The Spectator

Thursday

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 27 February 2014

Home Moazzam Begg, a former Guantanamo detainee who won substantial compensation after suing the British government, was arrested in Birmingham on suspicion of terrorism offences relating to Syria. John Downey, accused of killing four soldiers in the IRA Hyde Park bombing in 1982, will not be prosecuted, because he was given, in error, a guarantee he would not face trial; an Old Bailey judge ruled it was in the public interest to make state officials keep their promises.

The Spectator

A looter’s guide to presidential palaces

Palace coups The people of Ukraine enjoyed a peek inside President Yanukovych’s palace, complete with petting zoo and collection of motorcycles. Who has the biggest and best presidential palace? — Italy’s president Giorgio Napolitano can claim the biggest: the Quirinal Palace in Rome, at 1.19m sq ft. It is not much fun, though, being full of worthy art collections. — Vladimir Putin has the run of the 259,410 sq ft Kremlin Palace, with its own private cathedral. — Indian president Pranab Mukherjee has 200,004 sq ft at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, with a noted bonsai collection and a garden with 5,000 tulips. — Barack Obama only has 55,000 sq ft at the White House, but has his own personal bowling alley, jogging track and putting green.

Tuesday

The Spectator

John Major’s speech to CCHQ – transcript

Speaking at Conservative Campaign Headquarters today, having been invited by Chairman Grant Shapps to launch a new apprenticeship scheme, Sir John Major: - Set out the moral mission of the Conservative Party, saying: 'We exist as a political party to help people reach their ambitions and to make sure our country is safe and secure militarily and economically.' ... 'Look at our policies: Education reform to make sure that people are being better educated in order to maximise their abilities, Opportunity, by creating jobs. And we should bear in mind that – when we are creating jobs and wish people to move around the country and take those jobs – they need houses to move to as well.

Thursday