Boris Johnson will “say his word” about the party in parliament this week, a minister said today, as Labor erupted in new revelations that a rally on Downing Street had turned into an exit party only after the prime minister reportedly started throwing drinks. The Sunday Times reported that the prime minister’s official photographer captured Mr. Johnson holding a beer at the rally and Chancellor Rishi Sunak with a soft drink at the event on November 13, 2020. “She said she wanted to say a few words about Lee [Cain] “and started pouring drinks for the people and drinking himself,” a source told the newspaper. Energy Secretary Greg Hunts confirmed that Johnson would address parliament this week on the scandal and “outline his version of events and address questions from lawmakers.” Labor Vice President Angela Reiner said: “While the British public made enormous sacrifices, Boris Johnson was breaking the law.” “If the latest reports are true, it would mean that not only did the prime minister attend a party, but he played a role in inciting at least one of them. He has deliberately misled the British people at every step,” he added.
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How Nick Brown’s Law Saved Boris Johnson – You Can’t Beat Anyone Without Someone
The collapse of the chancellor’s position means that the prime minister is first among the unequal, writes John Redul. Joe Middleton 18 April 2022 08:48 1650267385
The minister “shares the disappointment” over the belated Sue Gray Partygate report
Greg Hands said he shares the “disappointment” of waiting for Sue Gray to be mentioned in the Partygate saga. Mr Hunts told the LBC that the senior official was “a small crossroads” over the delay in publishing her full report as police investigated, telling LBC: “Well, I share the frustration, but I think that this is right we are waiting for the police investigation to end. “Next, Sue Gray will take a look at what emerged from the police investigation before making her final report.” Joe Middleton 18 April 2022 08:36 1650266294
Boris Johnson will “describe his version of events” to the Commons, says minister
Energy Secretary Greg Hunts said Boris Johnson would “say his word” about the party in parliament this week. He told Sky News: “The Prime Minister will address Parliament… this week. “The Parliament will return tomorrow and the Prime Minister will give his opinion in the Parliament, will describe his version of events and will face questions from the deputies.” Tell him that this was not “exactly a full support” of Mr. Johnson and asked if it would be right for the Prime Minister to resign if there were pictures of him “pouring drinks” at a party in the coming days, Mr Hunts said: strongly the Prime Minister. “I believe that the Prime Minister is continuing his work, he has succeeded, and the government has offered everything from the vaccination program to (up to) strong support for Ukraine. “There is an ongoing police investigation and we will have to see what happens, but as I say, the Prime Minister will be in Parliament this week, explaining and addressing MPs’ questions about what has happened.” Joe Middleton 18 April 2022 08:18 1650265546
Critics of Rwanda’s plan must reveal what their solution would be, the minister said
Energy Secretary Greg Hunts has denied that the United Kingdom was taking responsibility for sending migrants to Rwanda after religious leaders criticized the move. Tell him this is the case, he told Sky News: “No, we are not. “This is an agreement between two sovereign countries: the United Kingdom and Rwanda.” Mr Hands also reiterated Interior Minister Priti Patel’s challenge to plan critics to find a better idea for tackling small boat crossings. Asked if the Archbishop of Canterbury had made a mistake in calling the plan “disrespectful”, he said: “I think what the others, the critics of this plan, have to do is show what their solution would be.” Joe Middleton April 18, 2022 8:05 AM 1650264298
New poll reveals most commonly used word for Boris Johnson is “liar”
A new poll commissioned by the Times has revealed what the public thinks of Boris Johnson amid the partygate scandal. The researchers asked 2,000 people to give their views on the besieged Prime Minister and the results will not be enjoyable to read at No. 10. Feedback from 72 percent of people was negative, with only 16 percent positive. The most commonly used word to describe the prime minister was “liar.” The research was undertaken by JL Partners, co-founded by James Johnson, a former Theresa May pollster. In a tweet, Mr. Johnson concluded: “Overall, the partygate dominates Boris’s views on Ukraine. Fury has not given up. Many negative comments are from people who liked him in the past but now have changed their minds. “When Johnson first came to power, only Labor voters would call him a liar. It is now widespread. “ Joe Middleton April 18, 2022 7:44 am 1650263622
Brexit has ‘brought problems’ to the Falkland Islands fisheries industry, claims former Labor MP
Brexit has “brought problems” to the Falkland Islands fisheries industry, a former Labor Secretary has warned. Derek Twigg, chairman of the Falkland Islands Parliamentary Group (APPG), said there was “a lot of concern” about the impact of the UK exit from the EU on Falkland Islands fisheries exports, such as squid. Speaking to the PA as lawmakers celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, Mr Halton said: “Brexit has brought fishing problems to the islands, because their fishing … is a very big part of their economy, especially squid, especially the squid they have and which is exported to Europe. “We are continuing to work with the Falkland Government and countries such as Spain and the EU to try to meet these challenges because it is such a large exporter.” His comments were echoed by the Falkland Islands’s government representative in the United Kingdom and Europe, Richard Hislop, who said: “When it comes to Brexit, as it stands, there are no obvious benefits for the Falkland Islands. However, there are many challenges. “ Mr Hyslop said the EU was the Falkland Islands’ main market for fishery exports, with exports accounting for “more than 50% of our GDP” and “was a major market for meat exports”. However, since the end of the transition period in January 2021, Falkland Islands exports to the EU have been subject to customs duties, he added, with an average of 42% for meat and between 6% and 18% for fishery exports. The “very high duty” on meat exports “led to the loss of the market, as exports to the EU are no longer viable”, while exports of fishery products to the EU are “now less profitable”. Mr Hyslop said the Falkland Islands government was “exploring a wide range of options” by considering “how to remove these tariffs”. Joe Middleton April 18, 2022 7:33 am 1650263019
ICYMI: Archbishop of Canterbury criticizes Rwanda’s policy during Easter message
Archbishop of Canterbury criticizes Rwanda’s policy during Easter message Joe Middleton 18 April 2022 07:23 1650262113
Genocide orphans told to leave hostel to make room for asylum seekers in UK
Those orphaned by the Rwandan genocide in 1994 have reportedly been told to leave a hostel where they lived for years to make room for asylum seekers to stay in the UK. Some said they did not know where they would go next after eviction notices were issued. A woman who has lived in the shelter for eight years told the Sunday Mirror: “I know almost no other house. I was told I would leave a few days ago. “I do not know where I am going.” Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 April 2022 07:08 1650261614
Interior Ministry staff could step down in protest of Rwanda plan, union warns
Home Secretary Pretty Patel could face a rebellion from Home Office officials protesting plans to send asylum seekers thousands of miles away to Rwanda. Interior Ministry staff who oppose the policy for legal or ethical reasons could make mass layoffs, request relocations or leave the public administration altogether, a union has warned. Ms. Patel had to issue a ministerial directive – a formal mandate from the ministers – to proceed with a spending proposal, despite opposition. The Rwandan government will pay an initial cost of 120 120 million as part of the deal, with reports suggesting that each person sent to Rwanda is expected to cost British taxpayers between .000 20,000 and .000 30,000. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 April 2022 07:00 1650260396
The Prime Minister will visit India to boost trade and defense
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will embark on a much-delayed trip to India, focusing on defense and trade. The prime minister will meet with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in New Delhi to deepen the security partnership in the midst of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Ahead of his visit this week, Mr Johnson said: “As we face threats to our peace and prosperity from authoritarian states, it is vital that democracies and friends stay together. “India, as the great economic power and the largest democracy in the world, is a valuable strategic partner for the United Kingdom in these uncertain times.” Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 April 2022 06:39
