Boris Johnson calls proposed Covid inquiry ‘irresponsible diversion’
Boris Johnson has said a swift public Covid-19 inquiry would be “irresponsible”, describing it as a “diversion” under the current circumstances.
Labour has repeatedly called on the prime minister to launch an inquiry this summer so that lessons can be learned from the government’s mistakes.
Meanwhile, Robert Jenrick announced proposals for government commissioners to be sent in to Liverpool to run “certain and limited function” of the city’s council for the next three years amid allegations of corruption.
Also in the Commons today, Priti Patel announced her “overhaul” of the immigration system, which she has described as “firm but fair”.
Under the home secretary’s proposals, those who reach the UK illegally will be denied an automatic right to asylum and will be regularly assessed for removal from the country.
Mike Adamson, the British Red Cross’ chief executive, called the proposals “inhumane”, while Sonia Lenegan, of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association, said the measures are “cruel”.
Elsewhere, Alex Salmond has announced he will be taking legal action against Scotland’s top civil servant over her role in the government’s botched probe into sexual harassment complaints against him.
The former first minister accused permanent secretary Leslie Evans of still refusing to “accept real responsibility”.
NI Business group calls for ‘urgent solutions’ to protocol challeneges
Solutions must urgently be found to challenges on trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, a prominent business group has said.
Almost 90 days into the new arrangements, Angela McGowan of the CBI NI said getting to grips with the new rules has “not all been plain sailing”.
Giving evidence to the Stormont Executive Committee, Ms McGowan said the protocol was “much better than a disorderly withdrawal from the EU”.
“But we do need to urgently find solutions to the well-documented challenges and barriers to trade from Britain,” she said.
Matt Mathers24 March 2021 18:56
Backlash brewing over Johnson’s Covid ‘certificate plan for pubs’
Prominent backbench MP and deputy chair of the Conservative’s Covid Recovery Group, Steve Baker, said: “The prime minister began to tread a dangerous path when he opened the door to domestic covid certificates. First they said we’ll need them to watch the football, and today that it may be papers for the pub.”
His comments came after the prime minister suggested pub landlords could refuse entry to drinkers who had not received a vaccine.
When asked about the plan, Mr Johnson told a Commons committee: “I think that that’s the kind of thing – it may be up to individual publicans, it may be up to the landlord.”
Matt Mathers24 March 2021 18:36
UK and EU seek to defuse vaccine war in joint statement: ‘We’re all fighting same pandemic’
“We are all facing the same pandemic and the third wave makes cooperation between the EU and UK even more important.
We have been discussing what more we can do to ensure a reciprocally beneficial relationship between the UK and EU on COVID-19.
Given our interdependencies, we are working on specific steps we can take – in the short-, medium – and long term – to create a win-win situation and expand vaccine supply for all our citizens.
In the end, openness and global cooperation of all countries will be key to finally overcome this pandemic and ensure better preparation for meeting future challenges.
We will continue our discussions.”
Matt Mathers24 March 2021 18:10
Union Jack to be flown on goverment buildings everyday, minister announces – days after BBC row
The Union Flag will be flown on government buildings every day as opposed to specific dates in the calendar, ministers have announced.
The new Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport guidance will ask for the flag to be flown all year round, unless another flag is being flown – such as another national flag of the UK, or a county flag, or other flags to mark civic pride.
It comes days after a BBC presenter was forced to apologise for liking tweets that mocked local government secretary Robert Jenrick for displaying the Union Flag in his office.
In a statement on Wednesday, Mr Jenrick said: “Our nation’s flag is a symbol of liberty, unity and freedom that creates a shared sense of civic pride. People rightly expect to see the Union Flag flying high on civic and Government buildings up and down the country, as a sign of our local and national identity.
“That’s why I am calling on all local councils to fly the Union Flag on their buildings – and today’s guidance will enable them to do that. We’ve also cut red tape, allowing councils to also fly their county flag at the same time.”
Matt Mathers24 March 2021 17:59
Voluntary work helping poorest countries with pandemic to ‘stop immediately’ under savage government cuts
Voluntary work helping the world’s poorest countries cope with the pandemic will stop “immediately” next month under savage government cuts, an inquiry has been told.
The charity Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) is preparing to wind down operations in 14 countries – and make 200 people redundant – unless ministers agree to rethink.
Our deputy politics editor Rob Merrick reports:
Matt Mathers24 March 2021 17:42
Pubs could ban drinkers who haven’t been vaccinated, Johnson suggests
Pub landlords could bar drinkers who have not been vaccinated, Boris Johnson has suggested.
The prime minister said it would be down to individual landlords to make the call.
When asked about the plan, he told a Commons committee: “I think that that’s the kind of thing – it may be up to individual publicans, it may be up to the landlord.”
Matt Mathers24 March 2021 17:25
Salmond row rumbles on as ex-FM vows legal action against top mandarin
Alex Salmond has revealed he will be taking legal action over the “conduct” of Scotland’s most senior civil servant.
The former first minister accused permanent secretary Leslie Evans of still refusing to “accept real responsibility” for the government’s failings in handling harassment complaints made against him.
My colleague Chiara Giordano has the story:
Matt Mathers24 March 2021 16:57
Boris Johnson doesn’t rule out deploying troops in Yemen but ‘conditions would have to be very different’
Boris Johnson has not ruled out deploying troops in Yemen as part of a United Nations mission, but stressed the conditions in the war-torn country would have to be “very different”.
Our politics correspondent Ashley Cowburn has the story:
Matt Mathers24 March 2021 16:35
Boris Johnson warns pharmaceutical companies may cease EU investments if vaccine export ban goes ahead
Boris Johnson has warned that pharmaceutical companies may cease investments in the EU if Brussels imposes a vaccine export ban.
Our politics editor Andrew Woodcock will have more details on this story as it develops:
Matt Mathers24 March 2021 16:23
Patel’s immigration plans branded ‘ugly, dog whistle politics’
An SNP MP has accused Priti Patel of “ugly, dog-whistle politics” over her plans to overhaul the UK’s immigration system.
The home secretary on Wednesday said migrants arriving in the UK by crossing the Channel in small boats will be denied an automatic right to asylum and face removal even if granted asylum.
Anne McLoughlin, SNP spokesperson for immigration and MP for Glasgow North East, branded the measures “shameful”.
She said: “The Home Secretary should be ashamed to make this statement today, there is nothing pretty about this.
“Its ugly, dog-whistle politics and I can tell her that the SNP wants no part.
“Scotland will not live with the associated shame of this, Scotland recognises its international and moral obligations, but we also recognise that we’re prevented by the UK Government from living up to them.
“I despair for those having to live under this toxic environment.”
Ms Patel has defended the plans, saying they will deter illegal entry into the UK.
Matt Mathers24 March 2021 16:20
