UK Politics

MPs have been issued with a warning over spying threat from a woman believed to be attempting to influence UK politicians on behalf of China.Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, in a letter sent to MPs, warned that Christine Lee had been “engaged in political interference” for the Chinese Communist Party and sought to lobby parliamentarians including through a former all-party parliamentary group (APPG).The letter stated: “I should highlight the fact that Lee has facilitated financial donations to serving and aspiring parliamentarians on behalf of foreign nationals based in Hong Kong and China.”The Speaker added: “This facilitation was done covertly to mask the origins of the payments. This is clearly unacceptable behaviour and steps are being taken to ensure it ceases.”Labour MP Barry Gardiner has confirmed he had received donations from Lee and said he has been liaising with intelligence “for a number of years” about her.“They have always known, and been made fully aware by me, of her engagement with my office and the donations she made to fund researchers in my office in the past,” said Mr Gardiner.The MP also revealed that Ms Lee’s son had been acting as his diary manager – but had resigned on Thursday morning. Mr Gardiner said MI5 “have no intelligence that shows he was aware of, or complicit in, his mother’s illegal activity”.The former Labour frontbencher said Ms Lee stopped funding any workers in his office in June 2020 and he had not “personally benefited from those donations in any way”.The MI5 security warning – details of which were first published in The Sun on Thursday – named Ms Lee as a solicitor suspected to have been “knowingly engaged in political interference activities” in the UK.Senior Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith raised the issue in the Commons on Thursday and called for an overhaul of the accreditation process “because it’s clearly too lenient”.Sir Iain said the warned circulated by the Lord Speaker is “warning members of parliament that there has been an agent of the Chinese government active here in parliament, working with a member of parliament, obviously to subvert the processes here.”The former Tory party leader told MPs: “This is a matter of grave concern.”He added: “I am one of those who has done a lot to help fleeing Hong Kong Chinese. Here in the UK we have names and numbers of people. And that leaves me worrying some of these have been accessed by such an individual. These would be their lives and families at risk.”Human rights campaigner Luke de Pulford told The Independent: “It’s not a surprise to us. There’s been suspicions of a very close relationship between the Chinese Embassy and figures in parliament for a long time. It just goes to show that democracy can be subverted by this kind of thing.”Mr de Pulford lent his support to Sir Iain’s call for a root and branch check of all everyone working in MPs’ offices. “I think we need to make it clear what interests people working for MPs have,” Mr de Pulford said.The Independent has contact Christine Lee’s office for comment. More

Boris Johnson’s fate now lies in the hands not of his MPs or the nation’s voters, but a little-known civil servant conducting an inquiry behind closed doors into Downing Street parties.As he made his apology on Wednesday for attending a drinks event in the No 10 rose garden during lockdown, the prime minister pleaded with MPs to suspend judgment on his actions until the release of Sue Gray’s report.The tactic bought the PM time, but may prove a double-edged sword in raising expectations that he will comply with any recommendations the Whitehall mandarin makes. Asked whether he would resign if Gray found against him, Johnson himself told the Commons he would “respond as appropriate” to her findings.The terms of reference of Ms Gray’s inquiry, as set out by the Cabinet Office, state that its primary purpose is “to establish swiftly a general understanding of the nature of the gatherings, including attendance, the setting and the purpose, with reference to adherence to the guidance in place at the time”.She is not required to make recommendations for action, but her remit makes clear that she may pass judgement on whether “individual disciplinary action is warranted”.However, there is widespread doubt at Westminster that Ms Gray will see it as her role, as a politically neutral and unelected civil servant, to reach a finding so unequivocal that it would require the removal of a prime minister.Previous reports by government officials, no matter how damning, have tended to be couched in diplomatic terms which allow elected politicians to make the final judgement on whether one of their colleagues has unforgivably overstepped the mark.Sir David Normington, a former Whitehall permanent secretary, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “She will be very aware that she has the reputation and possibly the careers of senior civil servants and possibly of the Prime Minister in her hands, and that is a very difficult position to be in, however fair and fearless and rigorous you are.”No date has yet been set for the completion of Ms Gray’s investigation, with Downing Street saying only that she will continue until her inquiries are concluded.“Sue Gray is acting independently, she is leading this piece of work. Under the terms of reference she is able to speak to who she wishes and investigate as she sees fit to ascertain the facts,” Mr Johnson’s official spokesperson told reporters.Expectations are high that the report will go next week to Mr Johnson, who has pledged to publish it. However, its expected publication date has already been delayed several times as new allegations about parties come to light and require additional investigation.Mr Johnson has said he will make a statement to the House of Commons when he receives the report, at what will be a moment of maximum peril for the prime minister.While he is thought highly unlikely to resign, no matter how critical her findings may be, Tory MPs have made clear they are ready to submit letters of no confidence to the chair of the backbench 1922 Committee if they feel his position is no longer tenable. Committee chair Sir Graham Brady must call a vote of no confidence in Mr Johnson as Tory leader if he receives letters from 15 per cent of MPs – some 54 Conservatives.Downing Street will also be on resignation watch at the time of the report’s publication, as any cabinet minister contemplating a leadership bid could use the report as an opportunity to distance him- or herself from Johnson and to signal disapproval of his behaviour in office.The decision on what action should be taken in response to the report, in terms of disciplinary measures or changes to Downing Street procedures, will be for Mr Johnson to take. His independent adviser on ethics, Lord Geidt, could only get involved at the prime minister’s request.But if Mr Johnson chooses to overrule or ignore elements of the report, he risks provoking Ms Gray into resigning, as his former ethics adviser Sir Alex Allan did when the PM reversed the findings of his report into bullying by Priti Patel.Ms Gray was called in to helm the partygate inquiry on 18 December, after cabinet secretary Simon Case was forced to step down after it emerged that he had hosted a lockdown drinks event in his private office the previous year.Mr Case had initially been asked to look into reports of a single Christmas party in 2020 and was expected to conclude his inquiry before parliament rose for its winter break, but the probe was swiftly expanded as new allegations emerged about a series of Covid breaches.The second permanent secretary in the Cabinet Office is leading a small team with powers to interview officials, ministers and political appointees at Downing Street and other government departments.No 10 has refused to reveal whether the prime minister has spoken to her inquiry or whether he has handed over his mobile phone or computer for records of messages to be checked.Downing Street says it “does not recognise” claims from No 10 insiders – revealed by The Independent – that they were told last month to “clean” their phones of anything which appeared to point to a party taking place.Ms Gray is a former director general of propriety and ethics at the Cabinet Office, and has been described as “the most powerful person you’ve never heard of”.In 2017, she led an inquiry which forced the resignation of de facto deputy prime minister Damian Green over claims that pornography was found on his computer.She also spearheaded the so-called “plebgate” inquiry into claims that then-chief whip Andrew Mitchell had insulted police officers on Downing Street.Some critics have suggested Ms Gray has been influential in blocking freedom of information requests, with former BBC Newsnight journalist Chris Cook reporting in 2015 that she was “notorious for her determination not to leave a document trail” and had assisted departments to “fight disclosures”.Mr Johnson’s own future may depend on whether she is able herself to find a document trail pointing to his toleration or encouragement of Covid rule-breaking by staff at No 10.Gray has worked in the civil service since the late 1970s, apart from a career break in the late 1980s when she ran a pub in Newry with her husband Bill Conlon, a country singer from County Down. 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A Labour councillor has resigned after a series of offensive tweets resurfaced about Black, Muslim, Arab and transgender people.Among a series of unearthed social media posts, Philip Normal, who was the mayor of Lambeth in south London between 2020 and 2021, tweeted: “Why do some Muslim women walk like penguins? I’m not being mean? Because I know there’s an issue in the healthcare system there…”The same year, 2011, the 39-year-old posted a message criticising a “big Black man” for taking up room on a bus, adding the hashtag “he’s not sucking my d**k”.He went on to describe Whitechapel, in east London, as being an “aggressively Muslim” neighbourhood in a tweet in January 2013.In a statement posted via Twitter on Thursday, Mr Normal wrote: “I have today resigned as a Lambeth councillor and a Lambeth Labour candidate for Oval ward. I want to apologise again to everyone who I have caused deep hurt and pain to due to my past social media posts.“I’m proud to have been a ward councillor for Oval and Mayor of Lambeth and I am sorry that my past actions from before I was elected have undermined the positive work that Lambeth Labour councillors do to advance equality in our diverse communities.”He had previously apologised and promised to have a period of “learning and reflection”.Mr Normal garnered widespread praise last year for his It’s a Sin-themed ‘La’ t-shirts which raised half a million pounds for HIV charity the Terrence Higgins TrustAmong the many offensive tweets that have resurfaced, the local politician tweeted on 7 July 2011: “Muslim extremists on the overground seem to love Capri-sun!” He also referred to a man as a “hairy Arab” and used the slur “tr***y” in reference to transgender people,The Labour Party declined to comment when contacted by The Independent.Mr Normal’s resignation comes after repeated concerns raised by marginalised groups that the Labour Party is failing to tackle racism within its own ranks. More

The US has rejected a UK plea for face-to-face talks to remove punishing tariffs on UK steel, in an embarrassment for Boris Johnson.Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the trade secretary, urged her counterpart in Washington to jump on a plane after the US refused to strike a deal because of its fears about threats to the Northern Ireland Protocol.But Gina Raimondo, the US commerce secretary, has now told the Department for International Trade (DIT), that she is too busy to travel to the UK at present.“While Secretary Raimondo appreciates the kind invitation, she’s not in a position to travel to London in-person at this time,” a spokesperson told the Politico website.The snub is a major embarrassment for the government because the EU and UK reached an agreement in October to suspend the tariffs – yet British exporters are still forced to pay the levies.The 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent tariff on aluminium were originally imposed by Donald Trump’s administration in a dispute with the EU.Labour accused the prime minister of being “distracted with making excuses about the shocking Downing Street parties”, rather than the plight of steelmakers.“This is bitterly disappointing news for the UK’s steel and aluminium manufacturers and for the many jobs, livelihoods, and businesses who rely on this industry,” said Nick Thomas-Symonds, the shadow trade secretary.“Labour has been calling for the prime minister to personally intervene with the US president and show the leadership this issue requires.”A DIT source said Ms Trevelyan hoped to revive the discussions remotely, but there is no date for any talks to take place.Last month, a communication sent by a US commerce official revealed the steel talks are on hold because of government threat to tear up the post-Brexit Protocol.Joe Biden, who has Irish heritage, has made clear his determination to protect the Good Friday Agreement – the purpose of the Protocol, in avoiding a hard land border – in the falloutThe DIT source said: “Given the current uncertainty around the Omicron variant, it is understandable that foreign ministers are not able to commit to international travel for in-person meetings.“The trade secretary extended a clear and positive invite to Secretary Raimondo to begin discussions to resolve the steel tariff issue in January, including through virtual means.“We maintain the urgent need to make progress on this issue to lift the prospect of further retaliatory tariffs on US goods and look forward to virtual discussions with the US in view of the global pandemic.” More

Boris Johnson’s political meltdown over lockdown parties in Downing Street has caught the attention of European newspapers – most of which have cast a sceptical eye on the prime minister’s response.French-speaking Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir carries a analysis piece branding Mr Johnson’s defence of the party “tenuous”, stating that had “played the naivety card” to MPs on Wednesday. Meanwhile in Flanders De Standard says the prime minister’s argument “convinced few” and says he is gradually becoming a “dead man walking”. France’s conservative Le Figaro newspaper took the opportunity to play on the revellers’ drink of choice, quipping: “If abused, Rosé wine can give you a headache – sometimes for a longtime afterwards.” It says the political future of Mr Johnson is in question and that “the ‘partygate’ fire is far from extinguished”. French left-of-centre daily Libération meanwhile says that for Boris Johnson, “it’s really no longer time for celebration”. Its London correspondent notes that the prime minister’s experience in the Commons on Wednesday was “far from the time of arrogant victories, voter plebiscites, and spicy slogans” he enjoyed at the start of his premiership. “The party is over, and so are the jokes. Cascading revelations of corruption cases involving his party, as well as illegal evenings held in his residence in 2020” led him to where he is now, the paper says. Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant carries the headline: “Yes, I was at the lockdown drinks (but I’m not resigning)”. By contrast to the UK, The Netherlands’ entire Cabinet government last year resigned after the social security system falsely accused families of benefit fraud. Volkskrant also accused the British PM of “evasive behaviour”, and noted: “All the drinks and parties also further highlighted Johnson’s lack of empathy, another weakness of the prime minister. Johnson has been attributed a certain narcissism for years, the urge to reach the top. Behind his clownish appearance hides a ruthless striver.” A comment piece carried by German centre-right newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung said it would have been “futile” for the prime minister to deny the party took place. “A politician like Boris Johnson does not apologize – unless the water is up to his neck,” it noted, adding that his fate is now in the hands of the Tory parliamentarians. The paper concludes: “Many in the party have a less relaxed relationship with virtues such as honesty and decency than Johnson.” An analysis carried by German newspaper Die Zeit meanwhile says the government wants to change the subject from parties, but does not know what it can change it to. “The government hardly dares to talk about Brexit anymore, as it cannot demonstrate to the public that Brexit was worthwhile and that it has led to an improvement in living standards,” it says. “Worse still, energy prices are rising, food is becoming more expensive, and social security contributions will be increased in April.” Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza noted that “even the right-wing press did not accept the prime minister’s apology”, while Hungarian tabloid Blikknotes that “more and more irregularities” are being revealed regarding the conduct of the government during the height of the Covid pandemic. The London correspondent for Spain’s El Pais newspaper says the prime minister dealt in “half apologies” in the Commons on Wednesday and that his future now relies on the “arcane and mysterious” leadership rules of the Conservative party. El Mundo meanwhile declares that the episode is “the revenge of Dominic Cummings”, branding him “el chivato de la fiesta”, or “the party snitch”. In Italy, the newspaper La Stampa carries a comment piece proclaiming: “Boris Johnson, a public and private life built on lies”. The article lists some of the numerous times the British prime minister has been caught lying or had to apologise. “The number of times he has been forced to apologise is endless,” it says, but predicts: “This will be the last. The Conservative Party needs some time to search for a successor, but will ultimately abandon Johnson to his fate”. More

The UK’s prospective post-Brexit trade deal with India could boost the British economy by as little as 0.12 per cent, the government has estimated.International trade secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan welcomed the “golden opportunity” of a free trade agreement as she launched negotiations with her Indian counterpart in New Delhi on Thursday.A deal could increase Britain’s gross domestic product (GDP) “between 0.12 per cent and 0.22 per cent in the long run”, according to a strategy document published by the Department for International Trade (DIT).It is hoped that any new agreement would include cutting tariffs on exports of British-made cars and Scotch whisky, with UK negotiators angling for a deal that slashes barriers to trading.Ms Trevelyan said she would like for a deal to be clinched by early 2023, with the first round of formal negotiations expected to start next week.“This is the first of my important agreements this year as Britain sets out on her independent journey post-Brexit,” she told reporters on Thursday.Indian prime minister Narendra Modi is believed to have made easier immigration to the UK a key demand for a new trade agreement.But Boris Johnson last week denied there was any plan to ease visa requirements, telling Brexiteer MP Sir Edward Leigh in the Commons: “We don’t do free trade deals on that basis.”However, in an interview with the Financial Times on Thursday, Ms Trevelyan said “everything is on the table to discuss” – including broadening visa access for Indian students and skilled workers. She said: “At the end of the day, I will take back to cabinet a deal which I think is great for UK businesses and provides opportunities for them to see trade and investment growth going forward.”Speaking at the launch of negotiations, Piyush Goyal, India’s minister of commerce and industry, said “the Indian diaspora in Britain is a bridge between the two countries and can add a lot of dynamism to their relationship”.The DIT said deal had the “potential” to almost double UK exports to India and boost two-way trade by £28bn a year by 2035.The department’s strategy document also said that estimates point to a long-run increase in UK GDP equivalent to £3.3bn in 2035, up to £6.2bn in 2035, depending on the depth of the agreement.The US has shelved talks on free trade agreement with the UK, despite a recent visit to Washington by Ms Trevelyan.Farming bodies and environmentalists have attacked the recent trade deal struck with Australia, accusing the government of damaging British agricultural exports and lowering standards. More

Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg has suggested the Covid public inquiry must examine whether lockdown rules, including restrictions on funerals, were “too hard” on individuals or “proportionate”.His comments came as Boris Johnson faces mounting anger after admitting he attended a No 10 party event on 20 May, 2020 when the country was still subject to strict measures on gatherings.He has also faced fury from members of the public who were obeying Covid restrictions and unable to visit dying relatives and faced legal limits on the number of mourners unable to attend funerals.Tackled on the Downing Street rose garden gathering, where over 100 No 10 staff were invited, Mr Rees-Mogg told MPs on Thursday that the matter was being investigated by the senior civil servant, Sue Gray,However, he went on: “I think everybody understands that people were obeying the rules and these rules were very hard for people to obey.“I received a message last night from a friend of mine who was unable to go to the funeral of his two-year-old granddaughter — one cannot hear these stories without grieving for those who suffered.”Questioning the measures his own government introduced at the height of lockdown restrictions, the cabinet minister added: “Decisions were taken at the beginning of the pandemic that affected people up and down the country and we must consider as this goes to an inquiry that we look into what happened with Covid, whether all those regulations were proportionate, or whether it was too hard on people”.“I think as we hear these stories, we inevitably grieve for those who suffered, those who could not visit people they loved, their families and could not attend funerals.“I think the key is this is being looked into, that Sue Gray will report and the prime minister has made his apology clear and understands the rage people feel when they were making these terrible sacrifices”.Asked about the remarks from Mr Rees-Mogg, the prime minister’s official spokesperson later said the government had “sought throughout to strike the right balance when introducing regulations and guidance”.“Clearly this was a unique situation in which we were required to move at speed and oftentimes whilst the evidence base was continuing to grow,” they insisted.They added: “I think prime minister has absolutely acknowledged that these restrictions do not…there is no cost-free option, both in allowing the virus to continue unimpeded and indeed introducing restrictions on people’s way of lives and their livelihood.”As Mr Johnson faced calls to resign from MPs in his own party over his involvement in the No 10 garden party, Mr Rees-Mogg also attempted to claim the prime minister had “again and again” got key decisions “right” during the course of the pandemic.Responding to a question from the SNP MP, Pete Wishart, the cabinet minister said: “He could have called for the prime minister to resign at every business questions where we have exchanged pleasantries since I became leader of the House“So I think that his call for the prime minister to resign is one that will be not be taken any notice of.”He added: “The prime minister won an election, that is the basis on which the democracy in our country works. He won a majority of 80 and has done so much to the benefit of this country in the last two years.” More