The Libor trial could be a turning point for SFO July 5, 2016 The UK's fraud squad has had a rough ride in recent years. Wave after wave of criticism has battered its modest West End headquarters, especially since the botched investigation into property tycoon Vincent Tchenguiz. Just over four years have passed since the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) admitted that there were “no longer reasonable grounds” for pursuing [...]
MPs: Treatment of confiscation orders currently teaching wrongdoers that crime pays July 5, 2016 Government's current treatment of confiscation orders is sending out the wrong message about crime, a report published today has warned. In particular, the report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) criticised the Home Office for routinely missing opportunities to push for confiscation orders, which allow proceeds from crimes to be recouped from somebody who has been [...]
Boris Johnson adds some zap to Andrea Leadsom’s Tory leadership bid July 4, 2016 Boris Johnson has today revealed he is backing Andrea Leadsom in the Tory leadership race. "Leadsom offers the zap, the drive and the determination essential for the next leader of this country," read a statement from the former Mayor of London. "She has long championed the needs of the most vulnerable in our society. "She [...]
Jeremy Corbyn has defended Labour’s record on anti-semitism, while expressing regret over his own comments on Hamas and Hezbollah July 4, 2016 Jeremy Corbyn has defended his party's record on anti-Semitism, while also denying that he had compared Israel to terror group Islamic State. Speaking in front of parliament's home affairs committee today, Corbyn said that he wanted a “large and inclusive party”, and denied claims from one of his own MPs that Labour is “not a safe [...]
Work and pensions secretary Stephen Crabb and Tory backbencher Liam Fox have both lent their support to expansion for Heathrow July 4, 2016 Work and pensions secretary Stephen Crabb has promised an immediate green light for Heathrow expansion if he is selected as the new Conservative leader. Crabb has committed to expanding the South West London airport “as soon as possible” after his selection. A decision on Heathrow was expected this summer, but was again delayed last week [...]
Former Labour leader Ed Miliband calls for rent-to-own industry to be better regulated July 4, 2016 Following an investigation, former Labour leader Ed Miliband has called on the rent-to-own industry to be better regulated. Having investigated some rent-to-own companies in his constituency of Doncaster, Miliband said "my constituents have told me they can end up paying three times as much, if they miss a payment or are late the costs spiral or worse, [...]
Chancellor George Osborne pushed the German government into stressing the “irreversible” nature of a Brexit vote, and warning of a lack of access to the Single Market July 4, 2016 George Osborne asked Germany to stress the “irreversible” nature of a Brexit vote in the build up to last month's referendum, German finance minister Wolfgang Schauble has said. Schauble warned in mid-June that “In is in. Out is out” when it comes to Single Market access, but he has now admitted he did following a [...]
Nigel Farage has resigned again – here are his career highlights July 4, 2016 The UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage has stepped down, again. And assuming that the party doesn't reject his resignation again, he can have what he says he wants: his life back. As his political career comes to an end, here are some of his most memorable moments. Recently, Farage led a flotilla up the Thames: [...]
Energy minister Andrea Leadsom has pledged to protect the rights of EU citizens in the UK if selected as Conservative Party leader July 4, 2016 Energy minister Andrea Leadsom and Tory backbencher Liam Fox have formally launched their campaigns to replace David Cameron as Prime Minister, with Leadsom pledging to tackle executive salaries. Speaking earlier today, Leadsom said that the UK had “rediscovered its freedom” in last week's Brexit vote, and sought to reassure Remain voters that they shouldn't be [...]
Boss of property website Zoopla revealed to be behind Brexit legal action bid July 4, 2016 Alex Chesterman, chief executive of online property group Zoopla, has been revealed as one of the names behind a legal challenge to Brexit. London law firm Mishcon de Reya announced over the weekend that it was putting together a team who could mount a legal challenge if the government kicked off the Article 50 process – [...]