Morning:
14°c
The Home Affairs Select Committee echoes many of the concerns expressed by this newspaper over the policing of the G20 meeting in London in April.
We await the interim report from HM Inspector of Constabulary on the death of bystander Ian Tomlinson, while a number of other allegations of police brutality are being investigated.
In a report due out next week, the MPs call for a review of the controversial “kettling” policy of keeping protesters within a cordon for long periods.
There is no doubt that the Met faced a difficult task in containing protests that could have turned into a repeat of previous anti-capitalism riots, at a time when a terrorist attack on the summit was also possible.
The MPs accept that the police had relatively little time to make their plans.
The Prime Minister had called the summit at short notice. In the event, for the most part, damage and disruption was avoided. The majority of officers did nothing wrong.
However, the death of Mr Tomlinson, photographed being hit as he walked away from police, raised serious questions, as did the extensive video evidence of rough treatment of peaceful protesters.
As for the cases of officers failing to wear their identification numbers, there can be no excuse.
It should go without saying that these badges are a basic guarantee of police accountability, and should have been worn, without exception.
The Select Committee is right to make that clear. It remains difficult to understand why any officer should think he could get away with breaking this rule.
If the demonstrations had got out of hand, as a minority of protesters undoubtedly would have liked, Sir Paul Stephenson would now be facing criticism for failing to get a grip.
But a balance must be struck with the rights to peaceful protest.
Sir Paul has said he will not accept inappropriate conduct by his officers.
Now that he has had his feet under the desk for five months, it is up to him to show how he is putting this promise into action.
Hope for Battersea
The Mayor is pressing the Government to allow Transport for London, Wandsworth and Lambeth councils to put Battersea Power Station on the Tube.
An extension of the Northern Line could be the key to unlocking what is central London's last major opportunity to provide new homes and workplaces on a grand scale.
The distinctive outline of the power station conceals a roofless and crumbling core, putting the future of this familiar part of the capital's skyline in doubt.
There have been many false dawns, as successive owners of the site have promised investment that has then failed to materialise.
Now, however, despite the property market crash, there is hope.
The American embassy is to move to nearby Nine Elms, bringing long-term commitment and a critical mass of high-spending office workers to the area.
That creates the chance to achieve wider regeneration.
This vast brownfield site could offer new homes and jobs to Londoners without concreting over the green belt.
The Mayor has innovative ideas for financing the Tube spur using the rise in property values it would bring.
The Government must allow TfL and the councils to play their part in transforming this part of the riverside.
Legacy of a Michael Jackson
The freakish reputation will one day be forgotten, and what will remain will be the music.
Michael Jackson was an artist whose talent leaped effortlessly over cultural barriers and brought him fans around the globe.
His pop genius provided the soundtrack for their lives, and that will live on beyond his own bizarre history.
