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Boris Johnson says he was ‘at work’ during No 10 garden gathering
The Prime Minister has defended the No 10 garden party during lockdown last May as “people at work, talking about work”.
Asked if he normally has meetings with cheese and wine, Boris Johnson said: “Those were people at work … This is where I live and where I work. Those were people at work, talking about work.”
Earlier today, in Dominic Raab’s latest gaffe, Mr Raab said Boris Johnson’s wine-and-cheese gathering with staff in the No 10 garden during lockdown was “after” work had finished, leaving No 10 struggling to explain the controversy.
The deputy PM undermined Downing Street’s defence of it as a work event by telling interviewers it was staff relaxing after “a gruelling day”.
Mr Johnson’s official spokesman later attempted to explain the situation, by arguing that the PM and his staff were “discussing work”, which happened to be “in the No 10 garden”. He also said drinking alcohol was fine because it was “post-normal work hours” – and yet, because it was still a “work meeting” it also complied with the Covid rules.
It comes as adults in Britain think it likely that the PM will not still be in office by the end of 2022, according to an opinion poll published by Ipsos Mori. Six out of ten people (62 per cent) believe Mr Johnson will be out of No 10 by this time next year, the data shows.
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Show latest update 1640033718 Government urged to support theatre industry amid Covid cancellations
The government “desperately needs” to support the theatre industry in the face of the Omicron variant, theatre producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh has said.
A number of shows have been cancelled and 2022 bookings are lower than expected due to cast and crew testing positive for coronavirus
He told BBC News: “This is why we desperately need the Government to step in and help the commercial theatre, because by and large the commercial theatre hasn’t had any help at all across the pandemic.
“We’ve all used our reserves to get the shows back up. At the point that we’re trying to recoup some of our losses, we are in a dreadful state at the moment and desperately need the Government to help commercial theatre going through the next few weeks.”
London-based musicals including The Lion King in the West End, The Book Of Mormon, Cabaret At The Kit Kat Club, Dear Evan Hansen and Come From Away have had to suspend performances until after Christmas.
Jersey Boys, Wicked, Moulin Rouge, Aladdin, Cinderella, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia! and The Drifters Girl have also had issues.
Ella Glover 20 December 2021 20:55
1640032818 Keir Starmer criticises the PM following ‘shameful’ announcement
Boris Johnson is “unfit to lead” says Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party.
Following the PM’s announcement that there were no new guidelines in place to stop the spread of the Omicron variant, Starmer said: “Today’s lack of clarity is shameful.”
Ella Glover 20 December 2021 20:40
1640031992 Wales Government to get biggest boost in funding since devolution
The Welsh Government has set out its new budget plans, revealing a 9% increase in funding over the next three years.
Working out at around ￡750 million more than the current year, it will be the biggest growth in local authority financing since 1998, when the National Assembly for Wales was created.
The money will be spent on essential services, such as education and social services.
Welsh Finance Minister Rebecca Evans MS said: “I’m really excited to be continuing to put massive amounts of money into our public services here in Wales. So for example, by the end of this three-year review, we’ll have ￡2 billion more invested in the NHS and in local government, to make sure that those public services are strong, and that they’re there to respond to the needs of people.”
An extra ￡1.3 billion will be spent on the Welsh NHS over three years, ministers said, to tackle soaring waiting times.
Grace Almond 20 December 2021 20:26
1640031032 Union calls on MPs to follow tougher rules to avoid spreading Covid at recall
A union has called for tougher measures to stop a Christmas recall of Parliament becoming a Covid super-spreader event.
Prospect, a trade union which represents engineers, managers, scientists and other specialists, has urged MPs to reintroduce social distancing and negative lateral flow tests prior to arrival.
The union has also called for mandatory mask-wearing in the chamber and the widening of proxy voting to reduce the number of people gathering in the Palace of Westminster.
A recall of Parliament is expected over the Christmas recess should the Government try to introduce further measures to combat the spread of Covid-19.
One Conservative MP suggested talk of a recall pre-Christmas has gone quiet, with December 28 thought to be a possibility if Boris Johnson decides tougher measures are needed.
The Liberal Democrats also called, without success, on the Government to recall a virtual Parliament on Monday.
Mike Clancy, general secretary of Prospect, said: “If, as seems likely, Parliament has to be recalled to approve further Covid measures, it must be done in such a way as to protect staff and elected representatives as much as possible.”
He added: “Parliamentary staff will be putting their own Christmases on the line by facilitating a recall so the least MPs can do is take basic steps to minimise the risk.
“For too long the Leader of the House and the House authorities have allowed a situation where politicians in the Commons can be seen on TV not even following the guidance they expect the rest of us to abide by. That has to stop.”
Grace Almond 20 December 2021 20:10
1640030132 Tory MP Steve Baker shares photo of ‘Rebellion Beer'
Grace Almond 20 December 2021 19:55
1640029232 PM ‘scared of Tory backbenchers’, says Labour
Labour shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: “I don’t understand how it is the cabinet has met for hours this afternoon and has reached no decisions at all.
He claimed: “We know restrictions are coming – so why isn’t the prime minister being straight with people? I can tell you why. Because he’s scared of his backbenchers.”
Grace Almond 20 December 2021 19:40
1640028572 PM ‘ducking difficult decisions’, say Lib Dems
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey accused Boris Johnson of providing only “chaos and confusion” after saying the government was not bringing in new Covid curbs for now but will “reserve the possibility of taking further action”.
He claimed the PM was “weak, indecisive and incapable of providing the leadership our country needs”.
Davey said: “Families want to know urgently what Covid measures to expect, so they can plan for the days ahead. The prime minister must recall parliament now instead of yet again acting too late. Ducking the difficult decisions is not a plan.”
Grace Almond 20 December 2021 19:29
1640027580 ‘Very clear’ Northern Ireland Protocol is working, Leo Varadkar says
Leo Varadkar has said it has become “very clear” that the Northern Ireland Protocol is working, PA reports.
Ireland’s deputy premier said there are still issues to be resolved, but Northern Ireland’s economic performance shows it has been “a success”.
Mr Varadkar said the protocol would boost foreign investment in the region.
He said: “In relation to the Northern Ireland Protocol, I think it’s one thing that we should see as being very clear now, after about a year of the protocol being in place, is that it’s working.
“It was designed to make sure that there was no hard border between North and South that there isn’t.
“It was designed to protect our place in the single market and it has.
“And as was there in the original agreement with Prime Minister May, it is designed to protect the all-island economy, and that’s thriving.
“Trade north-south and south-north has increased dramatically, between 50 and 90%, depending on which way you count it.”
He added: “According to the UK Office of National Statistics, the Northern Ireland economy has outperformed the rest of the United Kingdom.
“So if anyone told you a year ago, that’s what the protocol would result in, I think that shows what a success it has been.”
Mr Varadkar spoke at an event by IDA Ireland, which oversees foreign direct investment (FDI).
He continued, saying he was keen to work with Liz Truss, who is now the UK’s Brexit negotiator following Lord Frost’s resignation: “It isn’t perfect and we’re very keen to work with the European Union, Secretary Truss and the UK Government on ironing out some of the problems that have arisen, particularly when it comes to goods going from Great Britain into Northern Ireland.
“I think it’s a potentially huge selling point to attract FDI into Northern Ireland, because Northern Ireland will have access to both the British single market and the European single market.
“But the uncertainty around the protocol doesn’t help Northern Ireland in that regard. So as soon as we can get to a point of certainty, the better.”
Grace Almond 20 December 2021 19:13
1640026652 Zarah Sultana MP criticises PM’s ‘floundering premiership’
Grace Almond 20 December 2021 18:57
1640025931 Opposition MPs react to Boris Johnson’s announcement
Grace Almond 20 December 2021 18:45
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