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Rumpole & Terrorism

Here's a little story* that could always turn into an inconveniently larger story and gives one a bit of hope. The headline, "Rumpole author claims UK is selling out to fascism" seems a fair summary.

John Mortimer, who created all those wonderful Rumpole stories, plans a new book to be called Rumpole and the Reign of Terror. This will give Mortimer his mouthpiece to discuss the problems as he sees them — and he generally sees them quite clearly — with letting the UK government (but pay attention, US government) suspend civil rights in the name of anti-terrorism and national security.

"The book's about terrorists, but it's not really about terrorists – it's about this wonderful government, who have given away all our civil liberties," he said.

"They've cancelled the Magna Carta, they've stopped trial by juries, and removed the presumption of innocence just because the terrorists are around, which is a certain way of changing our life – which is what the terrorists want to do.

"One of the things that Rumpole inveighs against is that his client does not know the charges against him.

"The changes have put us back way before 1215 AD, Mr Blair has removed us back to the Dark Ages. God knows who advises him on legal matters: although he is very near to God apparently."

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*Phil Miller, "Rumpole author claims UK is selling out to fascism", The Herald [UK], 17 August 2006; via Avedon Carol.

Posted on August 20, 2006 at 22.44 by jns · Permalink
In: All, Books, Common-Place Book

One Response

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  1. Written by S.W. Anderson
    on Monday, 21 August 2006 at 18.40
    Permalink

    I've never read any Rumpole books, but enjoyed some of the PBS shows years ago. More likely, they were BBC shows via PBS.

    A hat tip tp Mr. Mortimer in any case. All lateral support for a sane and worthy cause is deeply appreciated.

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