Surely Mr Gove and Mr Cameron should be able to put some legislation through quickly making it quite clear that outside the military's disciplinary process, individual soldiers are not fair game for ambulance-chasing scumbag lawyers in British courts.
If they want to sue the UK then they should sue the SoS for Defence, or sue the UK in International courts, with no British legal aid.
Is it correct that certain lawyers have retained Iraqi civilians to actually solicit complaints from former Iraqi combatants about British soldiers?
That's my understanding. They're basically like PPI and the old personal injury lawyers in the UK - going door-to-door in Iraq getting people to sign up for no cost. They're then bringing complaints on behalf of the Iraqi against the named British soldiers in British courts, all using British legal aid. Scumbags the lot of them.
If there was a genuine grievance there's numerous ways it could be addressed, but Leigh Day and their friends are just making up work for themselves paid from the taxpayer, whilst trying to drag individual soldiers through the mud. Totally unacceptable and needs shutting down.
What's the most amazing thing about this story is that the journo (LauraK) that has caused this issue was only a few weeks ago being tapped up by Milne for advice on working the media more effectively. So clearly in the recent past, she was see as very least somebody who they trusted enough to ask advice from.
I suspect he was not only asking her advice but flattering her, recognising her key position.
On GE night, LauraK made my teeth grate with her pro-Tory comments. I think she is very competent, bright, good contacts etc but not very competent in hiding her bias.
On the scale "how much do you trust the following to tell the (unbiased) truth", I would give very few more than 50% as everyone has an agenda, whether they realise it ot not. That includes me of course,
I would give Andrew Neil 60% and LauraK 30%. BBC News journalists in general 50%. Politicians 0%. Spin is their key skill.
A breaking of the covenant. Cameron needs to quickly introduce a solution.
British Army atrocities to go unpunished! What would we have said if the Nazis had behaved like that? I suppose it is a case of 'If they committed murder in our name we must do our very best to cover up for them'.
If they want to sue Britain let them sue Britain and have the Government's lawyers deal with it. Certainly with no legal aid.
Individual soldiers are not fair game for such vexatious and spurious litigation, that's not what they signed up for and the government needs to very quickly sort it out.
From a party political point of view, this will see Conservative members posting their membership cards back in their thousands if they don't get it sorted.
The logic there rather implies that the numerous crimes committed by the SS in World War 2 should have been addressed by suing the German Government - rather than bringing the individual murderers to trial. I suppose it is a view - but it is not how we proceeded post 1945.
The British Army is not remotely equivalent to the SS.
That is not the point at all! Due legal process should be the same.
Although I see what you mean, to be pedantic about it, the trials of SS and similar were not undertaken under the same due process (although no doubt it was similar in many legal respects). It was a military court that undertook trials at Nuremberg (see for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einsatzgruppen_trial)
Surely Mr Gove and Mr Cameron should be able to put some legislation through quickly making it quite clear that outside the military's disciplinary process, individual soldiers are not fair game for ambulance-chasing scumbag lawyers in British courts.
If they want to sue the UK then they should sue the SoS for Defence, or sue the UK in International courts, with no British legal aid.
Is it correct that certain lawyers have retained Iraqi civilians to actually solicit complaints from former Iraqi combatants about British soldiers?
That's my understanding. They're basically like PPI and the old personal injury lawyers in the UK - going door-to-door in Iraq getting people to sign up for no cost. They're then bringing complaints on behalf of the Iraqi against the named British soldiers in British courts, all using British legal aid. Scumbags the lot of them.
Perish the thought that some of these lawyers might be the ones who have recently been funding the new Shadow Defence Secretary...
A breaking of the covenant. Cameron needs to quickly introduce a solution.
British Army atrocities to go unpunished! What would we have said if the Nazis had behaved like that? I suppose it is a case of 'If they committed murder in our name we must do our very best to cover up for them'.
Which atrocities are you talking about, specifically?
"Boris Johnson has said the UK has a "great, great future" outside the EU if it doesn't secure the reform it needs."
That sounds very much to me as if Boris is edging towards a Leave position
Ever the opportunist he may well do, if he backs Leave and the UK votes Leave he then becomes odds-on to succeed Cameron. If the UK votes Remain though the Cameroons and Osborne would then consign him to outer darkness
@JournoStephen: Struck by the number of Labour friends who say they'll vote Tory for the first time if Labour abandons Trident. https://t.co/kuYlMjCKef
They believe that it is important to draw a line now, in order to lay a marker for the BBC’s coverage over the Labour party over the coming years. The argument over the Doughty affair may have a way yet to run.
What's the most amazing thing about this story is that the journo (LauraK) that has caused this issue was only a few weeks ago being tapped up by Milne for advice on working the media more effectively. So clearly in the recent past, she was see as very least somebody who they trusted enough to ask advice from.
I suspect he was not only asking her advice but flattering her, recognising her key position.
On GE night, LauraK made my teeth grate with her pro-Tory comments. I think she is very competent, bright, good contacts etc but not very competent in hiding her bias.
On the scale "how much do you trust the following to tell the (unbiased) truth", I would give very few more than 50% as everyone has an agenda, whether they realise it ot not. That includes me of course,
I would give Andrew Neil 60% and LauraK 30%. BBC News journalists in general 50%. Politicians 0%. Spin is their key skill.
I would agree with the vast majority of that. Andrew Neil is the best by a country mile, gives everyone a difficult interview , with well researched facts. That is why you never see Cameron , Osborne and I do not remember Milliband going any where near him. I would give him 80 % Laurak 25% as it it is usually an after thought near the end of her piece to camera to offer any balance. ITV was her level of politics. Nick Robinson was centre right but had more even handedness. Andrew Marr was centre left, but with no cutting edge.
They believe that it is important to draw a line now, in order to lay a marker for the BBC’s coverage over the Labour party over the coming years. The argument over the Doughty affair may have a way yet to run.
They believe that it is important to draw a line now, in order to lay a marker for the BBC’s coverage over the Labour party over the coming years. The argument over the Doughty affair may have a way yet to run.
Surely the next guy who resigns is going to properly do it live on TV without a word to anyone..? Except this time it will be the lead story on the Ten, not on the DP with no-one watching.
US authorities are this weekend weighing the merits of several petitions seeking the exoneration of Steven Avery, the central character of the hit Netflix documentary series Making a Murderer, after an overwhelming response from viewers who believe he was framed.
Since Netflix released the 10-part series in mid-December, more than 275,000 viewers have signed a petition asking President Obama to overturn Avery’s conviction for the murder of a young photographer called Teresa Halbach in October 2005.
US authorities are this weekend weighing the merits of several petitions seeking the exoneration of Steven Avery, the central character of the hit Netflix documentary series Making a Murderer, after an overwhelming response from viewers who believe he was framed.
Since Netflix released the 10-part series in mid-December, more than 275,000 viewers have signed a petition asking President Obama to overturn Avery’s conviction for the murder of a young photographer called Teresa Halbach in October 2005.
I have only seen the two episodes (so try to keep the spoilers to a min), but I believe his relative, who has learning difficulties, is also banged up for this crime. There doesn't seem to be the same level of protest against his conviction.
I generally feel very uncomfortable about this stuff. I listened to "Serial" and IMO not sure there is the level of doubt in the conviction or process people initially made out i.e. 100% miscarriage of justice. Having listened to the "evidence" presented, the story was certainly muckier and I don't think I can post my conclusions.
They believe that it is important to draw a line now, in order to lay a marker for the BBC’s coverage over the Labour party over the coming years. The argument over the Doughty affair may have a way yet to run.
Surely the next guy who resigns is going to properly do it live on TV without a word to anyone..? Except this time it will be the lead story on the Ten, not on the DP with no-one watching.
Has anyone ever 'crossed the floor' during a sitting in parliament? Doing so during PMQ's would certainly make a statement. Stand up, make your way down, cross the DMZ, and sit in a seat kept empty for you.
Although I daresay there a whole load of conventions against it, and the Speaker will not like it. But it would certainly make an impact.
They believe that it is important to draw a line now, in order to lay a marker for the BBC’s coverage over the Labour party over the coming years. The argument over the Doughty affair may have a way yet to run.
Surely the next guy who resigns is going to properly do it live on TV without a word to anyone..? Except this time it will be the lead story on the Ten, not on the DP with no-one watching.
Has anyone ever 'crossed the floor' during a sitting in parliament? Doing so during PMQ's would certainly make a statement. Stand up, make your way down, cross the DMZ, and sit in a seat kept empty for you.
Although I daresay there a whole load of conventions against it, and the Speaker will not like it. But it would certainly make an impact.
Keep an eye on Libya, plans for Western intervention is extremely well advanced.
Its not surprising, IS has moved some significant individuals there and have been encouraging foreign fighters to go there. It hasn't, however, got the kind of position that they do in Iraq & Syria. Their zone of control is, geographically, fairly well boxed. The logic is to go in earlier but that requires politicians willing too push the button. Pretty much everything militarily is ready to start.
The logic is to go in earlier but that requires politicians willing too push the button.
Last time Obama took forever and only after lots of pressure from Clinton. I guess at least it isn't golf season, otherwise definitely not get anything done.
I understand from my German politician friend that legislation will be rushed through next week to enable the deportation of asylum seekers accused of (rather than convicted of) crimes.
which atrocities are you talking about, specifically?
If there is a petition to stop British soldiers being dragged through courts by trotskyite fifth columnists I would sign it. If there's a fund I would contribute to it. If there's a march I would go in it. And if there's a political party that would stop this, instead of wringing their hands about it, I would vote for it,
@JournoStephen: Struck by the number of Labour friends who say they'll vote Tory for the first time if Labour abandons Trident. https://t.co/kuYlMjCKef
Ha Ha Ha, struggle to fill a taxi between them, maybe mean 2 list seats
They believe that it is important to draw a line now, in order to lay a marker for the BBC’s coverage over the Labour party over the coming years. The argument over the Doughty affair may have a way yet to run.
Surely the next guy who resigns is going to properly do it live on TV without a word to anyone..? Except this time it will be the lead story on the Ten, not on the DP with no-one watching.
Has anyone ever 'crossed the floor' during a sitting in parliament? Doing so during PMQ's would certainly make a statement. Stand up, make your way down, cross the DMZ, and sit in a seat kept empty for you.
Although I daresay there a whole load of conventions against it, and the Speaker will not like it. But it would certainly make an impact.
If it were Simon Danszuk then there'd be a rush of people moving in the other direction...
They believe that it is important to draw a line now, in order to lay a marker for the BBC’s coverage over the Labour party over the coming years. The argument over the Doughty affair may have a way yet to run.
Surely the next guy who resigns is going to properly do it live on TV without a word to anyone..? Except this time it will be the lead story on the Ten, not on the DP with no-one watching.
Has anyone ever 'crossed the floor' during a sitting in parliament? Doing so during PMQ's would certainly make a statement. Stand up, make your way down, cross the DMZ, and sit in a seat kept empty for you.
Although I daresay there a whole load of conventions against it, and the Speaker will not like it. But it would certainly make an impact.
Happened in the third season of House of Cards
You mean 'The Final cut' or the US version? I can't remember it in TFC, but it's been a decade since I've watched it ...
Not that I'm expecting a Labour MP to move to the Conservatives. But it would be good theatre.
I understand from my German politician friend that legislation will be rushed through next week to enable the deportation of asylum seekers accused of (rather than convicted of) crimes.
If true, that sounds very iffy, can imagine it will get challenged.
They believe that it is important to draw a line now, in order to lay a marker for the BBC’s coverage over the Labour party over the coming years. The argument over the Doughty affair may have a way yet to run.
Surely the next guy who resigns is going to properly do it live on TV without a word to anyone..? Except this time it will be the lead story on the Ten, not on the DP with no-one watching.
Has anyone ever 'crossed the floor' during a sitting in parliament? Doing so during PMQ's would certainly make a statement. Stand up, make your way down, cross the DMZ, and sit in a seat kept empty for you.
Although I daresay there a whole load of conventions against it, and the Speaker will not like it. But it would certainly make an impact.
Happened in the third season of House of Cards
You mean 'The Final cut' or the US version? I can't remember it in TFC, but it's been a decade since I've watched it ...
Not that I'm expecting a Labour MP to move to the Conservatives. But it would be good theatre.
I understand from my German politician friend that legislation will be rushed through next week to enable the deportation of asylum seekers accused of (rather than convicted of) crimes.
This will be interesting to watch. Must be completely illegal under EU law and various ECHR judgements but there will be riots in Europe if they can't start deporting undesirable asylum seekers.
It will be an interesting exercise in just how flexible EU law can be when there's enough pressure behind ignoring it in order to sort out domestic issues. Mr Cameron will be following closely no doubt.
I understand from my German politician friend that legislation will be rushed through next week to enable the deportation of asylum seekers accused of (rather than convicted of) crimes.
If true, that sounds very iffy, can imagine it will get challenged.
Up until the point where they get permanent leave to remain, they are surely there as guests of the government
I understand from my German politician friend that legislation will be rushed through next week to enable the deportation of asylum seekers accused of (rather than convicted of) crimes.
If true, that sounds very iffy, can imagine it will get challenged.
So they can stick two fingers up and say tough, who will say boo to them
I understand from my German politician friend that legislation will be rushed through next week to enable the deportation of asylum seekers accused of (rather than convicted of) crimes.
Where does the ECHR stand on this and why is it our courts make deportation so difficult. Bearing in mind the swift justice handed out to our London rioters a few years ago, why is the law only going to state accusation? Those riots BTW displayed a certain callous disregard of their own for fellow humanity IIRC.
I understand from my German politician friend that legislation will be rushed through next week to enable the deportation of asylum seekers accused of (rather than convicted of) crimes.
Keep an eye on Libya, plans for Western intervention is extremely well advanced.
Its not surprising, IS has moved some significant individuals there and have been encouraging foreign fighters to go there. It hasn't, however, got the kind of position that they do in Iraq & Syria. Their zone of control is, geographically, fairly well boxed. The logic is to go in earlier but that requires politicians willing too push the button. Pretty much everything militarily is ready to start.
As long as Britain takes eastern Libya (where all the oil is) and keeps it for a couple of decades, I'm fine.
Scot P and Helena Horton By Helena Horton of the Telegraph
How deeply disapointing it must be to Scot P (who always strikes me as something of a composite figure of the Tory PR department!) and the truly dreadful Helena of the Torygraph that posters on this site, and indeed just about every normal person, prefers a First Minister who wears her own clothes rather than a Prime Minister who buys cheap wellies for photo shoots!
I understand from my German politician friend that legislation will be rushed through next week to enable the deportation of asylum seekers accused of (rather than convicted of) crimes.
Where does the ECHR stand on this and why is it our courts make deportation so difficult. Bearing in mind the swift justice handed out to our London rioters a few years ago, why is the law only going to state accusation? Those riots BTW displayed a certain callous disregard of their own for fellow humanity IIRC.
Don't be naive, no one takes the least notice of the ECHR except us.
A while ago, several f you asked for the Good Lady Wifi's recipe for her legendary Poacher's Pie. Well, after about three months of reminding....
Poachers Pie (serves 6)
Ingredients for the filling:
0.8kg of venison 0.8kg of duck breast (skin off) (Get the butcher to mince this together for you.)
I large bulb of fennel I small chilli 2 cloves of garlic a large handful of fresh, chopped rosemary salt and pepper 2 medium red onions, chopped fine 2 large glasses of red wine 600 ml of chicken stock a generous dash of Worcester sauce a desert spoon of maple syrup a table spoon of tomato puree a tin of chopped tomatoes olive oil 3 crushed juniper berries
for the mash:
2/3 packs of deluxe mashed potato (or you can be a slave to the kitchen and make you own) a couple of handfuls of grated Parmesan 2 teaspoons of whole-grain mustard
To make the pie:
- Take the woody part out of the fennel and finely chop the remaining white flesh
- Put the fennel, onion, crushed garlic, finely chopped chilli (leave out the seeds if you don't want it hot), juniper berries and rosemary into a casserole dish. Gently sweat the onions in olive oil on the hob until opaque (about 5 mins)
- in a separate frying pan, add a little olive oil and brown the meat on a very high heat to sear it. When the meat is brown, add to the casserole dish that has the onion and fennel. Turn up the heat on the casserole and add the red wine and the tomato puree. Let it bubble for 3-4 minutes then add the chopped tomatoes, chicken stock, the maple syrup and the generous dash of Worcester sauce. Add salt and pepper. Bring back to a simmer for a minute, put a lid on the casserole dish and place into a slow oven (140 degrees C) for four hours. Give it a stir every hour or so. Make sure it doesn't dry out - it should still have quite a bit of liquid at the end of the four hours.
- for the mash, bring the mash to room temperature at least an hour before this stage, then put into food mixer and beat the packs of mash together with the Parmesan and the mustard (can do it by hand if needs be).
- take the casserole from the oven and use a slotted spoon to spoon the mixture into a large shallow baking dish. Important not to have the mixture TOO wet, but spoon a couple of table spoons of the juices over the mince. You can reheat and reduce down these juices nearer to serving to intensify the flavour.
THIS IS IMPORTANT: let the meat mixture cool completely before spooning the mash on top, or the mash will sink. Fluff up the mash with a fork to make ridges, sprinkle with more grated Parmesan if you like - and a generous dash of salt and pepper.
Place in the oven at 180 degrees C for 30-40 minutes until the mash is brown on top. Serve with the remainder of the gravy reheated and reduced down.*
(*This meat mixture is also wonderful as a chilli - add beans in the last 30 minutes and serve with rice or potato wedges...)
Scot P and Helena Horton By Helena Horton of the Telegraph
How deeply disapointing it must be to Scot P (who always strikes me as something of a composite figure of the Tory PR department!) and the truly dreadful Helena of the Torygraph that posters on this site, and indeed just about every normal person, prefers a First Minister who wears her own clothes rather than a Prime Minister who buys cheap wellies for photo shoots!
I think you are sad for worrying about the PMs wellies in the first place. Does the PM keep a pair of wellies at Nr 10?
What's the most amazing thing about this story is that the journo (LauraK) that has caused this issue was only a few weeks ago being tapped up by Milne for advice on working the media more effectively. So clearly in the recent past, she was see as very least somebody who they trusted enough to ask advice from.
I suspect he was not only asking her advice but flattering her, recognising her key position.
On GE night, LauraK made my teeth grate with her pro-Tory comments. I think she is very competent, bright, good contacts etc but not very competent in hiding her bias.
On the scale "how much do you trust the following to tell the (unbiased) truth", I would give very few more than 50% as everyone has an agenda, whether they realise it ot not. That includes me of course,
I would give Andrew Neil 60% and LauraK 30%. BBC News journalists in general 50%. Politicians 0%. Spin is their key skill.
I would agree with the vast majority of that. Andrew Neil is the best by a country mile, gives everyone a difficult interview , with well researched facts. That is why you never see Cameron , Osborne and I do not remember Milliband going any where near him. I would give him 80 % Laurak 25% as it it is usually an after thought near the end of her piece to camera to offer any balance. ITV was her level of politics. Nick Robinson was centre right but had more even handedness. Andrew Marr was centre left, but with no cutting edge.
Andrew "Can we still win?" Marr ...... Centre left? I hardly think so.
Talking of wellies, many years ago a group of journalists trooped to the DoE while thick snow was on the ground to interview Michael Hesletine, when he was SoS. He noticed that one of the journos was wearing Hunter wellies and said something on the lines of "I've got a pair of those at my country home. How clever of you to keep a pair in town as well."
Ali L Gosh, if only they'd been proactive on New Years Eve this wouldn't have been necessary. Who'd have thunk it? https://t.co/09taK3okIi
Reuters: Police in #Cologne have fired water canon to disperse protesters from the right-wing #PEGIDA movement following NYE sex attacks
A Cloaked Figure Any Cologne attack victims on the Pegida march being water cannoned? That would be quite a double whammy in one week
But foxinsox was very clear that using water cannon on NYE might have led to fatalities. Doh! The world is turning topsy-turvy!
Using water cannon on a demonstration where riot deployment has taken place in anticipation and the marchers are in a discrete group is very different to watercannoning a crowd where the victims are intermingled with the offenders and many innocent revellers are present and often inebriated.
Are you seriously suggesting that watercannons would have been helpful on NYE at Cologne?
I don't see how being a socialist means you can't have nice things.
Sturgeon is clearly not a socialist. She joined a nationalist party in the 1980s and nothing that the SNP has done since being in power indicates it is anything other than firmly in the political centre, with a penchant for nice middle class subsidies. She is wearing that gear because she is paid more than the PM and can afford it. More to the point, does anyone seriously believe that Dave's welly of choice is a pair of £12ers from Millets?
The Tories have done pretty well out of constant whinging about the beeb. Repitition has its impact, and shifting perceptions on BBC reporting is a big prize.
Of course its hard for Labour to match the Conservative cacophony since they don't have the influence over the rest of the media - the Corbynistas don't even have the Grauniad on their side.
I don't see how being a socialist means you can't have nice things.
nothing that the SNP has done since being in power indicates it is anything other than firmly in the political centre, with a penchant for nice middle class subsidies.
Just the sort of Labour party you want to get back to.
Bild newspaper has published allegations that police forces around the country are under orders not to report crimes involving refugees to the press.
But Bild quoted a senior police officer in Frankfurt as saying it was standard policy to keep offences by asylum-seekers from the media.
“There are strict orders from the chiefs not to report offences by refugees,” the unnamed officer said. “We are only allowed to answer if journalists ask specifically about such incidents.”
The Frankfurt authorities said police spokesmen had been told to be careful when speaking about asylum-seekers.
“Press spokesmen were warned the far-Right could exploit cases involving refugees to stoke sentiment against those seeking protection,”
There are also reports that the equivalent on Crime Watch (on ZDF I believe) dropped a case of a serious sex crime, whom the police believe was committed by an migrant. Now it is Bild, which is not exactly known as the Times of Germany, but still....the stink of a cover up just makes things worse.
I don't see how being a socialist means you can't have nice things.
Sturgeon is clearly not a socialist. She joined a nationalist party in the 1980s and nothing that the SNP has done since being in power indicates it is anything other than firmly in the political centre, with a penchant for nice middle class subsidies. She is wearing that gear because she is paid more than the PM and can afford it. More to the point, does anyone seriously believe that Dave's welly of choice is a pair of £12ers from Millets?
FPT and in response to @ Blackburn63 who said this:-
"where have you seen that initial reaction? Everybody I've spoken to has said the polar opposite. Should this happen here I dread to think of the consequences.
I was referring to the response of the Cologne mayor and the local police which seemed to be placing the burden on women.
Talking of wellies, many years ago a group of journalists trooped to the DoE while thick snow was on the ground to interview Michael Hesletine, when he was SoS. He noticed that one of the journos was wearing Hunter wellies and said something on the lines of "I've got a pair of those at my country home. How clever of you to keep a pair in town as well."
It may be worth other perennial BBC bashers reflecting on just how ridiculous Team Corbyn is making itself look over this.
Oh I have SO< I really have, but this is a different order of magnitude, It is absolutely impossible for the BBC to not report the Labour shower as it is, Everyone knows it is terrible.... but as I say I will continue to reflect.
The Tories have done pretty well out of constant whinging about the beeb. Repitition has its impact, and shifting perceptions on BBC reporting is a big prize.
Of course its hard for Labour to match the Conservative cacophony since they don't have the influence over the rest of the media - the Corbynistas don't even have the Grauniad on their side.
That's because the Corbyn media operation is appallingly bad, as I said just now, its frightful./
The Tories have done pretty well out of constant whinging about the beeb. Repitition has its impact, and shifting perceptions on BBC reporting is a big prize.
Of course its hard for Labour to match the Conservative cacophony since they don't have the influence over the rest of the media - the Corbynistas don't even have the Grauniad on their side.
If only Seumas Milne had any influence or contacts at The Guardian
Summary: an estimated 1700 Pegida demonstrators, including 800 so-called "hooligans" (these are like the football fans who used to look for punch-ups: they've attached themselves to the Pegida events) were separated by 2000 police from 1300 counter-demonstrators. The Pegida crowd started throwing bottles and firecrackers at the police, who dispersed them with water-cannon. There were several minor police injuries and one journalist was also hurt.
Earlier, 1000 women took part in a flashmob protest against male violence in general.
This is, of course, just a translation - I've no idea whether it's accurate.
I don't see how being a socialist means you can't have nice things.
Agreed. The point is supposed to be for everyone to have nice things. There's something a bit pathetic about journalists scurrying along to a shop to get a price for whatever politicians happen to be wearing. And anyway you can't win - if you dress cheaply you get done for being Michael Foot. People should wear what they want and I don't think voters will hold it against them.
">I'm very uncomfortable with this. They sign up to protect us, get sent wherever and then threatened with prosecution.
AROUND 280 British soldiers could face charges over the deaths of 55 Iraqis.
Hundreds are said to have been handed letters and quizzed on their doorsteps about the possible abuse of insurgents.
The Iraq Historic Allegations Team (Ihat), heading the investigation, is reportedly probing 35 alleged killings and 36 claims of abuse.'
Another £31 million of taxpayers money to be pissed away on bogus claims?
'Torture claims against British soldiers a 'attempt to use legal ...
www.dailymail.co.uk/.../Allegations-murder-torture-against-British-soldi... 17 Dec 2014 - Michael Fallon slammed the law firms working on behalf of the Iraqi detainees ... The inquiry was set up to examine allegations of war crimes after a .... But 'all the most serious allegations made against British soldiers' were ...
'Carnage' warning I'm told she made clear she would resign if the leader fired her team, and that if Hilary Benn were fired, a significant number of the shadow cabinet would walk in protest. One senior figure told me on Monday night: "The shadow cabinet is almost unified in opposing moving Benn. There will have to be a climbdown or there will be carnage." Those who might have considered their positions include Andy Burnham, Lucy Powell, Angela and Maria Eagle, and Vernon Coaker. One source claimed as many as 15 junior ministers would go too.
I don't see how being a socialist means you can't have nice things.
Agreed. The point is supposed to be for everyone to have nice things. There's something a bit pathetic about journalists scurrying along to a shop to get a price for whatever politicians happen to be wearing. And anyway you can't win - if you dress cheaply you get done for being Michael Foot. People should wear what they want and I don't think voters will hold it against them.
Although in practice everyone ends up with a Trabant
Over in Catalonia Artur Mas has stood down as the candidate for the presidency of the Generalitat (Catalan parliament) of the pro-independence Junts pel Si coalition. He is being replaced by the current mayor of Girona. As a result, two CUP MPs have joined Junts, which means it will probably get the parliamentary votes it needs to form a government. That, in turn, means it will begin to implement its roadmap for a declaration of independence. There is no sign yet of any agreement that will lead to the formation of a new Spanish government. This is going to run and run.
I don't see how being a socialist means you can't have nice things.
Agreed. The point is supposed to be for everyone to have nice things. There's something a bit pathetic about journalists scurrying along to a shop to get a price for whatever politicians happen to be wearing. And anyway you can't win - if you dress cheaply you get done for being Michael Foot. People should wear what they want and I don't think voters will hold it against them.
The irony was that the coat Foot was wearing was brand new and quite expensive. The trouble was that it looked like a cheap duffle coat.
If you want to be a socialist and have nice things, perhaps its best not to be a hypocrite and slag off Tories who have nice things.. Its double standards from the left. Its called champagne socialism.
A while ago, several f you asked for the Good Lady Wifi's recipe for her legendary Poacher's Pie. Well, after about three months of reminding....
Poachers Pie (serves 6)
Ingredients for the filling: (snip)
That sounds wonderful. It's times like this I wish Mrs J was not a vegetarian.
(As an aside, I've just finished cooking a pasta bake. Which although nice has one problem: IT HAS NO MEAT!)
I'm going to attempt making my own pork pies soon. I've been wanting to make them for some years, but I'm a bit nervous about it.
I acquired a Birds pork pie via a Derbyshire based colleague for Boxing day. It was pretty good, though I did not do a side by side test vs a Melton Mowbray pie. Fairly evenly matched though methinks.
Over in Catalonia Artur Mas has stood down as the candidate for the presidency of the Generalitat (Catalan parliament) of the pro-independence Junts pel Si coalition. He is being replaced by the current mayor of Girona. As a result, two CUP MPs have joined Junts, which means it will probably get the parliamentary votes it needs to form a government. That, in turn, means it will begin to implement its roadmap for a declaration of independence. There is no sign yet of any agreement that will lead to the formation of a new Spanish government. This is going to run and run.
I don't see how being a socialist means you can't have nice things.
Agreed. The point is supposed to be for everyone to have nice things. There's something a bit pathetic about journalists scurrying along to a shop to get a price for whatever politicians happen to be wearing. And anyway you can't win - if you dress cheaply you get done for being Michael Foot. People should wear what they want and I don't think voters will hold it against them.
I remember some years ago that was Harriet Harman's justification for sending her son miles from his Dulwich home to St. Olave's Super selective grammar school in Bromley - she said she wanted 'all secondary schools to be like St. Olave's'. This was despite her party's policy being to abolish selective grammar schools. And simply to say also why would anybody with an ounce of judgement pay £130 for rubber wellies?
">I'm very uncomfortable with this. They sign up to protect us, get sent wherever and then threatened with prosecution.
AROUND 280 British soldiers could face charges over the deaths of 55 Iraqis.
Hundreds are said to have been handed letters and quizzed on their doorsteps about the possible abuse of insurgents.
The Iraq Historic Allegations Team (Ihat), heading the investigation, is reportedly probing 35 alleged killings and 36 claims of abuse.'
Another £31 million of taxpayers money to be pissed away on bogus claims?
'Torture claims against British soldiers a 'attempt to use legal ...
www.dailymail.co.uk/.../Allegations-murder-torture-against-British-soldi... 17 Dec 2014 - Michael Fallon slammed the law firms working on behalf of the Iraqi detainees ... The inquiry was set up to examine allegations of war crimes after a .... But 'all the most serious allegations made against British soldiers' were ...
The major problem with this process is that the lawyers representing the claimants bill at hundreds an hour no matter what the quality of the claim is, until it is stuck down in court.
Imagine the situation where I could sue anyone on this site. My lawyers would be all expenses paid (by the government), no matter the quality of the allegation. When it goes to court it all collapses, of course. Oh, and I can have my "expenses" in bringing the allegations paid by the lawyers. Anyone see a problem with that?
Trina Gulliver from Southam wins the women's world darts title for the tenth time.
Putting me to one side (!!), Southam has two claims to fame. She is one of them, the other is that the Archbishop of Canterbury began his ecclesiastical career at the parish church. I know some people who were married by him. I believe Ms Gulliver has an incribed bench in the park next to the house we had there before we moved to Leamington.
I don't see how being a socialist means you can't have nice things.
Agreed. The point is supposed to be for everyone to have nice things. There's something a bit pathetic about journalists scurrying along to a shop to get a price for whatever politicians happen to be wearing. And anyway you can't win - if you dress cheaply you get done for being Michael Foot. People should wear what they want and I don't think voters will hold it against them.
And simply to say also why would anybody with an ounce of judgement pay £130 for rubber wellies?
That, at least, is a potential point, although joined to it is even though I would question the judgement of someone paying that much for wellies, I wouldn't extend that as meaning they have poor judgement elsewhere, so it doesn't matter. Things like private schooling on the like are worth a lot more and tied up with issues of class and privilege, so can be made political, wellies can not.
I'm very uncomfortable with this. They sign up to protect us, get sent wherever and then threatened with prosecution.
>
A breaking of the covenant. Cameron needs to quickly introduce a solution.
British Army atrocities to go unpunished! What would we have said if the Nazis had behaved like that? I suppose it is a case of 'If they committed murder in our name we must do our very best to cover up for them'.
If they want to sue Britain let them sue Britain and have the Government's lawyers deal with it. Certainly with no legal aid.
Individual soldiers are not fair game for such vexatious and spurious litigation, that's not what they signed up for and the government needs to very quickly sort it out.
From a party political point of view, this will see Conservative members posting their membership cards back in their thousands if they don't get it sorted.
The logic there rather implies that the numerous crimes committed by the SS in World War 2 should have been addressed by suing the German Government - rather than bringing the individual murderers to trial. I suppose it is a view - but it is not how we proceeded post 1945.
Really..?
Britain has not just lost a World War, we are a functioning democracy happy to be sued by anyone in a number of international courts. Individual soldiers are the responsibility of the British government and are not fodder for scumbag lawyers like Leigh Day.
Oh, and whatever they may be accused of doing, it's really really REALLY not the same as what the SS were doing in WWII. Godwin wins the day.
However much you may wish to hide behind Godwin , it is a fact that many individual German - and Japanese - soldiers -both SS and non-SS were charged , tried, convicted - and sometimes executed for specific crimes they were judged to have committed.
And when the UK loses a war and our government is overthrown, then maybe our soldiers will be fair game for war crimes trials from our victors. Until that day, no chance.
Are you seriously saying that justice is dependant upon whether a country is successful in war? You are certainly implying something rather venal - that the normal rules do not apply to the victors - ie that countries may commit whatever atrocities they see fit as long as they make sure that they win. You clearly have a lot in common with the morality of Adolf Hitler!
'And when the UK loses a war and our government is overthrown, then maybe our soldiers will be fair game for war crimes trials from our victors. Until that day, no chance. '
Are you seriously saying that justice is dependant upon whether a country is successful in war? You are certainly implying something rather venal - that the normal rules do not apply to the victors - ie that countries may commit whatever atrocities they see fit as long as they make sure that they win. You clearly have a lot in common with the morality of Adolf Hitler!
I don't see how being a socialist means you can't have nice things.
Agreed. The point is supposed to be for everyone to have nice things. There's something a bit pathetic about journalists scurrying along to a shop to get a price for whatever politicians happen to be wearing. And anyway you can't win - if you dress cheaply you get done for being Michael Foot. People should wear what they want and I don't think voters will hold it against them.
I remember some years ago that was Harriet Harman's justification for sending her son miles from his Dulwich home to St. Olave's Super selective grammar school in Bromley - she said she wanted 'all secondary schools to be like St. Olave's'. This was despite her party's policy being to abolish selective grammar schools. And simply to say also why would anybody with an ounce of judgement pay £130 for rubber wellies?
Well they'll last longer than Cameron's haircut, probably.
A while ago, several f you asked for the Good Lady Wifi's recipe for her legendary Poacher's Pie. Well, after about three months of reminding....
Poachers Pie (serves 6)
Ingredients for the filling: (snip)
That sounds wonderful. It's times like this I wish Mrs J was not a vegetarian.
(As an aside, I've just finished cooking a pasta bake. Which although nice has one problem: IT HAS NO MEAT!)
I'm going to attempt making my own pork pies soon. I've been wanting to make them for some years, but I'm a bit nervous about it.
I acquired a Birds pork pie via a Derbyshire based colleague for Boxing day. It was pretty good, though I did not do a side by side test vs a Melton Mowbray pie. Fairly evenly matched though methinks.
Glad you enjoyed it! My fondness probably comes down to the fact I was fed them as a child, and therefore they are the pork pie. It's the combination of pink meat and the jelly. They're more moist than most MB pork pies IMO.
Oh, and apparently my dad built their (present?) factory in Derby ...
The scene: Windsor Castle Spring 2017 Lord Chamberlain: Mr Seumas Milne, Your Majesty. A knighthood for services to the Conservative Party. The Queen:Arise Sir Shameless. Have you come far? Sir Shameless: No. From Islington. Via Winchester and Stalingrad. The Queen:Remind me what you do. Sir Shameless: I am on leave from the Guardian.I wanted to be Peter Mandelson. But I just wasn't up to it.
They believe that it is important to draw a line now, in order to lay a marker for the BBC’s coverage over the Labour party over the coming years. The argument over the Doughty affair may have a way yet to run.
Surely the next guy who resigns is going to properly do it live on TV without a word to anyone..? Except this time it will be the lead story on the Ten, not on the DP with no-one watching.
Has anyone ever 'crossed the floor' during a sitting in parliament? Doing so during PMQ's would certainly make a statement. Stand up, make your way down, cross the DMZ, and sit in a seat kept empty for you.
Although I daresay there a whole load of conventions against it, and the Speaker will not like it. But it would certainly make an impact.
Brocklebank - Fowler did it in 1981 when he left the Tories to join the SDP.
Summary: an estimated 1700 Pegida demonstrators, including 800 so-called "hooligans" (these are like the football fans who used to look for punch-ups: they've attached themselves to the Pegida events) were separated by 2000 police from 1300 counter-demonstrators. The Pegida crowd started throwing bottles and firecrackers at the police, who dispersed them with water-cannon. There were several minor police injuries and one journalist was also hurt.
Earlier, 1000 women took part in a flashmob protest against male violence in general.
This is, of course, just a translation - I've no idea whether it's accurate.
Doesn't surprise me. The Pegida mob have plenty of charming individuals among their rankings.
I don't think the aim is necessarily to get people to mistrust the Beeb (sadly), more to browbeat the BBC to be more positive in its coverage of Corbyn - something the inherent left-wing bias of the organisation should help with. They certainly have more chance than right wing parties making similar complaints.
'And when the UK loses a war and our government is overthrown, then maybe our soldiers will be fair game for war crimes trials from our victors. Until that day, no chance. '
Are you seriously saying that justice is dependant upon whether a country is successful in war? You are certainly implying something rather venal - that the normal rules do not apply to the victors - ie that countries may commit whatever atrocities they see fit as long as they make sure that they win. You clearly have a lot in common with the morality of Adolf Hitler!
No, and your trying to bring Hitler and the SS into the argument is doing yourself no favours.
The UK allows anyone to claim for "Justice" against it in a number of ways. If someone has been aggrieved by the UK or it's representatives, the government or its SoS for the relevant department will happily see them in court. This is how litigation against the government has worked for centuries in this country, which I remind you again is not Germany in 1945 and has a stable and democratic government which subjects itself to a number of international treaties.
What's not acceptable is for a bunch of vexatious claims be logged against individual members of the British military in UK courts, paid for by British legal aid, purely for the purpose of generating a bill from the scumbag lawyers involved.
Comments
That's my understanding. They're basically like PPI and the old personal injury lawyers in the UK - going door-to-door in Iraq getting people to sign up for no cost. They're then bringing complaints on behalf of the Iraqi against the named British soldiers in British courts, all using British legal aid. Scumbags the lot of them.
If there was a genuine grievance there's numerous ways it could be addressed, but Leigh Day and their friends are just making up work for themselves paid from the taxpayer, whilst trying to drag individual soldiers through the mud. Totally unacceptable and needs shutting down.
On GE night, LauraK made my teeth grate with her pro-Tory comments. I think she is very competent, bright, good contacts etc but not very competent in hiding her bias.
On the scale "how much do you trust the following to tell the (unbiased) truth", I would give very few more than 50% as everyone has an agenda, whether they realise it ot not. That includes me of course,
I would give Andrew Neil 60% and LauraK 30%. BBC News journalists in general 50%. Politicians 0%. Spin is their key skill.
Although I see what you mean, to be pedantic about it, the trials of SS and similar were not undertaken under the same due process (although no doubt it was similar in many legal respects). It was a military court that undertook trials at Nuremberg (see for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einsatzgruppen_trial)
Mum bought an 80s game from a charity shop. It's called 'Scruples'. I feel like we've progressed as a society. https://t.co/qNhYskQ3SE
Perish the thought that some of these lawyers might be the ones who have recently been funding the new Shadow Defence Secretary...
Which atrocities are you talking about, specifically?
:-D
They believe that it is important to draw a line now, in order to lay a marker for the BBC’s coverage over the Labour party over the coming years. The argument over the Doughty affair may have a way yet to run.
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/media/2016/01/why-labour-wont-back-down-its-row-bbc
Andrew Neil is the best by a country mile, gives everyone a difficult interview , with well researched facts.
That is why you never see Cameron , Osborne and I do not remember Milliband going any where near him.
I would give him 80 %
Laurak 25% as it it is usually an after thought near the end of her piece to camera to offer any balance.
ITV was her level of politics.
Nick Robinson was centre right but had more even handedness.
Andrew Marr was centre left, but with no cutting edge.
Eastleigh 1-1 Bolton final 2 mins.
He isn't a political operator with the skill to win a battle with the BBC. Many have tried and few have succeeded. He won't make this stick.
Best board game ever
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/09/netxflix-murder-whoddunit-petition
I generally feel very uncomfortable about this stuff. I listened to "Serial" and IMO not sure there is the level of doubt in the conviction or process people initially made out i.e. 100% miscarriage of justice. Having listened to the "evidence" presented, the story was certainly muckier and I don't think I can post my conclusions.
Although I daresay there a whole load of conventions against it, and the Speaker will not like it. But it would certainly make an impact.
Its not surprising, IS has moved some significant individuals there and have been encouraging foreign fighters to go there. It hasn't, however, got the kind of position that they do in Iraq & Syria. Their zone of control is, geographically, fairly well boxed. The logic is to go in earlier but that requires politicians willing too push the button. Pretty much everything militarily is ready to start.
If there is a petition to stop British soldiers being dragged through courts by trotskyite fifth columnists I would sign it. If there's a fund I would contribute to it. If there's a march I would go in it. And if there's a political party that would stop this, instead of wringing their hands about it, I would vote for it,
Not that I'm expecting a Labour MP to move to the Conservatives. But it would be good theatre.
It will be an interesting exercise in just how flexible EU law can be when there's enough pressure behind ignoring it in order to sort out domestic issues. Mr Cameron will be following closely no doubt.
https://twitter.com/HistoricalPics/status/685521449432518656
Those riots BTW displayed a certain callous disregard of their own for fellow humanity IIRC.
How deeply disapointing it must be to Scot P (who always strikes me as something of a composite figure of the Tory PR department!) and the truly dreadful Helena of the Torygraph that posters on this site, and indeed just about every normal person, prefers a First Minister who wears her own clothes rather than a Prime Minister who buys cheap wellies for photo shoots!
Poachers Pie (serves 6)
Ingredients for the filling:
0.8kg of venison
0.8kg of duck breast (skin off)
(Get the butcher to mince this together for you.)
I large bulb of fennel
I small chilli
2 cloves of garlic
a large handful of fresh, chopped rosemary
salt and pepper
2 medium red onions, chopped fine
2 large glasses of red wine
600 ml of chicken stock
a generous dash of Worcester sauce
a desert spoon of maple syrup
a table spoon of tomato puree
a tin of chopped tomatoes
olive oil
3 crushed juniper berries
for the mash:
2/3 packs of deluxe mashed potato (or you can be a slave to the kitchen and make you own)
a couple of handfuls of grated Parmesan
2 teaspoons of whole-grain mustard
To make the pie:
- Take the woody part out of the fennel and finely chop the remaining white flesh
- Put the fennel, onion, crushed garlic, finely chopped chilli (leave out the seeds if you don't want it hot), juniper berries and rosemary into a casserole dish. Gently sweat the onions in olive oil on the hob until opaque (about 5 mins)
- in a separate frying pan, add a little olive oil and brown the meat on a very high heat to sear it. When the meat is brown, add to the casserole dish that has the onion and fennel. Turn up the heat on the casserole and add the red wine and the tomato puree. Let it bubble for 3-4 minutes then add the chopped tomatoes, chicken stock, the maple syrup and the generous dash of Worcester sauce. Add salt and pepper. Bring back to a simmer for a minute, put a lid on the casserole dish and place into a slow oven (140 degrees C) for four hours. Give it a stir every hour or so. Make sure it doesn't dry out - it should still have quite a bit of liquid at the end of the four hours.
- for the mash, bring the mash to room temperature at least an hour before this stage, then put into food mixer and beat the packs of mash together with the Parmesan and the mustard (can do it by hand if needs be).
- take the casserole from the oven and use a slotted spoon to spoon the mixture into a large shallow baking dish. Important not to have the mixture TOO wet, but spoon a couple of table spoons of the juices over the mince. You can reheat and reduce down these juices nearer to serving to intensify the flavour.
THIS IS IMPORTANT: let the meat mixture cool completely before spooning the mash on top, or the mash will sink. Fluff up the mash with a fork to make ridges, sprinkle with more grated Parmesan if you like - and a generous dash of salt and pepper.
Place in the oven at 180 degrees C for 30-40 minutes until the mash is brown on top. Serve with the remainder of the gravy reheated and reduced down.*
(*This meat mixture is also wonderful as a chilli - add beans in the last 30 minutes and serve with rice or potato wedges...)
What a cruel bastard Samuel L Jackson's character was, after all that and he still didn't give his prisoner the blanket.
(As an aside, I've just finished cooking a pasta bake. Which although nice has one problem: IT HAS NO MEAT!)
I'm going to attempt making my own pork pies soon. I've been wanting to make them for some years, but I'm a bit nervous about it.
A suggestion for this weekend next year, a spread bet book on the number of Premier Lge teams that make the 4th round (or the 4th round draw).
Are you seriously suggesting that watercannons would have been helpful on NYE at Cologne?
Of course its hard for Labour to match the Conservative cacophony since they don't have the influence over the rest of the media - the Corbynistas don't even have the Grauniad on their side.
But Bild quoted a senior police officer in Frankfurt as saying it was standard policy to keep offences by asylum-seekers from the media.
“There are strict orders from the chiefs not to report offences by refugees,” the unnamed officer said. “We are only allowed to answer if journalists ask specifically about such incidents.”
The Frankfurt authorities said police spokesmen had been told to be careful when speaking about asylum-seekers.
“Press spokesmen were warned the far-Right could exploit cases involving refugees to stoke sentiment against those seeking protection,”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/12090750/German-law-should-be-toughened-to-ease-deportation-of-migrants-says-Angela-Merkel.html
There are also reports that the equivalent on Crime Watch (on ZDF I believe) dropped a case of a serious sex crime, whom the police believe was committed by an migrant. Now it is Bild, which is not exactly known as the Times of Germany, but still....the stink of a cover up just makes things worse.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-3217594/LIBBY-PURVES-farce-Dave-s-Asda-wellies-shows-sheer-idiocy-obsession-class.html
"where have you seen that initial reaction? Everybody I've spoken to has said the polar opposite. Should this happen here I dread to think of the consequences.
I was referring to the response of the Cologne mayor and the local police which seemed to be placing the burden on women.
Given that almost everyone annoys the Scottish Nationalists, including makers of tea cakes, your admiration must be very widespread indeed
http://www.tagesschau.de/inland/koeln-pegida-101.html
Summary: an estimated 1700 Pegida demonstrators, including 800 so-called "hooligans" (these are like the football fans who used to look for punch-ups: they've attached themselves to the Pegida events) were separated by 2000 police from 1300 counter-demonstrators. The Pegida crowd started throwing bottles and firecrackers at the police, who dispersed them with water-cannon. There were several minor police injuries and one journalist was also hurt.
Earlier, 1000 women took part in a flashmob protest against male violence in general.
This is, of course, just a translation - I've no idea whether it's accurate.
">I'm very uncomfortable with this. They sign up to protect us, get sent wherever and then threatened with prosecution.
AROUND 280 British soldiers could face charges over the deaths of 55 Iraqis.
Hundreds are said to have been handed letters and quizzed on their doorsteps about the possible abuse of insurgents.
The Iraq Historic Allegations Team (Ihat), heading the investigation, is reportedly probing 35 alleged killings and 36 claims of abuse.'
Another £31 million of taxpayers money to be pissed away on bogus claims?
'Torture claims against British soldiers a 'attempt to use legal ...
www.dailymail.co.uk/.../Allegations-murder-torture-against-British-soldi...
17 Dec 2014 - Michael Fallon slammed the law firms working on behalf of the Iraqi detainees ... The inquiry was set up to examine allegations of war crimes after a .... But 'all the most serious allegations made against British soldiers' were ...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35258182
If you want to be a socialist and have nice things, perhaps its best not to be a hypocrite and slag off Tories who have nice things.. Its double standards from the left. Its called champagne socialism.
Right in the nick of time
Imagine the situation where I could sue anyone on this site. My lawyers would be all expenses paid (by the government), no matter the quality of the allegation. When it goes to court it all collapses, of course. Oh, and I can have my "expenses" in bringing the allegations paid by the lawyers. Anyone see a problem with that?
'And when the UK loses a war and our government is overthrown, then maybe our soldiers will be fair game for war crimes trials from our victors. Until that day, no chance. '
Are you seriously saying that justice is dependant upon whether a country is successful in war? You are certainly implying something rather venal - that the normal rules do not apply to the victors - ie that countries may commit whatever atrocities they see fit as long as they make sure that they win. You clearly have a lot in common with the morality of Adolf Hitler!
Oh, and apparently my dad built their (present?) factory in Derby ...
Lord Chamberlain: Mr Seumas Milne, Your Majesty. A knighthood for services to the Conservative Party.
The Queen:Arise Sir Shameless. Have you come far?
Sir Shameless: No. From Islington. Via Winchester and Stalingrad.
The Queen:Remind me what you do.
Sir Shameless: I am on leave from the Guardian.I wanted to be Peter Mandelson. But I just wasn't up to it.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-UqvixBlA8mO7h9Odg53q_ApYWH0ec7p8MYk_nQLPCE/mobilebasic
The UK allows anyone to claim for "Justice" against it in a number of ways. If someone has been aggrieved by the UK or it's representatives, the government or its SoS for the relevant department will happily see them in court. This is how litigation against the government has worked for centuries in this country, which I remind you again is not Germany in 1945 and has a stable and democratic government which subjects itself to a number of international treaties.
What's not acceptable is for a bunch of vexatious claims be logged against individual members of the British military in UK courts, paid for by British legal aid, purely for the purpose of generating a bill from the scumbag lawyers involved.