Fraud minister who resigned this week opens up: ‘I didn’t want to blow my top, but I was very angry’ January 29, 2022 The government minister who quit this week over the “schoolboy” handling of fraudulent Covid-19 business loans said of his resignation during a speech at the despatch box in the House of Lords: “I didn’t want to blow my top, but I was very angry.” Lord Agnew of Oulton, who was the Tories’ anti-fraud minister, says [...]
Sue Gray furious after police intervention as Scotland Yard contacts ‘partygate’ suspects January 29, 2022 Sue Gray, the civil servant looking into the lockdown-breaking parties allegedly held at No 10, is furious after the Met’s intervention. Gray, who was told by Scotland Yard on Friday to make “minimal reference” to the parties, was frustrated and angered by the situation, as her report is expected to be published within days, the [...]
Ukraine: Boris Johnson to call Putin and visit Eastern Europe January 29, 2022 Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to call Russian President Vladimir Putin in the next days, visiting Eastern Europe as part of the UK’s diplomatic efforts to solve the Ukrainian crisis. Downing Street said Johnson will focus on Russia’s need to “engage diplomatically”, reiterating “the need for Russia to step back,” the BBC reported. In [...]
Scotland Yard urges Sue Gray to make only ‘minimal reference’ to events investigated by police January 28, 2022 Scotland Yard asked for the Whitehall inquiry into allegations of lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street to make only “minimal reference” to the events being investigated by police. In a statement, it said: “For the events the Met is investigating, we asked for minimal reference to be made in the Cabinet Office report. “The Met did [...]
PM mulls tax hike U-turn as govt awaits Sue Gray’s report: ‘Boris would now do anything to survive’ January 28, 2022 While questions loom over the future of Boris Johnson’s premiership in light of an official inquiry into partygate allegations, the prime minister is reportedly wavering on controversial plans to raise national insurance. The PM is under pressure from some Tory MPs to scrap the tax hike to win back support as he awaits the findings [...]
Did he or did he not? Boris Johnson under pressure to clarify role in Afghan animal airlift January 27, 2022 The Prime Minister is coming under increasing pressure to explain his role in the evacuation of animals from Afghanistan amid reports he did influence their removal from Kabul, despite his denials. No 10 has repeatedly said Johnson had no involvement in pushing for help for the charity Nowzad, after accusations that officials’ time was taken [...]
Westminster nervously awaits Sue Gray report on partygate as police probe shoots to top of Boris Johnson’s priority list January 26, 2022 Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said No 10 had still not received the Sue Gray report on Wednesday morning. Truss was asked on Sky News this morning: “Are we right in saying that Downing Street hasn’t yet received the Sue Gray report?” She responded: “That’s correct. And, of course, it’s an independent report, it’s a matter [...]
Boris Johnson did have surprise birthday party during lockdown and yes, it was indoors, No 10 admits January 25, 2022 Downing Street has admitted the Prime Minister did have a birthday celebration inside No 10 during the first lockdown. Downing Street conceded that staff “gathered briefly” in the Cabinet Room following a meeting after it was alleged 30 people attended and shared cake despite social mixing indoors being banned. A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “A [...]
Scotland Yard to meet MP over claims Boris Johnson critics are being blackmailed January 22, 2022 Police are to meet with William Wragg, to discuss his claims that Downing Street has tried to intimidate and blackmail MPs questioning the Prime Minister’s position. Johnson has come under fire in recent weeks following revelations of lockdown parties held at Downing Street, with several Tory MPs calling for him to go. Wragg is to [...]
Studying Boris Johnson’s £335bn idea of a bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland cost taxpayer £900,000 January 21, 2022 A study commissioned by Prime Minister Boris Johnson into which found it would be too expensive to build a bridge or tunnel between Scotland and Northern Ireland cost taxpayers nearly £900,000. The Department for Transport (DfT) said the research into the feasibility of a fixed link cost £896,681. Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy led [...]