Category Archives: POLITICS

Female MPs And Young Staff Are Not Safe In Parliament, Labour MP Says

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Charlotte Nichols has said female MPs are not safe in parliament as sexual harassment is “baked in”.

The Labour MP for Warrington North said those most at risk are parliamentary staff who are usually much younger.

She also said no political party had “clean hands” on the issue of sexual harassment.

Last week Labour received a formal complaint over the conduct of Swansea West MP Geraint Davies, who had been suspended following allegations of sexual harassment.

It has once again prompted questions about the behaviour of MPs and how their parties handle complaints.

Asked on GB News if MPs are safe, Nichols said: “I don’t think that female MPs are, but I think that the people that are most at risk are parliamentary staff, particularly young women, and young gay men or men perceived to be gay, who have the least power in the institution.

“They are the most at risk and have the least form of redress of any of us.

“I think the issue of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct is unfortunately baked into every single part of how the institution of Westminster operates. No party has clean hands on this.

“But one of the things that I’m concerned about is that I do expect my own party to be better.

“And we’re not having the ability to have the moral high ground at the moment because we can’t even keep our own house in order and on a personal and a professional level, I find it deeply, deeply upsetting.”

Nichols has previously revealed that when she first came into parliament she was given a list of around 30 MPs to avoid, adding: “This was MPs from all different parties, including a handful from my own.”

A Labour spokesperson said the party would urge people with complaints to come forward so they can be investigated and action taken.

Politico website said a sitting Labour MP had also registered a complaint against Davies.

The outlet had earlier reported that five women had made sexual harassment claims against the veteran politician.

Davies said that he did not “recognise” the allegations, according to Politico.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “We would strongly urge anyone with a complaint to come forward so that allegations can be swiftly and fully investigated and action taken.

“The party has ensured that there is a wide range of support available to complainants, to provide confidence and confidential guidance throughout the disciplinary process.”

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Minister Denies Sunak Is Blocking WhatsApps Over Fears Plot To Topple Johnson Will Be Exposed

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A minister has dismissed claims that Rishi Sunak is blocking the release of messages to the Covid inquiry to avoid exposing a plot against Boris Johnson.

Robert Jenrick insisted the reason for the government’s bid to stop the release of unredacted messages to the inquiry was a “simple legal one”.

It follows an extraordinary argument between ministers and the official inquiry into the pandemic.

The government is trying to block the inquiry’s order to release WhatsApp messages and diaries, arguing that it should not have to hand over material which is “unambiguously irrelevant”.

However, a defiant Johnson has bypassed the government and told the inquiry he is happy to hand over all his own communications from that period.

Allies of the former prime minister claimed Sunak was blocking the release of text messages because it could reveal his plot to bring down Johnson, according to the Mail on Sunday.

Asked about the claims, Jenrick told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “No, as I say, the issue here is a simple legal one.”

Jenrick said Johnson would not be restricted over what he divulged to the Covid inquiry.

But he said it would not be “sensible or reasonable” to hand over ministers’ documents or messages if they are deemed irrelevant to the pandemic.

It comes after cabinet office lawyers wrote to Johnson to warn that money would “cease to be available” if he breaks conditions such as releasing evidence without permission.

He has had legal advice paid for by the taxpayer, but the Sunday Times detailed the letter from government lawyers containing the warning to Johnson.

“The funding offer will cease to be available to you if you knowingly seek to frustrate or undermine, either through your own actions or the actions of others, the government’s position in relation to the inquiry unless there is a clear and irreconcilable conflict of interest on a particular point at issue,” it said.

The cabinet office insisted the letter was “intended to protect public funds” so taxpayer-funded lawyers are not used for any other purpose than aiding the inquiry.

Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries, a staunch ally of the former Tory leader, said it is “not a good look for the government”.

“All evidence provided should be unfettered and not restricted by gov censorship – whatever form that may take,” she tweeted.

Conservative donor Lord Cruddas, an outspoken backer of Johnson, who handed him a peerage, urged the MP not to be “held to ransom” by the threat.

“Don’t worry @BorisJohnson I can easily get your legal fees funded by supporters and crowd funding, it’s easy,” he tweeted.

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‘Paranoid’ Russian Officials Are Cracking Down On Public Displays Of Yellow And Blue Items, UK Says

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Some “paranoid” Russian security officials are interpreting wartime legislation to mean that public displays of blue and yellow are outlawed.

People have been arrested for wearing colours similar to the Ukrainian flag – in the belief that they are showing support for the invaded country, the Ministry of Defence [MoD] said.

They cited reports of a care home worker arrested for wearing a blue and yellow jacket to work and a 22-year-old man displaying the blue and yellow flag of Russia’s own Aerospace Forces.

Children look at burned cars at the site where Russia's intercepted drone debris fell, on May 31, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Children look at burned cars at the site where Russia’s intercepted drone debris fell, on May 31, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Roman Pilipey via Getty Images

British officials say the clampdown shows a “paranoid Russian officialdom” in an “increasingly totalitarian” system.

“Some local Russian security officials are likely interpreting Russia’s draconian wartime legislation to mean that public display of blue and yellow items is outlawed because it might evidence discreet support for Ukraine,” the MoD said.

“On 09 May 2023, a care home worker was reportedly arrested after wearing a blue and yellow jacket to work.

“In recent days, Russian National Guard troops arrested a 22 year old man in Volkhov near St Petersburg for displaying which was eventually determined to be the blue and yellow flag of Russia’s own Aerospace Forces.

“The clampdown highlights uncertainty within a paranoid Russian officialdom of what is and is [not] deemed permissible within an increasingly totalitarian system.

“Criticism of the arrests has come from an unexpected quarter: the ultra-nationalist, pro-war Liberal Democratic party. The party’s own branding features yellow on a blue background.”

It comes as Ukraine is set to launch its long-awaited counteroffensive to recapture Russian-occupied territory.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the Wall Street Journal: “We strongly believe that we will succeed.

“I don’t know how long it will take. To be honest, it can go a variety of ways, completely different. But we are going to do it, and we are ready.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

SERGEI SUPINSKY via Getty Images

Kyiv hopes a counteroffensive to reclaim territory will change the dynamics of the war that has raged since Russia invaded its neighbour 15 months ago.

Zelenskyy said last month Ukraine needed to wait for more Western armoured vehicles arrived before launching the counteroffensive.

He has been on a diplomatic push to maintain Western support, seeking more military aid and weapons, which is key for Ukraine to succeed in its plans.

Russia holds Ukrainian territory in the east, south and southeast.

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Biden Trips And Falls During US Air Force Academy Commencement

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President Joe Biden tripped and fell while appearing at the US Air Force Academy’s commencement ceremony in Colorado on Thursday.

Video of the spill appeared to show the president clip the front of his foot on something before falling to the ground with his arms out, braced for impact.

Biden appeared unfazed after getting helped to his feet, and he took his seat shortly after.

“He’s fine,” White House communications director Ben LaBolt wrote on Twitter. “There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands.”

“I know you are going to meet the moment,” he told the service members.

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Jack Monroe Makes A Brilliant Point About The Cost-Of-Living Crisis On Question Time

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Food campaigner Jack Monroe has hit out at the labelling of the cost-of-living crisis – arguing the squeeze on household budgets has been happening for more than a decade and not simply “fallen out of a clear blue sky”.

The popular budget chef, appearing on BBC Question Time on Thursday, argued the problems stem from Conservative austerity and 13 years of “pulverizing” public services that “propped up the fundamentals of a decent society”.

The writer, challenging the view difficulties have emerged largely as a result of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, added the issues have been given a “fancy title” now that they are “affecting the chattering classes, the middle classes, the media classes”.

It comes as the UK battles with stubbornly high inflation amid soaring use of food banks, families stealing formula milk to feed babies and mortgage rates spiralling among a series of issues pounding families.

Monroe was responding to a question from the audience in Leicester on when people can start to feel “better off”.

She said: “We’ve been hearing a lot over the last year-and-a-half now about the cost of living crisis, as though it’s fallen out of a clear blue sky.

“It’s not a cost of living crisis – let’s be absolutely clear – although it is for everybody at the sharp end of it and that’s millions and millions of people … it’s a cost of Conservatives crisis. It’s a cost of austerity crisis. It’s a cost of 13 years of pulverizing all social support and all of those safety nets we used to have in place that propped up the fundamentals of a decent society.

“It’s the cost of stripping out the NHS and social care and refuges and welfare and all the support that many, many people and voters might have thought they never would have needed … they didn’t think that they were going to ever be one of those people who would have to dip into those parts.

“And now that it’s affecting the chattering classes, the middle classes, the media classes, it’s been given a fancy title: the cost-of-living crisis. And it’s affecting almost everybody.”

Admitting she could not answer the question, she added: “I’ve been working with food banks and with people in poverty for the last 10 years.

“I’ve never known anything like the sheer scale of desperation and crisis that we’re facing at the moment as a country and the only thing that is going to change it is investment back into all of those services that have been stripped away and making sure that when people find themselves in a desperate situation that there’s some help and some support out there for them.

“And I hope for your sake and everybody else’s sake that that happens yesterday, but certainly sooner rather than later.”

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‘Return Of The Maybot’: Rishi Sunak Rinsed Over Toe-Curling TV Clip

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Rishi Sunak has been rinsed over an excruciating 80-second interview in which he kept repeating himself.

The prime minister was compared unflatteringly to his predecessor Theresa May – who was dubbed the “Maybot” for her awkward public persona.

Sunak was quizzed by Sky News over the controversy surrounding the Covid inquiry’s demands for WhatsApp messages sent by Boris Johnson during the pandemic.

He said: “I think it’s really important that we learn the lessons of Covid and that’s why the inquiry was established and we want to make sure that whatever lessons there are to be learned are learned and that we do that in a spirit of transparency and candour.

“The government has co-operated with the inquiry – tens of thousands of documents have been handed over.

“And with regard to the specific question at the moment, the government’s carefully considering its position, but it’s confident in the approach that it’s taken.”

Asked if the government wanted to get into a legal battle with the inquiry over the withheld messages, the PM said: “We are carefully considering next steps and the government is confident in its position.”

Pressed again, Sunak said: “The government’s handed over tens and tens of thousands of documents in a spirit of candour and transparency because it is important that we learn the lessons of Covid.

“With regard to the particular question at the moment, we’re carefully considering next steps but the government is confident in its position.”

The exasperated interviewer tried once again to get a straight answer out of the prime minister, but falling back on his pre-prepared lines once again, he said: “The government is considering next steps carefully, but has been confident of its position and has handed over tens of thousands of documents today in a spirit of candour and transparency because it’s important that we learn the lessons from Covid and carefully considering next steps.”

Campaign group Best for Britain tweeted: “The skill of a politician is to stick to their answer without looking like a myna bird, rocking on its perch, just mimicking human speech.”

Ian Blackford, the SNP’s former leader at Westminster, was another Twitter user who mocked the PM.

He said: “This is the return of the Maybot. Make statement and repeat despite follow up questions trying to get a proper response.”

Others described Sunak as a “broken ChatGPT bot” over the toe-curling exchange.

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Ex-RNC Chair Hits Republicans With A Harsh Truth About 2024

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Former Republican National Committee chair Michael Steele has issued a stark reality check for anti-Donald Trump Republicans.

“I will repeat once again, for all those who think otherwise, Donald Trump will be the nominee of this party until someone decides that they’re prepared to lose this primary in order to win a general election and beat Joe Biden,” Steele warned on Friday’s broadcast of MSNBC’s “The Beat.”

“That clamoring sound you hear is the donor and establishment political class saying we need someone in this race now,” Steele said later in the interview, but he then added: “My submission to all of them is, ‘Y’all too late. Y’all too late.’”

Steele said that, had he still been at the RNC, he would have gotten members to decide which one candidate they wanted to back to go after Trump and then put all resources behind them.

The party “has leverage” to shape the outcome, he said, but currently isn’t using it amid Trump’s rising in the polls and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) faltering campaign launch.

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Tory MP Pleads With Party To ‘Just Leave Boris Johnson Alone’

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A Tory MP has pleaded with her colleagues to just “leave” Boris Johnson “alone”, after the former prime minister was referred to police over further potential lockdown breaches.

Speaking to Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme,Andrea Jenkyns said there was an “orchestrated campaign” against Johnson from within the Conservative Party.

She also said her support for Rishi Sunak remaining party leader and PM in the run-up to the next election “depends on the polling”.

Johnson appeared flustered when he was approached by Sky News at an airport in Washington DC on Friday and quizzed about entries from his ministerial diary which have been referred to two police forces.

The Times, which broke the story, reported the documents show visits by friends to Chequers – the prime minister’s grace and favour country residence – and further events in Downing Street.

The new information came to light during a review by taxpayer-funded lawyers ahead of the Covid public inquiry.

Jenkyns said of Johnson’s removal as prime minister: “The left got what they want.

“I think Boris, and Carrie is heavily pregnant, just leave him alone.

“But honestly, there has been an orchestrated campaign not only in my own party as well, because let’s face it, most of my fellow MPs who are One Nation, to the left of the party,

“They have got the leader that they wanted in Rishi, they never accepted Boris, they never accepted Liz Truss and they are out of synch with the party membership who are big Boris fans.”

In a separate interview this morning, health secretary Steve Barclay insisted Johnson has a “huge role to play” in politics and should remain an MP after the next general election.

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Boris Johnson: Covid Rule-Breaking Claims ‘A Load Of Nonsense’

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Boris Johnson has branded suggestions he may have taken part in further rule-breaking during the pandemic “a load of absolute nonsense”.

The former prime minister would not say who he believes is trying to “stitch him up”, having previously claimed he appears to be the victim of a politically motivated plot.

But he insisted that the Cabinet Office decision to hand over entries from his official diary during the pandemic to police without first querying them with him was “ridiculous”.

No 10 and the Cabinet Office are adamant that ministers were not involved when Whitehall officials passed concerns to the Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police.

The entries revealed visits by Johnson’s friends to Chequers – the prime minister’s country estate – and events in Downing Street during the pandemic, according to The Times, which broke the story.

The new information is said to have come to light during a review by taxpayer-funded lawyers ahead of the Covid public inquiry.

Johnson was catching a flight in Washington DC on Friday as part of his trip to the US, where he is speaking about the war in Ukraine, when he was approached by a Sky News journalist asking about the revelations.

“You want my honest view, I think this whole thing is completely nonsensical,” he said.

Asked what the entries show, he replied: “They merely record events in my day.”

Johnson was previously fined for attending a gathering in Downing Street to mark his birthday in June 2020 – one of a series of political crises that ultimately led to the end of his premiership.

“This whole thing is a load of nonsense from beginning to end… I think it’s ridiculous that elements in my diary should be cherry-picked and handed over to the police, to the Privileges Committee without even anybody having the basic common sense to ask me what these entries referred to,” he said.

Asked whether he believes Sunak is trying to stitch him up, he said: “I just think it’s totally nonsensical and bizarre. There are tens of thousands of entries in the prime ministerial diary… None of them constitute a breach of the rules during Covid.”

Johnson suggested none of the entries in question relate to periods when the country was in lockdown, but times when other restrictions were in place.

He added: “For reasons that – somebody, somewhere, thinks it’s sensible to do this – I don’t.”

The privileges committee, which is conducting an inquiry into whether Johnson lied to Parliament about the partygate scandal, has also been informed of the new information.

The fallout adds to the problems confronting Sunak, who was handed a fixed penalty alongside Johnson over the June 2020 event and now faces unrest from the former prime minister’s allies.

Sunak “definitely” did not go to the grace-and-favour retreat in contravention of coronavirus rules when he was chancellor during the pandemic, his press secretary said.

The rime minister has not discussed the controversy with his predecessor, the spokeswoman said.

Johnson, in a letter to the chair of the Covid inquiry, indicated he was severing ties with taxpayer-funded lawyers representing him.

It is understood he lost confidence in the Cabinet Office.

Labour leader Keir Starmer said earlier on Friday the public was “fed up to the back teeth” with stories about the former prime minister.

“These are deeply personal things and increasing revelations about Boris Johnson, I think, just add to that sense of hurt and people are fed up with it,” he said.

“I do think there are questions now about why have these allegations not come out before, all these allegations.

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Laura Trott Leaves Frustrated Theo Paphitis Head In Hands On Question Time

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Conservative minister Laura Trott has left entrepreneur Theo Paphitis exasperated on BBC Question Time over her response to questions about immigration.

The former judge on TV’s Dragon’s Den hit out at the Conservative politician for attacking Labour party policies when asked to explain why her government was failing on immigration.

He later literally put his head in his hands as Trott struggled to explain how her party would keep migration numbers down after 13 years in power.

It comes as net migration into the UK has hit a record high, according to official figures published on Thursday.

<img class="img-sized__img landscape" loading="lazy" alt="Fiona Bruce, Laura Trott and Theo Paphitis on BBC Question Time, which this week came from Gravesend.” width=”719″ height=”470″ src=”https://www.wellnessmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/laura-trott-leaves-frustrated-theo-paphitis-head-in-hands-on-question-time-1.jpg”>
Fiona Bruce, Laura Trott and Theo Paphitis on BBC Question Time, which this week came from Gravesend.

BBC Question Time

In a major embarrassment for Rishi Sunak, the Office for National Statistics show 606,000 more people entered the country than left it in 2022.

That is up from the estimated 504,000 it was at in the year to June 2022.

At the last election, the Tories promised to bring immigration down from the 226,000 it was then.

Ministers have insisted that the war in Ukraine, as well as the political upheaval in Hong Kong, has played a major part in the surge in numbers coming to Britain.

On Question Time, in response to the first question on the show – What is the right level of immigration? – Trott essayed the Ukraine and Hong Kong influx and said that the Tories have “got a plan to bring immigration down”, including the small boats crackdown.

She added: “The last thing I’ll say is you can’t trust Labour on this one. They went into the last election saying they wanted freedom of movement. As recently as 2020, Keir Starmer said he wanted to defend free movement.”

When it came to Paphitis, he said: “I’ve never been (so) disappointed when a politician comes on, gets asked a question, and the first thing they do rather than answering a question is attack the opposition. It was a question that needed an answer.”

Later, when discussing the same question, host Fiona Bruce asked Trott repeatedly who currently on work visas would the Conservative government prefer not to be coming to the UK.

“It’s really important we have more training for people in the UK,” said Trott, who would only point to lorry drivers as an example, which a frustrated Bruce suggested would not make much of a dent in the 606,000 figure.

When Trott said “I would like lots of jobs to be done by British people …” after the fifth time of asking, she was interrupted by Bruce who said: “(Paphitis) has got his head in his hands so we’re not getting anywhere.”

This week’s programme came from Gravesend in Kent. The other panellists were Labour’s Peter Kyle, Munira Wilson of the Lib Dems and journalist Janet Street-Porter.

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