Helene Mulholland

Don't get mad about the Mail's use of the Philpotts to tarnish the poor - get even

guardian.co.uk — The Daily Mail reminds me a little bit of climate change: you think you've got the measure of just how bad it is, but every time you look it's taken another appalling leap forward. Yesterday, following the conviction of the Philpotts for the manslaughter of their six children, it called Mick Philpott the " vile product of welfare UK".

Charles Walker MP: 'I've made peace with it. I've got it off my chest'

guardian.co.uk — Conservative MP Charles Walker insists that standing up in the Commons and declaring that he is a "practising fruit cake" was the best thing he has done in his seven-year parliamentary career, on both the personal and political front.

Cameron challenged by Miliband on poverty and rise in use of food banks

guardian.co.uk — David Cameron has admitted the government needs to do more to help those struggling to make ends meet amid evidence of people's increasing reliance on food banks to avoid going hungry.

Met police investigate claim of 'pleb' row conspiracy against Andrew Mitchell

guardian.co.uk — Scotland Yard has said it is considering the possibility there was a conspiracy to fabricate evidence against the former chief whip Andrew Mitchell, insisting its inquiry would go "where the evidence takes us".

Redundancy consultation period to be halved to 45 days

guardian.co.uk — The 90-day period before large-scale redundancies can take place is to be cut to 45 days, the government has announced. The employment relations minister Jo Swinson said the move, along with other changes, was aimed at helping workers and businesses.

Queen attends cabinet meeting in Downing Street

guardian.co.uk — The Queen was greeted by David Cameron as she arrived at Downing Street to attend her first cabinet meeting, as part of the government's diamond jubilee celebrations. Dressed in a royal blue coat, the Queen walked up the red carpet on the steps of No 10 before standing chatting with the prime minister at the door to pose for photographs.

Police federation criticises Met over officer arrest in Andrew Mitchell row

guardian.co.uk — The police federation has expressed "great regret" over Scotland Yard's arrest of an officer from the diplomatic protection group, SO6, over the alleged leaking of information to the press about an an incident at Downing Street in which Andrew Mitchell, the then chief whip, is said to have called officers "plebs".

Trade unions should fill gap in public life, says departing TUC chief

guardian.co.uk — Trade unions have a "real opportunity" to fill the gap in public life created by Britain's discredited political and media classes, according to the outgoing leader of the Trades Union Congress, who also called on Labour leader Ed Miliband to show "more boldness" in supporting striking workers.