I’m nt sure if we’ve had this one before, but to be honest I’m in such a hurry today what with one thing and another, that I’ve not had time to sort out anything for the blog.
This week sees the British Medical Association trying to persuade its members to vote for strike action in protest at the government’s plans to change pension conditions.
Train drivers in Lincolnshire are expected to strike again tomorrow over plans to change their pension scheme.
Last week, the much heralded fuel tanker drivers’ strike was called off after an agreement was reached with employers. Also last week public sector workers all over the country took part in a 24-hour strike over pension plans.
Among those striking last week were UK Border Agency workers, also angry at plans to change their pensions.
At the same time as 35,000 police officers were marching in protest in London, prison officers held a half-day strike against the government’s pension reforms.
Teachers’ unions are considering similar strike action.
The police are not alone in having their wages and pensions attacked by a government who failed to prevent themselves falling into a hole they are now using our cash to claw themselves out of.
The difference between the police and everyone else is that they all have the right to take industrial action. All we get to do is spend our days off walking through London and not clap the Home Secretary while holding up signs.
There is a call to get rid of Section 5 of the Public Order Act… ”using insulting words or behaviour” in a public place…
Theresa May is being urged to reform a controversial law which bans ‘insulting words or behaviour’ amid mounting evidence that it is strangling free speech.
Campaigners say the Public Order Act is being abused by over-zealous police and prosecutors to arrest Christian street preachers, critics of Scientology, gay rights campaigners and even students making jokes.
Currently, Section 5 of the 1986 Act outlaws ‘insulting words or behaviour’, but what constitutes ‘insulting’ is unclear and has resulted in a string of controversial arrests.
Disgraced ex- police officer Ali Dizaei has been sacked from the Met for the second time.
It followed his second conviction for perverting the course of justice. He has been on full pay since his original sentence was quashed, but this stops from today. It would be interesting to know how much cash this man has been given whilst not doing a day’s work for the community that has been paying him.
Deborah Glass, the IPCC chairman, said: “Ali Dizaei’s dismissal from the Metropolitan Police Service was the right and inevitable outcome following his conviction, a second time, for serious criminal offences. There is no place in the police for corrupt officers and they have no business wielding the powers of a police officer in our communities.”
Interestingly, she also said: “Many will wonder how Mr Dizaei was able to rise to the very senior rank of commander. The Metropolitan Police Service needs to ensure that never again is its reputation so badly damaged by the acts of one of its most senior officers.”
I think we can take a fair guess at why such a man rose to the highest ranks, despite a very checkered history, and it has little to do with his skills. It is borne from a system which recognises quotas above ability.
The Home Secretary will decide on whether Dizaei receives a police pension.
“your cell is over here, ma’am’
A police officer in the Met has been found dead at North Wooliwch Police Station this afternoon, it is believed he suffered gunshot wounds.
The officer was a PC with the Aviation Security Command at London City Airport. Police are not seeking anyone in connection with the death.
News appears to be a bit sparse at the moment.