We all know that Labour likes to waste taxpayers’ money, but we also know they like to breach the rules (you know, like ones relating to party funding). Imagine then the joy that must have gripped Brown and his increasingly beleaguered cronies upon realising that the Downing Street website afforded them, with the assistance of some compliant civil servant(s), the opportunity to do both.   more »

When Ripa was passed in 2000, only nine organisations, such as the police and security services, were allowed to use it, but that number has risen to 792, including 474 councils. In 2006, more than 1,000 applications per day were being made to use Ripa powers. The Act allows councils to authorise surveillance, obtain phone records and details of email traffic from personal computers (though not their contents) and obtain details of websites individuals are logging on to. It is logical to assume that in 2008, there are a lot more abuses of this disgusting law.   more »