I read this today:
MSPs have launched a campaign to use anti-terrorism laws to freeze Sir Fred Goodwin’s assets, as a poll showed that most Scots want the disgraced former banker stripped of his £700,000 annual pension.
Politicians believe legislation would allow ministers to seize the luxury Edinburgh home and classic car collection of the former Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) chief executive.
The Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 allows the government to seize assets from individuals or organisations it believes have acted in a way that is detrimental to the UK economy.
This is a very slippery slope. It’s not that I have any great sympathy for Fred the Shred, but what he did wasn’t terrorism.
It’s urgent and imperative that terrorism legislation is revised to make sure it only can be applied in the case of real terrorism. Not to people overfilling their bin, or for negotiating a disgustingly big pension pot for oneself.
If this process isn’t halted, we’ll soon be in a situation where everything is effectively illegal – it’s just a matter of whether the government will happen to crush down on you or not.
And that will be the end of liberty, democracy, and the rule of law.