Home Office ministers tonight defended changes to legislation to criminalise men who pay for sex with women who are forced into prostitution.
Women's groups claimed that Jacqui Smith, the home secretary, had "backtracked" by narrowing the wording of the new offence so it covers women "subjected to force, deception or threats" rather than anyone "controlled for gain by a third party".
The women's charity, Eaves, which runs the Poppy project, which helps women trafficked into Britain for sexual exploitation, says it is disappointed by a "backward move" that would fail to protect exploited British women who are not covered by trafficking legislation.
Helen Atkins, of Eaves, said the revised wording was actually narrower than that used in the international trafficking definition that required "fraud, force or coercion". She added: "The home secretary's amendment doesn't cover the exploitation of vulnerability which commonly occurs in cases of grooming of women and girls into prostitution and the psychological control that often comes with it."
But the Home Office spokeswoman said it did not believe it would make the offence too narrow: "We share the aims of the Poppy project ensuring that all those involved in prostitution through exploitation are protected by this offence. Our amendments will ensure that they are and that the offence is much clearer, allowing it to operate more effectively to bring to justice those who exploit vulnerable women."
Ministers said they were responding to concerns raised by Liberal Democrats and Conservatives that the term "controlled for gain" could apply in wider circumstances than the new offence was aimed to cover.
Ministers want to deter sex buyers from paying for sex with those who have been trafficked or otherwise forced or coerced to provide sexual services. The new wording would make it a crime to pay for sex with someone who has been subject to "force, deception or threats of a kind likely to induce or encourage" the provision of a sexual service.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Michael Martin resigns as PM signals the end of the 'gentlemen's club'
On one of the most momentous days in British parliamentary history, the Speaker of the Commons, Michael Martin, resigned his office yesterday, and the prime minister desperately tried to defuse the constitutional crisis by announcing unprecedented plans to curb centuries of MPs' self-governance.
Within hours of Martin giving up the fight to retain his post as the most senior commoner in the land, Gordon Brown outlined plans to dismantle what he described as the "gentlemen's club" of parliament by handing power for the oversight of every aspect of MPs' pay, expenses and pensions to a new statutory independent regulator. At a Downing Street press conference, the prime minister said Westminster "can no longer operate as a 19th-century institution where the members make up the rules, and operate them among themselves".
He said he would be willing to pass legislation to end self-regulation immediately, on a cross-party basis, so that MPs were no longer in the invidious position of being "judge and jury of their own pay and rations".
Later Martin announced an immediate interim ban on MPs claiming for furniture and the "flipping" of second homes, two of the most incendiary practices to emerge from the expenses scandal.
His interim reforms also include:
• MPs living together must designate the same home as their main residence
• A cap on mortgage interest payments at £1,250 a month
• MPs to be "completely open" on whether they have claimed additional costs allowance on a property as a second home and are liable for capital gains tax
• All expense claims to be published online quarterly
• Only rent, hotel bills, overnight subsistence, mortgage interest, council tax, utility charges and insurance will be allowed
• Claims which are the subject of any doubts will be refused with no opportunity of appeal.
Earlier, Brown promised that Labour's national executive would deselect MPs who had broken the rules of parliament, describing the expenses claims of his communities secretary, Hazel Blears, and the Labour MP for Luton South, Margaret Moran, as "completely unacceptable" – his harshest condemnation yet.
He said his reforms would "change centuries of history for parliament" and added: "To move from self-regulation to statutory independent regulation is the only way forward." He promised to come forward with specific proposals.
Martin, appointed in 2000, became the first Speaker to be forced from office in more than 300 years. He resigned yesterday morning after consultations with close allies and a discussion with Brown on Monday afternoon and again yesterday. The prime minister is understood to have warned him that support was draining away after a disastrous performance in the Commons on Monday afternoon.
Allies of Martin such as the Labour MP Jim Sheridan and Lord Foulkes blamed an anti-Catholic conspiracy and even called for parliamentary sketchwriters who have tormented him to be censored. Labour MPs broke with precedent to applaud Martin last night after he announced the interim rules to tighten MPs' expenses and allowances.
Brown had planned to announce the changes at his Downing Street press conference, but was told by the Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, that Martin should be allowed to make the statement to MPs, so reducing the prime minister's chance of taking the political credit.
Earlier, Martin resigned in an anti-climactic 33-second statement in which he said simply: "Since I came to the house 30 years ago, I have always felt that this house is at its very best when it is united. In order that unity that can be maintained, I have decided that I will relinquish the office of Speaker on 21 June."
His departure will create a hideous byelection for Labour in his Glasgow north-east constituency in late summer.
Potential successors were already discreetly campaigning in what will be the first secret ballot for Speaker in parliament's history. Leading candidates include Sir George Young, a reforming old Etonian; Sir Alan Beith, the veteran Liberal Democrat; and John Bercow, the independent-minded Tory. Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat economic spokesman, ruled himself out, as has David Davis, the former shadow home affairs spokesman.
Within hours of Martin giving up the fight to retain his post as the most senior commoner in the land, Gordon Brown outlined plans to dismantle what he described as the "gentlemen's club" of parliament by handing power for the oversight of every aspect of MPs' pay, expenses and pensions to a new statutory independent regulator. At a Downing Street press conference, the prime minister said Westminster "can no longer operate as a 19th-century institution where the members make up the rules, and operate them among themselves".
He said he would be willing to pass legislation to end self-regulation immediately, on a cross-party basis, so that MPs were no longer in the invidious position of being "judge and jury of their own pay and rations".
Later Martin announced an immediate interim ban on MPs claiming for furniture and the "flipping" of second homes, two of the most incendiary practices to emerge from the expenses scandal.
His interim reforms also include:
• MPs living together must designate the same home as their main residence
• A cap on mortgage interest payments at £1,250 a month
• MPs to be "completely open" on whether they have claimed additional costs allowance on a property as a second home and are liable for capital gains tax
• All expense claims to be published online quarterly
• Only rent, hotel bills, overnight subsistence, mortgage interest, council tax, utility charges and insurance will be allowed
• Claims which are the subject of any doubts will be refused with no opportunity of appeal.
Earlier, Brown promised that Labour's national executive would deselect MPs who had broken the rules of parliament, describing the expenses claims of his communities secretary, Hazel Blears, and the Labour MP for Luton South, Margaret Moran, as "completely unacceptable" – his harshest condemnation yet.
He said his reforms would "change centuries of history for parliament" and added: "To move from self-regulation to statutory independent regulation is the only way forward." He promised to come forward with specific proposals.
Martin, appointed in 2000, became the first Speaker to be forced from office in more than 300 years. He resigned yesterday morning after consultations with close allies and a discussion with Brown on Monday afternoon and again yesterday. The prime minister is understood to have warned him that support was draining away after a disastrous performance in the Commons on Monday afternoon.
Allies of Martin such as the Labour MP Jim Sheridan and Lord Foulkes blamed an anti-Catholic conspiracy and even called for parliamentary sketchwriters who have tormented him to be censored. Labour MPs broke with precedent to applaud Martin last night after he announced the interim rules to tighten MPs' expenses and allowances.
Brown had planned to announce the changes at his Downing Street press conference, but was told by the Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, that Martin should be allowed to make the statement to MPs, so reducing the prime minister's chance of taking the political credit.
Earlier, Martin resigned in an anti-climactic 33-second statement in which he said simply: "Since I came to the house 30 years ago, I have always felt that this house is at its very best when it is united. In order that unity that can be maintained, I have decided that I will relinquish the office of Speaker on 21 June."
His departure will create a hideous byelection for Labour in his Glasgow north-east constituency in late summer.
Potential successors were already discreetly campaigning in what will be the first secret ballot for Speaker in parliament's history. Leading candidates include Sir George Young, a reforming old Etonian; Sir Alan Beith, the veteran Liberal Democrat; and John Bercow, the independent-minded Tory. Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat economic spokesman, ruled himself out, as has David Davis, the former shadow home affairs spokesman.
US Senate passes credit card bill
Lawmakers in the US Senate have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a bill that puts new restrictions on the credit card industry.
The bill would curb sudden interest rate increases and hidden fees.
The industry has warned that the measure could backfire, leading banks to issue fewer credit cards thus making it harder to get credit.
The bill would mark the first major financial reform made by the Obama administration.
Analysts said it would hurt the profits of major credit card issuers such as Citigroup and Bank of America.
The bill must again go before the House of Representatives and then be approved by President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign it into law by the end of the month.
Edward Yingling, president of the American Bankers Association, said the credit card bill, if signed into law, would undermine the availability of credit.
'Reasonable rules'
The bill would prevent companies from raising interest rates on existing balances unless a card holder was 60 days behind, and then it would require the rate to be restored to its previous level if payments were on time for six months.
Card holders would have to be told of rate increases 45 days in advance and it would also make it harder for people aged under 21 to be issued with credit cards.
"This bill bans unfair rate increases, makes companies play by reasonable rules and magnifies the fine print so consumers aren't blindsided by their monthly bills," Democratic Senator Richard Durbin said.
However, there are fears that if penalties on riskier borrowers are limited, credit card issuers could introduce annual fees and and curtail reward programmes to make up for lost revenue.
The bill would curb sudden interest rate increases and hidden fees.
The industry has warned that the measure could backfire, leading banks to issue fewer credit cards thus making it harder to get credit.
The bill would mark the first major financial reform made by the Obama administration.
Analysts said it would hurt the profits of major credit card issuers such as Citigroup and Bank of America.
The bill must again go before the House of Representatives and then be approved by President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign it into law by the end of the month.
Edward Yingling, president of the American Bankers Association, said the credit card bill, if signed into law, would undermine the availability of credit.
'Reasonable rules'
The bill would prevent companies from raising interest rates on existing balances unless a card holder was 60 days behind, and then it would require the rate to be restored to its previous level if payments were on time for six months.
Card holders would have to be told of rate increases 45 days in advance and it would also make it harder for people aged under 21 to be issued with credit cards.
"This bill bans unfair rate increases, makes companies play by reasonable rules and magnifies the fine print so consumers aren't blindsided by their monthly bills," Democratic Senator Richard Durbin said.
However, there are fears that if penalties on riskier borrowers are limited, credit card issuers could introduce annual fees and and curtail reward programmes to make up for lost revenue.
Scientists hail stunning fossil
The beautifully preserved remains of a 47-million-year-old, lemur-like creature have been unveiled in the US.
The preservation is so good, it is possible to see the outline of its fur and even traces of its last meal.
The fossil, nicknamed Ida, is claimed to be a "missing link" between today's higher primates - monkeys, apes and humans - and more distant relatives.
But some independent experts, awaiting an opportunity to see the new fossil, are sceptical of the claim.
And they have been critical of the hype surrounding the presentation of Ida.
The fossil was launched amid great fanfare at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, by the city's mayor.
Although details of the fossil have only just been published in a scientific journal - PLoS One - there is already a TV documentary and book tie-in.
Ida was discovered in the 1980s in a fossil treasure-trove called Messel Pit, near Darmstadt in Germany. For much of the intervening period, it has been in a private collection.
The investigation of the fossil's significance was led by Jorn Hurum of the Natural History Museum in Oslo, Norway.
He said the fossil creature was "the closest thing we can get to a direct ancestor" and described the discovery as "a dream come true".
The female animal lived during an epoch in Earth history known as the Eocene, which was crucial for the development of early primates - and at first glance, Ida resembles a lemur.
But the creature lacks primitive features such as a so-called "toothcomb", a specialised feature in which the lower incisor and canine teeth are elongated, crowded together and projecting forward. She also lacks a special claw used for grooming.
The preservation is so good, it is possible to see the outline of its fur and even traces of its last meal.
The fossil, nicknamed Ida, is claimed to be a "missing link" between today's higher primates - monkeys, apes and humans - and more distant relatives.
But some independent experts, awaiting an opportunity to see the new fossil, are sceptical of the claim.
And they have been critical of the hype surrounding the presentation of Ida.
The fossil was launched amid great fanfare at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, by the city's mayor.
Although details of the fossil have only just been published in a scientific journal - PLoS One - there is already a TV documentary and book tie-in.
Ida was discovered in the 1980s in a fossil treasure-trove called Messel Pit, near Darmstadt in Germany. For much of the intervening period, it has been in a private collection.
The investigation of the fossil's significance was led by Jorn Hurum of the Natural History Museum in Oslo, Norway.
He said the fossil creature was "the closest thing we can get to a direct ancestor" and described the discovery as "a dream come true".
The female animal lived during an epoch in Earth history known as the Eocene, which was crucial for the development of early primates - and at first glance, Ida resembles a lemur.
But the creature lacks primitive features such as a so-called "toothcomb", a specialised feature in which the lower incisor and canine teeth are elongated, crowded together and projecting forward. She also lacks a special claw used for grooming.
Sharp fall in exports from China
China's exports in April were down 22.6% from a year ago, the sixth successive month of decline.
April's fall in exports was also bigger than the 17.1% annual decline recorded in March.
But other data released on Tuesday suggest that Chinese government efforts to stimulate the economy are pushing up investment levels in the country.
Analysts remain optimistic that China will be the first to make its way out of recession.
For those Chinese factory owners who send most of their products abroad, there is little relief in these latest trade figures.
Some had hoped the worst was over for exporters, but the 22.6% fall was greater than many analysts had expected.
On the other hand, investment in industrial plants and property in cities was 30% higher in the first four months of the year than it had been in the same period of 2008.
Investment projects
In recent months, the government has encouraged banks to lend huge amounts to businesses to help them get through the downturn.
That money has being spent on new equipment as well as massive infrastructure projects.
The outlook for exporters remains uncertain, because they are reliant on improvements in economic conditions elsewhere, which the Chinese government has little control over.
But for the Chinese economy as a whole, the prospects are brighter.
The government's stimulus package and increased lending are helping to keep those businesses that serve the domestic market afloat.
Most analysts expect to see stronger economic growth in the second half of the year.
April's fall in exports was also bigger than the 17.1% annual decline recorded in March.
But other data released on Tuesday suggest that Chinese government efforts to stimulate the economy are pushing up investment levels in the country.
Analysts remain optimistic that China will be the first to make its way out of recession.
For those Chinese factory owners who send most of their products abroad, there is little relief in these latest trade figures.
Some had hoped the worst was over for exporters, but the 22.6% fall was greater than many analysts had expected.
On the other hand, investment in industrial plants and property in cities was 30% higher in the first four months of the year than it had been in the same period of 2008.
Investment projects
In recent months, the government has encouraged banks to lend huge amounts to businesses to help them get through the downturn.
That money has being spent on new equipment as well as massive infrastructure projects.
The outlook for exporters remains uncertain, because they are reliant on improvements in economic conditions elsewhere, which the Chinese government has little control over.
But for the Chinese economy as a whole, the prospects are brighter.
The government's stimulus package and increased lending are helping to keep those businesses that serve the domestic market afloat.
Most analysts expect to see stronger economic growth in the second half of the year.
Japan's economy in record plunge
Japan's economy has seen its worst ever quarterly performance, with GDP shrinking 4% in the first three months of 2009.
The contraction is the fourth in succession, following a 3.8% drop in October to December.
But economists are predicting modest growth in the coming months after a small rise in production in March.
The world's second biggest economy, which depends heavily on exports, has been hit hard by the global downturn.
The contraction is the fourth in succession, following a 3.8% drop in October to December.
But economists are predicting modest growth in the coming months after a small rise in production in March.
The world's second biggest economy, which depends heavily on exports, has been hit hard by the global downturn.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Mussolini's mistress, love-child come to life in Cannes
Mussolini's secret mistress and their love child come to life in a film by Italian director Marco Bellocchio showing in competition at the Cannes film festival on Tuesday.
"Vincere" recounts the ends to which the dictator went to hide the mother and child who potentially could have put a brake on his rise to power in pre-war Italy.
"The Mussolini I talk about is not the affectionate pater familias sometimes shown on television whose only mistake was to ally himself with Hitler," Bellocchio told the leading Italian daily Corriere della Sera.
Two works inspired the film, Mussolini's Wife by Marco Zeni and The Secret Son of Il Duce by Alfredo Pieroni.
"He's a violent, calculating, merciless man, even towards the woman he loved and his own son," said Bellocchio, 69.
In 1914, Mussolini, then aged 31, belonged to the Socialist Party, directed the daily newspaper Avanti! and had lived for two years in northern Milan with Rachele Guidi, who would later become his wife.
But he chalked up numerous affairs, including with Ida Irene Dasler, a strong-willed woman three years his senior who ran a beauty salon.
Ida staunchly supported him when he was expelled by the Socialist Party for backing Italy's entry into World War I.
She even sold her salon to help him found his own newspaper, Il Popolo d'Italia (The People of Italy).
Some journalists and historians say the couple married in 1914, but this is disputed.
Ida was seven months pregnant when Mussolini left for the front in August 1915. She gave birth to their son Benito Albino on November 11.
She informed Mussolini of the news in a letter, but received no reply.
Instead, she heard he was hospitalised with jaundice and went to his side with the babe in arms.
The day before, Mussolini had married another lover, Rachele, at the hospital.
Nevertheless he promised Dasler that he would recognise their child, and he followed through a few months later before returning to the front.
He also sent a monthly allowance for the boy.
But Mussolini soon turned his back on his former mistress, ignoring her letters and putting her under police surveillance. The young mother doggedly continued to write to him and complained of her situation to the authorities.
Once Mussolini rose to the height of power in November 1922, he ordered even closer surveillance of Dasler lest she make more waves.
In 1926, when Il Duce had become undisputed dictator, muzzling the press and the opposition, Dasler was arrested and thrown into a mental hospital. The boy was forcibly taken from her and put in the care of a tutor.
Dasler, after being moved to two more institutions and never allowed visits or correspondence, finally died aged 57 in 1937.
The boy, who was 11 when his mother was first sent to an institution, studied at boarding school until he was 18 when he entered the marines.
Although Mussolini had no contact with him, he had a close eye kept on the boy.
The fact that the young Benito kept in touch with his mother's family troubled the authorities, who sent him without warning to Asia in 1934.
The next year when Benito returned to Italy he was hospitalised, and like his mother transferred to a psychiatric facility in 1936, where he died six years later, aged only 26.
He and his mother were both buried in unmarked graves
"Vincere" recounts the ends to which the dictator went to hide the mother and child who potentially could have put a brake on his rise to power in pre-war Italy.
"The Mussolini I talk about is not the affectionate pater familias sometimes shown on television whose only mistake was to ally himself with Hitler," Bellocchio told the leading Italian daily Corriere della Sera.
Two works inspired the film, Mussolini's Wife by Marco Zeni and The Secret Son of Il Duce by Alfredo Pieroni.
"He's a violent, calculating, merciless man, even towards the woman he loved and his own son," said Bellocchio, 69.
In 1914, Mussolini, then aged 31, belonged to the Socialist Party, directed the daily newspaper Avanti! and had lived for two years in northern Milan with Rachele Guidi, who would later become his wife.
But he chalked up numerous affairs, including with Ida Irene Dasler, a strong-willed woman three years his senior who ran a beauty salon.
Ida staunchly supported him when he was expelled by the Socialist Party for backing Italy's entry into World War I.
She even sold her salon to help him found his own newspaper, Il Popolo d'Italia (The People of Italy).
Some journalists and historians say the couple married in 1914, but this is disputed.
Ida was seven months pregnant when Mussolini left for the front in August 1915. She gave birth to their son Benito Albino on November 11.
She informed Mussolini of the news in a letter, but received no reply.
Instead, she heard he was hospitalised with jaundice and went to his side with the babe in arms.
The day before, Mussolini had married another lover, Rachele, at the hospital.
Nevertheless he promised Dasler that he would recognise their child, and he followed through a few months later before returning to the front.
He also sent a monthly allowance for the boy.
But Mussolini soon turned his back on his former mistress, ignoring her letters and putting her under police surveillance. The young mother doggedly continued to write to him and complained of her situation to the authorities.
Once Mussolini rose to the height of power in November 1922, he ordered even closer surveillance of Dasler lest she make more waves.
In 1926, when Il Duce had become undisputed dictator, muzzling the press and the opposition, Dasler was arrested and thrown into a mental hospital. The boy was forcibly taken from her and put in the care of a tutor.
Dasler, after being moved to two more institutions and never allowed visits or correspondence, finally died aged 57 in 1937.
The boy, who was 11 when his mother was first sent to an institution, studied at boarding school until he was 18 when he entered the marines.
Although Mussolini had no contact with him, he had a close eye kept on the boy.
The fact that the young Benito kept in touch with his mother's family troubled the authorities, who sent him without warning to Asia in 1934.
The next year when Benito returned to Italy he was hospitalised, and like his mother transferred to a psychiatric facility in 1936, where he died six years later, aged only 26.
He and his mother were both buried in unmarked graves
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