Issues of Global Import

2 February 2004


Hutton Report Slams BBC, Blair's Government Walks
Sometimes things really are black and white. The Hutton Report came out last Wednesday exonerating Prime Minister Blair and his government from the charge that they "sexed up" the intelligence dossier on Iraq in an effort to get Parliament's backing for war. The Report slammed the BBC for the way it reported the allegation, and it has already cost BBC Chairman Gavyn Davies and Director-General Greg Dyke their jobs. The real shake-up, though, should be over at MI6. Click here for more.

Prime Minister Blair Wins Key Ballot by 5 Votes
Her Majesty's Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Tony Blair, MP, PC has certainly made a mess of his university fee reform plan. There is no other way to explain a majority of 161 falling to just 5 on such a significant issue. Mr. Blair would do well to re-read his election manifesto, wherein he promised he would not introduce fees. If he isn't careful, next time the vote will be 316-311 against, nor for, him -- and a general election will be needed. Click here to read Kensington's Opinion.

Former French PM Juppe Convicted of Corruption
Alain Juppe was Prime Minister of France from 1995-1997, and is currently Mayor of Bordeaux, as well as the head of President Jacques Chirac's ruling party, Union for a Popular Majority [UMP in French]. Last week, he was also convicted of corruption, given an 18 month suspended sentence and banned from politics for 10 years. French politics is about to undergo a huge transformation. Click here to read why.