There’s a sneaky plot afoot to knacker a watchdog already lacking any bark or bite, I can reveal. The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) – known here as the Advisers for Cashing-In and Brazen Avarice – has gained an unhealthy reputation for rubber-stamping departing Ministers’ new paydays as they sell their inside knowledge to … Read more
The City watchdog is facing a furious backlash over its handling of the Neil Woodford savings scandal. As the disgraced fund manager prepares to make an audacious comeback, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been accused of ‘dragging its feet’ over its investigation into the implosion of his investment empire. And campaigners, MPs and peers … Read more
A police federation boss has slammed ‘toothless tiger’ Covid laws and said there is ‘no way’ officers will be knocking on doors to catch Christmas rule breakers as Tier 4 officers have ruled out road blocks. Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation said there is ‘no way’ officers will be knocking on doors of … Read more
Fury over Post Office ‘whitewash’: Victims feat probe into postmasters IT scandal will be toothless It said the probe ‘has no teeth’ and its scope must change to deliver justice Government urged to give inquiry powers to compel witnesses to be questioned Post Office chairman Tim Parker recently apologised for ‘historical failings’ By Larissa Brown … Read more
International Trade Secretary Liz Truss faces new revolt on ‘toothless’ food watchdog as pressure mounts over post-Brexit trade deal International Trade Secretary Liz Truss plans to secure food standards for the UK Peers in the House of Lords wish to be able to have an input on food standards Liz Truss would wish that food … Read more
Liz Truss must beef up ‘toothless’ new trade body to avoid ‘selling out’ British farmers in the rush to secure post-Brexit deals, campaigners warn People think there is ‘limited protection against cheap, low-quality food imports’ The advisory body trade and agriculture commission was launched last month There have also been protests that the commission will not … Read more
Vulnerable problem gamblers are being failed by a toothless, weak and out-of-date regulator, scathing report warns Gambling Commission is slammed for failing vulnerable gamblers in report Commons public accounts committee said the body was slow to react to issues Committee chair Meg Hillier said body was ‘toothless’ and called for overhaul By Chris Brooke for … Read more
The Today programme – BBC Radio 4’s flagship show – has demoted its editor position to a ‘toothless’ new ‘executive’ role with less power to set the news agenda. BBC bosses are also planning to cut the number of live political interviews on the programme as part of the corporation’s plan to save £80 million. … Read more
Chinese pterodactyl wings its way to the UK: Fossil of a toothless pterosaur commonly found in China and Brazil is discovered on the Isle of Wight The specimen was found by a dog walker in Sandown Bay on the island’s coast University of Portsmouth palaeontologists identified it as a toothless jawbone The fossil — ‘Wightia … Read more