We learn from all this - that reputable advice from a presumed disreputable lobby is worth far less than disreputable advice from presumed reputable lobby like the LGA.

The MU should have and still should sue Dr Howells. The damage the 'pernicicous lying campaign' smear has done to music and musicians - is now rather clear to see.

For example - the solicitor on today's 'Law in Action' programme was rather selective in the so-called 'myths', by including Howells' own invention of the whistling postman, and did not detail all the areas where the singing of 'Happy Birthday' would be illegal and in fact had been found so under current legislation. The clear and gaping holes in the Government's illogical arguments for the Bill, were not really mentioned in any detail.

I don't think we should excuse solicitors like this one for being fooled by this tactic.   

This to my MP re the LGA letter.

This letter is extraordinary.

Perhaps you could establish from the LGA and Mr Caborn why this letter was not sent earlier? Why the points in it were not raised and challenged in the Committee stages and only surfaced at the 11th hour, when the points raised clearly relate equally to the Government's own and earlier amendment?

Can you ask Mr Caborn to ensure that the total exemption of all commercial entertainment in all churches is quickly re-examined in the light of the very serious safety and crime and disorder concerns expressed by this body in this letter?

Roger