Boris Johnson tell public to buy £20 kettle to save £10 a year on energy bills
Boris Johnson will attempt to clear his name over Partygate by publishing legal advice which claims parliament’s investigation into No 10 lockdown parties is unfair.
The legal opinion, written by Lord Pannick, is thought to call into question the terms of reference used by the Commons privileges committee’s investigation.
Sources told The Times that the advice accuses the committee of not drawing a distinction between whether or not the prime minister deliberately misled MPs about Partygate.
This comes as Boris Johnson prepares to leave office, with the Conservative leadership race ending on Friday. His successor will not be named until Monday.
In his last few days in office, Mr Johnson promised £700m of taxpayers’ money to the much-delayed Sizewell C nuclear power project in Suffolk as he sought to make energy security part of his legacy.
Meanwhile, one of his cabinet ministers as well as a high-ranking 10 Downing Street aide are facing allegations of sexual misconduct.
Two women have alleged that one of them was assaulted, while the other person was groped by the men, Sky News reported.
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PM’s legal advice on Partygate investigation ‘misjudged’, says Labour MP
The chairman of the parliamentary standards committee has hit out at Boris Johnson’s attempt to clear his name over Partygate.
It is thought that the prime minister will publish government legal advice on the issue later today.
Responding to the development, Labour MP Chris Bryant, who has recused himself from the investigation, called the legal advice “misjudged”. It reportedly calls into questions the fairness of the investigation.
“I think, from what I’ve seen so far… I’ve not seen the actual advice, but I think it’s completely misleading or misjudged, because you want ministers, when they stand up in the House of Commons, to be careful about what they say to make sure that what they are saying is the truth,” he said.
“If they’ve managed to, for some reason, misspeak or get a fact wrong or whatever, they have a perfect opportunity through the House of Commons processes for correcting the record.”
Rory Sullivan2 September 2022 09:02
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More than two-thirds of UK parents worried by rising food and energy prices, poll finds
More than two-thirds of UK parents are concerned about rising food and energy bills, amid warnings families will struggle to cope this winter.
In a survey carried out between 18 and 22 August, Opinium Research found that 74 per cent of people were worried about gas and electricity bills, while 67 per cent had concerns about food and petrol prices.
This comes as bills have surged after a sharp spike in energy prices.
One parent said: “I’ve felt a bit overwhelmed. Childcare is rare and too expensive anyway and I have to balance that with a job and rising cost of living.
“I don’t know how I’ll cope come the winter.”
Rory Sullivan2 September 2022 08:48
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Sunak still ‘neck and neck’ with Truss in Tory contest, claims ally
If polls are correct, Liz Truss is all but guaranteed to succeed Boris Johnson as prime minister.
However, a Conservative MP has claimed that Tory leadership contender Rishi Sunak is probably “neck and neck” with her.
Kevin Hollinrake, a supporter of Sunak, told Sky News: “I’ve seen some of the polls and national polls. I think it’s quite hard for pollsters to determine who is a Conservative member and who is not because there’s not an open database.
“But I know who mine are. I polled my 700 members, 239 of them responded, so about a third of them responded, and Rishi got an eight-point lead.
“And I’ve seen similar kind of polls around different constituencies around the country. So I don’t think he’s cut and dried. I think he’s probably neck and neck.”
Adam Forrest 2 September 2022 08:27
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PM in last-gasp attempt to clear name over Partygate
Boris Johnson will attempt to clear his name over Partygate by publishing legal advice which suggests parliament’s investigation into lockdown parties at No 10 is unfair.
The legal opinion, written by Lord Pannick, is thought to call into question the terms of reference used by the Commons privileges committee’s investigation.
Sources told The Times that the advice accuses the committee of not drawing a distinction between whether or not the prime minister deliberately misled MPs about Partygate.
Boris Johnson makes last-ditch attempt to clear his name on Partygate
Legal advice from Lord Pannick shows inquiry is ‘Kafkaesque witch-hunt’, claims Nadine Dorries
Rory Sullivan2 September 2022 08:17
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Boris Johnson’s 21 biggest gaffes
As Boris Johnson prepares to leave office, Joe Sommerlad takes a look back at some of his most notorious blunders:
Burqas, kippers and Peppa Pig: Twenty one of Boris Johnson’s biggest gaffes
Taking a look back at some notorious moments from the ‘greased piglet’s’ storied career
Rory Sullivan2 September 2022 08:10
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UK to enter recession this year, warns British Chambers of Commerce
British Chambers of Commerce has forecast that the UK will enter into a recession before the end of 2022.
Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, president of the British Chambers of Commerce, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We still believe, currently, that we are going into recession now.”
She warned businesses will close their doors this winter if they do not get the support they need – saying up to two thirds of pubs may have to shut their doors this winter due to rising costs.
“I think unless there is immediate and urgent support, we will see many businesses close their doors this winter,” she said.
“I think one of the big measures we are asking for…is for Covid-style support to be given by measure of a government emergency energy grant for all SMEs. Now this will be similar to what the government had to do for the Covid business grant schemes.”
Rory Sullivan2 September 2022 07:55
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Race to replace Johnson as PM enters its last day
The Conservative leadership race has entered its final hours.
Tory party members have until 5pm today to cast their votes for Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak.
Boris Johnson’s replacement will not be announced until Monday. Both he and his successor will then travel to Balmoral – rather than the usual Buckingham Place – to see the Queen.
In his last week in office, Mr Johnson committed £700m towards Sizewell C, a new nuclear power station in Suffolk.
Rory Sullivan2 September 2022 07:50
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UK-Australia trade deal crucial to promote ‘shared values’, says Trevelyan
International trade secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan has said the UK’s trade deal with Australia is crucial to safeguard the countries’ “shared values”.
On a trip to Australia to promote the trade agreement, the minister said: “Our friendship with Australia is more important than ever.
“Together, we show the world that we will stand up for liberty, that we fight back against tyranny, and we will defend our societies’ shared values.”
The deal is not expected to have a large effect on UK gross domestic product, with official estimates estimating a maximum increase of 0.08 per cent.
The agreement has been criticised over fears that it will adversely affect British farmers, who could be priced out of the market by their Australian peers.
Rory Sullivan2 September 2022 07:31
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NHS leaders warn government of ‘staggering’ level of staff vacancies
NHS leaders have warned of a “staggering” level of staff vacancies, with one in 10 NHS jobs lying vacant.
This comes after the number of unfilled jobs in the NHS rose to a record 132,000 in June, including 46,828 nursing posts and 10,582 doctor roles.
My colleagues Rebecca Thomas and Sam Lovett report:
Government ‘asleep at the wheel’ as NHS vacancies hit ‘staggering’ high
‘We cannot afford to lose a single professional, and patients pay a heavy price,’ warns Royal College of Nursing chief
Rory Sullivan2 September 2022 07:16
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ICYMI | Man wakes up to find Boris Johnson on police raid in his flat
A man has said he “thought he was dreaming” after waking up to find Boris Johnson in his flat, surrounded by police officers.
Splinter Sales, who described himself as a hip-hop rapper, told The Independent he woke up to shouts of “police” outside the property in West Norwood, southeast London, on Wednesday morning.
He filmed the moment he opened the door of his bedroom to see the prime minister standing in the hallway as part of a Metropolitan Police raid.
His video, which has gone viral after being posted on TikTok, shows Mr Johnson smiling and asking, “How are you doing?” after the man called out, “Wagwan [what’s going on], Boris?” and burst into laughter.
‘I thought I was dreaming’: Man wakes up to Boris Johnson on police raid in his flat
Exclusive: ‘I was drunk last night, I woke up to see Boris Johnson in my face. I thought I was dreaming,’ rapper tells The Independent
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar2 September 2022 06:51
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-news-speech-no-10-sexual-misconduct-b2158084.html
