UK Politics

Boris Johnson is facing a fight for his political life at Westminster this week as a perfect storm of issues threaten to destabilise his premiership. The PM is set to suffer the government’s biggest rebellion yet on Tuesday over plans to bring in vaccine passports, with the list of Tory MPs threatening to vote against them nearing 70.As well as being damaged by scandals over alleged breaches of Covid rules at parties and quizzes during lockdown, and questions over sleaze and corruption, the PM will also go into this week struggling to hold on to a safe Tory heartland seat.Allies of the prime minister on Sunday downplayed Tory prospects of holding North Shropshire, which is holding a by-election to replace Owen Paterson. Mr Paterson quit in a row over his second job and breaches of lobbying rules.Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi said on Sunday that by-elections are sometimes used to “send a message” to the government and sought to manage expectations by claiming the contest could see a “protest vote”.The Liberal Democrats have positioned themselves as the main challengers in the seat and now see victory as being within their grasp – citing early canvass returns and bookies’ odds.While a defeat would do little to practically dent Mr Johnson’s significant majority, it could not come at a worse time for the PM, whose party is increasingly reconsidering whether he is an electoral asset.Some Tory MPs are thought to have filed votes of no confidence in the prime minister with the chair of the 1922 Committee – the mechanism used to replace the Tory leader. The letters are kept confidential until they hit a threshold, currently 56.While the number of letters with the chair is not thought to be anywhere near that number, it was reported over the weekend that close allies of former prime minister Theresa May are considering submitting theirs in the event of a by-election defeat on Thursday.Pressing ahead with vaccine passports on Tuesday – with the help of Labour votes – could also further antagonise those in the Conservative Party who have so far tolerated the PM.MPs on the rebellion list compiled by the Tory-supporting Spectator magazine, which Mr Johnson once edited, range from old hands such as Iain Duncan Smith and Christopher Chope, to new “red wall” MPs including Dehenna Davison and Lee Anderson. As of Sunday night the list numbers 68, with Tobias Ellwood, Scott Benton, Henry Smith and Matt Vickers being the latest additions. Mr Johnson has long been able to rely on a poll lead, or at least midterm level-pegging with Labour, but recent scandals have eroded his lead.An Opinium survey published on Sunday put Labour nine points ahead of Mr Johnson’s party – the biggest Labour lead in seven years, according to the polling firm. More

Boris Johnson looks to have broken the law when he hosted a Christmas quiz at Downing Street during lockdown, Labour’s leader has said.Keir Starmer, a former director of public prosecutions, said it “looks as though” the prime minister was in breach of the rules.Pictures published by the Sunday Mirror show the PM flanked by colleagues and draped in tinsel in No.10, with others apparently taking part online.Downing Street has confirmed that the PM “briefly” took part in the quiz, though they stressed the virtual nature of some participants.Defending the PM on Sunday morning television Nadhim Zahawi, who was at the time the vaccines minister, stressed that no alcohol had been solved at the event.Asked about the apparent social nature of the meeting, he told the BBC: “I don’t think there’s a rule against recognising Christmas with tinsel or a hat.”But Sir Keir, asked on the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show whether the Prime Minister had been breaking the law, said: “Well, it looks as though he was.“He must have known that other groups were in other rooms in his own building.”But the opposition leader stopped short of calling for Mr Johnson to resign over his participation in the event.Instead he branded the PM the “worst possible leader at the worst possible time”, arguing that trust in new measures to control the fast-spreading omicron variant could have been undermined by recent rule-breaking allegations.Social events outside household bubbles were banned under government rules at the time, including with colleagues who might otherwise have been working together.Official guidance stated: “You must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier.”A No 10 spokeswoman said: “This was a virtual quiz.“Downing Street staff were often required to be in the office to work on the pandemic response so those who were in the office for work may have attended virtually from their desks.“The Prime Minister briefly took part virtually in a quiz to thank staff for their hard work throughout the year.” More

Boris Johnson apologises for No 10 staff joking about lockdown Christmas partyBoris Johnson may have broken the law with a Christmas quiz last year, Labour and the SNP have said, while a Tory minister defended the event by saying there was “no alcohol on the table” and “no rule against recognising Christmas with tinsel”. Images have emerged in the Sunday Mirror of the prime minister during the Downing Street quiz, sitting next to members of staff wearing tinsel and a santa hat. The newspaper reported this took place days before a No 10 gathering currently under investigation by Cabinet secretary Simon Case. Tory minister Nadhim Zahawi defended the event on Sunday, saying it was a “virtual call” and no one was drinking. Guidance at the time said members of the public should not have a “work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier.”Amid the row over Christmas parties, Labour has surged to its highest polling lead over the Conservatives in seven years. Show latest update

1639316406Boris Johnson slams BBC for Christmas party coverage – reportAnother report today claims Boris Johnson has blasted the BBC over its coverage of the Downing Street Christmas party row. The Daily Mail reported the prime minister called the broadcaster “frivilous and vengeful” and criticised it for neglecting a “primary duty” of promoting booster jabs.See more here:Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 13:401639320306Full story: Starmer says Johnson ‘may have broken law’ Boris Johnson looks to have broken the law when he hosted a Christmas quiz at Downing Street during lockdown, Labour’s leader has said.Keir Starmer, a former director of public prosecutions, said it “looks as though” the prime minister was in breach of the rules.Jon Stone, our policy correspondent, reports:Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 14:451639319646Police warning over Covid rule compliance after Christmas party scandalSenior police officers have warned that public compliance with new Covid laws will be affected by the Downing Street Christmas party scandal.Sources told The Independent anecdotal reports were coming in over terse exchanges between police and the public in recent days, and officers fear any move to ban parties would prompt a significant backlash.One senior police officer, speaking off the record, warned that if any new restrictions come in, the “public would try to comply… but would be rightly p****d off.”Here is the exclusive by Lizzie Dearden, our home affairs editor:Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 14:341639318506By-election could be ‘protest vote’, Tory ministerBack to the North Shropshire by-election, the Conservatives have appeared to play down their chances of winning after a minister said the electorate could use the poll as a “protest vote”.Nadhim Zahawi told Times Radio by-elections are sometimes used to “send a message”, in what will be read as a hint that the Tories think they could lose the contest, despite enjoying a comfortable majority of almost 23,000 at the last election two years ago.Full story:Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 14:151639317366Met Police maintains stance on Downing Street ‘parties’Rachel Wearmouth from the Daily Mirror says the Met Police maintains it will not investigate Downing Street for potential Covid breaches last year:Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 13:561639315506North Shropshire Tories say PM is ‘hinderance’ ahead of by-electionThe current row over Christmas parties comes days before North Shropshire goes to the polls for a by-election – triggered by the resignation of Owen Paterson.Local tories have said Boris Johnson has become a hindrance to Conservative campaigners in the area, with activists repeatedly admonished on the doorstep over a prime minister perceived to be presiding over a series of scandals and mis-steps. Colin Drury reports:Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 13:251639314621‘National vaccination mission’In other news, Boris Johnson is set to launch a “national vaccination mission” in a bid to head off the omicron variant of Covid. Jon Stone, our policy correspondent, reports:Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 13:101639313301Starmer backs government in Covid voteIn other news, the government is preparing to vote on new Covid restrictions on Tuesday. These are expected to become law this week after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer confirmed his party would be supporting the government in next week’s vote. The PM could potentially be facing the largest rebellion of his premiership over the new restrictions, with more than 60 Conservative MPs said to be against them. Additional reporting by PAZoe Tidman12 December 2021 12:481639312401ICYMI: Zahawi defends No10 Christmas quizNadhim Zahawi defended the Downing Street Christmas quiz in media interviews this morning, giving reasons such as there was no alcohol on the table.Watch here:Tory minister suggests Christmas quiz wasn’t party because there was ‘no alcohol’Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 12:331639311261Round-up of Christmas party allegationsAccusations of Christmas festivites in Westminster last year – amid strict Covid restrictions – have continued to emerge this weekend. Fresh reports of a Christmas quiz in Downing Street come after days of allegations involving parties for government staff. Andy Gregory has the full round-up:Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 12:14 More

Boris Johnson has become a hindrance to Conservative campaigners in the North Shropshire by-election, local Tories have said amid growing questions about his leadership.Party activists are being repeatedly admonished on the doorstep over a prime minister perceived to be presiding over a series of scandals and mis-steps – most notably his apparent attempts to cover-up a Downing Street Christmas party, and the news he himself hosted a Christmas quiz.Campaigners say they are having to spend significant amounts of time listening to disquiet about Mr Johnson’s conduct before they can begin presenting a positive case for the seat’s candidate, Neil Shastri-Hurst.“I think he’s been a slight hindrance, that’s what people are telling us,” said Mark Jones, a Shropshire councillor who has been campaigning this week with Mr Shastri-Hurst. “They are mentioning these things so it becomes our job to get them back to the subject which is making sure we get the right candidate for North Shropshire.”By rights, the by-election – called after previous Tory MP Owen Paterson resigned amid a lobby scandal – should have been a blue stroll. The party has a 23,000 majority and has held the area for almost 200 years.Yet, while local activists remain confident of seeing off a strong Lib Dem challenge, they say the job has been made intractably more difficult by their leader.“He gives the general impression that he is a buffoon and that he is not taking things seriously; and what people think of that, I am sure, will come out in the election result,” said Roy Aldcroft, another Shropshire councillor and the Conservative Mayor of Market Drayton. “And I would say, if we do lose this, he [Mr Johnson] would have to reflect on his position.“I would like to see the whole issue of who leads us through future elections looked at if we lose. I think that applies even if we win but it’s with a largely reduced majority.”Even party members looking for positives described Mr Johnson as a “Marmite” figure in the area.“Some people do say he’s fantastic but there are an equal number who say, ‘Go away, I’m not going to vote for you again, he’s really put me off’,” said Geoff Elner, a third Shropshire councillor. “We had a 23,000 majority and that’s dwindled and dwindled and dwindled because of what has been happening [in Westminster]. We will get in but it will be nowhere the size [of 2019’s victory].”The local grumbles come as Tory MPs have also begun questioning whether Mr Johnson is up to the job of governing and, crucially, of winning another election.“If we lost the by-election,” one senior Conservative told The Independent. “then he would be in huge trouble. A by-election loss will damage the idea of him as an election winner. The public haven’t historically applied the same rules to him but that is fading away.” More

Boris Johnson is set to launch a “national vaccination mission” in a bid to head off the omicron variant of Covid-19.Addressing the nation on Sunday evening the prime minister is expected to warn that the more virulent strain of Covid will soon become the dominant one in the UK.The Independent understands Mr Johnson will set a target to give boosters to a large proportion of the population by Christmas. He is expected to say that the latest data around omicron’s transmissibility and ability to evade vaccines is “deeply concerning”.The PM will draw on the latest data, which suggests that booster shots of existing vaccines are effective at stopping omicron – but that two shots do not always offer sufficient protection.It comes as the prime minister struggles to regain control of the news narrative, following a politically torrid few weeks of being battered on sleaze, corruption, and lockdown rulebreaking.On Friday the UK Health Security Agency said its data showed boosters significantly restore protection against Covid, reversing an otherwise steep drop in vaccine effectiveness.”These early estimates should be treated with caution but they indicate that a few months after the second jab, there is a greater risk of catching the Omicron variant compared to Delta strain,” Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at the UKHSA, said.”The data suggest this risk is significantly reduced following a booster vaccine, so I urge everyone to take up their booster when eligible.”On Saturday scientists advising the government at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine warned that Omicron could cause between 25,000 and 75,000 deaths in England over the next five months without additional restrictions, under their most pessimistic scenario.Even under their study’s most optimistic scenario a peak of 2,400 daily hospital admissions would be seen if England stayed under the government’s “plan B” measures,. But the scientists said much of their calculations relied on the efficacy of the government’s booster programme and the speed at which it could be rolled out.Downing Street has confirmed Mr Johnson will give an address later on Sunday. Speaking on Sunday morning Nadhim Zahawi said the prime minister would explain more about the government’s approach to booster vaccines when he appeared. More

A Cabinet minister has defended leaked images of Boris Johnson hosting a Christmas Quiz in Downing Street during lockdown– arguing that it was within the rules.Nazhim Zahawi, who was vaccines minister at the time of the event, said the gathering could not have been a party because no alcohol was present.In images reported by the Daily Mirror the prime minister can be seek flanked by colleagues covered in tinsel – but Mr Zahawi claimed the gathering broke no rules because “they work with him”.”What do we see in that picture? We see a prime minister on a virtual quiz night for 10 to 15 minutes, to thank his staff – who by the way had no choice but to come in every single day,” Mr Zahawi told Sky News.”Sitting in his office with the two people who are closest working with him, no alcohol on the table, not drinking – on a zoom call or teams call, virtual call – respecting the lockdown rules. “Many people would have had similar zoom quiz nights around the country. They are in his office, they work with him.”Asked why the colleagues were dressed in Christmas garb, Mr Zahawi told the BBC: “I don’t think there’s a rule against recognising Christmas with tinsel or a hat.” More

Boris Johnson is reportedly facing a revolt within his own cabinet against the possible further tightening of Covid-19 restrictions as a wage of omicron variant infections looms.A report in the Sunday Telegraph claimed a number of senior ministers are planning to “resist” the imposition of potential “plan C” measures due to the lack of comprehensive data surrounding hospitalisation and death rates with regards to omicron.According to the newspaper, at least six cabinet ministers are said to have concerns that the government is looking to introduce harsher measures than those currently in place.It comes as Boris Johnson heads toward what could prove to be the largest rebellion of his leadership, with more than 60 Conservative MPs said to be against the introduction of new coronavirus measures.The PM announced on Wednesday he would be instating his winter plan B protocols in an attempt to ward off the omicron variant of the virus.A number of Conservatives have hit out at the proposals, with dozens of backbenchers vowing to vote against plans for vaccine passports to be made mandatory in large venues.The introduction of Covid passes will mean those who have not been fully vaccinated will not be able to enter indoor venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people and any venue with more than 10,000 people from Wednesday.The plan B measures also include compulsory mask-wearing in most public indoor settings, as well as guidance for employees to work from home where they can in order to stem transmission.Former cabinet ministers David Davis, Esther McVey, Dr Liam Fox and Greg Clark are among those to have raised the alarm around the reintroduction of the latest set of restrictions.Mr Clark, a former business secretary, said the government had “jumped the gun” in choosing to act before more was known about the impact omicron could have on hospital admissions.Former trade secretary Dr Fox, speaking in a debate in the Commons, said it was “difficult to justify these extra measures”.Senior Conservatives, including select committee chairmen Tobias Ellwood and William Wragg, have spoken in opposition to the measures while 2019 intake MPs such as Dehenna Davison and Lee Anderson – who represent so-called former Labour “red wall” constituencies – have announced they will rebel on Tuesday’s vote in the House of Commons.Former defence minister Mr Ellwood, who chairs the Defence Committee, told Sky News on Saturday: “I’d strongly urge the government to drop the vote on vaccination passports next week.“It is not the appropriate tactic to impose on a very weary nation at this time.”When questioned about the prospect of a Tory rebellion, Michael Gove said he was “confident” MPs would examine the proposals “seriously, soberly and thoughtfully” in light of the fast way omicron has been spreading across the UK.Speaking to broadcasters on Friday, he added: “I’m also confident people will conclude that, on balance, it is right to act.”In England, the legal requirement to wear masks was extended to more indoor spaces including museums, galleries and community centres from Friday.There will be a return to working from home guidance from Monday, and mandatory Covid passports for large venues is set to apply from Wednesday.Mr Johnson told a Downing Street press conference this week he would like to lift the plan B measures “no later than early January”.There will be a return to working from home guidance from Monday, and mandatory Covid passports for large venues is set to apply from Wednesday.Mr Johnson told a Downing Street press conference this week he would like to lift the plan B measures “no later than early January”. More

Boris Johnson has been pictured hosting a Christmas quiz in Downing Steet last December in “a clear breach” of his own government’s Covid rules.An image obtained by the Sunday Mirror shows the prime minister sitting with two colleagues underneath a portrait of Margaret Thatcher as he reportedly read out questions to staff over video.Sources told the newspaper the quiz was held on 15 December, while London was under tier 2 restrictions which banned social mixing. Staff were invited to take part online but dozens reportedly chose to do so from No 10 instead.One insider told the Sunday Mirror that in one office four teams made up of six people attended the quiz while huddled round computer screens.Under Covid regulations in place in London and most other parts of the country at the time, gatherings of two or more people indoors were banned unless “reasonably necessary for work”.Official guidance stated: “You must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier.” Adam Wagner, a lawyer, tweeted that the details reported suggested “a clear breach of the govt’s guidance and a potential breach of the law, including by the PM”.He added: “The image of the PM is of him together with two other people taking part (in fact, hosting) a social quiz at a time when gatherings of more than 1 person indoors were banned unless ‘reasonably necessary for work’ or some other exception and I can’t see any other that could apply. This appears to have been organised as a Christmas party.”A source told the Sunday Mirror the quiz finished at 9pm but staff stayed on for two hours drinking and talking, some of them mingling in each other’s offices.The source said: “Nobody ever questioned whether this was against the rules or if we shouldn’t be doing this.“We all just went ahead and did it. At the time we didn’t even click that what we were doing was so severely wrong. I’ve realised now that it was actually pretty outrageous.”The event is said to have taken place only three days before an alleged rule-breaking Christmas party in No 10, which is currently being investigated by cabinet secretary Simon Case.The Labour deputy party leader Angela Rayner said: “While the rules said that people shouldn’t have Christmas parties at work and Britons across the country were doing the right thing, Boris Johnson was instead happy to preside over a culture of disregard for the rules at the heart of government.“Despite repeated denials of parties in No 10, it now transpires that there were numerous parties, gatherings and the prime minister even took part in a festive quiz.“Boris Johnson really believes it’s one rule for him, another for everyone else. He is a man unfit to lead this country.”A No 10 spokesperson said: “This was a virtual quiz. Downing Street staff were often required to be in the office to work on the pandemic response so those who were in the office for work may have attended virtually from their desks.“The prime minister briefly took part virtually in a quiz to thank staff for their hard work throughout the year.”It was also reported that minister Therese Coffey’s staff made a habit of drinking alcohol late into the night in her office at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) while the rest of the country stayed at home under Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.According to the Sunday Mirror, DWP staff and officials would also order takeaway food to her office and, on one occasion, Ms Coffey, secretary of state for work and pensions, handed round Christmas presents.The DWP said that, although the drinking was happening after work hours, the staff were still working at the time.But one source said: “Even during lockdown, there were parties all the time.” Another added: “There is a constant flow of booze in the office.”A DWP spokesperson told The Independent: “Throughout the pandemic, DWP officials have followed government guidance while continuing to deliver vital services for millions of people. “Staff worked from home where possible but a core team working directly to the secretary of state regularly worked from the office, in accordance with the Covid-19 rules as they evolved. “The team regularly worked late into the evening and on a number of occasions they ate takeaway food and drank some alcohol. “On one occasion close to Christmas, the secretary of state gave gifts to her core team, as she does every year.” More