Biden’s new UK ambassador accused of being an ‘amateur diplomat’ January 20, 2022 President Joe Biden has been accused of appointing an “amateur” as his ambassador to the UK by a former diplomat. Former ambassador to France and Monaco under the Obama administration, Jane Hartley was last night announced as London’s new ambassador, who will take up a Georgian-style mansion in Regent’s Park during the role. Hartley, 71, [...]
Johnson denies knowledge of alleged Number 10 ‘blackmail’ of rebel MPs January 20, 2022 Boris Johnson has denied all knowledge of allegations that members of his government have tried blackmailing rebel MPs that are looking to force a vote of no-confidence in his leadership. The Prime Minister said he had “seen no evidence to support any of those allegations”, with Number 10 saying they would examine any forthcoming evidence [...]
EU to introduce laws to drive microchip production and fight ongoing shortages January 20, 2022 The European Commission is set to propose a draft legislation for the regulation of microchips at the start of next month, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said this morning.
UK and Australia to partner on climate-resilient infrastructure investment in the Indo-Pacific January 20, 2022 The UK and Australia have tabled an agreement which will see closer cooperation on offering finance for infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific. The new deal sets the stage for disaster resilient and climate adapted infrastructure, foreign secretary Liz Truss confirmed today. The government aims to mobilise £8bn of UK-backed financing a year by 2050, as the [...]
Ouch! Sir Tony Blair says there is no plan for Britain’s future as Boris Johnson is simply not prepared for Brexit and tech revolution January 20, 2022 Boris Johnson is lacking a coherent blueprint for dealing with the major strategic challenges facing the UK, according to former prime minister Siry Tony Blair. In an online address later today, Blair will say that whether or not Mr Johnson survives the row over Downing Street his biggest problem is the absence of a plan [...]
Post-Brexit move to replace EU state aid rules clears first hurdle January 20, 2022 A post-Brexit move to replace EU state aid rules has cleared its first hurdle in the House of Lords. The Subsidy Control Bill received an unopposed second reading by peers. The legislation sets out how central government, devolved administrations, local authorities and other public bodies should make decisions to award subsidies. The new regime replaces [...]
Boris Johnson battles on as premiership is no longer on life support despite MP defection and Tory demands to resign January 20, 2022 The Prime Minister is battling on despite a senior Tory demanding “in the name of God, go” and a Conservative MP defected to Labour over allegations of rule-breaking parties in Downing Street. Former Brexit secretary David Davis called for the Prime Minister’s resignation in a Commons intervention on Wednesday before later warning the party faces [...]
And they’re off! The Tory party looks for alternatives amid Johnson struggles January 20, 2022 ON Tuesday morning of this week, the furore surrounding Boris Johnson’s attendance at a lockdown garden party in May 2020 appeared to be dying down in Westminster. The Prime Minister’s apology in the house had, it seemed, put judgment day on hold until the publication of the now infamous Cabinet Office report from Sue Gray. [...]
Less than one in five punters back Government plans to let bookies run ‘affordability’ checks January 20, 2022 Fewer than one in five punters would be willing to let betting companies access their bank accounts or wage slips in order to have a flutter, a new poll has revealed.
UK and US advance discussions over ending Trump-era steel tariffs January 19, 2022 The UK and the US have agreed to intensify discussions over ending Donald Trump-era tariffs on British steel and aluminium, with talks set to begin as soon as tomorrow. International trade secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan spoke with US secretary of commerce Gina Raimondo today, with the pair announcing they were both committed to “an expeditious outcome [...]