A report by Amnesty International says that the UK government is breaking the law by locking up too many asylum seekers before their claims are dealt with. The report estimates that 25,000 asylum applicants were held in detention centres during 2004, many of whom were particularly vulnerable, such as pregnant women, families with children and torture victims.
The assertion of local Conservative MP Chris Grayling that Epsom & Ewell is always down the priority list when decisions are taken by Surrey County Council was put to Nick Skellett, the Conservative Leader of the Council by Colin Taylor jointly with the other Epsom & Ewell County Councillors, at a council meeting on 14th June. This assertion, which had been made in literature sent to voters prior to the County Council elections in May, was strenuously denied by Mr Skellett.
Doctors need to do all they can to protect patients and colleagues from discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, a new report by the British Medical Association says. The report, Sexual Orientation in the Workplace, comes in the wake of recent legislation that makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the grounds of their sexual orientation.
A new study has highlighted concerns that homophobic crime is a significant issue in Oxfordshire and that many offences go unreported to the police. A survey of gay people in Oxfordshire found that they have experienced high levels of homophobic harassment and violence throughout their lives. Many saw this abuse as a normal occurrence and it was found that many offences went unreported to the police.
The 'Nite Rider' bus service which offers a cheap ride home to Folkestone clubbers could be scrapped - despite police evidence showing reductions in criminal damage and assaults. New Harbour Town Councillor Emily Sanger has supported the service, and wants to see it continued.
Cllr. Christine Rycroft has been confirmed as the new Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Chelmsford Borough Council. Chris replaces Cllr. Phil Harvey. Also announced on the Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet is Cllr. Tom Smith-Hughes as the Deputy Leader, replacing Cllr. Trevor Miller, and Cllr. Margaret Hutchon to chair the key all-party watchdog Scrutiny Committee.
