Pick of the Week: A final Lib Dem betrayal
Our five most popular pieces of the week, for your reading pleasure
Five: Channel Four allegations reveal a darker side to Boris Johnson
This piece is finally dropping down the table after two weeks in the top spot, but remains in the shortlist. Its popularity may have something to do with the fact that the newspapers stay well away from criticising Johnson and allowed this story to pass with barely a mention.
Four: Boris Johnson refuses to face investigation into land deal
But regardless of how little media pressure there was over the allegations, the criticisms in City Hall were more severe. Johnson managed to avoid a showdown by sending other officials to two Assembly committees but the mayor has pledged to appear in front of the audit panel and the economy and planning committees. We'll be watching closely.
Three: Strip public of the vote says Ukip candidate
An oldie from the sunlit days of May ploughed its way back onto the top five list. This story is the gift that keeps on giving. Magnus Nielsen, who must at least be given credit for having the best name in politics, suggested the Reform Acts of 1832 and 1888 were "probably… the wrong thing" and that the franchise should be narrowed. Ukip candidates really write the news stories themselves sometimes. They turn journalism into transcription.
Two: Without due process: How Britain deported 50,000 students
Our investigative report into the tens of thousands of students in Britain facing deportation came in second place this week. A few months ago, a Panorama report found fraud in an English language testing centre. But since then the net has been cast wide open, without anyone being shown the evidence against them or given a day in court. We look into this concerning example of deteriorating legal standards in the shadow of the immigration debate.
One: The night the Lib Dems gave up their last remaining principles
Top of the pops this week was a piece on the Liberal Democrat decision to support the Conservatives in dismantling judicial review. We weren't too unkind to the party, which has accomplished more in government than most people give it credit for. But there really was no way for someone to back those reforms and call themselves a liberal. So in the end they got both barrels.
