He had had a case in his own constituency involving a primary school head teacher, in which the courts had decided finally had no substance.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Education | Teachers want to sue accusing pupils

Even with his legal saga playing out in the courts, talk of guns dominated the primary race, which featured 14 Democrats.

WSJ: Anti-gun Democrat shoo-in to replace Jackson Jr.

It is the primary vehicle by which people are given access to our courts when they have civil problems that need to be taken care of.

CNN: Transcript of Thursday's Democratic presidential debate

The courts have ruled that independents can vote in the Republican primary, as well as signed-up Republicans, and this may tilt things against the conservatives.

ECONOMIST: Maybe, if he stays a liberal Republican

New sex offender orders will also come into effect from December 1st, which will allow police to apply to the courts to prevent a convicted or cautioned sex offender from doing certain things, such as loitering outside primary schools.

ECONOMIST: Are there better ways of dealing with sex offenders?