Tim Farron slams Shami Chakrabarti's intention to abstain on Snooper's Charter

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I am more and more puzzled by the actions of Shami Chakrabarti, who has junked her reputation to serve under a leader of the opposition who gives every indication of being on course to lose the next election horribly.

True, it is a well-worn path - when I was a teenager the leading lights of what is now Liberty were Patricia Hewitt and Harriet Harman - but Chakrabati risks becoming a figure of fun.

The latest blow to her reputation is the news that she is to follow other Labour peers in abstaining on the government's Snooper Charter this week.

Tim Farron, as quoted by the Sunday Mirror, is suitably outraged:

“Shami sold her principles to get a peerage. 

“She has sold the final bit of her credibility by accepting a shadow Cabinet role in a party which plans to sit on its hands and wave through this illiberal and intrusive Bill.”

And:

“What really smarts is that she has spent her whole career attacking others for the craven thing she is about to do. 

“Shame on her. I actually thought better of her.”