The Court of Public Opinion

I couldn't help but laugh when I heard Harriet Harman blethering on about "The Court of Public Opinion" on the midday news. It was either that, or weeping in frustration.

The context was that she was asked what the Government could do, legally, to stop former banking supremo Sir Fred (the Shred) Goodwin from getting his £700M pension, if it was legally in the contract. She replied to the effect that "a court of law is one thing, but there is also the court of public opinion, and that is where the government is operating".

What?!!? Is she seriously suggesting that public opinion comes above the rule of law? That whatever the Daily Mail, the Sun and the News of the Screws and all the other hate-filled tabloids decide is the agenda, comes above the legal rights and responsibilities of the citizen.

Sir Fred Goodwin may well not deserve his fat pension. The government were stupid to sign up to a deal which gave it to him in the first place. At the time they were running round like headless chickens bringing in a raft of panic measures to stop the banking system from collapse. Either that, or they didn't know just how bad things were going to get, so they thought the contrast wouldn't be such a problem. Or both. Either way, it's their fault, which is presumably why Harpie Harperson was trying to curry favour with "the Court of Public Opinion".

I tell you this, though. It's a chilling insight into the way the Government views due process. God help us all if we do ever end up with "the court of public opinion". There will be a civil war against the Muslims, burnt out pedaloes will litter the streets and there will be an asylum seeker hanging from every lamp-post. That's where you go with the court of public opinion, Harriet, you mad bitch. Kristallnacht, anyone?