Open justice
WHEN an incident unfolds as shocking and horrific as the car ramming at Liverpool FC’s trophy parade, the public has a right to know as much information as possible, as quickly as possible.
Following Axel Rudakubana’s murderous rampage in Southport last July, silence from the authorities allowed conspiracy theory, rumour and deliberate disinformation to fester online.
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This, in turn, fuelled terrible scenes of violence and destructive riots.
By revealing the ethnicity and age of the arrested suspect in the Liverpool incident within two hours – and swiftly ruling out terrorism – the police stopped malicious or kneejerk attempts to spread false narratives.
They were right to do so, and local politicians have expressed their support for the decision.
It’s a welcome step back from recent sinister attempts by police and Government to muzzle our free press.
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But the real test of our authorities’ new-found spirit of sensible openness will come the next time there is a tragic incident or terrorist attack.
As Jonathan Hall, the Government’s terror law reviewer, points out: “The lesson has been learnt, don’t give any fuel to the conspiracy merchants.
“You’ve got to roll with it.
“If it had been a Muslim, an Asian, a black man or woman, they would have to say that.
“You’ve got to be fully consistent.”
Having now embraced transparency, the public will not understand why they shouldn’t always be given the full picture by the cops.
Whatever that may be.
E-bike blitz
CRACKING down on lower-level crime is known to help prevent more serious offences later on.
So Government moves to crush mopeds, bikes and e-scooters used by criminal yobs within 48 hours rather than weeks to curb re-offending should be applauded.
Just one problem: how does this get-tough approach sit with Labour’s prison reforms.
After all, they will mean thugs convicted of crimes which should attract a 12 months sentence are now a lot less likely to go to jail?
Reform rebirth
BRITAIN isn’t having enough kids.
Instead, we have come to rely on importing more and more young workers from overseas in a faltering bid to get the economy growing, and pay the bills for our ageing society.
Nigel Farage’s proposed tax breaks for married couples could help to reverse that damaging long-term trend.
Making it more affordable for young parents to have children is key.