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| General election: Boris Johnson says 74 convicted terrorists released early from prison – live news | General election: Boris Johnson says 74 convicted terrorists released early from prison – live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Prime minister and Labour leader interviewed on TV as scrutiny of counter-terrorism policies continues | Prime minister and Labour leader interviewed on TV as scrutiny of counter-terrorism policies continues |
| • Boris Johnson has sought to blame Labour for the release of Usman Khan, the convicted terrorist who murdered two people on London Bridge on Friday, as the aftermath of the attack became an increasingly politicised election issue.In an interview on BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show, the prime minister said it was “ridiculous” that someone such as Khan should have been freed midway through an earlier sentence, and pledged to change the law.He said: “The reason this killer was out on the streets was because of automatic early release which was brought in by a leftie government.” | |
| • Britain’s repeated military interventions have “exacerbated rather than resolved” the problem of terrorism, according to Jeremy Corbyn, who described Boris Johnson has been the world’s leading sycophant towards President Trump.The Labour leader used a speech in York to warn that the so-called “war on terror has manifestly failed”, adding that the world is “living with the consequences” of the botched invasion of Iraq, which he opposed. Corbyn also warned that the UK risks being dragged into a further conflict with Iran and that Labour will “stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen and work to end the war there, not actively support it as the Conservative government has done”. | |
| • The UK is on the brink of having the most untrustworthy Prime Minister of all time, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey has said.Sir Ed criticised Boris Johnson’s response to the London Bridge terror attack on Friday and called on him to apologise for “misleading people” over the law regarding early release.He also warned Mr Johnson that he “shouldn’t be trying to make political capital out of a tragedy”. | |
| • Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has insisted that the Tories were not politicising the London Bridge attack but taking “necessary” measures to protect the public.And he said: “We’ve said that we would expect for the serious terrorist offences a minimum of a 14-year sentence.“We don’t think that it is the case that they should necessarily be released, we think for some offences they should be imprisoned for life and we also think that terrorist offenders should serve their full sentence, both as a matter of public protection and also confidence in the system.” | |
| • None of the main parties in the general election has a coherent plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport, the biggest source of carbon in the UK, according to campaigners.The Conservative manifesto highlights the need to repair potholes, but the nearly £30bn to be spent on roads is expected to add to greenhouse gases at a time when they need to be reduced drastically, a report by three NGOs says. Labour and the Liberal Democrats have pledges to invest in rail and other public transport, with Labour doing so through nationalising the railways, but they also fall short. | |
| The prime minister has been accused of plagiarism by a popular Twitter user on legal affairs who says that Boris Johnson “copied and pasted” from a blog written about the background to the London bridge attacks. | The prime minister has been accused of plagiarism by a popular Twitter user on legal affairs who says that Boris Johnson “copied and pasted” from a blog written about the background to the London bridge attacks. |
| The Tories have been seeking to use comments by Jeremy Corbyn in his Sky News earlier in which he said - in answer to questioning - that convicted terrorists shoudl “not necessarily” serve a full sentence. | The Tories have been seeking to use comments by Jeremy Corbyn in his Sky News earlier in which he said - in answer to questioning - that convicted terrorists shoudl “not necessarily” serve a full sentence. |
| The Conservative digital operation have produced an infographic which is being tweeted by Tory ministers and other senior figures. | The Conservative digital operation have produced an infographic which is being tweeted by Tory ministers and other senior figures. |
| Such is the way of modern political campaigning. For what it’s worth, here’s the context of the “not necessarily” quote: | Such is the way of modern political campaigning. For what it’s worth, here’s the context of the “not necessarily” quote: |
| Sophy Ridge: Of course his [London Bridge attacker Usman Khan] original sentence was 16 years, do you think that people convicted of terrorism offences need to serve a full prison sentence? | Sophy Ridge: Of course his [London Bridge attacker Usman Khan] original sentence was 16 years, do you think that people convicted of terrorism offences need to serve a full prison sentence? |
| Corbyn: I think it depends on the circumstances, it depends on the sentence but crucially depends on what they’ve done in prison … | Corbyn: I think it depends on the circumstances, it depends on the sentence but crucially depends on what they’ve done in prison … |
| Ridge: So not necessarily then? | Ridge: So not necessarily then? |
| Corbyn: No, not necessarily, no. I think there has to be an examination of how our prison services work and crucially what happens to them on release from prison.. | Corbyn: No, not necessarily, no. I think there has to be an examination of how our prison services work and crucially what happens to them on release from prison.. |
| The line-up is emerging for tonight’s seven way debate on ITV: | The line-up is emerging for tonight’s seven way debate on ITV: |
| • Richard Burgon for Labour• Rishi Sunak for the Conservatives• Nicola Sturgeon for the SNP• Nigel Farage for the Brexit Party• Adam Price for Plaid• Sian Berry for the Greens | • Richard Burgon for Labour• Rishi Sunak for the Conservatives• Nicola Sturgeon for the SNP• Nigel Farage for the Brexit Party• Adam Price for Plaid• Sian Berry for the Greens |
| While Raab’s seat is at risk, the Mail on Sunday reports that the Tories have been wargaming the possibility of the party winning the election but Johnson losing his seat, where his majority of 5,000 is the target of a sustained Momentum-fuelled labour challenge. | While Raab’s seat is at risk, the Mail on Sunday reports that the Tories have been wargaming the possibility of the party winning the election but Johnson losing his seat, where his majority of 5,000 is the target of a sustained Momentum-fuelled labour challenge. |
| The Mail’s Harry Cole writes: “I understand the plan would see a Conservative MP with a big majority near London asked to step up to the Lords on a promise of high office, with a by-election being triggered within days of the December 12 vote,” | The Mail’s Harry Cole writes: “I understand the plan would see a Conservative MP with a big majority near London asked to step up to the Lords on a promise of high office, with a by-election being triggered within days of the December 12 vote,” |
| “Meanwhile First Secretary of State Dominic Raab would represent Mr Johnson and No 10 in the Commons.” | “Meanwhile First Secretary of State Dominic Raab would represent Mr Johnson and No 10 in the Commons.” |
| But what happens if Raab is gone as well? | But what happens if Raab is gone as well? |
| Here’s what the Guardian’s Caroline Davies found when she recently visited Uxbridge to talk about the attempt to remove Johnson. | Here’s what the Guardian’s Caroline Davies found when she recently visited Uxbridge to talk about the attempt to remove Johnson. |
| This was overlooked a little bit earlier but Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has insisted that he is “not really” worried about losing his seat in the General Election. | This was overlooked a little bit earlier but Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has insisted that he is “not really” worried about losing his seat in the General Election. |
| Raab, who is MP for Esher and Walton in Surrey, acknowledged on Sky News that “with a seat like mine you never take anything for granted”. | Raab, who is MP for Esher and Walton in Surrey, acknowledged on Sky News that “with a seat like mine you never take anything for granted”. |
| His comments came as a poll reported by The Observer suggests Mr Raab is at risk of losing his seat in a tactical voting switch. | His comments came as a poll reported by The Observer suggests Mr Raab is at risk of losing his seat in a tactical voting switch. |
| Raab enjoys a healthy majority of 23,298, but a Deltapoll survey of the constituency indicates he now only holds a five-point lead over Lib Dem opponent Monica Harding. | Raab enjoys a healthy majority of 23,298, but a Deltapoll survey of the constituency indicates he now only holds a five-point lead over Lib Dem opponent Monica Harding. |
| The Tories have held the seat since 1910 but it voted 58% Remain in the 2016 referendum - and the former Brexit secretary is vocally anti-Brussels. | The Tories have held the seat since 1910 but it voted 58% Remain in the 2016 referendum - and the former Brexit secretary is vocally anti-Brussels. |
| Asked if he was worried about being “the next Portillo at this election”, losing his seat in Surrey to the Lib Dems, Mr Raab told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “Not really, but look ... no well, the truth is with a seat like mine you never take anything for granted.” | Asked if he was worried about being “the next Portillo at this election”, losing his seat in Surrey to the Lib Dems, Mr Raab told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “Not really, but look ... no well, the truth is with a seat like mine you never take anything for granted.” |
| He added: “The polls are all fluid and all over the place, but one thing it does show you, my constituency and up and down the country, is the risk of a hung parliament and that is a very real risk if you vote any other way than Conservative. | He added: “The polls are all fluid and all over the place, but one thing it does show you, my constituency and up and down the country, is the risk of a hung parliament and that is a very real risk if you vote any other way than Conservative. |
| There are some interesting lines at the end from Corbyn about patriotism, often regarded as a front on which his opponents have been eager to hammer him on | There are some interesting lines at the end from Corbyn about patriotism, often regarded as a front on which his opponents have been eager to hammer him on |
| “I am patriotic about the people of this country,” he says, to applause. | “I am patriotic about the people of this country,” he says, to applause. |
| “Patriotism is about supporting each other, not attacking somebody else. It’s about caring for the whole of society, for all our people, and not walking by on the other side when they need help and support.” | “Patriotism is about supporting each other, not attacking somebody else. It’s about caring for the whole of society, for all our people, and not walking by on the other side when they need help and support.” |
| Corbyn says that “Labour’s new internationalism” means the party will create a peace and conflict-prevention fund, and invest an extra £400 million to expand Britain’s diplomatic capacity and increase oversight of arms exports to ensure the UK is not fuelling conflicts, “as in Yemen and in Israel and the Palestinian territories.” | Corbyn says that “Labour’s new internationalism” means the party will create a peace and conflict-prevention fund, and invest an extra £400 million to expand Britain’s diplomatic capacity and increase oversight of arms exports to ensure the UK is not fuelling conflicts, “as in Yemen and in Israel and the Palestinian territories.” |
| He adds: “Labour stands behind the international consensus of a genuine two-state solution – a secure Israel alongside a secure and viable state of Palestine.” | He adds: “Labour stands behind the international consensus of a genuine two-state solution – a secure Israel alongside a secure and viable state of Palestine.” |
| “That’s why Labour supports an end to half a century of Israeli occupation and the illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, and a Labour government will recognise the state of Palestine.” | “That’s why Labour supports an end to half a century of Israeli occupation and the illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, and a Labour government will recognise the state of Palestine.” |
| It is time for Britain to stop clinging on to Donald Trump’s coat-tails, says Corbyn, who describes the prime minister as the world’s leading sycophant towards the US president. | It is time for Britain to stop clinging on to Donald Trump’s coat-tails, says Corbyn, who describes the prime minister as the world’s leading sycophant towards the US president. |
| “From climate change denial to unconditional support for the Israeli far right, from racism to confrontation with China, Trump is taking the world on a dangerous path.” | “From climate change denial to unconditional support for the Israeli far right, from racism to confrontation with China, Trump is taking the world on a dangerous path.” |
| “Britain must make its own foreign policy free from a knee-jerk subservience to a US administration which repudiates our values.” | “Britain must make its own foreign policy free from a knee-jerk subservience to a US administration which repudiates our values.” |
| He goes on to call on Johnson to release a potentially incendiary report examining Russian infiltration in British politics, including the Conservative party. | He goes on to call on Johnson to release a potentially incendiary report examining Russian infiltration in British politics, including the Conservative party. |
| Corbyn adds that the government is also refusing to release another report into Saudi funding of extremist groups in Britain, adding: “Given Friday’s events and the continuing terror threat it is simply unacceptable that this report is not in the public domain.” | Corbyn adds that the government is also refusing to release another report into Saudi funding of extremist groups in Britain, adding: “Given Friday’s events and the continuing terror threat it is simply unacceptable that this report is not in the public domain.” |
| Corbyn turns to the Iraq war, saying: “Sixteen years ago, I warned against the invasion and occupation of Iraq. | Corbyn turns to the Iraq war, saying: “Sixteen years ago, I warned against the invasion and occupation of Iraq. |
| “I said it would set off a spiral of conflict, hate, misery, desperation that will fuel the wars, the conflict, the terrorism and the misery of future generations. | “I said it would set off a spiral of conflict, hate, misery, desperation that will fuel the wars, the conflict, the terrorism and the misery of future generations. |
| “It did, and we are still living with the consequences today.” | “It did, and we are still living with the consequences today.” |
| He goes on: “Britain’s repeated military interventions in North Africa and the wider Middle East, including Afghanistan, have exacerbated rather than resolved the problems.” | He goes on: “Britain’s repeated military interventions in North Africa and the wider Middle East, including Afghanistan, have exacerbated rather than resolved the problems.” |
| “Now we risk being dragged into a further conflict with Iran on the side of a Saudi regime which is an enemy of human rights prolonging a desperate humanitarian crisis in Yemen, interfering in its neighbours’ affairs and murdering journalists.” | “Now we risk being dragged into a further conflict with Iran on the side of a Saudi regime which is an enemy of human rights prolonging a desperate humanitarian crisis in Yemen, interfering in its neighbours’ affairs and murdering journalists.” |
| Jeremy Corbyn is speaking at an election event in York, where he is talking about the London bridge attack and tells those gathered that it is “more important than ever” for communities to come together. | Jeremy Corbyn is speaking at an election event in York, where he is talking about the London bridge attack and tells those gathered that it is “more important than ever” for communities to come together. |
| People have a right to know what steps political leaders will take to keep people safe. The Labour leader goes on to reiterate his comments this morning that police were right to take the steps that they took on London Bridge – shooting Usman Khan dead in the belief that he was wearing a suicide vest. | People have a right to know what steps political leaders will take to keep people safe. The Labour leader goes on to reiterate his comments this morning that police were right to take the steps that they took on London Bridge – shooting Usman Khan dead in the belief that he was wearing a suicide vest. |
| However, Corbyn says that the part privatisation of the probation service by the Conservatives was a “disaster | However, Corbyn says that the part privatisation of the probation service by the Conservatives was a “disaster |
| “You can’t keep people safe on the cheap,” he adds. | “You can’t keep people safe on the cheap,” he adds. |
| “Real security does not only come from strong laws and intelligence. it comes from effective public services. | “Real security does not only come from strong laws and intelligence. it comes from effective public services. |
| He turns, as expected, to foreign policy, adding that “for far too long” Britain’s leaders have taken the wrong steps. Too often the acts of successive governments have fuelled the threat of terrorism. | He turns, as expected, to foreign policy, adding that “for far too long” Britain’s leaders have taken the wrong steps. Too often the acts of successive governments have fuelled the threat of terrorism. |
| Boris Johnson will be the first UK prime minister - if re-elected - to enter office with the union under peril, the leader of the Ulster Unionist party has claimed. | Boris Johnson will be the first UK prime minister - if re-elected - to enter office with the union under peril, the leader of the Ulster Unionist party has claimed. |
| Steve Aiken, of the Northern Ireland party with historic links to the Conservatives, said he hoped Johnson would not be re-elected as an MP next month. | Steve Aiken, of the Northern Ireland party with historic links to the Conservatives, said he hoped Johnson would not be re-elected as an MP next month. |
| He described the prime minister’s proposed Brexit withdrawal deal as threatening to make Northern Ireland “a place apart” due to the proposed regulatory border. | He described the prime minister’s proposed Brexit withdrawal deal as threatening to make Northern Ireland “a place apart” due to the proposed regulatory border. |
| “The DUP on October 2 agreed to a border down the Irish Sea, that allowed Boris Johnson to march in with his withdrawal deal, and if the withdrawal deal goes through, Northern Ireland will well and truly be a place apart,” Aiken told the Press Association. | “The DUP on October 2 agreed to a border down the Irish Sea, that allowed Boris Johnson to march in with his withdrawal deal, and if the withdrawal deal goes through, Northern Ireland will well and truly be a place apart,” Aiken told the Press Association. |
| “But Boris Johnson’s activities are not just affecting Northern Ireland, they are affecting the entirety of the United Kingdom, and he is probably going to be the first prime minister if he gets re-elected – which I hope he doesn’t – he is going to be the first prime minister that comes back in a situation where the future of the union itself is under threat.” | “But Boris Johnson’s activities are not just affecting Northern Ireland, they are affecting the entirety of the United Kingdom, and he is probably going to be the first prime minister if he gets re-elected – which I hope he doesn’t – he is going to be the first prime minister that comes back in a situation where the future of the union itself is under threat.” |
| Aiken’s party has been without MPs since 2017 when Tom Elliott lost his seat in Fermanagh and South Tyrone and Danny Kinahan lost in South Antrim. | Aiken’s party has been without MPs since 2017 when Tom Elliott lost his seat in Fermanagh and South Tyrone and Danny Kinahan lost in South Antrim. |