Part 4 ? They're about to Call Time at the Last Chance Saloon.... By Dave Davies

No charges against Tory MPs over election spending

No criminal charges are to be brought against Conservative MPs or officials in relation to allegations of spending irregularities in the 2015 general election campaign, the Crown Prosecution Service has announced.

One file, relating to the victorious Tory candidate in Thanet South, Craig Mackinlay, remains under consideration.

Craig Mackinlay still remains under consideration

But the CPS cautioned that this should not be taken as an indication of whether charges will be brought in this case, which was referred more recently than the others.

The CPS head of special crime Nick Vamos said that prosecutors considered files from 14 police forces, but determined that – while spending returns may have been inaccurate – there was insufficient evidence to prove that any candidate or agent was dishonest.

Conservative Party chairman Sir Patrick McLoughlin said: “These were politically motivated and unfounded complaints that have wasted police time. We are glad that this matter is finally resolved.”

The Conservative candidate for Lincoln, Karl McCartney, who was interviewed as part of the investigation, said: “This whole saga amounts to no more than a politically-motivated witch-hunt.

“It is clear that those who lead the Electoral Commission who followed and allowed this action to take place are politically-motivated and biased – actions that have rendered this organisation wholly unfit-for-purpose.”

Police investigations into the 2015 Tory campaign centred on allegations highlighted by Channel 4 News and the Daily Mirror that expenses relating to busloads of Conservative activists sent to key seats were reported as part of national spending rather than falling within the lower constituency limits.

In March, the Conservative Party was fined a record £70,000 by the Electoral Commission for “numerous failures” in reporting its expenses for the 2015 General Election, and three by-elections in 2014.

Answering questions after a speech in Leeds, Mr Corbyn said he was “interested and surprised” by the CPS decision, but would have to look at the details of it.

“Quite clearly the Electoral Commission is independent, the Crown Prosecution Service is independent, the Director of Public Prosecutions is independent, they have to make a judgment on it,” said the Labour leader.

“But our election laws must be enforced and must be adhered to, there are strict spending limits for a reason, so that money can’t buy power, only votes in the ballot box should be able to get power.”

Mr Farron said: “The observation I would make of the Conservative Party is it appears to have stayed the right side of the law by the letter of it, but has driven a battle bus and horses right the way through the spirit of it. It’s a shame, in one sense, it would appear there is a cloud hanging over British politics.”

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Five Teenagers Jailed Over Spate Of Terrifying Attacks On Taxi An Private Hire Drivers In Redbridge.

(L-R) Jeremy Mbwese, 19, Jay Koabo, 18, Jayden Atkins, 18, and Gavneet Johal, 18, were jailed for conspiracy to rob. (Credit: Met Police)

Terrified Taxi and Private Hire drivers in Redbridge had knives held to their throats whilst their property and cash was stolen during a series of horrifying attacks.

Drivers across the borough and in Havering were left terrified by the 22 incidents which saw two women set up the attacks under fake bookings organised by them.

Upon arriving at the location, they were ambushed by one of the men jailed today and subjected to “to severe acts of violence and intimidation” before being forced to hand over cash and jewellery.

In total, the teens got away with approximately £2,000 in cash and property including mobile phones, sat navs, car keys and a wedding ring from a victim’s finger.

Most of the drivers were physically assaulted with one receiving a knife wound to the face.

The Recorder broke the story in September 2015, when several drivers told this paper they were quitting their jobs over the attacks for fear of their lives.

Five teenagers were sentenced and jailed for a total of 29 years at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, including two from the borough.

A 17-year-old teenage boy from the Seven Kings area pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob and was jailed for six years.

Gavneet Johal, 18, of Oakwood Gardens, Seven Kings, was also jailed for three-and-a-half year, for her part in setting up the attacks.

Jayden Atkins, 18, of Estuary Close, Barking, received five-and-a-half years’ imprisonment and Jay Koabo, of Crescent Road, Dagenham, was jailed for eight years.

Jeremy Mbwese, 19 of Cairo Road, Walthamstow, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob and was jailed for six years.

Officers at Ilford police station launched Operation Taxa to deal with the spate of robberies between August 3 and September 29 in 2015.

Following an extensive investigation by Ilford CID, officers raided homes across four London boroughs and arrested the suspects.

Evidence including mobile phones, sat navs and a photograph of the wedding ring was recovered - unfortunately the ring itself has never been found.

Det Cons Jon Mercer, the investigating officer from Ilford Crime Investigating Department, said the teenagers had never shown any remorse for their calculated attacks. 

He said: “The youths responsible went to great effort planning the robberies and carefully selecting their intended victims. 

“The victims were, by virtue of their own livelihood, extremely vulnerable and placed in situations that can best be described as terrifying. 

“Lone drivers were subjected to gratuitous physical assaults whilst having a large knife held to their necks during times of darkness and in secluded areas.

“Not only did the victims lose personal items of property and cash, the psychological damage they suffered is irreparable.

“The defendants have shown no remorse and the jail term received by each not only demonstrates the gravity of their crime, but is also a reflection on their attitude towards these offences against hard-working members of the community.”

Source : Ilford Recorder 

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Former TfL manager caught with child pornography walks free from court

A former Transport for London manager has walked free from court, despite being caught with pornographic videos featuring children as young as five.

Nino Amoroso's Facebook profile describes him as a Learning and Development Manager for Transport for London, it also includes photos of him posing with celebrities.

Police raided Amoroso's home last year in east London after intelligence showed he was downloading indecent images of children, according to Court News UK.

When they arrived, Amoroso showed police a hard drive which contained almost 300 pornographic films which involved young children, as he admitted he knew why the police we visiting.

The prosecution said he used the "material for sexual gratification," but he denied sharing the material or making it.

Defending Amoroso, Clayton Bridge said the man used the pornography as a means of escape from his unhappy marriage and health concerns.

The former transport boss admitted to three counts of possessing indecent images of children.

The man was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Amoroso now has to pay a surcharge of £140 and take part in a 40-day rehabilitation programme.

Nino Amoroso's Facebook and LinkedIn profiles and photos with celebrities have now been removed completely 

Source :  http://talkradio.co.uk

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Why Didn't The Mail Print The Whole Story ? ... Part 3, Seek And Ye Will Find.

This is why the mail exposed Cameron and Osborn?

There's an old saying "Seek And Ye Will Find".

David Cameron asked Daily Mail owner to sack Paul Dacre over Brexit | Politics | The Guardian

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But don't take our word for it... click on the link above and read the story for yourself in the Guardian. 

Former prime minister David Cameron pressed Lord Rothermere to ‘rein in’ editor Paul Dacre before EU referendum.

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Decision On PHVs Using Belfast Bus Lanes Kicked Into Long Grass : Up to new minister to decide, says department

The decision on allowing private hire Vehicles (PHVs) to use Belfast bus lanes will be taken by the next roads minster, the Department for Infrastructure has said.

A 12-week trial allowing Class A taxis - those saloon private hire cars - ends on Sunday. 

From Monday only black public hire taxis and wheelchair accessible taxis will be allowed to use the bus lanes, along with buses, cyclists and motorbikes as was the case in the past. 

Officials are now collating the information gained over the past 12 weeks on how more vehicles in the bus lanes impacted travel. 

There has been mixed views on the matter. But sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, have said allowing the private hire firms to use the lanes was "not a substitute for an efficient public transport system". That should see this scheme kicked into the long grass... Plus cycling campaigners have also raised safety concerns of Bus Lane overcrowding.

A Private Hire lobby group fronted by Fona Cab owner William McCausland has been arguing for the trial to be made permanent saying it will cut journey times and fares for their customers. 

The Department for Infrastructure said: "The Department will assess all the information gathered, including any views received, and present it to the next Minister in order for a decision to be made on long term access for PHVs in bus lanes."

The public can >continue to have their say on the matter here<. 

EDITORIAL EXTRA:

As we all know the Law Commision is trailing deregulation by stealth in Belfast. So this is not just good news for Belfast public Taxi drivers, it's also good news for London's Taxi drivers. 

Source : Belfast Telegraph 

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Why Didn't The Mail Print The Whole Story ? ... Part 2 Letter From Dave Davies.