UK tells China to ‘step back from the brink’ on new Hong Kong security legislation June 2, 2020 Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has told China to “step back from the brink” and to not enforce the planned security legislation in Hong Kong. Raab told MPs today that the new legislation “lies in direct conflict with China’s international obligations” and was a breach of Hong Kong’s autonomy. The UK announced last week it would [...]
MPs set to vote on parliament return after virtual proceedings June 2, 2020 MPs are set to vote on whether to drop virtual proceedings in the House of Commons amidst growing opposition to the changes. Westminster returns today after a recess, with House of Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg tabling a motion that would bring to an end the hybrid parliament of the past two months. This would mean [...]
Why I’m seeking a Judicial Review of the government’s draconian lockdown measures June 2, 2020 Last month, Boris Johnson addressed the nation and told us to “stay alert”. But with the passing of each day of this totalitarian lockdown, it is clear that it is the government that is leading us like lemmings into disaster, taking us towards the cliff edge with them. My application to the High Court for [...]
Boris Johnson targets Brexit trade talks with von der Leyen to agree summer deal June 2, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson is planning to hold Brexit trade talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in June, it is reported, with hopes of securing a deal before autumn, it is reported. “We need a broad agreement in place by the summer,” an unnamed UK official was quoted as saying by the [...]
DEBATE: Should parliament continue to allow remote voting until the threat of Covid-19 has passed? June 2, 2020 Should parliament continue to allow remote voting until the threat of Covid-19 has passed? Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow and chair of the Education Select Committee, says YES. What has Brazil got to do with the controversy about whether or not there should be a hybrid parliament? Some of those who want to deny MPs who are [...]
Brexit: No breakthroughs expected in fresh round of UK-EU trade talks June 1, 2020 No major breakthroughs are expected in Brexit trade talks this week as UK and EU negotiators remain deadlocked on several major areas. Sources close to the UK negotiating team said they were not expecting much progress on the biggest flashpoints – such as EU access to UK fishing waters and business competition regulations – over [...]
UK coronavirus deaths have smallest one-day increase since start of lockdown June 1, 2020 The UK’s number of coronavirus deaths had it smallest one-day increase yesterday since lockdown was implemented on 23 March. Health secretary Matt Hancock said at the daily press briefing that 111 people died from Covid-19 yesterday, bringing the total to 39,045. On Sunday, 1,570 tested positive for coronavirus, which represented “downward progress in the number [...]
UK launches review into impact of US sanctions on Huawei June 1, 2020 The government has launched a review into US sanctions on Huawei as speculation mounts that Boris Johnson will reverse his decision on allowing the Chinese firm to help build Britain’s 5G network. The review, which has already begun, will report back to the government in a matter of weeks and will look at export controls [...]
Facebook and Snapchat condemn racism in US as protests continue June 1, 2020 Tech giants Facebook and Snapchat have joined a growing roster of companies to have condemned racism in the United States as protests over the death of George Floyd in police custody entered their sixth day. Last week the unarmed Floyd was killed in Minneapolis when a white police officer knelt on his neck for nine [...]
Facebook employees stage rebellion over Mark Zuckerberg’s inaction on Trump June 1, 2020 Facebook staff have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction with Mark Zuckerberg over his refusal to act against Donald Trump. Employees at all levels of the company, including some senior executives, took to criticising Zuckerberg for his decision to leave up the Facebook version of a tweet sent by Trump. The president appeared [...]