Lib-Dems behaving like �every harlot in history� says David Blunkett

May 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 11 (ANI): In yet another twist in the post-election frenzy former British home secretary, sharp-tongued David Blunkett has likened the Lib-Dems to a �harlot�, apropos to the hemming and hawing on the part of the Lib-Dems in forming an alliance that will decide which party comes to power.

“Can we trust the Liberal Democrats?” Mr Blunkett asked in an interview with the BBC, “They�re behaving like every harlot in history.”

The Lib-Dems� vacillation has had senior members of both Labour and Tory fuming.

Both the Labour Party as well as the Tory Party have been wooing the Lib-Dems with Gordon Brown even offering to step down as Prime Minister.

Thus far Clegg�s negotiators have displayed an their inclination toward the Tories, Blunkett pointed this out in an interview with the BBC, he believes that the Conservatives are more likely to come to power and advised his party�s top-brass to gracefully accept their position as the Opposition rather than hastily cobble together an impractical coalition.

“I don�t think it will bring stability, I think it will lead to a lack of legitimacy and I think it will make people think that we haven�t listened to them,” he told the BBC.

The Lib-Dems convened for an exhaustive meeting at the House of Commons yesterday, they were there till the wee hours.

“We are keen to settle things as soon as we can. I am as anxious as anyone else,” The Telegraph quoted Nick Clegg as saying.

Negotiator David Laws described the meeting as “good and extensive” and said MPs and peers would gather again today. The next 24 hours are crucial for all three parties as a new coalition is likely to emerge within this time-frame.

Meanwhile, Conservative Party members launched a broadside against Brown, with Lord Heseltine, another former Tory Cabinet minister, claiming Mr Brown�s attempted deal with the Lib Dems was �party politics at its most sordid�.

A Lib Dem-Lab tie-up is highly unfeasible in terms of sustainability of numbers, the formation of a new coalition at the earliest is now imperative since the British markets have been facing a lean period as a result of the power vacuum.

Investors are hoping for a Lib Dem-Tory pact over a Lib Dem-Lab one because both parties are less ambitious about tackling the deficit than the Tories.

“Markets are quite nervous and look as though they will continue falling unless theres a resolution that leads to someone who is going to address that problem,” Terry Smith, chief executive of broker Tullet Prebon told the paper. (ANI)

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2012 London Olympics could face ‘blended’ physical, cyber attack: Security expert

March 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar 23(ANI): A British cyber security expert has warned that terrorists could use a “blended attack” to hit both physical targets and disrupt cyber systems simultaneously during the 2012 London Olympics.

Professor Peter Sommer, of the London School of Economics, warned that computer security would be extremely important during the Games.

“There is what’s called a ‘blended attack’, so there is a physical attack, but it’s made easier because someone is disrupting cyber systems at the same time, so that is the sort of scenario that people have got to worry about,” Sky News quoted Sommer, as saying.

The warning propels the threat highlighted by former Home Secretary David Blunkett, who had warned the Gordon Brown Government that the Games could face a cyber attack.

Blunkett had earlier stressed that terrorists could use sophisticated hacking to trigger the “complete meltdown” of computer and communications systems or disrupt ticketing, accommodation and transport arrangements.

The Labour MP for Sheffield Brightside had highlighted that such an attack would be “economically and commercially devastating”.

He had also urged for a coordinated approach between the government and the security experts to ensure a safe and secure Games. (ANI)

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London Olympics could face cyber attack: David Blunkett

May 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

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London, Apr.27 (ANI): Former Home Secretary David Blunkett is likely to warn the Gordon Brown Government that the 2012 Olympic games in London could face a cyber attack./pp
Terrorists could use sophisticated hacking to trigger the complete meltdown of computer and communications systems or disrupt ticketing, accommodation and transport arrangements, Blunkett will say in a speech to an information security conference, The Telegraph said./pp
The Labour MP for Sheffield Brightside will tell delegates that such an attack would be economically and commercially devastating but that systems exist to block it./pp
He wants to see a coordinated approach between Government, security experts and business to ensure that Britain is safe and secure./pp
During his opening address to the Infosec annual conference at London’s Olympia on Tuesday, Blunkett will say that there is a woeful level of awareness of the threat of cyber attack, organised crime and online fraud./pp
Warning that the threat posed by organised criminals engaging in sophisticated fraud is comparable to the danger from more traditional forms of terrorism, Blunkett will spell out the threat. (ANI)/p

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Ex-UK Home Secretary Blunkett to issue warnings about ‘Big Brother’ Britain

February 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Feb.23 (ANI): Former British Home Secretary David Blunkett, who introduced the idea of identity cards, will issue a stark warning to the Government that it is in danger of abusing its power by taking Britain towards a “Big Brother” state.

At the 21st annual law lecture in Essex University’s Colchester campus, The Independent says Blunkett will urge ministers to rethink policy and counter criticism from civil liberties campaigners that Labour is creating a “surveillance society.”

He will come out against the Government’s controversial plan to set up a database holding details of telephone calls and emails and its proposal to allow public bodies to share personal data with each other.

His surprise intervention will be welcomed by campaign groups, who regard him as a hardliner because of his strong backing for a national ID card scheme and tough anti-terror laws.

The former home secretary will propose a U-turn on ID cards for British citizens, although he agrees with plans to make them compulsory for foreign nationals.

Instead, holding a passport would become compulsory for all British people, who could choose to “opt in” to the ID card scheme if they wished.

Blunkett will insist Labour has got the balance between liberty and security broadly right. But he will argue that it has unwittingly given ammunition to its critics by allowing legislation to be used for wider purposes than originally intended.

Blunkett will urge the Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, to water down provisions in the Coroners and Justice Bill on data sharing between public bodies. He will argue that people’s rights are already being breached – not by the Government but by “private enterprise surveillance and intrusion, coupled with data theft, fraud and information and data insecurity”. He will call for the Information Commissioner to be given greater powers in these areas. (ANI)

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