Brexit tory party

The UK is "absolutely not" trying to provoke a row with the EU over post-Brexit border arrangements, after the government's intervention saw the bloc threaten legal action, a cabinet minister has told Sky News. Tensions rose over the Northern Ireland protocol, a key part of Britain's divorce deal with the EU, once again this week after the UK took unilateral action to extend grace periods for businesses such as supermarkets and parcel operators. Light-touch regulation schemes on goods from the rest of the UK transiting to Northern Ireland had been due to expire at the end of this month - after which businesses would have had to fully comply with new post- Brexit rules - but now they won't end until October. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Sectarian tensions mount over Brexit European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic, who is in charge of implementing the protocol on behalf of the EU, has described the UK's … [Read more...] about Brexit: UK ‘absolutely not’ trying to provoke row over Northern Ireland – but EU hints legal action ‘very soon’

The European Parliament has declined to set a date to ratify the Brexit trade deal following a row over the UK's action in relation to arrangements for Northern Ireland. Tensions over the Northern Ireland protocol, a key part of Britain's divorce deal with the EU , have flared again this week. It comes after the UK took unilateral action to extend grace periods for businesses such as supermarkets and parcel operators, before they have to comply with new post- Brexit rules. Light-touch regulation schemes on goods from the rest of the UK transiting to Northern Ireland had been due to expire at the end of March, but now they won't end until October. Amid the threat of legal action against London, the European Commission has accused the UK of seeking to breach international law and condemned Britain's "clear departure from the constructive approach that has prevailed up until now". Advertisement The Irish government accused the UK … [Read more...] about Brexit: European Parliament declines to fix date of EU-UK trade deal vote amid new row over Northern Ireland Protocol

Matt Hancock unlawfully failed to publish details of more than 500 Covid contracts within the required time, the High Court has confirmed. The Good Law Project took legal action against the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for its "wholesale failure" to disclose details of contracts agreed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Government is required by law to publish the details within 30 days of them being awarded. At a hearing last month, Mr Justice Chamberlain said that "in a substantial number of cases, the Secretary of State breached his legal obligation to publish contract award notices within 30 days of the award of contracts". And in a further ruling today, the judge said the DHSC "acted unlawfully by failing to publish contract award notices for relevant contracts for supplies and services relating to Covid-19 within the 30-day period required... in respect of 504 of the 535 contracts awarded on or before October 7 2020 - i.e. 94%". He added: "The defendant … [Read more...] about Matt Hancock unlawfully failed to publish more than 500 Covid contracts in time, High Court confirms

Beijing has declared that only "patriots" should rule Hong Kong - and unveiled plans to change the city's electoral system to ensure just that. Candidates for election to the Legislative Council - Hong Kong 's parliament - will be vetted, according to the proposed changes. And elections scheduled for 2020, already postponed for a year, will be pushed back to 2022. "The rioting and turbulence that occurred in the Hong Kong society reveals that the existing electoral system in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has clear loopholes and deficiencies," said Wang Chen, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, according to state media. The NPC, China 's annual parliament, is meeting in Beijing this week. The changes to Hong Kong's electoral system are only a proposal but will almost certainly be approved given the rubber stamp nature of the NPC. "Loopholes" is one of Beijing's favourite terms for describing aspects of … [Read more...] about Beijing declares only ‘patriots’ should rule Hong Kong as elections delayed again

Britney Spears has shared a playful tribute to her boyfriend Sam Asghari on his 27th birthday. Taking to her Instagram account on Thursday, the pop songstress, 39, posted two video clips set to her classic 2003 single Toxic. The first video shows Britney dancing in the shower while wearing a white bathrobe. As the iconic strings of the track come in, Britney wipes her face on the shower's glass door. The second clip shows fitness model Sam repeat the same routine whilst also dressed in a white bathrobe. Britney's account captioned the post: "Happy birthday to the man that always makes me laugh [laughing emoji, confetti emoji, balloon emoji] !!!!! Who did it better ???? @samasghar" ." The fun post prompted some amused comments from one of Britney's celebrity pals. The Black Eyed Peas star will.l.am , who previously collaborated with Britney on the single Scream and Shout, penned: "love this!!! [lauging emojis] You did it better...!!!! [red heart emojis, raised … [Read more...] about Britney Spears’ playful tribute to her boyfriend Sam Asghari on his 27th birthday