This from NO2ID.
This week’s Big Issue in Scotland carries this article (not online):
Glasgow councillors armed with bolt cutters joined a protest against ID cards at the weekend.
The
demonstration, organised by No2ID, was held outside Glasgow’s new
interview centre on West Regent Street, where first-time passport
applicants will now have to attend compulsory meetings to gather data.
The
four councillors posed in front of the cameras before freeing two girls
in chains. They said it symbolised their determination to liberate
their constituents from the enslavement of ID cards.
SNP
councillor Allison Hunter said: “I am vehemently opposed to identity
cards. They are just a complete waste of money when we need so much for
frontline services.”
“Introducing ID cards is crazy in our
liberal society,” added Conservative councillor David Meikle. “I think
that is a dangerous road to go down, to a sort of big brother state.”
Two other councillors, Liberal Democrat Kenneth Elder and the Green Party’s Kieran Wild also joined the event.
No2ID’s
Scotland coordinator Geraint Bevan said the presence of the councillors
demonstrated how opposition to ID cards cut across party lines. He
added: “People from all political affiliations – and none – are united
in opposition to this attack on our civil liberties.”
The Big Issue is also running an on-line poll: The Big Ask: Would ID cards for all help prevent terrorism? currently running at 100pct NO.
A man has been arrested after defying the ban on smoking on public places.
Martin Whisker is thought to be one of the first people in England to be punished under new laws.
The 42-year-old was smoking while he drank in a bar in Scarborough.
Police were called to the pub when Mr Whisker refused to stub out his cigarette.
He was escorted out and given an £80 fine for being drunk and disorderly. (source)
It is interesting to note that the Police were involved. It is my understanding that the Police are specifically excluded from enforcing environmental laws, and may only be called in on other pretexts, which is probably why he was given a fine for being drunk and disorderly.
It is also my understanding that the Smoking Gestapo do not have statutory legal powers to ask for your name and address, only those with the power of a police constable can do that.
I am open to correction, but that is my understanding of the law as written.
Update:
A police spokesman said Mr Whisker had not been arrested for smoking.
Staff
at the Riskers bar called police after he refused to leave, an argument
having ensued over his refusal to put out a cigarette.
Officers went to the bar to eject him but, having done so, he tried to get back in.
The
spokesman said: “He was then arrested for being drunk and disorderly
and was not arrested for anything to do with smoking. Police have no
powers of arrest for breaches of the smoking rules.”
Mr Whisker was fined £80 and spent the night in police cells. The new legislation is enforced by councils, not police.
