Petrol sales rose by 45% this week as motorists raced to follow Government advice in anticipation of a possible strike by fuel tanker drivers. Francis Maude, the Cabinet Officer responsible for contingency plans, has said that drivers would be well-advised to top up the petrol tanks of their cars and keep some extra petrol or diesel in a jerry can at home.

However, the panic buying of fuel may cause more problems for motorists than it solves. (more…)

It is being reported by various newspapers that a proposal to lift the ban on the filming of court cases by TV cameras in England and Wales will form part of the Queen’s Speech this May. A change in the law for this proposal will be needed, as two Acts of Parliament cover the ban at present.

Photography in court was banned under the Criminal Justice Act 1925, whereas section 9 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 disallows the use of tape recorders or sound recording equipment without the court’s permission. Furthermore, the 1981 act stipulates that publication of sound recordings taken in court will be treated as contempt. (more…)

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has had to back down over several of his spokespersons’ declarations yesterday, including one that said details of his private dinners with Conservative party donors would not be published.

The escalating row, regarding the degree of influence that might accompany large donations to the Conservative party, started when Conservative co-treasurer, Peter Cruddas, was forced to resign after being recorded by The Sunday Times newspaper claiming party donors could buy privileged access to Cameron for £250,000. (more…)