Markus Andrews

Boris Johnson has told MPs he should not be blamed for helping to incite an attack on opposition leader Keir Starmer because it would let the “thugs” who carried it out “off the hook”.The prime minister was branded “disgraceful” in the House of Commons on Wednesday for repeating claims linking Sir Keir to a decision not to prosecute the notorious sex offender.He was widely criticised, including by his own Tory MPs, after the Labour leader was days later accosted by a mob in Westminster shouting about Savile’s crimes.But urged to “reconsider his words, repent and resign” today by Labour backbencher Ruth Jones, he said: “I don’t think she should … let the thugs and yobs who bullied and harassed the honourable gentleman off the hook, because they are culpable.”At least 12 Tory MPs – including David Davis, Sir Roger Gale, Stephen Hammond, Tobias Ellwood and Julian Smith – have now tweeted criticism of the prime minister or spoken publicly condemning his remarks.His long-standing ally Munira Mirza quit as head of policy at No 10 last week in protest at his refusal to withdraw what she called a “scurrilous accusation”.Although Sir Keir was head of the Crown Prosecution Service in 2009 when a decision was taken not to prosecute Savile, he had no personal involvement in the deliberations.However, supporters of the prime minister argue that they are entitled to hold him to account for the failings of the organisation. More

Boris Johnson has announced the government wants to end all domestic Covid-19 restrictions in England, including the legal requirement to self-isolate, a month earlier than planned.The prime minister told MPs: “Provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions – including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive – a full month early.”He said he would present the government’s “Living With Covid” strategy when the Commons returns from its recess on 21 February. Aides said remaining restrictions are expected to be lifted by February 24 at the latest.The move will make England the first major nation to stand down all of its domestic coronavirus rules, as Downing Street said that the country was “entering the stage of endemicity” of the disease, thanks to a successful vaccine and booster programme. Mr Johnson’s remarks, however, came as Office for National Statistics figures showed Covid-19 infection levels have risen in most parts of the UK, with only Wales showing a clear week-on-week figures.In England around one in 19 people in private households were estimated to have had the virus in the week to February 5, or 2.8 million people – up from one in 20, or 2.6 million people, in the week to January 29, though the ONS described the trend as “uncertain”.As well as ending the legal requirement to isolate, legal powers for councils to shut down premises linked to outbreaks will be removed. But no changes are expected to international travel restrictions, and the supply of testing kits free of charge will continue, said Mr Johnson’s official spokesperson.Guidance will remain in place to stay home after a positive Covid test – as with any infectious disease – but it will not be legally enforceable. No 10 declined to say whether the £500 support payment for those isolating will be withdrawn.“It is my intention to return on the first day after the half-term recess to present our strategy for living with Covid,” the prime minister said.Under the current Covid rules, individuals who test positive for the virus are ordered to self-isolate for at least five days and can face considerable fines for non-compliance.Regulations mandating people to wear face masks in certain settings and guidance to work from home to contain the spread of the virus, however, ended in January.Mr Johnson’s spokesperson told reporters that the publication of the plan will be dependent on last-minute approval by cabinet.“This would mean us moving faster than other large European countries and it’s right we do it at the right time,” he said. “The success of our vaccination programme means that we are able to move faster.“But we’ve always moved with an element of caution, as is right when there is still a global pandemic.”Devolved nations will make their own decisions on whether to move at the same time as England, and cities like London which still require face-coverings on public transport will be permitted to continue to do so.Last month, Mr Johnson told the Commons that the government would replace legal requirements with advice and guidance, saying he expected “not to renew” the self-isolation rules after they expire on March 24.The move to bring forward the date by a month will inevitably be viewed as an attempt to bolster his support among Conservative MPs, and was immediately welcomed by the former Brexit secretary Lord David Frost.“The PM’s plan to end all Covid restrictions a month early is the right thing do & is extremely welcome. I hope the government will also make clear we will not go down the road of coercive lockdowns ever again”.But Lobby Akinnola, spokesperson for Covid-19 bereaved families for justice campaign group, said: “Whilst the Prime Minister is bragging about lifting restrictions a month early, we’re struggling to keep up with the number of hearts that need to be drawn on the Covid Memorial Wall. “314 people have died in the last 24 hours from Covid-19, and there are nearly 2000 people dying each week.“The prime minister might wish that this disease was no more dangerous than the flu, but the reality is that he is throwing the most vulnerable in our society to the wolves.”According to the latest daily figures, 66,183 cases of Covid-19 were reported in the UK on Tuesday. A further 314 people died within 28 days of testing positive for the virus — bringing the total government’s official figure to 158,677. More

An MP accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy 14 years ago will stand trial next month. Imran Ahmad Khan, 48, allegedly groped the 15-year-old in January 2008 at a house in Staffordshire.Mr Khan, who was elected as Conservative MP for Wakefield, West Yorkshire, in 2019, appeared at the Old Bailey via video link.Ms Justice McGowan had previously fixed his 10-day trial for 21 March at Southwark Crown Court but has now delayed its start by a week.The judge said: “The fixture of the 21st is broken and we have now set the 28th.”Prosecutor Tom Little QC, said: “The prosecution are trial-ready.”The MP, who denied the single charge of sexual assault when he appeared at the Old Bailey in September, had the Tory whip suspended pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.In June last year he posted a statement on Twitter that read: “It is true that an accusation has been made against me.“May I make it clear from the outset that the allegation, which is from over 13 years ago, is denied in the strongest terms.“This matter is deeply distressing to me and I of course, take it extremely seriously.“To be accused of doing something I did not do is shocking, destabilising, and traumatic.“I am innocent.”Mr Khan, who was born in Wakefield, remains on unconditional bail. More

Boris Johnson is to hold talks on the Ukraine crisis with Nato’s secretary general on Thursday before flying to Poland on a trip designed to reassure eastern European allies about the UK’s support in the face of Russian aggression.Meanwhile Liz Truss will become the first British foreign secretary in more than four years to visit Russia, where she will tell counterpart Sergey Lavrov that it is time for Moscow to call off its build-up of troops near the border with Ukraine.The Polish foreign ministry in Warsaw indicated that Mr Johnson will meet prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki and resident Andrzej Duda, and he is also expected to visit British troops in the country.And Nato announced that the PM will hold talks with secretary general Jens Stoltenberg at its Brussels HQ ahead of a joint press conference early on Thursday morning. Labour said that leader Sir Keir Starmer will also meet Mr Stoltenberg in Brussels later in the day.Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is also expected to visit Moscow this week as part of the high-level international push to resolve the crisis.Ahead of her visit, Ms Truss said: “The UK is determined to stand up for freedom and democracy in Ukraine.“I’m visiting Moscow to urge Russia to pursue a diplomatic solution and make clear that another Russian invasion of a sovereign state would bring massive consequences for all involved.“Russia should be in no doubt about the strength of our response. We have said many times that any further invasion would incur severe costs, including through a co-ordinated package of sanctions.“Russia has a choice here. We strongly encourage them to engage, de-escalate and choose the path of diplomacy.”The UK is prepared to impose what Ms Truss has branded “the toughest sanctions regime against Russia we have ever had” if there is an invasion of Ukraine, targeting those closest to the Kremlin.The visits form part of an intensive period of diplomatic contacts as the international community attempts to defuse tensions around Ukraine.Mr Johnson held talks with Lithuanian PM Ingrida Simonyte in Downing Street and a call with Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte on Tuesday.Russia has insisted it has no plans to invade Ukraine but President Vladimir Putin has raised concerns about Nato expansion in eastern Europe – Ukraine is not a member of the alliance but has received support from the West. More

Ministers defended Boris Johnson’s lockdown quiz on the basis that it did not feature alcohol – before photos emerged of the prime minister with a bottle of bubbly.New images of the PM were reported by the Daily Mirror on Wednesday showing a new angle on the banned social gathering.The picture contradicts earlier claims by ministers in December about what happened at the event when it was first revealed.At the time they took to the airwaves to downplay the gathering on the basis that no booze was being served or drunk.”What do we see in that picture? We see a prime minister on a virtual quiz night for 10 to 15 minutes, to thank his staff – who by the way had no choice but to come in every single day,” Education Nadhim Zahawi told Sky News on 12 December.”Sitting in his office with the two people who are closest working with him, no alcohol on the table, not drinking – on a zoom call or teams call, virtual call – respecting the lockdown rules.”However the latest photograph shows the prime minister with a bottle of what appears to be Prosecco and a half-eaten packets crisps.At the time London was under Tier 2 regulations, which banned any social mixing between two or more people who lived in different households.Social events outside household bubbles were banned under government rules at the time, including with colleagues who might otherwise have been working together.Official guidance stated: “You must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier.” More

Boris Johnson has been confronted over a new picture revealing an open bottle of what appears to be champagne or sparkling wine at a No 10 “virtual” Christmas quiz during lockdown.The prime minister is flanked by three members of staff, one wearing tinsel and another a Santa hat, at the event on December 15, 2020, the image shows.In the Commons, Mr Johnson was told it looked like “one of the Christmas parties” that he had denied took place – but insisted the claim was “completely in error”.The gathering is not one of the 12 being investigated by the Metropolitan police, a probe which has left the prime minister’s survival in office hanging by a thread.In the Commons, Mr Johnson was urged to “refer the matter to the police”, but replied: “That’s precisely the point – it already has been submitted for investigation”.But Adam Wagner, the barrister and expert in lockdown restrictions, said: “We can now see the food and alcohol and an extra person. I think there is no longer any justification for the police not to investigate this event.”At the time, then-vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi argued the gathering could not have been a party – because no alcohol was present.The publication of the photo – by the Daily Mirror – will add to Tory MPs’ fears of a drip-drip of more damaging evidence of Covid rule-breaking in No 10, as the Met inquiry continues.Dominic Cummings, the ousted Johnson aide, who has claimed more evidence will emerge, tweeted: “There’s waaaaay better pics than that floating around, incl in the flat.”That is a reference to the separate alleged party hosted by the prime minister’s wife, in November 2020, when ABBA songs were heard being played, at loud volume.At a stormy prime minister’s questions, Mr Johnson was also warned, by former Tory chief whip Mark Harper, not to stall on publishing the full Sue Gray report – once the Met inquiry is completed.“I will immediately publish in full whatever Sue Gray gives me,” MPs were told – although it is not clear whether that report will include the 300-plus photos and 500-plus pages of written evidence she has gathered.Mr Johnson was accused of personally breaking Covid laws by hosting the festive event in December 2020 – but No 10 argued quiz participants had joined virtually.At the time, London was under Tier 2 regulations banning any social mixing between two or more people from different households.Official guidance also stated: “You must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier.”On the desk in front of Mr Johnson – from where he read out quiz questions to teams in different rooms – is what appears to be champagne and a half-eaten packet of crisps.Two days after the Mirror broke the story, the prime minister said: “I can tell you once again that I certainly broke no rules.” More

Boris Johnson pictured with champagne and tinsel at No 10 Christmas quizBoris Johnson has been confronted over a new picture showing an open bottle of bubbly at a No 10 “virtual” Christmas quiz during lockdown.During another tense PMQs, Labour MP Fabian Hamilton said the image of the PM flanked by three members of staff, one wearing tinsel and another a Santa hat, looked “very much like one of the Christmas parties” he denied took place.The 15 December 2020 gathering is not one of the 12 being investigated by Metropolitan Police officers. However, in the Commons today, Mr Johnson was urged to “refer the matter to the police” and replied: “That’s precisely the point – it already has been submitted for investigation”.Dominic Cummings, Mr Johnson’s former chief adviser and now one of his most vocal critics, swiftly tweeted to say the there are “waaaaay better pics than that floating around, including in the flat”, likely referring to the PM’s Downing Street residence. Follow live updates belowShow latest update

1644418214Watch: PM pictured with bubbly and tinsel at No 10 Christmas quizBoris Johnson pictured with bubbly and tinsel at No 10 Christmas quizSam Hancock9 February 2022 14:501644417923Boris Johnson to discuss Ukraine crisis in visits to Nato HQ and PolandBoris Johnson is to hold talks on the Ukraine crisis with Nato’s secretary general on Thursday before flying to Poland on a trip designed to reassure eastern European allies about the UK’s support in the face of Russian aggression.Meanwhile Liz Truss will become the first British foreign secretary in more than four years to visit Russia, where she will tell counterpart Sergey Lavrov that it is time for Moscow to call off its build-up of troops near the border with Ukraine.The Polish foreign ministry in Warsaw indicated that Mr Johnson will meet prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki and resident Andrzej Duda, and he is also expected to visit British troops in the country.And Nato announced that the PM will hold talks with secretary general Jens Stoltenberg at its Brussels HQ ahead of a joint press conference early on Thursday morning. Labour said that leader Sir Keir Starmer will also meet Mr Stoltenberg in Brussels later in the day.Andrew Woodcock9 February 2022 14:451644417023Boris Johnson has ‘full confidence’ in new comms chief, says No 10Downing Street said Boris Johnson had “full confidence” in his new communications chief Guto Harri after a turbulent first few days in the role.The Daily Mail earlier reported that Mr Harri was given “both barrels” over a Welsh-language interview in which he said the prime minister was “not a total clown” and revealed the pair sang I Will Survive.Mr Harri has also come under scrutiny for his past lobbying work for firms including Huawei.Asked if Mr Johnson had full confidence in Mr Harri, the prime minister’s official spokesman said: “Yes.”The spokesman said Mr Harri had “resigned from his post providing advice to private companies, which is within the rules”.In another potential strain on his relationship with his new boss, Mr Harri reportedly said that the prime minister regretted backing Brexit before the EU referendum was held. Matt Kelly, editor-in-chief of The New European, said Mr Harri told him in 2018 that Mr Johnson knew he had “f***** up” by supporting Brexit.Liam James9 February 2022 14:301644416123Boris Johnson Christmas quiz: How Tory ministers defended ‘gathering with no alcohol’ before photo of booze emergedMinisters defended Boris Johnson‘s lockdown quiz on the basis that it did not feature alcohol – before photos emerged of the prime minister with a bottle of bubbly.New images of the PM were reported by the Daily Mirror on Wednesday showing a new angle on the banned social gathering.The picture contradicts earlier claims by ministers in December about what happened at the event when it was first revealed.At the time they took to the airwaves to downplay the gathering on the basis that no booze was being served or drunk.However the latest photograph shows the prime minister with a bottle of what appears to be Prosecco and a half-eaten packets crisps.More on this here:Jon Stone9 February 2022 14:151644415268Labour ‘concerned’ Boris Johnson gave ‘legitimacy’ to Jimmy Savile claimsLabour said there was “concern” that Boris Johnson gave “legitimacy” to far-right conspiracies that had possibly fuelled demonstrators to ambush Sir Keir Starmer outside Parliament.The prime minister has refused to apologise for accusing the opposition leader of having failed to prosecute Jimmy Savile when he ran the Crown Prosecution Service, a baseless claim made popular in far-right circles online.A spokesman for Sir Keir said: “You will have heard Labour spokespeople say in the last 24 hours that there has been concern at the prime minister giving legitimacy to these views that originated in the dark corners of the internet, in far-right conspiracies.“And I think there is a question over whether these are ideas that the prime minister should give legitimacy to by raising them at the despatch box in the House of Commons.”Labour said it would not be commenting on whether security arrangements would be being scaled up following the incident with Sir Keir on Monday.Liam James9 February 2022 14:011644413459Watch: Starmer says PM and ‘loan shark chancellor’ scamming taxpayersKeir Starmer accuses Boris Johnson and ‘loan shark chancellor’ of scamming taxpayersSam Hancock9 February 2022 13:301644413002Johnson says Labour want to ‘clobber’ oil and gas profitsHere’s Adam Forrest with a little more on Boris Johnson’s defence of fossil fuel giants, as laid out by him at PMQs (see posts from 12.15pm and 12.25pm).The PM accused Labour of wanting to “clobber” oil and gas companies’ profits, as he again rejected a windfall tax. It came after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused Mr Johnson of letting down hard-pressed families hit by a cost of living crisis – calling the £200 energy bill rebate a “scam” and a “con”.“The government is insulting people’s intelligence by pretending it’s giving them a discount. But it’s not. It’s a con, a buy now pay later scheme. A dodgy loan, not a proper plan,” Sir Keir said, to which the PM said his government’s plan “faster, more efficient and more generous than anything [Labour] have set out”.Sam Hancock9 February 2022 13:231644412427And that’s it for PMQs as dozens of MPs spill out of the Commons. Sam Hancock9 February 2022 13:131644412209PM commits to publish Gray report in full once police inquiry overTory MP Mark Harper, after a groan by colleagues, asks the PM to promise that, when the police inquiry into Partygate is over, he will publish the full Sue Gray report in full.Johnson says that once that inquiry is over he will immediately publish whatever Sue Gray hands over to him. No 10 has made this pledge already, but this is the first time Johnson has made this promise from the despatch box, which Harper says was the reason he asked.He has been one of the PM’s harshest critics over Partygate, hence people from his own benches collectively groaning when he stood up and announced he had a question related to the scandal. Sam Hancock9 February 2022 13:101644412199PM suggests blaming him for Starmer Savile mob ‘lets thugs off hook’Here’s more on Jones’ remarks and Johnson’s reply, from our policy correspondent Jon Stone:Sam Hancock9 February 2022 13:09 More

Boris Johnson has accused Labour of wanting to “clobber” oil and gas companies’ profits, as he again rejected a windfall tax and defended the fossil fuel giants at PMQs.Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the prime minister of letting down families hit by the cost of living crisis – calling the government’s £200 energy bill rebate a “scam” and a “con”.Sir Keir said: “The government is insulting people’s intelligence by pretending it’s giving them a discount. But it’s not. It’s a con, a buy now pay later scheme. A dodgy loan, not a proper plan.”The Labour leader added: “When his donors give him cash to fund his lifestyle and tell him he has to pay it all back later – are they giving him a loan or a discount?”Mr Johnson replied: “Our plan to tackle the cost of living is faster, more efficient and more generous than anything that they have set out.”The government last week outlined an energy rebate scheme, giving people £200 off their bills which then has to paid back in instalments over five years from 2023.The Labour leader said chancellor Rishi Sunak’s scheme would see “billions of pounds” handed to energy companies, before families have to pay it back. “The loan shark chancellor, and his unwitting sidekick, have now picked up a buy now, pay later scheme.”Sir Keir added: “It leaves taxpayers in debt, while oil and gas companies say they have got more money than they know what to do with. It’s the same old story with this government. Get in a mess, protect their mates, and ask working people to pick up the bill.”The Labour leader called for a windfall tax on oil and gas firms’ record profits to help people with the soon-to-soar energy bills – but the idea was firmly rejected by the prime minister.Mr Johnson said: “What they would do is clobber the oil and gas companies right now with a tax that would deter investment in gas just when this country needs gas in the transition towards green fuel. It would be totally ridiculous. And it would raise prices for consumers.”Grilled the PM over the cost of living, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said nurses face a £275 “pay cut” due to the planned rise in national insurance – calling on Mr Johnson to scrap it.“Rather than the prime minister and the chancellor scrapping over the Tory leadership, will they do something useful and scrap the regressive hike in national insurance?” Mr Blackford asked.The PM replied: “We value our nurses, we love our NHS, and we are paying for it.”Keir Starmer accuses Boris Johnson and ‘loan shark chancellor’ of scamming taxpayersThe prime minister was also confronted about a new picture revealing an open bottle of what appeared to be champagne a No 10 “virtual” Christmas quiz on 15 December. The event is not one of those being probed by the Metropolitan Police.The photo published by The Mirror showed the prime minister flanked by three members of staff, one wearing tinsel and another wearing a Santa hat, near an uncorked bottle and an open bag of crisps.Labour MP Fabian Hamilton challenged Mr Johnson, asking: “Will the prime minister be referring this party to the police as it is not one of the ones currently being investigated?”Mr Johnson said the MP was “completely in error”, and later said: “That event has already has been submitted for investigation.” More