UK House landmark judgment brings cheers to Indian doctors
April 30, 2008
Britain’s Labour government had directly moved the House of Lords against the High Court ruling favouring an appeal by Association of Physicians of Indian Origin against the Labour government.
A new immigration law abolishing permit free training for overseas doctors was introduced in 2006. The Court of Appeal ruled that international medical should be allowed to compete for training as per the norms applied to local and EU graduates.
The aim of the government to impose the new law retrospect was to maintain the new migrant application below the 5000 mark. However Law Lords dismissed the government’s appeal.
After the judgment, on Wednesday, Dr Ramesh Mehta , president of Bapio, said:” The House of Lords has vindicated our position that the government had acted in haste and prematurely without thinking through the damaging consequences for thousands of international medical graduates that its retrospectively applied unfair regulations were likely to impose.”
Dr Satish Mathew, Bapio vice-chair for operations said; “This will provide much needed relief to thousands of doctors who have been through unimaginable stress. Many careers have already been destroyed. However, this ruling will give hope of fair treatment to the doctors who are still in the UK.”
Indian doctor in UK faces suspension
April 12, 2008
Doctor Tonomoy is a high profile Indian doctor practicing in Britain. He has been found guilty of conducting unethical drug tests on mentally ill patients in the country. As a consequence of his misconduct, the General Medical Council of Britain has decided to “suspend” Tonmoy, 42, from the medical register with immediate effect, a spokeswoman of the GMC said.
She stated “The Fitness to practice Panel of the GMC at its meeting on Sunday determined that it is necessary for the protection of members of the public that Dr Tonomoy Sharma’s registration should be made subject to suspension with immediate effect”. He will get 28 days to lodge an appeal according to the order
Sharma hails from Assam in India and is a former lecturer at the prestigious Institute of Psychiatry in London. He is a prominent psychiatrist and has often appeared on the BBC and also wrote books on mental illness. Sharma said it was not necessary as patients are not at any risk.
In its order, the penal highlighted that the’ issues raised’ were of serious concern and that such misconduct would not be repeated. The GMC who had examined his research over 10 years found the doctor recruited parents from schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s not only using unsolicited telephone calls, but also conducted unauthorized tests.
Scarletts Murder case to be investigated by the CBI
April 8, 2008
The CBI has been asked to look into Scarlett’s murder case and investigate the same. Fiona MacKeown, Scarlatti’s mother has been fighting for justice from the time her daughters dead body was recovered from Anjuna beach. She was raped and murdered in Goa; however, the case was not fully uncovered.
Fiona MacKeown has requested for the CBI to investigate the murder because she doesn’t completely trust the police force and Goan Government, who didn’t reveal a lot of important information at the beginning of the case. They had earlier claimed that Scarlett had just accidentally drowned and Fiona had to fight for a second postmortem to get to the bottom of the case.
Ms. MacKeown is relieved that the CBI is involved who she can trust more than the above mentioned officials who hid facts about her daughters rape and murder. She said that she has been put through a terrible time by these officials and she further blamed the government for hiding their crime by stating her as an irresponsible mother,
She has returned with her daughter’s body to the UK and intends to conduct a third post mortem here and submit results of the same to CBI which will support their investigation.
Missing Girl Shannon Matthew’s case takes a twist
April 5, 2008
Shannon Mathew, who had been missing for over 24 days, was found at her uncle’s house. Michael Donovan who is apparently her step father’s uncle had been arrested for her kidnapping. Michael stays at Lidgate Gardens, Dewsbury.
It took a large force with hundreds of officers and over 50 detectives to trace Shannon post she went missing on her way back from a school swimming trip.
In a shocking development, her stepfather, Craig Meehan was arrested for holding child pornography pictures. Craig has been living with Sharon Matthews and her children for around 5 years now. While investigating Shannon’s case, they found him holding obscene photograph of children. It has been reported that none of them were his step children’s photographs.
The West Yorkshire police has also arrested another 22 year old youth from the Dewsbury Moor area in a similar incident which has come to light due to Shannon’s investigation. They had screened a lot of computers during her investigation when they stumbled upon these indecent pictures of children by this unidentified 22 year old youth. Further investigations are being carried on and he has been detained for the same in the West Yorkshire police station.
Some obsolete laws that are still prevalent
March 28, 2008
Among the 328 obsolete laws, one enacted in 1797, forbids people to wear top hats. Even to- day the law is in force and you could get arrested for donning a top hat in London.
Listed below are some of the obsolete laws:
• You can be booked for an act of treason, if you happen to stick a postage stamp.
• If you are a motorist and want to urinate in public, you are required to aim at rear wheel and keep the right hand on his vehicle.
• If you’re asked by a constable to stop on the seashore in Lancashire you not permitted to incite a dog to bark.
• You can get away with murder of a Scotsman within the city’s wall of York provided he is carrying a bow and arrow.
• In 1307, according to a decree, the head of any dead whale found on the British coast became the property of the King, while the tail belonged to the Queen.
• Oliver Cromwell, in the 17th century, banned eating of mince pies on Christmas Day.
• If you wish to be in the vicinity of the reigning monarch, within one hundred yards make sure you are wearing socks.
• A law enacted by George 1 states “The severest penalties will be suffered by any commoner who doth permit his animal to have carnal knowledge of a pet of the Royal house.”
• You are to be a lady working in a tropical fish shop, in Liverpool; you will be exempted from prosecution even if you bare your breasts in public.
Guess how many of present generation are even aware of such laws. You may be able to count them on your finger tips.
UK Government plans to levy an annual charge on rich foreigners
March 27, 2008
UK Government plans to levy an annual charge on rich foreigners who have so far avoided paying tax in Britain, but ‘non-domiciled residents are not covered to pay tax on offshore income or capital gains not brought into the country. However, the idea of annual tax does not cut ice with some rich foreigner groups, who in their criticism of the said move, argued it could entice those individual- and the business they conduct- to move elsewhere, which in turn will harm the country’s reputation as a financial power centre.
Even before the levy of $30,000 (proposed annual tax) is imposed) on foreigners not domiciled in Britain, a research by accountants Grant Thorton said an exodus of talent is on the cards, as almost 42% of South Asian higher earners were set to leave Britain. Alistair Darling, the finance Minister, said the measures outlined were backed by the promise that no further changes in this Parliament or next would be made. This, according to the business groups, should help reassure ‘non-domiciles’.
Michael Snyder, the city of the London’s policy head, said, “The chancellor has clearly listened to the city’s overall concerns, but we need to ensure that the detailed rules do not, even inadvertently, do any further damage.” Incidentally, when presenting his first budget, Darling mentioned and praised the contribution made by the people born outside UK working in the UK.
First stage of the new point based immigration system launched
March 6, 2008
The new UK immigration rules will only allow the most talented highly-skilled foreign workers to enter and work in UK. The points based system is a five tier system Highly-skilled migrants fall under the tier 1, Tier 2 comprises of skilled workers with a job offer, Tier 3 covers low-skilled workers, Tier 4 for students, and the last one, Tier 5, musicians, actors and sports persons, considered as temporary workers.
These new rules will also apply to the highly skilled foreign nationals, already in UK, who desire to extend their stay. In other words, the existing foreign work forces are to be on their toes, and acquire the necessary skill and achieve the bench mark, in the available time, till their current work permit expires.
The catch in Tier3 is, immigration, under this category cannot be taken for granted as it will be allowed if specific shortages are identified that UK domestic or European labour force fails to be fill
Tough penalties are in the offing for employers who hire illegal workers. Employers will have to seek license and the’ rogue employers’ will face civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each worker. Those illegal hirers who knowingly commit the act may incur unlimited fine and also find themselves in prison.
To control the intake of foreigners, Britain introduced many measures last year Increasing immigration fee, mandatory financial checks on the applicant, and special ID cards were issued to foreign nationals were some of the steps to stem the influx.
“Migrants benefit this country economically, contributing an estimated $6bn to our national output, as well as socially and culturally. It is right that we have a system which is fair but firm, accessible but controlled,’ home secretary Jacqui Smith said, as Prime Minister Gordon Brown launched the first stage of the point –based immigration system.
The new system in UK is supposed to focus on the four issues of protection, prevention, accountability, and compassion according to immigration minister Liam Byrne.
Ageing 007 agents on the way out
February 18, 2008
As UK intelligence Bosses is not in favour of ageing 007s, the British chief of the intelligence M16, has warned that a generation of ageing spies could undermine Britain’s international fight against terrorism. The Telegraph quoted in evidence to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament ,Sir John Scarlett saying: “New Government rules increasing the civil service retirement age could hamper the service’s work around the world.
As a means to cope with an ageing population the age is increased by the ministers paving way for the civil servants to claim a pension from 60 to 65. Sir John, who has more than 2000 staff, was contacted by committee members asking him, in a private session about the possible effects of applying new retirement age to his service, as the change will also cover M16 and M15.
“ We were told that, should this change be implemented in SIS, it could pose problems in terms of overseas deployment of staff and effective intelligence gathering,” the committee said.
There are rules for M16 and M15, which allow certain specialist staff to carry on after retirement age where service chiefs believe they have unique knowledge and skill.
However these rules are applied invariably applied to desk-bound workers. Front- line intelligence officers posted around the world are expected to be physically fit and active. Hence they are deprived of the benefits of these rules.
London School of Economics and Anil Ambani connection
February 14, 2008
The mysterious email from a bogus ID in the Reliance ADA Group chairman’s name has now been traced to the prestigious business academy London School of Economics (LSE) in the UK. The fake email, spoke of Ambani’s strained relationship with his brother Mukesh and his company plans, resulting in furore when it ‘leaked out ` in October 2007.
Apart from that, the complaint issued by Reliance Power then alleged that the fictitious mail had sabotaged the launch of the company’s IPO, making it incur severe losses. Police investigations now reveal that the bogus email address adambani @aliuminidrector.com was registered on mail.com with a domain name lse.ac.uk, belonging to the LSE.
But Indian newspapers got a confirmation from the school that the mail had gone out from its server, LSE authorities said that in order for them to work with the investigation agency of another country, it has to be routed through the disiciplinary channel within the institute. They are also ready to provide the details if the Mumbai Police goes through London’s Metropolitan Police.
Jeremy Skelton Network Specialist at London School of Economics and Political Science “confirmed that the school received an email from police officer attached to the Cyber Cell of Navi Mumbai and the emails were sent from their IP address . We can obtain the details of the email sender, but will only share with an investigating agency of another country provided they approach THE Metropolitan Police in the UK and the request with more details is sent to us.’’
The fight for and against the Hunting Act gathers momentum
December 27, 2007
Supporters of Boxing Day hunts assembled in a show of strength on the day, traditionally the busiest one in the hunting calendar. Pro-hunting activists claimed the mass sentiment was clearly against the Hunting Act that supposedly marked the end of hunting with hounds.
Over 250,000 people took part in Britain’s 314 meets to voice their opposition, they pointed out in support of their claim. According the Countryside Alliance, their show of strength proved irrelevance of the ban. Its spokeswoman, Jill Grieve, argued the Act had only increased the curiosity about hunting with hounds. She added many people who didn’t know or bother about hunting previously thought of checking what the fuss was about after the Act brought it into spotlight.
Around 3,000 people were said to have joined the Duke of Beaufort’s hunt in Gloucestershire. Princes Charles, William and Harry had been there in the past. They skipped the hunt this year. A reported 2,300 people thronged Winslow, Buckinghamshire at the Bicester hunt. Hunt masters were happy to see such enthusiastic support from the countryside and also from the towns. According to them, most people now harbour a live & let live attitude, so they don’t like prejudiced laws against hunting. However, animal welfare campaigners disputed such arguments and also the level of support to anti-ban movement.
Organisations like the League Against Cruel Sports are monitoring the hunts carefully to gather high-quality evidence against anyone flouting the law so that the police can prosecute them. Dogs can still be employed for following a scent but cannot be used for killing the fox.
Huntsman Tony Wright successfully appealed at Exeter crown court last month after the League Against Cruel Sports had initiated a private prosecution against him. He became the first ever huntsman to be convicted of breaching the Act for hunting a wild animal with dogs, but won an appeal against his conviction. The legal battle for and against hunting is getting more intense…
