The Convention on Modern Liberty

I'm not going to be able to make it to the Convention on Modern Liberty, which is taking place on February 28 in London and at locations around the country.

But I would urge anyone who is able to take part in whatever way they can. Liberty has been under attack for some time in this country, with Tim Garton Ash noting in today's Guardian the extent of the freedoms we have lost, with no compensating gain in security or efficiency.

If you want an indication of just why the Convention is so necessary and so timely, just look at today's story about an asylum-seeking gay man who was illegally deported from the UK and has since faced ill treatment from the authorities in his native country. And yet the Home Office, despite admitting the illegal nature of his deportation, were arguing that they had no duty to take him back. Thankfully, the High Court thought better.

I've added a sidebar on the Convention, or alternatively click here.