with it great challenges. With 39.6 million residents and a $2.9 trillion economy that is larger than that of the United Kingdom, he plans to work to reform healthcare, has already stood up to Donald Trump over his ridiculous wall and described it as a “monument of stupidity” and boldy taken on the NRA and stated: “We need comprehensive gun reform. NOW.”

All at The Steeple Times today salute ‘The Gavinator’ – as he once joked he would be known – but today, on his second day in office, we make a more heartfelt plea to him. Given the increasing amount of support and increasing amount of information about their case finally now being in the public domain, we urge the 40^th Governor to take up the mantle of the permanently incarcerated victims of the most abhorrent of parental abuse, Erik and Lyle Menenendez. These boys received the most harsh of sentences simply because of who they were and have been locked up in Californian jails for 27 years without any chance of release ever. It is, we’d argue, now damn well time they were let out and it would be a fine thing if Gavin Newsom could do what he can to ensure the day when these brothers again walk free comes sooner rather than later.

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January 8, 2019
Falling Off The Cliff

Matthew Steeples suggests the BBC’s decision not to appeal the Cliff Richard privacy ruling is very worrying for press freedom

News that the BBC have decided not to challenge the Cliff Richard privacy ruling is not surprising but it also sets a worrying precedent.

In a statement, aside from apologising yet again to the plainly strange Christian crooner, the Corporation thankfully, however, announced they would be taking its case to a higher level and stated:

“The BBC is writing today to ask the Government to consider a review of the law in this important area to protect the right to properly and fairly report criminal investigations, and to name the person under investigation.”

“There is a fundamental principle of press freedom at stake here and one upon which we believe Parliament, as our lawmakers, should decide.”

They are quite right and given this ruling is tantamount to new legislation, this ultimately will go down in history as taking Britain down a very dangerous road.

Pictured top: Convicted paedophile Rolf Harris with Sir Cliff Richard.

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August 16, 2018
Analysing Borwick

The Cambridge Analytica connection you’ve most likely never heard of; meet The Hon. Thomas Borwick, son of ex-Tory MP Lady ‘Call Me Victoria’ Borwick

The Hon. Thomas Borwick is a figure in the Cambridge Analytica scandal you’ve probably never heard of.

Bizarrely largely overlooked by the mainstream media, the son of the ousted ex-MP for Kensington Lady ‘Call Me Victoria’ Borwick is an extremely well connected man who keeps himself under the radar on social media. The 31-year old has just 500 followers on Twitter – a surprisingly low number given he has been described as a “computer specialist” – and was put in a position of huge power as Vote Leave’s chief technology officer from August 2015 to July 2016.

Educated at the University of Richmond, Virginia from 2006 to 2010, with a period studying law courses at Cambridge briefly during 2008, Borwick subsequently worked in IT for the financial services company Killik & Co in 2012 and simultaneously “developed music technology for interactive lessons.”

More interestingly, this youngster’s move into political data profiling came also in 2012 when he founded a company named Kanto Systems with an aim of “bring[ing] UK Campaigning into the 21st century.” Here, Borwick developed a “mobile canvassing app” and came into contact with Cambridge Analytica in order to provide them with “digital services,” according to The Huffington Post. In turn, he sold an app to Cambridge Analytica’s parent company, SCL, and now, in March this year, his firm was brought in by Ireland’s Save The 8^th anti-abortion campaign group as part of their efforts “to persuade Irish voters to keep the country’s strict anti-abortion laws.”

“Hiring Thomas Borwick to create and manage a website is like employing the SAS to run security at a school hop or bringing in Einstein to tot up your shopping bill,” comments journalist Fintan O’Toole in The Irish Times, and in further revelations in the Evening Standard late March, Borwick himself admitted to also having worked with the equally controversial Canadian data firm Aggregate IQ – an operation that earned £3.5 million working for Vote Leave during the 2016 referendum campaign.

The public and press need to wake up and smell the coffee. The manipulation of politics in America, Britain, Ireland and elsewhere runs far deeper than even the most avid viewer of the Daily Politics could imagine. Figures like Thomas Borwick may well operate in the backrooms but it is increasingly becoming apparent that with doorstep canvassing all but irrelevant, such people are worryingly our new political powerhouses.

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April 17, 2018
The Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers MP (AKA ‘The Telegraph Crow’)

Aside from spending more time in television studios than working for the good of her constituents, this crow-like creature is a “hard Brexiteer” with a penchant for claiming expenses for a second home despite representing a North London constituency. Bombastic to her core and a one-time friend of the “arse grabber” Brian Coleman, Theresa Villiers has been described as “divorced, dogmatic and dreadful.” She has bizarrely used three word alliterative phrases at least 724 times in debates, is anti-fox hunting and staunchly pro-Israel.

November 27, 2017
Whacking Out The Wheat

Upto 20 sensible Conservative MPs are set to rebel against ‘Wheat Field Wanderer’ Theresa May over her plans to enshrine the date of Brexit in law

This morning The Telegraph revealed upto twenty Conservative MPs are set to do the right thing. Unsurprisingly deemed “Brexit mutineers” by the paper, this diverse group “have informed senior party figures that they will join forces with Labour to block new measures that would enshrine the date of Brexit in law.”

Fifteen of these sensible individuals are reported as being:

Heidi Allen

Ken Clarke

Jonathan Djanogly

Vicky Ford

Dominic Grieve

Stephen Hammond

Oliver Heald

Jeremy Lefroy

Paul Masterton

Nicky Morgan

Bob Neil

Antoinette Sandbach

Anna Soubry

Tom Tughendhat

Sarah Wollaston

We salute them all and encourage other right-minded sorts to join their number.

#BetterTogether #WreckBrexit

#BringHerDown #MakeNovemberTheEndOfMay

November 15, 2017