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His paternity leave will be sometime later in the year, right now he is back to work as he should be. Although I have to agree, his love of holidays, especially as Prime Minister, is farcical.
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Boris Johnson - Prime Minister of the UK — Discussion: Now announces UK sanctions against Russia
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His paternity leave will be sometime later in the year, right now he is back to work as he should be. Although I have to agree, his love of holidays, especially as Prime Minister, is farcical.
James
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The paternity leave will be taken later this year.
PMs have taken paternity leave before, and we would all take our paternity leave — it is a statutory right.
Boris gets a particularly hard time for his holidays, but honestly, politicians UK-wide take loads of holidays. They have an absurdly long summer break from Parliament for starters, and more weeks of holiday than politicians in most countries take.
Rana
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Does this Paternity leave have to be news? What is the government doing for those 12k BA Staff about to be layed off??
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Mubarak to our PM 
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Johnson chairs first Cabinet meeting since return to work
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has chaired his first Cabinet meeting since returning to work after recovering from coronavirus.
His spokesman said the meeting included updates from chief medical officer Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance on the response to coronavirus so far, and the progress made in slowing its spread.
During a lobby briefing with journalists, the PM's spokesman was also asked if lockdown measures in the UK could last until the end of June.
He would not "pre-empt" any decisions, but quoted Prof Whitty, saying: "We have to be realistic, we're going to have to do a lot of things for a long period of time."
And on reaching the government target of carrying out 100,000 tests a day by the end of the month - the deadline being today - the spokesman said they were still "working hard" to reach the goal.
This is despite Justice Secretary Robert Buckland saying earlier that it was "probable" the target would be missed.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has chaired his first Cabinet meeting since returning to work after recovering from coronavirus.
His spokesman said the meeting included updates from chief medical officer Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance on the response to coronavirus so far, and the progress made in slowing its spread.
During a lobby briefing with journalists, the PM's spokesman was also asked if lockdown measures in the UK could last until the end of June.
He would not "pre-empt" any decisions, but quoted Prof Whitty, saying: "We have to be realistic, we're going to have to do a lot of things for a long period of time."
And on reaching the government target of carrying out 100,000 tests a day by the end of the month - the deadline being today - the spokesman said they were still "working hard" to reach the goal.
This is despite Justice Secretary Robert Buckland saying earlier that it was "probable" the target would be missed.
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Carrie Symonds and Boris Johnson have named their baby son Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson.
Announcing the name on Instagram, Ms Symonds said the baby was named after the prime minister's grandfather, Wilfred, and her grandfather, Lawrie.
She added that Nicholas was chosen in honour of the two doctors who saved Mr Johnson's life while he was ill with coronavirus last month, Dr Nick Price and Dr Nick Hart.
Ms Symonds praised the maternity team at University College Hospital in London, adding: "Thank you so, so much to the incredible NHS maternity team at UCLH that looked after us so well.
"I couldn't be happier. My heart is full".
The picture shows Ms Symonds, 32, cradling the newborn, who appears to have a full head of hair.
https://news.sky.com/story/carrie-symonds-and-boris-johnson-announce-name-of-baby-son-11982208
Announcing the name on Instagram, Ms Symonds said the baby was named after the prime minister's grandfather, Wilfred, and her grandfather, Lawrie.
She added that Nicholas was chosen in honour of the two doctors who saved Mr Johnson's life while he was ill with coronavirus last month, Dr Nick Price and Dr Nick Hart.
Ms Symonds praised the maternity team at University College Hospital in London, adding: "Thank you so, so much to the incredible NHS maternity team at UCLH that looked after us so well.
"I couldn't be happier. My heart is full".
The picture shows Ms Symonds, 32, cradling the newborn, who appears to have a full head of hair.
https://news.sky.com/story/carrie-symonds-and-boris-johnson-announce-name-of-baby-son-11982208
The Viper
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Doctors say honoured by UK PM Johnson's choice of name for his son
Two doctors who British Prime Minister Boris Johnson named his newly born son after said they were honoured and humbled to be recognised in such a way.
Johnson and his fiancée Carrie Symonds named their newborn son Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas, partly as a tribute to two of the intensive care doctors who they said had saved the British leader’s life as he battled COVID-19 complications.
“We are honoured and humbled to have been recognised in this way,” said Nick Price, director of infection at Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital, and Nick Hart, director of respiratory & critical Care at the hospital.
“Our warm congratulations go to the Prime Minister and Carrie Symonds on the happy arrival of their beautiful son Wilfred,” they said. “We wish the new family every health and happiness.”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...sons-choice-of-name-for-his-son-idUSKBN22E0NE
Two doctors who British Prime Minister Boris Johnson named his newly born son after said they were honoured and humbled to be recognised in such a way.
Johnson and his fiancée Carrie Symonds named their newborn son Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas, partly as a tribute to two of the intensive care doctors who they said had saved the British leader’s life as he battled COVID-19 complications.
“We are honoured and humbled to have been recognised in this way,” said Nick Price, director of infection at Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital, and Nick Hart, director of respiratory & critical Care at the hospital.
“Our warm congratulations go to the Prime Minister and Carrie Symonds on the happy arrival of their beautiful son Wilfred,” they said. “We wish the new family every health and happiness.”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...sons-choice-of-name-for-his-son-idUSKBN22E0NE
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LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not face criminal action following allegations of misconduct over his relationship with U.S tech entrepreneur Jennifer Arcuri, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported on Thursday.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct launched an investigation last September following a newspaper report that Johnson, when mayor of London, had failed to disclose his personal links to Arcuri, who received thousands of pounds in public business funding and places on official trade trips.
Johnson denied any wrongdoing, saying everything was done with full propriety and that there was no interest to declare.
The IOPC, the British police watchdog, was due to announce its findings later on Thursday but the Mirror, citing unnamed sources, said on its website it was expected to recommend there be no criminal investigation.
The matter was referred to the watchdog because Johnson was head of the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, a role equivalent to a police commissioner, during his 2008-2016 term as mayor.
The Greater London Authority said it had alerted the IOPC because Innotech, Arcuri’s then company, had received 11,500 pounds ($14,073) from London & Partners, the mayor’s promotional agency, for two events in 2013 and 2014.
She was attended a trade mission to Singapore and Malaysia in 2014 through Playbox, one of her companies, even though an initial application through Innotech had been declined.
Last October, the government’s Internal Audit Agency ruled a decision to award a 100,000 pound grant to a company run by Arcuri was appropriate.
Arcuri gave a number of TV interviews after the allegations came to light, saying she and Johnson had enjoyed a “very special relationship”, having bonded over classical literature, but said he had never shown her any favouritism.
She repeatedly refused to say whether she had had an affair with Johnson but castigated him, saying he had cast her aside like “some gremlin” after the reports surfaced.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...p-with-u-s-businesswoman-mirror-idUSKBN22X18I
The Independent Office for Police Conduct launched an investigation last September following a newspaper report that Johnson, when mayor of London, had failed to disclose his personal links to Arcuri, who received thousands of pounds in public business funding and places on official trade trips.
Johnson denied any wrongdoing, saying everything was done with full propriety and that there was no interest to declare.
The IOPC, the British police watchdog, was due to announce its findings later on Thursday but the Mirror, citing unnamed sources, said on its website it was expected to recommend there be no criminal investigation.
The matter was referred to the watchdog because Johnson was head of the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, a role equivalent to a police commissioner, during his 2008-2016 term as mayor.
The Greater London Authority said it had alerted the IOPC because Innotech, Arcuri’s then company, had received 11,500 pounds ($14,073) from London & Partners, the mayor’s promotional agency, for two events in 2013 and 2014.
She was attended a trade mission to Singapore and Malaysia in 2014 through Playbox, one of her companies, even though an initial application through Innotech had been declined.
Last October, the government’s Internal Audit Agency ruled a decision to award a 100,000 pound grant to a company run by Arcuri was appropriate.
Arcuri gave a number of TV interviews after the allegations came to light, saying she and Johnson had enjoyed a “very special relationship”, having bonded over classical literature, but said he had never shown her any favouritism.
She repeatedly refused to say whether she had had an affair with Johnson but castigated him, saying he had cast her aside like “some gremlin” after the reports surfaced.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...p-with-u-s-businesswoman-mirror-idUSKBN22X18I
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Boris Johnson's plan to rebrand RAF Voyager plane will cost £900,000
A makeover for the military plane used by Boris Johnson and senior politicians will cost £900,000, Downing Street has revealed.
Sky News reported on Tuesday the plan to transform the RAF Voyager aircraft from grey to sporting a Union Jack-inspired red, white and blue on the rear of its fuselage and up the fin.
The following day, Mr Johnson's spokesman admitted it will cost £900,000.
He told reporters: "That incorporates the cost of creating a design that will promote the UK around the world without compromising the plane's vital military role.
"This will mean that the plane can better represent the UK around the world with national branding, similar to many other leaders' planes, while also retaining its military air-to-air refuelling capability.
"At every stage we have worked to ensure value for money for the UK taxpayer and all of the work has been undertaken in the UK, directly benefiting British suppliers."
They confirmed RAF Voyager is already undergoing the paint job in Cambridgeshire and that it is also used by the Royal Family.
Jamie Stone, defence spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, called the spending an "absurd waste" while "so many families are struggling to put food on the table and so many are worried about their job security is insulting".
He added: "The country is facing the biggest crisis in generations but Boris is concerned with the colours of his plane.
"This government continue to astound with their posturing. It is disgraceful. They should halt these plans and use the money to help those who need it most right now instead."
Mr Johnson, as foreign secretary in 2018, said he would like a "Brexit plane" to help him travel the world.
At the time he said spending money on a new aircraft, which would promote the government's vision of global Britain, would be justified if costs were not "exorbitant".
https://news.sky.com/story/plan-to-rebrand-pm-plane-will-cost-900-000-12008735
A makeover for the military plane used by Boris Johnson and senior politicians will cost £900,000, Downing Street has revealed.
Sky News reported on Tuesday the plan to transform the RAF Voyager aircraft from grey to sporting a Union Jack-inspired red, white and blue on the rear of its fuselage and up the fin.
The following day, Mr Johnson's spokesman admitted it will cost £900,000.
He told reporters: "That incorporates the cost of creating a design that will promote the UK around the world without compromising the plane's vital military role.
"This will mean that the plane can better represent the UK around the world with national branding, similar to many other leaders' planes, while also retaining its military air-to-air refuelling capability.
"At every stage we have worked to ensure value for money for the UK taxpayer and all of the work has been undertaken in the UK, directly benefiting British suppliers."
They confirmed RAF Voyager is already undergoing the paint job in Cambridgeshire and that it is also used by the Royal Family.
Jamie Stone, defence spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, called the spending an "absurd waste" while "so many families are struggling to put food on the table and so many are worried about their job security is insulting".
He added: "The country is facing the biggest crisis in generations but Boris is concerned with the colours of his plane.
"This government continue to astound with their posturing. It is disgraceful. They should halt these plans and use the money to help those who need it most right now instead."
Mr Johnson, as foreign secretary in 2018, said he would like a "Brexit plane" to help him travel the world.
At the time he said spending money on a new aircraft, which would promote the government's vision of global Britain, would be justified if costs were not "exorbitant".
https://news.sky.com/story/plan-to-rebrand-pm-plane-will-cost-900-000-12008735
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No injuries as UK PM Johnson's car shunted by security vehicle: Reuters witnesses
LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s car was shunted by a security vehicle outside parliament on Wednesday when Kurdish protesters ran into the road, two Reuters witnesses said.
Johnson’s office said no one had been injured.
The vehicle was leaving the parliamentary estate with police outriders when a protester ran into the road, prompting the official car to stop and the following Range Rover to drive into it. Both cars moved off in a matter of seconds.
Johnson, who returned to work at the end of April after recovering from a serious COVID-19 infection, had just finished his weekly question session in parliament.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...urity-vehicle-reuters-witnesses-idUSKBN23O29Q
LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s car was shunted by a security vehicle outside parliament on Wednesday when Kurdish protesters ran into the road, two Reuters witnesses said.
Johnson’s office said no one had been injured.
The vehicle was leaving the parliamentary estate with police outriders when a protester ran into the road, prompting the official car to stop and the following Range Rover to drive into it. Both cars moved off in a matter of seconds.
Johnson, who returned to work at the end of April after recovering from a serious COVID-19 infection, had just finished his weekly question session in parliament.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...urity-vehicle-reuters-witnesses-idUSKBN23O29Q
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No injuries as UK PM Johnson's car shunted by security vehicle: Reuters witnesses
LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s car was shunted by a security vehicle outside parliament on Wednesday when Kurdish protesters ran into the road, two Reuters witnesses said.
Johnson’s office said no one had been injured.
The vehicle was leaving the parliamentary estate with police outriders when a protester ran into the road, prompting the official car to stop and the following Range Rover to drive into it. Both cars moved off in a matter of seconds.
Johnson, who returned to work at the end of April after recovering from a serious COVID-19 infection, had just finished his weekly question session in parliament.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...urity-vehicle-reuters-witnesses-idUSKBN23O29Q
[utube]E2H89zVi_pM[/utube]
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I'm as fit as a butcher's dog now,' Boris declares. 'The country is going to bounce forward, and I certainly feel full of beans. Never felt better'. Above, Boris does his press-ups in the Den (Daily Mail)
Technics 1210
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I'm as fit as a butcher's dog now,' Boris declares. 'The country is going to bounce forward, and I certainly feel full of beans. Never felt better'. Above, Boris does his press-ups in the Den (Daily Mail)
That's one office in a mess! Not the sort of office I would expect a PM to work from! Looks like most front rooms kitted out with a desk!
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The UK's top civil servant and national security adviser to Boris Johnson is stepping down, the government has announced.
Sir Mark Sedwill is leaving both posts - in a dramatic move that confirms the prime minister is planning a major Whitehall shakeup.
The news means he will have served a relatively short term of less than two years.
David Frost - the UK's Brexit sherpa - will become the new national security adviser, combining it with his current job until negotiations with the EU on a trade deal are complete.
Sir Mark was simultaneously in charge of 400,000 civil servants as cabinet secretary and the most senior official advising on security, defence, foreign policy and intelligence matters.
In an exchange of letters, Mr Johnson hailed his "outstanding service" and "calm and shrewd advice", adding Sir Mark had "done much to keep this country safe".
"After serving for decades with great distinction - and unflappable good humour - I believe you have earned the gratitude of the nation," the prime minister wrote.
Sir Mark responded that he had stepped in when his predecessor as cabinet secretary fell ill and was asked to stay on during the "acute phase" of coronavirus.
"As you are setting out this week, the government's focus is now shifting to domestic and global recovery and renewal," he continued.
"I wish you well and, of course, remain at your disposal in the years ahead. It has been a privilege to serve."
Sir Mark has been given a life peerage to sit in the House of Lords, as as is customary.
Speculation his job was under threat began to grow on Friday, when the Financial Times reported ministers were briefing he was expected to be gone by the end of 2020.
The Sunday Telegraph then claimed he could be ousted within a day.
Home Secretary Priti Patel did not dampen the rumours, failing to deny Sir Mark was facing the axe by 10 Downing Street.
Speaking to Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday, she said: “Reform of the civil service is a matter that gets discussed in government and obviously a big role like that is subject to the prime minister…
“Any reforming government will be based around the type of delivery that our prime minister wants to drive for our great country and obviously have the right kind of support around him to deliver that."
Part of a speech by Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove released over the weekend also contained a curiously-timed warning.
"If this government is to reform so much, it must also reform itself,” he said.
“The structures, ambitions and priorities of the government machine need to change if real reform is to be implemented and endure."
The cabinet secretary is a role that dates back just over 100 years, and the few occupants who have held the title are said to be "at power’s elbow".
But they are usually only obscurely known amongst the general public because they are a backroom figure and politically neutral.
Sir Mark has served two prime ministers - Theresa May and then Boris Johnson - during a time when the civil service has faced upheaval over Brexit and coronavirus, with workers seconded between departments.
It has also faced criticism, and challenges - such as recently when the official civil service Twitter account posted minutes after the PM’s political aide Dominic Cummings' news conference: "Arrogant and offensive. Can you imagine having to work with these truth twisters?"
Whitehall is already braced for a shake-up in the autumn, following the news that the international development department is being abolished and merged with the Foreign Office.
The latter's permanent secretary was due to stay on to manage the transition - but was let go early by Mr Johnson.
https://news.sky.com/story/sir-mark...retary-and-national-security-adviser-12016983
Sir Mark Sedwill is leaving both posts - in a dramatic move that confirms the prime minister is planning a major Whitehall shakeup.
The news means he will have served a relatively short term of less than two years.
David Frost - the UK's Brexit sherpa - will become the new national security adviser, combining it with his current job until negotiations with the EU on a trade deal are complete.
Sir Mark was simultaneously in charge of 400,000 civil servants as cabinet secretary and the most senior official advising on security, defence, foreign policy and intelligence matters.
In an exchange of letters, Mr Johnson hailed his "outstanding service" and "calm and shrewd advice", adding Sir Mark had "done much to keep this country safe".
"After serving for decades with great distinction - and unflappable good humour - I believe you have earned the gratitude of the nation," the prime minister wrote.
Sir Mark responded that he had stepped in when his predecessor as cabinet secretary fell ill and was asked to stay on during the "acute phase" of coronavirus.
"As you are setting out this week, the government's focus is now shifting to domestic and global recovery and renewal," he continued.
"I wish you well and, of course, remain at your disposal in the years ahead. It has been a privilege to serve."
Sir Mark has been given a life peerage to sit in the House of Lords, as as is customary.
Speculation his job was under threat began to grow on Friday, when the Financial Times reported ministers were briefing he was expected to be gone by the end of 2020.
The Sunday Telegraph then claimed he could be ousted within a day.
Home Secretary Priti Patel did not dampen the rumours, failing to deny Sir Mark was facing the axe by 10 Downing Street.
Speaking to Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday, she said: “Reform of the civil service is a matter that gets discussed in government and obviously a big role like that is subject to the prime minister…
“Any reforming government will be based around the type of delivery that our prime minister wants to drive for our great country and obviously have the right kind of support around him to deliver that."
Part of a speech by Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove released over the weekend also contained a curiously-timed warning.
"If this government is to reform so much, it must also reform itself,” he said.
“The structures, ambitions and priorities of the government machine need to change if real reform is to be implemented and endure."
The cabinet secretary is a role that dates back just over 100 years, and the few occupants who have held the title are said to be "at power’s elbow".
But they are usually only obscurely known amongst the general public because they are a backroom figure and politically neutral.
Sir Mark has served two prime ministers - Theresa May and then Boris Johnson - during a time when the civil service has faced upheaval over Brexit and coronavirus, with workers seconded between departments.
It has also faced criticism, and challenges - such as recently when the official civil service Twitter account posted minutes after the PM’s political aide Dominic Cummings' news conference: "Arrogant and offensive. Can you imagine having to work with these truth twisters?"
Whitehall is already braced for a shake-up in the autumn, following the news that the international development department is being abolished and merged with the Foreign Office.
The latter's permanent secretary was due to stay on to manage the transition - but was let go early by Mr Johnson.
https://news.sky.com/story/sir-mark...retary-and-national-security-adviser-12016983
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UK PM's father defends 'essential' trip to Greece
Stanley Johnson, the prime minister's father, has defended travelling to Greece despite coronavirus restrictions.
On Wednesday, Mr Johnson posted on Instagram a video of his plane arriving in Athens and a selfie wearing a mask at the airport.
He told the Daily Mail he was "on essential business" ensuring a property he rents out was "Covid-proof" before holidays resume.
The UK Foreign Office currently advises against "all but essential international travel" and Greece will not allow direct flights from the UK to land until 15 July.
Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone said the incident "stinks of one rule for them and another rule for the rest of us".
Stanley Johnson, the prime minister's father, has defended travelling to Greece despite coronavirus restrictions.
On Wednesday, Mr Johnson posted on Instagram a video of his plane arriving in Athens and a selfie wearing a mask at the airport.
He told the Daily Mail he was "on essential business" ensuring a property he rents out was "Covid-proof" before holidays resume.
The UK Foreign Office currently advises against "all but essential international travel" and Greece will not allow direct flights from the UK to land until 15 July.
Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone said the incident "stinks of one rule for them and another rule for the rest of us".
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UK government plans to hold daily White House-style televised press briefings
The UK government is planning to introduce daily televised press briefings later this year.
The new format, similar to that used by the White House in the United States, is expected to come in by October.
Boris Johnson told LBC Radio the recent daily televised coronavirus briefings showed the public wanted more "direct engagement" with decision-makers.
It is understood an experienced broadcaster will be recruited to host the question-and-answer sessions.
Asked whether we would himself appear every day, the PM said this was "not the plan" but he would be "popping up from time to time".
Currently, political journalists are able to question the prime minister's official spokesperson - who is a civil servant - off camera every day.
These briefings are on the record, meaning they can be quoted and attributed to the spokesperson. Under the changes, the briefings will be on camera.
A government spokesman said work would begin shortly on adapting 9 Downing Street, which will be used for the briefings. In recent years, this building has been used by the chief whip and the Brexit secretary.
Nobody has been recruited yet to host the briefings and asked about reports that former This Morning host Richard Madeley was being considered, the spokesman said that was "news to me".
For several months during the coronavirus pandemic, the government held daily briefings from No 10 every day.
They started on 16 March, following criticism of a lack of transparency over government plans to stem the spread of the virus. They were led by a senior minister - sometimes Boris Johnson - and normally accompanied by scientific and medical experts.
Daily press conferences ended on 23 June., although ad hoc briefings are still taking place.
For many years, the White House held an on-camera daily press briefing every day, delivered by the administration's press secretary.
Under US President Donald Trump, the briefings were stopped for more than a year. In May 2020, new US Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany held a briefing - the first one in 459 days.
The US daily press briefings were first televised in 1995, under then President Bill Clinton, according to the White House Historical Association. The White House has its own press briefing room.
Labour MP Chris Bryant said he was not a fan of the idea in the UK, saying it would divert attention away from Parliament, to whom ministers were accountable.
And the FDA union, which represents civil servants, said it was concerned by reports of a planned cull of press officers in individual departments in favour of more centralised communications strategy.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-53275395
The UK government is planning to introduce daily televised press briefings later this year.
The new format, similar to that used by the White House in the United States, is expected to come in by October.
Boris Johnson told LBC Radio the recent daily televised coronavirus briefings showed the public wanted more "direct engagement" with decision-makers.
It is understood an experienced broadcaster will be recruited to host the question-and-answer sessions.
Asked whether we would himself appear every day, the PM said this was "not the plan" but he would be "popping up from time to time".
Currently, political journalists are able to question the prime minister's official spokesperson - who is a civil servant - off camera every day.
These briefings are on the record, meaning they can be quoted and attributed to the spokesperson. Under the changes, the briefings will be on camera.
A government spokesman said work would begin shortly on adapting 9 Downing Street, which will be used for the briefings. In recent years, this building has been used by the chief whip and the Brexit secretary.
Nobody has been recruited yet to host the briefings and asked about reports that former This Morning host Richard Madeley was being considered, the spokesman said that was "news to me".
For several months during the coronavirus pandemic, the government held daily briefings from No 10 every day.
They started on 16 March, following criticism of a lack of transparency over government plans to stem the spread of the virus. They were led by a senior minister - sometimes Boris Johnson - and normally accompanied by scientific and medical experts.
Daily press conferences ended on 23 June., although ad hoc briefings are still taking place.
For many years, the White House held an on-camera daily press briefing every day, delivered by the administration's press secretary.
Under US President Donald Trump, the briefings were stopped for more than a year. In May 2020, new US Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany held a briefing - the first one in 459 days.
The US daily press briefings were first televised in 1995, under then President Bill Clinton, according to the White House Historical Association. The White House has its own press briefing room.
Labour MP Chris Bryant said he was not a fan of the idea in the UK, saying it would divert attention away from Parliament, to whom ministers were accountable.
And the FDA union, which represents civil servants, said it was concerned by reports of a planned cull of press officers in individual departments in favour of more centralised communications strategy.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-53275395
Last edited:
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The Prime Minister’s father, Stanley Johnson, has defended his decision to travel to Greece – and making social media posts regarding the journey.
The comments came after Boris Johnson’s father posted a picture on social media of himself arriving in the country wearing a face mask.
The 79-year-old said he was visiting on “essential business” because he needed to “Covid-proof my property” ahead of the letting season.
Asked about social media posts, Mr Johnson senior told reporters on Saturday: “I didn’t put them up… in a spirit of defiance, or anything like that.”
Referring to his residence in Greece, Mr Johnson told reporters: “I came here to have a quiet time, to organise the house.
“I think I’m going to go back on July 10. So, I have just got one week to get everything organised. Got a whole lot of instructions about how to make the place Covid proof.”
Asked if he had put his son, the Prime Minister, in a difficult position by travelling to Greece, Mr Johnson senior said: “I have read his answers and he is absolutely right to say… that, you know what… and I think… I am not going to talk about private conversations between family members… and, I am absolutely not going to talk about that.”
Boris Johnson has refused to condemn his father for flying to Greece in apparent breach of Foreign Office guidance to avoid non-essential travel.
This was after Mr Johnson senior was widely criticised after reportedly travelling via Bulgaria – in order to avoid the ban on direct flights from the UK – to visit his Greek villa.
During an LBC radio phone-in, the Prime Minister repeatedly refused to say whether he was “disappointed” with his father’s actions.
“I think you really ought to raise that with him. I am not going to get into details of family conversations,” he said.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/pm-father...X1U2zfSrpxTROB78J4uI1FTkm8VS_-4hNgU6wwAGosw3U
The comments came after Boris Johnson’s father posted a picture on social media of himself arriving in the country wearing a face mask.
The 79-year-old said he was visiting on “essential business” because he needed to “Covid-proof my property” ahead of the letting season.
Asked about social media posts, Mr Johnson senior told reporters on Saturday: “I didn’t put them up… in a spirit of defiance, or anything like that.”
Referring to his residence in Greece, Mr Johnson told reporters: “I came here to have a quiet time, to organise the house.
“I think I’m going to go back on July 10. So, I have just got one week to get everything organised. Got a whole lot of instructions about how to make the place Covid proof.”
Asked if he had put his son, the Prime Minister, in a difficult position by travelling to Greece, Mr Johnson senior said: “I have read his answers and he is absolutely right to say… that, you know what… and I think… I am not going to talk about private conversations between family members… and, I am absolutely not going to talk about that.”
Boris Johnson has refused to condemn his father for flying to Greece in apparent breach of Foreign Office guidance to avoid non-essential travel.
This was after Mr Johnson senior was widely criticised after reportedly travelling via Bulgaria – in order to avoid the ban on direct flights from the UK – to visit his Greek villa.
During an LBC radio phone-in, the Prime Minister repeatedly refused to say whether he was “disappointed” with his father’s actions.
“I think you really ought to raise that with him. I am not going to get into details of family conversations,” he said.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/pm-father...X1U2zfSrpxTROB78J4uI1FTkm8VS_-4hNgU6wwAGosw3U
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PM to lead clapping tribute for NHS on anniversary
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will join a nationwide round of clapping later to pay tribute to NHS staff, on the UK's health service's 72nd birthday.
The public are being encouraged to give a round of applause at 17:00 BST for all those who helped save lives during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a video message, Prince Charles has also spoken of his gratitude and pride for the "costly sacrifices" of NHS staff.
And First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford tweeted he would be on his doorstep on Sunday evening to give the NHS "the biggest and loudest thank you yet".
"All of us owe you such an enormous debt of gratitude. From the bottom of my heart, thank you," said Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in a message also posted on Twitter.
The idea was inspired by the weekly Clap for Carers, which saw households across the country show their appreciation for the NHS and other key workers during the height of the coronavirus crisis.
Annemarie Plas, who founded the initiative, said she would be "honoured" to join the prime minister outside 10 Downing Street on Sunday evening for this "very special moment".
"We don’t know what lies ahead, so if we can have this one moment where we say thank you to each other and recharge our batteries for what may be a heavier time that lies ahead, then I think that is a beautiful moment," she told BBC Breakfast
On Saturday night, UK landmarks including the Blackpool Tower, the Shard and the National Monument of Scotland were lit up blue in celebration and remembrance.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will join a nationwide round of clapping later to pay tribute to NHS staff, on the UK's health service's 72nd birthday.
The public are being encouraged to give a round of applause at 17:00 BST for all those who helped save lives during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a video message, Prince Charles has also spoken of his gratitude and pride for the "costly sacrifices" of NHS staff.
And First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford tweeted he would be on his doorstep on Sunday evening to give the NHS "the biggest and loudest thank you yet".
"All of us owe you such an enormous debt of gratitude. From the bottom of my heart, thank you," said Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in a message also posted on Twitter.
The idea was inspired by the weekly Clap for Carers, which saw households across the country show their appreciation for the NHS and other key workers during the height of the coronavirus crisis.
Annemarie Plas, who founded the initiative, said she would be "honoured" to join the prime minister outside 10 Downing Street on Sunday evening for this "very special moment".
"We don’t know what lies ahead, so if we can have this one moment where we say thank you to each other and recharge our batteries for what may be a heavier time that lies ahead, then I think that is a beautiful moment," she told BBC Breakfast
On Saturday night, UK landmarks including the Blackpool Tower, the Shard and the National Monument of Scotland were lit up blue in celebration and remembrance.
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- Oct 2, 2004
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- 217,980
Boris Johnson has been criticised for saying "too many care homes didn't really follow the procedures" during the coronavirus outbreak.
The prime minister was responding to the head of NHS England's call for reform in social care within a year.
Mr Johnson said it was "important to fund" the sector, but it needed to be "properly organised and supported".
Mark Adams, CEO of charity Community Integrated Care, told the BBC the PM's comments were "cowardly".
Speaking to the Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Adams said he was "unbelievably disappointed" by the reaction.
"I think at best this was clumsy and cowardly," he continued.
"But to be honest with you, if this is genuinely his view, I think we're almost entering a Kafkaesque alternative reality where the government sets the rules, we follow them, they don't like the results, they then deny setting the rules and blame the people that were trying to do their best."
Mr Adams added there had been a "travesty of leadership" from the prime minister on care homes.
Earlier, the National Care Forum said Mr Johnson's remarks were "frankly hugely insulting" to care workers.
'Aggrieved'
Vic Rayner, executive director of the forum which represents 120 social care charities, told BBC Newsnight that care homes followed the guidance "to the letter" but the government's attention was focused on hospitals.
"There will be a lot of people within the care sector who feel that their efforts have gone unrecognised and who I think will feel rightly aggrieved that all the hard work and enormous effort they've put in hasn't been acknowledged," she said.
Care homes have been at the centre of the coronavirus crisis in the UK.
Almost 30,000 more care home residents in England and Wales died during the outbreak than during the same period in 2019 - with two-thirds of those deaths attributed to the virus.
Shadow care minister Liz Kendall told the BBC that care workers had been "abandoned" by the government, adding: "This attempt to shift responsibility is a new low."
Asked if he agreed with Mr Johnson's comments, Business Secretary Alok Sharma told BBC Breakfast "no-one is suggesting care homes have not done a great job under really difficult circumstances".
He said what the PM was pointing out was that "nobody at the time knew what the correct procedures were" because of a lack of understanding of levels of asymptomatic transmission and that is why "detailed guidance" was put in place for care homes to follow.
Johnson needs the care sector on side
Analysis by Helen Catt, BBC News political correspondent
After 30,000 excess deaths were recorded in care homes in England and Wales in three months - two thirds of them directly attributed to Covid-19 - the government's response to the pandemic in the sector is coming under increasing scrutiny.
The government maintains it threw a "protective ring" around care homes - a claim critics say is at odds with failures in providing personal protective equipment (PPE) and allowing hospital patients to be discharged without being tested.
Boris Johnson has promised to "fix" the social care system, although the government has yet to set out a precise plan for how.
"Solving" social care is a problem that has beaten many a government before this, so if the prime minister is to succeed, he is going to need the sector on side.
Whether his comments are an attempt to shift the blame, or just a case of unfortunate wording, run-ins like this won't help.
NHS England head Sir Simon Stevens told the BBC's Andrew Marr on Sunday that coronavirus had shone a "very harsh spotlight" on the "resilience" of the care system.
Asked about the comments, Mr Johnson said: "One of the things the crisis has shown is we need to think about how we organise our social care package better and how we make sure we look after people better who are in social care.
"We discovered too many care homes didn't really follow the procedures in the way that they could have but we're learning lessons the whole time."
Other organisations representing care providers also criticised Mr Johnson's comments, with the Independent Care Group said the vast majority of providers had "done their absolute best in the face of slow and conflicting advice".
Mike Padgham, chairman of the group, said: "We should not be getting into the blame game and it is wrong to criticise care and nursing homes at this time.
"Care providers may not have got everything perfect but neither has the government. For far too much of this pandemic, providers were operating in the dark over what they ought to do and with one arm behind their backs in terms of the support they were given.
"In those circumstances, they have worked miracles."
Ahead of December's election, the Conservatives pledged an extra £1bn per year for social care in England over the next five years.
Mr Johnson has also stated on a number of occasions he would bring forward a plan on social care reform, but it has yet to be published.
The government has given an extra £3.2bn in emergency Covid-19 funds to English councils, which can be put towards helping with social care costs.
Ministers have also promised an additional £600m for care homes to help with controlling infections.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53315178
The prime minister was responding to the head of NHS England's call for reform in social care within a year.
Mr Johnson said it was "important to fund" the sector, but it needed to be "properly organised and supported".
Mark Adams, CEO of charity Community Integrated Care, told the BBC the PM's comments were "cowardly".
Speaking to the Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Adams said he was "unbelievably disappointed" by the reaction.
"I think at best this was clumsy and cowardly," he continued.
"But to be honest with you, if this is genuinely his view, I think we're almost entering a Kafkaesque alternative reality where the government sets the rules, we follow them, they don't like the results, they then deny setting the rules and blame the people that were trying to do their best."
Mr Adams added there had been a "travesty of leadership" from the prime minister on care homes.
Earlier, the National Care Forum said Mr Johnson's remarks were "frankly hugely insulting" to care workers.
'Aggrieved'
Vic Rayner, executive director of the forum which represents 120 social care charities, told BBC Newsnight that care homes followed the guidance "to the letter" but the government's attention was focused on hospitals.
"There will be a lot of people within the care sector who feel that their efforts have gone unrecognised and who I think will feel rightly aggrieved that all the hard work and enormous effort they've put in hasn't been acknowledged," she said.
Care homes have been at the centre of the coronavirus crisis in the UK.
Almost 30,000 more care home residents in England and Wales died during the outbreak than during the same period in 2019 - with two-thirds of those deaths attributed to the virus.
Shadow care minister Liz Kendall told the BBC that care workers had been "abandoned" by the government, adding: "This attempt to shift responsibility is a new low."
Asked if he agreed with Mr Johnson's comments, Business Secretary Alok Sharma told BBC Breakfast "no-one is suggesting care homes have not done a great job under really difficult circumstances".
He said what the PM was pointing out was that "nobody at the time knew what the correct procedures were" because of a lack of understanding of levels of asymptomatic transmission and that is why "detailed guidance" was put in place for care homes to follow.
Johnson needs the care sector on side
Analysis by Helen Catt, BBC News political correspondent
After 30,000 excess deaths were recorded in care homes in England and Wales in three months - two thirds of them directly attributed to Covid-19 - the government's response to the pandemic in the sector is coming under increasing scrutiny.
The government maintains it threw a "protective ring" around care homes - a claim critics say is at odds with failures in providing personal protective equipment (PPE) and allowing hospital patients to be discharged without being tested.
Boris Johnson has promised to "fix" the social care system, although the government has yet to set out a precise plan for how.
"Solving" social care is a problem that has beaten many a government before this, so if the prime minister is to succeed, he is going to need the sector on side.
Whether his comments are an attempt to shift the blame, or just a case of unfortunate wording, run-ins like this won't help.
NHS England head Sir Simon Stevens told the BBC's Andrew Marr on Sunday that coronavirus had shone a "very harsh spotlight" on the "resilience" of the care system.
Asked about the comments, Mr Johnson said: "One of the things the crisis has shown is we need to think about how we organise our social care package better and how we make sure we look after people better who are in social care.
"We discovered too many care homes didn't really follow the procedures in the way that they could have but we're learning lessons the whole time."
Other organisations representing care providers also criticised Mr Johnson's comments, with the Independent Care Group said the vast majority of providers had "done their absolute best in the face of slow and conflicting advice".
Mike Padgham, chairman of the group, said: "We should not be getting into the blame game and it is wrong to criticise care and nursing homes at this time.
"Care providers may not have got everything perfect but neither has the government. For far too much of this pandemic, providers were operating in the dark over what they ought to do and with one arm behind their backs in terms of the support they were given.
"In those circumstances, they have worked miracles."
Ahead of December's election, the Conservatives pledged an extra £1bn per year for social care in England over the next five years.
Mr Johnson has also stated on a number of occasions he would bring forward a plan on social care reform, but it has yet to be published.
The government has given an extra £3.2bn in emergency Covid-19 funds to English councils, which can be put towards helping with social care costs.
Ministers have also promised an additional £600m for care homes to help with controlling infections.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53315178
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- Mar 19, 2015
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- 15,745
Britain's leader seeks TV face to 'communicate with nation'
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain is advertising for a skilled communicator to front newly-televised government media briefings - a job billed as “speaking to the nation” for Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Johnson’s government is moving to White House-style on-camera briefings later this year, ending decades of tradition and shining a new light on the sometimes cosy relationship between reporters and ministers.
“This is a unique opportunity to work at the centre of government, and communicate with the nation on behalf of the Prime Minister,” said a job advert on the ruling Conservative Party’s website.
“You will speak directly to the public on the issues they care most about, explaining the government’s position, reassuring people that we are taking action on their priorities and driving positive changes.”
Pay for the role would depend on experience, though the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported it could exceed 100,000 pounds ($130,000) - more than most lawmakers.
It comes after the perceived success of daily news conferences during the coronavirus pandemic.
That echoes the format in Washington to televise what have been - particularly during President Donald Trump’s administration - sometimes awkward and hostile tussles between reporters and officials.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...face-to-communicate-with-nation-idUSKCN24U1YV
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain is advertising for a skilled communicator to front newly-televised government media briefings - a job billed as “speaking to the nation” for Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Johnson’s government is moving to White House-style on-camera briefings later this year, ending decades of tradition and shining a new light on the sometimes cosy relationship between reporters and ministers.
“This is a unique opportunity to work at the centre of government, and communicate with the nation on behalf of the Prime Minister,” said a job advert on the ruling Conservative Party’s website.
“You will speak directly to the public on the issues they care most about, explaining the government’s position, reassuring people that we are taking action on their priorities and driving positive changes.”
Pay for the role would depend on experience, though the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported it could exceed 100,000 pounds ($130,000) - more than most lawmakers.
It comes after the perceived success of daily news conferences during the coronavirus pandemic.
That echoes the format in Washington to televise what have been - particularly during President Donald Trump’s administration - sometimes awkward and hostile tussles between reporters and officials.
NO MORE DRAUGHTY “LOBBY” MEETINGS?
It marks a shift resisted by successive governments and some sections of the press, and will partially replace twice-daily off-screen meetings between the government and reporters.
Those so-called “lobby” arrangements have evolved from secret briefings in the 1920s to on-the-record meetings in a draughty turret room inside the Palace of Westminster or, most recently, a former court chamber attached to the prime minister’s residence.
Alongside an ability to “remain calm and measured under pressure”, the successful candidate requires “excellent risk management and crisis communications skills”, the ad said.
“Working in the prime minister’s communications team involves working under pressure and to immovable deadlines.”
Though less visible than American counterparts, Britain’s spokesmen have long been influential: former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s right-hand man Alastair Campbell became a famous “spin doctor”, dividing opinion with his ceaseless efforts to turn bad news into good.
It marks a shift resisted by successive governments and some sections of the press, and will partially replace twice-daily off-screen meetings between the government and reporters.
Those so-called “lobby” arrangements have evolved from secret briefings in the 1920s to on-the-record meetings in a draughty turret room inside the Palace of Westminster or, most recently, a former court chamber attached to the prime minister’s residence.
Alongside an ability to “remain calm and measured under pressure”, the successful candidate requires “excellent risk management and crisis communications skills”, the ad said.
“Working in the prime minister’s communications team involves working under pressure and to immovable deadlines.”
Though less visible than American counterparts, Britain’s spokesmen have long been influential: former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s right-hand man Alastair Campbell became a famous “spin doctor”, dividing opinion with his ceaseless efforts to turn bad news into good.
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- Oct 2, 2004
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- 217,980
A Conservative MP arrested over allegations of rape will not be suspended from the party while police investigate.
A spokesperson for the Conservative whips' office said: "These are serious allegations and it is right that they are investigated fully. The whip has not been suspended.
"This decision will be reviewed once the police investigation has been concluded."
It comes after shadow safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said it was "shocking" the party had not decided to withdraw the whip.
The accused former minister was arrested and taken to an east London police station on Saturday morning and released on bail later that day.
He has been accused by a young woman who used to work in parliament, Sky News understands.
"In any other organisation, were this police investigation to be going on, somebody would be suspended while the investigation was taking place," Ms Phillips told Times Radio.
"I find it shocking this morning in the news that the Conservative Party has decided not to withdraw the whip in this case."
She said it was "only right" the whip was withdrawn and pointed to the conviction earlier this week of former Tory MP Charlie Elphicke, who was allowed to maintain the whip while being investigated for sexual assault.
Housing minister Robert Jenrick said the government will "take all the steps that are necessary" following the arrest.
"This is a very serious allegation and it's right that it's treated as such," he said.
"We need to be a political party that ensures women are safe and feel comfortable at all times and that's exactly what we are doing."
The woman's complaint was reported to a fellow MP, Sky News understands.
It is claimed some allegations were raised with Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the House of Commons, and chief whip Mark Spencer.
Mr Spencer had reportedly not known the "magnitude" of the allegations, and it is understood he told the woman to make a formal complaint to parliamentary authorities, who would investigate.
The woman later spoke to police.
A police statement said: "The Metropolitan Police Service received allegations relating to four separate incidents involving allegations of sexual offences and assault.
"These offences are alleged to have occurred at addresses in Westminster, Lambeth and Hackney between July 2019 and January 2020.
"The Met has launched an investigation into the allegations.
"A man in his 50s was arrested on Saturday 1 August on suspicion of rape."
In a statement, the Conservative Party said it takes "all allegations of this nature extremely seriously" but refused to comment further as the matter is now being investigated by police.
A statement from Mr Spencer said: "The chief whip takes all allegations of harassment and abuse extremely seriously and has strongly encouraged anybody who has approached him to contact the appropriate authorities, including parliament's independent complaints and grievance scheme, which can formally carry out independent and confidential investigations."
https://news.sky.com/story/conserva...ing-mp-arrested-on-suspicion-of-rape-12040997
A spokesperson for the Conservative whips' office said: "These are serious allegations and it is right that they are investigated fully. The whip has not been suspended.
"This decision will be reviewed once the police investigation has been concluded."
It comes after shadow safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said it was "shocking" the party had not decided to withdraw the whip.
The accused former minister was arrested and taken to an east London police station on Saturday morning and released on bail later that day.
He has been accused by a young woman who used to work in parliament, Sky News understands.
"In any other organisation, were this police investigation to be going on, somebody would be suspended while the investigation was taking place," Ms Phillips told Times Radio.
"I find it shocking this morning in the news that the Conservative Party has decided not to withdraw the whip in this case."
She said it was "only right" the whip was withdrawn and pointed to the conviction earlier this week of former Tory MP Charlie Elphicke, who was allowed to maintain the whip while being investigated for sexual assault.
Housing minister Robert Jenrick said the government will "take all the steps that are necessary" following the arrest.
"This is a very serious allegation and it's right that it's treated as such," he said.
"We need to be a political party that ensures women are safe and feel comfortable at all times and that's exactly what we are doing."
The woman's complaint was reported to a fellow MP, Sky News understands.
It is claimed some allegations were raised with Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the House of Commons, and chief whip Mark Spencer.
Mr Spencer had reportedly not known the "magnitude" of the allegations, and it is understood he told the woman to make a formal complaint to parliamentary authorities, who would investigate.
The woman later spoke to police.
A police statement said: "The Metropolitan Police Service received allegations relating to four separate incidents involving allegations of sexual offences and assault.
"These offences are alleged to have occurred at addresses in Westminster, Lambeth and Hackney between July 2019 and January 2020.
"The Met has launched an investigation into the allegations.
"A man in his 50s was arrested on Saturday 1 August on suspicion of rape."
In a statement, the Conservative Party said it takes "all allegations of this nature extremely seriously" but refused to comment further as the matter is now being investigated by police.
A statement from Mr Spencer said: "The chief whip takes all allegations of harassment and abuse extremely seriously and has strongly encouraged anybody who has approached him to contact the appropriate authorities, including parliament's independent complaints and grievance scheme, which can formally carry out independent and confidential investigations."
https://news.sky.com/story/conserva...ing-mp-arrested-on-suspicion-of-rape-12040997
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- Mar 19, 2015
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Tony Abbott: Ex-Australian PM given top UK trade role despite string of controversial comments
Former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott has been handed a top job advising the UK government on trade - despite a string of allegedly homophobic and sexist comments.
Senior LGBT supporters including Sir Ian McKellen and Stonewall, as well as the Labour Party's equalities spokesperson, urged Boris Johnson to block the appointment.
Mr Abbott, 62, previously said he feels "threatened by homosexuality" and has campaigned "vigorously" against legalising same-sex marriage in Australia, according to campaigners.
He has also sparked controversy around women's rights, abortion and climate change.
But when asked about his history on Friday, Mr Johnson said: "I obviously don't agree with those sentiments at all."
A statement from the Department for International Trade did not directly address the controversy, but said: "The new advisers to the board are announced at an important time for UK trade policy and as negotiations with the US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand enter their crucial latter stages - although advisers to the board will have no direct role in striking trade deals.
"The board will represent a range of views to help in its advisory function, promoting free and fair trade and advising on UK trade policy to the International Trade Secretary."
Mr Abbott, who served as Australian PM between 2013 and 2015, has been criticised for a number of contentious comments, including:
- referring to abortion as the "easy way out" for women
- saying men are more suited to leadership rules, adding that they are "more adapted to exercise authority"
- describing homosexuality as "challenging the notions of the right order of things"
- referring to the "sex appeal" of a female opposition candidate
- claiming he is "hugely unconvinced" by the "so-called settled science on climate change"
- saying global warming has "stopped"
During his visit to Solihull on Friday, PM Mr Johnson said he does not share Mr Abbott's views.
He said: "I don't agree with everyone who serves the government in an unpaid capacity on hundreds of boards across the country - and I can't be expected to do so."
But he added: "This is a guy who was elected by the people of the great, liberal, democratic nation of Australia.
"It's an amazing country, it's a freedom-loving country, it's a liberal country. There you go! I think that speaks for itself."
In an interview with Kay Burley on Thursday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock did not to condemn Mr Abbott's alleged homophobia and sexism, saying that "he's also an expert in trade".
Julia Gillard, another former Australian prime minister who famously branded Mr Abbott a misogynist in parliament in 2012, earlier told Sky News: "I stand by every word of it".
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Mr Abbott's controversial coronavirus views are "deeply offensive and wrong" and he is not fit to be a trade envoy.
Shadow justice secretary and Labour MP David Lammy accused the government of "not caring" about accusations Mr Abbott is homophobic and a misogynist.
https://news.sky.com/story/tony-abb...ite-string-of-controversial-comments-12063607
Former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott has been handed a top job advising the UK government on trade - despite a string of allegedly homophobic and sexist comments.
Senior LGBT supporters including Sir Ian McKellen and Stonewall, as well as the Labour Party's equalities spokesperson, urged Boris Johnson to block the appointment.
Mr Abbott, 62, previously said he feels "threatened by homosexuality" and has campaigned "vigorously" against legalising same-sex marriage in Australia, according to campaigners.
He has also sparked controversy around women's rights, abortion and climate change.
But when asked about his history on Friday, Mr Johnson said: "I obviously don't agree with those sentiments at all."
A statement from the Department for International Trade did not directly address the controversy, but said: "The new advisers to the board are announced at an important time for UK trade policy and as negotiations with the US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand enter their crucial latter stages - although advisers to the board will have no direct role in striking trade deals.
"The board will represent a range of views to help in its advisory function, promoting free and fair trade and advising on UK trade policy to the International Trade Secretary."
Mr Abbott, who served as Australian PM between 2013 and 2015, has been criticised for a number of contentious comments, including:
- referring to abortion as the "easy way out" for women
- saying men are more suited to leadership rules, adding that they are "more adapted to exercise authority"
- describing homosexuality as "challenging the notions of the right order of things"
- referring to the "sex appeal" of a female opposition candidate
- claiming he is "hugely unconvinced" by the "so-called settled science on climate change"
- saying global warming has "stopped"
During his visit to Solihull on Friday, PM Mr Johnson said he does not share Mr Abbott's views.
He said: "I don't agree with everyone who serves the government in an unpaid capacity on hundreds of boards across the country - and I can't be expected to do so."
But he added: "This is a guy who was elected by the people of the great, liberal, democratic nation of Australia.
"It's an amazing country, it's a freedom-loving country, it's a liberal country. There you go! I think that speaks for itself."
In an interview with Kay Burley on Thursday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock did not to condemn Mr Abbott's alleged homophobia and sexism, saying that "he's also an expert in trade".
Julia Gillard, another former Australian prime minister who famously branded Mr Abbott a misogynist in parliament in 2012, earlier told Sky News: "I stand by every word of it".
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Mr Abbott's controversial coronavirus views are "deeply offensive and wrong" and he is not fit to be a trade envoy.
Shadow justice secretary and Labour MP David Lammy accused the government of "not caring" about accusations Mr Abbott is homophobic and a misogynist.
https://news.sky.com/story/tony-abb...ite-string-of-controversial-comments-12063607
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- Mar 19, 2015
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- 15,745
No. 10 denies reports that PM Boris Johnson went on secret Italy trip
One of Boris Johnson’s ministers has denied a report in the Italian media that the UK prime minister made a secret trip to the country less than a fortnight ago, a claim Downing Street has also rejected as “completely untrue”.
Asked if Johnson had landed in Perugia in the past two weeks, which the Umbrian airport said in a statement had happened, Grant Shapps, the transport minister, told Sky News: “Not that I’m aware of. I think it’s mistaken, as far as I’m aware.”
No 10 issued a firm rebuttal of the report, saying Johnson had held a meeting with Conservative MPs via Zoom on Friday 11 September, and had attended his son’s baptism service on Saturday 12 September.
A spokesperson for Westminster Cathedral confirmed that baby Wilfred was baptised into the Catholic church in a private service on 12 September by Father Daniel Humphries. There were fewer than 30 guests at the ceremony as required by Covid restrictions, the spokesperson said.
The Catholic church requires at least one parent to practise the faith in order to have a child baptised. Johnson was baptised a Catholic but was confirmed in the Church of England – in effect converting to Anglicanism – when he was at Eton, although he has never been a regular churchgoer. His partner Carrie Symonds’ Catholicism was not widely known until now.
The Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported on Johnson’s alleged trip to Italy after the Barcelona footballer Luis Suárez flew into Perugia on 17 September. The airport issued a press release saying that as well as Suárez, Johnson had also arrived there in recent days.
La Repubblica said that after it made inquiries about the Johnson trip, the airport, San Francesco d’Assisi, confirmed he had landed there during the week before Suárez.
The newspaper cited one airport staff member as saying the British PM arrived either on 11 September, or the day before. Another source said he had arrived “on Friday 11 September at 2pm and left on Monday 14 September at 7.45am”.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “This story is completely untrue. The prime minister has not travelled to Italy in recent months. Anyone who publishes these claims is repeating a falsehood.”
The claim of Johnson making a seemingly undercover visit to Perugia would be seen as especially intriguing given he has done it before. In April 2018, while he was foreign secretary, Johnson was photographed looking somewhat dishevelled at San Francesco d’Assisi airport.
It emerged that Johnson had stayed at Palazzo Terranova, a restored castle owned by the media billionaire and socialite Evgeny Lebedev, who is renowned for holding lavish parties.
The pictures of Johnson at the airport suggested he went to Italy without a police escort. According to another passenger on the flight back to the UK, Johnson was on his own, apparently without any luggage and very much the worse for wear.
https://www.theguardian.com/politic...ports-boris-johnson-went-on-secret-italy-trip
One of Boris Johnson’s ministers has denied a report in the Italian media that the UK prime minister made a secret trip to the country less than a fortnight ago, a claim Downing Street has also rejected as “completely untrue”.
Asked if Johnson had landed in Perugia in the past two weeks, which the Umbrian airport said in a statement had happened, Grant Shapps, the transport minister, told Sky News: “Not that I’m aware of. I think it’s mistaken, as far as I’m aware.”
No 10 issued a firm rebuttal of the report, saying Johnson had held a meeting with Conservative MPs via Zoom on Friday 11 September, and had attended his son’s baptism service on Saturday 12 September.
A spokesperson for Westminster Cathedral confirmed that baby Wilfred was baptised into the Catholic church in a private service on 12 September by Father Daniel Humphries. There were fewer than 30 guests at the ceremony as required by Covid restrictions, the spokesperson said.
The Catholic church requires at least one parent to practise the faith in order to have a child baptised. Johnson was baptised a Catholic but was confirmed in the Church of England – in effect converting to Anglicanism – when he was at Eton, although he has never been a regular churchgoer. His partner Carrie Symonds’ Catholicism was not widely known until now.
The Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported on Johnson’s alleged trip to Italy after the Barcelona footballer Luis Suárez flew into Perugia on 17 September. The airport issued a press release saying that as well as Suárez, Johnson had also arrived there in recent days.
La Repubblica said that after it made inquiries about the Johnson trip, the airport, San Francesco d’Assisi, confirmed he had landed there during the week before Suárez.
The newspaper cited one airport staff member as saying the British PM arrived either on 11 September, or the day before. Another source said he had arrived “on Friday 11 September at 2pm and left on Monday 14 September at 7.45am”.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “This story is completely untrue. The prime minister has not travelled to Italy in recent months. Anyone who publishes these claims is repeating a falsehood.”
The claim of Johnson making a seemingly undercover visit to Perugia would be seen as especially intriguing given he has done it before. In April 2018, while he was foreign secretary, Johnson was photographed looking somewhat dishevelled at San Francesco d’Assisi airport.
It emerged that Johnson had stayed at Palazzo Terranova, a restored castle owned by the media billionaire and socialite Evgeny Lebedev, who is renowned for holding lavish parties.
The pictures of Johnson at the airport suggested he went to Italy without a police escort. According to another passenger on the flight back to the UK, Johnson was on his own, apparently without any luggage and very much the worse for wear.
https://www.theguardian.com/politic...ports-boris-johnson-went-on-secret-italy-trip
Technics 1210
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Shouldn't rely on a left news source like the Guardian. Turns out it was Tony Blair who made the visit.
sweep_shot
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No more status quo: PM Johnson vows to transform Britain after coronavirus crisis
LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Boris Johnson, under fire over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, vowed on Tuesday to transform Britain rather than settle for the “status quo” by building more new homes, improving education and boosting the green economy.
In a speech aimed at rallying his Conservative Party, which has become increasingly critical of its leader, Johnson laid out his vision for a country where deep-rooted inequality has been laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Using his own battle to shed excess weight - which made a bout of COVID-19 more difficult to overcome - as a metaphor for changing Britain, he listed the areas he wanted to tackle - housing, education, jobs, climate change and crime.
But Johnson offered few clues on funding after huge budget-busting expenditures to combat the pandemic, and opposition parties criticised the speech for being the “usual bluster” with scant detail on how he would protect jobs or get control over the increasing number of coronavirus infections. Britain has recorded the highest COVID-19 death toll in Europe.
“We’ve been through too much frustration and hardship just to settle for the status quo and to think that life can go on as it was before the plague,” he told his party’s annual conference, held virtually this year.
“It will not, because history teaches us that events of this magnitude, wars, famines, plagues, events that affect the vast bulk of humanity, as this virus has, they don’t just come and go...We cannot now define the mission of this country as merely to restore normality. That isn’t good enough.”
Hitting back at critics who say he has both lost control of the coronavirus pandemic in Britain and struggled personally since suffering from COVID-19, Johnson said suggestions he had lost his “mojo” was “self-evident drivel”.
“The kind of seditious propaganda that you’d expect from people who don’t want this government to succeed, who wanted to stop us delivering Brexit and all our other manifesto pledges,” he said, adding he was sticking with a diet after losing 26 pounds.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...ritain-after-coronavirus-crisis-idUSKBN26R1VM
LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Boris Johnson, under fire over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, vowed on Tuesday to transform Britain rather than settle for the “status quo” by building more new homes, improving education and boosting the green economy.
In a speech aimed at rallying his Conservative Party, which has become increasingly critical of its leader, Johnson laid out his vision for a country where deep-rooted inequality has been laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Using his own battle to shed excess weight - which made a bout of COVID-19 more difficult to overcome - as a metaphor for changing Britain, he listed the areas he wanted to tackle - housing, education, jobs, climate change and crime.
But Johnson offered few clues on funding after huge budget-busting expenditures to combat the pandemic, and opposition parties criticised the speech for being the “usual bluster” with scant detail on how he would protect jobs or get control over the increasing number of coronavirus infections. Britain has recorded the highest COVID-19 death toll in Europe.
“We’ve been through too much frustration and hardship just to settle for the status quo and to think that life can go on as it was before the plague,” he told his party’s annual conference, held virtually this year.
“It will not, because history teaches us that events of this magnitude, wars, famines, plagues, events that affect the vast bulk of humanity, as this virus has, they don’t just come and go...We cannot now define the mission of this country as merely to restore normality. That isn’t good enough.”
Hitting back at critics who say he has both lost control of the coronavirus pandemic in Britain and struggled personally since suffering from COVID-19, Johnson said suggestions he had lost his “mojo” was “self-evident drivel”.
“The kind of seditious propaganda that you’d expect from people who don’t want this government to succeed, who wanted to stop us delivering Brexit and all our other manifesto pledges,” he said, adding he was sticking with a diet after losing 26 pounds.
CRITICS CITE COVID SHAMBLES
After being criticised for presiding over a glitch-plagued COVID-19 testing system, giving the public confusing guidance and repeatedly backtracking on policy, Johnson sought to buoy party members, many of whom are increasingly concerned less than a year since the Conservatives won a resounding election victory.
According to research published on Monday by former Conservative deputy chairman Michael Ashcroft, Labour leader Keir Starmer has overtaken Johnson as the person those polled thought would make a better prime minister. Johnson’s standing among Conservative Party members has also plunged, polls show.
To try to turn the tide, he vowed to curb violent crime and protect the justice system from “lefty human rights lawyers”, while also accusing his political opponents of trying to rewrite history, saying he was proud to sing “Rule Britannia”.
For many in the party, it was just the ticket. One Conservative lawmaker said Johnson had rallied the troops while another felt that although the prime minister looked “tired”, it was good enough.
Keen to assert his green credentials before Britain hosts COP26 climate summit next year, Johnson promised to create jobs and make progress towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050 by building back greener and investing in wind power.
He also pledged to construct more homes and make them more accessible to younger people, and to improve education.
But he offered few specifics on how he would achieve this.
Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said Johnson had offered “the usual bluster and no plan for the months ahead”.
“We end this Conservative conference as we started it: with a shambolic (COVID-19) testing system, millions of jobs at risk and an incompetent government that has lost control of this virus and is holding Britain back.”
After being criticised for presiding over a glitch-plagued COVID-19 testing system, giving the public confusing guidance and repeatedly backtracking on policy, Johnson sought to buoy party members, many of whom are increasingly concerned less than a year since the Conservatives won a resounding election victory.
According to research published on Monday by former Conservative deputy chairman Michael Ashcroft, Labour leader Keir Starmer has overtaken Johnson as the person those polled thought would make a better prime minister. Johnson’s standing among Conservative Party members has also plunged, polls show.
To try to turn the tide, he vowed to curb violent crime and protect the justice system from “lefty human rights lawyers”, while also accusing his political opponents of trying to rewrite history, saying he was proud to sing “Rule Britannia”.
For many in the party, it was just the ticket. One Conservative lawmaker said Johnson had rallied the troops while another felt that although the prime minister looked “tired”, it was good enough.
Keen to assert his green credentials before Britain hosts COP26 climate summit next year, Johnson promised to create jobs and make progress towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050 by building back greener and investing in wind power.
He also pledged to construct more homes and make them more accessible to younger people, and to improve education.
But he offered few specifics on how he would achieve this.
Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said Johnson had offered “the usual bluster and no plan for the months ahead”.
“We end this Conservative conference as we started it: with a shambolic (COVID-19) testing system, millions of jobs at risk and an incompetent government that has lost control of this virus and is holding Britain back.”
gazza619
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Trump’s defeat is a strong message for Boris. People dont take crap for too long.
Doubt if he will be re-elected.
Doubt if he will be re-elected.
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I can't see Boris lasting the full term.
Technics 1210
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It should also be duly note, while Biden may be positive for the supporters of GFA, make no mistake - the GFA is immunity from prosecution of IRA terrorists. You look it up. A deal breaker which Blair agreed to.
With Biden's Irish ancestory, he's not out there's to protect the EU.
With Biden's Irish ancestory, he's not out there's to protect the EU.
Technics 1210
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Well, looks like BJ is going ahead with the new Brexit bill! I guess the picture of Biden and Gerry Adams revealing Biden as a terrorist sympathiser doing rounds hasn't helped.
Boris Johnson risks Joe Biden rift as he moves ahead with controversial Brexit legislation
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politic...WT.mc_id=tmgliveapp_androidshare_AwNGP2kfVQ6J
Boris Johnson risks Joe Biden rift as he moves ahead with controversial Brexit legislation
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politic...WT.mc_id=tmgliveapp_androidshare_AwNGP2kfVQ6J
Robert
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Tories are behind in the polls and Johnson is flip-flopping rather than leading as well as being routinely embarrassed by Starmer.
I expect there will be a challenge in the New Year when Brexit is concluded, though Sunak or whoever will wait for the COVID vaccine so he can take credit for rolling it out.
Robert
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It’s a price that was worth paying as there is now ongoing peace. Belfast is a stable and developing city that was one of the most dangerous on Earth. A generation of Northern Irish have grown up without fear.
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The number of times I have been disappointed between 2016 and now with UK leadership.
Cameron. Definitely the much better leader but resigned on the morning of EU ref result. Apparently he regrets it.
May. Had high hopes, but she turned out to be one of the worst PMs.
Boris. It's taken a while, as the saying goes, cometh the hour cometh the man, and well, Boris is not the man. An absolute clown of a leader.
I think confidence will be lost in him if he doesn't pull up his socks. Not sure who could challenge? Gove? Mogg? Sunak?
Technics 1210
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I get that, so why doesn't UK make peace with other terrorists, for peace? Could've avoided 7/7, Manchester etc.
Anyway point is people shouldn't be fooled into thinking Biden cares about the EU, he only cares about Ireland, and his ancestory; and we all know why, USA refered to the IRA as freedom fighters.
Robert
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Cameron did pretty well and I thought the Coalition was probably the best government possible at the time, but he gambled on the Referendum to shut his Eurosceptics up and banged the Project Fear drum instead of pointing out the advantages of EU membership.
May was promoted a level too high. I had some respect for her, but she did preside over the Windrush scandal and hostile environment and then she ran that rotten election campaign doing her robot impression and with policies alienating the Tory base.
Johnson is a populist who will say anything for momentary advantage. He was brought in to defeat the populist Corbyn but is not bright enough or hardworking enough to cope.
I think Sunak is next.
Robert
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I suppose because there was a power structure and organisations to talk with - Sinn Fein, and the ROI government. And they had an appetite for peace.
In the case if the terror incidents you refer to, there was no political authority, just terror cells independent of each other with no MPs and governments to talk to.
As for the EU that argument is over, fait accompli, but Biden can act to protect the ongoing Peace Process but insisting that Johnson sticks to the agreement he signed.
Technics 1210
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Coalition between 10-15 was a good fit, esp after 08 crash, but the Lib Dem Party failed to capitalise and you of course know the rest.
I personally feel the push for a EU ref was on the back of austerity, and rise of UKIP (all post 08). UKIP was gaining ground and the only way to quell the threat was to give the people what UKIP were offering on the high probability UK would vote Remain.
May's credentials on the otherhand were not too bad at all, in fact I would say she was more experienced than Boris and Cameron with her record breaking stint as Home Office Secratary. The reason why May failed because she was a remainer at heart.
Boris on the other hand. A complete joke. *****. Imbeciile. You name it. More U-turns than a can of Heinz spaghetti, his delivery is weak, his humour poor, his upbeat macho shots make him look like a wet blouse, and frankly speaking he looks like a muppet with that L'Oreal hair style of his.
Sunak has a chance, but come to think of it, so does Patel.
Cpt. Rishwat
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Sunak just doesn't register for me as leadership material, and that seems to be the general opinion in the new columns I read. Perhaps that's being unfair though, can't say I have paid much attention to him other than as Boris's sidekick.
Patel just seems like an absolute cow, but that never stopped Maggie.
Patel just seems like an absolute cow, but that never stopped Maggie.
Technics 1210
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You raise a valid and pertinent point. Any female would look up to Maggie; but good old Thatcher was anti-EU/Europe to begin with.
I wonder who the male PMs look up to?
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Probably Maggie as well. The cupboard is pretty bare for role model PMs.
Technics 1210
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Ha! So true!
KingKhanWC
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Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2020/11/09/coro...VPzBvLXR6TIB6A-icSSLUIWggelUbFt4I?ito=cbshare
https://metro.co.uk/2020/11/09/coro...Wu9nWNkwCImTVPzBvLXR6TIB6A-icSSLUIWggelUbFt4I
Boris is a clown, incompetant buffoon who should never be anywhere near the Prime Minsiters office.
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Covid vaccines: Boris Johnson pledges surplus to poorer countries at G7
Boris Johnson will pledge to donate most of the UK's surplus vaccine supply to poorer countries in a speech to a virtual G7 meeting on Friday.
He will urge rich countries to back a 100-day target for the developing new vaccines for future emerging diseases.
The UK has ordered more than 400 million doses of various vaccines, so many will be left over once all adults are vaccinated.
But anti-poverty campaigners say the UK is not doing enough.
Decisions on when and how much of the surplus will be distributed will be made later this year, with ministers taking into account the supply chain and whether booster shots are needed in the autumn.
French President Emmanuel Macron has told the Financial Times richer countries should send up to 4 to 5% of their current vaccine supplies to poorer nations.
But Foreign Office minister James Cleverly told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the UK would be "looking at a figure significantly greater than that".
He promised the government would be a "global force for good" in fighting the pandemic and, unlike "some countries", the UK would not use the promise of vaccine supplies to other countries as "short-term diplomatic leverage".
But it was" difficult to say" at this stage when the sharing would happen, Mr Cleverly added.
A government source said more than half of excess doses would go to Covax, a UN initiative intended to ensure wider access to vaccines.
The UK government has donated £548m to the scheme, to which the US pledged $4bn (£2.9bn) in December.
Almost 17 million people in the UK have now received at least one vaccine dose, with 573,724 of these receiving two doses, according to the latest figures.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-56117120
Boris Johnson will pledge to donate most of the UK's surplus vaccine supply to poorer countries in a speech to a virtual G7 meeting on Friday.
He will urge rich countries to back a 100-day target for the developing new vaccines for future emerging diseases.
The UK has ordered more than 400 million doses of various vaccines, so many will be left over once all adults are vaccinated.
But anti-poverty campaigners say the UK is not doing enough.
Decisions on when and how much of the surplus will be distributed will be made later this year, with ministers taking into account the supply chain and whether booster shots are needed in the autumn.
French President Emmanuel Macron has told the Financial Times richer countries should send up to 4 to 5% of their current vaccine supplies to poorer nations.
But Foreign Office minister James Cleverly told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the UK would be "looking at a figure significantly greater than that".
He promised the government would be a "global force for good" in fighting the pandemic and, unlike "some countries", the UK would not use the promise of vaccine supplies to other countries as "short-term diplomatic leverage".
But it was" difficult to say" at this stage when the sharing would happen, Mr Cleverly added.
A government source said more than half of excess doses would go to Covax, a UN initiative intended to ensure wider access to vaccines.
The UK government has donated £548m to the scheme, to which the US pledged $4bn (£2.9bn) in December.
Almost 17 million people in the UK have now received at least one vaccine dose, with 573,724 of these receiving two doses, according to the latest figures.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-56117120
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Dominic Cummings allegations: Boris Johnson urged to explain funding of flat refurbishment
Boris Johnson is being urged to explain how the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat was paid for, following allegations from his ex-chief advisor.
Dominic Cummings claimed the PM had once had "possibly illegal" plans to get Tory donors to fund the work.
The government said "costs of wider refurbishment in this year have been met by the prime minister personally."
But Labour said he needed to fully disclose who paid for the work in the first place.
Party leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "Publish the details, have the full inquiry. If there's nothing to see here... have a full inquiry."
"Every day there's more evidence of this sleaze and frankly it stinks," he added.
It comes amid a row over the lobbying of ministers, including the prime minister, after it was revealed he had exchanged text messages with businessman Sir James Dyson.
Once Mr Johnson's closest ally, Mr Cummings was forced out of his Downing Street role at the end of last year, following an internal power struggle.
In a blistering attack on his old boss on Friday, Mr Cummings questioned the prime minister's "competence and integrity".
In his first blog post since leaving his role, Mr Cummings:
- denied leaking text messages sent between Mr Johnson and Sir James
- denied leaking details of the second coronavirus lockdown in England in November
- claimed the prime minister once had a "possibly illegal" plan for donors to pay for renovations of his Downing Street flat
- alleged Mr Johnson had considered trying to block an inquiry into the leak in case it involved a friend of his fiancee Carrie Symonds
No 10 said the PM had never interfered in a government leak inquiry.
Mr Cummings promised to answer questions about "any" issues when he appears before a Parliamentary inquiry into the government's pandemic response on 26 May.
In his blog, Mr Cummings claimed the prime minister once planned to have donors "secretly pay" for renovation of his official Downing street flat.
Like several of his recent predecessors, Mr Johnson is living in the flat above No 11 Downing Street, which is larger than the one above No 10.
He added that Mr Johnson "stopped speaking to me about the matter in 2020", as he told him the renovation plans were "unethical, foolish, possibly illegal and almost certainly broke the rules on proper disclosure of political donations if conducted in the way he intended".
Mr Cummings said he would be "happy to tell the cabinet secretary [Simon Case] or Electoral Commission" what he knew about the matter but that his knowledge is "limited".
The Electoral Commission says it is working to establish whether any of the spending on the flat needs to be examined within its own remit on political donations, and therefore needs to be reported and subsequently published.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-56870370
Boris Johnson is being urged to explain how the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat was paid for, following allegations from his ex-chief advisor.
Dominic Cummings claimed the PM had once had "possibly illegal" plans to get Tory donors to fund the work.
The government said "costs of wider refurbishment in this year have been met by the prime minister personally."
But Labour said he needed to fully disclose who paid for the work in the first place.
Party leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "Publish the details, have the full inquiry. If there's nothing to see here... have a full inquiry."
"Every day there's more evidence of this sleaze and frankly it stinks," he added.
It comes amid a row over the lobbying of ministers, including the prime minister, after it was revealed he had exchanged text messages with businessman Sir James Dyson.
Once Mr Johnson's closest ally, Mr Cummings was forced out of his Downing Street role at the end of last year, following an internal power struggle.
In a blistering attack on his old boss on Friday, Mr Cummings questioned the prime minister's "competence and integrity".
In his first blog post since leaving his role, Mr Cummings:
- denied leaking text messages sent between Mr Johnson and Sir James
- denied leaking details of the second coronavirus lockdown in England in November
- claimed the prime minister once had a "possibly illegal" plan for donors to pay for renovations of his Downing Street flat
- alleged Mr Johnson had considered trying to block an inquiry into the leak in case it involved a friend of his fiancee Carrie Symonds
No 10 said the PM had never interfered in a government leak inquiry.
Mr Cummings promised to answer questions about "any" issues when he appears before a Parliamentary inquiry into the government's pandemic response on 26 May.
In his blog, Mr Cummings claimed the prime minister once planned to have donors "secretly pay" for renovation of his official Downing street flat.
Like several of his recent predecessors, Mr Johnson is living in the flat above No 11 Downing Street, which is larger than the one above No 10.
He added that Mr Johnson "stopped speaking to me about the matter in 2020", as he told him the renovation plans were "unethical, foolish, possibly illegal and almost certainly broke the rules on proper disclosure of political donations if conducted in the way he intended".
Mr Cummings said he would be "happy to tell the cabinet secretary [Simon Case] or Electoral Commission" what he knew about the matter but that his knowledge is "limited".
The Electoral Commission says it is working to establish whether any of the spending on the flat needs to be examined within its own remit on political donations, and therefore needs to be reported and subsequently published.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-56870370
James
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Boris seems to have enjoyed a unique and strange kind of federalised and press-spun immunity until now, but this issue looks like it could finally be the thing that begins to pierce his political armour.
Robert
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These revelations could be framed as a disgruntled ex-employee sounding off, but now the other Dom - ex-Attorney General Dominic Grieve has joined the attack, calling Johnson an integrity vacuum and a disgrace to the office of PM.
All this ahead of the council elections main round and Mayoral elections.
Robert
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Robert
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The difference is that Thatcher had some sort of sense of honour, duty and decency. Those days, if you breached the Ministerial Code, you resigned.
Cpt. Rishwat
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Tories self-imploding with this in-fighting coming out of the blue. Really not a good look to see Boris and Cummings digging for dirt in an effort at self-preservation.
James
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Grieve hates Johnson, has done so for years. Johnson slung him out of the Tory Party and effectively ended his career.
Grieve also never really “got over” Brexit, and he seems to be slightly traumatised by the fact that it all happened — same as some of the other old Europhile Tories like Michael Heseltine and Anna Soubry.
The Cummings stuff is more significant IMO.
Robert
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yet despite this govt mayhem and utter corruption at all levels, Lab are still way behind in the polls and are actually losing support, no surprise to me as they are a busted flush and Stamer is an ineffectual weak opposition leader. The sooner both parties die the better.
James
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We are effectively a one-party state now.
The Conservative Party controls every legislative space and has endowed itself with something close to a constitutionally unlimited degree of power (which was an entirely unopposed move, as you rightly point out).
The Tories will eventually dump Boris and replace him, but the Party as a whole now rules the UK in perpetuity, and they can do pretty much whatever they want with it to be honest, unless & until something fundamental changes.
Labour has become a weak middle-class and student metropolitan movement. Just thinking about the polls, and how popular Boris is across the provincial towns and villages (as in, the majority of the electorate that bothers to turn up on the day), I can see big Tory gains in the May council elections.
Robert
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Vaccine bounce. That’s all Johnson has. A year ago, Labour were ahead.
When the job losses from Brexit and COVID start to mount, you will see a swing in the polls.
shaz619
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What should Labour be in the current climate ? most seem to ask for miracles really, but as far as ethics are concerned at least they wont stoop to Tory and Lib Dem levels
shaz619
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Right own up, who has been paying for Boris’s designer underwear; I can count a number of posters on PP who would have done so 
James
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There won’t be a higher unemployment figure or a worse economic contraction in the UK than there is right now. Covid in the UK is close to being over and Brexit was 4 months ago. Since April 12th the economy has been very much on the up.
Technics 1210
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From the BBC
'Europe also ultimately brought about Mrs Thatcher's downfall as prime minister, as her increasingly anti-EU views led the pro-Europeans in her party to move to oust her.'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11598879
No No No - was in 1990, 2 years after her quote above.
Robert
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We have not yet begun to see the long term damage. This country is deeper in debt than at any time in the last 300 years. Firms have seen a 40-60% drop in exports to the EU. That isn’t sustainable. As soon as furlough ends, numerous firms will not be able to pay wages.
Robert
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Yes, I watched with great interest, roaring Howe and Heseltine on.
Thatcher objected to the proposed EU Commission. She was all for Single Market and Customs Union, though how she expected that to be managed without the Commission is anyone’s guess.
James
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Reads to me like Thatcher wanted a Norway-style relationship with the EU, as in, UK access to the Single Market without most of the other buy-ins. At her peak she probably would have been able to successfully negotiate this outcome as well, given that she had most other politicians for breakfast.
Dominic Cummings hasn't suddenly become concerned about honesty and virtue in government.
These allegations are part of the palace intrigues between Cummings and his acolytes, and Boris's fiancee Carrie Symonds' clique.
Will it make much impact on the polls ? Doubt it. The bigger danger to the Tories is if the economy struggles to rebound from COVID.
These allegations are part of the palace intrigues between Cummings and his acolytes, and Boris's fiancee Carrie Symonds' clique.
Will it make much impact on the polls ? Doubt it. The bigger danger to the Tories is if the economy struggles to rebound from COVID.
Robert
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Sleaze eventually brought down the Major government.
But he was up against a formidable opposition leader in Blair.
Whereas Johnson is being let off the hook by the lacklustre Starmer.
James
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UK economy 'set to grow at fastest rate on record'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56885457
Economic forecast this year revised up from 5% to 6.8%
Expected unemployment revised down from 7% to 5.8%.
Are the experts wrong?
Robert
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These particular experts seem at odds with others.
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/brexit/2021...-is-paying-a-heavy-price-for-johnsons-hubris/
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/businessrev...e-impacts-on-the-uk-and-eu-economies-by-2030/
It will start coming back but it has slumped down further than any other major Western economy due to the self-inflicted harm of Brexit on top of COVID.
I honestly don’t see how the economy will grow at that rate after we put up trade barriers against ourselves.
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"No" - Boris Johnson denies he made comment saying he'd rather see "bodies pile high in their thousands".
The Daily Mail reported the PM told a Number 10 meeting: 'No more lockdowns - let the bodies pile high in their thousands!"
The Daily Mail reported the PM told a Number 10 meeting: 'No more lockdowns - let the bodies pile high in their thousands!"
Cpt. Rishwat
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I think there will be a bounce short term, but further down the line reality will start to set in. I still don't see how Brexit will be advantageous in the long run.
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Boris Johnson has denied saying he would rather see "bodies pile high in their thousands" than have another COVID lockdown.
The prime minister rebuffed newspaper allegations that he had made the comments in October, just prior to England's second national lockdown.
But, asked if he had ever made those remarks during a visit to Wrexham at Monday lunchtime, the prime minister said: "No.
"The important thing I think people want us to get on and do as a government is to make sure that the lockdowns work and they have.
"I really pay tribute to the people of this country, this whole country of ours, that have really pulled together and - working with the vaccination programme - we've got the disease under control."
His version of events was backed up by Michael Gove, who serves in Mr Johnson's Cabinet as minister for the Cabinet Office.
Mr Gove told Parliament, in a debate about the ministerial code: "The idea that he would say any such thing I find incredible. I was in that room. I never heard language of that kind."
A report in the Spectator magazine, however, suggested Mr Johnson made the remark in his study just after he agreed to the second lockdown.
During his trip to Wrexham, Mr Johnson warned the public needed to be "realistic" as "there will probably be another wave" of COVID infections.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson plays table tennis during a visit to Next World Sports, in Wrexham. Picture date: Monday April 26, 2021.
receive a COVID jab - had "built up what I think are some pretty robust fortifications against the next wave".
"We'll have to see how strong they really are in due course," he added.
"But in the meantime, everybody should come forward and get your get your vaccine when you're asked."
The Daily Mail reported Mr Johnson's alleged comments were made at the end of October as the UK was hit by a second wave of coronavirus infections.
According to the newspaper, the prime minister was given a warning by Mr Gove that - without new restrictions - soldiers would be needed to guard hospitals overrun with COVID patients.
Mr Johnson agreed to fresh measures but also vented his frustration at having to implement tough measures again, said the Daily Mail's account.
On 31 October last year, the prime minister announced a month-long lockdown in England throughout November.
After a brief reopening, England went back into a national lockdown again - the third - in January, as ministers highlighted the impact of the Kent variant of the virus.
The allegation about Mr Johnson's comments in October comes amid a bitter feud between Downing Street and the prime minister's former chief adviser, Dominic Cummings.
Last week, Number 10 "sources" were quoted in newspapers as blaming Mr Cummings for recent leaks about the prime minister's private conversations.
But Mr Cummings hit back and denied "false accusations".
Asked about the reports of Mr Johnson's alleged comments in October, defence secretary Ben Wallace told Sky News earlier on Monday: "We're getting into the sort of comedy chapter now of these gossip stories - unnamed sources by unnamed advisers talking about unnamed events.
"None of this is serious."
Mr Wallace said Mr Johnson and his cabinet ministers had been "utterly focussed" on their response to the COVID crisis.
"All the 'who said, what said, what said', I'll leave that to the Oscar gossip columns that are now being rolled out today after last night, I'll leave that to the Hello magazines of the world," he added.
During the debate on the ministerial code Mr Gove's opposite number, Labour's Rachel Reeves, told the Commons, while asking a series of questions: "As for leaks, we are seeing the pipes burst with a suite of allegations...
"This is a prime minister who would rather that the bodies pile high than act on scientific advice. Mr Speaker, they are not bodies. They are people. They are loved ones, and they are deeply missed...
"Will the minister apologise for the stomach churning comments that have come out today and urgently announce a public enquiry into the government's handling of the pandemic? Because this is all about conduct, character and decency. And frankly, our country deserves better than this one."
Mr Gove said later that, in the meeting in which the comments were said to have been made, Mr Johnson ordered the second national lockdown, and went on to order a third.
SKY
The prime minister rebuffed newspaper allegations that he had made the comments in October, just prior to England's second national lockdown.
But, asked if he had ever made those remarks during a visit to Wrexham at Monday lunchtime, the prime minister said: "No.
"The important thing I think people want us to get on and do as a government is to make sure that the lockdowns work and they have.
"I really pay tribute to the people of this country, this whole country of ours, that have really pulled together and - working with the vaccination programme - we've got the disease under control."
His version of events was backed up by Michael Gove, who serves in Mr Johnson's Cabinet as minister for the Cabinet Office.
Mr Gove told Parliament, in a debate about the ministerial code: "The idea that he would say any such thing I find incredible. I was in that room. I never heard language of that kind."
A report in the Spectator magazine, however, suggested Mr Johnson made the remark in his study just after he agreed to the second lockdown.
During his trip to Wrexham, Mr Johnson warned the public needed to be "realistic" as "there will probably be another wave" of COVID infections.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson plays table tennis during a visit to Next World Sports, in Wrexham. Picture date: Monday April 26, 2021.
receive a COVID jab - had "built up what I think are some pretty robust fortifications against the next wave".
"We'll have to see how strong they really are in due course," he added.
"But in the meantime, everybody should come forward and get your get your vaccine when you're asked."
The Daily Mail reported Mr Johnson's alleged comments were made at the end of October as the UK was hit by a second wave of coronavirus infections.
According to the newspaper, the prime minister was given a warning by Mr Gove that - without new restrictions - soldiers would be needed to guard hospitals overrun with COVID patients.
Mr Johnson agreed to fresh measures but also vented his frustration at having to implement tough measures again, said the Daily Mail's account.
On 31 October last year, the prime minister announced a month-long lockdown in England throughout November.
After a brief reopening, England went back into a national lockdown again - the third - in January, as ministers highlighted the impact of the Kent variant of the virus.
The allegation about Mr Johnson's comments in October comes amid a bitter feud between Downing Street and the prime minister's former chief adviser, Dominic Cummings.
Last week, Number 10 "sources" were quoted in newspapers as blaming Mr Cummings for recent leaks about the prime minister's private conversations.
But Mr Cummings hit back and denied "false accusations".
Asked about the reports of Mr Johnson's alleged comments in October, defence secretary Ben Wallace told Sky News earlier on Monday: "We're getting into the sort of comedy chapter now of these gossip stories - unnamed sources by unnamed advisers talking about unnamed events.
"None of this is serious."
Mr Wallace said Mr Johnson and his cabinet ministers had been "utterly focussed" on their response to the COVID crisis.
"All the 'who said, what said, what said', I'll leave that to the Oscar gossip columns that are now being rolled out today after last night, I'll leave that to the Hello magazines of the world," he added.
During the debate on the ministerial code Mr Gove's opposite number, Labour's Rachel Reeves, told the Commons, while asking a series of questions: "As for leaks, we are seeing the pipes burst with a suite of allegations...
"This is a prime minister who would rather that the bodies pile high than act on scientific advice. Mr Speaker, they are not bodies. They are people. They are loved ones, and they are deeply missed...
"Will the minister apologise for the stomach churning comments that have come out today and urgently announce a public enquiry into the government's handling of the pandemic? Because this is all about conduct, character and decency. And frankly, our country deserves better than this one."
Mr Gove said later that, in the meeting in which the comments were said to have been made, Mr Johnson ordered the second national lockdown, and went on to order a third.
SKY
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Covid resulted in a 10% drop in GDP - the biggest decline in 300 years - Brexit will not even come close.
https://www.theguardian.com/busines...recession-despite-covid-slump-in-2020-ons-gdp
Plus businesses are getting used to additional EU paperwork.
UK will be fine.
https://www.theguardian.com/busines...recession-despite-covid-slump-in-2020-ons-gdp
Plus businesses are getting used to additional EU paperwork.
UK will be fine.
KingKhanWC
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Boris is a horrible man, he has previous writing nasty comments towards all sorts in society. Im not surprised at all if he did say those things.
What I find more amusing is Brits actually believe they live a non-corrupt political society when it's corruption is rife.
How it works , your donors give you funds, you do their bidding making them more profits. Screw the people, fool them until the cows come home.
What I find more amusing is Brits actually believe they live a non-corrupt political society when it's corruption is rife.
How it works , your donors give you funds, you do their bidding making them more profits. Screw the people, fool them until the cows come home.
Robert
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Not all of us.
Now ITV are running this “bodies piled high in their thousands” story as fact. Robert Peston says one of the witnesses is about to come forward.
https://www.itv.com/news/2021-04-25/dominic-cummings-not-in-the-clear-over-chatty-rat-lockdown-leak
This is probably the beginning of the end for Johnson. He lies and lies and betrays and betrays and eventually that has consequences as decent people around him say “enough”.
Robert
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Perhaps, but if an EU citizen or business can buy something within the EU for 80% of the price of the same something imported from the U.K., what does it make business sense to choose?
James
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Agree. With his chaotic brand of pole-vaulting politics, inappropriate literary analogies from the classical canon and private schoolboy conduct, not to mention the blatant cronyism that has been going on in Cabinet for a while now, the Prime Minister role was always going to have a relatively brief shelf life for Boris.
If and when the parliamentary party compels him to resign, he can probably dress it up as “Got Brexit Done, Got Covid Done” and step down punching the air at the end of this summer.
Time for the country to move on.
Robert
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I wonder who his successor is, though? I guess Gove is next - if nothing else he has the intellectual chops. It might signal a return to more normal politics, as we are seeing in the USA under Biden, instead of what JOB calls “footballification”.
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I used to read his articles when he wrote for the Times, there was more than a whiff of UKIP about him back then. I don't like him personally, from his opinions back then he came across as a Little Englander.
James
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Gove would be the front-runner IMO, which also makes me suspect that he is the one provoking the torrent of embarrassing leaks about Johnson from behind the scenes.
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Boris Johnson will face MPs in the Commons as he battles accusations from Labour that he lied over who paid for renovations to his Downing Street flat.
The PM will appear at Prime Minister's Questions for the first time since his ex-adviser accused him of planning for donors to "secretly pay" for the work.
A No 10 spokesman has refused to say whether Mr Johnson initially received a loan to cover the costs.
Labour have demanded a detailed explanation from the prime minister.
While it is not against the rules to receive donations, politicians must declare them so the public can see who has given them money and whether it has had any influence on their decisions.
Mr Johnson has told reporters any relevant donations would be declared "in due course".
And his spokesman said the costs "have been met by the prime minister personally".
But No 10 has not yet made clear exactly how the works were paid for in the first place and declined to say whether the prime minister received a loan from the Conservative Party.
Mr Johnson is also likely to be asked at Prime Minister's Questions about accusations he said he would rather see "bodies pile high" than approve a third lockdown.
The comment was first reported in the Daily Mail - but later, the BBC and ITV separately reported sources confirming Mr Johnson did make the remarks.
However, No 10 strongly denied he said the phrase, and the PM described the reports as "total rubbish".
A Downing Street spokesman did not deny that Mr Johnson said he would rather let coronavirus "rip" than impose tighter restrictions.
Questions over the prime minister's flat were triggered when his former aide Dominic Cummings detailed his own take on Mr Johnson's plans in a blog published on his website.
Like many previous prime ministers, Mr Johnson chose to live in the flat above No 11 Downing Street rather than the smaller apartment in No 10.
Prime ministers are given £30,000 to spend on renovating their new home. However, it has been reported that Mr Johnson's changes cost up to £200,000.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said any loans or donations to cover the costs "should have been declared by now".
"We really need to know who's given the loan, who's given the money, because we need to know who the prime minister...is beholden to," he said.
"To be honest he lied yesterday - that's not good enough."
Asked about the possible donations, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said "there will be a Cabinet Office report when they put out their annual accounts and everyone will be able to see exactly what happened".
Mr Johnson's spokesman said the prime minister had "acted in accordance with the appropriate codes of conduct and electoral law".
On Monday, Cabinet Secretary Mr Case - the UK's most senior civil servant - told MPs the prime minister had asked him to review how the refurbishment of the No 11 flat was funded.
Sky News and the Guardian have reported that last July former Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling was asked by government officials about whether he would sit on a trust to handle a Downing Street refurbishment.
He reportedly rejected the offer on the grounds that it risked giving donors influence and that the state should be responsible for the maintenance of government buildings.
BBC
The PM will appear at Prime Minister's Questions for the first time since his ex-adviser accused him of planning for donors to "secretly pay" for the work.
A No 10 spokesman has refused to say whether Mr Johnson initially received a loan to cover the costs.
Labour have demanded a detailed explanation from the prime minister.
While it is not against the rules to receive donations, politicians must declare them so the public can see who has given them money and whether it has had any influence on their decisions.
Mr Johnson has told reporters any relevant donations would be declared "in due course".
And his spokesman said the costs "have been met by the prime minister personally".
But No 10 has not yet made clear exactly how the works were paid for in the first place and declined to say whether the prime minister received a loan from the Conservative Party.
Mr Johnson is also likely to be asked at Prime Minister's Questions about accusations he said he would rather see "bodies pile high" than approve a third lockdown.
The comment was first reported in the Daily Mail - but later, the BBC and ITV separately reported sources confirming Mr Johnson did make the remarks.
However, No 10 strongly denied he said the phrase, and the PM described the reports as "total rubbish".
A Downing Street spokesman did not deny that Mr Johnson said he would rather let coronavirus "rip" than impose tighter restrictions.
Questions over the prime minister's flat were triggered when his former aide Dominic Cummings detailed his own take on Mr Johnson's plans in a blog published on his website.
Like many previous prime ministers, Mr Johnson chose to live in the flat above No 11 Downing Street rather than the smaller apartment in No 10.
Prime ministers are given £30,000 to spend on renovating their new home. However, it has been reported that Mr Johnson's changes cost up to £200,000.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said any loans or donations to cover the costs "should have been declared by now".
"We really need to know who's given the loan, who's given the money, because we need to know who the prime minister...is beholden to," he said.
"To be honest he lied yesterday - that's not good enough."
Asked about the possible donations, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said "there will be a Cabinet Office report when they put out their annual accounts and everyone will be able to see exactly what happened".
Mr Johnson's spokesman said the prime minister had "acted in accordance with the appropriate codes of conduct and electoral law".
On Monday, Cabinet Secretary Mr Case - the UK's most senior civil servant - told MPs the prime minister had asked him to review how the refurbishment of the No 11 flat was funded.
Sky News and the Guardian have reported that last July former Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling was asked by government officials about whether he would sit on a trust to handle a Downing Street refurbishment.
He reportedly rejected the offer on the grounds that it risked giving donors influence and that the state should be responsible for the maintenance of government buildings.
BBC
Robert
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He has form. Gove has knifed Johnson before.
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A formal investigation has been launched into Boris Johnson's refurbishment of his Downing Street flat after a watchdog found "reasonable grounds to suspect that an offence or offences may have occurred".
An Electoral Commission spokesperson said: "We have been in contact with the Conservative Party since late March and have conducted an assessment of the information they have provided to us.
"We are now satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that an offence or offences may have occurred. We will therefore continue this work as a formal investigation to establish whether this is the case.
"The investigation will determine whether any transactions relating to the works at 11 Downing Street fall within the regime regulated by the Commission and whether such funding was reported as required.
"We will provide an update once the investigation is complete. We will not be commenting further until that point."
https://news.sky.com/story/boris-jo...-into-refurbishment-of-pms-residence-12289269
An Electoral Commission spokesperson said: "We have been in contact with the Conservative Party since late March and have conducted an assessment of the information they have provided to us.
"We are now satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that an offence or offences may have occurred. We will therefore continue this work as a formal investigation to establish whether this is the case.
"The investigation will determine whether any transactions relating to the works at 11 Downing Street fall within the regime regulated by the Commission and whether such funding was reported as required.
"We will provide an update once the investigation is complete. We will not be commenting further until that point."
https://news.sky.com/story/boris-jo...-into-refurbishment-of-pms-residence-12289269
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