Corruption
Arraigning a corpse
Part 1 “Russian Justice” A judge at Moscow’s Tverskoi District Court stopped the trial of Sergei Magnitsky (above) yesterday – but not because the defendant was dead. Magnitsky’s demise was… Continue reading
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Cricket’s the loser
Cricket glorifies some cheats. W.G. Grace often batted on after being clean bowled; such was the public demand to watch him. Douglas Jardine’s bodyline tactics revolutionised fast bowling: eventually making… Continue reading
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Cheat sheet: the new Spanish corruption scandal
An unemployment rate of 26 per cent (and 56 per cent for young people); an economy that contracted by 0.7 per cent last quarter; tumbling approval ratings. Spanish Prime Minister… Continue reading
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Two different Laws
Among the vast number of British people who are somewhat surprised to see the disgraced MP David Laws back in government is David’s own father, Tony Laws. Laws jnr was… Continue reading
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South Africa: Mired in corruption?
On the 5th of August Mary Robinson delivered the annual Nelson Mandela lecture in Cape Town. It should have been an occasion when the former Irish President and UN Human… Continue reading
23 CommentsBertie Ahern’s Greatest Trick: Shaming the Shameless
My friend Ciaran Byrne is right: If Rupert Murdoch owned Fianna Fail he’d close it down. The Mahon Tribunal’s report into the flagrant corruption at the heart of the planning… Continue reading
12 CommentsRussia’s Tahrir?
Just a couple of days after Vladimir Putin’s electoral setback, Russian police have arrested a number of protesters, including veteran liberal politician Boris Nemtsov and the popular blogger Alexei Navalny.… Continue reading
4 CommentsCameron’s letter to Watson
Tom Watson fired a barb at David Cameron during the oral questions following the prime minister’s statement. He referred to a letter about allegations against Andy Coulson he had sent… Continue reading
27 CommentsFrom the archives – Yates had previous
As Theresa May put it in an impressive statement to the House earlier, “These allegations are not, unfortunately, the only recent example of alleged corruption and nepotism in the police.”… Continue reading
8 CommentsDoes the trouble at FIFA really matter?
The news that the votes which ended up with Russia and Qatar winning the rights to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups might not have been model, clean elections… Continue reading
45 CommentsEXCLUSIVE: The Yes2AV campaign’s dysfunctional strategy
A few weeks ago, I revealed the curious conflict of interest faced by the organisation funding the case for electoral reform. Now, it seems that ‘Yes to Fairer Votes’ (YTFV)… Continue reading
29 CommentsDevelopments in the Middle East are beginning to affect Europe
After yesterday’s spontaneous clean-up operation on the streets of Cairo, protestors gathered at Freedom Square today to maintain the revolution’s momentum. There have been minor developments, with the army and… Continue reading
15 CommentsRome smoulders
I’m visiting a stylish but tense Rome today, just as the Italian legislature has voted down a non-confidence vote in Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s mogul-cum-leader. "Rome is at war" my taxi… Continue reading
7 CommentsWhat now?
The BBC is reporting that the embattled Silvio Berlusconi has survived confidence votes in both of Italy’s Houses. The vote in the second House is understood to have been particularly… Continue reading
10 CommentsPhil Woolas, four investigations and a funeral wreath
It may take another week to discover if Phil Woolas has the right to challenge the election court ruling that destroyed his career. To the delight of his cadre of… Continue reading
15 CommentsThe vanity appointments
If this is what bespoke PR produces, save your money. The Standard alleges that Number 10 has hired 26 ‘civil servants’. These latter-day Sir Humphreys include: a photographer, a stylist,… Continue reading
22 CommentsCoulson loosens the noose
The New York Times has produced what last year’s Guardian phone-hacking campaign lacked: direct testimony against Andy Coulson. Sean Hoare and an unnamed former News of the Screws editor allege… Continue reading
15 CommentsCricket’s dilemma
That the three Pakistani cricketers involved in the spot-fixing allegations have withdrawn from the rest of the tour means that the T20s and one day games will now definitely go… Continue reading
30 CommentsProgress in Afghanistan?
The Times (£) is reporting that ISAF has made a significant progress in pacifying the death circle around Sangin. The key, it seems, is driving a wedge between the tribal… Continue reading
6 CommentsPeople loathe politicians – but do they loathe the political media too?
One thing’s for certain: the Lib Dems are coming in for greater scrutiny and attention from the media. The covers of the Telegraph, Sun, Mail, Express and, yes, The Spectator… Continue reading
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