Are we beyond outrage?

14 years ago some MPs were found to be taking bribes to ask questions in the house about developing legislation. Presumably the asking of the question meant that the issue of concern to the interest group was accommodated in the draft of the legislation. At the time there was outrage - ministers and MPs resigned; the Labour Party was elected to power in part on a promise to clean up politics.

Fast forward to the present day and matters have, if anything, got worse. MPs and Peers routinely fiddle their allowances and develop phantom mortgages; members of the House of Lords charge fees of £125,000 to clandestinely amend legislation in favour of a special interest group.

In the last week Baroness Scotland, who holds the office of Attorney General, has apparently been employing an illegal immigrant. Now we all know that an ordinary citizen caught in such circumstances would not be able to plead ignorance and action would be taken against that employer for breaking the law. And breaking the law it is and in this instance by an office holder whose sworn duty it is to hold up the law of the land. It ought to be the scandal of the decade, but it is not, apparently. Off hand remarks are blithely made about informing the authorities and the assumption is that this is a storm in a teacup and of no importance at all.

In other words there is no respect for the law from those who should uphold it.

And the more remarkable observation is that nobody else seems to care very much either.

Our society is beyond outrage.