News- UK

John Bercow says bullying accusers are 'snobs and bigots' Former Speaker tells Guardian Live event that the issue has been ‘weaponised’The former Commons Speaker John Bercow has described parliamentary staff members who allege that he bullied people as “snobs and bigots”, and claimed he is the victim of a concerted campaign to destroy his reputation.In conversation with Owen Jones at a Guardian Live event in Sloane Square in central London, he mocked those who have complained about him and denied all the allegations surrounding his behaviour. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK must prepare for more intense storms, climate scientists say Government urged to create more natural drainage systems to cope with impact of crisisBritain must brace for more storms like Dennis and Ciara because rainfall will be more intense in a climate-disrupted future, scientists have warned.They said the government needed to increase the creation of more natural drainage systems if it wanted to avoid having to raise the level of sea and river defences every few years to counter the growing threat of flooding and storm surges. Continue reading... Go to Source

No 10 refuses to comment on PM's views of racial IQ Move comes after hiring of new adviser who said black people have lower average IQsBoris Johnson’s spokesman has refused to say whether the prime minister thinks black people have lower IQs on average, or agrees with eugenics, after No 10 hired an adviser with highly controversial views.In a tense briefing with the media, the prime minister’s deputy official spokesman declined several times to distance Johnson from the views of his adviser, Andrew Sabisky, who has suggested “enforced contraception” be used to prevent the creation of a “permanent underclass”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan confirms 99 new coronavirus cases Evacuations begin despite continued quarantine as Japan warns outbreak ‘entering new phase’Coronavirus - live updatesAnother 99 people have tested positive for coronavirus onboard the stricken Princess Diamond cruise ship docked in Japan, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 454.Meanwhile concern is growing over possible infections among passengers from another cruise liner that docked in Cambodia last week. On Sunday a traveller from the MS Westerdam was confirmed to have the virus in Malaysia, days after disembarking along with hundreds of other passengers. Continue reading... Go to Source

Most BME MPs have experienced racism in parliament, study finds Half of black and minority ethnic respondents faced racism from fellow MPsAlmost two-thirds of black and minority ethnic (BME) MPs say they have experienced some form of racism while working in parliament, while half say they have faced it from fellow MPs, according to a study carried out by ITV.The findings were based on the anonymous responses of 37 of the 65 BME MPs in the current parliament. Of those who answered, 62% said they faced “racism or racial profiling” while on the parliamentary estate, with 51% saying they had experienced this from other MPs. Continue reading... Go to Source

Extinction Rebellion protesters dig up Cambridge college lawn Action at Trinity part of week-long protests over ties between colleges and fossil fuel industryExtinction Rebellion protesters have dug up the lawn of Trinity College, Cambridge, as part of a week-long series of demonstrations.The climate activists dug channels into the turf in front of the college’s 16th-century great gate with shovels and pitchforks and planted Extinction Rebellion flags. Continue reading... Go to Source

Storm Dennis: flood defences working well, environment secretary says George Eustice defends both new infrastructure and PM’s absence from affected areasThe environment secretary has defended the government’s record on flooding after Storm Dennis left thousands of properties across the UK underwater, saying new defences had worked well.George Eustice, who was appointed in the cabinet reshuffle last week, dismissed the idea that Boris Johnson should have toured flood-hit areas over the weekend, saying he had been there in the prime minister’s place. Continue reading... Go to Source

Italian man, 95, resident in UK for 68 years, told to prove it Antonio Finelli, a UK state pension recipient for 32 years, was asked for proof when he applied to stay post-BrexitA 95-year-old Italian man who has been in the UK for 68 years has been asked to prove he is resident in the country by the Home Office in order to remain after Brexit, despite receiving the state pension for the past 32 years.Antonio Finelli came to the country in 1952 when he answered an appeal for immigrant labour as part of the reconstruction effort after the second world war ended. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus: 99 more cases confirmed on cruise ship - live news Japan braces for hundreds of fresh cases and restricts access to Tokyo Marathon. Follow live news and latest updatesShare your experiences 11.06am GMTHere’s some more information on the possible delay of China’s annual meetings set for March.The meetings of the parliament, or National People’s Congress (NPC), and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) were both due to begin early next month. But both China’s parliament and its top political consultative body are both considering delaying annual meetings set for March, state media said on Monday.The gatherings see more than 5,000 delegates descend on Beijing, the capital, from all over China, for at least 10 days, to pass...

Caroline Flack: politicians condemn press intrusion after presenter's death ITV says Sunday’s Love Island will not be broadcast as calls mount for regulation of traditional and social mediaPoliticians have condemned press intrusion, calling for more regulation of both traditional and social media after the death of TV presenter Caroline Flack. The former Love Island presenter is understood to have taken her own life on Saturday at her home in east London. She had been charged with assaulting her partner and was due to stand trial in several weeks’ time. Continue reading... Go to Source

Times Radio hires deputy BBC political editor John Pienaar Longtime BBC presenter to front drivetime show on Radio 4 rival stationTimes Radio has hired the BBC’s deputy political editor, John Pienaar, to front its new drivetime programme as Rupert Murdoch’s efforts to build a deep-pocketed rival to Radio 4 gather pace.Pienaar, who has been with the public service broadcaster for almost three decades and hosts his own weekly 5 live politics show, will be moving to the new speech radio station in the coming months to cover “issues of the day in Westminster and beyond”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Doctor who worked at same firm as Ian Paterson accused of botched operations Exclusive: Michael Walsh treated patients at hospital run by Spire, which employed rogue breast surgeonA doctor who worked at the same private healthcare firm as the rogue breast surgeon Ian Paterson has been accused of subjecting scores of his patients to unnecessary operations that left many in pain, traumatised and unable to work, the Guardian can reveal. Michael Walsh, a shoulder surgeon, was sacked by Spire Healthcare, which reported him to the General Medical Council (GMC) after numerous patients and some of his colleagues raised concerns about his work. An investigation it undertook uncovered examples of Walsh harming patients by performing surgery on them unnecessarily or badly. Continue reading... G...

Politicians condemn press intrusion after Caroline Flack's death ITV says Sunday’s Love Island will not be broadcast as calls mount for regulation of traditional and social mediaPoliticians have condemned press intrusion, calling for more regulation of both traditional and social media after the death of TV presenter Caroline Flack. The former Love Island presenter is understood to have taken her own life on Saturday at her home in Islington, London. She had been charged with assaulting her partner and was due to stand trial in several weeks’ time. Continue reading... Go to Source

Storm Dennis triggers record number of flood warnings in England Disruption caused by strong winds and severe flooding across UK likely to last for daysLarge parts of Britain are facing days of disruption after one of the worst winter storms of recent times triggered an unprecedented number of flood warnings and left thousands of homes underwater.Major incidents were declared in south Wales and parts of England as Storm Dennis brought heavy rain and strong winds to much of the country. Continue reading... Go to Source

Calls for Tory aide to be sacked over 'enforced contraception' remarks Labour condemns Andrew Sabisky’s views on pregnancy, race and women’s sport Labour is calling for the immediate sacking of a Tory adviser over his controversial remarks about pregnancy, race and women’s sport.Oxbridge-educated Andrew Sabisky is working as a No 10 adviser, having been appointed after chief aide Dominic Cummings put out a job description for “misfits and weirdos” to join him in trying to shake up government. Continue reading... Go to Source

BBC pundit taken off air after criticism of Derby's 'young black lads' Craig Ramage claimed players need ‘pulling down a peg or two’Derby’s Max Lowe and Kick It Out issue strong rebukesThe BBC has said it will no longer use the pundit Craig Ramage after the former midfielder criticised Derby County’s “young black lads”, saying they needed “bringing down a peg or two”.The 49-year-old made the comments, which Kick It Out condemned as “thoughtless racist stereotypes”, on BBC Radio Derby’s Sportscene show after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town. Continue reading... Go to Source

Storm Dennis: six severe flood warnings in place across England and Wales – latest news Highest number of warnings on record in place across the country as authorities warn of risk to life‘Life-threatening’ flood warnings in south WalesAnger and fear across UK as second storm wreaks havoc 5.34pm GMTFlood hit areas could still feel the effects of the heavy rains brought by Storm Dennis after it has passed, experts have warned.The Environment Agency urged people to remain vigilant and said “significant” river and surface water flooding is expected to continue into next week.Storm Dennis will continue to bring disruptive weather into early next week, and there are flood warnings in place across much of England.We urge people to check the flood risk in their area and...

Barristers warn of strain on defendants after Caroline Flack death Impact of proceedings upon those with mental health issues should be considered, experts sayThe death of the Love Island presenter Caroline Flack has prompted questions about the way the justice system deals with allegations of domestic abuse and the strains imposed on defendants.Experienced criminal barristers said delays to trials might be adding to stress and called for more to be done to support those facing trial. Continue reading... Go to Source

British woman repeatedly trafficked for sex after Home Office failures High court judge intervenes to prevent victim of county lines sex exploitation being made street homeless after refusal to find her safe housingA young and highly vulnerable British sex trafficking victim was re-trafficked by county lines drug gangs on multiple occasions after the Home Office repeatedly refused to fulfil its legal obligation to provide her with safe accommodation.A high court judge was forced to intervene to compel the Home Office to house the woman, who was about to become street homeless. Continue reading... Go to Source

Brexit: Britain and EU 'will rip each other apart' in trade talks French foreign minister says it will be hard for UK to strike deal by end of year given differencesBritain and the European Union are going to rip each other apart in talks over a future trade deal, the French foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, has predicted, while also holding out hope that UK defence co-operation with Europe will continue.Speaking at the Munich security forum, he added it would be tough for Britain to achieve its aim of a free trade deal by the end of the year given the differences between the two sides. Continue reading... Go to Source

AI systems claiming to 'read' emotions pose discrimination risks Expert says technology deployed is based on outdated science and therefore is unreliableArtificial Intelligence (AI) systems that companies claim can “read” facial expressions is based on outdated science and risks being unreliable and discriminatory, one of the world’s leading experts on the psychology of emotion has warned.Lisa Feldman Barrett, professor of psychology at Northeastern University, said that such technologies appear to disregard a growing body of evidence undermining the notion that the basic facial expressions are universal across cultures. As a result, such technologies – some of which are already being deployed in real-world settings – run the risk of being unreliable or dis...

Labour leadership contest: Keir Starmer defends Brexit policy Favourite to succeed Jeremy Corbyn says party was right and should have gone furtherKeir Starmer has defended Labour’s Brexit policy after claims from colleagues that it was the reason for the party’s worst election defeat since 1935.The shadow Brexit secretary said Labour’s plan to renegotiate another deal and then put it to a public vote, and to decide at at later stage whether to back leave or remain, was the right position to take. Continue reading... Go to Source

Storm Dennis: Met Office issues red warning for south Wales – live updates Roads shut and trains suspended as storm lashes large parts of country‘Life-threatening’ flood warnings in south WalesAnger and fear across UK as second storm wreaks havoc 11.44am GMTEmergency service crews rescued two people “just in the nick of time” after their car was swept from the road and pinned to a metal gate by a torrent of floodwater, reports the Press Association.Specialist fire crews waded into the fast-flowing water in the Scottish Borders to save the pair from the “extremely dangerous situation” after a river had burst its banks.Two casualties successfully rescued from an extremely dangerous situation where their car had been swept off the road and had become wed...

Coronavirus: UK headteachers told to stay calm and keep schools open Public health advisers will send out new virus guidelines this weekSchools and nurseries do not need to close or send pupils home in the event of contact with someone suspected of having the coronavirus, according to new guidelines to be issued to schools across the UK this week.In the face of confusion over what the correct response should be, Public Health England and the Department for Education are to issue headteachers and childcare providers with fresh guidance on Monday . Continue reading... Go to Source

‘Fighting like ferrets in a bag’ as EU tries to plug Brexit cash hole UK’s withdrawal has left £62bn hole in bloc’s purse for the next seven yearsPresidents, prime ministers and chancellors across Europe will pack their bags later this week in preparation for a long weekend in Brussels. They won’t, however, be taking in the baroque majesty of the Grand Place or savouring the local culinary treats. Instead, they will be preparing for that most infamous of events, a “four shirter”, to use the clothes-packing gauge adopted by male diplomats to measure the length and horror of EU leaders’ summits in the Belgian capital. The thorny subject this time around? Money. And the problem? Britain.The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union has left a h...

Iran under growing pressure to hand over Ukraine jet black box Canada, Ukraine, Britain and others ask for box to be sent to third country for examinationCanada and a group of other countries representing nationals killed in the Iranian strike on a Ukrainian civilian jet leaving Tehran have stepped up their requests for Iran to hand over the black box to a third country for examination.Iran’s foreign minister, Javad Zarif, has suggested specialist equipment should be sent to Tehran to help the Iranians decrypt the contents of the black box and has given a commitment the box would not be opened except in the presence of all interested parties. But with an impasse looming, western aviation experts have said it is not possible to send the cumbersome equipment to Tehran. Continue read...

Attorney general Suella Braverman belongs to controversial Buddhist sect Founder of the Triratna order was accused of sex abuse; victim has spoken out about cabinet minister’s new roleThe new attorney general is a member of a controversial religious sect which continues to venerate its founder despite well-documented claims that he was a serial sexual predator, the Observer can reveal.Suella Braverman is a mitra – Sanskrit for “friend” – within the Triratna order, one of Buddhism’s largest sects, which has been rocked by claims of sexual misconduct, abuse and inappropriate behaviour. Continue reading... Go to Source

Caroline Flack, former Love Island presenter, dies aged 40 Host, who left her job last year, reported to have been found at her home in LondonCaroline Flack, the TV presenter, has died at the age of 40, days before she was due to face trial for assaulting her boyfriend. The former host of ITV2’s Love Island is reported to have been discovered at her home in London on Saturday.On Friday, her boyfriend Lewis Burton attempted to contact her. She had been forbidden by a judge from communicating with Burton before the trial, which was due to begin on 4 March. Continue reading... Go to Source

Pressure grows to rescue Britons on liner stricken by coronavirus US plan to airlift Americans from Diamond Princess adds urgency to pleas for evacuation from UK passengersPressure is growing on the British government to airlift UK citizens stranded on a cruise ship stricken by coronavirus, as a Chinese tourist in France yesterday became the first person to die from the disease in Europe.The US announced late on Friday that it would be evacuating more than 400 of its nationals from the quarantined ship, the Diamond Princess, which has reported nearly 300 confirmed Covid-19 cases, and British travellers called on their government to do the same. Continue reading... Go to Source

Fashion executive accused in rape lawsuit reportedly hosted Prince Andrew at Bahamas estate Peter Nygard is accused of luring women to the propertyPhotos from 20 years ago show the royals visiting the siteA millionaire fashion executive accused of raping 10 women and girls at his Bahamas mansion reportedly hosted Prince Andrew and his family at the property in 2000.A class action lawsuit lodged in New York City claims that Peter Nygard lured “young, impressionable, and often impoverished children and women” to his Bahamas property with cash payments and promises of modeling opportunities, only to then “assault, rape, and sodomize them”. Continue reading... Go to Source