It was an eventful morning for Michael Gove. Just minutes before his first grilling by the justice committee, the new justice secretary learned barristers would be joining in a de-facto solicitor strike over legal aid fee cuts. Gove came across as far more measured, aware and amiable than Chris Grayling - he specifically went out his way to discredit the 'fat cat lawyers' stereotype for example - but his offer of further talks seemed to be directed towards barristers rather than solicitors. That suggests there'll be no U-turn.
The legal action is not well understood by the press but, as we have been reporting for several weeks, it has the power to bring the court system to its knees. Gove was not grilled very aggressively and he seemed calm throughout , but make no mistake -these are big developments which could trigger extraordinary chaos.
Elsewhere we look at the anti-strike law being brought in by the Conservatives and conclude that it makes industrial action next-to impossible. This could just be the opening salvo in a war on workers' rights which will be far easier to conduct once trade unions are neutered. We also report on growing tensions between Boris Johnson and George Osborne over the latter's so-called living wage announcement.
Finally, we host two comment pieces, one from Green MP Caroline Lucas on removing a loophole allowing free schools not to teach sex education, and another from Tory mayoral hopeful Syed Kamall who takes the opportunity to come out against Heathrow expansion.
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