Robert Jenrick has admitted regret over his decision to order the removal of murals depicting cartoon characters from a children’s asylum centre.
Speaking on LBC, he reflected on his time as immigration minister and claimed “lessons have been learned”.
At the time, he was accused of “losing sight of humanity” with his intervention at the Kent Intake Unit, where unaccompanied child asylum seekers are processed after arriving on small boats.
Several Conservative MPs were appalled by the order to paint over the murals, which was initially resisted by staff.
Defending his controversial decision, the Tory leadership contender explained the move was rooted in concerns over adults posing as children in the asylum system.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to chair his inaugural devolved government summit today, but his new envoy, Sue Gray, will be absent.
Defending his colleague, cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said Ms Gray has “been through quite a lot” in recent weeks, explaining her career break.
Adding to the prime minister’s challenges, a recent poll has revealed a concerning decline in Labour’s support.
The Techne UK weekly tracker poll for The Independent has revealed voters aged 55 and over have abandoned Sir Keir’s party, with a dramatic slide to less than 30 per cent.
Key Points
- Jenrick regrets removing murals from children’s asylum centre
- Badenoch’s Tory leadership campaign donor linked to Grenfell Tower
- Sue Gray to miss key meeting in new role to take ‘short break’
- Gray having a 'short break' after leaving Downing Street
- Labour’s support slides under 30% among angry older voters
Osborne: Jenrick more ruthless than Badenoch in Tory leadership race
11:15
Salma Ouaguira
Former chancellor George Osborne has weighed in on the Conservative leadership contest.
He claimed that Robert Jenrick would emerge a “more ruthless” leader compared to rival Kemi Badenoch.
Speaking on his Political Currency podcast, Mr Osborne described Mr Jenrick’s willingness to be “malleable” as a political asset, suggesting that his ability to adapt positions to secure wins makes him the best candidate.
He said: “I would say that Robert Jenrick is in some ways a sort of safer choice because he is playing safe.
“He’s shown he’s very - this will be taken the wrong way, but I don’t mean it like this - sort of malleable. He’ll move to where he thinks he can win, and in an opposition leader, that’s a very attractive quality.”
He added: “I think Jenrick will be more ruthless. If he thinks you can win on the centre ground, he’ll move the party to the centre ground. I think Kemi Badenoch is more authentic, in the sense of, ‘this is what I believe and you can take it or leave it’.
“Anyone who’s dealt with her in private will know she’s very robust, and she quite often puts people’s backs up, because she tells people what she thinks, but that’s also a very attractive quality.”
Robert Jenrick could offer James Cleverly shadow job he wins
11:13
Salma Ouaguira
In a strategic move to appeal to centrist Conservatives, Robert Jenrick has suggested he could invite James Cleverly to join his shadow cabinet if he wins.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Jenrick described Mr Cleverly as a “friend” and “would be delighted for him to serve in the shadow cabinet, should he want to do so”.
The shadow home secretary, a centrist voice within the party, was eliminated from the leadership contest on Wednesday, leaving Mr Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch as the final two contenders.
However, Tory Reform Group, representing many one-nation Conservatives, voiced dissatisfaction with both rivals.
More than half of voters disapprove of Labour’s first 100 days
11:00
Salma Ouaguira
As Labour approaches its 100th day in power, a YouGov poll has revealed that nearly 60 per cent of the public disapproves of the government’s performance so far.
The survey indicates that 59 per cent felt unimpressed, with only 18 per cent expressing approval.
The results represent a rocky start for Sir Keir Starmer, but they are not as dire as the previous government’s ratings.
Despite the discontent, a portion of the public remains cautiously optimistic.
About 37 per cent of respondents claimed they do not have high hopes for the government but are willing to give it a chance, while 17 per cent expressed confidence that Labour would succeed.
Specific policies have triggered disapproval, particularly the early release of prisoners, a decision aimed at easing overcrowding, which 68 per cent of respondents opposed.
The means testing of the winter fuel allowance also garnered criticism, with more than half disapproving.
ICYMI: UK economy returns to growth in August after two stagnant months
10:45
Salma Ouaguira
The UK economy grew in August after two months of being flat, the latest official figures show.
Gross domestic product (GDP) recorded a 0.2 per cent growth in August, an increase on no growth in June and July, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
While growth was already forecast in economic predictions, it will come as a boost for new Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of the autumn budget at the end of October.
But ONS warned that the “broader picture” still reflects one of “slowing growth” compared to the first half of this year.
You can read the full story below:
Jenrick welcomes Rees-Mogg endorsement
10:30
Salma Ouaguira
I’m honoured to have the support of @Jacob_Rees_Mogg
— Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) October 11, 2024
Together we can change our party and return it to the service of members. pic.twitter.com/S6b7MyG9wZ
‘We can’t count on France for small boat crisis’ - Jenrick
10:14
Salma Ouaguira
Robert Jenrick has launched an intense critique of French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Tory leadership candidate claimed that the UK cannot depend on France to resolve the ongoing crisis of small boat crossings in the English Channel.
Speaking on LBC, he accused Mr Macron’s government of being “immensely unhelpful” regarding illegal migration, suggesting that France has the power to rectify the situation swiftly but has chosen not to.
Mr Jenrick said: “They could fix this problem tomorrow if they wished,” emphasising that the inaction of the French government has resulted in significant financial waste, strained public services, and even fatalities in the Channel.
When pressed about whether he considers Mr Macron a friend or foe, Jenrick’s response was pointed: “On this particular issue, the French have been deeply unhelpful.”
He added: “They could fix this problem tomorrow if they wished but president Macron and his government have refused to do so.
“And that has led to all of the many problems that people across our country are facing now - the billions of pounds wasted, the asylum hotels, the deaths in the Channel. This is needless. The French could stop this. They won’t.”
Asked if he therefore viewed Mr Macron as more of a foe than a friend, he said: “On this particular issue the French have been deeply unhelpful to the UK and this is what led me to the conclusion that you can’t rely on the French, you have got to create a proper deterrent, that is why I support the Rwanda scheme… you can’t rely on the kindness of strangers to protect the borders of the United Kingdom.”
Jenrick regrets controversial decision to remove murals from children’s asylum centre
09:52
Salma Ouaguira
Robert Jenrick has suggested he regrets his previous decision to order the removal of murals depicting cartoon characters at a children’s asylum centre during his tenure as immigration minister.
Speaking on LBC, Jenrick admitted that he initially took the action due to concerns about adults illegally entering the UK while posing as children.
At the time, he believed it was crucial to establish a law enforcement atmosphere in such facilities to help identify those potentially misrepresenting their age.
“I think that was the right decision,” he said. But admitted that he has since reflected on the implications of that choice.
“There are lessons to be learned from it, and I probably would have done things differently if I had my time again.
“What I did want to do then and feel just as passionately about today is that we have got to weed out those people who are posing as children when they first arrive,” he added.
Jenrick ‘surprised’ by Cleverly’s dramatic exit from Tory race
09:45
Salma Ouaguira
Robert Jenrick has said he was “a bit surprised” when James Cleverly was knocked out from the Tory leadership contest.
The Conservative contender told LBC this morning that “horse-trading” of votes is common in political contests but he could not say “with any certainty exactly what happened”.
Mr Cleverly was leading the third round of voting in the leadership contest but he surprisingly fell to third place in the final vote by Conservative MPs, leaving Mr Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch in the final two.
Jenrick calls Tories to not become ‘party of Twitter spats'
09:45
Salma Ouaguira
In a thinly-veiled attack on Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick has said the Conservative Party must not become a “party of Twitter spats”.
He told the BBC: “I am focusing on a whole spectrum of issues which I would argue are the most salient ones to the public.
“I don’t want us to go down rabbit holes and to be a party of Twitter spats. I want us to heal the party and focus on the big issues facing the people of this country.”
‘Cock up not conspiracy!’ - Inside the downfall of James Cleverly
09:30
Salma Ouaguira
At about 2.30 pm on Wednesday, James Cleverly was with his entourage talking to representatives of the Girl Guides who had a stall for the day in Portcullis House on the parliamentary estate. He seemed relaxed and confident just a like man destined to go through to the final round of the Tory leadership contest.
But already things were going badly wrong for the former home secretary. An hour later Bob Blackman, chairman of the Tory backbench 1922 committee, announced that he had been eliminated from the contest.
It led to the question: How could Mr Cleverly have got two votes less than he had done in the previous round when he had been the clear winner before, and favourite to be Rishi Sunak’s replacement?
Read the full analysis below:
Scottish deputy first minister urges Reeves to revise fiscal rules
09:15
Salma Ouaguira
Ahead of Rachel Reeves’ landmark Labour budget on 30 October, Scotland’s deputy first minister has called for a reevaluation of the fiscal rules governing Labour’s fiscal strategy.
Speaking to Sky News, Kate Forbes cited constraints imposed by the current framework, which she attributed to the Conservative Party.
As Sir Keir Starmer meets leaders of the devolved administrations, the focus shifts to the potential for fiscal reform that could allow an increased investment through expanded borrowing.
Ms Forbes urged the government to “prioritise the right kind of spend”, which she believes is essential for stimulating growth and boosting public services across the country.
Sue Gray has ‘not enjoyed' being in the public eye
09:00
Salma Ouaguira
Continuing his morning media round, Pat McFadden has said Sue Gray has “not enjoyed” being in the public eye and this has led to her decision to take a break from government.
The senior cabinet office minister told LBC: “I know that she has not enjoyed being a figure in the public eye unlike me, who can come on your programme and speak for myself and answer any of your questions.
“As an official, she can’t do that. Given what she has been through in the last few weeks, she has decided to take a bit of downtime, take a bit of a break, and I quite understand why.”
Asked how long her break would be, Mr McFadden said: “I don’t think it will be long, but let’s give her a bit of space and privacy after somebody who, as I said, can’t speak up for themselves, finding themselves on the front pages of the newspapers in a way that she has not wanted to be.”
The chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster would not disclose if Ms Gray would continue being paid while she was taking time away from work.
Robert Jenrick demands shadow cabinet to pledge quitting ECHR
08:45
Salma Ouaguira
Robert Jenrick has said that any member of his shadow cabinet would be required to commit to his controversial policy of withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) should he become the new Tory leader.
Asked if all of his top team would have to sign up for the policy to serve, Mr Jenrick told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “Well, it would be one of the stable of Conservative policies, so yes, we would go into the next election with it in our manifesto.”
Jenrick slams Tory leadership delay ahead of Labour’s Budget
08:38
Salma Ouaguira
Robert Jenrick has expressed concern over the Conservative Party’s decision to delay the leadership race until after the Budget announcement on 30 October.
With the winner of the contest not set to be revealed until 2 November, the delay means Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt will be replying for the Opposition.
Mr Jenrick argued that the party made a major miscalculation with the timing.
Asked why he believed that was a mistake, he told the BBC: “I think the Budget is going to be a major moment in British politics and in terms of the debate for the months and years to come.
“I think it would be good for myself or indeed Kemi were she to prevail to be there making the Conservative case and doing what is ultimately the first duty of leader of the opposition which is to provide the strong, articulate, clear case for the opposition in parliament, holding the government to account and it begins on that day.”
Kemi Badenoch’s Tory leadership donor linked to Grenfell Tower fire
08:31
Salma Ouaguira
One of the major donors of Kemi Badenoch’s campaign for Tory leadership has been linked to the devastating Grenfell Tower fire that claimed 72 lives.
Councillor Quentin Marshall, a senior figure in the Conservative-controlled Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, donated £5,000 to Badenoch’s bid, igniting outrage among survivors and critics.
During his tenure as chair of the council’s housing and property scrutiny committee from 2010 to 2016, he faced allegations of dismissing residents’ concerns about the pre-fire refurbishment as “grossly exaggerated.”
His committee was responsible for monitoring housing services and ensuring compliance with fire safety measures, a task the public inquiry later concluded he and his team “failed” to execute effectively.
Reacting to the reports, Ed Daffarn, a survivor who lived on the 16th floor, said: “I worry that the Conservatives have learned nothing from Grenfell and are promoting policies that put profits before people and ignore the health and safety of residents as we saw at Grenfell with such devastating effects.”
What now for the plotters and schemers of the Tory party?
08:25
Salma Ouaguira
In a faux pas bordering on farce, the opposition finds itself faced with a choice between two hard right-wingers differing only in the extent of their extremism, writes Sean O’Grady:
Pat McFadden: Green investment promises no guarantee
08:00
Salma Ouaguira
The chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has admitted that the much-touted £24 billion in green investment across Britain is not necessarily guaranteed.
Speaking to Sky News, Pat McFadden clarified that there is no set “lower band” for private sector commitments.
He said: “You have to go with what it says on the press release, this is what the companies have announced that their intentions are.”
Pressed if this meant there could be no investment in practice, he replied: “No, it won’t be zero, because some of these companies are already investing in the UK as well. We will definitely see more than zero.”
Poll: Labour’s support slides under 30% as angry older voters turn to Farage and the Tories
07:58
Salma Ouaguira
Labour’s vote share since winning power has continued its dramatic slide to less than 30 per cent after voters aged 55 and over abandoned Keir Starmer’s party, new polling has revealed.
The Techne UK weekly tracker poll for The Independent has registered support for Labour falling to 29 per cent down five points from the election and two points below last week.
But with the Tories still undecided on a new leader, they failed to capitalise on Labour’s loss of popularity with a gain of just one point from last week to 24 per cent. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK was also up one to 19 per cent.
Our political editor David Maddox has the full story below:
Sue Gray ‘needs a break’, McFadden defends former aide skipping meeting
07:54
Salma Ouaguira
Cabinet minister Pat McFadden has defended former senior aide Sue Gray after skipping a major devolved nations summit.
Doing the morning media round, he said Ms Gray is taking a short break after “going through quite a lot” in recent weeks.
The former chief of staff, who left her position in No 10, is transitioning to her new role as envoy to the nations and regions.
Speaking to Sky News about Ms Gray’s absence from the bilateral with regional and national leaders, Mr McFadden told Sky News: “Sue has been through quite a lot in the last few weeks.
“I worked with her, she is a great colleague. She is taking a short break now and I think we should allow her the time in privacy to do that.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg backs Jenrick as Tory best bet to face Nigel Farage
07:47
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has thrown his weight behind Robert Jenrcik in the Tory leadership contest, suggesting the former immigration minister is the party’s strongest candidate to challenge Reform UK.
The former Tory MP, who can still vote in the contest as a party member, said Mr Jenrick is best placed to “converse” with Nigel Farage potentially opening the door to an electoral pact.
He also suggested that Mr Jenrick could “steal Nigel’s clothes” and take on the party leader’s policies to win over right-wing voters.
Mr Rees-Mogg told GB News: “Who do we want to lead us to the next general election? Who do we think can take on the Reverend Starmer?
“Who will be able to converse with Nigel Farage and see where that may go one way or another? Who can steal Nigel’s clothes, if necessary, which may be the best way of going about it?
“Well, I’ve come to the conclusion that that person is Robert Jenrick.”
Mr Jenrick faces Kemi Badenoch in the final stretch, with the winner decided by Conservative Party members on 2 November.
Rachel Reeves hails economic progress ahead of Autumn Budget
07:39
Salma Ouaguira
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has welcomed the latest GDP figures, celebrating the return of growth to the UK economy.
“Growing the economy is the number one priority of this Government so we can fix the NHS, rebuild Britain and make working people better off,” she said.
Ms Reeves added: “While change will not happen overnight, we are not wasting any time on delivering on the promise of change.
“Next week, hundreds of the world’s biggest businesses will come to Britain as we deliver on our promise to bring investment, growth and jobs back to every part of the country.”
Breaking: UK economy grew by 0.2% in August
07:33
Salma Ouaguira
The UK economy saw a boost in August, growing by 0.2 per cent after flatlining in June and July, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The growth is a welcome sign for chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of the upcoming autumn Budget.
ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: “All main sectors of the economy grew in August, but the broader picture is one of slowing growth in recent months, compared to the first half of the year.
“In August, accountancy, retail and many manufacturers had strong months while construction also recovered from July’s contraction.
“These were partially offset by falls in wholesaling and oil extraction.”
Good morning
07:29
Salma Ouaguira
Welcome back to the politics blog.
It’s a clam Friday in Westminster, with limited action as the political week winds down.
Here’s a quick round of what’s happening:
- Sir Keir Starmer is on the move today. The prime minister is in Scotland for a meeting of the Council of Nations, where leaders of the UK’s devolved administration will discuss spending plans and economic growth.
- Sue Gray, Sir Keir’s former chief of staff and now in a liaison role for the nations and regions, won’t be attending.
- Meanwhile, Pat McFadden, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, prepares to give the morning media rounds.
- In the background, we are still following the Tory leadership race between Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch.
- But there’s already speculation that the winner may not last long in the role. Baroness Ruth Davidson, a Conservative peer, told Sky News that there’s a “good chance” of another contest within two years due to the candidates’ propensity for making “mistakes”.
Stay tuned for all the updates and analysis throughout the day.
Row over claims Rachel Reeves could hike capital gains tax as high as 39%
07:20
Salma Ouaguira
Rachel Reeves is being warned that a massive hike in capital gains tax could endanger her hopes of creating economic growth.
It comes as a row has broken out over claims that the chancellor has asked Treasury officials to model capital gains tax rates of 39 per cent and 33 per cent, well above the second home rate of 24 per cent.
While sources close to Ms Reeves have tried to dismiss Budget speculation and allegations of disarray, the concerns have dropped at a time of intense pressure for the chancellor and Sir Keir Starmer.
Our political editor David Maddox has the full story below:
Sue Gray to miss key meeting in new role to take ‘short break’
07:00
Athena Stavrou
Sir Keir Starmer’s embattled former chief of staff Sue Gray is set to miss a meeting seen as key to her new role to take a break before returning to work, it is understood.
The Prime Minister will on Friday convene metro mayors and representatives of devolved administrations for the first gathering of his Council of the Nations and Regions in Scotland.
However, Ms Gray, whose new position as “envoy to the nations and regions” was confirmed on Sunday after weeks of turmoil behind the scenes in Number 10, will be a notable absence as she takes a brief hiatus before changing jobs.
Questions about the details of her role as envoy have mounted this week, with further information expected to be set out by the Cabinet Office shortly.
Cabinet ministers have insisted there is a strong team inside Downing Street despite Ms Gray being replaced by former campaign manager Morgan McSweeney after weeks of leaks and hostile briefings against her.
Ms Gray, a former senior civil servant with decades of Whitehall experience, cited “intense commentary about my position” that risked becoming a “distraction” when she stood down.
Watch: Robert Jenrick asked if he is attacking Kemi Badenoch over 'needless drama'
06:30
Athena Stavrou
King to join PM at reception for UK’s international investment summit
06:00
Athena Stavrou
The King will join Sir Keir Starmer in meeting business leaders from across the world at a reception linked to the Labour Government’s first major investment summit.
Buckingham Palace confirmed Charles’ attendance at the event, which will take place on Monday evening at St Paul’s Cathedral following the summit.
Alongside the Prime Minister, he will meet guests from sectors including technology, energy and the performing arts.
The reception will be held after around 300 industry leaders gather in London for the Government’s flagship investment summit, at which Sir Keir will pitch the UK as “open for business” as part of his bid to drive growth into the country.
Confirmed speakers include Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer at Alphabet and Google, Alex Kendall, chief executive of AI firm Wayve, and Bruce Flatt, head of Brookfield Asset Management.
It is not the first time Charles has attended such an event, having hosted former premier Rishi Sunak at a similar reception at Buckingham Palace last year to conclude 2023’s UK Global Investment Summit.
Ministers accused of ‘poor leadership’ after Bill to axe climate target backed
04:30
Athena Stavrou
Ministers have been accused of years of “poor leadership” and inaction after MSPs voted for the general principles of a Bill that would axe a key emissions target.
The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill passed at stage one following a debate in Holyrood.
In the vote on Thursday, 94 backed the general principles of the Bill, none voted against and seven abstained.
The legislation was introduced after ministers announced they had abandoned a target of reducing emissions by 75% by 2030.
The Government accepted in April the goal was “out of reach”, but because it was included in climate change legislation, ministers have had to bring forward a Bill to amend it.
Scottish Labour said the scrapping of the target follows years of failure on the environment.
Speaking during a Holyrood debate, Sarah Boyack said: “We are hugely disappointed that we have ended up needing this Bill.
“We put it down to the fact that we have had poor environmental leadership over 17 years of the SNP’s time in government which has meant we have lost the opportunity to be a world leader on climate change.”
UK ‘has much to learn about welcoming immigrants’ – Labour peer Margaret Hodge
03:30
Athena Stavrou
Labour veteran Margaret Hodge has opened up about her experience coming to the UK as a stateless refugee and told Parliament “we still have much to learn about welcoming immigrants”.
Ms Hodge, now known as Baroness Hodge of Barking, described how her Austrian Jewish grandfather came to the UK in 1939 and was imprisoned as an “enemy alien” in an internment camp near Liverpool.
Then, when she was four years old, her family came to Britain, stateless, for fear of persecution and later had to pass “the cricket test” to get citizenship.
The former Labour minister said in her maiden speech in the House of Lords: “As an immigrant who came to Britain aged four, escaping from the fear of persecution, and whose parents were forced to flee two countries, I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I might become a member of the House of Lords.”
She added: ““An immigration inspector came to tea with me, aged 10, and my sister, aged seven. My father insisted on cucumber sandwiches and dried fruit cake, though I hated both.
“We were questioned about the books we read, the games we played, the friends we had.
“We passed the cricket test, but both then and today, we still have much to learn about welcoming immigrants and celebrating their contribution.”
Reynolds: New workers’ rights law sets out ‘modern and fair vision for future’
02:30
Athena Stavrou
The Government has published its plans for workers’ rights, describing them as the biggest upgrade in employment rights for a generation.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the Employment Rights Bill will raise the minimum floor of employment rights, raise living standards across the country and provide better support for those businesses which are engaged in good practices.
In a statement, he said: “This is a comprehensive Bill which, once implemented, will represent the biggest upgrade in employment rights for a generation.”
He added: “This Bill will increase the baseline set of rights for employees with parental or other caring responsibilities, enabling more working parents to get on at work, and achieve a better work life balance – whether that’s raising children, improving their own wellbeing, or looking after a loved one with a long-term health condition.
“Businesses will gain, too, where this boosts increased workforce participation, helping employers fill vacancies. Measures will increase the likelihood of a request for flexible working arrangements to be granted, introduce day one entitlement to paternity leave and unpaid parental leave, and introduce a statutory entitlement to Bereavement Leave.”
The Bill also included plans to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts and “unscrupulous” fire and rehire practices.
Summit should provide opportunity to ‘speak frankly about big issues’ – Swinney
01:30
Athena Stavrou
The first meeting of the Council of the Nations and Regions should provide an opportunity to “speak frankly about the big issues facing Scotland”, the country’s First Minister has said.
Heads of devolved governments and metro mayors will gather in Edinburgh on Friday for the first meeting of the newly-minted group, to be chaired by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
He will meet John Swinney on Friday morning, before a joint meeting including the heads of the devolved administrations and a wider summit later in the day.
Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Swinney said he would stress the importance of public sector investment during his time with the Prime Minister and urge him to “stop the austerity agenda”.
“In July, I pledged to work constructively with the Prime Minister to tackle poverty, grow Scotland’s economy and support our public services,” the First Minister said.
“If we are truly serious about growing our economy and tackling poverty, we must acknowledge the barriers that prevent the Scottish Government advancing our progressive agenda.
“We know the acute pressures facing public finances and the need to grow the economy.
“This meeting should be an opportunity to speak frankly about the big issues facing Scotland – and the UK – and to discuss the action required to deliver meaningful change.”
Full story: Tory centrists refuse to back Jenrick or Badenoch
Friday 11 October 2024 00:30
Athena Stavrou
The leading centrist group on the left of the Tory party has announced it will not endorse either of the hard-right candidates put forward by Conservative MPs in the race to become leader.
The Tory Reform Group (TRG), which is in its 50th year, issued a statement after former home secretary James Cleverly was shockingly eliminated from the contest on Wednesday.
It leaves two right-wing candidates Robert Jenrick, who wants the UK to leave the European Convention of Human Rights, and Kemi Badenoch,who has been a leading voice in the so-called culture wars, including on trans issues.
The TRG statement read: “Unfortunately, we have been consistently disappointed by the lack of engagement from the two candidates chosen by MPs.
“Both have used rhetoric and focused on issues which are far and away from the party at its best, let alone the One Nation values we cherish and uphold.”
David Maddox reports:
UK’s highest ranking Catholic urges flock to oppose assisted dying Bill
Thursday 10 October 2024 23:54
Athena Stavrou
The UK’s highest ranking Catholic has urged his flock to write to their MPs to oppose proposed changes in assisted dying law.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater will formally introduce a private member’s bill on the issue on October 16, with a debate and initial vote possible within weeks.
In a letter to be read out in the churches of his diocese, Cardinal Vincent Nichols warned Catholics to “be careful what you wish for”, adding that in countries where assisted dying has been legalised, the circumstances in which it is permitted have been “widened and widened”.
He said changing the law could result in those who are near to death feeling pressured to end their lives to relieve family members of a “perceived burden of care”, to avoid pain or “for the sake of inheritance”.
“The radical change in the law now being proposed risks bringing about for all medical professionals a slow change from a duty to care to a duty to kill,” he added.
The Archbishop of Westminster continued: “The suffering of a human being is not meaningless. It does not destroy that dignity.
“It is an intrinsic part of our human journey, a journey embraced by the eternal word of God, Christ Jesus himself.
“He brings our humanity to its full glory precisely through the gateway of suffering and death.”
Sue Gray to miss key meeting in new role to take ‘short break’
Thursday 10 October 2024 23:26
Athena Stavrou
Sir Keir Starmer’s embattled former chief of staff Sue Gray is set to miss a meeting seen as key to her new role to take a break before returning to work, it is understood.
The Prime Minister will on Friday convene metro mayors and representatives of devolved administrations for the first gathering of his Council of the Nations and Regions in Scotland.
However, Ms Gray, whose new position as “envoy to the nations and regions” was confirmed on Sunday after weeks of turmoil behind the scenes in Number 10, will be a notable absence as she takes a brief hiatus before changing jobs.
Questions about the details of her role as envoy have mounted this week, with further information expected to be set out by the Cabinet Office shortly.
Cabinet ministers have insisted there is a strong team inside Downing Street despite Ms Gray being replaced by former campaign manager Morgan McSweeney after weeks of leaks and hostile briefings against her.
Ms Gray, a former senior civil servant with decades of Whitehall experience, cited “intense commentary about my position” that risked becoming a “distraction” when she stood down.
Johnson doubles down on Partygate apology regrets
Thursday 10 October 2024 22:58
Athena Stavrou
My colleague Holly Evans is in Cheltenham at Boris Johnson’s book launch event:
Again questioned if he built an environment of “deniability”, with Ms Samuel referencing Owen Patterson, the Partygate scandal and Chris Pincher scandals, he said: “I think I did mishandle all those three things and I’ve tried to explain in the book.
Talking about Partygate, he said: What I honestly think was that my own personal behaviour I really don’t think I did anything wrong, I don’t think I broke any rules, I can give you a long list of why I think it was absurd that I was fined for standing in my office on my birthday.”
He doubled down on his previous comments that he should not have issued a “grovelling” apology, adding: “what that meant was that the public had accepted in advance of all the allegations that had been made despite many of them not being true.”
Johnson turns attention to US election
Thursday 10 October 2024 22:31
Athena Stavrou
My colleague Holly Evans is in Cheltenham at Boris Johnson’s book launch event:
Turning to the upcoming US election, Johnson played coy in naming who he would be supporting, but suggested it would be Republican candidate Donald Trump.
After speaking about support for Ukraine, he said: “We need a strong America, I know people have strong opinions on the US presidential election.
“The point I need to make is and what an audience needs to understand is that if Trump wins, and I deeply disapporve of what happened on 6 January, my direct experience of how he operated when I was foreign secretary and prime minister, we have reason to hope that he will be tougher than what his Democratic predesscors have been.
“He may talk to Putin but he’s not going to be wanting the first few months of his presidency about making the Soviet Union great again, he wants to make America again.”
How ‘Robert Generic’ turned into a right-wing Tory leadership hopeful
Thursday 10 October 2024 21:34
Athena Stavrou
So cautious and moderate was former immigration minister Robert Jenrick when he entered the Commons that he was nicknamed “Robert Generic”.
Yet now 10 years later, he has reached the final two of the 2024 Conservative Party leadership campaign in a battle against Kemi Badenoch to become the champion of the Tory hard-right - but it all was very different when he was first elected.
You can read the full story below:
Johnson responds to lab-made Covid theories
Thursday 10 October 2024 21:14
Athena Stavrou
My colleague Holly Evans is in Cheltenham at Boris Johnson’s book launch event:
Asked if he believed Covid had been made in a lab, the former prime minister said: “I think yes, I’ve read it all”, adding that he had read FBI reports.
Noting that Wuhan had the only lab in the world that was “fiddling around” with SARS virus, he cast doubt on the initial theory that it had originated in a Chinese wet market.
Giving the audience his theory, he said: “Scientists hated the idea that their investigations had actually caused this disaster
“As a group of caring indiciduals there was a terrible reluctance to admit it.
“I think the scientisits a lot of them were in hoc to China… it was not a convenient thing to say.”
Johnson defends immigration record
Thursday 10 October 2024 20:56
Athena Stavrou
My colleague Holly Evans is in Cheltenham at Boris Johnson’s book launch event:
Turning to immigration, Johnson was asked whether it was a “betrayal” that people had voted for his Brexit campaign, but saw record levels of immigration in 2022.
He answered: “No because what I promised the British people in 2016 was that we would take back control. In 2020 immigration had fallen off a cliff because of covid, we then had a number of pressures from people we owed duty to such as the Afghans, Ukrainians and those in Hong Kong.
“We also had a huge problem as we came out of covid which was inflation, labour cost inflation, which was driven by the difficulty of getting people back into work, we couldn’t stack the shelves in Waitrose, we couldn’t get the petrol to the petrol stations. I remember the 1970s, inflation and how destructive it can be to the British economy - that was the priority.
“Every single government department and big business was screaming for labour.”
However, when countered that this went against the policies of Brexit, he responded: “I accept we overdid it.”
