The Spectator

Selective quoting Sir: In her diary (5 December) Melanie Phillips accused me of bigotry, quoting from a newspaper article about the Iraq inquiry in which I had pointed out that two of the five members of the panel, Sir Martin Gilbert and Sir Lawrence Freedman, are Jewish and that Gilbert at least has a record of active support for Zionism. She did not mention that I went on to comment that these two men had outstanding reputations and records, but it was a pity that, if and when the inquiry was accused of a whitewash (and indeed it already has been) such handy ammunition would be available. Membership, I wrote, should not only be balanced; it should be seen to be balanced.

Here are some of the posts made over the past week on Spectator.co.uk: Fraser Nelson has a new addition to his family, and invites you to meet Farmer Mandelson. James Forsyth says that the Tories need an attack dog, and questions whether Prince Charles should be getting involved in the Copenhagen debate. Peter Hoskin stresses that the Tories should resist any temptation to go soft on debt, and observes Ed Balls beating the drum for investment. David Blackburn gives his take on the unrest at British Airways, and says that the Labour leadership question hasn't been answered. Daniel Korski reveals a new survey in Muslim attitudes. Mark Bathgate looks into what might happen when the quantitative easing stops.

The latest issue of The Spectator is released today. If you are a subscriber you can view it here. If you have not subscribed, but would like to view this week’s content, you can subscribe online here, or purchase a single issue here. A selection of articles from the latest issue are available for free online to all website users: This Christmas, Paul Johnson remembers the people of Cockermouth. Their town is perhaps his, and Wordsworth’s, favourite little town in Britain. Matthew Parris believes that at the end of the year every columnist, broadcaster and writer should ask what they’ve done to change the world for the better. This year, Matthew Parris is proud that he stopped squishy single-portion milk sachets from squirting people in trains.

Welcome to the latest CoffeeHousers' Wall. For those who haven't come across the Wall before, it's a post we put up each Monday, on which - providing your writing isn't libellous, crammed with swearing, or offensive to common decency - you'll be able to say whatever you like in the comments section. There is no topic, so there's no need to stay 'on topic' - which means you'll be able to debate with each other more freely and extensively. There's also no constraint on the length of what you write - so, in effect, you can become Coffee House bloggers. Anything's fair game - from political stories in your local paper, to chat about the latest football results.

Balls to Gilligan Sir: As Andrew Gilligan well knows, I abhor the anti-semitic and anti-democratic views ascribed to Hizb ut Tahrir and I take any accusations of extremist views being taught in schools very seriously (‘Minister for Hizb ut Tahrir’, 5 December). That is why when allegations about links between Hizb ut Tahrir and the Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation were first raised in 2007, I asked Ofsted to investigate both the independent schools run by the foundation. No evidence of anti-semitic or anti-Western values being taught was found — either then or in subsequent investigations. The pamphlet which Mr Gilligan quoted from was written by one of the head teachers six years ago.

Here are some posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the past week: Fraser Nelson says we shouldn't worry about the tax on jobs, and reveals the hidden cuts in the Pre-Budget Report. James Forsyth wonders whether Labour has u-turned on defence spending, and says the Tories should attack the national insurance increase. Peter Hoskin gives his verdict on the Pre-Budget Report, and watches the government's economic narrative unravel. David Blackburn notes a significant endorsement for Osborne and Hammond, and wonders how long it will be until the plug is pulled. Martin Bright gives his take on the PBR. Susan Hill reflects on readers' abiding fascination with authors. Rod Liddle apologies. Sorta. Alex Massie asks for another PBR.

The latest issue of The Spectator is released today. If you are a subscriber you can view it here. If you have not subscribed, but would like to view this week’s content, you can subscribe online here, or purchase a single issue here. A selection of articles from the latest issue are available for free online to all website users: James Forsyth argues that David Cameron could learn a lot from Boris.   The Spectator condemns Gordon Brown's toxic legacy. Allister Heath believes that Alistair Darling's budget was bad; but George Osborne's complicity was worse. Rod Liddle wants everyone to calm down and understand what the internet is about. And Brendan O'Neil thinks that the Tiger hunt should be called off.

Shooting, moi? Sir: We act for Cherie Blair. We are instructed with regard to an article... The Spectator’s Notes by Charles Moore (28 November). It alleged that our client attended a shooting party at Lord Rothschild’s house in Buckinghamshire with ‘Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the Libyan dictator, and the man who escorted the Lockerbie bomber, Al Megrahi, home to a hero’s welcome in Libya in August.