THE WOES OF PRIVATE-ICED RAIL

Hull’s Maritime Museum was due to hold an event on the city’s links to polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and his Antarctic expedition. But sadly it was cancelled. Due to snow.

Even if it went ahead, you would struggle to get there – Hull Trains’ services were cancelled. Why is it, in the fifth richest nation in the world, that whenever we face a little bit of extreme weather our country’s transport system seems to fall apart? When privatised trains can’t even run properly when the weather’s fine, they have no chance when there’s a hint of a snowflake. didn’t sign up to this independent regulator. And the third was a Phase Two of the Leveson Inquiry to look at the relationship between the press and the police.

Parliament and government agreed to all three Leveson recommendations. But sadly this week May’s government decided to drop the recommendations.

This was a terrible mistake. Judge Sir Brian Leveson wrote to ministers saying the extent of wrongdoing was far greater than the first inquiry was told and that they were breaking a promise to phone-hacking victims.

All three recommendations, could be brought back. Tomorrow the Commons will debate Lords amendments to the Data Protection Bill. The Government must think long and hard about choosing to reject them.

If it’s subsequently revealed criminal activity took place, May’s government will look like it’s tried to sweep it under the carpet.

Papers believe in exposing the truth. So should politicians.