Archive of articles from 2009

Extreme porn becomes illegal

As of today, extreme pornography becomes illegal to own in the UK.

Revealed: Govt smuggles data protection reform into bill

The government is being accused of smuggling a clause into today's coroners and justice bill which will effectively overwrite Britain's data protection laws.

Lords meet to debate cash for amendments

Lord Truscott of St James denies any wrong doing

The House of Lords met today to debate the cash for amendments affair with Lady Royall answering questions.

Sky pulls out of showing DEC appeal

The fighting in Gaza has caused extensive damage

The Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for humanitarian assistance to cope with the fallout from the Gaza conflict has been rejected by Sky News.

PM seeks "new global order"

Gordon Brown warns against "financial mercantilism"

Gordon Brown has called for the creation of a "new global order" and action to avoid "financial mercantilism" in a speech.

Infidelity could be scrapped as murder defence

Infidelity could be scrapped as a defence

Spouses who kill their partners after finding them cheating will no longer be able to escape a murder charge by claiming they had lost control, if new legislation is passed today.

Witness anonymity 'could breach human rights'

The government may potentially be violating the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in a new bill which will allow witnesses the right to anonymity.

'Secret' inquests back on MPs' agenda

The inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes could have been held in private

MPs are to consider plans to introduce secret coroner's inquests later today.

Tories build on lead

David Cameron appears to riden out the storm

The Tory lead over Labour has shot up again, rising from five to 15 points in one month.

Police to use 'three strikes' rule against cannabis users

Police have introduced a new 'three strikes' regime to target cannabis users following the government's reclassification of the drug to class B.

British Council loses data disk

A data disk containing details of 2,000 British Council employees has been lost.

Brown: 'The King of Spin'

Gordon Brown faced accusations he is the 'King of Spin' today, after a report revealed he has more press officers than any PM in the last 30 years.

Cameron pledges TV debates if he becomes PM

Cameron promises MPs detailed answers to questions if PM

David Cameron has promised to give MPs more chances to quiz him in greater detail about his policies if he becomes prime minister.

Hain apologises to Commons

Former work and pensions secretary Peter Hain delivered his apology to the Commons this afternoon over "serious and substantial" breaches of parliament's code of conduct on donations.