In London we don’t merely tolerate diversity, we celebrate it. That’s why the homophobic attack outside Clapham’s gay bar the Two Brewers is so shocking and strikes at the heart of what our city is and stands for.
Yet the facts are that this was not an isolated incident. More than 3,500 homophobic-flagged hate crimes were recorded in the capital last year. That represents a two-fold increase from 2015. Some of the rise may be attributed to more reporting, but it would be criminally complacent to ignore such trends, not least when many, in particular young people, are unwilling to go to the police.
Homophobic hate crime extends well beyond violence on our streets, to mistreatment and intimidation as people go about their daily lives. That is why Pride is a protest, and the fight for equality goes on. We will never allow LGBTQ+ people to be pushed back into the closet.
Trump looms large
For casual observers, it may be confusing to keep up with the various charges, indictments and prosecutions against Donald Trump. That task grew yet more challenging yesterday, when the former US president and 18 of his one-time aides were charged with an alleged criminal conspiracy over attempts to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.
Such is the partisan nature of US politics, and the lie sown by Trump that the election was ‘stolen’, that he remains the heavy favourite to secure the Republican Party’s nomination in 2024. Furthermore, polling indicates he would be in a competitive race with Joe Biden.
The rule of law, that most precious of ideals, endures in the US. But Trump has tested it to its limits. A second term is both unthinkable and a distinct possibility.
Short cuts in court
A 78-year-old woman was prosecuted for not paying her car insurance. After pleading guilty, she was fined £40, £100 in costs and a £16 victim surcharge. Yet her daughter had written to the court: her mother had schizophrenia, dementia and Alzheimer’s and had broken her ankle, before ending up in care.
This is by no means a unique example. The case was dealt with under the Single Justice Procedure, behind closed doors, and at speed. Such are the risks of conveyor belt justice. People are not immune to the law because they are old. But by removing a level of scrutiny and checks within the legal system, we have ended up with unfair and unjust outcomes.
