Labour needs “total deconstruction and reconstruction” in order to revive as a party amid the “major setback” of last week’s poor electoral performance, former leader Tony Blair has warned. In a frank assessment of the party’s new leadership, Mr Blair also said that Sir Keir Starmer lacked a compelling economic message, was “struggling to break through with the public”, and...
A Metropolitan Police Service officer who was found to have racially profiled a Black driver during a stop-and-search last year will face no penalty for their actions. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation after a 27-year-old man was stopped after being observed by officers while driving in Old Kent Road in south London, in May...
Boris Johnson is insisting he is not personally in the frame for possible “offences” in the funding of his lavish flat makeover, after a watchdog launched an investigation. Downing Street said the prime minister would cooperate with the Electoral Commission’s inquiry, but added: “This is a specific matter for the Conservative Party.” The comment comes despite an expert warning...
Around 20 per cent of the value of Covid-19 contracts awarded – a total of £3.7bn – raises “red flags for possible corruption”, anti-sleaze investigators are warning. The detailed study of nearly 1,000 deals struck when the pandemic struck concludes they were “systemically biased” in favour of firms with political connections. Ministers are accused of undermining public confidence...
A 42-year-old man has been charged with drink-driving an e-scooter in Suffolk. Suffolk Police said that the man was spotted using the eclectic scooter on 5 April in Ipswich at around 1:50am. The police tailed the rider from Lindbergh Road into Hilton Road at which point he was stopped and breathalyzed, which he failed. As a result, Unal Gokbulut,...
The machinery of the British government spun into action to facilitate formal arrangements following the death of the Prince Philip, but a period of mourning will mean a major pause in politics at Westminster and beyond. All political campaigning for the Scottish, Welsh and English local elections in May has ceased, while ministers will no longer...
The Prime Minister is expected to update the British public on rules surrounding lockdown, social distancing, holidays and vaccine passports. Speaking on Monday, Mr Johnson will outline whether England can move onto the next phase of the roadmap. The UK Government has already dropped the strict “stay at home” message and allowed groups of six...
The government should hold an urgent inquiry into claims of a “rape culture” in some schools, Labour has said. It comes after the chair of parliament’s education committee said the government need to seriously look into claims made about more than 100 establishments. Opposition leader Keir Starmer on Monday backed a call by the chair of...
Prince Harry has taken a new job at mental health company BetterUp. The Duke of Sussex will become chief impact officer at the coaching and mental health firm, the San Francisco-based firm revealed on its website on Tuesday. As part of his role, the duke will advocate publicly on topics related to mental health and will also...
Boris Johnson is confident that both the AstraZeneca and Pfizervaccines against Covid-19 are “safe and effective” and would be willing to take either when he is called to get his jab, Downing Street has said. The expression of faith in the vaccines came as some European nations – including the Republic of Ireland – temporarily suspended use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca product after reports...