THE PRAETORIAN GUARD OF GOVERNMENT On 1 October 2025, Ethical Approach UK published a paper challenging a fundamental institutional danger: Police and regulators becoming protectors of government policy rather than independent guardians of the law. Just over a year later, we are sharing it again. Its central question deserves a clear answer: When a member of the public challenges government conduct, do the institutions receiving that challenge examine the evidence independently, or does the challenge itself become the problem? A criminal allegation is not proved by being reported. A professional complaint is not improper merely because it concerns someone who criticises government. But, neither can a politically inconvenient allegation be fairly dismissed simply because of its subject matter. The distinction depends upon evidence, reasons and an accountable decision-making process. That is why our continuing investigation places such importance on institutional disclosure. • Who communicated with whom? • What guidance was issued? • What evidence was considered? • Who authorised the decisions and on what grounds? Those records can establish whether concerns are justified, mistaken or require qualification. Their disclosure can protect institutional reputations as well as expose institutional failures. The paper makes a forceful argument. Its conclusions should be tested against the documentary record, with the same scrutiny we ask institutions to apply to everyone else. Public confidence cannot be commanded. It must be earned through conduct that withstands examination. Read/download the paper: ethicalapproach.co.uk/Praeto…

On 12 January 2022, the Staff Officer to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner wrote concerning CRN 6029679/21: “I'm afraid allegations against the Government's Covid regulations and vaccine programs are not a matter for the Met police to investigate as allegation of a criminal offence.” That statement now requires a very simple explanation. Why was the Commissioner's Office of the Metropolitan Police stating that criminal allegations concerning Government Covid regulations and vaccine programmes were not a matter for the Metropolitan Police to investigate? Upon what legal basis? Upon whose authority? Was this the @metpoliceuk @MetCC position, or a national policing position? And if allegations of criminality concerning Government policy were not a matter for the Metropolitan Police to investigate, which police force did have jurisdiction to investigate them? Four years later, the question has not diminished in importance. It has grown. The rule of law requires an answer.