BBC's Alan Johnston about to be released?

I've just caught a report on Fox News that Alan Johnston is now 'with Hamas' and that his release could be imminent.

Lets hope so.

Things can only get better

On May 7th BBC Parliament will be showing their coverage of the 1997 General Election.

I'm pretty confident that when it gets to the wee small hours and we're watching the rendition of 'Things Can Only Get Better' by D:Ream, I might finally start to believe it!

Slightly more information here

BBC: Free education isn't fair

According to The Register the BBC have suspended a free education resource portal because the EU are upset it might affect commercial providers.

Personally, I find this a sickening abuse of the power of the EC and that the BBC are out of order for bowing to this demand.

Education is one of the most important tools in our society. Profits for companies are considerably further down the list of priorities.

Quite frankly I'm disgusted with this approach and think MP's should demand its restoration forthwith.

Newsnight

I'm a subscriber to the Newsnight email service.

Somewhat cryptic comment about tonights lead story -

I'm afraid we can't yet give you any details about the story we're leading the programme with tonight but it's a shocking story and it's well worth tuning in for.

They don't mention cash for honours at all in the email.

Is this another revelation? Are we having a repeat of last Friday night at this very moment? Is it something entirely different?

Updated 07/03/07 22:26 -

Story is this -

Drunk, aggressive female chav causes criminal damage & resists arrest.

Is (allegedly*) hit by Police in an attempt to "subdue" her.

The statement by the officer concerned explains she was violent towards him.

Quite frankly, Its about time the police did give these scum a kicking again.

Perhaps they'll think again.

Of course, this means the filthy slapper is now likely to end up with some compensation.

Oh, and it gives the black supremacists (i.e. everyone else is a racist brigade) ammunition.

Thanks Newsnight but I wish you'd just explained the nature of this non story before. I could have had an early night!


*Its not at all clear that she is indeed being hit by the officer. The criminal (convicted) doesn't claim this (doesn't remember apparently, guess overdoing it on the Brandy does it for you).

Blair: The Inside Story

Tonight, 21:00, BBC 2:

The final part of Michael Cockerell's series tells the inside story of Tony Blair's final years in office. It is a period dominated by a range of crises: Blair's heart problems, his troubles with Gordon Brown, the aftermath of Iraq, the plots to overthrow him, cash for honours allegations and endless questions about when he would leave Number 10.

Followed by the Ten O'Clock News & Newsnight.

Mr Blair, the sand in your hourglass is getting dangerously low.

Injunction Update

Since it was revealed on Friday that the Attorney General had obtained an injunction against the BBC, the blogs have been widely speculating as to the nature of the story.

The Sunday papers seem reflect this speculation, i.e. that the story centres on an email between "two of Blair's senior aides".

Which two "senior aides" have been arrested so far?

What specifically does this email say?

Are charges imminent?

Where is Blair this weekend? What about the rest of the cabinet or the usual Sunday morning mouthpieces?

There has been some speculation that this could have been leaked by sources from Downing Street to allow for a defence of an unfair trial. As a result, we don't want to give them any ammo, to that end, until this is resolved I'm turning comment moderation on this blog.

That said, I'd like more people to participate more in this blog, so feel free to leave your comments, just might take a little time to appear!

What does the BBC know?

Tory Blogger Iain Dale reported earlier this evening that "the government (or maybe it's the Labour Party) has tonight taken out an injunction against the BBC to prevent the reporting of something substantive regarding the Cash for Honours Inquiry".

Now, the BBC confirm that the Attorney General has obtained an Injunction against the BBC reporting a story they claim is "in the public interest".

So just what does the BBC know? Who does the injunction really protect?