Markus Andrews

Minister says taking the knee doesn’t ‘address’ racismThe UK government could this week warn EU leaders it will move away from terms agreed in the Brexit deal if more flexibility is not shown over the Northern Ireland Protocol, a report suggests.David Frost is reportedly set to announce a significant change to the Protocol, a source allegedly told Reuters, which could jeopardise the already strained relationship between the UK and the EU.The news agency said Britain’s chief Brexit negotiator is due to update Parliament in the next two days and will present a fresh paper on Brexit to lawmakers, in what could be a critical moment for the five-year divorce settlement. It comes after DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said this morning it was time EU leaders admitted the Protocol “has failed” and is creating “very substantial trade problems”. Speaking after a virtual meeting with EU Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic, Sir Jeffrey told the BBC “both the UK government and the EU must now renegotiate”.Show latest update

1626705599Timeline: When PM was ‘pinged’ and when he left for ChequersBoris Johnson is currently isolating at Chequers until 26 July after he was identified as a close contact of health minister Sajid Javid, who was tested positive for Covid on Saturday morning.The PM was condemned for initially trying to take advantage of a pilot scheme which would allow him to avoid self-isolation – before a U-turn on Sunday saw him submit to the same rules as the rest of the public.Since then, Downing Street has gotten into quite a muddle over Mr Johnson’s movements in the past few days – sparking a series of awkward questions about who knew what when.So how did the confusion begin? When did Mr Johnson head up to Chequers? Adam Forrest takes a closer look.Sam Hancock19 July 2021 15:391626704986Frost refuses to give details on Protocol announcement Following my earlier post, David Forst said he was “constrained” in what he could say about a possible change to the Northern Ireland Protocol.It comes after a report by Reuters revealed Lord Frost would make an announcement on the Brexit deal to Parliament later this week.“I think what I can say at the moment is that it must work in a different way if we’re to find the stable route going forward,” he told a committee.“If the workings of the protocol are undermining the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, then the protocol isn’t doing its job. And one of the core elements of the Belfast agreement was that all the different strands, the three strands, had equal status, and at the moment, it feels as if the east-west elements of the protocol are not working as well as north-south, and clearly that imbalance is not what the Good Friday Agreement intended, so that’s the core of the problem.”Sam Hancock19 July 2021 15:291626704301Harri quits GB News after row overing taking the kneeGuto Harri has quit GB News after rowing with producers over him taking the knee during a debate on the racism directed towards England football players, according to the BBC. The journalist and former advisor to Boris Johnson decided to leave the channel after he was suspended following a viewer backlash over his actions.“GB News stands four square against racism in all its forms. We do not have a company line on taking the knee,” the broadcaster said in a statement. “Some of our guests have been in favour, some against. All are anti-racist. We have editorial standards that all GB News journalists uphold.”It continued: “On Tuesday a contributing presenter took the knee live on air and this was an unacceptable breach of our standards. We let both sides of the argument down by oversimplifying a very complex issue.”On Saturday it was announced that Nigel Farage would present a daily show on GB News. The former Ukip and Reform UK leader said he “will not be taking the knee for anyone on this show” in a video announcing the news.Sam Hancock19 July 2021 15:181626703364Women and children among migrants arriving on Dungeness BeachSome 50 people have arrived on a beach in Kent after crossing the English Channel in a single dinghy.Dozens of people, including women and young children, were seen arriving on Dungeness Beach at around 1pm on Monday. Some raised their hands in celebration as they stood on the beach, while others sat down on the shingle shoreline amid 24C sunshine.The large dinghy is believed to have left northern France or Belgium earlier on Monday before crossing the dangerous 21-mile Dover Strait. It came after 241 people arrived in the UK on Sunday on board eight boats.Border Force and Kent Police were in attendance at the scene as they awaited the arrivals on Monday afternoon. Among them were women and children, some too young to walk.More than 1,850 people have succeeded in reaching Britain on board small boats in July so far, according to data analysis by the PA news agency, more than the total for the whole of 2019. More

No 10 changed its story about when Boris Johnson left for his Chequers country home, as Labour demanded to know if Sajid Javid already had Covid “symptoms”, following the pair’s meeting.The prime minister’s spokesman first said the departure was at “the start of the weekend”, then said it was on Friday morning – before correcting himself by stating it was at 3pm on Friday.He did not answer directly whether Mr Johnson knew if his health secretary was feeling ill when he left London for Chequers – after a Friday meeting between the pair.“The correct process has been followed,” the spokesman said, stating Mr Johnson was at the country home when he was identified as a close contact of Mr Javid, by the test and trace system.“Once contacted by NHS Test and Trace over the weekend, he has isolated and has not travelled subsequently because he did not want to travel across the country,” he added.Mr Johnson will now have to lead a 5pm press conference by video link – from Chequers – while Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser, and deputy medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam speak from Downing Street.Keir Starmer said there were questions to be answered, asking: “Did Boris Johnson travel to his country retreat after Sajid Javid first had symptoms?“We know the prime minister likes to look for a loophole. We need to know when the prime minister was contacted and where he was.”In a contradictory briefing, the spokesman was unable to say when Mr Johnson learned of Mr Javid’s positive test – or when he was identified as a close contact by test and trace.At one point he stated he left for Chequers on Friday morning – before it was pointed out that there were photos of the health secretary leaving the pair’s meeting early on Friday afternoon.After stating the departure was at 3pm, the spokesman said: “The health secretary took his test on Saturday, so the correct process has been followed.”He would not say whether Carrie Johnson, the prime minister’s wife was with him, but did state that the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, is quarantining in his flat above 10 Downing Street.Downing Street issued a statement at 8am on Sunday stating that both Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak would swerve isolation rules by taking part in a “daily contact testing workplace pilot”But it was forced into a rapid U-turn amid public anger over the impression that they were dodging strict rules imposed on everyone else contacted by test and trace.The isolation means a crucial meeting, on Tuesday, with Irish premier Micheál Martin – to discuss the crisis over the Northern Ireland Protocol and the proposed amnesty for Troubles’ killings – has been scrapped. More

Boris Johnson will lead a Covid press conference remotely from Chequers at 5pm today.The prime minister will appear via video link from his official country residence where he is in self-isolation after coming into contact with health secretary Sajid Javid, who has tested positive for coronavirus.UK chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and England’s deputy medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam will also contribute from Downing Street.It is not yet clear what Mr Johnson will be discussing at the press conference or if he will be announcing any changes to the government’s Covid roadmap after a recent spike in cases.The briefing later this afternoon comes as England officially entered so-called “Freedom Day” as most coronavirus restrictions in England have now been scrapped.Social distancing rules ended on Monday morning and face masks are no longer mandatory in shops or on public transport.Nightclubs, theatres and restaurants can fully reopen and pubs are no longer restricted to table service only.However the mood of the reopening in England is far from celebratory as Covid cases continue to soar and some scientists and medics have criticised the government’s “criminal” strategy. The prime minister is also likely to face questions about yesterday’s U-turn on his decision to self-isolate that prompted a fierce political backlash.Mr Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak were both “pinged” by NHS Test and Trace after coming into contact with Mr Javid, who subsequently tested positive for the virus.However they tried to get round the requirement to quarantine by saying they would join a daily workplace testing programme being trialled by the Cabinet Office and No 10.But the blowback was fierce from political opponents and the wider public who flooded social media sites with memes attacking the government.The prime minister later on Sunday released a video on Twitter claiming he had only “looked briefly at the idea” of using the pilot scheme.Mr Johnson is also likely to be questioned about the hundreds of thousands of people also in self-isolation, with industries complaining of a shortage of staff that have been “pinged” by the NHS Test and Trace app.PureGym boss Humphrey Cobbold told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that one in four of his staff had been notified to stay at home while Nick Mackenzie, chief executive of hospitality chain Greene King, told the programme 33 of the pubs his company run were shut last week due to staff shortages.Richard Walker, managing director of supermarket chain Iceland, said: “We have got a 50% increase week on week in terms of people off and it’s a 400% increase compared to mid-June.” More

Keir Starmer has accused Boris Johnson of trying to “play the system” and avoid following Covid-19 rules requiring him to self-isolate.Speaking to reporters on Monday the Labour leader accused the prime minister of looking for “loopholes” after Downing Street claimed the prime minister was taking part in a pilot scheme which meant he did not have to self-isolate.But Sir Keir said Mr Johnson’s story was “inconsistent” and demanded details on which other ministers had dodged a requirement to stay at home by claiming to be part of the pilot. Mr Johnson this weekend U-turned and said he would stay at home, following a backlash.And the opposition leader reiterated his attack on the government’s so-called “freedom day”, arguing it was reckless to lift all remaining restrictions in one go. Sir Keir said masks should be still required in enclosed public spaces, home working should be mandatory for those who could do it, and that improved ventilation should be a legal requirement.”There are hundreds of thousands of people who have been forced to miss family events, close businesses and go without pay, because they have done the right thing,” the Labour leader said.”And yet ministers have played the system.”Sir Keir said Mr Johnson’s claim that he had only “briefly” considered participating in the pilot was “completely inconsistent with the Downing Street press release yesterday morning that said that they were participating in the trial”.Mr Johnson had contact with health secretary Sajid Javid, who has tested positive for Covid-19. He and changellor Rishi Sunak initially announced they would not be self-isolating due to their previously unannounced participation in a pilot programme that replaces isolation with testing.But after an outcry from opposition politicians and on social media the pair confirmed they would be self-isolating, with Mr Johnson suggesting he was not participating in the pilot after all.Downing Street said Mr Johnson was already at Chequers, his country retreat, when he was contacted by NHS test and trace and told to self-isolate.At a briefing of journalists in Westminster the PM’s spokesperson said Mr Johnson had been “at the start of the weekend, but I don’t have the exact time”.”The prime minister followed the correct process, he was contacted by NHS Test and Trace and has isolated subsequently,” he said. More

Boris Johnson’s government will make the use of Covid “passports” mandatory for all nightclubs in England if venues owners do not use certification voluntarily, No 10 has said.Thousands of people danced the night away at “Freedom Day” parties starting at midnight after venues were given allowed to open for the first time in almost 18 months.Asked about concerns that clubs will help the virus spread, Downing Street said venue owners may still be forced to use certification so clubbers can prove they are fully-vaccinated or have tested negative.“We encourage nightclubs to use the Covid pass – many of them having been using it in pilots,” said the prime minister’s official spokesperson on Monday. “We will certainly consider mandation if necessary.”The No 10 spokesman added: “We encourage [venues] to use certification. We are reserving the right to mandate certification in certain venues – maybe at a later date if necessary, and we will keep that under review.”Julian Tang, a clinical virologist at the University of Leicester, warned that nightclubs are potent spreading grounds. He said their core customer base, people 18 to 25, is “not fully vaccinated – they’re not masking”.He added: “They’re in very close contact, heavily breathing, shouting very loudly to the music, dancing with different people. That’s the perfect mixing vessel for the virus to spread and to even generate new variants.”The government wants nightclubs and other venues to check whether customers have been vaccinated or have a negative test result. There is no legal requirement for them to do so, however, and most say they won’t.“They should be using the Covid pass which seeks to mitigate that [transmission] risk – it is very much in their interests,” Mr Johnson’s spokesman warned.Asked whether clubs could be closed again if the third wave made it necessary, the No 10 spokesman said: “That would be a significant step. Our approach is to work closely with those businesses and encourage them to use that certification.”Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said many owners see certification as a huge turn-off for customers – and accused the government of “passing the buck” to businesses.“Either mandate it or don’t mandate it,” Mr Kill said, calling for more clarity. “This is putting an inordinate amount of pressure on us.”No 10 also confirmed on Monday that the government will not be tweaking the sensitivity of the NHS Covid app – despite concerns the “pingdemic” is causing serious staff shortages.Asked if the government had dropped the idea of tweaking the sensitivity of the app, the prime minister’s spokesman said: “That’s correct.”He added: “The app is doing what it is designed to do – informing close contacts that they are at risk and advising them [to self-isolate].” More

Boris Johnson’s government will stick to its plan to keep self-isolation rules in place until 16 August despite the “pingdemic” crisis caused by staff shortages, a senior minister has said.Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng insisted that people must self-isolate for 10 days when “pinged” by the NHS Covid-19 app for another month – despite pleas from businesses and unions to immediately allow the double-jabbed to avoid quarantine.Iceland has revealed it has been forced to close some stores, Greene King has shut 33 pubs, and some London Underground lines have cancelled trains – all because of staff shortages caused by the app.“There isn’t any movement on it,” Mr Kwarteng told LBC on Monday. “It’s going to be 16th August. We’ve got to be extra cautious, so that’s why we’re going to be asking people to self-isolate until the 16th of August.”Asked if four weeks was a “long time” for businesses to cope with staff shortages, Mr Kwarteng said: “It is, it is. When I speak to business people, people raise this all the time – it’s the single biggest issue.”He added: “But the health experts we’ve talked to have a very clear reason for 16th August and we’re sticking to it. It’s not going to last forever. The restrictions will be lifted entirely on 16 August. What we need to do is stick to the plan we have.”The CBI urged the government to immediately allow double-jabbed individuals not to self-isolate for 10 days, rather than wait until 16 August for the rules to change. “Against the backdrop of crippling staff shortages, speed is of the essence,” said CBI president Lord Karan Bilimoria.Richard Walker, managing director of Iceland, said the closures of some stores had become necessary because around 1,000 employees were self-isolating. He urged the government to move to a “test and release” model.“Staff absences rose by 50 per cent last week and the trend is sharp and quick – not just affecting our own colleagues but those throughout our supply chains and logistics networks,” Mr Walker said.Nick Mackenzie, chief executive of pub chain Greene King, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that 33 pubs have been shut due to lack of staff. “This is a problem and I think it could get worse. It is disruptive to the business.”The Rail, Maritime and Transport union said Saturday’s closure of the Metropolitan line due to key staff being pinged showed how transport services were “on a knife edge”.There were delays reported on both the Metropolitan and Central lines on Monday due to more train cancellations after drivers were pinged.Asked about meetings he had with businesses chiefs who want the 16 August date brought forward, Mr Kwarteng said: “I said I would make representations in government and see what could be done. But we’ve taken a collective decision. I think this is the right decision.”Nadhim Zahawi struggles to defend Boris Johnson over isolation decisionNo 10 also confirmed on Monday that the government will not be tweaking the sensitivity of the NHS Covid app – despite concerns the “pingdemic” is causing serious staff shortages.Asked if the government had dropped the idea of tweaking the sensitivity of the app, the prime minister’s spokesman said: “That’s correct.”However, it has emerged that frontline NHS staff in England who are double-vaccinated will be allowed to carry on working when pinged in “exceptional circumstances”.The Department of Health and Social Care said the exemption would only apply in cases where the absence of staff could lead to a “significant risk of harm”.NHS staff in Scotland will shortly receive new guidance on self-isolation if they are a close contact of a coronavirus case, the deputy chief medical officer has said. Dr Dave Caesar said the new advice would come “in the next day or two”. More

A senior minister has said he would not take the knee since he does not believe it “addresses” the issue of racism or lead to significant change.Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng defended his cabinet colleague, home secretary Priti Patel – who branded the stance taken by the England squad during Euro 2020 as “gesture politics”.“When [Ms Patel] says gesture politics …. it is a gesture,” he told LBC. “It’s not something that’s going to affect people’s daily experience and I think that’s the point she was making.”Asked whether he would take the knee, Mr Kwarteng replied: “No I wouldn’t. I think it’s a gesture. I’m much more focused on actual outcomes.he added: “It’s not addressing the issue. You see this in some companies. They go through the motions, they say the right things but their mindsets haven’t changed.”The business secretary also rejected England star Tyrone Mings’ claim that Ms Patel had “stoked the fire” of racism by refusing to condemn people booing the team.He said: “I’ve been following football from the 80s when I was a kid and people used to throw bananas at black players. There’s always been an ugly element to this. I don’t think Priti Patel caused that.”Mr Kwarteng added that he did not think any footballers who do take the knee should be booed: “I’ve always been against that … People should be allowed to express their views.”Reluctant to criticise the Metropolitan Police over the violence seen at the final of the Euros, the business secretary said: “I wouldn’t say it was a disaster.”Pressed again at the security breaches at Wembley last Sunday, he said: “I think it was bad job. I actually think it was bad job – I’m prepared to say that.” More

Boris Johnson’s decision to wait until spring 2022 to launch the public inquiry into the handling of the pandemic has been labelled a “disgrace” by a senior member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies.In frank remarks, Sir Jeremy Farrar said political decisions made in the second half of 2020 were “unforgivable” and that there was “absolutely no reason” to wait until next year for the probe, “other than political manoeuvring”.It comes after the prime minister bowed to pressure and announced the inquiry earlier this year, but told MPs it would not begin until spring 2022 as he did not want to divert officials’ attention and time as the crisis continues.Mr Johnson said the independent probe would place the “state’s actions under the microscope” and will have the powers to compel the production of documents and take evidence from witnesses under oath.However, Sir Jeremy said: “The full story of this historic crisis, particularly the delays that preceded the second lockdown, despite the wealth of data pointing to imminent disaster, demands an immediate public inquiry”.The comments appear in an extract of his new book — Spike — which details the inside story in responding to the pandemic, and suggests that many of the UK’s Covid deaths in the early part of 2021 were “avoidable”.Published in The Times, the extract adds: “Boris Johnson has announced that a public inquiry will start in 2022. It’s a disgrace it will take that long. There is absolutely no reason, other than political manoeuvring, to wait.“Everyone needs to learn the lessons, scientists included. We only honour the dead by pledging to learn from the mistakes that cost them their lives.”Sir Jeremy stressed the probe — to be held under the 2005 Inquiries Act — will not be “anywhere near as complex” as the Chilcot inquiry into the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which took almost seven years to complete.According to The Times, Sir Jeremy also revealed he came close to stepping down as a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) over the prime minister’s decision not to impose restrictions in autumn 2020.“By not going into lockdown in September, the UK epidemic was left to continue its upward trajectory,” he wrote.“The decision not to act fostered the conditions for the arrival and then the domination of new variants, which had such a dramatic impact. Transmission was already getting away from us. It was a catastrophe playing out in slow motion”.“That was the darkest moment. I began to question the point of giving advice to a body that chose not to use it.” More