Jennifer Arcuri blames media ‘attack’ for scrutiny over Boris Johnson relationship October 3, 2019 US businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri has reportedly denied allegations that Boris Johnson helped her to win business grants and a visa. The tech entrepreneur said she was instead the victim of an “orchestrated attack” by media, according to comments in the Daily Mail, which spoke to her in Los Angeles. Read more: Allegations around Jennifer Arcuri [...]
Politicians live in a social media-driven world. Is this a good thing? October 3, 2019 It’s odd to see a constitutional crisis be upstaged by a disposable cup. Yet that’s exactly what happened at the Conservative party conference this week. Amid the platitudes, lanyards, and infighting, it was a simple receptacle that took centre stage. While TV cameras escorted Boris Johnson through the halls of Manchester Central Convention Complex on [...]
DEBATE: Is the departure of Dave Lewis a problem for Tesco? October 3, 2019 Is the surprise departure of Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis a serious problem for the company? YES, says Adam Vettese, an investment analyst at multi-asset investment platform eToro. It’s going to be a challenge for Tesco. To say that Dave Lewis will be a tough act to follow is an understatement. He took over at [...]
Woodford Patient Capital Trust accused of stretching rules on unquoted holdings October 2, 2019 The biggest holding in Neil Woodford’s Patient Capital Trust (WPCT) is listed on an obscure stock exchange where its shares have only been traded once since it listed in February, it has emerged. Investec analysts have questioned whether Rutherford Health should be treated as a listed holding by WPCT, given that its shares have only [...]
Boris Johnson conference speech 2019 live: PM rules out checks at border October 2, 2019 This is a rolling news story, so please refresh to get the most recent updates 2.10pm: Bookies cut odds on no-deal Brexit Meanwhile, Johnson’s insistence that the only alternative to a Brexit deal is a no-deal Brexit meant bookies shortened the odds on that outcome. Ladbrokes put odds at 5/2 in favour of a no-deal [...]
Tory conference 2019: These are the biggest news stories so far October 2, 2019 This article is updated regularly, please refresh the page for the latest Tory conference news. Welcome to our wrap up of all of the announcements coming out of the Conservative Party Conference 2019. The Prime Minister is currently making his big Tory conference speech. Boris Johnson gives Tory conference speech Boris Johnson has said that [...]
Boris Johnson denies plan for post-Brexit ‘customs clearance sites’ in Ireland October 1, 2019 Boris Johnson has denied reports his government has proposed “customs clearance sites” as a way of getting around the Irish backstop to clinch a Brexit deal. Speaking to the BBC this morning, the Prime Minister rubbished reports which surfaced overnight as “a needless distortion.” Read more: City minister warns against turning away from EU rules [...]
The chancellor should deliver tax cuts, not more spending October 1, 2019 Sajid Javid used his major conference speech yesterday to announce a raft of new spending pledges. The chancellor’s focus was infrastructure and rural areas, with money promised for bus networks, roads, and the rollout of 5G. This sits alongside the strapline of this year’s Conservative party conference itself, which focuses on spending more on the [...]
Watchdog calls for clearer investor warnings in wake of Woodford saga September 30, 2019 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will introduce tougher rules for funds that invest in hard-to-sell assets following the suspension of Neil Woodford’s flagship fund. In a policy statement published today, the financial regulator also said investors should be given better warnings about the risks they face if they want to be able to withdraw their [...]
Neil Woodford’s role at risk as listed fund suffers £232m loss September 30, 2019 Woodford Patient Capital Trust (WPCT) is considering the position of beleaguered fund manager Neil Woodford after the fund reported a £232m loss and a significant writedown in the value of its portfolio. WPCT said its assets dropped a further 21 per cent in value during the past three months, with chairman Susan Searle describing the [...]