This refreshing Tom Collins is by way of being a retirement* (sort of**) cocktail * After 5+ super years at Linklaters doing all things public & constitutional law, judicial review, inquiries, governmental & parliamentary stuff ** I still have consultancy, non-exec, charity, academic things to do

This refreshing Tom Collins is by way of being a retirement* (sort of**) cocktail * After 5+ super years at Linklaters doing all things public & constitutional law, judicial review, inquiries, governmental & parliamentary stuff ** I still have consultancy, non-exec, charity, academic things to do

Has anyone cast a clout yet? Still 3 days till May is out. Just saying

I’m off to Malta to cool down

❗Leaving the ECHR would jeopardise the UK’s national security and hinder its efforts to tackle irregular migration, say a group of former justice secretaries and attorneys-general👇 🔗 www.ft.com/content/b3e4... via @financialtimes.com

It’s a kind of Aviation but made with crème de Mûre by mistake. I’ve invented the Plane Crash. #FridayCocktail

It’s a kind of Aviation but made with crème de Mûre by mistake. I’ve invented the Plane Crash. #FridayCocktail

Bonus cocktail this week because, reasons. It’s a superb “Biggles Aviation” (gin, King’s Ginger, crème de violette, lemon juice). Chocks away. (Or something)

Today’s #FridayCocktail: a Boulevardier - modest, sophisticated, just slightly louche

The European Partnership Bill in the King’s Speech isn’t quite what I expected. It’s said the Bill will contain powers to implement treaties with the EU once agreed. Earlier reports suggested a form of “dynamic alignment” which would allow gov to follow EU rules even with no treaty. Will wait & see

Today’s #FridayCocktail: a Boulevardier - modest, sophisticated, just slightly louche

This is significant and interesting

Rupert Lowe (unsurprisingly) loses his court challenge to a decision of the Commons Indep Complaints and Grievance Scheme. Note that Farage would likely fail any court challenge to a decision by the Parl Comr/ Standards Cmtee for the same reason. caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/admin/2...

The European Partnership Bill in the King’s Speech isn’t quite what I expected. It’s said the Bill will contain powers to implement treaties with the EU once agreed. Earlier reports suggested a form of “dynamic alignment” which would allow gov to follow EU rules even with no treaty. Will wait & see

Some of these predictions now feel safer than others

Alex Davies-Jones (minister for victims and tackling violence against women and girls) becomes the third minister to resign from government today, citing the "catastrophic" electoral defeats last week in her resignation letter and urging the prime minister to set out a timetable for his departure.

Also worth saying, the reason it is not a problem to have a KS under a PM who is soon replaced (if that happened) is because of the principle of continuity of government. Even if PM stood down the Cabinet continue until replaced (reshuffled) and they are the ones who collectively agreed policy.

My paper “Bureaucracy and Distrust: the Civil Service in the Constitution” has been published in Current Legal Problems. It looks at the UK civil service’s constitutional foundations, and how it might respond to a populist govt. It's open access. currentlegalproblems.org/article/bure...

Escape elections and all that malarkey with a Cherry Blossom Gin Cocktail. (Might slip down a bit TOO easily) #FridayCocktail

Escape elections and all that malarkey with a Cherry Blossom Gin Cocktail. (Might slip down a bit TOO easily) #FridayCocktail

In the sunny fen country

In the sunny fen country

I much enjoyed Peter Grimes @royaloperahouse.bsky.social - outstanding cast and performance. But why do opera producers always have characters writhing around on the ground? Grimes spent the opening coroner’s court scene writhing. Speaking personally, I hardly ever writhe

I bet Trump invents some order of chivalry so he can award it to himself and wear the regalia

I bet Trump invents some order of chivalry so he can award it to himself and wear the regalia

Fun fact: all three of the new Knights of the Garter are benchers of @middletemple.bsky.social. Hmph

Being “Very Bad for our Country” should definitely be a free-standing ground of judicial review. Also getting ministers (or presidents) to draft legal pleadings would keep them occupied and save on legal costs

The PM says he was correct to tell parliament that “due process was followed” in Mandleson’s appointment and vetting. Yet he fired a senior official for - what? - not following due process. ?

Since the sun is out I’ve created this sunny lemon and raspberry margarita #FridayCocktail

Since the sun is out I’ve created this sunny lemon and raspberry margarita #FridayCocktail

The @conunitucl.bsky.social does important work and Meg has been a distinguished Director. Best wishes to her and to @alanrenwick.bsky.social in his new role

We are set to enter a new era on 13 May as @alanrenwick.bsky.social takes over from Meg Russell as our Director. Tom Fleming will become Deputy Director and a new lecturer will join us next year. We can also confirm that our annual conference will happen on 24 and 25 June. Read all about it 👇

Yes. Those being vetted are assured that their data will be held “in the strictest confidence”. That undoubtedly gives rise to an enforceable legal duty of confidence.

Yes. Those being vetted are assured that their data will be held “in the strictest confidence”. That undoubtedly gives rise to an enforceable legal duty of confidence.

Whatever else, the civil service has lost an outstanding, talented, principled, dedicated public servant

There seem to be various cocktails called a Honey Bunny. My version has 12 yo Glenlivet, Cocchi white vermouth, Benedictine, honey, orange bitters. It works very well as a kind of cold toddy. Like all my cocktails it is essentially a health drink (Ts and Cs apply)

@ciaranm.bsky.social was my private secretary at HM Treasury before going on to be the Cabinet Secretary's right hand man. I can confirm he is right on this, as he invariably is on everything else. #badbusiness

There seem to be various cocktails called a Honey Bunny. My version has 12 yo Glenlivet, Cocchi white vermouth, Benedictine, honey, orange bitters. It works very well as a kind of cold toddy. Like all my cocktails it is essentially a health drink (Ts and Cs apply)

I really hope tomorrow’s cocktail isn’t …

Cherry 🍒 blossom, Jones Gardens. Plus blackbird 🐦‍⬛ if you look carefully

Naturally @profmarkelliott.bsky.social is quite right. There is nothing new or unconstitutional about powers to track EU measures by secondary legislation (s. 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 did that while we were in the EU and ministers of all stripes used it all the time)

This looks like a return to section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972, under which for decades successive governments implemented EU law by secondary legislation. The scope of the power & level of parliamentary scrutiny will be important www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

This looks like a return to section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972, under which for decades successive governments implemented EU law by secondary legislation. The scope of the power & level of parliamentary scrutiny will be important www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Just watching one of those films, a boss who’s a psychotic bully, gives orders then denies giving them, constantly changing their mind, blames everyone but themself, outwardly charming one minute, threatening the next, just imagine

I’m sure many have drawn attention to the advice given by the Oracle of Delphi to King Croesus of Lydia, that if he should send an army against the Persians, he would destroy a mighty empire. Just not in the way he hoped

Ely. Dusk

Bonus cocktail for Easter Day. Champagne champs de violette

Pre-Easter (and pre-Dave) sunshine in Ely

I have sung the beautiful Good Friday liturgy @elycathedral.bsky.social. And now it feels time for a Boulevardier. Happy Easter when it comes.

I have sung the beautiful Good Friday liturgy @elycathedral.bsky.social. And now it feels time for a Boulevardier. Happy Easter when it comes.