Tories circle as Watson starts to fail the smell test

One of the Labour deputy’s key sources on Brittan claims to have been “right up for witch-hunts” against Conservatives.

Iain Dale: The police are wrong to have ruined the life of Harvey Proctor

Plus: The UKIP London Mayoralty selection – latest rumours and plots.

Graeme Archer: Delayed justice is no justice at all

The investigations into child abuse and the Iraq War both have the same failing.

Ali Miraj: Meet the short list for this year’s Contrarian Prize

Those prepared to stand up to “arbitrary authority or witless mass opinion” enrich public life, and we should celebrate them.

Iain Dale: A foreign nurse tells me that Brits don’t want his NHS job. He has a point.

Plus: Two policemen’s child abuse claims. Lamb for LibDem leader. Osborne for the Foreign Office. And: why won’t Waterstones stock more copies of Farage’s book?

LGA says it will continue employing former Rotherham Council leader

Yet again the Local Government Association defends the indefensible.

Iain Dale: No, Balls isn’t anti-business. Indeed, he understands business.

Plus: Lord Ashcroft’s Scotland poll – I must revise my predictions. Abuse in Rotherham. An upset in Sheffield? My drivetime success. And: in memoriam, Martin Gilbert.

Interview: Grayling – As Lord Chancellor, “it’s an advantage not being a lawyer”

“So you don’t arrive at a decision because you’re a barrister and therefore you favour the bar or because you’re a solicitor and therefore you favour the solicitors’ firms.”

Iain Dale: Cross my palm with silver – as I peer into my crystal ball for 2015…

Plus: My Big Fat New Wedding. An invitation to Roger Bird. And: Happy New Year to you all. P.S: Here is my, er, prediction success rate for last year.