Markus Andrews

The wife of Conservative MP David Warburton is said to be “standing by” him as he faces an investigation into his alleged misconduct.It comes as the MP was admitted to a psychiatric hospital on Sunday, after a report emerged that a parliamentary watchdog is probing alleged sexual harassment and drug use claims.The Somerton and Frome MP, who has had the whip withdrawn by the Conservative Party, is now receiving medical treatment for shock and stress, his wife confirmed to the BBC.Mr Warburton’s brother-in-law, Jonathan Baker-Bates, said the MP and his wife of 20 years believed he had “not done anything wrong”.Mr Baker-Bates, brother of Harriet Warburton told the Mail that the couple were “absolutely … standing by each other”.He said: “They’ve always been a very happy couple for as long as I’ve known them. Harriet is obviously affected herself. I think she is obviously finding it hard.”“She seems to be surprised by it as much as anyone else,” Mr Baker-Bates added. “Her line is as his – he’s not done anything wrong and these things have explanations.”Mr Warburton is facing claims his conduct is being examined by Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS).Following the publication of an image which appeared to show the Tory MP pictured alongside lines of a white substance, his brother-in-law said “that behaviour is out of character”.Mr Baker-Bates also questioned whether the allegations could be part of a “fix-up”.“As far as I know, that behaviour is out of character and the wider allegations appear out of character,” he told the paper. “He was always very conscious that he is an MP so it is surprising in that context.”The Sunday Times reported that two women had made formal complaints to the ICGS about Mr Warburton’s behaviour and a third woman had also made allegations about his conduct.All three women accuse him of unwanted sexual comments and sexual touching, the newspaper said, and the latter also accuses the MP of having used cocaine at her home.According to the report, the two women who complained to the ICGS were former parliamentary aides, while the other met him through politics.Mr Warburton is said to deny any wrongdoing. He was cited as telling The Telegraph: “I have enormous amounts of defence, but unfortunately the way that things work means that doesn’t come out first.“I have heard nothing whatsoever from the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme. I’m sorry, I can’t comment any further.”Transport secretary Grant Shapps earlier said that allegations about Mr Warburton’s conduct should be investigated and the facts established.Mr Rees-Mogg said on LBC on Monday that he felt sorry on a “personal level” about Mr Warburton’s position, but there was a need for a “proper process” to make sure people could feel safe working in parliament.Meanwhile, fellow cabinet minister Simon Hart said he was a “staunch defender” of MPs being able to employ their spouses.The Sunday Times said two complainants sidestepped Mr Warburton’s Commons office in part due to the person responsible for handling HR complaints being his wife Harriet, whom he employs on a publicly funded salary, which could be worth up to £52,000.Mr Hart, who also employs his wife, was asked on Times Radio whether MPs should be allowed to give family members jobs.“I think that’s actually pretty insulting towards so many husbands, wives and partners who do a really good job in parliament, work bloody hard, and provide the taxpayer real value for money,” he said.A Commons spokesperson said: “Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) operates on the basis of absolute confidentiality. Therefore, we cannot provide any information on complaints or investigation, including whether or not a complaint has been received.” More

A former Whitehall ethics chief has reportedly been fined in connection with a party held during lockdown.Helen MacNamara, an ex-deputy cabinet secretary, is said to be among the first wave of people to be dealt a fixed-penalty notice (FPN) by the Metropolitan Police as part of its investigation into the Partygate scandal.She received the fine on Friday in relation to a leaving party at the Cabinet Office on 18 June 2020 to mark the departure of a private secretary, according to the The Daily Telegraph.Ms MacNamara was the director general of propriety and ethics in the Cabinet Office from 2018 to 2020 and left government to work for the Premier League.The purpose of her role was to ensure the highest standards of propriety, integrity and governance within government.It has also been reported by ITV News that Boris Johnson will not be interviewed by the Metropolitan Police as part of their investigation into the string of lockdown-busting parties held in Whitehall.This is because the force is not interviewing those who have received questionnaires as part of the inquiries, the broadcaster said.The Met is investigating 12 events, including as many as six that Mr Johnson is said to have attended. The force has sent out more than 100 questionnaires, including one to Mr Johnson in February.It follows several reports that suggest people have also received £50 fines linked with a gathering that took place on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral last year. These FPNs were among the initial round of 20 issued by the Metropolitan Police.Downing Street staff attended two separate parties on the evening before the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral during strict Covid rules, which saw the Queen forced to sit alone as she bid farewell to her husband of 73 years, it has been alleged.Two events were reported to have been held on the evening of 16 April 2021 – when the country was under step two Covid-19 restrictions which banned indoor mixing.Both events were said to be leaving parties for staff working in the prime minister’s inner team. One was reportedly held for James Slack, Boris Johnson’s then-director of communications, and the other for the prime minister’s personal photographer.Witnesses said that “excessive alcohol” was drunk, attendees danced to music DJ’d by a special adviser, and the gatherings lasted beyond midnight.The Guardian reports that a note sent by the Operation Hillman team, investigating the lockdown-breaching events, told some of them that it had been “assessed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that you committed an offence in contravention of the regulations”.The email, which was received by some late last week, added: “In light of this, you are to be reported for the issuance of a fixed penalty notice (FPN), offering you the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for the offence by payment of a fixed penalty.”A spokesperson for Scotland Yard told The Independent it would not be providing a “running commentary” on the fines issued, or the identities of those issued a FPN.But last week, the Met confirmed that 20 Covid offences in Downing Street and Whitehall had so far resulted in fines.The referrals represented the first penalties to be imposed in relation to a series of 12 gatherings in 2020 and 2021 and the first police confirmation that coronavirus laws were broken.With additional reporting from PA More

Tory MP David Warburton has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital after an investigation was launched into allegations about his behaviour.The Somerton and Frome MP, who has had the Tory whip removed, is being treated for shock and stress.It comes after it emerged his conduct was being examined by the parliamentary harassment watchdog following sexual harassment and drug use claims.The Sunday Times reported two women had filed formal complaints to parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) about Mr Warburton’s behaviour, while a third woman made allegations about his conduct.The allegations reported by the newspaper relate to sexual misconduct and a claim he had taken cocaine.Mr Warburton is said to deny any wrongdoing. He is quoted as telling The Telegraph: “I have enormous amounts of defence, but unfortunately the way that things work means that doesn’t come out first.“I have heard nothing whatsoever from the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme. I’m sorry, I can’t comment any further.”A spokesperson for the Whips Office previously said: “David Warburton MP has had the Conservative Party whip removed while the investigation is ongoing.”Mr Warburton has been MP for Somerton and Frome since 2015.The former businessman is chair of the all-party parliamentary group on music and has previously been a member of the European scrutiny committee.He lives near Somerton, in Somerset, with his wife and their two children.The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme was set up in 2019 following the MeToo movement in Westminster.Anyone working in parliament can contact the helpline about incidents of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct. More

Boris Johnson is poised to bow to pressure from Conservative MPs to block new onshore wind farms, rejecting calls to kickstart the industry in response to the energy crisis.A long-delayed “energy independence plan” is set to maintain planning rules that allow just a single local objection to kill off proposed schemes in England. These rules have been blamed for a falling off in investment in onshore wind.No 10 has considered scrapping the effective veto, but a government spokesperson said: “Any decisions on onshore wind will always be subject to consent from local communities.”The decision comes despite pressure from Kwasi Kwarteng, the business secretary, who wants to double the power generated by onshore wind turbines by 2030 in order to help wean the UK off Russian gas.Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, laid bare the cabinet split when he branded wind turbines an “eyesore” that “sit on the hills” and create “problems of noise”.Meanwhile a Tory backbencher has warned the prime minister of a party backlash that would scupper any attempt to dilute the planning restrictions that were imposed, under similar pressure, by David Cameron’s government.James Gray told BBC Radio 4 that some 120 MPs are in a WhatsApp group opposing wind and solar farms, adding: “The government would not be able to get a change through without our support. We need to preserve our countryside, we need to preserve fields. And if I have to make a fuss about it, I’m going to. Watch out, Mr Government – here I come.”The energy strategy will finally be published this week, but will focus on reviving nuclear power and expanding offshore wind, as well as on controversial new North Sea oil and gas licences.The shadow business secretary criticised the government’s stance, arguing that onshore wind power is crucial to “secure supplies that are renewable and that meet our net-zero objectives”. Labour’s Jonathan Reynolds said: “The government are really making a mistake if they believe that onshore wind, which is the cheapest form of new electricity generation, isn’t going to be part of the solution to this.”But earlier, Mr Shapps said of the turbines: “They sit on the hills there and can create something of an eyesore for communities, as well as actual problems of noise. So I think, for reasons of environmental protection, the way to go with this is largely – not entirely – but largely [offshore].”The transport secretary indicated that the prime minister backs his view, something he said would be apparent when the strategy is released, probably on Thursday.“What you really want to do is develop in other ways – nuclear, we will have offshore wind. I don’t think you want a huge expansion of onshore wind,” he said.Mr Johnson is pushing to get 25 per cent of the UK’s electricity from nuclear power, which will require up to six new power stations to be built at a cost that is alarming the chancellor, Rishi Sunak.However, the National Infrastructure Commission has warned that nuclear plants are “incredibly difficult to deliver on short timescales” and that any begun now may not come online until the mid-2040s. More

Grant Shapps has revealed he is struggling to get the Ukrainian family he wants to host into the UK, laying bare the long delays dogging the refugee scheme.The transport secretary made the offer three weeks ago – and was “in touch” with the family concerned a week later – but the application has still not been processed.The three-generation family from Kyiv, a mother, her six-year-old son, her grandmother, 75, and their dog Max, are due to live at Mr Shapps’ home in Hertfordshire, after he “found them on Facebook”.But, speaking to Times Radio, Mr Shapps revealed his struggles, saying: “I just want to get the family over here, you know, and feel that they’re safe and living with us.”The problems emerged after the government admitted that just one in 10 applications to the Homes for Ukraine had been granted – only 2,700 of 28,300 applications, by last Wednesday.The UK, alone in Europe, has refused to waive normal bureaucratic visa rules, arguing it would expose the country to potential terrorism or further chemical attacks by Russian agents.The newly-appointed refugees minister has admitted only “hundreds” of refugees have arrived in Britain under the scheme – after Boris Johnson declined to disclose the number.Richard Harrington is vowing to speed up the processing, setting the ambitious target of dealing with cases within two days and to bring in 15,000 people each week.The Homes for Ukraine scheme has been set up to allow refugees with no family links to come to Britain and be sponsored by members of the public, who will be paid £350 per month for doing so.A staggering 150,000-plus people quickly registered their interest in becoming hosts – but many have since lashed out at the red tape of a 51-page application form, while the lives of potential refugees are in grave danger.Mr Shapps has explored enrolling the child at a local primary school and will use one of his own children’s bedrooms to house the family while they are at university.He admitted the delays he is facing are “frustrating” but defended the lengthy form-filling and security checks involved.“It wouldn’t be beyond Putin to put Russian saboteurs into groups of people fleeing the country, and I think it is reasonable [that] the UK would want to carry out some checks,” he argued.He is the only cabinet minister believed to be hosting refugees, after the prime minister and Michael Gove suggested it would be too difficult for them to do so.Lord Harrington told The Sunday Times: “I am happy to say publicly that my target is 48 hours from when they download the application form to when they are given permission to travel.”The Independent has a proud history of campaigning for the rights of the most vulnerable, and we first ran our Refugees Welcome campaign during the war in Syria in 2015. Now, as we renew our campaign and launch this petition in the wake of the unfolding Ukrainian crisis, we are calling on the government to go further and faster to ensure help is delivered. To find out more about our Refugees Welcome campaign, click here. To sign the petition click here. If you would like to donate then please click here for our GoFundMe page. More

Grant Shapps described on shore wind farms as an ‘eyesore’ for communities Boris Johnson’s cabinet remains split on how to move forward with energy plans, with the transport secretary expressing his opposing views publicly. Grant Shapps has said the government’s upcoming energy security strategy will not include plans to increase onshore wind farms. He previously described onshore wind farms as “something of an eyesore” which cause noise problems, and has suggested the government proceed with solar, tidal, offshore wind farms and new nuclear energy. The government’s energy strategy was set to be published last week, but has since been delayed. The plan will include the government’s aims for more renewable energy and to reduce the UK’s reliance on Russian fuel. Show latest update

1648993082We’re pausing on live updates for today. Thank you for following.Aisha Rimi3 April 2022 14:381648989658Facts need to be established amid allegations against MP David Warburton, says ministerAllegations about the conduct of David Warburton should be investigated and the facts established, said transport secretary Grant Shapps.Mr Shapps made the comments when asked about the backbench MP having the Tory whip withdrawn pending an investigation into claims about his conduct.The allegations, relating to sexual misconduct and a claim he had taken cocaine, are being examined by Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS).Amy Gibbons has more: Aisha Rimi3 April 2022 13:401648988736 Labour proposes a package of “emergency” measures to help ease rising costs on businessesIn an effort to ease the burden of rising costs on businesses, Labour has proposed a package of “emergency measures” – including an immediate tax cut. Alongside the tax cut, Labour’s proposals include an energy support fund, a “green steel” fund and the scrapping of the scheduled hike in national insuranceUnder the proposed plans, a pub would be £2,600 better off, while for the average cafe or restaurant, it would be £2,700. Jonathan Reynolds, shadow business secretary, said businesses are facing a “tidal wave of extra costs” and so are being “held back” under the Tory government. Amy Gibbons has more: More

Onshore wind turbines are “an eyesore” and the current effective block on their construction should be kept in place, a cabinet minister says.Grant Shapps came out against “a big expansion” of the renewable technology – exposing government splits ahead of a long-delayed “energy independence plan”.“They sit on the hills and can create something of an eyesore for communities,” the transport secretary said, adding there are “problems of noise as well”.The energy strategy – due to be finally unveiled this week – should “largely” reject onshore wind for those “reasons of environmental protection”, Mr Shapps told Sky News.Instead, the plans should focus on reviving nuclear power and expanding offshore wind, he argued, adding: “Britain’s got more offshore wind power than any other country in the world.”The call comes as Kwasi Kwarteng, the business secretary, pushes to double onshore wind turbine power by 2030, as part of the drive to wean the UK off Russian gas, following the Ukraine invasion.In a newspaper interview, Mr Kwarteng said he would not mind living next to a turbine, explaining: “I don’t have a huge antipathy to them.”But Mr Shapps suggested Boris Johnson is on his side of the clash, adding: “I think you will find our opinions are very closely aligned on this.”Asked if he was opposing the relaxation of planning laws – the route to building more wind farms – Mr Shapps argued “the way to go with this is largely, not entirely, but largely off-sea”.“I don’t think you want a huge expansion of onshore wind. There may be cases where it makes sense, but I think. by and large, we’ve established that offshore works very well.” he said.Cabinet rows over whether to relax planning rules to lift the block on onshore wind turbines have helped delay the new energy strategy – promised one month ago.The prime minister is also pushing to get 25 per cent of the UK’s electricity from nuclear power – requiring up to six new power stations – at a cost that is alarming Rishi Sunak, the chancellor.Meanwhile, Labour is urging the government to prepare to ration oil and gas as the Ukraine war deepens the energy crisis, accusing ministers of “complacency”.Germany, Austria and the Netherlands are among European countries considering restrictions on supplies, because of their heavy dependence on Russian energy.Asked if the UK should “do the same”, Jonathan Reynolds, Labour’s shadow business secretary replied: “We should be making those plans”.He told the BBC: “The government should be preparing, not necessarily in public, for that situation. There’s a lot of complacency in this country about the relative lower exposure to Russian gas that we have.But Mr Shapps quickly insisted rationing will not be needed, saying: “ It’s not the route that we want to go down.” More

Labour is urging the government to prepare to ration oil and gas as the Ukraine war deepens the energy crisis, accusing ministers of “complacency”.Germany, Austria and the Netherlands are among European countries considering restrictions on supplies, because of their heavy dependence on Russian energy.Asked if the UK should “do the same”, Jonathan Reynolds, Labour’s shadow business secretary replied: “We should be making those plans”.He told the BBC: “The government should be preparing, not necessarily in public, for that situation. There’s a lot of complacency in this country about the relative lower exposure to Russian gas that we have.“We should bear in mind that part of the supply that comes to this country from, for instance, Norway – or from the liquefied natural gas that goes into the terminals – that is partly because Russian gas is fulfilling the demands of central Europe.”But the transport secretary Grant Shapps quickly insisted rationing will not be needed, saying: “ It’s not the route that we want to go down.”Mr Shapps ruled it out as he opposed an expansion of onshore wind turbines, exposing government splits ahead of a long-delayed “energy independence plan”.The renewable energy source is “an eyesore” that creates “noise problems” and the current effective block on construction should be kept in place, he said.The UK announced last month that it will end Russian oil imports by the end of the year, while “exploring options” to end gas imports as well, to punish it for the Ukraine invasion.Boris Johnson has urging EU allies to follow his lead, a task much tougher for the EU, which depends on Russia for 40 per cent of its gas and around a quarter of its oil.However, The Independent revealed Rishi Sunak’s warning that the UK will suffer a £70bn economic hit and be plunged into recession, if Europe acted now – underlining the continent’s independence.Mr Reynolds spoke out as he said the government’s energy plan must not be “simply shopping from one authoritarian regime to the next for fossil fuels”.He called for a “long-term plan on renewables or nuclear and energy efficiency that would make the difference”.“Looking at the images coming out of Ukraine right now, I don’t think we should be talking about going back to business as usual where we just buy large quantities of fossil fuels,” the shadow business secretary said.But, asked if he considered rationing oil and gas a “good idea” for the UK to explore, Mr Shapps replied “No, I don’t.”. Asked if he can rule it out “completely”, he said: “Yes, I can.”Earlier, attacking an expansion of onshore wind turbines, he argued” “They sit on the hills and can create something of an eyesore for communities.” More