UK Politics

The UK is risking sanctions from the EU if Boris Johnson pursues his expected assault on the Human Rights Act, a Brexit legal expert is warning.The Queen’s Speech is expected to include a Bill to water down the landmark 1998 legislation, a shake-up that has prompted accusations of racism in in its removal of key safeguards.But it is also expected to remove the need for UK courts to follow decisions made by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which would trigger a new clash with Brussels.In the post-Brexit deal, the EU was seen as securing a victory in “locking-in” the UK’s future commitment to the ECHR – with the ability to re-examine security cooperation if that is flouted.“If the Bill goes as far as has been trailed, which is to say that UK courts don’t need to follow decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, that is serious,” said Catherine Barnard, deputy director of the UK in a Changing Europe think-tank.“It shows serious non-commitment to our obligations under that particular treaty – and it is worth bearing I mind that these are [Brexit] treaty obligations as well.”The UK would not have to pull out of the ECHR – an option floated, but ruled out by the justice secretary Dominic Raab – to risk retaliation, Ms Barnard told an event.The Christmas 2020 trade and cooperation agreement has left the sharing of vital crime and terrorism-fighting data with the EU “slower and more clunky”, a former national security adviser has warned.However, it did confound the worst fears by allowing the exchange of fingerprints, DNA and vehicle registration data to continue.The security part of the agreement can be terminated almost immediately if the UK rejects the ECHR, or suspended if it doesn’t sufficiently protect fundamental rights or the rule of law.Campaigners have warned the overhaul of the HRA is far more draconian than expected – accusing Mr Raab of a smokescreen in claiming he wants to protect free speech from “wokery and political correctness”Injustices such as the Hillsborough tragedy and the failure to investigate ‘black cab rapist’ John Worboys may have never been exposed if the curbs were already in place, they fear.The crackdown will also block attempts to enforce human rights even before they reach a courtroom, despite “terrible abuses” being revealed only once a legal case starts.And the plans for past “conduct” to be taken into account when claims are brought for rights violations will hit ethnic minority groups, Liberty protested.They are far more likely to be stopped by the police or questioned over their immigration status, and therefore arrested, fined or detained, it points out. More

Wes Streeting defends Keir Starmer over Beergate allegationsSir Keir Starmer is considering whether to pledge to resign if police conclude that he broke Covid rules during a work event in Durham dubbed “beergate”, and will make a statement on the issue later on Monday.The Labour leader was understood to be in talks about whether to announce the pledge after facing pressure to set out his position, having called for the resignation of the prime minister and chancellor after they were fined for a Covid breach.Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon has said that Tory attacks on the Labour leader were part of a “massive operation” to divert attention away from Boris Johnson’s “serial breaching” of lockdown rules.Ms Sturgeon said with a police investigation underway it “would be wrong for me to comment in any more detail”, but added: “What I do think is pretty obvious is that there is a massive operation underway on the part of the Conservatives to divert attention from Boris Johnson.“And not just Boris Johnson’s single breaking of the rules, but what appears to have been a serial breaching of the rules and, of course, Boris Johnson’s inability to be straight with the House of Commons.”Show latest update

1652108162No 10 fails to rule out £1,000 energy bill price riseDowning Street has not ruled out the possibility that energy bills could rise by nearly £1,000 when the regulator reviews the price cap in the autumn.It comes after the boss of ScottishPower, Keith Anderson, said that energy bills are likely to go up by that amount for millions of households around the country when the price cap is reviewed in October.Asked if the government recognised this figure, and if it was in the “ballpark” of its expectations, the PM’s official spokesman did not rule it out.“I can’t comment on speculation – obviously that … wouldn’t be right for me to do so,” he told reporters.“With Ofgem, I think it’s fair to say that we do expect there to be further increases later in the year, the Chancellor has talked about that and has made clear that we will look to do what we can to help with energy bills in the autumn when we know more about what the prices will (be).”Tom Batchelor9 May 2022 15:561652106694Johnson warned he risks EU sanctions with assault on Human Rights ActThe UK is risking sanctions from the EU if Boris Johnson pursues his expected assault on the Human Rights Act, a Brexit legal expert is warning.The Queen’s Speech is expected to include a Bill to water down the landmark 1998 legislation, a shake-up that has prompted accusations of racism in in its removal of key safeguards.But it is also expected to remove the need for UK courts to follow decisions made by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which would trigger a new clash with Brussels.Read the report from our deputy political editor, Rob Merrick: Tom Batchelor9 May 2022 15:311652105570Starmer to make statement at 4pmLabour is yet to formally comment on whether Sir Keir Starmer will pledge to resign if he is fined, but a Labour source told The Independent there will be “some movement in the next few hours”. It was later announced Sir Keir will deliver a statement at 4pm.Tom Batchelor9 May 2022 15:121652104354Millions warned they face £1,000 energy bill riseThe government must take urgent action and help the poorest households months before energy bills will rise again ahead of the winter months, the boss of a major energy company has said.Keith Anderson, who leads ScottishPower, said that energy bills are likely to go up by nearly another £1,000 for millions of households around the country next winter.“Given what’s going to happen in October, we think that urgent action is required to put in place a mechanism to support customers through this period,” he said.Here is the full report: Tom Batchelor9 May 2022 14:521652103094Asylum seekers to be threatened with Rwanda flight this weekAsylum seekers are expected to be told this week they could be sent to Rwanda as part of the Government’s latest deportation policy.It is understood the Home Office will notify the first group of people that they face a one-way ticket to the East African nation, amid legal challenges over the plans.Unconfirmed reports suggest the flights could take place within the next few weeks, with a small number of single men set to be removed in the first instance.Boris Johnson said tens of thousands of people could be flown to Rwanda under the agreement.But The Times reported that modelling by Home Office officials indicated that only 300 a year could be sent there. The department later said it did not recognise the figure and there was no cap on the number of people who may be sent to Rwanda.Tom Batchelor9 May 2022 14:311652101834Starmer considers pledge to resign if police find he broke Covid lawsSir Keir Starmer is considering whether to commit to resigning if police find he broke coronavirus rules as he battles to regain the political initiative while pressuring Boris Johnson over his own fine.The Labour leader was understood to be in talks on Monday about whether to announce the pledge, after pulling out of a scheduled event where he would have faced fresh questions.Allies insisted he was not “ducking scrutiny” by cancelling his attendance at the discussion, as he is investigated by police over the Durham beer-and-curry gathering in April last year.Here is the full story: Tom Batchelor9 May 2022 14:101652100761Sturgeon plans to offer ‘refreshing’ case for Scottish independence Nicola Sturgeon said her government will soon offer a refreshed case for Scottish independence, insisting recent election results showed there was a “growing sense that the UK in its current state is not serving the needs of Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland”.The Scottish first minister spoke out after Sinn Fein won the most seats, 27 out of 90, in last week’s Stormont elections, entitling a non-unionist politician to take the role of Northern Ireland’s first minister fro the first time.Ms Sturgeon said this was a signal of “big changes in the years to come”, adding “I’m convinced one of those changes will be Scottish independence.”She said her government would start to set out white papers for independence “in the very near future”.It has been almost a decade since the previous independence white paper was published and Ms Sturgeon promised the new paper would be “refreshing” and put the “very positive case for independence”.Liam James9 May 2022 13:521652099681Queen due to appear tomorrow for state opening of parliamentDowning Street said the Queen is due to deliver her address at the state opening of parliament tomorrow despite doubt about her ability to meet other commitments.Buckingham Palace suggested the 96-year-old monarch may miss celebrations for her platinum jubilee this month. The Queen has been facing mobility issues since she was hospitalised in October last year, and has been undertaking mostly virtual engagements.Asked today about the Queen’s Speech, the prime minister’s official spokesman said: “The Palace themselves have said [the Queen] is due to do it and they will confirm tomorrow.”Liam James9 May 2022 13:341652098601Nicola Sturgeon accuses Tories of ‘massive operation’ to distract from Partygate with Starmer claimsNicola Sturgeon has accused the Conservatives of a “massive operation” to distract from the Partygate scandal by demanding police action over Keir Starmer’s beer-and-curry gathering (Rob Merrick writes).Durham Police is looking again at the meal organised for the Labour leader after campaigning in April last year, after cabinet ministers piled pressure on the force for a rethink.Sir Keir has pulled out of a speaking event to avoid questions, as some in Labour urge him to pledge to quit if he is fined – to pile pressure on Boris Johnson over his own penalty notice for breaching Covid rules.The Scottish first minister said it “would be wrong” to comment on a police investigation, saying: “Let’s wait and see what comes of this.”But she said: “What I do think is pretty obvious is that there is a massive operation underway on the part of the Conservatives to divert attention from Boris Johnson.”Liam James9 May 2022 13:161652097472‘All options open’ for cost of living support – Downing StreetDowning Street said the government is keeping “all options open” when it comes to addressing the cost of living crisis.Asked what Boris Johnson would say to Tory MPs demanding the income tax cut be brought forward, given the scale of the crisis this year, the prime minister’s official spokesman pointed to “significant support already available”.He said: “We know that this is [at] the forefront of the public’s mind; it’s certainly [at] the forefront of the prime minister’s mind and we will keep all options open.”On whether people will have to wait until the autumn budget before anything further is done, he said the government will act “when it is the right time to do so – I don’t restrict that to a certain period in the year”. Cabinet minister Brandon Lewis recently said there were “no plans” for new support before the autumn budget.One measure that has been discussed, and one that has divided the cabinet, is a windfall tax on the profits of oil and gas companies. Last week a clash between chancellor Rishi Sunak, in support, and business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, against, was exposed.Asked today about plans for a windfall tax, the prime minister’s official spokesman said the government was against it as it would “deter investment at a time we need it most – not least in renewable energy”.Liam James9 May 2022 12:57 More

Wes Streeting defends Keir Starmer over Beergate allegationsSir Keir Starmer is considering whether to pledge to resign if police conclude that he broke Covid rules during a work event in Durham dubbed “beergate”, and will make a statement on the issue later on Monday.The Labour leader was understood to be in talks about whether to announce the pledge after facing pressure to set out his position, having called for the resignation of the prime minister and chancellor after they were fined for a Covid breach.Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon has said that Tory attacks on the Labour leader were part of a “massive operation” to divert attention away from Boris Johnson’s “serial breaching” of lockdown rules.Ms Sturgeon said with a police investigation underway it “would be wrong for me to comment in any more detail”, but added: “What I do think is pretty obvious is that there is a massive operation underway on the part of the Conservatives to divert attention from Boris Johnson.“And not just Boris Johnson’s single breaking of the rules, but what appears to have been a serial breaching of the rules and, of course, Boris Johnson’s inability to be straight with the House of Commons.”Show latest update

1652108162No 10 fails to rule out £1,000 energy bill price riseDowning Street has not ruled out the possibility that energy bills could rise by nearly £1,000 when the regulator reviews the price cap in the autumn.It comes after the boss of ScottishPower, Keith Anderson, said that energy bills are likely to go up by that amount for millions of households around the country when the price cap is reviewed in October.Asked if the government recognised this figure, and if it was in the “ballpark” of its expectations, the PM’s official spokesman did not rule it out.“I can’t comment on speculation – obviously that … wouldn’t be right for me to do so,” he told reporters.“With Ofgem, I think it’s fair to say that we do expect there to be further increases later in the year, the Chancellor has talked about that and has made clear that we will look to do what we can to help with energy bills in the autumn when we know more about what the prices will (be).”Tom Batchelor9 May 2022 15:561652106694Johnson warned he risks EU sanctions with assault on Human Rights ActThe UK is risking sanctions from the EU if Boris Johnson pursues his expected assault on the Human Rights Act, a Brexit legal expert is warning.The Queen’s Speech is expected to include a Bill to water down the landmark 1998 legislation, a shake-up that has prompted accusations of racism in in its removal of key safeguards.But it is also expected to remove the need for UK courts to follow decisions made by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which would trigger a new clash with Brussels.Read the report from our deputy political editor, Rob Merrick: Tom Batchelor9 May 2022 15:311652105570Starmer to make statement at 4pmLabour is yet to formally comment on whether Sir Keir Starmer will pledge to resign if he is fined, but a Labour source told The Independent there will be “some movement in the next few hours”. It was later announced Sir Keir will deliver a statement at 4pm.Tom Batchelor9 May 2022 15:121652104354Millions warned they face £1,000 energy bill riseThe government must take urgent action and help the poorest households months before energy bills will rise again ahead of the winter months, the boss of a major energy company has said.Keith Anderson, who leads ScottishPower, said that energy bills are likely to go up by nearly another £1,000 for millions of households around the country next winter.“Given what’s going to happen in October, we think that urgent action is required to put in place a mechanism to support customers through this period,” he said.Here is the full report: Tom Batchelor9 May 2022 14:521652103094Asylum seekers to be threatened with Rwanda flight this weekAsylum seekers are expected to be told this week they could be sent to Rwanda as part of the Government’s latest deportation policy.It is understood the Home Office will notify the first group of people that they face a one-way ticket to the East African nation, amid legal challenges over the plans.Unconfirmed reports suggest the flights could take place within the next few weeks, with a small number of single men set to be removed in the first instance.Boris Johnson said tens of thousands of people could be flown to Rwanda under the agreement.But The Times reported that modelling by Home Office officials indicated that only 300 a year could be sent there. The department later said it did not recognise the figure and there was no cap on the number of people who may be sent to Rwanda.Tom Batchelor9 May 2022 14:311652101834Starmer considers pledge to resign if police find he broke Covid lawsSir Keir Starmer is considering whether to commit to resigning if police find he broke coronavirus rules as he battles to regain the political initiative while pressuring Boris Johnson over his own fine.The Labour leader was understood to be in talks on Monday about whether to announce the pledge, after pulling out of a scheduled event where he would have faced fresh questions.Allies insisted he was not “ducking scrutiny” by cancelling his attendance at the discussion, as he is investigated by police over the Durham beer-and-curry gathering in April last year.Here is the full story: Tom Batchelor9 May 2022 14:101652100761Sturgeon plans to offer ‘refreshing’ case for Scottish independence Nicola Sturgeon said her government will soon offer a refreshed case for Scottish independence, insisting recent election results showed there was a “growing sense that the UK in its current state is not serving the needs of Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland”.The Scottish first minister spoke out after Sinn Fein won the most seats, 27 out of 90, in last week’s Stormont elections, entitling a non-unionist politician to take the role of Northern Ireland’s first minister fro the first time.Ms Sturgeon said this was a signal of “big changes in the years to come”, adding “I’m convinced one of those changes will be Scottish independence.”She said her government would start to set out white papers for independence “in the very near future”.It has been almost a decade since the previous independence white paper was published and Ms Sturgeon promised the new paper would be “refreshing” and put the “very positive case for independence”.Liam James9 May 2022 13:521652099681Queen due to appear tomorrow for state opening of parliamentDowning Street said the Queen is due to deliver her address at the state opening of parliament tomorrow despite doubt about her ability to meet other commitments.Buckingham Palace suggested the 96-year-old monarch may miss celebrations for her platinum jubilee this month. The Queen has been facing mobility issues since she was hospitalised in October last year, and has been undertaking mostly virtual engagements.Asked today about the Queen’s Speech, the prime minister’s official spokesman said: “The Palace themselves have said [the Queen] is due to do it and they will confirm tomorrow.”Liam James9 May 2022 13:341652098601Nicola Sturgeon accuses Tories of ‘massive operation’ to distract from Partygate with Starmer claimsNicola Sturgeon has accused the Conservatives of a “massive operation” to distract from the Partygate scandal by demanding police action over Keir Starmer’s beer-and-curry gathering (Rob Merrick writes).Durham Police is looking again at the meal organised for the Labour leader after campaigning in April last year, after cabinet ministers piled pressure on the force for a rethink.Sir Keir has pulled out of a speaking event to avoid questions, as some in Labour urge him to pledge to quit if he is fined – to pile pressure on Boris Johnson over his own penalty notice for breaching Covid rules.The Scottish first minister said it “would be wrong” to comment on a police investigation, saying: “Let’s wait and see what comes of this.”But she said: “What I do think is pretty obvious is that there is a massive operation underway on the part of the Conservatives to divert attention from Boris Johnson.”Liam James9 May 2022 13:161652097472‘All options open’ for cost of living support – Downing StreetDowning Street said the government is keeping “all options open” when it comes to addressing the cost of living crisis.Asked what Boris Johnson would say to Tory MPs demanding the income tax cut be brought forward, given the scale of the crisis this year, the prime minister’s official spokesman pointed to “significant support already available”.He said: “We know that this is [at] the forefront of the public’s mind; it’s certainly [at] the forefront of the prime minister’s mind and we will keep all options open.”On whether people will have to wait until the autumn budget before anything further is done, he said the government will act “when it is the right time to do so – I don’t restrict that to a certain period in the year”. Cabinet minister Brandon Lewis recently said there were “no plans” for new support before the autumn budget.One measure that has been discussed, and one that has divided the cabinet, is a windfall tax on the profits of oil and gas companies. Last week a clash between chancellor Rishi Sunak, in support, and business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, against, was exposed.Asked today about plans for a windfall tax, the prime minister’s official spokesman said the government was against it as it would “deter investment at a time we need it most – not least in renewable energy”.Liam James9 May 2022 12:57 More

Sir Keir Starmer is mulling with close allies whether to commit to resigning as Labour leader if he is issued with a fine by Durham police for a breach of Covid rules.The Independent understands the Labour leader will make a statement at 4pm, after cancelling a morning speech amid further questions of a beer-and-curry gathering in April 2021.Sir Keir, who has repeatedly called on Boris Johnson to resign after being issued with a fixed penalty notice over the Partygate scandal, has insisted he is “confident no rules were broken”.Despite initially deciding not take action when images of the Labour leader consuming beer first appeared, Durham Police announced on Friday it would launch an investigation into a potential breach of Covid laws.Labour has repeatedly said the event at Durham Miners’ Hall in April 2021 was within the rules, as it was held between work events and staff were campaigning in the Hartlepool by-election.Sir Keir, however, is now considering the high-risk strategy of announcing that he would resign as Labour leader if the police conclude he has broken Covid rules for his involvement in the event.The party is yet to formally comment, but a Labour source told The Independent there will be “some movement in the next few hours”. It was later announced Sir Keir will deliver a statement at 4pm.The Labour leader was understood to be in talks with close allies on Monday after pulling out a planned speech at the Institute for Government (IfG) on “meeting the challenges the country faces” ahead of the Queen’s Speech at the state opening of Parliament.The party earlier declined to explain why the appearance was cancelled, other than to say “plans change”.Sir Keir also cancelled his planned attendance at a memorial event for the former Conservative cabinet minister, James Brokenshire, on Monday morning.Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting earlier said he did not know why Sir Keir cancelled his appearance at the event but insisted he was not avoiding scrutiny.Mr Streeting told BBC Breakfast: “I have no idea why he cancelled the event and I certainly didn’t ask before I came on because I think it’s such a trivial issue.“The idea that Keir has been dodging questions… I mean he’s been out all weekend, even after a local election campaign where we did very well, he’s been out thanking Labour teams, particularly in the places that we did particularly well in these elections.”Mr Streeting added that Sir Keir has faced journalists “wherever he’s been”, including as recently as Saturday, adding: “The idea that Keir is somehow ducking scrutiny is simply not true.”On Monday, a poll by YouGov also found that 46 per cent of the public believed Sir Keir should resign if he is fined by Durham police for breaching Covid rules. A majority — 54 per cent — claimed that the Labour leader either “probably” or “definitely” flouted the rules.Previous surveys, however, have found a greater proportion of people want Boris Johnson to resign over the Partygate scandal, with an ongoing Metropolitan Police investigation probing 12 separate events in No 10 and government buildings.At the time of the Durham gathering, non-essential retail and outdoor venues, including pub gardens, were open, but social distancing rules, which included a ban on indoor mixing between households, remained in place.Sir Keir previously said no restaurants or pubs were open at the time of the alleged breach so “if you didn’t get a takeaway then our team wasn’t eating that evening”.Sir Keir, a former director of public prosecutions, told reporters on Saturday: “As I have explained a number of times, I was working in the office, we stopped for something to eat.“There was no party, no breach of rules, I am confident of that.” More

The Belfast Agreement, more commonly known as The Good Friday Agreement, was signed in Northern Ireland on 10 April 1998. It effectively brought an end to The Troubles, which had raged in the region for thirty years, and established a cross-community consensus for peace and the future direction of the region.As Brexit puts the Northern Ireland protocol under the spotlight and Sinn Fein celebrate victory in the polls, we look at the history of the hugely significant deal 24 years on. The TroublesFrom the late 1960s, Northern Ireland was plunged into a brutal conflict between republicans who wanted the province to become part of a united Ireland and unionists who wanted to remain within the United Kingdom. Republicans and the wider nationalist community are mostly Catholic, while unionists are mostly Protestant. More

Boris Johnson is continuing to resist pressure for a windfall tax on energy firms, amid predictions that millions of families could face a further hike of almost £1,000 in bills this autumn.ScottishPower boss Keith Anderson said average household bills were likely to leap from £1,971 to as much as £2,900 in October when regulator Ofgem next reviews the price cap.And he said that the government’s current offer of a £200 loan to help households tide over was “not going to be anywhere near enough” to cushion the blow, which follows an average increase of almost £700 in combined electricity and gas prices in April.Downing Street confirmed that the government is expecting further increases in the autumn, but refused to say whether it accepted Mr Anderson’s figures.“I think it’s fair to say that we do expect there to be further increases later in the year,” said Mr Johnson’s official spokesperson.“The chancellor has talked about that, and has made clear that we will look to do what we can to help with energy bills in the autumn when we know more about what prices will be.”“Given what’s going to happen in October, we think that urgent action is required to put in place a mechanism to support customers through this period,” he said.“You require a sum of about £1,000 to start bringing bills back closer not to where they used to be, but closer to where it’s realistic to expect people to be able to pay them.”He called for “targeted” support for the most vulnerable customers. This could be for customers with pre-payment meters, those on Universal Credit, or those eligible for the warm home discount.He said the Government’s plan to give each household £200 towards their energy bill – a sum that will need to be paid back – will be insufficient.“Our view is clearly now this £200 is not going to be anywhere near enough,” he said.“This will take time to implement, and it will take time to agree on the exact format of it … that all needs to be debated, signed, sealed, delivered, designed and agreed by July to allow it to be implemented by October.”He said there are several different ways for the £1,000 to be funded. It could for instance be added to all household energy bills over the next decade.Shadow energy secretary Ed Miliband said that Rishi Sunak’s £200 “rebate” on bills, coupled with a £150 cut to council tax for less well-off households, will be “wholly inadequate to meet the scale of needs” as soaring bills hit families’ budgets.He renewed Labour’s call for a further £600 in assistance, funded by a windfall tax on soaring North Sea incomes, which last week saw BP announce a doubling of its profits in the first three months of the year to £4.9bn.”As energy bills spiral for working people, this warning is yet another reminder that the government is failing to tackle the cost of living crisis,” said Mr Miliband.”Energy bills have already risen to their highest level in a generation. Yet instead of offering real support, this government’s ‘buy now, pay later’ loan scheme is wholly inadequate to meet the scale of need. “And they refuse to implement a windfall tax on the oil and gas producers making record profits, that could fund real support for families. Britain needs a government that is on your side.”But the prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “We want to encourage investment and not to deter it and obviously I wouldn’t speculate but obviously we don’t know what impact would be on raising a windfall tax and whether that additional charge will be passed on to bill-payers.”The spokesperson said that investment by energy companies in new greener sources of power was vital to rein in future bills.“We saw them announce billions of pounds to do things which will enable the lower emission oil and gas projects, offshore wind projects, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, carbon capture and storage,” said the PM’s spokesperson.“Those are vital to the long-term energy security of the UK and to moving away from some of the volatility that’s affecting people’s bills right now.” More

The Belfast Agreement, more commonly known as The Good Friday Agreement, was signed in Northern Ireland on 10 April 1998. It effectively brought an end to The Troubles, which had raged in the region for thirty years, and established a cross-community consensus for peace and the future direction of the region.As Brexit puts the Northern Ireland protocol under the spotlight and Sinn Fein celebrate victory in the polls, we look at the history of the hugely significant deal 24 years on. The TroublesFrom the late 1960s, Northern Ireland was plunged into a brutal conflict between republicans who wanted the province to become part of a united Ireland and unionists who wanted to remain within the United Kingdom. Republicans and the wider nationalist community are mostly Catholic, while unionists are mostly Protestant. More