Obama and Iran’s Rouhani exchange letters, may meet at UN
Iran and the US are showing signs of making diplomatic headway, the Guardian reports. An exchange of letters between Obama and Iran’s Rouhani has opened the door for a potential meeting between the two leaders at the UN next week in what would be the first face-to-face exchange between a US and Iranian president since 1979. William Hague is also due to meet his counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, at the UN general assembly meeting in New York, lending a degree of optimism that Rouhani's election may provide a tentative solution to the 11-year international standoff over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Divisions between Clegg and Cable over economic policy
A growing dispute within the Liberal Democrats over economic and political strategy emerged on Sunday, the FT (£) reports. Nick Clegg’s allies have accused Vince Cable’s of “playing to the Left-wing gallery,” following his refusal to join the deputy prime minister in embracing the government’s austerity “Plan A” programme. Leftwing delegates have advocated a more flexible policy on deficit reduction and a “sustainable business model” for councils to build an additional 300,000 homes annually. In a round of broadcast interviews on Monday morning, Clegg played down insinuations of a rift with Cable, saying that that “it’s a bit of a storm in a teacup,” claiming that he both he and Cable “have been working hand in glove.” Cable’s aides said he was busy preparing for his speech on the economy later today and refused to say whether he would vote with Clegg.
Benefit fraudsters face up to 10 years in jail
Benefit cheats will face increased prison sentences of up to 10 years, under new guidelines issued by the director of public prosecutions, says the BBC. Britain’s most senior prosecutor has said that it was time for a “tough stance” to crack down on those who “flout the system,” as he set out new guidance for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Keir Starmer QC added that the £1.9bn annual cost of crime should be at the “forefront of lawyers” minds when considering whether a prosecution was in the public’s interest.
Minister calls for debate on the veil
The Home Officer minister, Jeremy Browne, has called for a national debate on whether the state should impose a ban on the veil in public places, the Telegraph reports. Browne’s intervention comes after a row erupted over the decision by Birmingham Metropolitan College to drop a ban on full-face veils, amid protests. Browne said that he was “uneasy” about restricting religious freedoms,” but said that there may be a case to protect girls who might be too young to decide for themselves whether they wish to wear the veil or not.
Lib Dems failing to tackle “inappropriate behaviour”
Complaints of inappropriate sexual advances from party members were voiced at a fringe event at the Liberal Democrats party conference, The Times (£) reports. Activist Catherine Royce said that sexual harassment had been “brushed under the carpet again,” despite a crackdown following allegations against Lord Rennard. Royce urged “the leadership to make it clear that the party is taking this extremely seriously.” Another activist said, “When I am introduced to older males in the party they do that thing where they hug you...A few times people’s hands are on your lower back and do ‘the slip. That is not very pleasant.”
Iran and the US are showing signs of making diplomatic headway, the Guardian reports. An exchange of letters between Obama and Iran’s Rouhani has opened the door for a potential meeting between the two leaders at the UN next week in what would be the first face-to-face exchange between a US and Iranian president since 1979. William Hague is also due to meet his counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, at the UN general assembly meeting in New York, lending a degree of optimism that Rouhani's election may provide a tentative solution to the 11-year international standoff over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Divisions between Clegg and Cable over economic policy
A growing dispute within the Liberal Democrats over economic and political strategy emerged on Sunday, the FT (£) reports. Nick Clegg’s allies have accused Vince Cable’s of “playing to the Left-wing gallery,” following his refusal to join the deputy prime minister in embracing the government’s austerity “Plan A” programme. Leftwing delegates have advocated a more flexible policy on deficit reduction and a “sustainable business model” for councils to build an additional 300,000 homes annually. In a round of broadcast interviews on Monday morning, Clegg played down insinuations of a rift with Cable, saying that that “it’s a bit of a storm in a teacup,” claiming that he both he and Cable “have been working hand in glove.” Cable’s aides said he was busy preparing for his speech on the economy later today and refused to say whether he would vote with Clegg.
Benefit fraudsters face up to 10 years in jail
Benefit cheats will face increased prison sentences of up to 10 years, under new guidelines issued by the director of public prosecutions, says the BBC. Britain’s most senior prosecutor has said that it was time for a “tough stance” to crack down on those who “flout the system,” as he set out new guidance for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Keir Starmer QC added that the £1.9bn annual cost of crime should be at the “forefront of lawyers” minds when considering whether a prosecution was in the public’s interest.
Minister calls for debate on the veil
The Home Officer minister, Jeremy Browne, has called for a national debate on whether the state should impose a ban on the veil in public places, the Telegraph reports. Browne’s intervention comes after a row erupted over the decision by Birmingham Metropolitan College to drop a ban on full-face veils, amid protests. Browne said that he was “uneasy” about restricting religious freedoms,” but said that there may be a case to protect girls who might be too young to decide for themselves whether they wish to wear the veil or not.
Lib Dems failing to tackle “inappropriate behaviour”
Complaints of inappropriate sexual advances from party members were voiced at a fringe event at the Liberal Democrats party conference, The Times (£) reports. Activist Catherine Royce said that sexual harassment had been “brushed under the carpet again,” despite a crackdown following allegations against Lord Rennard. Royce urged “the leadership to make it clear that the party is taking this extremely seriously.” Another activist said, “When I am introduced to older males in the party they do that thing where they hug you...A few times people’s hands are on your lower back and do ‘the slip. That is not very pleasant.”
