Lawyers and other professionals often tell me they don’t have time for twitter or social media. They might have families or personal lives which keep them occupied and don’t believe me when I tell them how quick and easy it can be. So, I asked a tweeting friend, lawyer and mum of two to write … Continue reading
Author Archives: kevinpoulter
Met Police Sergeant resigns over ‘unacceptable’ Thatcher tweets
It has been reported that a serving police officer who sent offensive tweets following the death of Margaret Thatcher has resigned his position. Metropolitan Police Sergeant Jeremy Scott, had taken to Twitter to make ‘unacceptable’ comments. He is reported to have said that he hoped Lady Thatcher’s death was “painful and degrading”, was “87 years … Continue reading
Final twist for 17 year old Twitter troubled Police youth adviser
It has been reported that 17 year old Paris Brown has now resigned from her position. The’youth police commissioner’ in Kent has come under intense scrutiny following the discovery of offensive tweets after only 3 days in the job. Initially it was thought that Paris Brown would remain in her post despite the now-deleted tweets … Continue reading
Charm and Disarm
The power of charm only gets you so far, as Kevin Poulter discovers On a recent trip up to Yorkshire, I listened in to a conversation in a café. Tuning in to my native accent, I watched and listened as an elderly lady, with blatant disregard for the reserved signs all over the table, sat … Continue reading
Interview: Attorney General shares his thoughts on social media
Dominic Grieve QC, the Attorney General, has recently been speaking out about the use of social media and advocating a zero tolerance approach. When I met with him we discussed this and how his own position might be seen to be at odds with some of his colleagues in public office. Dominic Grieve has enjoyed a steady … Continue reading
Probation officers ‘gagged’ by Grayling
The Guardian has reported that the Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling, has issued instructions that probation officers face the risk of disciplinary action if they publicly criticise him or his plans on Twitter or other social media. The ban follows the announcement of Grayling’s controversial plans to outsource 70% of the probation officers’ work with offenders. The gag … Continue reading
Should an employee take holiday while on sick leave?
It hasn’t exactly been a slow news week, but that hasn’t stopped the story of Paul Marshallsea making the headlines. Again. You may recall that Mr Marshallsea became an overnight hero after grappling with a shark in Australia whilst on holiday, saving a group of children swimming nearby. But rather than receiving a hero’s welcome … Continue reading
Businesses and employees must protect themselves against ‘frape’
Frequently, employees who are accused of inappropriate behaviour on social media sites will blame someone else. “I didn’t write that” may sometimes seem like a convenient passing of the buck, but online identity theft – however temporary – is very real and can have serious consequences. You may not be familiar with such vulgar words … Continue reading
The trials of a dry January
Kevin Poulter is concerned about the health of the profession after an alocohol-free month As I have in previous years, I resolved to abstain from alcohol for the month of January. I thought I was being good. I thought I was being sensible, maybe even inspirational. I may have been doing this for myself, testing … Continue reading
Google, Facebook and Twitter ordered to remove photos
Google, Facebook and Twitter have now been served with injunctions by the Police ordering them to remove photographs purporting to be of Jon Venables. This follows the announcement from the Attorney General’s office on Monday which threatened contempt of court proceedings against those individuals who originally posted or subequently retweeted the photos. The photos uploaded … Continue reading