Exclusive. “In a timely manner”. The best part of six months on, the Party’s inquiry clears Johnson over his burka column.

Launched amidst the inevitable blaze of publicity, the decision has been smuggled out like the fabled thief in the night.

Iain Dale: It’s going to be a White Christmas – because there are snowflakes, snowflakes everywhere.

Plus: Tory MPs, the world’s most duplicitous electorate. But a certain long-serving woman Labour MP is sending Christmas cards to them all…

It was odious to burn an effigy of the Grenfell Tower – but those responsible should not have been arrested

The police should not arrest people for being offensive. Not just because burglaries and violence matter more. But because we need the freedom to offend.

Ashers Bakery. Politicians should do their job rather than force courts to arbitrate on conflicting rights

If MPs want to take the plaudits for creating such laws, they must also take the responsibility of defining their limits.

Unthinking the thinkable

How the far left uses a feedback loop to shut down people in the short term – and ideas in the long.

Bob Seely: Ten steps to defend our country against the aggression and subversion of Putin’s Russia

Protecting our open society against threats from authoritarian states is an essential battle. We must not lose.

WATCH: Ici Londres – Hannan suggests that offence-taking has become a form of conspicuous consumption

“I’ll give you a general rule of thumb – a heuristic, if you will. Anyone who says ‘I am offended’ is not really offended.”

Atkins’ careful and considered words on trans issues must not be howled down

Her comments on gender reassignment treatments are mild and responsibly-phrased. But some are starting up the outrage bus.

Alex Morton: Too many Tory politicians say nothing worthwhile – because they have nothing worthwhile to say

What do our cliché-ridden rulers propose? Ending plastic cups, gender quotas for boardrooms and banning Tony the Tiger.

The gathering wait for a Johnson burka inquiry decision

A consequence of the new Code of Conduct may be that he is referred to a panel – whether Number Ten wants it or not.

Drawing a veil over the incident

All concerned want to save face over the Johnson burqa row – May, Lewis and the man himself. Here’s a rough and ready way to correct its mishandling.

Political beliefs ought to be the subject of robust debate, not protected with legal cotton wool

The way equalities law applies to “philosophical belief” has created a messy courtroom battleground for all sorts of angry fringe groups to seek protection.

Chloe Westley: The reason the left want to ban me from TV is they fear they would lose a true battle of ideas

Socialist organisations have vastly more money and staff than those campaigning for lower taxes and smaller state, but they still cannot accept debate.

Mohammed Amin: When does criticising Islam morph into inciting hatred of Muslims?

I personally don’t care if someone burns a copy of the Quran, provided they bought it and do so without creating a fire or smoke hazard. But it is illegal in the UK.

Tatchell defends anti-abortion protests – and tells how he got Cameron and Johnson to support same-sex marriage

The veteran LGBT campaigner says the former Prime Minister’s aides “were terrified I might try and kiss him, or superglue myself to the Cabinet table”.