David Anderson
@bricksilk.bsky.social
Lord Anderson of Ipswich KBE KC: Barrister, Cross-bench Peer, Independent Prevent Commissioner; HL Constitution Cttee; Chair Inter Mediate, @uclei.bsky.social; Vis Prof KCL; AFPS; ex-indept reviewer terrorism legn; history, nature, sea kayaking, Suffolk
Reposted by David Anderson
The government’s progress on constitutional & ethical standards has been welcome but underwhelming. It should go further to put the business appointments rules and the new standards regulator on a statutory basis, protect the electoral process and ensure the independence of the Electoral Commission
ON THE BLOG: Monitor 91: Starmer's constitutional timidity
In the lead article from the latest issue of Monitor, Meg Russell & @alanrenwick.bsky.social argue that the government could be seeking to lead, and to set the tone on constitutional standards, but changes instead feel timid and reluctant.
In the lead article from the latest issue of Monitor, Meg Russell & @alanrenwick.bsky.social argue that the government could be seeking to lead, and to set the tone on constitutional standards, but changes instead feel timid and reluctant.
Monitor 91: Starmer's constitutional timidity
In the lead article from the latest issue of Monitor, Meg Russell & @alanrenwick.bsky.social argue that the government could be seeking to lead, and to set the tone on constitutional standards, but changes instead feel timid and reluctant.
constitution-unit.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 AM
The government’s progress on constitutional & ethical standards has been welcome but underwhelming. It should go further to put the business appointments rules and the new standards regulator on a statutory basis, protect the electoral process and ensure the independence of the Electoral Commission
My first session this morning on HL Justice and Home Affairs Cttee, discussing migration and pathways to settlement with @sundersays.bsky.social and Prof Alan Manning of LSE: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Parliamentlive.tv
Justice and Home Affairs Committee
www.parliamentlive.tv
November 25, 2025 at 2:15 PM
My first session this morning on HL Justice and Home Affairs Cttee, discussing migration and pathways to settlement with @sundersays.bsky.social and Prof Alan Manning of LSE: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Reposted by David Anderson
Measured and sensible suggested reform to Art 3 suggested by the Home Office
"Degrading treatment" includes being slapped in the face by a police officer. Totally unacceptable behaviour but that should not be an absolute bar to deportation
"Degrading treatment" includes being slapped in the face by a police officer. Totally unacceptable behaviour but that should not be an absolute bar to deportation
November 17, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Measured and sensible suggested reform to Art 3 suggested by the Home Office
"Degrading treatment" includes being slapped in the face by a police officer. Totally unacceptable behaviour but that should not be an absolute bar to deportation
"Degrading treatment" includes being slapped in the face by a police officer. Totally unacceptable behaviour but that should not be an absolute bar to deportation
Reposted by David Anderson
New from Free Movement: “The rule of law is under threat in the UK” says House of Lords Constitution Committee | Sonia Lenegan
"The rule of law is under threat in the UK" says House of Lords Constitution Committee - Free Movement
The House of Lords Constitution Committee has published a report looking at the state of the rule of law in the UK and concluding that it is "under threat".
freemovement.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 12:36 PM
New from Free Movement: “The rule of law is under threat in the UK” says House of Lords Constitution Committee | Sonia Lenegan
Reposted by David Anderson
The UK government's proposals on changes to settlement (indefinite leave to remain) rules have now been published in a consultation paper, ahead of a statement from the Home Secretary to MPs shortly www.gov.uk/government/c...
Earned settlement
The government is consulting on how the current settlement system should be reformed and how those reforms should be implemented.
www.gov.uk
November 20, 2025 at 12:46 PM
The UK government's proposals on changes to settlement (indefinite leave to remain) rules have now been published in a consultation paper, ahead of a statement from the Home Secretary to MPs shortly www.gov.uk/government/c...
Reposted by David Anderson
New post: Tyranny, anarchy and the rule of law: Reflections on a major report by the Constitution Committee
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/20/t...
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/20/t...
Tyranny, anarchy and the rule of law: Reflections on a major report by the Constitution Committee
The House of Lords Constitution Committee’s new report on the rule of law provides an excellent overview of the concept and of the many challenges it finds itself under in the UK today. But the rep…
publiclawforeveryone.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:17 AM
New post: Tyranny, anarchy and the rule of law: Reflections on a major report by the Constitution Committee
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/20/t...
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/20/t...
Will be published at midnight - I hope of interest
November 19, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Will be published at midnight - I hope of interest
Reposted by David Anderson
I'm reading through the white paper or whatever it is. RESTORING ORDER AND CONTROL: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy www.gov.uk/government/p...
Asylum and returns policy statement
This policy statement sets out significant reforms to the UK’s asylum and returns policy.
www.gov.uk
November 17, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I'm reading through the white paper or whatever it is. RESTORING ORDER AND CONTROL: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy www.gov.uk/government/p...
Free seminar on Prevent and Extremism in Oxford this Thursday, with me and the excellent Julia Ebner: www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/events/preve.... Some background to my own work on Prevent is here: www.daqc.co.uk/2025/11/16/l....
Prevent and Counter-Extremism in the UK
Join Lord David Anderson, the UK's Independent Prevent Commissioner and former Terror Watchdog, for a seminar on the changing nature of extremist threats and the UK's Prevent strategy as part of the C...
www.bsg.ox.ac.uk
November 16, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Free seminar on Prevent and Extremism in Oxford this Thursday, with me and the excellent Julia Ebner: www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/events/preve.... Some background to my own work on Prevent is here: www.daqc.co.uk/2025/11/16/l....
Prevent opened up to C4 News last week. This 10-minute film (from 19:30) is the result. Recommended.
www.channel4.com/programmes/c...
www.channel4.com/programmes/c...
Channel 4 News
Channel 4's flagship news programme. In-depth news and current affairs.
www.channel4.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Prevent opened up to C4 News last week. This 10-minute film (from 19:30) is the result. Recommended.
www.channel4.com/programmes/c...
www.channel4.com/programmes/c...
Media this evening on Prevent - subject to scheduling changes there will be a pre-recorded item on C4 News after 7pm, featuring some inside access, and I'll be interviewed on Times Radio after 8 and BBC R4 after 10.
November 6, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Media this evening on Prevent - subject to scheduling changes there will be a pre-recorded item on C4 News after 7pm, featuring some inside access, and I'll be interviewed on Times Radio after 8 and BBC R4 after 10.
Reposted by David Anderson
Congratulations to the 6 KCs appointed to the new panel to support First Treasury Counsel on major civil/public law work.
In a sense it’s welcome back to Jonathan Crow.
(Btw I think “First Treasury Solicitor Counsel” is a mistake!)
www.gov.uk/government/n...
In a sense it’s welcome back to Jonathan Crow.
(Btw I think “First Treasury Solicitor Counsel” is a mistake!)
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Senior barristers to support government on strategic public cases
Six King's Counsel appointed to new Attorney General’s Senior Treasury Counsel Group
www.gov.uk
November 6, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Congratulations to the 6 KCs appointed to the new panel to support First Treasury Counsel on major civil/public law work.
In a sense it’s welcome back to Jonathan Crow.
(Btw I think “First Treasury Solicitor Counsel” is a mistake!)
www.gov.uk/government/n...
In a sense it’s welcome back to Jonathan Crow.
(Btw I think “First Treasury Solicitor Counsel” is a mistake!)
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Prevent stats published today www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...
Far-right cases referred to Prevent programme double those for Islamist extremism
A record 8,778 people were referred to the government’s anti-extremism scheme in the year to March 2025
www.independent.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Prevent stats published today www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...
Reposted by David Anderson
In this week’s Spectator:
October 31, 2025 at 5:28 PM
In this week’s Spectator:
A quietly revealing listen, showcasing the human qualities of our PM - and Michael Berkeley’s skills as a music lobbyist. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Private Passions - The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer - BBC Sounds
Michael Berkeley’s guest is the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 7:36 PM
A quietly revealing listen, showcasing the human qualities of our PM - and Michael Berkeley’s skills as a music lobbyist. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Beautifully observed – and so true
www.thetimes.com/article/c646...
www.thetimes.com/article/c646...
Why I love England — and I don’t need to wave a flag to show it
‘The train to Leeds is clean, on time and half-empty. I know this is rare, like finding a sixpence in a Christmas pudding — and so I enjoy it’
www.thetimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Beautifully observed – and so true
www.thetimes.com/article/c646...
www.thetimes.com/article/c646...
Reposted by David Anderson
This was my @prospectmagazine.co.uk post on that judicial criticism of MI5, and why the PM has ordered an independent investigation of the MI5 failure to properly give evidence in a major court case.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Why the prime minister ordered an independent investigation into MI5
Neither Keir Starmer nor the High Court accepted the security service’s explanation of a serious error
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 7:23 AM
This was my @prospectmagazine.co.uk post on that judicial criticism of MI5, and why the PM has ordered an independent investigation of the MI5 failure to properly give evidence in a major court case.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Crime and Policing Bill today hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2025-1...: 400+ pages, 67 speakers, 6.5 hours of earnest debate, the prelude to ?11 days on the details and ?5 days in which anyone can call a vote on any amendment. HL is deservedly criticised, but really adds value on this sort of thing.
Crime and Policing Bill - Hansard - UK Parliament
Hansard record of the item : 'Crime and Policing Bill' on Thursday 16 October 2025.
hansard.parliament.uk
October 16, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Crime and Policing Bill today hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2025-1...: 400+ pages, 67 speakers, 6.5 hours of earnest debate, the prelude to ?11 days on the details and ?5 days in which anyone can call a vote on any amendment. HL is deservedly criticised, but really adds value on this sort of thing.
Text of MI5 director general’s annual threat address is here www.mi5.gov.uk/director-gen.... This is how he dealt with the failures of disclosure identified earlier this year by the courts, and now under independent review by Sir Brian Leveson
October 16, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Text of MI5 director general’s annual threat address is here www.mi5.gov.uk/director-gen.... This is how he dealt with the failures of disclosure identified earlier this year by the courts, and now under independent review by Sir Brian Leveson
Interesting debate tonight on the Deprivation of Citizenship Orders Bill - the latest attempt to change the law as recently declared by the Supreme Court: hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-1...
Deprivation of Citizenship Orders (Effect during Appea - Hansard - UK Parliament
Hansard record of the item : 'Deprivation of Citizenship Orders (Effect during Appeal) Bill' on Tuesday 14 October 2025.
hansard.parliament.uk
October 14, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Interesting debate tonight on the Deprivation of Citizenship Orders Bill - the latest attempt to change the law as recently declared by the Supreme Court: hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-1...
Reposted by David Anderson
NEW: Membership of the committee scrutinising the assisted dying bill in the Lords has been announced.
It contains 7 opponents of the bill, 5 supporters and a neutral chair (Lord Hope).
lordsbusiness.parliament.uk/ItemOfBusine...
It contains 7 opponents of the bill, 5 supporters and a neutral chair (Lord Hope).
lordsbusiness.parliament.uk/ItemOfBusine...
Appointment of Sessional Committee (without Sub-Committees) - House of Lords Business - UK Parliament
View details about this House of Lords item of business.
lordsbusiness.parliament.uk
October 14, 2025 at 4:20 PM
NEW: Membership of the committee scrutinising the assisted dying bill in the Lords has been announced.
It contains 7 opponents of the bill, 5 supporters and a neutral chair (Lord Hope).
lordsbusiness.parliament.uk/ItemOfBusine...
It contains 7 opponents of the bill, 5 supporters and a neutral chair (Lord Hope).
lordsbusiness.parliament.uk/ItemOfBusine...
Reposted by David Anderson
Full article is available here via @conservativehome.bsky.social: conservativehome.com/2025/10/05/r...
Robert Buckland: Leaving the ECHR would be a grave mistake | Conservative Home
Withdrawal from the ECHR would upset the delicate political balance in Northern Ireland, compromise our extradition and security arrangements, and damage our moral authority abroad. Above all, it woul...
conservativehome.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Full article is available here via @conservativehome.bsky.social: conservativehome.com/2025/10/05/r...