Child abuse trawls by police 'snaring innocent'
"Overenthusiastic" investigations of child abuse allegations by police are creating miscarriages of justice, according to an MPs report published today.
There should be safeguards to protect children's home workers who are accused of abuse incidents alleged to have occurred 30 years ago, according to the home affairs select committee.
Committee chair person, Chris Mullin said: "I am in no doubt that a number of innocent people have been convicted and that many other innocent people...have had their lives ruined.
Source:- The Guardian Thursday 31 October page 11
Blunkett defiant on psychopaths
Legislation that could result in non-offending people with psychopathic tendencies being imprisoned was defended by David Blunkett yesterday, despite fierce criticism from psychiatrists and concern in Downing Street that the approach could endanger civil liberties.
Complaints from the Law Society, Royal College of Psychiatrists and mental health campaigners were dismissed by the home secretary as special pleading by professionals just interested in defending themselves rather than doing their best for the community.
Blunkett said it was essential to balance the interests of the mentally ill against the need to protect the community from those with dangerous personality disorders.
Source:- The Guardian Thursday 31 October page 15
Hooligan spot fines widened
Fixed penalties for antisocial behaviour are to be extended nationwide after a successful pilot scheme in four police authorities.
Tony Blair introduced on-the-spot fines to widespread criticim but police in the four areas are claiming they have been successful.
The prime minister suggested that he would extend the spot fines to under-18s who throw fireworks. Currently the fines only apply to over 18s.
The four pilot areas are Croydon, south London, West Midlands, Essex and the central section of north Wales.
Source:- The Guardian Thursday 31 October page 15
Adoption ban on gay couples 'wrong'
Banning homosexual couples from adopting children would contravene European human rights legislation and is fundamentally wrong, according to a parlimentary select committee yesterday.
Preventing unmarried hetrosexual and gay couples from adopting would violate the European Convention which specifies that people should not be discriminated against due to their marital status, the committee which includes three Conservatives said.
Source:- Daily Telegraph Thursday 31 October page 8
Scottish news
Birth rate is Scotland's lowest ever and death rate falls too
Scotland's birth and death rates are at the lowest levels since registration began in 1855.
The number of babies born in Scotland is lower than in any other country in the UK but similar to the EU average.
Source:- The Herald Thursday 31 October page 8
Ageing population is a positive development, not a problem
The ageing population is a source of opportunity as well as challenge.
Source:- The Herald Thursday 31 October page 8
Welsh news
Fostering gay priest speaks out
A former gay priest who was at the centre of a fostering
controversy this week says people’s sexuality should not be a
factor in deciding who can offer a child a home.
The former priest who does not want to be named says that he and his partner have given 10 years respite care to 15-year-old Richard who has severe learning difficulties and now give him full time care.
Earlier this week it was mistakenly believed that he and his partner had adopted the teenager but in fact the couple had fostered the boy since last June.
Source:- South Wales Argus Wednesday 30 October page 5
MPs fear risk of miscarriage high in child abuse
An influential select committee of MPs will today recommend a wide –ranging set of safeguards to protect workers in children’s homes who face false allegations of abuse.
Chris Mullins, chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee said he was in no doubt that a number of innocent people had been convicted following miscarriages of justice from false abuse claims.
Source:- Western Mail Thursday 31 October page 11
