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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/oct/07/jeremy-corbyn-labour-shadow-cabinet-reshuffle-live
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Labour promotes Jonathan Ashworth to shadow health secretary - live updates | |
(35 minutes later) | |
3.52pm BST | |
15:52 | |
Anushka Asthana | |
Jeremy Corbyn has promoted Jonathan Ashworth to become his shadow health secretary but would like the Labour MP give up his place on the party’s national executive committee in return, the Guardian understands. | |
The Leicester politician, who is widely seen as an effective opponent to the Conservatives, will take on the health secretary Jeremy Hunt amid the long-running battle between his department and junior doctors over a new contract. | |
The health position was vacated after Corbyn moved Diane Abbott into the shadow home secretary role and sacked his chief whip, Rosie Winterton, in a post-conference reshuffle that some MPs have described as vengeful. | |
Maintaining Emily Thornberry as shadow foreign secretary, Corbyn said: “These appointments mean, for the first time ever, two out of the three traditional ‘great offices of state’ will be shadowed by women.” | |
Ashworth has remained loyal in public media appearances but is not seen as a supporter of the leadership team, which is why Corbyn would like him to quit the finely balanced NEC. The makeup of Labour’s controlling committee is seen as key, as it controls any changes that could affect how the party is made up. | |
3.49pm BST | |
15:49 | |
Ashworth takes shadow health | |
Jon Ashworth, the shadow cabinet office minister, has been appointed the new shadow health secretary, Labour sources said. | |
3.16pm BST | 3.16pm BST |
15:16 | 15:16 |
Time for me to bow out now, politics lovers. Further reshuffle news and politics developments will follow on the liveblog. | Time for me to bow out now, politics lovers. Further reshuffle news and politics developments will follow on the liveblog. |
Remember, be nice to each other out there this weekend. As Mike Hookem might say: “No face-slapping, no digs, nothing.” | Remember, be nice to each other out there this weekend. As Mike Hookem might say: “No face-slapping, no digs, nothing.” |
3.12pm BST | 3.12pm BST |
15:12 | 15:12 |
The home secretary’s new stance on immigration has been sharply criticised by her own brother, who accused the government of “denigrating foreigners”. | The home secretary’s new stance on immigration has been sharply criticised by her own brother, who accused the government of “denigrating foreigners”. |
Financial PR guru Roland Rudd said the public do not want an “intolerant Britain”, after Amber Rudd set out tough immigration proposals designed to bring down numbers in the wake of the Brexit vote. | Financial PR guru Roland Rudd said the public do not want an “intolerant Britain”, after Amber Rudd set out tough immigration proposals designed to bring down numbers in the wake of the Brexit vote. |
They include plans to force UK businesses to publish the number of foreign workers they employ - a move that drew widespread criticism. | They include plans to force UK businesses to publish the number of foreign workers they employ - a move that drew widespread criticism. |
In a key speech delivered at the Tory Party conference this week, Ms Rudd said businesses and universities could face new restrictions on recruiting overseas workers and students. | In a key speech delivered at the Tory Party conference this week, Ms Rudd said businesses and universities could face new restrictions on recruiting overseas workers and students. |
Speaking about the new approach to immigration, Mr Rudd told BBC Radio 4: | Speaking about the new approach to immigration, Mr Rudd told BBC Radio 4: |
I do not think people voted for an intolerant, closed Britain. I think denigrating foreigners is wrong, treating eastern Europeans as second-class citizens is shameful, and hate crime is appalling, and I hope it’s time that good people everywhere actually are counted and speak out. | I do not think people voted for an intolerant, closed Britain. I think denigrating foreigners is wrong, treating eastern Europeans as second-class citizens is shameful, and hate crime is appalling, and I hope it’s time that good people everywhere actually are counted and speak out. |
Mending free movement of people doesn’t mean you end it and I think the language you use towards people who are different is incredibly important. We don’t want a society where we just only talk about what’s right for British workers as if people who’ve come from Europe who now live and work here are not part of society - they are. We need a big, bold move from this Government to immediately say now that every European that lives and works here can stay and live and work here.” | Mending free movement of people doesn’t mean you end it and I think the language you use towards people who are different is incredibly important. We don’t want a society where we just only talk about what’s right for British workers as if people who’ve come from Europe who now live and work here are not part of society - they are. We need a big, bold move from this Government to immediately say now that every European that lives and works here can stay and live and work here.” |
Rudd, who founded the Finsbury financial PR firm, added: “I think my sister is an amazingly talented wonderful woman, but we don’t have to share the same view on everything all the time. I don’t understand this attack on enterprise, on globalisation, in the way that we’ve heard it this week. I think we have to remember what’s best about Britain is its openness, its tolerance.” | Rudd, who founded the Finsbury financial PR firm, added: “I think my sister is an amazingly talented wonderful woman, but we don’t have to share the same view on everything all the time. I don’t understand this attack on enterprise, on globalisation, in the way that we’ve heard it this week. I think we have to remember what’s best about Britain is its openness, its tolerance.” |
2.47pm BST | 2.47pm BST |
14:47 | 14:47 |
Update from Anushka: | Update from Anushka: |
In fact, I'm now sure that Jonathan Ashworth is to be shadow health secretary. No conclusion yet on NEC position but looks likely it'll go. | In fact, I'm now sure that Jonathan Ashworth is to be shadow health secretary. No conclusion yet on NEC position but looks likely it'll go. |
This most recent tweet from Jonathan Ashworth looks to confirm the move: | This most recent tweet from Jonathan Ashworth looks to confirm the move: |
The NHS was and still is Labour's greatest achievement. On the brink of crisis under the Tories & going backwards. We'll be campaigning hard | The NHS was and still is Labour's greatest achievement. On the brink of crisis under the Tories & going backwards. We'll be campaigning hard |
2.40pm BST | 2.40pm BST |
14:40 | 14:40 |
What’s that I hear you cry? Some news on the reshuffle front? Maybe, just maybe. | What’s that I hear you cry? Some news on the reshuffle front? Maybe, just maybe. |
A Labour source suggests that Jonathan Ashworth has taken shadow health secretary. | A Labour source suggests that Jonathan Ashworth has taken shadow health secretary. |
Labour source suggestion Jonathan Ashworth has taken the shadow health secretary job | Labour source suggestion Jonathan Ashworth has taken the shadow health secretary job |
2.31pm BST | 2.31pm BST |
14:31 | 14:31 |
Jon Henley | Jon Henley |
https://t.co/CRZ6HOk69H | https://t.co/CRZ6HOk69H |
Leading foreign academics acting as expert advisers to the UK government have been told they will not be asked to contribute to any government analysis and reports on Brexit because they are not British nationals. | Leading foreign academics acting as expert advisers to the UK government have been told they will not be asked to contribute to any government analysis and reports on Brexit because they are not British nationals. |
“It is utterly baffling that the government is turning down expert, independent advice on Brexit simply because someone is from another country,” said Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrats’ EU spokesman. “This is yet more evidence of the Conservatives’ alarming embrace of petty chauvinism over rational policymaking.” | “It is utterly baffling that the government is turning down expert, independent advice on Brexit simply because someone is from another country,” said Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrats’ EU spokesman. “This is yet more evidence of the Conservatives’ alarming embrace of petty chauvinism over rational policymaking.” |
Sara Hagemann, an assistant professor at the London School of Economics who specialises in EU policymaking processes, EU treaty matters, the role of national parliaments and the consequences of EU enlargements, said she had been told her services would not be required. Hagemann tweeted on Thursday: | Sara Hagemann, an assistant professor at the London School of Economics who specialises in EU policymaking processes, EU treaty matters, the role of national parliaments and the consequences of EU enlargements, said she had been told her services would not be required. Hagemann tweeted on Thursday: |
UK govt previously sought work& advice from best experts. Just told I & many colleagues no longer qualify as not UKcitizens #Brexit @LSEnews | UK govt previously sought work& advice from best experts. Just told I & many colleagues no longer qualify as not UKcitizens #Brexit @LSEnews |
Asked to clarify whether she was responding to speeches at the Conservative party conference pledging tough new immigration controls, Hagemann said she had been informed “specifically” that she would not be contributing to any further government Brexit work. | Asked to clarify whether she was responding to speeches at the Conservative party conference pledging tough new immigration controls, Hagemann said she had been informed “specifically” that she would not be contributing to any further government Brexit work. |
It is understood a number of LSE academics specialising in EU affairs have been briefing the Foreign Office on Brexit issues, but the school has received an email informing it that submissions from non-UK citizens would no longer be accepted. | It is understood a number of LSE academics specialising in EU affairs have been briefing the Foreign Office on Brexit issues, but the school has received an email informing it that submissions from non-UK citizens would no longer be accepted. |
Amber Rudd faces backlash from businesses over foreign workersRead more | Amber Rudd faces backlash from businesses over foreign workersRead more |
One of the group, who subsequently received notes from their departments telling them of the instruction, is understood to be a dual national, with citizenship of both the UK and another EU member state. | One of the group, who subsequently received notes from their departments telling them of the instruction, is understood to be a dual national, with citizenship of both the UK and another EU member state. |
The Foreign Office was said to be concerned about the risk of sensitive material being exposed as article 50 negotiations over Britain’s exit from the EU, and subsequent talks on its future trade and other relations with the bloc, get under way. | The Foreign Office was said to be concerned about the risk of sensitive material being exposed as article 50 negotiations over Britain’s exit from the EU, and subsequent talks on its future trade and other relations with the bloc, get under way. |
But Steve Peers, a professor of EU law at the University of Essex who has advised the government on EU legal questions, said it should be “perfectly possible to get useful input from some of the best-qualified people in the country” without anything sensitive being revealed. “I don’t really get the security or sensitivity argument,” he said. “Whatever the reasons, this will come across as hostile, narrow and xenophobic.” He tweeted: | But Steve Peers, a professor of EU law at the University of Essex who has advised the government on EU legal questions, said it should be “perfectly possible to get useful input from some of the best-qualified people in the country” without anything sensitive being revealed. “I don’t really get the security or sensitivity argument,” he said. “Whatever the reasons, this will come across as hostile, narrow and xenophobic.” He tweeted: |
One of the best EU political scientists in the countryWhat kind of know-nothing nativist govt rejects the expertise of all non-citizens? https://t.co/Dm6N0x51Lp | One of the best EU political scientists in the countryWhat kind of know-nothing nativist govt rejects the expertise of all non-citizens? https://t.co/Dm6N0x51Lp |
LSE said in statement that the UK government regularly called on its academics for advice, adding: “We believe our academics, including non-UK nationals, have hugely valuable expertise which will be vital in this time of uncertainty around the UK’s relationship with Europe and the rest of the world. Any changes to security measures are a matter for the UK government.” | LSE said in statement that the UK government regularly called on its academics for advice, adding: “We believe our academics, including non-UK nationals, have hugely valuable expertise which will be vital in this time of uncertainty around the UK’s relationship with Europe and the rest of the world. Any changes to security measures are a matter for the UK government.” |
2.16pm BST | 2.16pm BST |
14:16 | 14:16 |
So. Seems like we still have no further news on the shadow cabinet reshuffle. Because this is a serious blog for serious people, I thought we could pass the time by solving these anagrams. So politics fans, who are the politicians? | So. Seems like we still have no further news on the shadow cabinet reshuffle. Because this is a serious blog for serious people, I thought we could pass the time by solving these anagrams. So politics fans, who are the politicians? |
Bye, Northerly Rim! | Bye, Northerly Rim! |
Handyman Rub | Handyman Rub |
Beer Ergo Goons | Beer Ergo Goons |
Karma Habit Chairs | Karma Habit Chairs |
Plan Mod Him Hip | Plan Mod Him Hip |
Answers in a self-addressed tweet please. | Answers in a self-addressed tweet please. |
2.11pm BST | 2.11pm BST |
14:11 | 14:11 |
Shares in Lloyds, which have plunged 23% since Britain voted to leave the European Union, were down more than 3% after the announcement. | Shares in Lloyds, which have plunged 23% since Britain voted to leave the European Union, were down more than 3% after the announcement. |
2.09pm BST | 2.09pm BST |
14:09 | 14:09 |
In other non altercation news: | In other non altercation news: |
I’ve announced that the sale of the public’s stake in Lloyds will restart shortly https://t.co/oWV2HJxitu | I’ve announced that the sale of the public’s stake in Lloyds will restart shortly https://t.co/oWV2HJxitu |
Returning Lloyds to the private sector is the right thing to do & our plan will get back all the cash taxpayers invested in it. | Returning Lloyds to the private sector is the right thing to do & our plan will get back all the cash taxpayers invested in it. |
Government will return Lloyds Banking Group to the private sector - recovering the £20.3bn taxpayers injected: https://t.co/IEMoxehu5a pic.twitter.com/fCmKuIVnGR | Government will return Lloyds Banking Group to the private sector - recovering the £20.3bn taxpayers injected: https://t.co/IEMoxehu5a pic.twitter.com/fCmKuIVnGR |
The Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced a new attempt to sell the Government’s remaining 3.6 billion stake in Lloyds Banking Group, but has abandoned a retail sale. | The Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced a new attempt to sell the Government’s remaining 3.6 billion stake in Lloyds Banking Group, but has abandoned a retail sale. |
Hammond said heightened volatility in financial markets would see the Government’s 9.1% stake sold through a trading plan to institutional investors. | Hammond said heightened volatility in financial markets would see the Government’s 9.1% stake sold through a trading plan to institutional investors. |
The move would ensure the Government recoups the entire 20.3 billion used to bail out the bank during the 2008 financial crisis, said Hammond. | The move would ensure the Government recoups the entire 20.3 billion used to bail out the bank during the 2008 financial crisis, said Hammond. |
This statement on the Treasury website: | This statement on the Treasury website: |
Speaking in Washington, the Chancellor, Philip Hammond announced that the government will begin to sell its 9.1% stake in Lloyds via a trading plan, withdrawing the planned retail sale. Ongoing market volatility means it is not the right time for a retail offer. | Speaking in Washington, the Chancellor, Philip Hammond announced that the government will begin to sell its 9.1% stake in Lloyds via a trading plan, withdrawing the planned retail sale. Ongoing market volatility means it is not the right time for a retail offer. |
The move is all part of the government’s commitment to returning the state-owned banks to the private sector and get taxpayers’ money back. The government has already raised around £16.9 billion for the taxpayer from previous Lloyds share sales. | The move is all part of the government’s commitment to returning the state-owned banks to the private sector and get taxpayers’ money back. The government has already raised around £16.9 billion for the taxpayer from previous Lloyds share sales. |
A trading plan will ensure the government gets back all of the £20.3 billion that taxpayers injected into Lloyds during the financial crisis. | A trading plan will ensure the government gets back all of the £20.3 billion that taxpayers injected into Lloyds during the financial crisis. |
The decision follows advice from UK Financial Investments (UKFI) that selling shares through the trading plan represents good value for money for taxpayers. In their advice to the Chancellor UKFI said: “Putting in place a further trading plan represents the best opportunity to sell shares at a price which delivers value for money for the taxpayer.” | The decision follows advice from UK Financial Investments (UKFI) that selling shares through the trading plan represents good value for money for taxpayers. In their advice to the Chancellor UKFI said: “Putting in place a further trading plan represents the best opportunity to sell shares at a price which delivers value for money for the taxpayer.” |
2.01pm BST | 2.01pm BST |
14:01 | 14:01 |
Offered without comment: | Offered without comment: |
For those just discovering Mike Hookem, I highly recommend this video of him struggling to vault a fence in Calais. pic.twitter.com/h1na06oNtU | For those just discovering Mike Hookem, I highly recommend this video of him struggling to vault a fence in Calais. pic.twitter.com/h1na06oNtU |
1.57pm BST | 1.57pm BST |
13:57 | 13:57 |
The Press Association is reporting that British expats should soon have the right to vote in parliamentary elections for their entire lives. | The Press Association is reporting that British expats should soon have the right to vote in parliamentary elections for their entire lives. |
Currently there is a 15-year time limit on British citizens who live abroad registering as overseas electors. But the Government’s proposed changes would give all eligible British citizens who have lived in the UK a lifelong right to vote in parliamentary elections. | Currently there is a 15-year time limit on British citizens who live abroad registering as overseas electors. But the Government’s proposed changes would give all eligible British citizens who have lived in the UK a lifelong right to vote in parliamentary elections. |
Minister for the Constitution Chris Skidmore said: | Minister for the Constitution Chris Skidmore said: |
British citizens who move abroad remain a part of our democracy and it is important they have the ability to participate. | British citizens who move abroad remain a part of our democracy and it is important they have the ability to participate. |
Following the British people’s decision to leave the EU, we now need to strengthen ties with countries around the world and show the UK is an outward-facing nation. | Following the British people’s decision to leave the EU, we now need to strengthen ties with countries around the world and show the UK is an outward-facing nation. |
Our expat community has an important role to play in helping Britain expand international trade, especially given two-thirds of expats live outside the EU. | Our expat community has an important role to play in helping Britain expand international trade, especially given two-thirds of expats live outside the EU. |
According to PA, Skidmore added that expats should retain the right to vote in British elections given many still have family here, while modern technology and cheaper air travel has made it easier for them to stay in touch with their home country. | According to PA, Skidmore added that expats should retain the right to vote in British elections given many still have family here, while modern technology and cheaper air travel has made it easier for them to stay in touch with their home country. |
1.46pm BST | 1.46pm BST |
13:46 | 13:46 |
Ukip MEP Jonathan Arnott told BBC Daily Politics that he believes Woolfe can no longer stand to be leader. | Ukip MEP Jonathan Arnott told BBC Daily Politics that he believes Woolfe can no longer stand to be leader. |
It must surely be obvious to anybody, having seen this, that Steven Woolfe - and of course Mike Hookem, although I don’t think Mike will put his hat into the ring - surely they can’t now consider that either of them could stand in a leadership contest. | It must surely be obvious to anybody, having seen this, that Steven Woolfe - and of course Mike Hookem, although I don’t think Mike will put his hat into the ring - surely they can’t now consider that either of them could stand in a leadership contest. |
1.05pm BST | 1.05pm BST |
13:05 | 13:05 |
Ukip tussle with Woolfe was 'handbags at dawn' - Hookem | Ukip tussle with Woolfe was 'handbags at dawn' - Hookem |
Peter Walker | Peter Walker |
Mike Hookem has used his first interview since the tussle that ended with his Ukip colleague Steven Woolfe in hospital to categorically deny throwing a punch at him. | Mike Hookem has used his first interview since the tussle that ended with his Ukip colleague Steven Woolfe in hospital to categorically deny throwing a punch at him. |
The MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire told BBC Radio Humberside that the altercation was nothing more than a scuffle, with no meaningful blows dealt on either side. | The MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire told BBC Radio Humberside that the altercation was nothing more than a scuffle, with no meaningful blows dealt on either side. |
There was no punches thrown, there was no face slap, there was no digs; there was nothing. It was what people in Hull term ‘handbags at dawn’ - a bit of a scuffle | There was no punches thrown, there was no face slap, there was no digs; there was nothing. It was what people in Hull term ‘handbags at dawn’ - a bit of a scuffle |
According to Hookem, the pair were attending a meeting of Ukip MEPs called to discuss Woolfe’s mooted defection to the Tories. The row began as Woolfe tried to lay the blame for his being barred from the Ukip leadership election on the party’s NEC, Hookem said. | According to Hookem, the pair were attending a meeting of Ukip MEPs called to discuss Woolfe’s mooted defection to the Tories. The row began as Woolfe tried to lay the blame for his being barred from the Ukip leadership election on the party’s NEC, Hookem said. |
I then said, ‘no, I’m sorry, you were to blame – you never got your paperwork in. You had 20 days to do it, you never did it. You are to blame and you need to stop blaming the party and the NEC’. He then took exception to that. He then stood up, in front of everybody, and said across the room to me, ‘Well, if it’s that, then let’s take it outside of the room, mano a mano’. As he’s leaving the room he’s taking his jacket off to go outside. | I then said, ‘no, I’m sorry, you were to blame – you never got your paperwork in. You had 20 days to do it, you never did it. You are to blame and you need to stop blaming the party and the NEC’. He then took exception to that. He then stood up, in front of everybody, and said across the room to me, ‘Well, if it’s that, then let’s take it outside of the room, mano a mano’. As he’s leaving the room he’s taking his jacket off to go outside. |
Hookem says he followed Woolfe into a small anteroom, although they went in by different doors. “When I walked in, he approached me to attack me. He came at me, I defended myself,” Hookem said. During the altercation, which Hookem described as “still stood up but wrestling”, a door was opened by another Ukip MEP. At that point, Hookem said, he let go of Woolfe. | Hookem says he followed Woolfe into a small anteroom, although they went in by different doors. “When I walked in, he approached me to attack me. He came at me, I defended myself,” Hookem said. During the altercation, which Hookem described as “still stood up but wrestling”, a door was opened by another Ukip MEP. At that point, Hookem said, he let go of Woolfe. |
“I at that point was not holding him, I didn’t push him. He fell back into that room on to an MEP that was just inside that room,” Hookem said. He added: | “I at that point was not holding him, I didn’t push him. He fell back into that room on to an MEP that was just inside that room,” Hookem said. He added: |
He fell back into the room, some of the MEPs helped him up. He stood straight up. There was no indication of him hitting his head on metal windows or anything else. He fell back on to an MEP. Once he’d stood up he said, ‘All I’d wanted to do was to go outside to discuss it with you.’ But one of my other colleagues said, ‘No, I’m sorry Steven, you said let’s go out mano and mano, and was taking your jacket off at the same time.’ That MEP backed me up on what happened. | He fell back into the room, some of the MEPs helped him up. He stood straight up. There was no indication of him hitting his head on metal windows or anything else. He fell back on to an MEP. Once he’d stood up he said, ‘All I’d wanted to do was to go outside to discuss it with you.’ But one of my other colleagues said, ‘No, I’m sorry Steven, you said let’s go out mano and mano, and was taking your jacket off at the same time.’ That MEP backed me up on what happened. |
Hookem said he had been “shocked” to hear of Mr Woolfe’s collapse, but insisted he was not responsible. | Hookem said he had been “shocked” to hear of Mr Woolfe’s collapse, but insisted he was not responsible. |
Any injuries that Steven Woolfe had that caused whatever medical problems he’s got did not come from me, did not come from my hand. I did not injure him. | Any injuries that Steven Woolfe had that caused whatever medical problems he’s got did not come from me, did not come from my hand. I did not injure him. |
Hookem said he would be prepared to meet with Woolfe, after MEP Nathan Gill disclosed that had extended the “hand of friendship”. “I’ll shake Steven’s hand if he wants to shake hands,” he said. | Hookem said he would be prepared to meet with Woolfe, after MEP Nathan Gill disclosed that had extended the “hand of friendship”. “I’ll shake Steven’s hand if he wants to shake hands,” he said. |
But Hookem warned that if he was disciplined as a result of the party investigation, Woolfe would also have to face action. | But Hookem warned that if he was disciplined as a result of the party investigation, Woolfe would also have to face action. |
I may be suspended. If they suspend me, they’ll have to suspend Steven Woolfe as well. I hope it doesn’t come to that. I will fight my corner. | I may be suspended. If they suspend me, they’ll have to suspend Steven Woolfe as well. I hope it doesn’t come to that. I will fight my corner. |
Every party has politicians that fight their corner vigorously. You cannot go into a meeting with some of these people and be a wilting lily. These things happen, this went a step further than that. | Every party has politicians that fight their corner vigorously. You cannot go into a meeting with some of these people and be a wilting lily. These things happen, this went a step further than that. |
Updated | Updated |
at 1.42pm BST | at 1.42pm BST |
12.39pm BST | 12.39pm BST |
12:39 | 12:39 |
Mike Hookem, the Ukip MEP accused of punching Steven Woolfe, has given his first interview since the news of the alleged fight to the BBC. | Mike Hookem, the Ukip MEP accused of punching Steven Woolfe, has given his first interview since the news of the alleged fight to the BBC. |
Mike Hookem telling BBC Steven Woolfe told him to go outside and settle argument 'mano a mano' | Mike Hookem telling BBC Steven Woolfe told him to go outside and settle argument 'mano a mano' |
More details to come... | More details to come... |