Clarke - beyond justice

Tim, DK, MatGB, Mr Eugenides, Davide, The Filter and An Englishman’s Castle are all right. Clarke’s decision to abolish discretionary compensation for people wrongfully imprisoned is utterly contemptible.

It means people freed on appeal – which can take two years – are not eligible for a penny of compensation. During this time their lives can be ruined.

By contrast, Noel Edmonds and Teri Hatcher have recently picked up “substantial” compensation from newspapers just for being “accused” of – wait for it – shagging people.

So what’s the difference? Is it that the people who are wrongly imprisoned aren’t rich and famous and so don’t count?

Or is it that the state is above the standards of justice to which others are held?

Never mind that he’s unfit to be Home Secretary. It’s unacceptable that Clarke should even be alive.