Archive of articles from 2009

Govt introduces 'booze ASBOs'

Antisocial drinkers can get a "booze ASBO" under new laws which come into force today.

Tearful mother fears for 'suicidal' hacker's life

Gary McKinnon's mother Janis Sharp (r) with Liberty director Shami Chakrabarti

The mother of computer hacker Gary McKinnon has revealed to <i>politics.co.uk</i> how she fears for her son's life as he faces extradition to the US.

Belizian government savages Lord Ashcroft

The Carribean paradise of Belize is where Ashcroft's "heart is".

The Tory's infamous and pivotal donor and deputy-chairman, Lord Ashcroft, has been torn apart at a meeting of the Belizean parliament, where he has significant business interests.

US campaigners join McKinnon fight

The United States' leading civil liberties organisation has joined forces with its British counterpart Liberty to demand action on the extradition treaty and the case of computer hacker Gary McKinnon.

Michael Martin given peerage

Michael Martin's peerage has been the cause of controversy

Former Speaker Michael Martin has finally been given his peerage.

Recession forces school-leavers to follow govt agenda

School-leavers forced back into training

School-leavers facing a tough jobs market are being forced to accept the government's skills agenda by staying on as students, as dissatisfaction about their suitability for employment grows.

Church fights on as bishop threat grows

Church of England fights bishop exclusion threat

The Church of England has rejected suggestions from Jack Straw it will give up its seats in the House of Lords without a fight.

London plays down 'price of democracy' claims

Turnout figures appear very low for Helmand province

The Foreign Office has rejected suggestions that less than 40 votes in Afghanistan's elections equated to one British life.

Protestors challenge McKinnon extradition

Protestors challenge McKinnon extradition

Pupils achieve record GCSE results

The number of GCSEs with grades A*-C has hit the two-thirds mark, in a record set of results across the country.

'Cruel' NHS nurses mistreat elderly

Some elderly and terminally-ill patients are being treated in an appalling manner by "bad, cruel nurses" according to the Patients Association.

Lord Turner warns bankers

Lord Turner has warned bankers he backs radical plans to tax banks.

The chair of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) has warned bankers he backs radical plans to tax banks to prevent excessive risk-taking and the bonus culture.

Climate Camp hits London

Climate Camp has descended on London today, with activists establishing their protest on Blackheath - the scene of the Peasants' Revolt.

Brown and Blair lead Kennedy tributes

Senator Edward Kennedy, who has died at the age of 77

Gordon Brown and Tony Blair have led British tributes to Senator Edward Kennedy, the legendary Democrat politician, who died of a brain tumour overnight.

Public choose MPs' ten commandments

Ben Kingsley in Moses: Tweetier-than-thou?

MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates are to be handed the ten political commandments, voted for by the Twittering public, which should govern their political lives in Westminster.

Straw supports 15-year limit on peers

The reformed House of Lords could limit peerages to a 15-year maximum term, Jack Straw suggested today.

London hosts Netanyahu-Mitchell meeting

Netanyahu meets US envoy George Mitchell in London

Middle Eastern peace hopes are focused on London today as Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu meets US envoy George Mitchell.

Council chiefs face pay-off crack down

Extra cash? Counciul chief are said to racking in pay-offs

An audit will be conducted into the pay-offs received by council chiefs when they depart their jobs.

North-west in line for high-speed link

Britain's high-speed rail link hopes to rival France's TGV

Britain's second high-speed rail line will head up the north-west coast before forking to Edinburgh and Glasgow, Network Rail has announced.

Recession worsens for workless households

The number of households with no adults working has jumped at its fastest year-on-year rate since Labour came to power in 1997, new figures show.

BNP to be fined for donations

The BNP failed to send in returns for its donations

The British National party (BNP) will be issued with a fine for failing to issue a return to the Electoral Commission concerning its donations.

Riot 'a disgrace to football'

Last nights clashes between West Ham and Millwall fans were "a disgrace to football", the sports minister has said.

Prescott endorses MacAskill decision

John Prescott appeared to deviate from the line taken by Gordon Brown over the last few days

Former deputy prime minister John Prescott has endorsed Kenny Prescott endorses MacAskill's decision to release the convicted Libyan terrorist Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds.