Henry Porter

Thursday 12 November 2009,  Henry Porter's blog, guardian.co.uk

Last night the inventor of DNA profiling, Sir Alec Jeffreys, condemned the government's plans, announced yesterday, to keep the DNA of innocent people on the national DNA database for six years in defiance of a ruling by the European court of human rights.

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Tuesday 10 November 2009,  Henry Porter's blog, guardian.co.uk

The government has delayed legislation that would allow it to track our phone and internet use – but that won't be the end of it

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Monday 9 November 2009,  Henry Porter's blog, guardian.co.uk

Government attempts to override a free speech clause in a homophobic hatred bill illustrate its determination to attack rights

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Sunday 8 November 2009,  The Observer

Twenty years after I watched the Berlin Wall fall, I worry that the hope it inspired is being slowly crushed

Thursday 5 November 2009,  Henry Porter's blog, guardian.co.uk

It is difficult to think of two more sinister New Labour figures than Phil Woolas, minister for immigration, and Lady Delyth Morgan, parliamentary under-secretary for children. They are joined in unholy alliance in the foreword to the new government guidelines on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children under section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009.

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Wednesday 4 November 2009,  Henry Porter's blog, guardian.co.uk

Let's see if we can tease out the logic of the latest New Labour backflip. The former foreign office minister Kim Howells suggests that the policy in Afghanistan is not working and it is time to consider withdrawing troops and putting the money saved as result into the UK Border Agency and greater surveillance and monitoring in Britain.

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Wednesday 4 November 2009,  Henry Porter's blog, guardian.co.uk

Let's see if we can tease out the logic of the latest New Labour backflip. The former foreign office minister Kim Howells suggests that the policy in Afghanistan is not working and it is time to consider withdrawing troops and putting the money saved as result into the UK Border Agency and greater surveillance and monitoring in Britain.

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Thursday 29 October 2009,  Henry Porter's blog, guardian.co.uk

"In the areas of security and liberty many would argue (and I agree) that there has been too much legislation," wrote Charles Clarke last week.  Some may experience a sense of vindication reading this but I believe the proper reaction is nearer scorn, for the article contains neither concession nor apology, but is merely an attempt to reposition Labour before the next election.

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Wednesday 28 October 2009, Henry Porter's blog, guardian.co.uk

Listen to mayor Dorothy Thornhill. Her council has just banned parents from watching their own children at two council play areas in Watford. Quoted in the Watford Observer this evidently simple-minded woman says, "Sadly, in today's climate, you can't have adults walking around unchecked in a children's playground." 

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Monday 26 October 2009,  Henry Porter's blog, guardian.co.uk

The shocking Guardian report into the surveillance operations run by the police National Public Order Intelligence Unit makes it clear that the right of free protest in Britain now hangs in the balance, and that the very expression of opinion and attendance at meetings is enough for an individual to be categorised as an enemy of society.

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Wednesday 21 October 2009,  Henry Porter's blog, guardian.co.uk

If there's one minister whose every action betrays the menace of the government's intent it is Jack Straw. His malicious drive against freedom and openness is phenomenal.

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