Iain Dale writes with regard to the arrest of Damien Green: "We don't yet live in a Police State, but one be forgiven on nights like this from wondering if we are headed that way."
Marvellous how the Tories get so worked up when they find themselves on the wrong end of the police.
Trade union members who get involved any significant disputes suffer this all the time and have done for decades. I remember my stepfather going on strike when he was at BT. He was one of the local organisers. Since he worked for the phone company he knew taps were placed on the phones of union activists. The strike threatened to shut the city of London exchange and so had to be undermined.
The low level harassment of union members going about their lawful business is common - but you never hear much from the Tories about police state and civil liberties then.
Does that mean I think Green should have been arrested? Absolutely not, and if government ministers were involved it shows gob smacking stupidity and arrogance.
Do I think Green is some civil liberties martyr? Definitely not. He gets the luxury of TV crews recording his release, many others do not.
PS: Hopi Sen has some measured words on this (particularly comparing it to the cash for honours arrests). Tom Harris similarly has put some perspective on it.
I don't think journalists should be arrested for getting leaks so why should Green be nicked? The cops must have known how this would play... it feels like we're missing a part of the puzzle.
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