Prince Andrew

Prince Andrew is in Mexico. Did he flee after an alleged incident in which he is said to have driven into Buckingham Palace, injuring a police officer ?! Let's hope we've got an extradition treaty with Mexico in case he refuses to return !

Is it true that Prince Andrew did not stop or slow down after the 'incident' ?

A Buckingham Palace spokesman says it's "a health and safety" issue !

Was Prince Andrew breathalysed ?

The police have the job of protecting the royals. Who's protecting the police from the royals?

Prince Andrew is said to love cars, and in 2002 was caught speeding. But he was not charged !

Of course, everyone is equal in the eyes of the law. But some are more equal than others !

Barack Obama - a Man of Principle

Another wonderful speech from Barack Obama - the State of The Union address. Just watched a recording, and it was spellbinding.

This man stands head and shoulders above all other American politicians - and we have no-one at all in Britain who can hold a candle to him. A long and completely riveting speech. I just did not want him to stop.

But it’s not just that he is a brilliant orator - though he certainly is that. He’s a man of principle. And he has the right values for America and the world. His sincerity shines through everything he says and does. He often doesn’t even seem like a politician - he richly deserves the accolade of statesman.

A practical speech in which he spelt out a number of policies - on dealing with banks and credit, creating jobs and starting to pay back the deficit from 2011. (Interestingly exactly the same deficit reduction strategy as the Labour Government’s in Britain.)

But also a declaration that he is going to continue to press ahead with health care reform. That was good to hear. Despite all the political damage it has caused him, it is vital for America. Let’s hope the conservative Democrats give him a lot more support than they have in the last year. He can expect no help from the Republicans.

He also repeated his pledge to allow members of the armed forces to be openly gay - a statement of principle which I applaud, but it earned him not one clap from the generals listening to his speech. They looked about as pleased as the Supreme Court judges when Obama rightly slammed their decision to end limits on corporate spending on political adverts.

Although Fox News and right wing radio ‘jocks’ have misrepresented and lied about Obama’s policies from day 1, the fact is he has had a very good first year. In America he’s stabilised the economy; abroad he’s repaired America's reputation.

Barack Obama is shaping up to be a great President.