Madness Alert! Muslim Staff at Marks & Spencer Can Refuse to Sell Alcohol and Pork

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Marks & Spencer says its Muslim staff do not have to sell pork or alcohol to customers

Muslim staff working for Marks & Spencer have been given permission to refuse to serve customers buying alcohol or pork products[.]

Its policy decision has highlighted a split among the big food retailers over whether religious staff should be excused certain jobs.

In contrast to M&S, Sainsbury’s said it had issued official guidelines that stated there was no reason why staff who did not drink alcohol or eat pork for religious reasons could not handle the goods.

The advice followed consultations with religious groups, said a spokesman.

Tesco said it treated each case on its merits, but said it “made no sense” to employ staff on a till who refused to touch certain items for religious reasons.

Asda said it would not deploy Muslims on tills who objected to handling alcohol, while Morrisons, which is based in Bradford where there is a large Muslim community, said it had widespread experience of dealing with the issue and would “respect and work around anyone’s wishes not to handle specific products for religious or cultural reasons”.

At M&S, Muslim staff who do not wish to handle alcohol or pork have been told they can politely request that customers choose another till at which to pay. » | Robert Mendick, Chief Reporter | Saturday, December 21, 2013

We’ve Heard Enough from Anjem Choudary

Anjem Choudary

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: In the wake of the Woolwich murder of soldier Lee Rigby, radical Islamists are given publicity because the media is attracted to extremists

The day after two young British converts to Islam, Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, were convicted of the horrific murder of the off-duty soldier Lee Rigby in a Woolwich street, Radio 4’s Today programme ran an extensive interview with the extremist preacher Anjem Choudary, a spokesman for the minority Islamist group Islam4UK. Mr Choudary has been around for a while, and never in a style conducive to happy community relations: previously, he was the spokesman for Al-Muhajiroun before that organisation was banned by the British government.

Choudary has a way of popping up in the wake of horrific events, and what followed came as little surprise. He has learnt to say unacceptable things in a reasonable tone of voice, which spins him out more airtime than his views merit. In this case, what emerged from the discussion was that Choudary does not believe in democracy since “sovereignty belongs to God”. He was not willing to condemn the murderers. And he calls, yet again, for the adoption of Sharia across the United Kingdom.

There is a nasty combination of victimhood, threat and doublespeak in his argument. He said he was “very proud” of Adebolajo as a Muslim, but insisted, “I can’t control what the youth do,” as though we were talking of wayward rascals who had broken a window instead of almost beheading a man in broad daylight. I don’t suppose he can fully control it, but he energetically provides the fuel of justification (both killers were former regulars at al-Muhijaroun [sic] meetings).

If I were a moderate British Muslim, my heart would plummet every time Choudary came on the television or radio. He speaks for a minority of British Muslims, yet likes to bandy the word “Muslim” around as though he owns it. He deliberately enrages non-Muslims, since he seeks the oxygen – not only of publicity – but of conflict. And after Choudary has been rattling on, someone else (in this case Lord Carlile) will inevitably appear to say that British Muslims really need to do and say more to condemn this kind of extremism. » | Jenny McCartney | Saturday, December 21, 2013

My comment:

I am so sick and tired of reading dross from our Muslim apologists. It is not only sickening and tiring, but it is totally dumb too. For Christ's sake – and I mean that more sincerely than you might imagine – stop making excuses for people who want to bring our civilisation down! Enough already! When are you stupid people going to wise up? There is only ONE goal of ALL Muslims, though they might tell you something different, and that is to take us over, that is to Islamise the West, that is to establish the caliphate. Isn't it about time that intelligent men and women everywhere started to recognise this fact? The truth is that Anjem Choudary and his ilk are spouting the true Islam. Understand that, and you're half way there! – © Mark

This comment appears here too.

Nigella Lawson Facing Scotland Yard Drugs Investigation

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Police are to carry out a review of evidence Nigella Lawson gave during the fraud trial of Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo, her former personal assistants

Nigella Lawson is facing a police investigation into her admission that she used drugs after a dramatic about-turn by Scotland Yard on Saturday night.

Police are to carry out a review of evidence she gave during the fraud trial of Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo, her former personal assistants.

In the witness box, she admitted taking cocaine several times, most recently in 2010, and smoking cannabis.

However, evidence was also given by the two women claiming she had repeatedly used the Class A drug.

When they were acquitted on Friday, Scotland Yard said it would not look at her admissions or the women’s claims. She would only be investigated if new evidence emerged.

But on Saturday night Commander Stephen Watson, of the Metropolitan Police, told The Telegraph that officers would examine the “implications” of what she had said under oath and seek advice on what to do next from the Crown Prosecution Service. » | David Barrett and Robert Mendick | Saturday, December 21, 2013

Why Dennis Rodman Should Not Be Friends with Kim Jong-un – By a Survivor of the North Korean Gulag

Kim Jong-un's comic book villain image belies the very real horrors of North Korea - and foreign celebrities should have nothing to with him, a says survivor of the North Korean gulag

Read the Telegraph article and comment here | Peter Foster, Washington | Saturday, December 21, 2013

Louis-Claude d’Aquin: Nouveau Livre de Noëls (Paris 1757)

WIKI: Louis-Claude d’Aquin »

Robert Spencer and Michael Coren on the Conviction of Jihad Murderers in the UK and More

Michael Coren & Robert Spencer discuss the conviction of Lee Rigby's murderers and the twisted denial of some that it was completely inspired by Islam, plus Prince Charles, a suspected revert to Islam, actually comes out and warns of the persecution of Christians in the Middle East.

HT: Robert Spencer @ Jihad Watch »

Father Christmas Granted a Walk-on Part in the Bible

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: One in 10 people aged 25 to 34 in modern Britain think that Father Christmas is mentioned in the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus

For centuries Christians have been taught that wise men from the east brought gifts for the baby Jesus.

But, according to polling, one in 10 young adults in Britain now believe that Father Christmas also makes an appearance in the Biblical account of the nativity.

Significant numbers also think that Mary and Joseph might have brightened up the stable with a Christmas tree.

Over a third of the public think that the Bible records December 25 as the date of the Jesus’s birth.

And a quarter appear to have confused the lyrics of “Away in a Manger” with the gospels by believing that the Bible states that Jesus did not cry when he was born. » | John Bingham, Religious Affairs Editor | Saturday, December 21, 2013

A Law for the Rich, A Law for the Poor: Nigella Legacy: Drugs Amnesty for Middle Class?

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Britain's most senior police officer says Scotland Yard will not investigate Nigella Lawson's confession to taking cocaine, despite previous tough talk on drugs

Britain's most senior policeman risked accusations of giving his approval to middle-class cocaine use after Scotland Yard said it would not investigate Nigella Lawson’s confession to taking class A drugs.

Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, allowed his force to put out a bizarrely-worded statement describing Miss Lawson’s admission under oath as an “allegation” which would not be investigated “at this stage”.

Anti-drug campaigners were baffled by Scotland Yard’s lack of action, which came as two former aides to Miss Lawson were cleared of fraudulently spending £685,000 on company credit cards. Sir Bernard has previously condemned the use of drugs by the middle classes.

The trial of Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo was overshadowed by disclosures of the television cook’s cocaine and cannabis use. » | Gordon Raynor | Friday, Decemebr 20, 2013

Britain's Ambitions in the Gulf Suffer Blow as UAE Rejects Typhoon Deal

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Doubts over Britain's resolve to project power in the Middle East mean that all the 'family silver' on offer fails to land the contract - with France the likely winner

David Cameron’s ambition to revive Britain’s ties with the Gulf, involving 230 ministerial visits to the region since 2010, was in disarray yesterday after the United Arab Emirates decided against a multi-billion pound deal to buy Typhoon fighters.

The blow came despite a sustained diplomatic effort, including two visits to the UAE by Mr Cameron, a State Visit from the Queen and an agreement to waive visas for any UAE citizens entering Britain from Jan 1.

In addition, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, the president of the UAE, paid a State Visit to Britain in April.

“We put out the family silver for them and we still failed,” said Jonathan Eyal, the international director of the Royal United Services Institute.

Reviving Britain’s historic relationship with the Gulf has been a central priority for Mr Cameron. » | David Blair, Chief Foreign Correspondent | Friday, December 20, 2013

My comment:

Is this a case of BAE Systems getting its comeuppance for the sh***y way they have dealt with many of their employees over the years? They have ridden rough shod over many, I am sorry to say. – © Mark

Councillor to Have Diversity Training after Golliwog Remarks

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A panel has ruled that a councillor who made comments about golliwogs not being racist should have diversity training, as they said her remarks brought the council into disrepute

A Conservative councillor is to undergo diversity training after she claimed that golliwogs are "nostalgic, not racist".

Dawn Barnett was found guilty of bringing Brighton and Hove City Council into disrepute with her remarks.

At a closed hearing, a panel of three councillors said the 72-year-old should have diversity training.

She was cleared of failing to treat others with respect and breaching the Equalities Act and the panel also recommended all councillors should have diversity training in future.

In August, Cllr Barnett said she thought golliwogs were "nostalgic, not racist".

She also dismissed complaints against a homestore in Brighton selling golliwog placemats as "political correctness gone too far".

Four complaints from three people were made to the council’s Black and Minority Ethnic Workers’ Forum in response to her comments. » | Claire Carter, and agencies | Friday, December 20, 2013

'If My Son Did What Michael Adebolajo Did, I Would Be Happy': Hate Preacher Omar Bakri Muhammad Says He Is Proud of Lee Rigby Killer

MAIL ONLINE: Omar Bakri Muhammad said e would be 'happy' if son killed a soldier / Adebolajo spoke at radical group Al-Muhajiroun's demonstrations / Muhammad said he did not feel sympathy for Lee Rigby

A hate preacher says he would be 'proud' if his son killed a man like Lee Rigby's murderer Michael Adebolajo.

Omar Bakri Muhammad said if his son, who was sitting on his father's knee during the interview, grew up and killed a soldier he would be 'happy'.


Adebolajo attended and spoke at the radical group Al-Muhajiroun's demonstrations after joining the group in 2003. He also changed his name to Mujahid, meaning ‘one who engages in jihad’.

Over the following years he cropped up again and again at Islamist events.

Channel 4 News reports Omar Bakri Muhammad, the former leader of Al-Muhajiroun, said he was proud of the killer.

He said: 'I've got a son, if he did what Michael did I would be happy.' » | Emma Thomas | Friday, December 20, 2013

New York City Puts e-Cigarettes under Smoking Ban

THE GUARDIAN: Measure means 'vaping' will be prohibited anywhere that smoking conventional tobacco products is banned

The New York City council has voted to add electronic cigarettes to the city's strict smoking ban, in what could be the latest of many anti-tobacco measures put in place by the outgoing mayor, Michael Bloomberg.

Only weeks after New York became the first major city to raise the legal age for buying tobacco to 21, the city council voted 43-8 to add electronic cigarettes to the city's Smoke-Free Air Act.

Bloomberg's other initiatives have included bans on trans fats and attempting to limit the sale of large sugary drinks. If the mayor signs the bill as expected, smoking e-cigarettes - or "vaping" - would be prohibited at public and private venues such as beaches, parks, restaurants and office buildings after 120 days.

The council speaker, Christine Quinn, who sponsored the bill, said at a press conference that the public use of e-cigarettes threatened to undermine enforcement of anti-smoking laws because their appearance was similar to traditional cigarettes and could "renormalise smoking in public places." » | Reuters in New York | Friday, December 20, 2013

Apollo Theatre Roof in London's West End Collapses: Scores Injured

Seventy-six injured including seven people seriously hurt after the roof of the Apollo in the West End collapsed mid-way through a packed evening performance

Read the Telegraph article here | Alice Philipson, Andrew Marszal and Harry de Quetteville | Thursday, December 19, 2013

Documentary: The Evil Behind Adolf Hitler

Accountant Who Believes He Is Secret Illegitimate Son of Princess Margaret Wins Legal Victory in Bid to See Her Will

Princess Margaret

MAIL ONLINE: Robert Brown, 58, believes the Queen's sister hid her pregnancy in 1955 / Her will was sealed around her death in 2002 - and he wants it opened up / Mr Brown, of Jersey, today won chance for judicial review of access to will / Mr Justice Phillips said there were 'compelling' reasons for his challenge / Born in Kenya, Mr Brown was brought up by Cynthia and Douglas Brown / He says he always felt he was not their natural son, and now wants to know / He said: 'Hopefully I am not a nutcase - I am either right or I am wrong.'

A Jersey accountant who believes he is the illegitimate son of Princess Margaret has won a High Court ruling which could aid his quest to see the contents of her will and that of the Queen Mother.

Robert Brown, 58, is seeking to prove he is Princess Margaret’s secret child and that she hid a pregnancy in 1955.

The royal wills were drawn up around the time of Margaret’s death in 2002, and were sealed to keep their contents secret.

Today Mr Brown was granted permission to seek judicial review of a refusal to allow him access under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) to documents he says show there was a 'secret judicial process' for sealing Royal wills.

Giving him leave, Mr Justice Phillips said at London’s High Court that there were 'compelling' constitutional reasons to allow Mr Brown’s legal challenge to go ahead - and that was not altered by a past Court of Appeal observation that Mr Brown’s claim to be Princess Margaret’s son was 'scandalous and irrational'.

The judge said the case gave rise 'to important points of principle and practice' regarding open justice and the public interest. » | Harriet Arkell | Thursday, December 19, 2013

Rigby Verdict: Killers 'Should Never Be Allowed to Walk Free'

Lee Rigby's parents

BBC: Two men have been convicted of murdering soldier Lee Rigby in May. His parents Ian and Lyn Rigby told BBC Panorama they do not think Michael Adebolajo or Michael Adebowale should ever be allowed to leave prison.

Drummer Lee Rigby had served in Afghanistan with his regiment, the Fusiliers, who he had joined in 2006 when he was just 19. His unit was based in Cyprus.

Talking to Panorama's Peter Taylor, Lee's mother Lyn Rigby said: "I wouldn't wish anybody to go through the same pain of what they put Lee through, what they put the family through."

"I don't think they should be able to come out and walk the streets again." Read on and watch BBC video » | Thursday, December 19, 2013

Blow for Britain and BAE Systems as UAE Rules Out Eurofighter Deal

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Britain fails to seal multi-billion pound deal to sell 60 Eurofighter Typhoon jet fighters to the United Arab Emirates

Defence group BAE's hopes of exporting its Typhoon fighter have been dealt a blow after the United Arab Emirates ended negotiations about buying the jet.

The Gulf nation had been in talks over a multi-billion pound deal to buy 60 of the twin-engine supersonic fighters as it looks to upgrade its air force.

"The UAE have advised that they have elected not to proceed with these proposals at this time," Britain's biggest defence company said in a statement as the market closed on Thursday.

BAE and the British government had been in discussion with the UAE "regarding a range of defence and security capabilities including the potential supply of Typhoon aircraft".

"We put a world-class proposal on the table but the UAE has elected not to proceed at this time," a spokesman for the company said. » | Alan Tovey | Thursday, December 19, 2013

Duck Dynasty Star Phil Robertson Likened Homosexuality to Bestiality

Phil Robertson

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty on "indefinite hiatus" after remarks on homosexuals magazine interview

A star of one of America's most popular television programmes has been dropped by its broadcaster after describing gay people as "homosexual offenders".

Phil Robertson, who appears on the reality show Duck Dynasty, was placed on "indefinite hiatus" by the A+E network, after his remarks were published in an interview with GQ magazine.

Describing "sin" as "not logical," he said: "Start with homosexual behaviour and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men."

The lavishly-bearded 67-year-old has a leading role in the Louisiana-based programme, which is the most-watched reality show and second-most-watched show of any kind on US cable television. » | Jon Swaine, New York | Thursday, December 19, 2013

Mikhail Khodorkovsky to Be Pardoned

Mikhail Khodorkovsky

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Jailed oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky to be pardoned, according to announcement following Vladimir Putin's marathon press conference

Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the jailed oil tycoon, is to be pardoned by Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, a surprise decision that will let a major rival who was formerly Russia's richest man out of prison after more than a decade.

The move, along with an amnesty for the two jailed members of the Pussy Riot punk band and the 30-member crew of a Greenpeace ship, appears designed to assuage international criticism of Russia's rights record ahead of February's Winter Olympics in Sochi, Putin's pet project.

Mr Putin waited until just after his tightly choreographed annual news conference to make the announcement, dropping the biggest news of the day after journalists had already peppered him with questions, including one about Khodorkovsky's fate, in a four-hour marathon.

He said Khodorkovsky, who still has eight months left to serve of a 10-year jail sentence, would be pardoned soon. » | Roland Oliphant, Moscow and Chris Irvine | Thursday, December 19, 2013

Lee Rigby Murder: Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale Found Guilty

Michael Adebolajo (left) and Michael Adebowale

THE GUARDIAN: Old Bailey jury finds pair guilty of fatally attacking soldier in street near Woolwich barracks in south London

Two men have been convicted of murdering a soldier in broad daylight near a military barracks in London, in the first al-Qaida-inspired attack to claim a life on British soil since 7 July 2005.

Michael Adebolajo, 29, and Michael Adebowale, 22, murdered Lee Rigby, 25, as he returned to the Woolwich barracks in south London, in May.

They were convicted after a trial at the Old Bailey in central London, which heard that the soldier was almost beheaded in the attack.

The jury took just over 90 minutes to reach its verdicts. Both men were found not guilty of the attempted murder of a police officer. Relatives of Rigby cried as the verdicts were given.

Rigby's stepfather, Ian, wiped away tears and put his arm around the soldier's mother, Lyn, who was sobbing.

Mr Justice Sweeney, who ordered that the decisions be heard in silence, said he would pass sentence after a key appeal court ruling on the use of whole life terms in January.

Adebolajo looked at the press and kissed his Qur'an as he was taken to the court cells.

Adebolajo, from Romford, Essex, and Adebowale, from Greenwich, south London, claimed they were soldiers of Allah and their violence was a reprisal against western foreign policy, which had led to the deaths of Muslims. » | Vikram Dodd and Josh Halliday | Thursday, December 19, 2013

Read the Telegraph article here | Tom Whitehead, Security Editor | Thursday, December 19, 2013