Markus Andrews

Boris Johnson has urged fans not to racially abuse the England football team after a barrage of hatred was unleashed against its black players. The prime minister said people responsible for the “appalling” abuse, which is being investigated by the police, “should be ashamed of themselves”.England lost out on their first major trophy in over half a century on Sunday night after Italy defeated them on penalties.Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, and Jadon Sancho, who failed to score their penalties, have been subjected to the worst of the abuse – posted on platforms like Twitter and Instagram.Players have been “taking the knee” in protest against racism at the start of every England game during this tournament.Highlighting some example of the abuse, including racial epithets and references to slavery, Labour MP David Lammy said: “This is why we take the knee. Praying for a better future – worthy of the values, beauty and respect exemplified by every single England player.”In a tweet posted on Monday morning after the match, the prime minister Mr Johnson said: “This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media.”Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves.”Some people replying to Mr Johnson’s message criticised him for having use racial epithets and stereotypes in his previous writing.Not all Conservative MPs have backed the team’s anti-racism protest: at the start of the tournament Home Secretary Priti Patel suggested England fans have a right to boo the players for taking the knee. Meanwhile while one of the governing party’s MPs Lee Anderson has outright boycotted the tournament because he does not want players to perform the anti-racism gesture.Ahead of the tournament Mr Johnson’s spokesperson said the prime minister supported “individuals’ right to protest” but refused to explicitly condemn supporters booing the England team. Labour leader Keir Starmer said: “The entire England team have brought us together and given us memories that will last a life time.”They represent the best of us. Anyone racially abusing them is a disgrace and doesn’t represent us at all. More can and must be done to stop online abuse.”A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said the force was “aware of a number of offensive and racist social media comments being directed towards footballers following the Euro 2020 final”.They added: “This abuse is totally unacceptable, it will not be tolerated and it will be investigated.”In a statement, the FA said: “The FA strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and is appalled by the online racism that has been aimed at some of our England players on social media. “We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team. We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible. More

A Conservative MP has attacked Marcus Rashford for “playing politics” when he should have been practising football, following his Euro 2020 penalty miss.The England footballer has won across-the-board praise for his campaigns to ensure poor children receive free school meals and has now launched a book club to encourage them to read more.But, following England’s defeat to Italy, Natalie Elphicke said: “They lost. Would it be ungenerous to suggest Rashford should have spent more time perfecting his game and less time playing politics”.It is understood that the Dover MP was criticised by another Tory MP after posting the message in a Conservative WhatsApp group.Ms Elphicke has now apologised, saying the message had “shared the frustration and heartbreak of millions of other England fans”.“I regret messaging privately a rash reaction about Marcus Rashford’s missed penalty and apologise to him for any suggestion that he is not fully focussed on his football,” she said.“Onwards to the World Cup and I look forward to Marcus Rashford’s contribution at that time.”The Food Foundation, which campaigns for affordable and healthy food for all, heaped praise on the Manchester United star for his work for more than a year.“He’s brought more attention to the issue than we ever thought possible. No matter the setbacks, he’s a hero on and off the pitch. Thank you Marcus,” the organisation tweeted.Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka also missed from the spot in a shootout, as Italy won 3-2 on penalties at Wembley after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, accused Ms Elphicke of “sneering at the inspirational players who stepped up to feed hungry kids when they voted to leave them without food”.“Whether it’s their failure to support the vulnerable, or booing our boys after they have done our whole country proud, the nasty party is back,” she said.“After his failure to support our players in their stance against racism, Boris Johnson must publicly condemn these disgraceful messages. Whose side is he on, the lion hearts on the pitch or the Tory MPs who attack them?”Last year, Mr Rashford forced the government into a U-turn over its plans not to fund free meals that would otherwise be given to pupils during holidays.To find out how to sign up to our full range of free newsletters click hereHe has now stepped up that campaign, calling on the prime minister to carry out an urgent review into the government’s school meals policy in England.The footballer joined forces with TV chefs Jamie Oliver, Tom Kerridge, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, and the actress Dame Emma Thompson.Meanwhile, he has teamed up with publisher Macmillan Children’s to donate 50,000 books in more than 850 primary schools across England and Scotland. More

Slovenia’s right-wing prime minister has brushed off opposition calls for his government to resign in the wake of a referendum in which voters overwhelmingly rejected proposed changes to a water management law seen as harmful to the environment.Janez Jansa s government approved the amendments in March but ecologists forced a referendum amid claims that the proposed legislation would threaten the environment and diminish water quality.State election authoritied said that 86,6% of voters voted against the changes. The turnout for Sunday’s referendum was the highest since 2007 for such a vote in Slovenia – 46.15% – which is seen as reflecting high public interest in the issue.Some analysts and opposition parties said the referendum result was a defeat for Jansa’s government and a signal that it has lost its legitimacy to govern. Opposition leaders also called for early elections.Late on Sunday, Jansa dismissed opposition pressure, saying that there should be “no drama. Posting on Twitter he cited previous, failed referendums that hadn’t resulted in any government’s fall. The gist of the water issue is a provision regulating the building construction including hotels, shops and restaurant that are close to rivers, lakes or the sea. The issue has sparked a heated debate in the small European Union nation of 2 million people known for its stunningly beautiful Alpine scenery. The right to water was enshrined in the country’s constitution in 2016.The government insisted that it has tightened construction regulations and provided more funds for water and flood protection. But opponents said the regulations favor the interests of private investors, have limited public access to water and jeopardized water quality. An association of taxi drivers on Monday said they gave free rides to some 800 care home residents so they could vote. The referendum also drew much interested from Slovenia’s environmentally aware young people, local media said. The water dispute reflected heightened political tensions in Slovenia, where Jansa’s government has faced accusations of curbing democratic and media freedoms in the traditionally liberal nation.Slovenia currently holds the European Union’s rotating six-month presidency. More

Boris Johnson has been accused of doing nothing to stop racist abuse of the England team by weakening and delaying legislation to police online hate speech. Labour accused the prime minister of offering only “warm words and gigantic England flags” while actually turning a “blind eye” to abuse.Mr Johnson on Monday issued a statement condemning fans’ racist abuse of players following Italy’s Euro 2020 final defeat on penalties at Wembley on Sunday night.But the opposition says he is not using the powers he has to help stop the abuse, which saw England players compared to slaves and the use of racial epithets.The party says the government’s upcoming Online Harms Bill is “a weak Bill which would do nothing to prevent this disgusting abuse from being published on social media”.And it says in government Labour would instead push for criminal sanctions for senior tech executives for “repeated failure to enforce the rules”.”The horrific racist abuse of the England penalty-takers had a disappointing inevitability to it,” said Jo Stevens, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. “Twitter, Facebook and Instagram have the means to stop this hatred on their platforms and yet they decide to do nothing. “Meanwhile the Government’s long-promised Online Safety Bill has yet again been delayed with progress unlikely to get underway until after the summer.”She added: “No one should have to put up with this abuse online, social media companies’ self-regulation has to end and instead we need tough new laws. “The Prime Minister has previously done no more than turned a blind eye to racism against our players. Warm words and gigantic England flags are no substitute for using the power he has, to make it stop.”Mr Johnson’s government has been criticised in the wake of the racism because some of its ministers have been less than supportive of England players’ efforts to take a stand.The whole squad has been “taking a knee” in protest at the start of every game, but Home Secretary Priti Patel kicked off the tournament by confirming fans had a right to boo players doing so and condemning the team for “gesture” politics.A spokesperson for Mr Johnson himself repeatedly refused to condemn fans for jeering the players. But following the outburst in the early hours of Monday morning, Mr Johnson tweeted: “This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media.”Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves.”The Independent has contacted the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport for comment on this story. More

Government scientific advisers have warned that ending compulsory mask-wearing will spread confusion and undermine the drive to bring coronavirus under control.The warnings came as Boris Johnson prepared to confirm this afternoon the removal of remaining lockdown restrictions from 19 July, including the mandatory use of face-coverings on public transport and in enclosed public spaces.With cases of the virulent Delta variant rising, Mr Johnson is expected to backtrack sharply from earlier messaging suggesting masks would become a thing of the past after so-called “Freedom Day”, and instead stress the importance of caution.New guidance on mask-wearing will not be legally binding, but the public will told they are “expected” to continue covering their faces in areas like buses, trains and some shops.The prime minister’s tone is expected to strike a stark contrast to his comments only a week ago, when he suggested people “might choose” to wear face masks in crowded places, and recent remarks from cabinet ministers that there will be lots of people who want to “shed those masks”.Professor Peter Openshaw, a member of the Nervtag group which advises ministers on new and emerging respiratory virus threats, said it would be much more difficult to persuade people in large numbers to observe mask-wearing guidance if it was not compulsory.Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he said: “I think it is very difficult to say that it is up to people to choose whether to wear face masks when it is not only protecting yourself but also protecting other people. “It’s so much more straightforward to try to get face masks used in dangerous situations if there is some kind of compulsion behind it.”And intensive care consultant Dr Sarah Clarke, a board member of the UK’s Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, said pressure on the NHS would rise to unsustainable levels if people gave up on Covid suppression actions following 19 July.“I would absolutely err on the side of extreme caution,” Dr Clarke told Times Radio. “I will continue to wear a mask at all times when I’m in an enclosed space, and I will to protect others and ensure that others stay as safe as possible.” She said there had been a 60% increase in admissions to intensive care over the last week, with more than 500 patients admitted every day. “That’s not sustainable if we all decide to take our masks off and think that the vaccine programme no longer applies,” she warned.Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (Spi-M) group, said there had been “mixed messaging” over face masks. He told BBC Breakfast that “some ministers have come out and said they’ll be very happy not to wear their face masks and then we’ve had others, even in the last couple of days, saying ‘we would still advise you to wear them in these settings’. “I think it’s quite confusing actually for people to know what the right thing to do is.Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said on Sunday he was “confident” the government could press ahead with stage four of the roadmap, allowing venues such as nightclubs to reopen, lifting social distancing measures and removing indoors socialising limits.However, he also conceded it was possible daily hospital admissions could peak in the thousands – just days after health secretary Sajid Javid admitted daily infections could exceed 100,000 in the summer.Speaking at Downing Street on Monday, Mr Johnson is expected to tell the country “we are tantalisingly close to the final milestone in our roadmap out of lockdown”.Urging caution, he will add: “The plan to restore our freedoms must come with a warning. While the phenomenal vaccine rollout has offered every adult some protection against the virus, and the crucial link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths is weakened, the global pandemic is not yet over.“Cases will rise as we unlock, so as we confirm our plans today, our message will be clear. Caution is absolutely vital, and we must all take responsibility so we don’t undo our progress, ensuring we can protect our NHS.”According to the latest government statistics, the UK recorded 31,772 positive cases of the virus on Saturday while 26 deaths were also confirmed.Health minister Edward Argar on Monday denied the government’s stance will fuel confusion, insisting that Britons will “form their own common-sense judgment” over whether to cover their mouths and noses.“What we will be looking to do is see the legal requirements fall away but for guidance – strong guidance and cautious guidance – to be in place for people to exercise their common sense,” he told Today.“I don’t think that the British people will struggle to look at the guidance and form their own common-sense judgment – I don’t think it will introduce confusion.”Mr Argar said he would personally “continue to carry my face-mask in my jacket pocket” and put it on in settings like crowded trains, hospitals and other places where authorities require mask-use, as well as if others were uncomfortable being in an indoors environment with those not wearing coverings. 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Priti Patel has condemned the racists who abused black England footballers following Sunday night’s Euro final defeat to Italy.The home secretary said she is “disgusted” at the criminal behaviour and will back the police to find those responsible.Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho – who each missed a penalty during the match – were racially abused on social media after the final whistle.Posting to Twitter on Monday morning, Ms Patel said: “I am disgusted that @England players who have given so much for our country this summer have been subject to vile racist abuse on social media. “It has no place in our country and I back the police to hold those responsible accountable.”Ms Patel’s comments come less than a month after she confirmed that England fans who booed when players took the knee had a right to do so.England manager Gareth Southgate, his players and the Football Association (FA) made clear during the Euros that the decision to take the knee was to protest “against discrimination, injustice and inequality” and not a show of support “for any political organisation or ideology”.When pressed on the matter the home secretary, who described taking the knee as “gesture politics”, said it was a “choice for them [England fans]” whether or not they booed. Ms Patel, who last week posted several pictures of herself wearing an England shirt, declined to say if she would herself boo, adding: “I’ve never gone to a football match to even contemplate that”.The Independent has contacted the Home Office for comment. Prime minister Boris Johnson initially refused to condemn the booing when it first started at the beginning of the tournament, saying that he wanted the “whole country” to get behind the team.Just over a week later on 12 June he changed tack on the issue to say that it is “totally wrong”. On Monday, Mr Johnson condemned the racist abuse.The prime minister said the people responsible for the “appalling” behaviour, which is being investigated by the police, “should be ashamed of themselves”. Prince William said he is “sickened” by some of the things posted on social meda, adding: “It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour. It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable.”The FA also issued a statement saying it is “appalled”, while the Metropolitan Police vowed to investigate.”The FA strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and is appalled by the online racism that has been aimed at some of our England players on social media,” the statement said.”We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team. We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible.”We will continue to do everything we can to stamp discrimination out of the game, but we implore Government to act quickly and bring in the appropriate legislation so this abuse has real-life consequences.”Social media companies need to step up and take accountability and action to ban abusers from their platforms, gather evidence that can lead to prosecution and support making their platforms free from this type of abhorrent abuse.”In a statement, Facebook, which owns Instagram – where some of the abuse appeared – said: “No one should have to experience racist abuse anywhere, and we don’t want it on Instagram.” More

Boris Johnson is to hold a press conference on Monday to provide an updating on England’s route of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.The prime minister will hold a briefing at Downing Street and is expected to confirm that the last remaining Covid rules will be scrapped on 19 July.He last week confirmed the government was planning to ditch social distancing and mask-wearing laws after 19 July,, despite forecasts of 50,000 daily coronavirus cases by that date and warnings from scientists that the move could be “premature”.What time is Boris Johnson’s lockdown lifting announcement?Boris Johnson is expected to speak today, Monday 12 July, at 5pm from Downing Street.Where can I watch Boris Johnson’s lockdown lifting announcement?The press conference will be streamed live on the Independent’s website, as well as on BBC and Sky News.What is Boris Johnson set to announce?The PM is expected to announce “the final milestone in our roadmap out of lockdown.”This will include the reopening of nightclubs and the legal limits on group numbers to be dropped, allowing large events like festivals and weddings to go ahead.The one-metre rule is set to be scrapped and mask-wearing in indoor spaces such as public transport and shops will not be enforced by the state, however, ministers have urged a degree of “personal responsibility” when it comes to making decisions on whether or not to wear a mask.Along with the announcement, Mr Johnson is expected to urge caution.He will add: “While the phenomenal vaccine rollout has offered every adult some protection against the virus, and the crucial link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths is weakened, the global pandemic is not yet over.“Cases will rise as we unlock, so as we confirm our plans today, our message will be clear. Caution is absolutely vital, and we must all take responsibility so we don’t undo our progress, ensuring we can protect our NHS.” More

Boris Johnson and his successors in No 10 should be given powers to appoint outsiders instead of just MPs and peers as ministers, a new report examining reform of Whitehall has urged.The controversial proposal forms one of the recommendations put forward by the Commission for Smart Government – set up last year to consider how the machinery of government can be more effective.In a stark warning, the independent body – chaired by former Conservative minister Nick Herbert with commissioners including the Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge – says Whitehall “must reform itself, or fail” to deliver major policy goals, such as “levelling up” and net zero emissions by 2050.Describing its reforms as “radical”, the commission suggests giving prime ministers the ability to appoint ministers who are not parliamentarians, “to allow additional talent to be brought in from outside government”.Attempting to tackle inevitable questions of accountability to parliament, the report suggests the creation of oral committees that can summon the ministers who are not MPs or peers to appear.While No 10 should remain the residence and ceremonial base of the prime minister, the report also suggests the establishment of a new “working office” outside Downing Street for Mr Johnson and his successors, “co-locating all ministers’ London offices, together with the prime minister’s office, in a single building to break down departmental barriers.”It also calls for each secretary of state to be able to create a council of advisers “to bring outside expertise into government departments”.“The Covid epidemic hasn’t only deepened the challenges facing our country, which were already profound,” Mr Herbert said in a statement. “It has also revealed that our system of public administration urgently needs a fundamental overhaul.“As politicians begin to focus on rebuilding, it is crucial that they do not pass over the opportunity and the necessity to reform the machinery of government. Without change, no amount of ambition or rhetoric will be sufficient to ensure that policy goals are delivered.”It is expected that Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, will respond to the findings of the report when it is launched on Monday, but the plans have already been criticised by the senior Tory MP David Davis, who suggested the proposals were “managerial madness”.“Our system, where ministers have the nerve-racking experience of being held to account by 650 MPs, is one of the reasons we generally have high standards,” he told the Daily Mail. “To change it in this way is amazingly ignorant and will make corruption and cronyism more likely not less”. More