Caps on bonuses paid to fund managers proposed by European lawmakers may prompt British investment houses, which have most to lose from the new rules, to look at new structures such as profit sharing partnerships favoured by law firms, experts say. “Kevin Poulter, a senior associate at lawyers Bircham Dyson Bell warned of an … Continue reading
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
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
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
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
The Metro has reported that three civil servants have been dismissed from the Home Office following allegations they breached social media guidelines. Information obtained through a Freedom of Information request has revealed that the dismissals followed postings on Facebook, MySpace and Bebo that brought the government department into disrepute, in breach of an internal social media … Continue reading
Michael Gove may have been aware of a campaign of online bullying by members of his team, reports the Guardian. Two special advisors are accused of bullying journalists and political opponents from an anonymous twitter account. New information suggests that the Education Secretary misled Parliament over his knowledge of the alleged transgressions and breach of … Continue reading
The BBC has reported a case in Northern Ireland in which a High Court judge has awarded damages of £35,000 against an unknown person who defamed people on Facebook. The identities of the three individuals who were libelled directly and by implication – and the business in which they worked – have not been revealed at the request of … Continue reading
When will an employer’s interference with an employee’s right to manifest their religion and beliefs be considered proportionate? Kevin Poulter considers the issue raised by the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECtHR) judgment in Eweida v United Kingdom. Eweida v United Kingdom ((Application Nos 48420/10, 59842/10, 51671/10 and 36516/10) [2013] ECHR 48420/10, [2013] All ER … Continue reading
In December 2012, Keir Starmer, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) set out interim guidelines for the prosecution of people who misuse social media, but are these suitable for use in the workplace? As a result of an increase in the number of allegations the Crown Prosecution Service has had to deal with – about … Continue reading
Kevin Poulter 