Anything you Say with Jon Clements - Mirror.co.uk

David Askew update

2010-03-15T10:42:12Z

I see one man has been charged with harassment - a crime which carries a maximum sentence of five years.

Let's see if the police can make it stick though, it's not an easy charge to prove without a pattern of behaviour and it's quite possible this individual was not present when Mr Askew died.

Another point - good to see GMP Chief Constable Peter Fahy on the front foot in defending his force's actions with Mr Askew and making clear his family believed the police had done everything they could that the council may have taken too long to rehouse him.

All too often police forces duck for cover behind an IPCC investigation instead of getting relevant information out to the public.

And it's good to see a senior police officer pointing out where other agencies have responsibilities too - me and my colleagues get rather tired when top cops say 'it's not all down to us' but then won't make actually it clear what they're saying.

David Askew: What's really broken in Britain ?

2010-03-12T16:23:07Z

Every day it seems we're getting cases of the vulnerable being apparently let down by the authorities.

This week it's the tragic case of David Askew in Manchester who was bated for 20 years until he collapsed of a heart attack.

Immediately the police have come under fire for not doing enough to protect him.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has said it will review Greater Manchester's contact with Mr Askew.

But I'd hold on a second here.

From what we know GMP put in cameras and even tried having officers in Mr Askew's house in an attempt to gather evidence.

And over 20 years it would amazing if there weren't some things that could have been done better.

But what exactly are we asking our police to do ?

Bullying isn't a crime and being spiteful isn't an arrestable offence.

You can't be charged with being nasty and nobody has gone to prison for name calling.

If it was any different the prisons would be full and the playgrounds empty.

I'm not saying Mr Askew's life wasn't made a misery but asking whose job it was to sort out this kind of behaviour ?

The abuse went on for at least 20 years - which means those bullying him in the street a few weeks ago weren't even born when the cycle started.

Neighbours say the police did nothing but what exactly were they doing ? And whose children was it who grew into the bullies ?

Did Mr Askew's persecutors catch trains from all over country to go and have a pop or were they actually neighbours themselves ?

I worry that the words "broken Britain" are marching over the horizon towards this case but I think it actually shows how shallow that analysis really is.

Mr Askew was being harassed when Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, this kind of anti social behaviour isn't new.

What is new is the public's belief that the authorities are more responsible for what happens in their communities than they are.

I don't think the bad people are that much worse than previous generations, though there will always be exceptions.

But I do think the good people are less willing to do tackle them and that is why things feel like they're getting worse.

Society isn't broken, but the public's sense of responsibility towards those less fortunate is.

Will Jon Venables ever stand trial ?

2010-03-09T13:28:49Z

It's hard to see now how James Bulger's killer can actually physically be prosecuted for any offence he's charged with.

I've been talking to some lawyers about this and there has to be a lot of doubt about it.

The starting point is this: Venables is entitled for a fair trial, which means the jury (if it goes to Crown Court) can't know about his previous crimes.

Because he is one of Britain's most notorious murderers, that means the jury can't know who he actually is.

So you try him under a false name.

But how far does that take you ?

Won't a jury wonder why there is so much interest in what appears to be a pretty routine (however unpleasant) abusive images case (calling it child porn actually gives comfort to paedophiles, it's not porn - it's photographs of abuse).

Just as Venables is entitled to a fair trial Britain's has a fundamental rule of justice being seen to be done so you can't bar the public or the press from the courtroom.

How can you stop someone shouting out the defendant's identity and ruining the trial ?

How can you stop an angry crowd gathering outside the court holding banners about James Bulger ?

Well, you can't.

Unless you put him on trial in a courtroom without stopping public access but without actually telling anybody the case is going on.

People might have not much sympathy if the press are hoodwinked (though I would argue the case raises many questions about the supervision of offenders which it is obviously in the public interest to report).

But what about James' mother and father ?

Don't they have the right to observe the proceedings and see what has become of the child who took their son's life ?

And how can they be stopped from discussing the case with friends and family ?

Can it be possible to prevent word leaking out about the case and the defendant's true identity ?

I'm beginning to think the real reason for charging Venables (if that happens) is not to put him on trial but to go to the Parole Board in the strongest possible position to keep him inside for a long time on his original life sentence.

Mother and daughter arrested in cold case murder enquiry:

2010-02-23T18:04:32Z

A MOTHER and her daughter have been arrested today on suspicion of murdering a bookmaker who vanished without trace nearly nine years ago.

Shirley Banfield, 62, has been held following a cold case review into the disappearance of husband Don in May 2001.

Daughter Lynette, 38, was also detained by murder squad detectives who believe Mr Banfield may have been killed for his money.

The Trinidad-born father of two was 63 when a friend reported him missing to police in Harrow, north London.

He had recently retired as a William Hills betting shop manager after previously working for the BBC in its accounts department.

Two months after Mr Banfield vanished Shirley sold their house for £179,000 and moved away from London.

Detectives believe there is evidence of "financial irregularities" about his savings and pensions in the following years.

Last year police searched the old family address in Lockett Road, Harrow, digging up the back garden.

Despite using ground-seeking radar and archaeologists no human remains were discovered.

One source told me: "Certain issues have led us to suspect that Don may have come to some harm".

Mr Banfield was reported missing on May 19 by a concerned friend rather than a member of his family.

Shirley, who was arrested at 6.40 am at home in Canterbury, Kent, told officers in 2001 she last saw her husband on May 13.

Harrow police launched a search but found no signs of him and a year later the case was passed to Scotland Yard's missings persons unit.

In 2008 a review of the file led to a fresh inquiry by officers in the Homicide and Serious Crime Command based at Barnes, west London.

Checks in Trinidad have found no evidence Mr Banfield returned to the Caribbean.

A Met spokeswoman confirmed two women had been held on suspicion of murder and fraud.

* Anyone with information about Don Banfield should call the incident room on 0208 247 7821 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Ends

The murder of a peacemaker: New witness appeal - CCTV

2010-02-12T14:36:00Z

It's a month and half since David Joslin was murdered after a Christmas works party in Chingford.

David came across two groups of people outside Strictly Silver jewellers on Old Church Road fighting with each other.

Police know he tried to break it up and was punched to the floor and knocked unconscious for his efforts.

He never came round and died in hospital the day after Boxing Day.

It was a melee outside the jewellers and the police trying to get justice for this man need your help in identifying some of the people who may have been there.

So take a look at these photographs and if you recognise anyone or are one of them call the incident room on 0208 345 3985 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Madeleine McCann and the "ignored clues"

2010-02-12T11:27:28Z

Interesting interpretations of some new information which has come out of the McCann's libel action in Lisbon.

Apparently the Policia Judiciara did not follow up dozens of sightings of Madeleine from around the world.

This is, according to some, further evidence of the PJ's bungling.

But is it ?

In any high profile missing persons inquiry publicity will inevitably generate lots of red herrings (some of my colleagues have spent days chasing them only to be left disappointed).

Police have limited resources - they can't simply despatch detectives on the say so of an individual whose credibility they can't judge.

In fact when one British police force did that it had disastrous consequences for the investigation and may have allowed the abductor/killer to go free.

Surrey police treated the disappearance of Milly Dowler in March 2002 as a missing persons inquiry and sent pairs of officers all over the UK looking for her.

It was a massive mistake and hampered the inquiry's ability to examine the evidence at hand in Walton on Thames - to "clear the ground from under their feet".

As a result they did not discover that sex predator and violent criminal Levi Bellfield - who went on to become a serial killer - had been living 100 yards away from where Milly was last seen.

Madeleine disappeared in Praia da Luz and that is one of the few absolute facts in this tragic story.

Perhaps some of the leads were worth following up, but until the full facts of each one are known it is a bit premature to give them a kicking over this.

Ali Dizaei and the National Black Police Association: Take 2

2010-02-09T21:53:51Z

A second press release from the NBPA has popped up in my in box today, which seems to uncannily pick up on the points I raised yesterday.

Apparently the association has decided that "as a responsible organisation we respect the rule of law and therefore... the verdict of the jury in the case of Ali Dizaei (what happened to the reverential "Dr" prefix, I wonder ?) must be respected".

The NBPA also wants to acknowledge the "impact upon all those who have fallen victim in this dreadful affair".

That's thoughtful, but I though there was only one victim here and he was a different side of the Persian gulf to Dizaei.

The NBPA also "would never condone the conduct for which Ali Dizaei.. has been convicted".

At last.

Looks like Ali's brain-washing might be wearing off and for the sake of NBPA not a moment too soon.

Can't help thinking we haven't heard the last of him though... standby for Dizaei: The A Wing years.

Ali Dizaei and National Black Police Association

2010-02-08T13:41:49Z

Dear me...

The NBPA has re-defined the phrase "mealy-mouthed" with its reaction to the conviction of Ali Dizaei at the Old Bailey today on corruption charges.

After backing the disgraced Met Commander to the hilt over the last two years you can understand the jury's verdicts are embarrassing.

But their press release is truly staggering in its failure to stare facts in the face.

The conviction "has come as a surprise" to the NBPA.

Translation: We believed Dizaei and didn't really examine the evidence.

It would be inappropriate to comment further "given the possibility of appeal".

Translation: We're speechless because we've been made to look very stupid.

It is "clearly an extremely difficult and traumatic period" for Dr Dizaei and his family.

Translation: We're still under this man's spell and must continue to support him even though he's officially a bent cop.

Get a grip guys....

He's been convicted of trying to fit up a man who he owed money to and maybe as police officers you should at least SAY you respect the jury's verdict (even if you don't).

Climate change sceptics under investigation by animal rights cops

2010-01-13T16:28:25Z

Interesting developments over the hacked emails at the University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit.

Norfolk police have called in the National Domestic Extremism Team to help their enquiries into how the computers were illegally accessed in the weeks before the Copenhagen conference.

NDET was set up to tackle animal rights extremists and helped nail letter bomber Miles Cooper nearly three years ago.

It also looks into anarchists, anti-capitalists and environmentalists involved in criminal acts and extremism.

Two of its officers are working with Norfolk offering their advice on computer forensics and also background knowledge about climate change and its role in illegal activity.

Some of the UEA scientists got death threats in the aftermath of the hacking and its interesting that activists on both sides of the global warming debate are now on NDET's radar.

An NDET spokeswoman has told me: "We can confirm that we are assisting Norfolk police with their investigation into alleged computer hacking at the University of East Anglia.

"At present we have two officers with the investigation team and have also provided computer forensic analysis.

"Whilst it is not strictly domestic extremism we have expertise and resources to assist with this investigation as well as a good background in climate change issues in relation to criminal investigations".

The unit has been accused repeatedly in the past by environmentalists of spying on them and trying to suppress legimitate protest.

Perhaps this investigation suggests that, if nothing else, at least NDET - isn't taking sides?

Surprise, surprise... the march is off

2010-01-11T12:24:21Z

Anjem Choudhary has called off his proposed Wootton Bassett march, presumably because he a) got enough publicity and b) knew he having talked the talk he'd have to find enough people to actually go through with.

It's worth remembering for the future that this guy deals in public outrage, it's what he wants and all he's after so perhaps everybody - the media included - should treat what he says with a little more derision next time.

Yemeni government: Syringe bomber joined al-Qaeda in London

2010-01-07T12:12:16Z

The Yemeni government has come out fighting today after nearly two weeks of seeing their country branded al-Qaeda central following Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's failed bombing.

Rshad al-Alimi, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence and Security, has just told a press conference "The information provided to us is that Umar Farouk joined al Qaeda in London."

The University College London student was apparently involved in al-Qaeda during several visits to the UK, he says.

What's more he got his exploding pants in Nigeria - his home country not Yemen either - the minister insisted.

It's hard to know what to make of this yet because nobody likes to admit a mass murder was planned on their soil so it could just be a case of "not all our fault".

But if there are some facts to back it up it would suggest the UK needs to re-examine how we prioritise terror suspects.

We know Abdulmutallab had crossed MI5's radar but he wasn't seen as a threat at that time.

Fine.

But he became a threat in Yemen and nearly killed 300 people. Whose responsibility would it have been ?

Ours for letting him immerse himself in radical Islam at university and meet someone who gave a contact in Yemen? The Yemeni government's for losing control of vast swathes of their country ? The Americans for giving him a visa and not putting the intelligence jigsaw together ? The Dutch for not finding his bomb at Schipol airport ?

This is why there is no security solution to the problem of Islamist terrorism.

The people involved cross borders, jump around, live in our countries and enjoy our freedoms to meet like-minded people and then vanish into societies and cultures we barely understand before returning with a detonator in their hand.

The more information we collate, the more names go on watch lists, the harder it becomes to see the wood for the trees and to pick out the one man in a hundred thousand willing to kill themselves to kill others.

Cops warn they probably can't - and might not want to - ban Wootton Bassett march

2010-01-06T10:39:37Z

In case you missed this development yesterday on the Islam4UK demo I thought I'd flag it up here.

Sir Hugh Orde, arguably Britain's most influential police officer, has pointed out that banning this odious little parade may not be easy or even that sensible.

Quite rightly, the Home Secretary can't simply ban people protesting because he finds their point of view offensive.

Instead, the march would have to meet some strict criteria including a risk of "serious public disorder" even after the police had put restrictions on its size, duration and route.

Sir Hugh says he would be "surprised" if Wiltshire police applied for a ban pointing out "Lots of people march where they're not welcome, but we don't ban them".

This is undoubtedly a reference to Northern Ireland where he was chief constable for seven years overseeing hundreds of Orange Order marches every summer.

Sir Hugh is now President of the Association of Chief Police Officers and reckons banning Islam4UK could make a tense situation even worse.

"It is a classic case that just because something is unpleasant and offensive we don't ban it - we deal with it. People have a right to march, other people may not like it ,but that is the law.

"Does banning it actually make it worse? It can be the case that if you ban something it becomes more popular to turn up to. You then have a mass unlawful protest."

Alan Johnson can say what he wants - thankfully in Britain it's not up to ministers to decide who can protest about their policies.

And, anyway, I'm sure Anjem Choudhary (who likes to call himself a lawyer because he's not legally allowed to call himself a solicitor) would love nothing more than the chance to fight a ban in the High Court and win a famous victory over the police.

It's another trap, one which Sir Hugh, at least, has seen through.

Don't fall for the trap set by Islam4UK...

2010-01-05T16:24:01Z

So, 400,000 people have called for Islam4UK (aka Anjem Choudhary and his girlfriend-less groupies) to be banned from marching through Wootton Bassett.

The public's anger at his announcement is perfectly understandable (and heartening proof too that we do appreciate our forces' sacrifices).

But I fear our thoroughly justified outrage is also putting a smile on the faces of the very ugly mob it is directed at.

Choudhary hasn't given a date, or a plan, or even approached anybody in authority with any details - it's just a statement designed to get one thing - publicity.

So far it's working (and as a journalist I can hardly complain).

But we need to think very hard about our response to these people.

How many members of Islam4UK are there ? How many would be willing and able to get down to Wiltshire ?

Not very many, I'm thinking.

What do they want ?

A big turn out, a huge row, a confrontation and a chance to claim a glorious victory ?

Or total indifference, nothing, a big shrug and on with the shopping...

I know it's difficult but if in doubt do what your opponent least wants you to do.

And having dealt with these attention-seeking publicity-hungry oddballs for years the one thing I know they can't cope with is being ignored.

Just show them they can't get to you - and they've lost before they've started.

Easy for me to say, I haven't lost anybody I know in Afghanistan, but even if you have think on this: Why is Islam4UK doing it ?

Because they know they will get a reaction.

So give them the one they least expect, least want and most deserve.

Counter terror cops in new tour of UK universities

2010-01-04T11:16:20Z

With perfect timing, the police will this month begin briefing university staff who work with hazardous materials on how to spot the warning signs of radicalisation.

Project Revise was designed before Umar Farouk Abulmutallab attempted to bomb his flight to Detroit but it has undoubtedly given the move more impetus.

The National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) is concerned that colleges aren't keeping a close enough eye on who has access to their labs and the potentially lethal consequences.

A lot of work was done after 9/11 on safeguarding the chemicals, biological and radiological materials in many universities - including anthrax and botulism - but now it's time to keep an eye on the people in there too, they feel.

NaCTSO will show lab technicians scenarios featuring a student who becomes radicalised and uses materials in the lab to bomb his city centre.

They will also urge vigilance particularly around foreign students and staff whose identities and personal histories may unclear.

One of my contacts told me: "If you've got a student or employee who's just arrived from Afghanistan don't give them full access to the lab right away.

"You have to check their identities properly and know what to do if they start to behave in a worrying manner and that includes displaying extremist views."

There's no evidence to suggest Abdulmutallab was plotting attacks while studying mechanical engineering at University College London.

But, my source pointed out: "We have reached a situation where some of our universities are hot beds of Islamic extremism.

"On top of this, the universities are also research centres which have some very dangerous substances in their labs - it is a potentially lethal combination."

History suggests al-Qaeda would not be slow in taking up the opportunities afforded to its followers by British higher education.

For example, Ramzi Yousef, the first man to try to topple the World Trade Center and carry out multiple airline bombings, graduated from University College of Swansea in 1989 in engineering.

NaCTSO, which works closely with MI5 and the Association of Chief Police Officers, will hold three hour sessions across the UK on this problem and after Abdulmutallab I'd expect a packed house.

Look who's laughing now... us or al-Qaeda ?

2009-12-30T17:25:08Z

We like to laugh at the botched suicide bombers who seem to have a stranglehold on al-Qaeda's recruiting office.

The men at Glasgow Airport two and a half years ago who turned themselves into human torches... the loner in Exeter who blew himself up in the toilet by mistake... even the July 21 gang who should have known their leader failed his O-Level chemistry...

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is just the latest man who sought martyrdom and has found only ridicule - or is he ?

This afternoon he scored his first notable triumph as the Dutch government announced everybody on transatlantic flights would go through the body scanner.

Expect most other European countries to follow suit very quickly because what America wants, on transatlantic flights at least, America gets.

Longer queues, more delays, less excitement and more dread as you prepare to jet off on holiday.

Umar has already forced us to change the way we live, even ignoring the fear he has doubtless caused to many who fly to America.

We already refer to Abdulmutallab as a "failed bomber" which is admittedly better than a "successful bomber".

But the men who gave him the bomb and sent him heading West will not see his attack as a failure.

To them, they've scored another victory - they've made us think, made us scared and made us change the way we live.

Depressing, but it's true, and eight years after 9/11 there's little evidence anybody in authority has a clue how to stop this from happening again.