bridge too far

It feels like hours sometimes

He might go on to have a son called Jesus - you never know!

Nah - they'll have eaten it or used it to make nests

Well, if ever I thought about emigrating instead of staying in the country I love so much and trying to do my bit, the last direction I'd travel in would be westwards, I can tell you.

I thought you had a bad back? :shock: Edit I suppose you made her do all the work.

You're right - he did resign but, in any other situation I'd call it constructive dismissal, wouldn't you? And you're right - the Home Secretary is a politician but is also the ultimate Head of Service. If the dismissal of a CPO is the perogative of the Home Secretary, then that's how it should have happened. I reckon he's got a case for constructive dismissal here, together with damages because procedures weren't followed. Boris really has to learn to think before he opens his gob IMO

I_N_S I've just remembered another thing you can do. Bear with me, this is quite long Lay down flat on your back with your arms stretched out to the sides, crucifix stylee. Bend the knee of the affected leg to right-angles to your body. Then keeping your back and shoulders flat to the floor bring the knee (of the affected leg) across your body, aiming to touch it to the floor on the opposite side. You won't actually touch the floor (probably) but gently push that knee back and forth towards the floor. It helps if you have a friend / partner / secks chum handy to push your knee everso gently for you. This also opens up the vertebrae and could untrap the nerve. It does not necessarily lead on to rumpy pumpy. HTH

The main reason being your emigration, no doubt

CVA = Cardio vascular accident. In simple terms, a stroke.

Thanks for posting the link. Friday's the one day I don't get the Grauniad. I especially like the reference to Michael 'Wilder' - is this the renowned American chess grandmaster . What slick moves does he have in mind?

we do, don't we. I don't - I speak many languages FYI

I'm always amazed when children from other countries are interviewed on TV. Most of them learn English incredibly quickly. There was a child in Oxfordshire who, within the space of two years, learned English as his / her second language, passed A levels and won a place at Oxford University. Some English children can't speak recognisable English and would probably never be able to learn a foreign language. I think signing is a great way to communicate until they've all learnt the basics. After all, it's what we all do when we go on holiday FFS.

"Anyone seen my spliff?"

I remember seeing them at the R & B club that used to be at the Bassett (Concorde?). Blimey, I'm old

I think they have to declare it?

Are you suggesting that no public servant should have a political view? I've just read the BBC version of his career. Much of what he's achieved is praiseworth, some of what he's done is dubious. But everybody, no matter what their job, has a political point of view and his successor will have too (no doubt he'll be more right wing to attract Boris' support). This is what I thought to be the case with regard to the appointment / dismissal of a CPO: "The formal procedure for removing the commissioner of Britain's biggest police force is that the authority must seek the home secretary's approval." So, to repeat my concerns, the appointment of a CPO should not be a political decision, whatever the political hue of the decision-maker.

Yes it was appalling but TBF to Blair, he'd only been in post for 6 months and was operating under the guidelines established by his predecessor. Apparently he's instigated a lot of good things during his tenure. But the CRUCIAL point is - this should not be a political decision. And, FWIW, I would have said the same thing had dear old Ken bullied a CPO into resigning.

I've just noticed that almost 60,000 have been sold in the past 4 days. You can tell I'm bored...........

The other thing is this. Barmy Boris is the chair of the MPA. I would have thought the MPA itself should have met to debate and agree any course of action. Boris is a bit of a dictator, methinks

Daft to the power of n

I don't have a particular opinion one way or the other except for this: It's a very black day indeed when the appointment or dismissal of a high ranking police chief is subjected to political interference ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. It's a slippery slope IMO. Smacks of the US where the sherriff is a political appointment. Comparable appointments would be health or local authority Chief Executives and as far as I'm aware, they're appointed by independent committees. This should be the case with the police too.

I thought for one hilarious moment you were going to say 'Lifelong Geordie'

I'm not proud - I'd say 'yes'

I see what you did there