By Enda McClafferty & Jayne McCormack Published 29 June Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics The Troubles A bid to prevent immunity from prosecution being offered to those who cooperate with Troubles investigations has been rejected in the Commons. MPs voted to retain the measure within the government's controversial legacy bill, which is progressing through Parliament. They voted 273 to 205. Ahead of the debate earlier, the widow of a farmer murdered by the IRA warned the government not to "trample" on victims. The bill offers an amnesty to those accused of killings and other Troubles-related crimes. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Alliance, SDLP and other opposition parties argued it represented a "corruption of justice". But Northern Ireland minister Conor Burns said the legislation was a "compromise" to address the … [Read more...] about Troubles legacy: MPs vote to keep immunity measure in Troubles bill
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Liz Truss ‘misinterpreted’ over ‘no handouts’ remark, her supporters say
Liz Truss was not ruling out future cost of living support when she said she would reject "handouts", her supporters have said, with prominent backer Penny Mordaunt claiming the comments were "misinterpreted". Leadership rival Rishi Sunak attacked the comments saying the foreign secretary needs to "get real", while claiming her plan to cut taxes immediately will do little to help the most vulnerable. But Penny Mordaunt , who is backing Ms Truss to become the next prime minister after her own leadership bid failed, claimed on Sky News that her remarks had been "misinterpreted". Ms Truss told the Financial Times that as prime minister she would "look at what more can be done" to help families facing spiralling fuel bills. But she added: "The way I would do things is in a Conservative way of lowering the tax burden, not giving out handouts." Advertisement Ms Mordaunt insisted Ms Truss was making a "general point about the merits of enabling … [Read more...] about Liz Truss ‘misinterpreted’ over ‘no handouts’ remark, her supporters say
London’s desalination plant won’t be fired up even if official drought is declared
It was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh in 2010 and promised to be the saviour for thousands of Londoners in case of drought . Twelve years later, its moment arrived during the driest July on record – but the desalination plant in Beckton, east London, was effectively mothballed with no clear date for its resurrection. Thames Water has long touted the plant as one of its key measures to protect Londoners in case of drought , and it has been included in local authorities’ resilience plans. But should an official drought be declared this year, the plant will not be fired up as it undergoes what the water company said was “necessary planned work”. There are now questions over whether it has ever been fully operational since it was built. The water industry is already under pressure over its record on leaks , which amount to 2.4 billion litres a year, even as customers are asked to cut down to help the environment. It now faces more criticism that it is asking households to … [Read more...] about London’s desalination plant won’t be fired up even if official drought is declared