The Times, 8th July 2023. With devolution, everything has the potential to become a constitutional row. The basic principles of the Scotland Act are simple but in some areas the line between devolved and reserved matters becomes decidedly blurred. Sometimes MSPs criticise the Scottish government for pushing the boundaries of devolution. Sometimes the same politicians … Continue reading Grey areas →

Herald on Sunday, Sunday National, 2nd July 2023. Last week in Parliament House, the Lord Advocate proposed that seven judges should do something dramatic: Dorothy Bain KC wants them to change the law. She's invited the Appeal Court to overrule a decision made by five judges 25 years ago, and which has been applied ever … Continue reading Smith v Lees →

The Times, 30th June 2023. In 1997, five judges handed down their judgment in Smith v Lees (Andrew Tickell writes). The context was a camping trip. Two adults accompanied a group of children. One of the adults entered a tent and, said the Crown, sexually assaulted a girl inside. A second adult saw the girl emerging from … Continue reading Can tears be proof of attack? →

Herald on Sunday, Sunday National, 25th June 2023. On August 4, 1981, Nelson Mandela was given the Freedom of the City of Glasgow. At the time, the future president of South Africa was still under lock and key, 17 years into the 27-year term he would serve in Robben Island after being jailed for life … Continue reading Boycott Mandela →

Sunday National, Herald on Sunday, 18th June 2023. Channel 4 recently launched a new documentary series called “Higher Ground.” In what could easily be a spin-off report from Chris Morris’s Brass Eye universe, Higher Ground “sees two people with opposing views come together to discuss their beliefs whilst going through a transformative psychedelic experience on … Continue reading Retreating to the Higher Ground →

Herald on Sunday, Sunday National, 11th June 2023. Is Boris Johnson an aberration? A great deal of ink is going to be expended this weekend, arguing that the dramatic end of the former Prime Minister’s parliamentary career on Friday is best explained by the ex-PM’s reprobate personality and the corrupting force it exercised on his … Continue reading Ordinary corruption →

Herald on Sunday, Sunday National, 28th May 2023. "The ultra-woke civil service and renegade Tories still loyal to the EU are working to destroy an elected government – aided and abetted by the unions and left-wing media." Your starter for 10: is this statement ­taken from (a) a Spectator columnist’s ­contribution to the National ­Conservatism … Continue reading It’s a hard life being cancelled →

Sunday National, Herald on Sunday, 30th April. “And yes, we can just see the bucket of servitude there – a gift from Prince Albert to Queen Victoria, of course – being held aloft by the Senior Serjeant of the Thong – a tradition said to date back to the early 19th century after Pitt the … Continue reading Our Gormenghast →

Sunday National, Herald on Sunday, 23rd April 2022. This week, the BBC has started re-running Ripping Yarns. First broadcast in 1976, the series was devised by Michael Palin and Terry Jones in the wake of their Monty Python fame. The show parodies the cherished Edwardian and Victorian clichés of Boys’ Own magazines and novels. I … Continue reading School Bully →

Herald on Sunday, Sunday National, 9th April 2023. "The adults are back in charge,"”" they said. The prospect of a Sunak vs Starmer set-to was met with breathless enthusiasm by centrist dads everywhere. The sensible centre of British politics would finally be tended and competence, integrity and decency would be restored to high office. How’s … Continue reading Crime week →