[<a href="http://storify.com/SadiqKhan/sadiq-khan-s-legal-aid-bill-tweets-17th-april-2012" mce_href="http://storify.com/SadiqKhan/sadiq-khan-s-legal-aid-bill-tweets-17th-april-2012" target="_blank">View the story "Sadiq Khan's Legal Aid Bill tweets - 17th April 2012" on Storify</a>]<h1>Sadiq Khan's Legal Aid Bill tweets - 17th April 2012</h1><h2>MPs debated a series of amendments to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Bill made in the House of Lords to protect the legal rights of domestic violence victims, child victims of clinical negligence and industrial diseases sufferers. </h2><p>Storified by Sadiq Khan MP &middot; Wed, Apr 18 2012 05:51:56</p><div><b><i>Background press coverage</i></b></div><div>Government must heed the scale of LASPO Bill defeats, and back down on their disastrous plans - KhanSadiq Khan MP, Labour's Shadow Justice Secretary, commenting ahead of today's consideration by the House of Commons of the Lords Amendmen...</div><div>Shake-up of legal aid will cost us all dear, says Labour peerA former city councillor, now a member of the House of Lords, says a Government plan to limit free legal advice would ruin people's lives...</div><div>Warning over children's legal aidThousands of children will lose access to legal aid under government plans to shake up the system, campaigners say. Child rights group Ju...</div><div>Legal aid bill puts thousands at risk, says Citizens AdviceRemoval of specialist support leaves those wrongly assessed vulnerable to poverty and homelessness, campaigners warn A woman with learnin...</div><div>Child rights group says legal aid shake-up will hit thousands of vulnerable children | eGov monitor | The Information DailyHaving analysed government data obtained from a series of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, JustRights has found that at least 6,000...</div><div>Legal aid: MPs 'have last chance to protect the vulnerable': ePolitix.comCentral Lobby - UK political and parliamentary policy news, interviews and analysis</div><div><b><i>Tweets</i></b></div><div>Justine Roberts of @mumsnettowers explains why the government should protect legal aid for domestic violence victims http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/17/mps-vote-protect-women-legal-aidSadiq Khan MP</div><div>RT @craigawoodhouse: @sadiqkhan has referred to &quot;our beef&quot; with certain measures in the Legal Aid Bill. Street.Tim Gatt</div><div>@SadiqKhan speaking out against government plan to exclusively use telephone and elctronic means for legal aid advice #LASPOJames Davies</div><div>RT @LawCentres: @SadiqKhan moves on to telephone gateway: evidence - including MoJ's on impact assessment - shows it disadvantages many vulnerable groupsDavid Davies</div><div>RT @JDinParticular: @SadiqKhan speaking out against government plan to exclusively use telephone and elctronic means for legal aid advice #LASPONick </div><div>Lib Dems vote with Tories to allow less than 5 hours debate on important legal aid debate #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>“@SadiqKhan: Wow. Simon Hughes is voting with Labour? #LASPO”Martin Hume</div><div>@debbiematthews1 @sadiqkhan Clarke has been#outoftouch for years he's a politician #pastsellbydate who doesn't realise he should just retireKeith Hunter</div><div>RT @Sundip: Best of luck to @SadiqKhan @HammersmithAndy @RobFlelloMP and all Labour MPs fighting to protect Legal Aid in the #LASPO debate this evening.Asian Lawyers</div><div>Ken Clarke has been speaking for over 30 minutes, eating into our limited time for debate, and not making much sense at all #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>Using the old &quot;filibuster&quot; tactics? @SadiqKhanThe Akh</div><div>Ken Clarke also claims no legal knowledge is necessary to advise someone on welfare benefits - has he ever tried?? #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>@SadiqKhan Somehow I am not surprised!Interpreters GB</div><div>Afraid that Tom Brake is telegraphing that Lib Dem MPs will cave in on protecting social welfare legal aid #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>@SadiqKhan so frustrating! They have no idea! Should come to boltonCAB-70%of our funding is #legalaid and we provide specialist LEGALadvice!lisa stone</div><div>@RorsDM @SadiqKhan He's a viper, don't be fooled by the doddering imbecile act! And he's about to take justice away from so many! :(Adele Andrews</div><div>Looks like Tim Farron is joining Hughes and jettisoning his principles very cheaply. What is the point of these Lib Dems? #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>1st vote today – of 57 Lib Dems, 11 didn’t bother voting, 3 voted with us, BUT 43 voted for Government’s cuts to legal aid #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>@SadiqKhan No point to Lib Dems if they can't stand up to their Tory masters. Electoral massacre looms for them at next Gen Election.Ian R Bowyer</div><div>He's blustering, incoherently trying to explain govt rationale for misplaced priorities in legal aid cuts. Anyone any clearer? #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>From benches opposite, @SadiqKhan notes Clarke has been speaking for nearly an hour, leaving little time for debate - is he filibustering?LawCentresFederation</div><div>follow @SadiqKhan to see the disgraceful way Tory led gov are dealing with legal aid #LASPOBILL. LA vital to secure access to justice.Sara Ibrahim</div><div>@SadiqKhan Do you believe LD's will vote with their amendment or mysteriously abstain? AFAICS no reason to believe they will be honourable!KathyB</div><div>@SadiqKhan Maybe we can hope that Ken Clarke talks out his own bill?Hamish Yewdall</div><div>David Cameron highlights Citizens Advice Bureaux as embodying his &quot;Big Society&quot;, yet his bill threatens their very existence #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>@SadiqKhan Self help for the excluded is a core part of a big society but it should actually get central support not be left to charityGareth Stephenson</div><div>RT @SadiqKhan Looks like Tim Farron is joining Hughes and jettisoning his principles very cheaply. (cont) http://tl.gd/h1401eKen Grey</div><div>RT @spellar: RT @SadiqKhan: Vote lost by 52 - where did Lib Dems go? How many voted with Labour to ensure legal advice not solely limited to telephone?RobbieLea-Trengrouse</div><div>RT @SadiqKhan: Simon Hughes doing his best Duke of York impression? Marches Lib Dems to the top of the hill &amp; back down again #LASPO&lt;- Boom!Seph Brown</div><div>RT @SephRBrown: RT @SadiqKhan: Simon Hughes doing his best Duke of York impression? Marches Lib Dems to the top of the hill &amp; back down again #LASPO&lt;- Boom!Adam Jogee</div><div>@SadiqKhan #LASPO &gt;CABs + legal advice centres also losing EHRC funding due 2 closure of our grants prog which distributed £14m to date.Save the EHRC</div><div>@SadiqKhan I couldn't have appealed against my loss of DLA without assistance, as I had to wait 3 months for braille letters from DWP.Jane Vernon</div><div>Oh dear. How predictable. Tom Brake now on the floor of the House confirming he has been 'persuaded' by the government #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>“@SadiqKhan: Oh dear. How predictable. Tom Brake now on the floor of the House confirming he has been 'persuaded' by the government #LASPO”Imran Ahmed</div><div>MT @Imi_Ahmed: “@SadiqKhan: How predictable. Tom Brake now confirming he has been 'persuaded' by the government #LASPO”&gt;shamefulLouise Restell</div><div>Lib Dems put down an amendment knowing full well there's not enough time to vote for it, and present this as them opposing the bill #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>RT @SadiqKhan Lib Dems put down an amendment knowing full well there's not enough time to vote for (cont) http://tl.gd/h14gt3Ken Grey</div><div>@SadiqKhan Sadiq. This is typical. It's also cowardly,shallow and morally vacuous.Gary N...</div><div>@SadiqKhan Insipid or pathetic? What a way for a party to slide towards oblivion.geordiepeacock</div><div>2nd vote – 57 Lib Dems, 16 didn’t bother voting, only 1 voted with us, BUT 40 voted for Govt’s flawed plans on telephone gateway #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>@SadiqKhan And sad/angry thing is they have no shameMatthew Thirlaway</div><div>@SadiqKhan was our right on bristol mp Steven Williams one of the govt supporters? Am going to report on outcomes re Bristol mps?Richard Harries</div><div>@REHarries He did not vote against!Sadiq Khan MP</div><div>@SadiqKhan the only person who knows less than Clarke about effects of #LASPO is Djangoly. A mess that will ultimately increase spendingLindsay Edkins</div><div>@SadiqKhan @ACunninghamMP am horrified by #LASPO I was a LegalAid lawyer within CABx, many people can't access their legal rights without itSarah Jane King</div><div>Brilliant speech by Yvonne Fovargue MP destroying Tory-led government justification for these cuts to social welfare legal aid #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>RT @hammersmithandy: RT @SadiqKhan: Brilliant speech by Yvonne Fovargue MP destroys Tory-led government justification for cuts to social welfare legal aid #LASPOGeoffrey Buckingham</div><div>Lib Dem and Tory MPs vote against Lords amendments to protect victims of domestic violence #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>@SadiqKhan disappointed by this. Do you have more detailsSamantha Hoy</div><div>MT @SadiqKhan: Lib Dem and Tory MPs vote against Lords amendments to protect victims of domestic violence #LASPO [what heroes they all are!]Neil Griffiths</div><div>RT @SadiqKhan Lib Dem and Tory MPs vote against Lords amendments to protect victims of domestic violence #LASPOHouse Of Twits</div><div>@HouseofTwitsLab @sadiqkhan Shame knows no limits does it?Sue Marsh</div><div>So angry to watch legal aid for the most vulnerable being destroyed - but so proud of the @LabourParty @SadiqKhan defence tonight #LASPOAli Picton</div><div>@SadiqKhan It's like LibDem MPs have been anaesthetisedCharlie Wheeler</div><div>“@SadiqKhan: Lib Dem and Tory MPs vote against Lords amendments to protect victims of domestic violence #LASPO” / What are they thinking??Gillian Bishop</div><div>Wonder if any Lib Dem MPs supported Labour to protect legal aid for welfare benefit appeals? Didn't see any in the lobby #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>@SadiqKhan Lib Dem MPs serve only one purpose. They shield thier Conservative counterpartsray turner</div><div>@SadiqKhan have the lords welfare benefit amendments been reversed? thanksw jones</div><div>@wsjaeboo I'm afraid the Government has reversed them. We opposed this.Sadiq Khan MP</div><div>@SadiqKhan thanks for replying. shocking particulalrly with complexity of intro of UC. Thanks for fighting this.w jones</div><div>Government will make it more difficult for those suffering from respiratory industrial diseases from bringing cases #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>BUT Labour MPs are absolutely destroying the government's case. Minister Djanogly being attacked for these wretched proposals #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>.@sadiqkhan's tweets on #LASPO is making me very glad I voted for him and very sad about the state of our governmentElizabeth Poulton</div><div>@hammersmithandy up now for Labour, filleting Djanogly's feeble defence of their awful proposals on sufferers of industrial diseases #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>@hammersmithandy right to question Govt's lack of humility &amp; humanity in their attitude towards sufferers of industrial diseases #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>Tory @tracey_crouch making a thoughtful speech on mesothelioma - she may support Labour in supporting Lords amendment tonight #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>RT @SadiqKhan Government will make it more difficult for those suffering from respiratory industrial diseases from bringing cases #LASPOKen Grey</div><div>Powerful speech by Labour's @JWoodcockMP who has many sufferers of meso in his Barrow &amp; Furness constituency - makes govt front bench squirmSadiq Khan MP</div><div>@SadiqKhan @JWoodcockMP So they damned well should!Ian Hall</div><div>Another brilliant speech by @tobyperkinsmp sharing harrowing tales of constituents suffering from mesothelioma #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>@SadiqKhan @tobyperkinsmp good cause indeed - &amp; not forgetting those workers who have fallen by the wayside with other industrial injuriesJos Bell</div><div>Government portraying sufferers of a horrific illness like mesothelioma as part of some 'compensation culture' is a slur on innocent victimsSadiq Khan MP</div><div>@SadiqKhan @tobyperkinsmp does the government prefer that these unfortunates have to rely upon the benefit system if get no compensation?Jos Bell</div><div>@gedrobinson yep. And for victims of industrial diseases, asbestosis, etc. follow @SadiqKhan for live tweets of debate.Brian Johnson</div><div>@hindlea Not watching but following tweets by @SadiqKhan - scary times under this govt. Roll on May 3rd when we can let em know how we feelKathyB</div><div>Very late in the day, Tory @Anna_SoubryMP suddenly wakes up to impact of her own government's proposals on mesothelioma sufferers? #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>@SadiqKhan @Anna_SoubryMP #SameOldToriesStephen Goodall</div><div>Wrexham's excellent Labour MP @IanCLucas making emotional speech about impact on meso sufferers of government's terrible proposals #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>@SadiqKhan she is assuming lawyers can make a basic living doing quality work. Increasingly impossible for those serving vulnerable clientsLindsay Edkins</div><div>Of the 3 votes held at 8.15 – only 2 Lib Dems put their money where their mouth is and supported Labour. What about the others?? #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>Not forgetting the 250 or so Tory MPs who trotted through the govt yes lobby to restrict access to justice for 1000s of vulnerable peopleSadiq Khan MP</div><div>Plaid's Elfyn Llwyd explaining the nonsense of comparing meso industrial diseases with road traffic accidents - the govt just don't get itSadiq Khan MP</div><div>@SadiqKhan literally one law for the rich, another for the poor. #allinthistogether #toriesoutoftouchJon Clempner</div><div>.@SadiqKhan on #LASPO Bill - Lib Dems have stood by, occasionally giving off an air that Bill was of concern, but doing precisely nothingLabour Press Team</div><div>RT @labourpress: .@SadiqKhan on #LASPO Bill - Lib Dems have stood by, occasionally giving off an air that Bill was of concern, but doing precisely nothingBrian Johnson</div><div>RT @labourpress: .@SadiqKhan on #LASPO Bill - Lib Dems have stood by, occasionally giving off an air that Bill was of concern, but doing precisely nothingBrian Moylan</div><div>Late night Parliament action. Thanks to @SadiqKhan for tweeting updates throughout the evening.Calum Roberts</div><div>How any MP can still vote against the Lords amendment on mesothelioma after hearing @paulgogginsmp speech is beyond me #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>Ex-miner Labour's Dave Anderson who knows a thing or two about industrial diseases now speaking from personal experience #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>@CalumGRoberts glad you are following this important debate!Sadiq Khan MP</div><div>@SadiqKhan Meso killed my Grandfather he worked the pit all his life well all 42 years that isPaul</div><div>Labour's Iain Wright telling the House about heartbreaking case from Hartlepool - Tories not even listening. Disgraceful snub to victims!Sadiq Khan MP</div><div>The speeches the House has heard tonight on industrial diseases have been absolutely top draw. Time to vote now #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>Good to see Tracey Crouch and a few other Tory and Lib Dem MPs in our lobby - will it be enough to defeat the government? #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>MT &quot;@SadiqKhan: Tory @tracey_crouch making a thoughtful speech on mesothelioma&quot; thanks, wanted to stand up for victims of this fatal diseaseTracey Crouch</div><div>After long night of votes, @sadiqkhan says Lib Dem MPs showed 'air of concern' but 'stood idly by' while most legal aid cutPaul Waugh</div><div>@SadiqKhan Many in Swindon suffer from asbestos related diseases - would be shocking if both our Tory MPs voted against. What did they do?Anne Snelgrove</div><div>Government majority cut to just 36 on vote on Amendment 31 - respiratory industrial diseases #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>Disappointing however that Lords amendment on respiratory industrial diseases has been overturned by Government #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>Majority of 36 lowest I believe by this Government since they came to office, with exception of tuition fees. Voting now on Amdt 32 #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>On Amdt 32 - industrial diseases - Lords amendment overturned by Government by 47 votes #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>MT @SadiqKhan Industrial diseases - Lords amendment overturned by Gov't by 47 votes #LASPO &lt;&lt; How can this happen. Gutted for my patients.Elin Roddy</div><div>Labour's Helen Jones making point of order, bringing to Speaker's attention disrespect shown by Minister Djanogly #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>Djanogly's smirking and giggling showed utter disrespect to sufferers of horrific industrial diseases like mesothelioma #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>@SadiqKhan well done Helen Jones!Boro Barrister</div><div>@SadiqKhan I wonder how his Huntingdon constituents feel about that? Anyone from Huntingdon on twitter want to make a comment on this?Bob Ellard</div><div>@SadiqKhan He looks like a type of person just doing work for himself, does not have any empathy for this job!sally-ann ephson</div><div>The Bill returns to the House of Lords. I hope they will reject the Government's decisions today, &amp; return this shoddy bill next week #LASPOSadiq Khan MP</div><div>LASPO Bill - Lib Dems have stood idly by, occasionally giving off an air that the Bill was of concern, but doing precisely nothing - KhanSadiq Khan MP, Labour's Shadow Justice Secretary, commenting on the party political games played by Liberal Democrat MPs during today's d...</div>