A sunny spring day dawned this morning and I was up and around the park to welcome it. Today was always going to memorable, either way, as learnt the fate of Alexander Blackman, the former Royal Marine Sergeant jailed for shooting a wounded insurgent on the battlefield in Afghanistan in 2011. Today, after battling for more than three years for justice, we heard the court's final decision. We all met at the Royal Courts of Justice just after 1000 and were soon sitting in Court 4, which was being overseen by the Lord Chief Justice himself, Lord Thomas, along with four of his most senior colleagues. I sat beside Al's wife, Claire, who had battled for so long for this minute and who was understandably very nervous and apprehensive. Scores of former Royal Marines and men from other units had gathered to welcome Claire to court and, as always, they were in vociferous mood. Many of them cleared security and filled the court, including the public gallery above us. With the press benches full, and Al in full focus on a large screen in the court, we waited nervously for the judges to file in. At 1030 on the dot they did, four of them this time. One clearly had another appointment. After dealing with another matter briefly, Lord Thomas opened his remarks, summing up the Blackman case swiftly and succinctly, as you'd expect. We all wanted to hear the two words 'seven years' because with 50 per cent remission Al would be out of prison in days. We did hear those words and there was an audible gasp in the court room as we all realised that we had achieved our aim. I grasped Claire's hand and squeezed it. As soon as the judges had filed out, a Royal Marine led a 'three-cheers' salute to Claire. I hugged Claire tight and we all told her what a star she was and how she deserved this result. It was a very moving moment and I think we were all close to tears at this point. Politicians and the judiciary are rightly kept apart, as they should be. But I would like to thank the panel of five for not only dealing with this case in the most exemplary and diligent way, but for showing clemency, which I believe they did because of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding it. We were soon walking out into the sun to face the waiting press. First Claire, then Jonathan Goldberg, and finally I made a short statement, before Claire headed to the QC's Chambers for a well-earned glass of bubbly. I stayed behind to give interviews to national and local outlets before joining them myself about an hour later. Our meeting was, as you'd expect, a most joyous one, full of laughter and relief as the full implication of the final sentence sank in. Al would be free to go home within days and that is the only right conclusion in my view. Because of this momentous and happy occasion, I had to cancel two other engagements, but I was able to meet Regional Schools Commissioner Rebecca Clark, and her very able assistant, who are dealing with IPACA on Portland. The Academy is not in a good place to put it mildly and I have been working behind the scenes with the minister and Ms Clark as the latter attempts to resolve the situation. I can report that the Academy does now have a sponsor, Aspirations, which I was assured was a good outfit and capable of turning the Academy around. I have every confidence in Ms Clark, who is liaising with parents, governors and staff to ensure everyone is kept informed. It will take time to turn the Academy around, but it will be, of that I am certain. After spending time on constituency matters, I headed out to supper with some members of the Upper House and some of my colleagues. It was a fun and interesting event and one that our host wants to reintroduce in order for Lords and MPs to get to know each other better. What a day. I have to say that I finally closed my eyes with a large smile on my face. I could clearly see Al and Claire together again, as they should be.