UK Politics

Labour have called on Boris Johnson to immediately suspend the Conservativewhip from a Tory MP arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of offences including rape.The removal of the whip would inevitably lead to the identification of the MP, whose name has not been revealed by Scotland Yard or the the Conservatives, but who has been asked by the party to stay away from Westminster while the probe continues.The demand came as a lay member of the Commons Standards Committee said she would “without hesitation” approve the MP’s suspension from work during the investigation.Rita Dexter, a former deputy commissioner of London Fire Brigade, described the current situation as a “calamity”, asking what consideration had been given to people attending constituency events where the MP may be present.The man in his 50s was detained on Tuesday on suspicion of rape, indecent assault, abuse of position of trust and misconduct in public office and released on bail to a date in mid-June, pending further inquiries.Scotland Yard said that officers received a report about the MP in January 2020 relating to alleged sexual offences committed in London between 2002 and 2009.Tory chief whip Chris Heaton-Harris has urged the MP to stay away from parliament – but has not yet suspended the whip, meaning the suspect remains a member of the parliamentary party.Boris Johnson’s press secretary today said that the whip would be withdrawn if the individual was charged with a criminal offence. But a senior Labour spokesperson said: “Given the nature of the allegations, it does not seem sustainable to argue that he should keep the whip.”Sir Keir Starmer would have suspended the whip on learning of the investigation, said the spokesperson.Ms Dexter, one of seven lay members who sit alongside seven MPs on the Standards Committee, said: “The whole thing is a calamity. With will, it is not impossible to get a grip on these situations.“I note with considerable concern that the commentary has been about victims – plural. It’s all very well to ask him to stay away, but what about the many constituency venues where that is not applicable? What consideration has been applied to those?“I am also a former Deputy Commissioner of London Fire Brigade. Without hesitation I would have approved a suspension from work. It’s hard on those who are not judged not guilty, but it’s still the best course of action.”Although it is understood that Conservative whips have been aware of the investigation for some time, Mr Johnson’s press secretary said that the prime minister learnt of it only on Tuesday and was “shocked” at the nature of the allegations. More

Conservative MP Michael Fabricant has been condemned for making a “shameful” joke about one of his colleagues being accused of rape.The MP for Lichfield appeared to make light of the accusation after the Metropolitan Police revealed that they had detained an unnamed man in his 50s on suspicion of rape and sexual assault offences.Tory chief whip Chris Heaton-Harris has told the MP in question to stay away from parliament, but has not suspended the party whip.“I am expecting a strong turnout of Conservative MPs at PMQs today,” Mr Fabricant tweeted in jest on Wednesday.He added: “Not only to demonstrate their strong support for Boris! BUT also to prove they are NOT the one told by the Chief Whip to stay at home. I’ll be there!”Labour MP Chris Bryant led the outraged response on Twitter, telling Mr Fabricant: “This shows absolutely shameful disregard for the alleged victims. You should take this down immediately.”The Tory cabinet minister Simon Hart also described the comments as “idiotic” and “insensitive”, telling BBC Politics Live: “It attempts to make light of a really serious situation – I despair when I read stuff like that”.Labour’s Charlotte Nichols said one of the grimmest things about working in Westminster “the fact people like Fabricant here trivialise these as a laughing matter or quirky bit of gossip complete with emoji.”The Independent understands that the Conservative whips’ office have spoken to Mr Fabricant over the “inappropriate” tweet.Mr Fabricant later added: “No-one is making light of rape or assault. Far from it. But those who want to read something into a comment will contrive to do so whatever. They are professional offence takers”. The MP arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault offences has now been released on bail pending further enquiries by Scotland Yard.In an updated statement on Wednesday, the Met police said the man has “been bailed pending further enquiries to a date in mid-June”, adding: “An investigation is ongoing.”It is understood the Tories will not make a decision on whether the suspect has the whip suspended until after the police investigation is concluded.Asked why the whip was not being removed, the prime minister’s press secretary, who told reporters on Wednesday Mr Johnson was “shocked” by the allegations, said: “I appreciate there will be a lot of questions on this topic but while there is an ongoing investigation I hope you will understand that it won’t be appropriate for me to comment on that specific question.“It is a matter for the whips. You will have seen they have commented on this in terms of a decision on the whip being reviewed once the investigation has concluded.”However, the Prospect union, which represents hundreds of staff working in the parliament, said firmer action is needed by the party.Deputy general secretary Garry Graham said: “What will it take for parliament to finally take its responsibility to its staff and visitors seriously and suspend access to the estate for parliamentarians under investigation for sexual offences?” More

Keir Starmer has taunted Boris Johnson that he “can’t make his mind up” about a windfall tax on huge energy firm profits, as he ducked pleas to act now.As inflation hit 9 per cent, the prime minister again refused to say if he will consider the levy, which Labour says would raise £2bn to cut bills and ease the cost of living crisis.At first, Mr Johnson said the Conservatives are against rising taxes – but then switched tack, telling MPs: “Of course we will look at all sensible measures.”Sir Keir said Britons facing poverty cannot afford to wait months for what he described as the “inevitable U-turn” of introducing a windfall tax eventually.“The working people across the country can’t afford to wait while he vacillates. It’s time to make his mind,” the Labour leader said.Mr Johnson blamed cost of living promises on sanctions on Russia – arguing “we knew it would be tough” – and accused Sir Keir of indecision, after he “struggled to define what a woman was”.The clash came as the CPI rate of inflation hit its highest rate since 1982 – with forecasts it will reach 10 per cent by the end of the year.The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) says emergency help for people in hardship and vulnerable firms is “critical”, with the British Chambers of Commerce echoing Labour calls for an emergency budget.Sir Keir accused Mr Johnson of having “his head in the sand in the middle of an economic crisis”, adding: “The prime minister keeps saying more help is coming, but we’ve heard it all before..“The chancellor said wait until the autumn, at least he’s honest that the plan is to do nothing.”The Labour leader said the bosses of Tesco and John Lewis, as well as senior Tory MPs, backed a windfall tax, adding: “Even the current boss of BP says it wouldn’t discourage investment.“And, on the other side, the member for North East Somerset [Jacob Rees-Mogg], when he’s not when he’s not sticking notes on people’s desks, like some overgrown prefect.”In response, the prime minister accused Labour of “a lust to raise taxes”, adding: “We don’t relish it, we don’t want to do it, of course we don’t want to do it.”But, later, he said: “Of course we will look at all sensible measures but we will be driven by considerations of growth, investment and employment.”Mr Johnson also linked the decision to act against Vladimir Putin to the soaring costs, telling MPs: “We always knew that there would be a short-term cost in weaning ourselves off Putin’s hydrocarbons and in sanctioning the Russian economy.”Everybody in this House voted for those sanctions. We knew that it would be tough but….giving in, not sticking the course, would ultimately be the far greater economic risk.” More

Three million less well-off households could be given a payment of up to £600 to help them with fuel bills, under plans being considered by chancellor Rishi Sunak.It is understood that a one-off increase in the Warm Homes Discount – currently worth £150 a year – is one option being looked at by the chancellor, who is coming under growing pressure to deliver a package of help for the cost-of-living crisis.A Treasury source this morning said that no plans had so far been finalised and Mr Sunak continues to consider “a wide range” of possible policy responses.But the source did not deny a report in The Times that one option drawn up by Treasury officials is a boost of £300, £500 or £600 to WHD payments going out from October.And responding to suggestions that the move could be followed by a 1p cut to income tax in the autumn budget, the source said only that Mr Sunak had consistently said he would reduce the tax “when fiscal circumstances allow”.Pressure for action from the chancellor was heightened by today’s announcement that inflation has reached a 40-year high of 9 per cent, driven by punishing hikes in energy costs in April. Less well-off households are faced with an increase of almost 11 per cent in their cost of living, because a higher proportion of their spending goes on fuel and food.WHD payments to 3 million of the poorest households in England and Wales were increased from £140 to £150 this year.An additional one-off payment would cost the Treasury £1bn, but is understood to be regarded as an attractive option because there is less risk of it becoming permanent than if the same money were spent on a significant increase in benefits.Cost of living: how to get helpThe cost of living crisis has touched every corner of the UK, pushing families to the brink with rising food and fuel prices.The Independent has asked experts to explain small ways you can stretch your money, including managing debt and obtaining items for free. – If you need to access a food bank, find your local council’s website and then use the local authority’s site to locate your nearest centre. – The Trussell Trust, which runs many foodbanks, has a similar tool. – Citizens Advice provides free help to people in need. The organisation can help you find grants or benefits, or advise on rent, debt and budgeting.- If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.It is understood that, if adopted, the increase would be funded by the Treasury rather than through a levy on energy bills, as is the case with the current discount.Mr Sunak is resisting pressure for an emergency budget to respond to the cost-of-living crisis, with Labour forcing a vote on the issue in the House of Commons today. Keir Starmer’s party is calling for a windfall tax on the excess profits of North Sea energy companies to fund a £600 cut in domestic fuel bills. More

Boris Johnson’s government will publish its legal position on its plan to override parts of Northern Ireland Protocol soon, foreign secretary Liz Truss has promised.The EU has threatened to retaliate if the UK proceeds with legislation to ditch agreed GB-NI checks – insisting the plan would violate the Brexit treaty.“We are very clear that that is legal under international law, and we will publish a legal statement very shortly outlining the government’s legal position,” Ms Truss told BBC Radio’s 4’s Today programme.Attorney General Suella Braverman has reportedly advised the government that the radical legislation move would be legally sound because of the “unreasonable” way that protocol checks have been implemented.But MPs and legal experts have questioned Ms Truss’s assertion in the Commons that a proposed bill to streamline checks is “legal in international law”.“MPs will want to see the legal advice and know it is sustainable and arguable before going ahead with this,” one former Tory minister told The Independent.“We don’t want to be back in the same battle as we had with the Internal Market Bill, with ministers talking about breaking the law in a limited way.”Catherine Barnard, a professor of EU law at Cambridge University, said there was no legal basis to the government’s argument that the Good Friday Agreement takes precedence over protocol provisions.“The mainstream view is that this is likely to be incompatible with international law,” she said. “It will certainly be incompatible with the UK’s withdrawal agreement.”Ms Truss told the Commons on Tuesday she intends to bring forward the bill – aimed at creating a check-free “green lane” for goods coming from GB to NI – “within weeks”.The foreign secretary defended the controversial plans again on Wednesday, insisting the action to address the “very severe” situation in the region cannot be delayed.She told Times Radio: “We can’t delay delivering a solution in Northern Ireland. We haven’t seen the [Northern Ireland] Executive form since February. So we do need to make these changes. And these changes will … make it better for everyone.”Ireland’s deputy prime minister Leo Varadkar has said the move to disapply parts of the protocol without an agreement with the EU is “not very respectful” to the British people.Mr Varadkar pointed out that 59 of the Stormont Assembly’s 90 MLAs do not want to ditch the protocol, and the British public voted for the Brexit deal that is currently in operation.He told RTE: “If they keep trying to impose on Northern Ireland things that Northern Ireland doesn’t want, that drives more people towards nationalism and away from support for the Union … it just seems a bit puzzling.”When asked about potential EU retaliation and the possibility of a trade war, Mr Varadkar said the UK would have to “do something” before Brussels takes action.Mujtaba Rahman, analyst at the Eurasia Group consultancy firm, said the EU would “not overreact at this stage” since Brussels chiefs are aware it could take six to 12 months for the legislation to move through parliament.The expert told The Independent that he expected the European Commission to start “preparatory work” on possible retaliatory moves – including tariffs and the suspension of the Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) – as a bill moves through parliament.Labour’s chancellor Rachel Reeves said on Wednesday that the EU was being “overzealous” over checks on goods destined to stay within the UK.She added: “But the way to resolve this is not through megaphone diplomacy, it’s not unilaterally ripping up the protocol, it’s by working in partnership to resolve these very real issues that do exist.” More

Liz Truss has said the creation of more “high-paid jobs” will get Britain through the cost of living crisis, as she resisted calls to impose a windfall tax on the oil and gas giants.The foreign secretary said an emergency levy would make it “difficult to attract future investment” – and suggested that better-paid jobs would help struggling Britons cope with soaring bills.“The important thing is getting economic growth up, getting those high-paid jobs into our country, attracting the investment – that is what we need to do to sustain ourselves through a very severe economic storm,” Ms Truss told the BBC.It follows a suggestion by fellow Tory minister Rachel Maclean that people struggling with soaring bills and prices should consider taking on more hours or move to a better job.Asked about those comments, Ms Truss said: “It’s not about how many hours people are working, it’s about making sure there are enough of those high-paid jobs.”Speaking as inflation hit 9 per cent, the highest level in 40 years, Ms Truss acknowledged that Britain faced a “very, very serious economic situation”.But the senior minister blamed the problem on “global headwinds” – citing the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine for rising prices.She suggested chancellor Rishi Sunak was looking at further support for struggling families, but insisted that a windfall tax on the fossil fuel giants was a bad idea.“My view is lower taxes are the best way to attract more investment, to get the businesses into this country that can create these high-paid jobs – which is what we need to face down these global headwinds,” she told Sky News.Asked about the prospect of a recession on the horizon, Ms Truss said: “Nobody can predict whether or not there will be economic problems.”She added: “The best thing the government can do is attract investment, keep people in work. I know the chancellor is looking at further measures we can take.”Cost of living: how to get helpThe cost of living crisis has touched every corner of the UK, pushing families to the brink with rising food and fuel prices.The Independent has asked experts to explain small ways you can stretch your money, including managing debt and obtaining items for free.If you need to access a food bank, find your local council’s website using gov.uk and then use the local authority’s site to locate your nearest centre. The Trussell Trust, which runs many foodbanks, has a similar tool.Citizens Advice provides free help to people in need. The organisation can help you find grants or benefits, or advise on rent, debt and budgeting.If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.It come as Tory MPs voted against a Labour move to amend the Queen’s Speech and introduce windfall tax on the soaring profits of oil and gas companies to help provide relief to the public. It was rejected on Tuesday night by 310 votes to 248.Labour will challenge Tory MPs to back a vote on Wednesday pressuring Boris Johnson and Mr Sunak to commit to an emergency budget addressing the cost-of-living crisis.Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said emergency measures were needed now “because it is clear that the actions taken to date by the government did not meet the scale of the challenge”.She told BBC Breakfast people were making “terrible sacrifices”, saying: “Pensioners who have not had the heating on because they can’t afford it, mums who are skipping meals to ensure that their children can eat.”“This should not be happening in Britain in the second decade of the 21st century,” said Ms Reeves. More

Eastbourne is to become the first council in the UK to declare a “cost of living emergency” as a record number of people in the south coast town are forced to turn to food banks to survive.The Liberal Democrat-run local authority is expected to pass the unprecedented motion later on Wednesday in a bid to address the sharp rise in poverty in the English seaside resort.Eastbourne Foodbank has been the busiest in the UK over the past year – distributing more parcels per head than any other food bank, according to the Trussell Trust network.Councillor Josh Babarinde said the emergency declaration would help Eastbourne Borough Council work more effectively with charities, as well as offering a “wake-up call” to Boris Johnson’s government.“We need immediate action from the government – they have to realise that this cost of crisis has become an emergency because of their inaction,” said the Lib Dem councillor.“People are coming to me every day saying, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to get by’,” Mr Babarinde told The Independent. “There are parents who are skipping meals all the time so their kids can eat.”He added: “I spoke to an elderly lady who said she was going to have to turn off her TV completely, her lifeline, her only company, because of electricity costs. These are awful choices people should not be having to make in our society.”Eastbourne Foodbank handed out 17,440 emergency food parcels per 100,000 people last year, according to the Trussell Trust – the highest rate in the UK.Councillor Babarinde said the emergency motion would lead to a cost of living summit in Eastbourne so charities and food banks can collaborate with the council to make sure no-one slips through the safety net.The Lib Dem motion also calls for the Tory government to bring in a national windfall tax on oil and gas giants’ profits, restore the pensions” triple lock” so payments can keep pace with inflation, and cut VAT by 2.5 per cent to help reduce prices.“The council can play a critical role, but the problems facing people at the moment are massive and they require massive solutions from government,” said Mr Babarinde, the Lib Dems’ candidate for the Eastbourne constituency.Cost of living: how to get helpThe cost of living crisis has touched every corner of the UK, pushing families to the brink with rising food and fuel prices.The Independent has asked experts to explain small ways you can stretch your money, including managing debt and obtaining items for free.If you need to access a food bank, find your local council’s website using gov.uk and then use the local authority’s site to locate your nearest centre. The Trussell Trust, which runs many foodbanks, has a similar tool.Citizens Advice provides free help to people in need. The organisation can help you find grants or benefits, or advise on rent, debt and budgeting.If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.Tory MPs voted against a Labour move to amend the Queen’s Speech and introduce windfall tax on the soaring profits of oil and gas companies. It was rejected on Tuesday night by 310 votes to 248.It comes as official figures inflation reached 9 per cent in the year to April – the highest level for 40 years. The poorest households have been hit with inflation rates of 10.9 per cent, according to Institute of Fiscal Studies analysis.Labour will challenge Tory MPs to back a vote on Wednesday pressuring Boris Johnson and chancellor Rishi Sunak to commit to an emergency budget addressing the living costs crisis.Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said measures were needed now “because it is clear that the actions taken to date by the government did not meet the scale of the challenge”.“Pensioners who have not had the heating on because they can’t afford it, mums who are skipping meals to ensure that their children can eat,” she told BBC Breakfast. “This should not be happening in Britain in the second decade of the 21st century.”Rejecting a windfall tax, cabinet minister Liz Truss said allowing companies to invest and help create more “high-paid jobs” would get Britain through the cost of living crisis.It follows a suggestion by fellow Tory minister Rachel Maclean earlier this week that people struggling with soaring bills and prices should consider taking on more hours or move to a better job. More

The Conservative MP arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault offences has now been released on bail pending further enquiries by the Metropolitan Police.Scotland Yard said the unnamed man in his 50s – also detained on suspicion of indecent assault, abuse of position of trust and misconduct in public office – was taken into custody on Tuesday.In an updated statement on Wednesday, the force said he has “been bailed pending further enquiries to a date in mid-June”, adding: “An investigation is ongoing.”Officers received a report about the MP in January 2020 relating to alleged sexual offences committed in London between 2002 and 2009.The Conservatives’ chief whip Chris Heaton-Harris has urged the MP to stay away from parliament – but has not yet suspended the whip, meaning the suspect remains a member of the parliamentary party.It was understood the Tories will not make a decision on whether the suspect has the whip suspended until after the police investigation is concluded.The Prospect union, which represents hundreds of staff working in the parliament, said firmer action is needed.Deputy general secretary Garry Graham said: “What will it take for parliament to finally take its responsibility to its staff and visitors seriously and suspend access to the estate for parliamentarians under investigation for sexual offences?”Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she was “very, very concerned” that a Tory colleague had been arrested – but would not be drawn on whether the whip should be removed.Asked how she felt when she heard the news, she told Sky News: “I’m very, very concerned about the reports that I’ve heard. The police are currently working on the case but it is worrying that we are seeing these appalling … accusations, again, about a parliamentarian.”Asked if the MP should have the whip withdrawn, Ms Truss said: “I don’t know who it is. I know that the police are looking at it and investigating it, and I think we need to wait for the police to conduct those investigations.” The arrest comes amid renewed scrutiny of sleaze in Westminster following a string of cases. Former Conservative MP Imran Ahmad Khan quit the Commons earlier this month after being convicted of sexually assaulting a boy.David Warburton had the Conservative whip withdrawn after allegations of sexual harassment and cocaine use emerged.Over the last year, about 15 MPs are suspected to have been investigated by parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) watchdog that examines allegations of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct.Neil Parish stood down as the Conservative MP for Tiverton and Honiton earlier this month after admitting watching pornography in the Commons.The latest arrest also follows a Tory MP being arrested on suspicion of rape in 2020. He was never identified and police took no further action after an investigation.Conservative sources declined to identify the individual arrested on Tuesday, citing the need to protect the identity of any complainant.A statement from the Tory whips’ office said: “The chief whip has asked that the MP concerned does not attend the parliamentary estate while an investigation is ongoing. Until the conclusion of the investigation we will not be commenting further.” More