Another win for the Good Law Project

[deganya]

BREAKING: High Court rules Dido Harding and Mike Coupe appointments were unlawful - Good Law Project

In a landmark verdict, the High Court has today found that the process leading to the appointments of both Dido Harding and Mike Coupe were unlawful. It held that Matt Hancock broke the law in appointing Dido Harding as Chair of the National Institute for Health Protection (NIHP) and in...

goodlawproject.org

 

[jam69]

They do great work and I have a standing order for them, but sadly nor enough people care

 

[Lefty]

They do great work and I have a standing order for them, but sadly nor enough people care

Yep, I have a standing order too.

They are one of the few holding Government to account in some very precarious times for our democracy.

 

[rkangel]

Yep, I have a standing order too.

They are one of the few holding Government to account in some very precarious times for our democracy.

Ditto

 

[MolteniArcore]

It's such a shame that Hancock can't be personally prosecuted or even held accountable for breaking the law. It's madness.

 

[kuepper]

probably won't even get reported in most MSM

 

[Lefty]

This is a good thread from Jo Maugham. This is why those who voted for Brexit need to understand why they did and why/how we get it wrong. So we avoid repeated mistakes.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1493595959028240403

 

[masquesmog]

probably won't even get reported in most MSM

BBC News - Matt Hancock failed in equality duty over Covid appointments

Matt Hancock failed in equality duty over Covid appointments

But the High Court dismisses claims the then-health secretary showed bias when making appointments.

www.bbc.co.uk

....... Guardian UK page too

 

[Jonny Ingbar]

This is a good thread from Jo Maugham. This is why those who voted for Brexit need to understand why they did and why/how we get it wrong. So we avoid repeated mistakes.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1493595959028240403

He's a very astute guy, not to mention an excellent QC as this very insightful thread demonstrates.

The inability by the US political establishment shone a light on how impotent their consistituation actually is, when you have a President that is so off-piste on his ability to act with integrity and obey the law.

And now the UK finds itself in a similar position; there are simply no meaningful checks and balances to address a PM that acts in such an unethical and unlawful way, his government and the shameful actions of his cabinet and (some) MP's being the symptom of that.

True and genuine democracy relies on those in power acting in the best interests of the public, not themselves.

 

[Trug]

He's a very astute guy, not to mention an excellent QC as this very insightful thread demonstrates.

The inability by the US political establishment shone a light on how impotent their consistituation actually is, when you have a President that is so off-piste on his ability to act with integrity and obey the law.

And now the UK finds itself in a similar position; there are simply no meaningful checks and balances to address a PM that acts in such an unethical and unlawful way, his government and the shameful actions of his cabinet and (some) MP's being the symptom of that.

True and genuine democracy relies on those in power acting in the best interests of the public, not themselves.

Very true- and to enforce it a written constitution needs to be drawn up

 

[Emmersons_BrazillianDong]

This is a good thread from Jo Maugham. This is why those who voted for Brexit need to understand why they did and why/how we get it wrong. So we avoid repeated mistakes.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1493595959028240403

Thanks for posting that - I think that helps explain their rationale and the context better. I'm a donor to the GLP, and I've stated how much great work they do, but this decision; on the face of it will, I think, be used as ammunition about the 'Woke Brigade'. You can see it now as them suggesting that it's a 'technicality' and the right using it as an example of them being hamstrung by perceived petty procedures.

The thread from Maugham sets out better why this judgement matters in the wider context to be fair, but hold tight for the shyte slinging.

If you've not already heard it, then take a listen to his podcast with James O'Brien. Great listen full of surprises

Jolyon Maugham

After leading a series of successful challenges to the Brexit process, Jolyon Maugham QC was thrust into the limelight and depicted by right-wing Brexiteers as an out of touch, elitist, Remainer. But for the first 17 years of his life, Jolyon was unaware of the existence of his biological...

play.acast.com

 

[SmogontheMarsh]

Guardian report says GLP case was not upheld, unfortunately, but a linked one by Runnymede Trust was, related to equality for those tendering.

 

[Lefty]

Guardian report says GLP case was not upheld, unfortunately, but a linked one by Runnymede Trust was, related to equality for those tendering.

The case was about the lack of process the Government used for these appointments. The Good Law Project were arguing about perceived or apparent bias in the appointments as well. From my skim reading of the judgement, the Court rejected these claims in part because they were not the appropriate place to contend this when a specific claimant who had suffered as a result of the appointment could bring this to the more appropriate employment tribunal. However they also rejected it because a fair minded observer would not conclude that the prior working relationships and connections must necessarily lead to an untoward appointment, but were actually quite common. The bias that they lead to quite common and in fact potentially positive. I think they refer to internal appointments from within an organisation as a clear example where such bias is reasonably formed.

Doesn't mean it wasn't iffy what went on, or croneyism. The key ruling is that fair procedures must be followed, so in future that means croneyism will be just that little bit harder, I think.