Latest EU ruling is a dangerous precedent that rewards criminals

IF SOMEONE is engaged in a criminal activity then it would seem entirely reasonable that they should not get compensation for injuries received while committing that crime.

Court of Appeal LondonGETTY

The Court of Appeal ruled the Government must pay costs and compensation

So, a cat burglar who falls off a roof and breaks his leg cannot seek damages any more than can a safebreaker who blows off his fingers with dynamite.

At least you would hope this was the case. But in the topsy-turvy moral universe created by Brussels such commonsense assumptions no longer apply.

So when a drug dealer carrying a large amount of cannabis was injured in a car driven by his associate he might have counted himself lucky that no charges were brought against him.

Instead of which he busied himself demanding hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation for his injuries from the driver’s insurer. when it refused to pay up he continued his quest, eventually suing the Secretary of State for Transport and claiming a breach of EU laws.

He seems to have won this round sparking fury and disbelief in all quarters. The latest ruling is a blow to taxpayers who may ultimately have to pay out (the figure could run into millions as the drug dealer was severely injured in the original crash) and sets a dangerous precedent.

That’s another fine mess the EU has got us in to.

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THE shameful treatment of women in countries such as Saudi Arabia, in territory held by Islamic State and in communities here in Britain where sharia law is practised is rarely challenged in public.

But at the weekend the distinguished lebanese TV host Rima Karaki was interviewing Islamist Hani Al-Seba’i who, after ranting and wandering off the topic that was up for discussion, declared it was beneath him to be interviewed by a woman. “Either there is mutual respect or the conversation is over,” said Ms Karaki firmly.

And it was. over. It was a rather wonderful moment that has captured the public’s imagination. It was good to see a strong woman who had no doubt that she was calling the shots make mincemeat of a self-important misogynist who was left looking very foolish indeed.

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MANY who saw the original series of Poldark were worried that the remake would disappoint. But on Sunday nearly seven million tuned in and the male viewers liked the lady characters, the female viewers took a shine to Ross Poldark and the views of Cornwall made us all think of summer holidays. what’s not to like? 

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