I really, really enjoyed this particular piece. I never knew this much space could be used to say "we are not allowed to tell you anything". I am not being snarky. I love it. It is beautiful. And it really does pique my curiosity.


The Guardian has been prevented from reporting parliamentary proceedings on legal grounds which appear to call into question privileges guaranteeing free speech established under the 1688 Bill of Rights.

Today's published Commons order papers contain a question to be answered by a minister later this week. The Guardian is prevented from identifying the MP who has asked the question, what the question is, which minister might answer it, or where the question is to be found.

The Guardian is also forbidden from telling its readers why the paper is prevented – for the first time in memory – from reporting parliament. Legal obstacles, which cannot be identified, involve proceedings, which cannot be mentioned, on behalf of a client who must remain secret.

More in link.

Has anyone seen State of Play? (The real one, not the new silly one with Russel Crowe, but the one where Bill Nighy is the editor.) I am reminded of one of the most spectacular scenes there.