My last day as a talkSPORT Staffer; What next

It's not quite goodbye, but it certainly is life changing.

After 11 years working at the UK's largest commercial speech station, I've hung up my staff headphones to pursue a freelance lifestyle.

This means I can build on the strong foundations I have been fortunate enough to lay, broadcasting for the BBC and Sky News as a political commentator and paper reviewer. It means I have the opportunity to expand on written work, having written for the Telegraph, Total Politics and Forward Magazine, and it means I can work on other projects like my media training for the Police Fed CCC COmmittee, and possibly make more packages and appearances as I have done for the BBC's Daily Politics.... The Sky's the limit and it's all very exciting.

So what does this mean for me and the Lobby? Well simply, not a lot. I'm here and I'm staying put for now. After a few weeks sorting accounts, I'm pleased to say that one of my first projects will be for talkSPORT, based mostly at the House of Commons, as I am now, with special focus on the Olympics and Paralympics. I will remain at the Commons for talkSPORT, and I'll be offering the usual insight in the usual ways - while delivering content and opinions (depending on the outlet and remit) in the usual ways, registered correctly of course in the Register of Journalists' Interests.

in the meantime, I'm a gob for hire - so get your bids in now :)

WATCH and comment on my first Political video podcast

PM tells Leveson NOT to attack press freedom

In an extraordinary message to Lord Leveson, the Prime Minister has said "we don't want" to chill press freedom.

Today's warning to the High Court Judge, in the middle of his inquiry comes in response to a question from Tom Blakensop at PMQ's, and off the back of comments made by Education Secretary Michael Gove at a lunch for Journalists yesterday.

Mr Gove, a close friend of the PM's, and member of his exclusive "inner circle" warned how over excited politicians and Judges could be motivated by self interest - and suggested that any attempt to restrict the freedom of the press would be to the disadvantage of the UK and it's people.

Today's Q&A on the matter will have come as an unwelcome, but expected event for the PM. It's very difficult to prejudge this multi million pound inquiry, set up by the Prime Minister himself - yet yesterday and today, it seems that Lord Leveson's inquiry has been discredited by the very people who set it up.

Long live press freedom!


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Why Ofcom are right to dismiss Clarkson Striker complaints

Ten years ago, complaining about a television or radio show was entirely possible, but it wasn't a ten minute job.

Now complaints are actively encouraged by social media and pressure groups - but complaining isn't a ten second job. Complainants are theoretically supposed to have watch the programming that they're so horribly offended by, but thanks to twitter, Facebook, blogs and Blackberry Messenger, half the country seem to have Ofcom on Speed Dial, if not their Friends and Family discount package.

But today Ofcom have sent a very clear message - hysterical mock outrage will not sway their decisions. We're expected to believe that nearly 32,000 were genuinely offended when Jeremy Clarkson, a man with a track record of saying controversial things for comedy said that all strikers should be taken out in front of their families and shot.

Did ANYONE think he was serious?

Was ANYONE shocked or upset by his joke?

Well Ofcom say yes, they probably were - after all, the comments clearly have the potential to offend, but they note that ONE Show viewers, and Clarkson followers would expect such comments.

The clear message here is take a bloody joke.

I'm the last man in the world to join Facebook

Good afternoon all,

Close friends will know I'm juggling a few balls in life right now - but cheerfully on top of them all.

For the  last couple of years, I've been tweeting away in support of, and in conjunction with my journalistic career. I think social media is the way forward for all media outlets frankly - and with news of the new Sky News Twitter policy, I thought now would be as good of a time as ever to explore Facebook.

I am not blind to the fact that Facebook is all about information, and ultimately information is power. This is why certain types of security clearances see Facebook as something to be probed to ensure you're neither a blabber mouth, or give too much personal information away. In my case, I've not entered my actual date of birth - nice though it may be for Facebook to wish me a happy birthday, I'd rather not volunteer too much information that could, in the wrong hands (such as hackers or customers) be used to obtain credit, or record false information about me.

But notwithstanding the minefield that Facebook has the potential to be, it's a great way of keeping in touch with friends, and an even better way of spreading one's media footprint. I'm a late joiner and I know it, so your help in showing me how to use it for the best would be very much appreciated.

SO WHAT ABOUT THE BLOG? Well this blog will continue. I've never dropped off the blogosphere, even when at times such as now I've been posting less frequently than I would like. In the coming months, there will be big happenings for me, and part of my grand plan, depending on a few things falling in to the right place is to up my online content.

So thank you for your loyalty and your time in reading this post. Do please help me out with Facebook, and keep it here at lobbysean.com , and @seandilley on twitter.

Reshuffle details

Ed Davey becomes new Energy and Climate Change Sec
Norman Lamb MP to become a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills;
Jenny Willott MP to become an Assistant Government Whip.


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Huhne charges: What they mean

The Director of Public Prosecutions today announced that the CPS feel there is sufficient Evidence to lay charges against Energy Secretary Chris Huhne, and ex wife Vicky Price, a former Government economist.

The DPP feel that it is in the public interest for the Court to test the allegations that Mr Huhne and Mrs Price conspired to pervert the course of justice by falsely suggesting that Mrs Price was driving a speeding car in 2003 rather than true driver Chis Huhne.

So what does this mean? Firstly of course we must note that these are CHARGES that have not been proven. If charges were sufficient to convict someone, the Court system would not be needed but as we know,due process is a complicated matter.

Chris Huhne and ex Vicky Price will now be served with Summonses to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday 16th February when both will be asked to confirm their name and address, and to enter a Plea.

From a political point of view, the PM and DPM will I understand take the view that charges mean Mr Huhne cannot continue in post until the matter is cleared up. This wouldn't be the case in most other jobs, but though innocent until proven guilty in Court, Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg feel Mr Huhne's focus will have to be on his legal defence - so expect a mini reshuffle later today.

I urge all not to prejudice the case. I think it entirely wrong for people to public ally be speculating about prison sentences for Mr Huhne and Mrs Price. We SHOULD wait and see what the Court thinks.


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WATCH the video of Muslim taxi driver refusing to carry my guide dog

The Sun said this is such a common story, they didn't think the public would care enough to justify covering it.

(TUrn your volume up, and you'll hear nearly every word)

But other publications have covered the story, and now, for the first time, we're releasing the video so you can see what happened for yourself… no need to take my word.

I genuinely get fed up blogging and broadcasting about being turned away because I have a guide dog since I'm really not a disability rights campaigner, but what can I do when time after time the law is flouted and my rights are trampled over?

The background

I was invited along to have a go at Blind Tennis, headed by talented coach Alexander Wheen - @blindtennis on twitter. Now I'm not big on blind sports, but I have to say that Blind Tennis is great fun, and I'll be going again… perhaps you should get along with a blindfold on?

We left the Letchworth Tennis club at 7:10pm on Sunday night but the pre-booked taxi refused to take me because I have a guide dog. I really don't care what the excuse is… the law is very clear, it is a criminal offence for any Hackney Carriage or Private Hire car to refuse any assistance dog unless the driver has a medical exemption certificate. These exemption certificates are actually really easy to get… driver A goes to their GP, either genuinely, or by deception tells their GP that they are allergic and hey presto, certificate signed. The more enlightened local authorities are insisting on a Specialist or Consultant signed certificate as advised by the DFT - but this joker hadn't even heard of an exemption certificate.

Let's be clear, "I'm a Muslim" is not cause for breaking the law. This story will unfortunately cause some to think I've some kind of agenda on religion - those who know me, know otherwise - but let's be clear, the law applies to everyone, and if you break the law, you should expect to be prosecuted.

North Herts Council are currently investigating what they describe as "allegations". Have a look at the evidence above. Either they will Summons the driver to Magistrates Court, or I will by way of private prosecution.

I apologise to regular readers for posting this story - I find it deeply frustrating myself, but for the benefit of all those who have abused me on twitter for complaining, and specifically to the idiot who suggests I have complained for self publicity, I say I don't like being known as the blind bloke who keeps banging on about guide dogs - I am a political journalist, and this is the only exposure I hope for. The point of highlighted yet another issue (as above) is partly for my own benefit - yes and unashamedly, but more than anything, it's for all the blind and partially sighted people, all the deaf and disabled people who work with assistance dogs who might just accept this lying down. It's for all those people who decide not to train with another assistance dog - a genuine lifeline, because some people think they're above the law.

Ignorance is no defence.

On previous occasions, I've agreed that drivers should be verbally cautioned since I don't like affecting people's ability to earn money… but this happens too dam often and every driver signs a license document agreeing to take assistance dogs by law. I've had enough - in future, any driver who flouts the law in this regard with me WILL be dealt with and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.