Peter Hain Made An Honest Mistake – So What?

Watching TV late last night I saw a government information film/advertisment.
‘No If’s, No But’s', it said, ‘ Benefit fraud is a crime. Break the law and you could face a fine and a criminal record’
No Ifs? No Buts? A zero tolerance policy on the governments part?
Ok. So what about the Welsh secretary Peter Hain?
He stands accused of ignoring, either intentionaly or unintentionaly, a law brought in by his own government which requires by law that he registers all donations made to him.
He ‘forgets’ to register £100,000 of donations. The Prime Minister has called this incompetence.
So we have a minister in government who is apparently incompetent but that isn’t enough reason to resign. We have a minister in government who has apparently clearly broken the law of the land but he doesn’t feel the need to resign and the prime minister sees no need to sack him.
How many citizens of this country have accidently broken the law and been punished for it? Lots and lots and lots.
Ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the law. You would expect a minister who actually voted on a law to know it existed wouldn’t you? He has a staff and the money to ensure he complies with is totally accurate and up to date with all the legislation that is rellevent to him and his life.
The rest of us do not have this luxury. The rest of us cannot vote on the laws that are brought into force and we can never be up to date with what they all are. This government has implemented new legislation at an incredible rate and nobody can claim to know it all, yet we are required, expected and obliged to obey these laws.
All the more interesting that a government minister feels it is ok for him to break the law whilst another branch of government tells us, ‘NO IFS, NO BUTS’.
It is one more demonstration of what a self centred and dishonest government we continue to suffer from.
One rule for them and another rule for the people. Whatever happened to democracy?

It may well have been an honest mistake. We all make those now and again. So does this mean that as long as I appologise it is ok if I accidently exceed the speed limit and get caught? Will benefit claiments be let off if they appologise for making an honest mistake?

If the law is to be considered flexible then that should apply to all and not just government ministers.