So long as the sticky hands of justice begin to grip around Murdoch and Morgan's ankles, I'll be happy.

keep to the Fen Causeway

collapse of the current UK government

Wishful thinking I'm afraid. The Limpdems must surely be the most principled party on earth -- they keep locating important principles that they haven't betrayed yet, and promptly betray them. I expect they'll find a way of backing down on press regulation next week.

And even if they don't -- there's no reason it should be a coalition-breaker. Cameron has already declared that if he loses the vote in the Commons, he will "accept the sovereignty of Parliament". Mighty big of him, when you think about it.

_{It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue - Queen Elizabeth II}

Fortunately, Labour has used this period of LibDem/Conservative difficulty to fashion a clear, forward-looking electoral strategy, formulate progressive economic and social policies, and identify and promote a new generation of leadership that will be able to take the UK forward after the current setup collapses.

One would wish...

Press regulation deal hailed by Labour after last-ditch talks | Media | guardian.co.uk

It appears, according to a No 10 source, that Labour has conceded on the ownership of the press code committee and on the idea of a general purpose clause that would allow the recognition committee to rule that the regulator had failed. There had been concerns that newspapers were going to be able to write their own press code, even if it was to be interpreted by a regulator largely consisting of non-newspaper representatives.

The Conservatives have conceded ground by accepting that apologies can be directed by the regulator rather than just required - seen by lawyers as a substantive difference.

If I'm reading this correctly, the press is going to be allowed to write its own regulations.

Thank you Nu Labour Lite.

_{It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue - Queen Elizabeth II}

Labour MP given 'substantial damages' after Sun accessed text messages | Media | guardian.co.uk

The Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh has accepted "very substantial damages" from News International, with the Sun admitting that it accessed text messages from her mobile phone after it was stolen, the high court has heard.

Details of the payout to McDonagh came on at a high court case management hearing relating to civil damages claims for voicemail interception on Monday, which heard that "hundreds" more victims may now take action against News International following allegations of a second significant phone-hacking operation at the now defunct News of the World.

The Sun, which was not accused of stealing McDonagh's phone, admitted that there was "serious wrongdoing and misuse of her private information and her mobile phone" and agreed to pay her damages and legal costs.

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

Former boxer Chris Eubank promises 'gargantuan battle' over phone hacking - Press - Media - The Independent

Retired boxer Chris Eubank told the High Court today that he was looking forward to a "gargantuan battle" in the phone-hacking litigation.

The former world champion took the ring at the 14th case management conference before Mr Justice Vos in London to say that he was not accepting a "derisory offer" of £21,000 to settle his case.

Reading from notes in a room packed with around 100 lawyers and media, he said that the newspaper group had "made a mockery of the justice system here in the UK".

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.