The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Clarke sinks his claws into May

Clarke goes back on the attack, describing May's comments as "laughable" and "child-like".

By George Eaton Published 06 October 2011 13:37

Ken Clarke has just poured petrol on the bonfire of cat-gate. In an interview with the Nottingham Post, the Justice Secretary attacked Theresa May for using "laughable child-like examples" to discredit the Human Rights Act. He told the paper:

"It's not only the judges that all get furious when the Home Secretary makes a parody of a court judgement, our commission who are helping us form our view on this are not going to be entertained by laughable child-like examples being given".

Significantly, he also criticised May for breaching collective responsibility by calling for the Human Rights Act to be scrapped. A commission is currently investigating the case for a British Bill of Rights but Cameron is fearful of going further for fear of alienating Nick Clegg, who memorably told the Lib Dem conference that the Act is "here to stay".

Clarke said: "We have a policy and in my old-fashioned way when you serve in a government you express a collective policy of the government, you don't go round telling everyone your personal opinion is different."

Along with the attorney general, Dominic Grieve, Clarke, dubbed the "sixth Lib Dem cabinet minister" by Clegg, is determined to keep the Human Rights Act.

It's refreshing to see two cabinet ministers disagree so publicly on a point of principle (although Tim Montgomerie has called for Clarke to be "sacked at the earliest opportunity") but the current imbroglio will heighten the pressure on Cameron to impose his authority.

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Tags: Ken Clarke Conservatives

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10 comments

Fri, 2011-10-07 08:57 — larkforsure (not verified)

[ SOS ] Complaint with Human Rights Violations by IBM China on Centennial

[ Review ] How Much IBM Can Get Away with is the Responsibility of the Media
http://wp.me/p1hDC3-aL

Tragedy of Labor Rights Repression in IBM China
http://wp.me/p1hDC3-92

Scandal stricken IBM detained mother of ex-employee on the day of centennial
http://wp.me/p1hDC3-8I

Thu, 2011-10-06 13:51 — Fergus Pickering (not verified)

But she was right and he was wrong, the old fool. See today's Daily Telegraph

Thu, 2011-10-06 14:01 — David Wearing1

Montgomerie thinks *Clarke* should be sacked?!

Tells you everything

Thu, 2011-10-06 14:08 — Stu (not verified)

Yeah sack him

Thu, 2011-10-06 14:17 — Dave C (not verified)

The best leader the Tories never had.

Thu, 2011-10-06 14:18 — Bill (not verified)

You would expect a fan of jazz and F1 to have a more open mind, but then this is the problem with many UK politicians; too much respect for man made laws that fly in the face of the universal ones. The law might be based in logic, but it soon gets so tied up in it's own machinations that it becomes an ass. If there was any real logic to laws then they would be the same everywhere. This class of people will tell you that the law is based on precedence rather than logic; but where would we be if science was based on precedence. Well as a matter of fact for centuries it was based on precedence when the church insisted on its incorrect view of the world.
It seems to me that the laws of all countries are in their own dark ages, and like bureaucracy, are almost an anti-science that does not allow simple logical corrections. After all how much good do laws do when they are ineffective at looking at the crimes of the mortgage brokers and banks etc.
More often than not laws are just silly little rules made up to keep these people in business. Don't let them fool you, they may have fast minds and good memories, but then so has my Yorkshire terrier. When it comes to the big picture, paradoxically, they simply don't see it. No wonder the law is such a lottery and UK politics is such a mess.

Tue, 2011-10-11 10:29 — Bill (not verified)

I notice Clarke had to walk to his car while Teresa had hers waiting outside Number Ten. Even somebody as rulebound as a lawyer should be able to put two and two together and reach a conclusion.
For any solicitors reading this, that means the EU is history.
PS. The cat was mentioned and is therefore relevant. The fact is that right and wrong has nothing to do with the law. All they care about is the process.

Thu, 2011-10-06 18:31 — Karen (not verified)

No Fergus, she was NOT right. The cat had nothing to do with the final judgment. If people actually took the time to read the judgment, they would know this. The woman has been made to look a fool because she IS a fool.

Fri, 2011-10-07 16:43 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

It doesn't matter who's right or wrong, Ken Clarkes is an arrogant blustering old fool who shouldn't be in Parliament yet alone government, having said that Teresa May, Eric Pickles, David Cameron, Vince Cable etc etc etc!

Fri, 2011-10-14 12:52 — BusyBeeBuzz (not verified)

I'm rarely on Ken's side, but when it comes to CATGATE I'm purring at his side. May got it wrong! Her purpose was to stir up racial hatred among Tory right wingers and in order to axe the Human Rights Act. CATGATE was a gift to cartoonists, song writers, poets and all those who want to save the Human Rights Act. Cameron might get rid of Ken, but he can't get rid of the fact that Theresa May is clearly ignorant about the HRA.