The mothers of two young soldiers killed in Iraq today lost their legal attempt in the House of Lords to force the Government to hold a public inquiry into Britain's involvement in the conflict. In a rare unanimous ruling Britain's highest court held that the families did not have a legal right under the European Convention on Human Rights to require the Government to hold an independent public inquiry into the invasion into Iraq.
The new teenage recreation area in Alexandra Recreation Ground was declared "open" on 10th April and the Mayor presented with a cheque for £65,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.
The most recent edition of the Folkestone People's History Centre Newsletter is now available. The newsletter has an update on the ongoing discussions on the conversion of the Town Museum to a "History Resource Centre", the progress on the Heritage Lottery Fund bid for 'Folkestone: A Town Unearthed', and articles on the Porter Album, Folkestone Harbour Station and forthcoming events.
The abolition of the 10p income tax starter rate was announced in Gordon Brown's last budget, in March 2007, but only came into effect at the start of the 2008/9 tax year on 6th April. Labour MPs have known about this measure for a year. Most of them, including those who have recently raised concerns about the impact, voted for the budget resolution on 18th March 2008 that specifically abolished the 10p rate.
The High Court today ruled that the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) was wrong to drop an investigation into alleged bribery in a massive arms deal between BAE Systems and Saudi Arabia. The decision represents a stunning victory for Campaign Against Arms Trade and Corner House Research, which campaigns against corruption in international trade, as well as a major embarrassment for the Government.
Lib Dem New Romney Coast Councillor Val Loseby has been pushing for Shepway Council action over the increasing number of large and intrusive lights being erected at Lydd Airport (LAA). After months of correspondence, the Planning Department has now written to the airport - asking them to confirm if the airport believe they need planning permission for the lights!