Impartiality Rethink

Home Office minister Earl Ferrers was last night forced to withdraw the government’s amendment on impartiality (Newsline passim) after peers demanded more time for the consideration of the concessions granted so far. Peers had previously agreed to the concessions, which had satisfied the ITC. The amendment will be altered to emphasise that impartiality must be reserved on “major” issues, rather than “individual” issues. The amendment will be re-introduced and voted on during the Bill’s third reading debate on 22 October.