Lawless George

True to his word, George Monbiot yesterday tried to make the citizen's arrest he said he would, but failed in the attempt. The Hay Festival organizers had taken legal advice beforehand and were told - just as I had surmised - that the arrest would be 'completely unlawful'.

Nothing daunted, Monbiot has expressed a desire to see his initiative followed up. He might like to try arresting Clare Short. But, my, doesn't he have a flexible attitude to the rule of law? Effecting an arrest, even if it's unlawful to do so, that's a grave matter, a matter of conscience perhaps, a duty; getting rid of a torturing, murdering, blood-spattered tyrant - no way; it violates national sovereignty, don't you know?