Markus Andrews

The government’s review of Covid vaccine and testing certification could lead to a ban on demands for proof of immunity in certain circumstances, prime minister Boris Johnson has indicated.The PM’s comments raise the possibility that the review, to be led by Michael Gove and report by 21 June, will bar employers from implementing “no jab, no job” rules or pubs and restaurants excluding people who have not been vaccinated.Ministers have so far resisted calls from some businesses for vaccine passports to be shown in order to gain access to workplaces or hospitality and entertainment venues, with vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi warning they could be “discriminatory”.But Mr Johnson’s roadmap for exit from lockdown revealed that a review will be carried out on “whether Covid-status certification could play a role in reopening our economy, reducing restrictions on social contact and improving safety”.It is understood that Mr Gove’s review will look not only at the question of vaccine passports but also into whether people could be issued with official certification to prove a recent negative Covid-19 test, possibly in the form of an entry on the NHS smartphone app.Mr Johnson made clear that the decision remains open on whether and how certification would work, saying said that complex ethical issues must be considered before making a decision on “mandating people to have such a thing, or indeed banning people from doing such a thing”.Speaking during a visit to a school in south London, the PM said he was “optimistic” that England will hit the target of 21 June set out in his roadmap on Monday for lifting almost all coronavirus restrictions, though he cautioned that “nothing can be guaranteed”.Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayHe said that the massive programme of vaccinations, which has seen almost 18m people receive their first dose since December, had made “all the difference” in raising hopes of a return to normal life.Mr Johnson said today that there was no doubt – regardless of the UK’s decisions – that some countries will in future demand proof of immunity from travellers from the UK, similar to certificates currently issued with vaccines for diseases like yellow fever. “It’s going to come on the international stage, whatever,” he said.But he said domestic use of vaccine passports would need to be done in a way which did not discriminate against those who have not received the jab.“We’re looking at a novelty for our country,” said the PM. “We haven’t had stuff like this before. We’ve never thought in terms of having something that you have to show to go to a pub or a theatre.“There are deep and complex issues that we need to explore – ethical issues about what the role is for government in mandating people to have such a thing, or indeed banning people from doing such a thing.“There are complex issues we need to work out. “We can’t be discriminatory against people who, for whatever reason, can’t have a vaccine. There might be medical reasons why people can’t have a vaccine, some people may genuinely refuse to have one – now, I think that’s a mistake, I think everybody should have a vaccine. “We need to thrash all this out. And we’ve got time, because what we’re doing is rolling out the vaccination programme. And that will go on for the next couple of months.“In the interval, what I want to see is a proper review into the issue and that’s going to be led by by Michael Gove, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.”Mr Johnson said Mr Gove would be getting “the best scientific, moral, philosophical, ethical” advice before making his recommendations. More

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has admitted a UK government unit aimed at countering support for Scottish independence has been hit with “troubles and difficulties”.It follows the exit of two leading figures at Boris Johnson’s union unit this month, amid reports of tensions over strategy.Oliver Lewis is understood to have quit as the head of the unit over “untenable” differences with others at No 10 – less than three weeks after former Scottish Tory MP Luke Graham left the same job.Mr Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, insisted Downing Street did have a “strategy” for saving the union, but conceded to problems setting up a team dedicated to working on the issue.“Look, there’s no point trying to hide from the fact there’s been troubles and difficulties with all this,” he told an Institute for Government livestream event. “That’s been very clear.”He added: “But it doesn’t mean the underlying aim of this government and all Conservative and Unionists is not to protect Scotland’s role in the United Kingdom.”It comes as a report in The Times suggested there was a new mood of “realism” within government on the prospect of a second Scottish independence referendum.Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekday“There’s a realism that you can’t just say no for ever,” one Tory source told the newspaper. “Whitehall want to prepare for the eventuality that it might happen.”SNP MPs and MPs have shared their excitement over the possibility of a new approach to indyref2 at No 10. “I’ve never believed Boris Johnson would be able to resist the pressure,” tweeted MP John Nicolson. “The key is to deliver an election mandate he can’t ignore.” More

And he acknowledged vaccination could become compulsory, saying: “We’re not at that point yet. And I think it’s important that we do we take all of the points of view into consideration.” Mr Hancock pointed out that Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, had already said he regarded accepting a jab “as a professional duty”, adding: “I want staff in the NHS and care homes to be vaccinated.“But, whether you go the step further and say you can’t work in those settings without being vaccinated – that is an important question,” he told BBC Breakfast.He shifted after cinemas begun striking private deals to use proof-of-vaccine technology to make it easier for venues to open up when the lockdown eases.Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayMoves by employers to impose the precondition on their workers – a ‘no jab, no job’ policy – triggered accusations that the government was giving bosses a nod and a wink to impose the rule. The day after the roadmap was unveiled, the health secretary said no specific targets would be announced for the four tests set for the unwinding of the lockdown.They are; no slowdown of vaccinations, that jabs reduce hospitalisations and deaths, that the NHS will not be overwhelmed and that new dangerous variants of Covid-19 do not take root.But Mr Hancock said that – despite the mantra of “data not dates” – no thresholds for the impact of the first easing of restrictions on the NHS, or hospitalisations and deaths, would be announced.He also confirmed that loved ones would not be allowed to hug each other before 17 May – the point where indoor household mixing is expected to be allowed. The health secretary also said the aim was to move to “personal responsibility”, rather than having social distancing laws “that get in the way of normal life”.“We are going to have to learn to live with it, in the same way that, for instance, we live with flu, but we don’t let flu get in the way of living our lives ,” he said.“But we do vaccinate against it every year – in the case of flu we vaccinate those who are most vulnerable – and so I expect to have that vaccination programme as a regular feature of future life.” More

Prime minister Boris Johnson has unveiled his “roadmap to recovery,” laying out a timeline for the easing of the social restrictions introduced in early January to quell the spread of Covid-19.Speaking in the Commons, Mr Johnson unveiled a “cautious” and “prudent” four-stage plan to lift lockdown restrictions, which will allow people to reunite with loved ones in and some sectors to reopen.From 8 March, care home residents will be allowed a single regular visitor, with visitors required to take a lateral flow test and wear personal protective equipment.The PM confirmed plans for all schools and colleges in England to reopen from 8 March, with outdoor after-school sports and activities also allowed to restart. The 8 March easing will also see socially distanced one-to-one meetings with others outdoors in a public space permitted – meaning friends and family members could sit down for a coffee or have a picnic in the park.Outdoor gatherings of up to six people or two households may then be allowed later in the month, from 29 March. Outdoor sports will also be allowed again from this date, and the strict “stay at home” guidance will be relaxed to “stay local”.The hospitality industry will have to stay closed until 12 April at the earliest. From then, it is hoped that pubs and restaurants can reopen to serve customers outdoors as long as groups adhere to the rule of six and are comprised of no more than two households.Such venues will no longer have to comply with previous restrictions such as curfews and substantial meals in order to reopen, but customers must be seated.Non-essential retail, including hairdressers, beauty salons, and tattoo parlours, as well as facilities such as libraries, zoos, museums and self-contained accommodation will also be allowed to reopen no earlier than 12 April.Up to 30 people will be allowed to attend funerals, but weddings will be limited to 15 guests.We can expect masks, two-metre distancing and hand sanitiser to be with us for some time, as the vaccine rollout continues over the coming months to take in the less “at risk” groups.We still remain a long way from the prospect of large crowds attending live events, with music festivals like Glastonbury and major sporting events like the European Championships or the Tokyo Olympic Games seemingly not viable until the majority of spectators have been vaccinated, although testing or vaccine certificates at the turnstiles could provide a way forward.It is hoped that the rule of six with two households can be scrapped outdoors from 17 May, but will be implemented indoors, including inside pubs and restaurants. Gatherings of up to 30 people will be allowed, including at weddings from this date.Hotels and bed & breakfasts will be allowed to welcome guests again, and some sporting venues will be able to permit spectators, with the largest venues allowed up to 10,000 people.The last stage of the prime minister’s plan hopes to lift legal limits to social contact no earlier than 21 June. If all goes according to plan, nightclubs may be able to reopen and the government could lift restrictions on events and performances after this date.The roadmap is subject to four tests in order for the plans to go ahead, including the success of the vaccination rollout, vaccine efficacy, the continuous dropping of infection rates and emergence of new variants.The government will conduct four reviews during the period of lifting restrictions, including on Covid status certification, pilots of large events, international travel – which will still be banned until at least 17 May – and the withdrawal of antiviral rules such as social distancing and the wearing of masks.Mr Johnson spent the early weeks of February urging extreme caution regarding the lifting of lockdown restrictions, and said today that it was “inescapable” that lifting rules will result in more infections and deaths.Mr Johnson has been placed under considerable pressure from within his own party after the Covid Recovery Group led by MPs Steve Baker and Mark Harper issued a letter signed by 63 backbenchers hailing the “tremendous pace” of the UK’s vaccine rollout – with 15m jabs already administered – and calling for the swift easing of restrictions.While Mr Johnson’s Cabinet has shrugged off demands that it make “arbitrary commitments” and reserves the right to revise its roadmap in accordance with the latest data until the last minute, here’s a look at how life in Britain could look after the lockdown is eventually lifted. More

Alex Salmond has claimed there was a “malicious and concerted” attempt to remove him from public life, in a submission to a Scottish parliament inquiry.The former first minister also alleges that people involved in efforts to damage his reputation include the husband and chief of staff of his former ally and successor, Nicola Sturgeon.He said: “The inescapable conclusion is of a malicious and concerted attempt to damage my reputation and remove me from public life in Scotland.”It is an attempt which would, in fact, have succeeded but for the protection of the court and jury system and in particular the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary.”However, underlying all of this and perhaps the most serious issue of all is the complete breakdown of the necessary barriers which should exist between government, political party and indeed the prosecution authorities in any country which abides by the rule of law.” He did not use the phrase conspiracy himself, saying: “I leave to others the question of what is, or is not, a conspiracy but am very clear in my position that the evidence supports a deliberate, prolonged, malicious and concerted effort amongst a range of individuals within the Scottish government and the SNP to damage my reputation, even to the extent of having me imprisoned.”That includes, for the avoidance of doubt, Peter Murrell [chief executive], Ian McCann [compliance officer] and Sue Ruddick [chief operating officer] of the SNP together with Liz Lloyd, the first minister’s chief of staff.Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekday”There are others who, for legal reasons, I am not allowed to name.”Mr Murrell is Ms Sturgeon’s husband.Mr Salmond also claimed that the cost to the Scottish people runs into “many millions of pounds and yet no-one in this entire process has uttered the simple words which are necessary on occasions to renew and refresh democratic institutions – ‘I Resign’.”The committee now has the opportunity to address that position.”His spokesperson confirmed that now that his submission has been published, Mr Salmond will give evidence to the committee on Wednesday.Ms Sturgeon has said there is “not a shred of evidence” her predecessor as first minister can prove a conspiracy against him.The Holyrood committee is investigating the Scottish government’s handling of harassment allegations against Mr Salmond, which saw him awarded a £512,000 payout.Ms Sturgeon said Ms Salmond had not produced “a shred of evidence”.She added: “Now, in front of the parliament, the burden of proof is on Alex Salmond. It is time for insinuation and assertion to be replaced with actual evidence.”And if, as I fully expect, there is no evidence, because there was no conspiracy, then people will draw their own conclusions.” More

England will return to something close to normal life no earlier than 21 June, under the terms of a roadmap out of lockdown unveiled by Boris Johnson today.Mr Johnson described the plan as “a one-way road to freedom”, but cautioned that measures could be paused at any time if the data makes clear that relaxations have increased the danger from Covid-19.In an upbeat message, he said: “The end really is in sight and a wretched year will give way to a spring and a summer that will be very different and incomparably better than the picture we see around us today.”Mr Johnson’s plan will see schools reopen to all pupils from 8 March, while non-essential shops, outdoor dining and beer gardens could open no earlier than 12 April and indoor mixing, drinking and dining, hotel visits and limited crowds at sporting events return from 17 May at the earliest.From 21 June, if all goes to plan, the final restrictions on nightclubs, summer festivals and mass-attendance events like concerts and football matches could be lifted.The “stay at home” message will be switched to “stay local” from 29 March, when outdoor gatherings between up to two households will be permitted to allow family get-togethers over Easter.Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayMr Johnson told the House of Commons that his plan offered a route “cautiously but irreversibly toward reclaiming our freedoms”.And in a press conference at Downing Street, he said that the successful vaccination campaign, which saw more than 17.7 million people receive a first dose by Monday, had “decisively shifted the odds in our favour” and promised to “create a shield around the entire population”.On Monday, 178 Covid deaths were reported in the UK, with the seven-day average down 26.9 per cent on the previous week. The number of positive tests stood at 10,641, a decline in the seven-day average of 11.1 per cent over the week.Mr Johnson cautioned that each step towards normality is likely to see “more infections, more hospitalisations and, sadly, more deaths” as people are permitted to mix and restrictions to social activity are lifted.But he rejected suggestions that he had become a “gloomster”, giving up the “buccaneering” mindset which characterised his politics pre-Covid.While declaring that “the crocus of hope is poking through the frost and spring is on its way, both literally and metaphorically”, he resisted calls to accelerate the pace of relaxation, insisting: “I won’t be buccaneering with people’s lives.”Initially, there will be no return to regionally tiered restrictions, with all parts of England moving out of lockdown at the same pace. A review will be conducted on how long to maintain guidance on face coverings, social distancing and working from home, alongside other studies on vaccine certification and international travel, and a pilot scheme on the safe return of major events.But all relaxations will be subject to four tests: on the success of the vaccine rollout, evidence of vaccine efficacy, the pressure on the NHS and the emergence of new variants of the virus.Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, said that a five-week delay was required between each step, in order for scientists to assess what impact any relaxation has made on infections, illness and deaths.Both Prof Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance warned that Covid-19 would not be eradicated from the UK. Sir Patrick also predicted that face coverings may be needed in certain situations next winter.Mr Johnson told MPs that he understood the feelings of those who wanted a faster removal of curbs.“I sympathise very much with the exhaustion and the stress that people are experiencing and that businesses are experiencing after so long in lockdown,” he said. “But to them I say that today the end really is in sight.”Mark Harper, the chair of the lockdown-sceptic Covid Recovery Group of Tory MPs, queried whether there was “any need for restrictions to continue” after April, when vaccines have reached all the most vulnerable groups, accounting for 99 per cent of deaths and 80 per cent of hospitalisations.But Mr Johnson warned that some will remain vulnerable, either because they have turned down the jab or because of the fact that no vaccine is 100 per cent effective.“There will be a large minority who will not have sufficient protection and the risk is that if you let the brakes off, then the disease could surge up in such a way as again to rip through those groups,” he said.Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said that, for the roadmap to work, Mr Johnson must listen to Sir Patrick and Prof Whitty, not lockdown-sceptic MPs like Mr Harper and Steve Baker.And he added: “If the prime minister does, he will have our support and will secure a majority in the house. If he does not, we will waste all the sacrifices of the last 12 months.”Alongside the reopening of schools, 8 March will see a relaxation of the rules on meeting outside, with individuals allowed to meet one person from another household for recreation – such as drinking a coffee, sitting down for a chat or a picnic – as well as for exercise. Pre-school and after-school clubs will also reopen. From 29 March, outdoor sport and leisure facilities like tennis courts and golf courses can reopen and organised outdoor sports will be permitted for children and adults. Parent and child groups including up to 15 parents will be allowed outside.And the “rule of six” will return, allowing up to six people from different households – or an unlimited number from two households – to meet outdoors.In the second step, starting no earlier than 12 April, all retail will open, along with personal care premises (such as hairdressers and beauty salons), libraries and community centres, children’s activity groups and outdoor attractions such as zoos, theme parks and drive-in cinemas.Hospitality venues like pubs, cafes and restaurants will reopen outdoors, with all customers required to be seated. There will be no curfew and no requirement for drinks to be accompanied by meals.People will be able to stay away overnight in the UK, but only in self-contained accommodation, with no mixing of households.Maximum attendance at weddings and wakes will be increased from six to 15.Step 3, coming no earlier than 17 May, will see indoor entertainment attractions like cinemas reopen, along with all remaining accommodation venues. Spectators will return to sporting and entertainment events, with a limit of 1,000 people or 50 per cent of capacity, whichever is the smallest, for indoor venues. Outdoor seated events, such as Premier League football, will be allowed crowds of up to 10,000 or 25 per cent of stadium capacity, with appropriate distancing.Organised indoor sport will be permitted for adults and outdoor performances will restart. Gatherings of up to 30 people will be allowed outside, while pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues will open for indoor service, subject to the rule of six or two-household limits.Under the PM’s plans, legal limits on social contacts will finally be lifted in step 4, beginning no earlier than 21 June, when nightclubs and larger events are also set to reopen. More

Canada’s House of Commons voted Monday to declare that China is committing genocide against more than 1 million Uighurs in the western Xinjiang region but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Cabinet abstained from the vote,The non-binding motion passed 266-0 as virtually all but Trudeau and his Cabinet voted for the measure that also called on the International Olympic Committee to move the 2022 Winter Olympics from Beijing. A senior government official told The Associated Press that Canada’s foreign minister will make the government’s position clear but said declaring something in Parliament is not going to adequately get results in China and that work with international allies and partners is needed. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. The main opposition parties supported the motion and control the majority of seats in the House of Commons. Trudeau’s Cabinet is made up of 37 Liberal lawmakers including the prime minister. There are 154 lawmakers from Trudeau’s Liberal party in the House of Commons and the rest of the Liberal lawmakers voted freely on the motion.Opposition Conservative Party leader Erin O’Toole has said a signal must be sent to the Chinese regime.Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared before he left office that China’s policies against Xinjiang’s Muslims and ethnic minorities constituted crimes against humanity and genocide. His successor, Antony Blinken, reiterated the statement on his first day in office.Researchers and rights groups estimate that since 2016, China has rounded up a million or more Uighurs and other minorities into prisons and vast indoctrination camps that the state calls training centers.Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayPompeo cited widespread forced birth control and forced labor among Uighurs. The Associated Press reported last year that the Chinese government was systematically forcing sterilization and abortion on Uighur and other Muslim women and sent many to camps simply for having too many children.The vote is the latest attempt to hold China accountable for its treatment of the Uighurs and other predominantly Muslim and ethnic Turkic minorities, who have been subjected to an unprecedented crackdown that is increasingly drawing international concern.China denies any abuses and insists the steps it has taken are necessary to combat terrorism and a separatist movement. China’s envoy to Canada told Canadian parliamentarians over the weekend to butt out of China’s internal affairs. After the leader of the Conservative party urged the government last week to press the International Olympic Committee to move the 2022 Winter Olympics out of Beijing, Trudeau hesitated at using the word “genocide,” which he called an “extremely loaded” term.“When it comes to the application of the very specific word genocide, we simply need to ensure that all the i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed before a determination like that is made,” Trudeau said last week. O’Toole has also said China is imposing a police state on Hong Kong and arbitrarily detaining two Canadians in Chinese prisons. He said if the Olympics are not moved, a boycott could be considered.Canada continues to press Beijing to release Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, both detained since December 2018 following Canada’s arrest of Meng Wanzhou, a top executive at the Chinese technology company Huawei and the daughter of the company’s founder. Canadian police detained Meng in Vancouver on a U.S. extradition request nine days before Kovrig and Spavor were arrested.The U.S. is seeking Meng’s extradition on fraud charges, and her extradition case is before the Canadian courts. Her arrest severely damaged relations between China and Canada. China has also sentenced two other Canadians to death and suspended canola imports. More

Business leaders have warned financial support is “imperative” if the hospitality and entertainment sectors are to survive after the prime minister’s roadmap out of lockdown.Pub chiefs have said it will be “very difficult, if not impossible” to trade profitably once sites reopen in April under new rules.Restaurants and other hospitality operators will be able to serve customers outdoors from 12 April at the earliest, Boris Johnson revealed on Monday.But people will not be allowed to meet indoors in hospitality venues until at least 17 May and will be limited to two households or a group of six.Some large indoor events, such as concerts and theatre performances, could return on the same day before all restrictions on social contact are relaxed by 21 June at the earliest.Jonathan Neame – boss of Shepherd Neame brewery, which owns more than 300 pubs – welcomed the plan for a full reopening in June, but warned it will be “almost impossible” for the sector to be profitable with only outdoor opening in April.He told PA: “With the April measures, we can open between a third and a half of our pubs, which obviously is not ideal.Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekday“It will be very difficult, if not impossible, for pubs to be profitable like that but it is still progress.”Clive Watson, founder and executive chairman of City Pub Group, said the announcement offered “hope” for those working in the industry.He added: “Now we have to believe that the Budget will give us some certainty so we can rebuild.“April would have been preferable for indoor opening but we understand the caution and are now at least in a position where we can now plan.”But Patrick Dardis, chief executive of pub giant Young’s, said the dates set out for pubs reopening outdoors and indoors were “a whole lot worse than we had been expecting”.He told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme: “We were hoping to be able to open in April and worst-case scenario was that we’d be opening on the first week in May.“So 17 May – at the earliest, I may add – is three months away and three months away means that the pub sector and the wider sector which employs 3.5 million people will be burning cash for another three months.” More