Donald Trump vows to ‘no longer deal with’ UK’s ambassador to US after memo leaks July 8, 2019 Donald Trump has vowed to cut ties with the UK’s ambassador to Washington after leaked memos showed the British diplomat branded the US president’s administration as “inept” and “uniquely dysfunctional”. Leaked extracts from diplomatic telegrams were published by the Mail on Sunday, and chronicled Sir Kim Darroch’s criticisms of the White House. Theresa May says [...]
Former Metropolitan Police chiefs blame Theresa May for ’emasculating’ forces and leaving Britain in fear July 6, 2019 Five former heads of Scotland Yard have penned a letter to Theresa May blaming her for the “emasculation of British policing”. The former police commissioners said May was responsible for leaving the public in fear, that resources had been “drained to dangerously low levels” and victims had “perilously low expectations”. Read more: Police evacuate Lloyd’s [...]
Crimes in parliament soar by almost 50 per cent in last two years July 1, 2019 Crimes committed within the parliamentary estate in Westminster have soared by almost 50 per cent in the last two years, according to new data revealed today. Among the most commonly committed offences were assault, robbery, blackmail and drug possession, figures Sky News acquired from the Metropolitan Police showed. Read more: Jeremy Hunt reveals no-deal Brexit [...]
Police called to Boris Johnson’s home after reports of altercation June 22, 2019 Police were called to the home of Boris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds in the early hours of Friday after neighbours reportedly raised concerns over a loud altercation. A neighbour told the Guardian they heard a woman screaming followed by “slamming and banging”. Read more: Tory leadership race: Boris Johnson takes on Jeremy Hunt [...]
Sticks and stones may break my bones June 14, 2019 We live in a world which is becoming ever more difficult to satirise. Reality now far outstrips parody for overblown farce and exaggerated absurdity. Back in 2000, The Simpsons featured a flash-forward episode which foresaw a ridiculous future in which property mogul and vapid celebrity Donald Trump had become President of the United States. Switch [...]
Lloyd’s of London insurer opens investigation amid ‘fresh harassment claims’ June 11, 2019 Tokio Marine Kiln (TMK), one of the Lloyd’s of London’s top insurance firms, is conducting an investigation amid claims two executives harassed colleagues. The claims deepen the scandal surrounding workplace culture at Lloyd’s of London. Allegations are believed to include one executive groping colleagues and making lewd sexual remarks. Another has been accused of stalking [...]
D-Day offers some perspective for anyone consumed with the current ‘national crisis’ June 7, 2019 On Monday, I took part in BBC Radio 4’s Start the Week, which this week focused on the concept of a national crisis – and how countries get out of it. Academic and author Jared Diamond’s new book Upheaval draws parallels between how an individual deals with a personal crisis to how nations overcome them. [...]
Mind the expectation gap: Sadiq Khan is a disappointment to London May 29, 2019 When Sadiq Khan was elected as London mayor just over three years ago, it was off the back of some big promises. The new mayor reassured us that he was going to make our city a “safe and secure place”. He pledged that we wouldn’t pay a penny more to travel around the capital, although this [...]
Police give all-clear after Whitehall lockdown to investigate ‘suspect item’ May 23, 2019 Police closed off Whitehall earlier this afternoon to investigate a “suspect item”. Road closures were in place around the centre of government after the Metropolitan Police got to the scene at 12.01pm. Read more: May U-turns on publishing Brexit Bill “Specialist officers are now in attendance”, the Met said shortly after midday, confirming that the [...]
Greenpeace activists blockade BP’s London offices in climate change protest May 20, 2019 Environmental protesters have blockaded BP’s central London headquarters this morning as they claim “this is a climate emergency”. Read more: Extinction Rebellion founder wants to upend the UK's financial sector Greenpeace activists have set up five steel containers outside all entrances to BP’s offices in St James's Square, W1. On Twitter, the group said: “Volunteers have [...]