Lord Sewel takes leave amid drug and prostitute scandal July 27, 2015 Lord Sewel said last night that he would take a leave of absence from the House of Lords pending a police investigation into allegations that he took drugs with prostitutes. Over the weekend, the Sun on Sunday newspaper published video footage appearing to show an undressed Sewel snorting cocaine through a rolled-up bank note with [...]
David Cameron looks to City for new business advisory group with bosses from BP, EasyJet and Santander July 27, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron has appointed a new slate of 19 City leaders to his business advisory group, including more than a dozen chief executives of UK blue chips. The chief executives of BP, Legal & General, EasyJet, Land Securities, the London Stock Exchange Group, Persimmon, Asda, ARM, Severn Trent and Rolls Royce all [...]
George Osborne becomes favourite for Conservative leadership, knocking Boris Johnson into second place July 27, 2015 George Osborne is now the most likely Conservative to replace David Cameron as leader of the party, according to William Hill. Read more: July Budget 2015: Chancellor George Osborne plans to crack down on non-doms The chancellor's odds were increased today following a month of rising popularity since his Budget speech, and he now [...]
Immigration debate: More than 1,300 skilled visa applications were rejected by the Home Office in June July 27, 2015 A cap introduced on Tier 2 visas by the Home Office was reached for the first time in June, resulting in 1,329 visa applications being rejected. A freedom of information request by technology publication Techworld showed that after the cap of 1,650 was hit, the UK authorities rejected applications for the first time since it [...]
David Cameron says deals worth more than £750m will be made on south east Asia trip July 27, 2015 As the he embarks on his four-day trip to south-east Asia, David Cameron has said business deals worth in excess of £750m will be made. The trade mission, for which Cameron is accompanied by 31 business leaders, aims to forge links to the area to exploit emerging markets which could open up new channels for [...]
Lord Sewel suspended from the Labour party following drug and prostitution allegations July 27, 2015 After allegedly taking drugs with prostitutes, Lord Sewel has been suspended by the Labour party and has been urged to stand down from the House of Lords. While Sewel has not yet made a comment on the claims, he has already resigned as Lords deputy speaker and chairman of the Lords privileges and conduct committee. [...]
Scottish secretary David Mundell: There are no plans for a second Scottish independence referendum July 27, 2015 Following Alex Salmond's remarks yesterday, it looks like in-fighting between Westminster and Holyrood about the prospects of another Scottish independence referendum isn't going to go away, after Scottish secretary David Mundell waded in saying there are no plans in place for such a vote to take place. Read more: SNP could be eyeing a second Scottish [...]
Tories under fire over all-male shortlist in London mayoral race July 26, 2015 The Conservative party is facing fallout over its all-male shortlist of candidates to replace Boris Johnson as mayor of London. CCHQ said over the weekend that voters would be able to choose among London Assembly member Andrew Boff, Richmond Park MP Zac Goldsmith, London MEP Syed Kamall and deputy mayor Stephen Greenhalgh in an open [...]
Economist Joseph Stiglitz not shocked by Labour lurch: The rise of Jeremy Corbyn gets a big supporter July 26, 2015 A cosy, dimly-lit Mayfair cocktail bar with a stage for live music is not the first place you would expect to find a Nobel prize winning economist on a Sunday morning. Firebrand American polemicist Joseph Stiglitz was in town during an eyebrow-raising period for the British left. But while many in Westminster are shocked by [...]
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras under pressure to respond to Drachma plan rumours July 26, 2015 Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is under pressure to explain rumours that members of his ruling Syriza party intended to return to the drachma by raiding central bank reserves and hacking into taxpayers' accounts. Read more: Greek stock market could re-open on Tuesday after being shut for a month Far-left members who opposed a reform [...]