News- UK

English nationalist MP candidate found guilty of harassing Anna Soubry Amy Dalla Mura banned from campaigning in Broxtowe after targeting Soubry over Brexit A Brexit supporter who is standing against the remainer Anna Soubry in the general election has been found guilty of harassing her and banned from campaigning in her constituency.Amy Dalla Mura, 56, targeted Soubry between January and March this year, turning up at events and calling her a traitor on live television, Westminster magistrates court heard. Continue reading... Go to Source

Twitter accuses Tories of misleading public with 'factcheck' foray Dominic Raab defends rebranding account during debate and adds: ‘no one gives a toss’ Latest election news - live updatesTwitter has accused the Conservatives of misleading the public after they rebranded one of their official party accounts to make it look like a factchecking service during the ITV leaders’ debate.The party was widely criticised on Tuesday night when it temporarily changed the name of its Conservative campaign headquarters press office Twitter account, which is followed by nearly 76,000 users, to factcheckUK from its usual CCHQPress. Continue reading... Go to Source

Oxford Union president steps down in wake of blind student row Brendan McGrath resigns from debating society after student forcibly removed from eventThe president of the Oxford Union has bowed to pressure to resign after a blind student was dragged by his ankles from a debate event by a security guard.Ebenezer Azamati, a postgraduate student from Ghana, was forcibly removed from the event last month when he tried to return to his seat before a debate. Continue reading... Go to Source

José Mourinho appointed Tottenham manager after Pochettino sacked Mauricio Pochettino sacked by Spurs on Tuesday nightMourinho: ‘The quality in the squad excites me’Tottenham Hotspur have acted swiftly to appoint José Mourinho as their new manager on a contract that will run until the end of the 2022-23 season following Mauricio Pochettino’s sacking on Tuesday.Less than 12 hours after Pochettino was relieved of his duties by chairman Daniel Levy, Spurs confirmed that Mourinho will take charge of his third Premier League club after two spells at Chelsea and one at Manchester United. That ended with him being sacked by United in December last year, with the 56-year-old having since worked as a television pundit. Continue reading... Go to Source

Former UK official in Hong Kong 'tortured in 15-day China ordeal' Simon Cheng, who worked at consulate, alleges repeated mental and physical abuseA former employee of the British consulate in Hong Kong has alleged he was tortured while being detained in China, during a 15-day ordeal in which he said he was branded “a British spy and secret agent” and held in solitary confinement.The UK foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, has summoned the Chinese ambassador to demand an explanation after Simon Cheng, a Hong Kong citizen who worked for the British government for two years, went public with his account of repeated physical and mental torture. Continue reading... Go to Source

Fossil fuel production on track for double the safe climate limit ‘We’re in a deep hole over the climate crisis and we need to stop digging,’ warn expertsThe world’s nations are on track to produce more than twice as much coal, oil and gas as can be burned in 2030 while restricting rise in the global temperature to 1.5C, analysis shows.The report is the first to compare countries’ stated plans for fossil fuel extraction with the goals of the Paris climate agreement, which is to keep global heating well below 2C above pre-industrial levels, and to aim for 1.5C. It exposes a huge gap, with fossil fuel production in 2030 heading for 50% more than is consistent with 2C, and 120% more than that for 1.5C. Continue reading... Go to Source

Election debate: Johnson and Corbyn clash over NHS future Labour leader claims service will be sold by PM, who keeps repeating Brexit mantraBoris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn have clashed over which of them is best placed to safeguard the NHS if they win the general election, with the Labour leader accusing the prime minister of being ready to sell it off to US corporations.In a testy live debate on ITV, during which the prime minister repeatedly returned to the claim that he would “get Brexit done”, both men lavished praise on the NHS, but Corbyn said Johnson would put it up for sale. Continue reading... Go to Source

Tories pretend to be factchecking service during leaders' debate Party accused of misleading public by tweeting anti-Labour posts as ‘factcheckUK’Follow the latest election news - liveThe Conservatives have been accused of misleading the public after they rebranded their official Twitter account as “factcheckUK” during the televised leaders’ debate and used it to publish anti-Labour posts.The public have increasingly turned to factchecking websites, such as the independent Full Fact, the BBC’s Reality Check, Channel 4 News’ FactCheck and the Guardian’s Factcheck, to verify claims made by politicians. Continue reading... Go to Source

General election leaders' debate: who won? Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn played it safe but the audience were not convincedFull coverage of the TV debate - as it happenedSign up for Andrew Sparrow’s daily election briefingNeither leader attempted any jokes, and Boris Johnson’s typical verbal flair was not in evidence. Both men played it pretty safe, but the audience was clearly sceptical about their answers on several occasions, scoffing at Jeremy Corbyn’s evasion over Brexit and the prime minister’s record on telling the truth. Continue reading... Go to Source

Johnson and Corbyn fail to land blows in second-rate light entertainment | John Crace Tory and Labour leaders manage an insincere handshake in an S&M dungeon – but little elseTeeth to be pulled. Eyes to be gouged. Throats to be slit. Most people had wisely made alternative arrangements. But there were still at least 4 million masochists for whom the first leaders’ debate was an essential warm-up to I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!. Had Boris Johnson been smothered in a cage full of rats or Jeremy Corbyn been force-fed termites, ITV would have had the surefire ratings winner of the year. Maybe next time. Related: Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn clash in ITV election debate over 'NHS for sale' claim – live news Continue reading... Go to Source

The election debate: who came out on top? | The panel After Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn go head to head, four writers assess who gave the best performance Continue reading... Go to Source

Labour would rewrite rules of UK economy, says John McDonnell Shadow chancellor criticises corporate excess but rules out windfall tax on oil and gas firmsLatest election news – live updatesJohn McDonnell has promised that a Labour government would “rewrite the rules of our economy” as he announced proposed reforms to business regulation that he said would help workers “take back control”.In a speech that made a series of attacks on corporate excess, the shadow chancellor ruled out imposing a windfall tax on oil and gas companies – a policy Labour had been seriously considering in recent days. Continue reading... Go to Source

Leaked report exposes maternity scandal at Shropshire NHS trust Report describes ‘toxic’ culture at hospital trust where at least 42 babies have died avoidablyAt least 42 babies and three mothers may have died unnecessarily and more than 50 newborns suffered avoidable brain damage at a hospital trust, in what is believed to be the worst maternity scandal in NHS history.A leaked status update on a review of clinical malpractice in the maternity service of Shrewsbury and Telford hospital NHS trust raised concerns about the high number of deaths and injuries there. Continue reading... Go to Source

Prince Andrew mentor scheme loses Standard Chartered partnership Bank is latest firm to end support of initiative after royal’s BBC Epstein interviewThe future of Prince Andrew’s business mentoring initiative is in doubt after corporate backers severed ties or said they were reviewing links as pressure piled on the royal after his disastrous BBC interview about the child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.On Tuesday, Standard Chartered became the latest firm to withdraw its support from Pitch@Palace – which claims to have generated more than 6,000 jobs. The day before it had emerged that KPMG would not be renewing its sponsorship, which ended on 31 October. Continue reading... Go to Source

Black cyclists leader subjected to 'degrading' police drugs search Met police investigating after officer stopped Mani Arthur claiming he smelled of cannabisThe founder of the Black Cyclists Network has accused police of “harassing and humiliating him” in public after an officer stopped and searched him under the pretext that he smelled of cannabis.Mani Arthur was cycling with two friends when he was stopped near Euston, in central London, by an officer who, he says, ordered him to move into a dangerous position in the road. Continue reading... Go to Source

Vindman tells impeachment hearing he reported 'improper' Trump call immediately – live Key witness testifies publicly on Trump’s Ukraine call and says ‘vile’ character attacks on those testifying ‘reprehensible’ – follow the latest liveIn this defining moment for America, support the Guardian’s independent journalism. Make a contributionRead more about the impact of The Guardian’s journalism in 2019 5.47pm GMTUnder questioning from Republican representative Elise Stefanik, Lt Col Alexander Vindman and Jennifer Williams both acknowledged there was the potential for the appearance of a conflict of interest in Hunter Biden’s work for the Ukrainian company Burisma.“Certainly the potential, yes,” Vindman says to Stefanik when asked if Hunter Biden on Burisma board had the potential of an “...

General election live: John McDonnell says there will be no windfall tax on oil companies Shadow chancellor speaks about Labour’s economic policy, ahead of Johnson and Corbyn’s first TV debate Sign up for Andrew Sparrow’s daily election briefingThe ITV election debate: your complete guide to Johnson v Corbyn 11.55am GMTNigel Farage is giving a speech in Peterborough. You can watch it below. 11.42am GMTFirst questions to the shadow chancellor are from the press.Q The Greens are pledging £100bn a year for 10 years to achieve zero carbon by 2030. That is also a Labour aspiration (the 2030 target). Is the Green estimate of the cost correct? Continue reading... Go to Source

Daphne Caruana Galizia: suspected middleman set to name names Alleged middleman offered pardon in return for sharing evidence on death of journalistA suspected middleman in the murder of the prominent Maltese anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia has been offered a presidential pardon in return for sharing potentially crucial evidence.Malta’s prime minister, Joseph Muscat, confirmed what could be a major breakthrough in the hunt for those who ordered the killing in a statement on the steps of his office on Tuesday morning. Continue reading... Go to Source

Prince Andrew: Huddersfield to consult students after union votes for duke to quit University’s reaction to students’ union vote is latest blow for duke under pressure over Jeffrey Epstein tiesThe University of Huddersfield has said it will consult its student body over Prince Andrew’s position as chancellor after a panel voted unanimously to lobby for the duke’s resignation from the post.On Sunday evening the university had defended the Duke of York, stressed his “long ties” with the institution and praised his “enthusiasm”, which made him “a natural fit with the work of the University”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Jordan says US settlement decision is 'entrenching occupation' US said on Monday Israeli settlements on West Bank were no longer considered illegal Jordan has accused the US of entrenching the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, after Washington announced it did not consider Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank to necessarily be illegal.Ayman Safadi, the Jordanian foreign minister, criticised the US decision, saying settlements “kill the two-state solution”, the most widely accepted blueprint for Middle East peace.“Entrenching the occupation and its injustice, and violating the resolutions of international legitimacy will not achieve peace, and will not guarantee security and stability,” he said, according to state media.“Nothing changes the illegal reality of s...

Olympic committee's deal with Airbnb angers Paris authorities Mayor of 2024 host city has promised to rein in website, blamed for pushing up rentsParis city authorities have reacted angrily to what they call a “risky” deal between the Olympic committee and the short-term tourist rental company Airbnb.Officials in the French capital, which will host the 2024 summer Games, blame Airbnb for causing a shortage of long-term rental property in the city, pushing up rents and forcing the middle class out. Continue reading... Go to Source

New Epstein accuser sues estate and calls on Prince Andrew to share information Woman says sex offender committed ‘vicious, prolonged sexual assault’ against her when she was 15A woman who claims Jeffrey Epstein committed a “vicious, prolonged sexual assault” against her when she was 15 has called on Prince Andrew to come forward with information about the convicted sex offender.The new accuser, who identifies herself as “Jane Doe 15”, appealed to the Duke of York at a press conference on Monday, where she and the lawyer Gloria Allred announced her lawsuit against Epstein’s estate. She is one of about a dozen women suing the late financier’s estate for alleged sexual abuses. Continue reading... Go to Source

Lib Dems join pledging war over NHS with plan for extra £35bn Plan would take NHS England’s budget to £142.6bn by 2023-24 as £12.9bn will go to social careThe Liberal Democrats have joined the bidding war over the NHS by promising to invest an extra £35bn into health and social care over the next five years.The party plans to fund this through its signature policy of adding a penny to the basic rate of income tax, which it says would raise £7bn. This would see NHS England’s budget grow to £142.8bn by 2023-24. Continue reading... Go to Source

Hong Kong protests: hundreds arrested as university standoff enters third day Fears of bloody clashes as up to 200 remain trapped inside Polytechnic University Fears of a potential crackdown or bloody clashes have risen in Hong Kong as the standoff between riot police and protesters at a university in the city enters its third day with up to 200 still trapped.Hong Kong’s chief executive Carrie Lam said about 600 protesters surrendered to authorities overnight, after police allowed two representatives to mediate between the two sides. On Tuesday, around 20 activists were evacuated to seek medical help. Continue reading... Go to Source

Impeachment witness: I've never heard anything like Trump-Sondland Ukraine call In newly released transcript, state department official details exchange in which Trump raised Ukraine investigationsDavid Holmes, a state department official, said he had “never seen anything like” the phone call he overheard between Donald Trump and Gordon Sondland, the EU ambassador, in which Trump personally raised the investigations he had requested from Ukraine.The call, which Holmes overheard during a lunch with Sondland in Kyiv, was so distinctive that no one needed to refresh his memory, according to testimony released late on Monday in the impeachment inquiry.“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Holmes told House investigators, “someone calling the president from a mobile phone at a restaurant, ...

Nine in 10 NHS bosses say staffing crisis endangering patients In dramatic intervention in election, health chiefs urge parties to avoid false promisesHospitals are so short of doctors and nurses that patients’ safety and quality of care are under threat, senior NHS leaders have warned in a dramatic intervention in the general election campaignNine out of 10 hospital bosses in England fear understaffing across the service has become so severe that patients’ health could be damaged. In addition, almost six in 10 (58%) believe this winter will be the toughest yet for the service. Continue reading... Go to Source

US says Israeli settlements no longer considered illegal in dramatic shift Declaration marks rejection of 2016 UN resolution that settlements on the West Bank are a ‘flagrant violation’ of international lawThe US has declared that Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land are not necessarily illegal, in a dramatic break with decades of international law, US policy and the established position of most US allies.“Calling the establishment of civilian settlements inconsistent with international law has not advanced the cause of peace,” said Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state. “The hard truth is that there will never be a judicial resolution to the conflict, and arguments about who is right and who is wrong as a matter of international law will not bring peace.” Continue readin...

KPMG ends its backing for Prince Andrew's mentorship scheme Accountancy firm not renewing sponsorship, it emerges, after much-criticised TV interviewThe accountancy giant KPMG is not renewing its sponsorship of Prince Andrew’s entrepreneurial scheme Pitch@Palace, it has emerged, in the wake of his much-derided interview in which he defended his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.The Duke of York has been heavily criticised as having shown neither contrition nor sympathy for Epstein’s child victims in the BBC Newsnight interview and his suitability as patron to scores of charities and organisations has been called into question as a result. Continue reading... Go to Source

John McDonnell to attack £100bn tax giveaway to UK's billionaires Shadow chancellor’s speech to reveal one in three of the super-rich are Tory party donorsThe shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, has ramped up his attack on the super-rich, describing their wealth as “obscene”, as Labour unveiled research showing one in three billionaires in the UK have made donations to the Tory party.McDonnell is due to take a swipe at the richest people in the country in a speech on Tuesday and will also set out the tax breaks billionaires have benefited from under successive Conservative governments. Continue reading... Go to Source

Hong Kong: police say surrender is only option for protesters Hundreds trapped inside Polytechnic as demonstrators try to break campus siegeHong Kong police have fought running battles with protesters trying to break a security cordon around a university in the city, firing teargas both at activists trying to escape the besieged campus and at crowds trying to reach it from outside.Police have said the demonstrators inside Polytechnic University had no option but to come out and surrender. Continue reading... Go to Source