Jack Straw lifts curfew on Jade Goody's husband

[Gromit]

Jack Straw has personally intervened to lift a curfew on Jade Goody's future husband. Under the curfew he was supposed to be at his mother's house beteen 7 pm to 7 am. Jack Straw has changed that on compassionate grounds, and the newly married couple will be able to spend their wedding night together.

Is that acceptable? Should the law not be equal for everyone? Should the spouses of the famous be treated differently from the rest of us?

Or is this an exemption and a kind gesture?

[Gormless]

It's an exemption and a very kind gesture.

It is likely to extrapolate upwards however, because let's face it, prison is unkind.

[tiggerblue10]

It is a kind gesture which could set a precedence but he's unlikely to abscond what with the glare of the media all over the place.

I wish them well on their wedding night as it may be one of the last nights they spend together.

[ummmm]

It is equal to everyone. Anyone can apply in such circumstances.

[sara3]

as ummm has said, anyone can apply to have bail/curfew/tag conditions changed, and it would depend on the circumstances whether iit is agreed.

lifting a curfew for less than 24 hours is, in my opinion, the right thing to do in such dire circumstances.

[Oneeyedvic]

Right thing to do.

Prisoners are routinely let out for immediate family funerals etc.

Also, Jack Straw did not personally intervene:

Goody, who has terminal cancer and has been told she has weeks to live, was reported to have been "heartbroken" at the prospect of spending her wedding night alone because of Tweed's release conditions, which the authorities had reportedly refused to waive.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "The National Offender Management Service chief operating officer, in discussion with the governor of the prison, has determined that this is an exceptional case and Mr Tweed will be allowed to remain at the reception and at that address until 3pm the day after the wedding."


He said Justice Secretary Jack Straw had "enormous sympathy" for Goody and her family, adding: "She has shown extraordinary courage and our thoughts are with her."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7901232 .stm?lss

[Gromit]

Anyone can apply - to the prison Governor. In this case, the Governor denied permission, and Jack Straw usually over-rode his decission.

I believe the law should be the same whther you are famous or not. No special treatment.

[paraffin]

Gormless: If it does, to use your words, "extrapolate upwards", would that bring tears to their eyes on their wedding night?

[Oneeyedvic]

Gromit - why do you say that - see link above.

[R1Geezer]

Only a kn0b like you would ask such a question! Look I'm no fan of JG but whatever she's done she's now got a bum deal and if her last few weeks can be improved then fine, I think unusually for this government they've done the right thing.

[R1Geezer]

It just goes to show that you lefties are way out in front when it comes to sheer spite. Well done gromit you have excelled yourself!

[bednobs]

personally i can't understand why they can't get married in the day, and spend the night at his parents house - the paents could stay in a hotel couldn't they?

[wallacia]

just hope the same scenario never comes to you stevie boy.

[BettM]

That was cruel -

[driverdale1]

yes i truely believe in this case this is the correct thing to do, the poor woman has only a very short time to live, dont make this time any more harder for her than it already is. i would say the same for any couple in a similar situation and not only for them, but 10 outa 10 for jack straw .

[Schutzengel]

Heartlessness is one of the most unattractive attributes of the human species. Pity it had to show its face on this thread.

[wallacia]

steve 5,have you ever lost close relations through cancer,i have lost mum,dad and brother and all they want is to be close to somebody in there final days,you are a heartless b�$%^&d and i hope you are not proud of yourself.

[Gromit]

Sorry R1geezer if you didn't understand the question. I am not showing spite or heartlessness to Goody. This question could have been about anybody. It was ineffect:

Should the rules be changed at the whim of the Justice Department because it would be a popular thing to do?

I believe he was in prison for battering a juvenile with a golf club. He doesn't sound like the type of person who deserves our compassion.