As John Stevens was known as a no-nonsense cop. He was chief constable of Northumbria police and the Met. Some might say he knows a thing or two about policing. So, when he has something to say, maybe ministers should listen.

He hasn't minced his words in his latest intervention in the House of Lords, where he now sits. "Bizarre" and "recipe for disaster" are two choice phrases. And it seems the coalition is now going away to have a bit of a rethink.

TODAY was a big day for me. After 90 days out, I finally started sparring again.

I cut my eye in a fight with Tommy Tolan just before Christmas, and needed 18 stitches in it. I thought the cut had healed, but it opened when I began sparring again in February, and I had to have an operation to remove the scar tissue.

It's taken until today before I could start taking punches in practice.

Will the coverage of the relationship between US President Barack Obama and UK Prime Minister David Cameron focus on perceived differences - some might say splits - on how to deal with the big issues of the day.

At their joint press conference in London today, the pair asked about their views on how to deal with national deficits and Libya. Mr Cameron often said "I agree" or "completely agree" with Barack.

But whether it was a nuanced arguement or not, Labour seized on what appeared at the very least to be a different on emphasis on these two key issues.

An interpretation of my journey in Iraq through verse. Written by my friend and colleague, Francis Owtram.

The only candle flickering in the vast powerless home threatened to blow out at any minute. I carved some wax off the edges surrounding the wick. The few trickling drops left inside the basin's tap tricked me into thinking that the water was back.

I was unprepared. I had no torch, charge-up light, or even tea candles. My fridge's content thawed away, and when I tried to wipe the dirty water leaking from it, a photograph fell from its door: My recently, resentfully-departed, friend and colleague. Her voice at the University of Kurdistan was ignored, too. Her voice, mine, and that of tens of others, were all ignored.

It takes a candlelit evening amongst nothing but empty walls and floors - in the apartment I am being evacuated from - to remind me of everything and everyone I miss. So I am using up what's left of my laptop's battery to write these words.

We spend our lives trying to forget people, but we forget - during the process of forgetting - that their presence in our lives is exactly what we need. With the ethical and the unethical, and the heartache they cause - we need them. And so years spin, decades move on fast, and although we manage to keep busy, we never forget. Although the mind is occupied, the heart still aches for their presence that cannot be replaced. And so, we submit to society's demands and set of ethical laws, and move on. And darkness crept into what used to be my home, I remember each and ever one I miss, and those I will miss. That feeling I have been holding in my throat claws its way out of my mouth, then my eyes, and then it settles back onto my chest for the rest of the inbreathing night. Nothing but still, silent darkness.

One day, I set out on a journey to find home. I wrote the word home in almost every piece of writing I produced. I came to establish the first English-language culture magazine in Iraq. I also thought I could easily finish my novel. And, one of the projects would be to produce a movie, too. I may, in the process, help a person or two. Change a life, or two. Inspire young people - maybe. What I found instead, were people that changed me. Inspired me. Helped me. And there were people who reminded me of emotions that I have long forgotten how to use.

And so a volcano erupted, and I found myself on a very, very different journey of what I thought I might take here.

One year following my arrival, an American lady, that is now one of my idols, became my employer. Being always unprepared for interviews, I sat there and poured out genuine feelings and plans, which she believed. So I began working for the University of Kurdistan - Hawler. What came next was beyond my belief.

A journey that I feel one article would do no favour to. I plan to write about it in several parts here. What's left of Saddam Hussein's shadow will no longer silence Iraqis.

I fear you, not.

Under a question titled "Departmental Taxis" in Hansard, Labour's Maria Eagle has asked about travel costs racked up by Energy Ministers over the past year. A little over £46,000 is the bill for Chris Huhne in terms of private vehicle hire.

Has the actual part Nick Clegg plays in deciding Government policy been underestimated? I've obtained some emails that cast a little light on the workings of the coalition that highlight the Deputy Prime Minister's role.

Do you remember the furore over school sports last year? Well, I thought it would be interesting to put in a freedom of information request for correspondence between No 10 and the private office of Education Secretary Michael Gove.

The Deputy PM approved the plan to get the Government out of a hole over the situation, along with the PM.

It also gives a hint about how the spin operation works within the coalition - with a key email talking about whether to "brief over the weekend" in terms of communications. Some MPs might have wanted Parliament to be told first...

Amid concerns about tens of thousands of elderly people cared for by Southern Cross, there was a serious debate in Parliament about social care.

There were particularly worrying comments from Labour MP Dave Anderson, a former care worker, and a pledge from care services minister Paul Burstow of supporting residents of Southern Cross.

Mr Anderson said union research suggested the total disappearance of council-run homes and questioned how would pick up the pieces if private operators went "belly-up"

On Southern Cross, the minister said: "We need to ensure that we secure its future for its residents."

Just 4% of the public "strongly" agree that UK armed forces are well equipped. That's just one of the findings of the quietly released results of the Spring 2011 Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces.

Below is a written Parliamentary question from Tory MP Patrick Mercer to Attorney-General Dominic Grieve about Dr David Kelly - and comes after a mystery emerged around a helicopter landed near at the scene of the weapons inspector death.

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Attorney-General how many representations he has received on the need for a coroner's inquest into the death of Dr David Kelly.

The Attorney-General: There has been a large amount of correspondence received on this matter since the first request was made to the Attorney-General to apply to the court for an inquest to be ordered into the death of Dr David Kelly by the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) in 2008.

Since then representations have been made by letter, e-mail and telephone. No complete record of the total number of representations made has been maintained.

However, I can say that since July 2010 I have given 14 written replies in answer to letters from Members of Parliament.

In addition, since January 2011, I have received 82 pieces of correspondence from 22 individuals making representations of some kind in respect of this matter