The UK risks missing out on the benefits of driverless cars without government action March 15, 2017 The economic gains from driverless cars could bypass the UK entirely without rapid ministerial action, a House of Lords committee has warned. The UK has sought to be at the forefront of trials for autonomous vehicles, but peers have today said ministers must engage in a more cross-governmental approach. The House of Lords science and technology [...]
Google, Facebook and Twitter won’t tell MPs how many staff moderate content in a major grilling by the Home Affairs Select Committee March 14, 2017 Several of the world's biggest tech companies faced a major grilling from MPs over their efforts to tackle online abuse and hate crime as German authorities pushed further, threatening them with multimillion pound fines over failures. Top executives from Google, Facebook and Twitter faced a lashing from MPs on the Home Affairs Select Committee for failing to do enough [...]
Now “gallant George” Osborne has ridden to Charlotte Hogg’s defence March 14, 2017 Former chancellor George Osborne has taken time out from his newly-established portfolio career to wade into the debate about Charlotte Hogg, the now ex-Bank of England deputy governor for markets and banking. Hogg, who came under fierce criticism last week when it emerged that she had forgotten to add her banker brother's name to her official list of [...]
Spain issues Scottish warning as Holyrood vote on referendum motion is dated for next week March 14, 2017 A Spanish minister has warned that Scotland must “join the queue” for EU membership, and backed the continuation of the United Kingdom. Speaking in Peru, Spanish foreign minister Alfonso Dastis said: “Spain supports the integrity of the United Kingdom, and does not encourage secessions or divisions in any of the member states.” Dastis added that Scotland, [...]
Donor Arron Banks cuts ties with Ukip to focus on his own political plans March 14, 2017 One of Ukip's largest donors has announced that he will sever his links with the party to focus on his own political movement. Insurance boss Arron Banks has been locked in disputes with the party's sole MP, Douglas Carswell, over a potential honour for former Ukip leader Nigel Farage. Banks, a close ally of Farage, has [...]
French presidential candidate Francois Fillon placed under formal investigation by French prosecutor for misuse of public funds March 14, 2017 French presidential candidate Francois Fillon has been placed under formal investigation for misuse of public funds, the country's prosecutor has confirmed. Fillon reportedly employed his wife Penelope, who was brought up in Abergavenny in South Wales, and paid her more than €800,000 (£682,000) for work as a parliamentary assistant which was never done. He also allegedly [...]
Theresa May: The Queen will sign Article 50 into law “in the coming days” March 14, 2017 Theresa May has hinted she is in no rush to begin the process of leaving the European Union, saying the Article 50 Bill, which was passed last night, will receive royal assent "in the coming days". In a speech to the House of Commons in which she signalled a steady approach to negotiating the UK's [...]
Scotland will quit the EU regardless of referendum, cabinet minister warns March 14, 2017 Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon's plan to hold an independence referendum will not stop Scotland leaving the European Union, a cabinet minister has warned. Sturgeon revealed yesterday that she would seek a vote between Autumn 2018 and Spring 2019, likely before the UK formally exits the EU. However, Scotland secretary David Mundell has today said that any vote would [...]
London mayor Sadiq Khan says hard Brexit won’t benefit Europe as banks would move to New York, Hong Kong and Singapore March 14, 2017 Sadiq Khan has warned his European counterparts that a hard Brexit wouldn't be beneficial to them, as banks would move to New York and Hong Kong, rather than Paris and Frankfurt. "The point I make to my colleagues across Europe is don't assume so-called 'hard Brexit' benefits you," he said, giving evidence to parliament's Brexit select committee on the UK's negotiating [...]
Time to dust down the case against the Scottish National Party March 14, 2017 The pursuit of independence is all that matters to the Scottish Nationalists. It is the glue that holds together everything they say and do. Having lost the referendum on independence they wasted no time in predicting the circumstances in which another one could follow. On the day after the EU vote, Sturgeon said that a second [...]