Downing street

A Tory MP’s office has been vandalised as anger grows over alleged rule-breaking in Downing Street. Pictures of Robert Largan’s constituency office in Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, have emerged showing the word ‘lies’ was repeatedly sprayed on the side of the building, apparently by someone angry at the latest revelations of parties in No 10. A photograph of the politician which adorned the office was also covered in orange graffiti, as were the words ‘I’m here to help’. The building was trashed despite Mr Largan’s criticism of recent controversies surrounding parties held in the heart of Westminster, when everyone else was expected to remain at home. Several other MPs have spoken out about the angry messages filling their inboxes as more and more revelations are revealed. Mr Largan, who represents the marginal seat of High Peak, is one of a new generation of MPs elected in 2019. He was previously critical of government ‘sleaze’ last year after MPs overturned the … [Read more...] about ‘Lies lies lies’ sprayed on office of Tory MP as anger grows over partygate

Boris Johnson is set to reveal this week whether Plan B Covid restrictions in England will be scrapped – as the rules are due to expire next Wednesday, January 26. Downing Street said today that it was keeping a ‘very close eye’ on the data with ‘encouraging signs’ infections are falling across the country. But the decision will be weighed up based on the NHS, which remains ‘under significant pressure’. The ‘maximum amount of time possible’ will be given to prepare for any rule changes, the PM’s spokesman said. ‘In terms of the data, there are some encouraging signs that infections are falling across the country. ‘Obviously we want to see that mirrored in the latest ONS data as well. ‘There are also some signs of falls – or at least plateauing – in admissions and occupancy in hospital, which is good to see. ‘But it still remains the case that our NHS is under significant pressure, there are over 16,000 Covid patients in hospital in England alone. ‘So we are … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson could announce update on Plan B Covid rules this week

There’s been an awful lot of leaking about “Partygate”, and I now have my very own exclusive. A copy of the text of the prime minister ’s next public apology to parliament* has reached me, and it is only right that I now publish it, and damn the Official Secrets Act. For a change, he’s going to tell us the truth. I hope you’ll agree it’s dynamite. *** “Mr Speaker, I would like to make an apology. It has come to my attention that there may have been a handful of days – I cannot yet be more specific – during the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 when social gatherings and boozy parties were organised in Downing Street, without my being there, or knowing about them. “I wish to acknowledge at the outset, Mr Speaker, that many people feel angry to see me, a man they trusted always to do the wrong thing, lapsing in this way. People expect me to be dishonest and lack integrity, and be a massive hypocrite, and I recognise they may be disappointed. “Mr Speaker, Fear Of Missing … [Read more...] about An apology from the prime minister: ‘I really should have partied harder’

Last modified on Jan 11, 2022 09:46 GMT Quilted jackets with a diamond design are trending. Shop our edit of the best Frankie Shop ripstop quilted jacket dupes for women in 2022. From M&S to Zara and ASOS to & Other Stories. If you've scrolled through social media this season, you've probably come across the sell-out quilted jacket by Frankie Shop . The cult khaki jacket is lightweight and collarless with a chic oversized fit. It's the perfect layering piece and has been seen on what seems like every stylish influencer on Instagram. RELATED: 21 women's puffer jackets for those colder days MORE: The best leather jackets to shop now The original Frankie Shop quilted padded ripstop jacket Unsurprisingly, it's now impossible to get your hands on, but it's spawned a whole host of lookalikes. So, from Zara to M&S and ASOS to & Other Stories, we've searched the internet to find the … [Read more...] about 23 best quilted jackets trending this winter: Frankie Shop, M&S, ASOS, Arket & MORE

Last modified on Jan 13, 2022 11:21 GMT If you need a warm coat for chilly days a puffer jacket is a great option and there are so many women's styles to choose from, including maxi puffers, designer padded coats and budget options. We’ve compiled the definitive list from stockists including H&M, Marks & Spencer, Topshop and ASOS, and there are even designer options Do you have a coat for those colder spells? A puffer jacket is the perfect coat, and there are so many gorgeous designs to choose from. Now's the perfect time to buy - before the nicest ones sell out. We've gathered together the top picks when it comes to puffer coats, from the most stylish quilted maxi puffer you could ever wish for to short-but-chic numbers. And if you're in love with the trending Frankie Shop quilted cover up , we've found some similar options... RELATED: Quilted jackets are trending - here are 22 of the best MORE: Best tote bags for … [Read more...] about 20 best puffer jackets 2022: From Marks & Spencer to H&M, ASOS & Topshop

The government has been accused of attacking the BBC to distract from the "partygate" scandal ahead of an expected licence fee freeze announcement. As part of "Operation Red Meat", designed to quell angry Tory backbenchers and voters, the government is expected to announce the licence fee could be replaced when the current deal ends in 2027. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries is also expected to confirm the annual payment will be frozen at £159 until 2024. Follow live 'partygate' updates This licence fee announcement will be the last. The days of the elderly being threatened with prison sentences and bailiffs knocking on doors, are over. https://t.co/sXtK25q27H — Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) January 16, 2022 Ms Dorries, reacting to the claims, tweeted on Sunday the next review of the BBC's funding model, in 2027, "will be the last". Advertisement It has angered Labour politicians and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), who both … [Read more...] about Government accused of attacking BBC to distract from ‘partygate’ ahead of expected licence fee freeze

LABOUR leader Sir Keir Starmer refused to apologise for downing beers with colleagues indoors during Covid restrictions - calling it a work event just like Boris Sir Keir was angrily branded a “hypocrite” by a caller on LBC this morning but he hit back saying No10 was running a campaign “to drag everyone into the gutter with them." He insisted he didn’t break any rules while he had a takeaway in a constituency office while working on the election campaign in 2021 - saying it was a break during a work event. His excuse echoes the PM who said his 25 minutes stint at a Downing Street party was within the rules as it was a for work. The Labour leader has demanded Boris Johnson resign over the dozens of Downing Street parties held during various Covid lockdowns. But he insisted the clip of him was totally different in the tense radio exchange. He said: "The picture of me was in a constituency office up in the North East, it was I think, three or four days before the May … [Read more...] about Labour leader Keir Starmer refuses to apologise after being pictured drinking beer during lockdown

Sir Keir Starmer has revealed Gary Neville told him off for not being ‘strong enough’ standing up to Boris Johnson . The football pundit joined the Labour Party last week but Sir Keir admitted they’ve disagreed on a few issues in the past. The Labour leader said he preferred ‘robust conversations’ to the ‘warm bath’ of speaking with people who agree with him, adding he believes the Manchester United legend could go ‘as far as he wants’ in politics . During an interview on the BBC’s Political Thinking podcast, Neville, 46, said Labour’s opposition ‘should have been a lot stronger’ at the end of 2020. He said: ‘I think Labour had them at that point. I would be open with Keir about this, I don’t think that he was strong enough at that point. Now I think he realises he needs to take the gloves off.’ Sir Keir later confirmed the pair have had a ‘number of conversations’ and disagreed on Labour’s support for the tier system. ‘When he says, “I’ve been open with … [Read more...] about Gary Neville confronted Keir Starmer and told him ‘you’re not strong enough’

Schools across Britain are to be shut down as part of emergency measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus . At Parliament today Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said classrooms in England will close from Friday until further notice for all pupils except children of key workers and the most vulnerable. It comes after the regional governments of Scotland and Wales announced they would do the same. Northern Ireland then announced it has closed all of its schools with immediate effect . The UK is following in the footsteps of several other European countries including Italy, Denmark and Ireland. At a Downing Street conference Boris Johnson said schools would not be shut for children of those in crucial jobs such as police officers, delivery drivers and medical staff, but it is not yet clear how this exception will be implemented. The Prime Minister said the Government would ask nurseries and private schools to comply with the measure, which will see exams … [Read more...] about All UK schools to close until further notice from Friday due to coronavirus

The UK has recorded another 70,924 cases of Covid but it appears the country has past the worst of the Omicron wave. New infections reported on Sunday took the week’s total to 754,054, a 38% on the previous seven days when well over a million new cases were detected. However no cases from Scotland were included due to an IT problem. A further 88 deaths were also reported among people who tested positive for Covid within 28 days. It means in the last week alone, there have been 1,834 deaths – the highest since last winter – but it is hoped this figure will also soon start to fall in line with the decreasing number of cases. The daily release of figures showed 25,880 received their first dose of a vaccine on Saturday, 39,709 had a second dose and 92,623 were given their third jab. Omicron took hold in the UK just before Christmas and rapidly spread around the country, resulting in record numbers of infections. But experts predicted the country could follow South … [Read more...] about UK Covid cases continue to plummet with 38% drop in one week