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| General election: Johnson insists he opposed early release for terrorists long before London Bridge attack – live news | General election: Johnson insists he opposed early release for terrorists long before London Bridge attack – live news |
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| Ahead of Trump’s arrival for Nato, Lib Dem leader said leaders should be ‘very careful’ about relationship with the president | Ahead of Trump’s arrival for Nato, Lib Dem leader said leaders should be ‘very careful’ about relationship with the president |
| That’s it from us for this evening. My colleague, Andrew Sparrow, has put together a detailed summary of the day’s events: | |
| And, if you’d like to read yet more, Heather Stewart has this evening’s main politics story: | |
| Last week, the former Labour MP Ian Austin called on the party’s traditional voters to back the Conservatives in order to prevent Jeremy Corbyn becoming prime minister. | Last week, the former Labour MP Ian Austin called on the party’s traditional voters to back the Conservatives in order to prevent Jeremy Corbyn becoming prime minister. |
| This week, the Tories are seeking to maximise the damage to their rivals by paying for letters from Austin, in which he argues the same, to be sent out to thousands of voters in Labour marginals. | This week, the Tories are seeking to maximise the damage to their rivals by paying for letters from Austin, in which he argues the same, to be sent out to thousands of voters in Labour marginals. |
| Voters from Ipswich, Stroud, Ashfield, Bedford and Cardiff North – all seats held by Corbyn’s party by fewer than 1,000 votes last time – have been posting copies of their letters from the ex-junior minister on social media. Speaking to the Press Association this evening, Austin has said: | Voters from Ipswich, Stroud, Ashfield, Bedford and Cardiff North – all seats held by Corbyn’s party by fewer than 1,000 votes last time – have been posting copies of their letters from the ex-junior minister on social media. Speaking to the Press Association this evening, Austin has said: |
| He would not be drawn on how many voters had received the letter, or how the Tories had come to fund it being posted out. Austin told recipients that “no-one” believes Corbyn will deliver Brexit and that Labour’s plans for government would “put businesses, investment and jobs at risk”. | He would not be drawn on how many voters had received the letter, or how the Tories had come to fund it being posted out. Austin told recipients that “no-one” believes Corbyn will deliver Brexit and that Labour’s plans for government would “put businesses, investment and jobs at risk”. |
| The strapline at the bottom of the letter states: “Promoted by Alan Mabbutt on behalf of the Conservative and Unionist Party.” Here’s the article we ran last week on Austin’s original comments: | The strapline at the bottom of the letter states: “Promoted by Alan Mabbutt on behalf of the Conservative and Unionist Party.” Here’s the article we ran last week on Austin’s original comments: |
| Earlier, we reported that the Brexit party leader, Nigel Farage, had claimed his decision to stand down candidates in Tory-held constituencies was motivated by a desire not to help produce a hung parliament that might allow “that Swinson girl” near Downing Street; “perfectly pleasant though she is”. | Earlier, we reported that the Brexit party leader, Nigel Farage, had claimed his decision to stand down candidates in Tory-held constituencies was motivated by a desire not to help produce a hung parliament that might allow “that Swinson girl” near Downing Street; “perfectly pleasant though she is”. |
| Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem leader, has responded this evening, saying: | Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem leader, has responded this evening, saying: |
| Boris Johnson has sought to counter claims that he has been opportunistically exploiting the London Bridge terror attack by insisting that he has been calling for longer sentences for serious offenders for years. On what might have been one of the quietest days for campaigning since the election began, Johnson gave interviews this afternoon responding to the charge that has dogged him for the last 48 hours, since he responded to the London Bridge killings by calling for tougher sentences for terrorists. Johnson also claimed that it was clear from the outset that the attacker, Usman Khan, was not suitable for rehabilitation – even though some reports have said he was seen as a model example of what could be achieved through rehabilitation programmes. In an article for the Guardian published this afternoon, Dave Merritt, whose son Jack was one of the two young prisoner rehabilitation specialists killed in the attack, said Jack would have been furious to see his death being used to justify making penal policy more draconian. Merritt wrote: | Boris Johnson has sought to counter claims that he has been opportunistically exploiting the London Bridge terror attack by insisting that he has been calling for longer sentences for serious offenders for years. On what might have been one of the quietest days for campaigning since the election began, Johnson gave interviews this afternoon responding to the charge that has dogged him for the last 48 hours, since he responded to the London Bridge killings by calling for tougher sentences for terrorists. Johnson also claimed that it was clear from the outset that the attacker, Usman Khan, was not suitable for rehabilitation – even though some reports have said he was seen as a model example of what could be achieved through rehabilitation programmes. In an article for the Guardian published this afternoon, Dave Merritt, whose son Jack was one of the two young prisoner rehabilitation specialists killed in the attack, said Jack would have been furious to see his death being used to justify making penal policy more draconian. Merritt wrote: |
| Speaking to reporters shortly before Merritt’s article was published, Johnson said: | Speaking to reporters shortly before Merritt’s article was published, Johnson said: |
| But Johnson was not being wholly candid. The sentencing bill in the Queen’s speech proposed changing the automatic release point from halfway through a sentence to two-thirds of the way through a sentence for people serving sentences of four years or more for a serious violent or sexual offence. The Conservative manifesto, published just five days before the London Bridge attack, effectively just replicated this, proposing “tougher sentencing for the worst offenders” and an end to automatic halfway release from prison for serious crimes. But on Saturday, a day after Khan’s attack, Johnson escalated his demands by calling for two measures that went beyond anything previously proposed by his party: mandatory minimum 14-year sentences for serious terrorist offences, and no early release at all for all terrorism and extremism offences. | But Johnson was not being wholly candid. The sentencing bill in the Queen’s speech proposed changing the automatic release point from halfway through a sentence to two-thirds of the way through a sentence for people serving sentences of four years or more for a serious violent or sexual offence. The Conservative manifesto, published just five days before the London Bridge attack, effectively just replicated this, proposing “tougher sentencing for the worst offenders” and an end to automatic halfway release from prison for serious crimes. But on Saturday, a day after Khan’s attack, Johnson escalated his demands by calling for two measures that went beyond anything previously proposed by his party: mandatory minimum 14-year sentences for serious terrorist offences, and no early release at all for all terrorism and extremism offences. |
| Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, has claimed that that if the UK were to join the proposed European defence union after Brexit, Nato would collapse. He made the argument in a speech at a rally in north Wales in which he also claimed that EU politicians “want Nato out of Europe”. Even by the accuracy standards of this general election campaign, Farage’s arguments were particularly improbable. But if this is where Donald Trump is getting his advance briefing before Wednesday’s Nato summit at a hotel near Watford (which is not impossible), that should make for an interesting conversation. | Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, has claimed that that if the UK were to join the proposed European defence union after Brexit, Nato would collapse. He made the argument in a speech at a rally in north Wales in which he also claimed that EU politicians “want Nato out of Europe”. Even by the accuracy standards of this general election campaign, Farage’s arguments were particularly improbable. But if this is where Donald Trump is getting his advance briefing before Wednesday’s Nato summit at a hotel near Watford (which is not impossible), that should make for an interesting conversation. |
| Farage has also suggested that Trump might use the summit to insist that America is not interested in buying up the NHS. This would ostensibly help Johnson, who says that the NHS will not be covered by any UK-EU trade deal, and undermine Jeremy Corbyn, who insists that it will be, but given Trump’s standing with the British public, and his reputation for honesty, it is hard to see any declaration like this making much difference either way. Trump has already started his flight to the UK. Before the visit, Corbyn has urged Johnson to break off trade talks with Trump until any reference to pharmaceuticals is struck out of Washington’s negotiating objectives. | Farage has also suggested that Trump might use the summit to insist that America is not interested in buying up the NHS. This would ostensibly help Johnson, who says that the NHS will not be covered by any UK-EU trade deal, and undermine Jeremy Corbyn, who insists that it will be, but given Trump’s standing with the British public, and his reputation for honesty, it is hard to see any declaration like this making much difference either way. Trump has already started his flight to the UK. Before the visit, Corbyn has urged Johnson to break off trade talks with Trump until any reference to pharmaceuticals is struck out of Washington’s negotiating objectives. |
| The Institute for Fiscal Studies has published a briefing suggesting that council tax in England is more likely to go up under the Conservatives than under Labour. That’s because Labour plans a generous settlement for local government, “more than enough money to meet rising costs and demands”, even with no rise in council tax bills, while the Tory settlement would not meet rising costs and demands, “even if council tax were increased by 4% a year”. | The Institute for Fiscal Studies has published a briefing suggesting that council tax in England is more likely to go up under the Conservatives than under Labour. That’s because Labour plans a generous settlement for local government, “more than enough money to meet rising costs and demands”, even with no rise in council tax bills, while the Tory settlement would not meet rising costs and demands, “even if council tax were increased by 4% a year”. |
| Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has said the SNP would want to be included in talks with the EU if Labour took power and embarked on its its Brexit renegotiation. | Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has said the SNP would want to be included in talks with the EU if Labour took power and embarked on its its Brexit renegotiation. |
| That’s all from me for tonight. | That’s all from me for tonight. |
| My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is writing the blog now. | My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is writing the blog now. |
| From the Telegraph’s US editor, Ben Riley-Smith: | From the Telegraph’s US editor, Ben Riley-Smith: |
| Boris Johnson has rejected claims that he has been opportunistically exploiting the London Bridge attack. In interviews this afternoon he said that he had been calling for some time for longer sentences for serious offenders, and that the Queen’s speech in October even included a bill on this topic. (See 4.55pm) | Boris Johnson has rejected claims that he has been opportunistically exploiting the London Bridge attack. In interviews this afternoon he said that he had been calling for some time for longer sentences for serious offenders, and that the Queen’s speech in October even included a bill on this topic. (See 4.55pm) |
| But the sentencing bill in the Queen’s speech just proposed changing the automatic release point from halfway through a sentence to two-thirds of the way through a sentence for people serving sentences of four years or more for a serious violent or sexual offence. | But the sentencing bill in the Queen’s speech just proposed changing the automatic release point from halfway through a sentence to two-thirds of the way through a sentence for people serving sentences of four years or more for a serious violent or sexual offence. |
| And the Conservative manifesto, published just five days before the London Bridge attack, effectively just replicated this, proposing “tougher sentencing for the worst offenders” and an end to automatic halfway release from prison for serious crimes. | And the Conservative manifesto, published just five days before the London Bridge attack, effectively just replicated this, proposing “tougher sentencing for the worst offenders” and an end to automatic halfway release from prison for serious crimes. |
| But now Johnson is proposing new measures: mandatory minimum 14-year sentences for serious terrorist offences, and no early release at all for all terrorism and extremism offences. (See 9.13am.) | But now Johnson is proposing new measures: mandatory minimum 14-year sentences for serious terrorist offences, and no early release at all for all terrorism and extremism offences. (See 9.13am.) |
| From LBC’s Theo Usherwood | From LBC’s Theo Usherwood |
| In a powerful article for the Guardian Dave Merritt, whose son Jack was killed on Friday in the London Bridge terror attack, has said that Jack would have been furious to see his death being used to justify making penal policy more draconian. Here is an extract: | In a powerful article for the Guardian Dave Merritt, whose son Jack was killed on Friday in the London Bridge terror attack, has said that Jack would have been furious to see his death being used to justify making penal policy more draconian. Here is an extract: |
| And here is the article in full: | And here is the article in full: |
| Boris Johnson has been saying more about the London Bridge attacks this afternoon in interviews with reporters. Here are the main points he has been making. | Boris Johnson has been saying more about the London Bridge attacks this afternoon in interviews with reporters. Here are the main points he has been making. |
| Johnson has rejected claims that he has been opportunistically exploiting the London Bridge attack for political purposes. Dave Merritt, whose son Jack was one of the two young prisoner rehabilitation specialists killed in the attack, has urged politicians not to use the attack as a pretext to introduce more draconian penal policies. Without referring directly to Merritt’s comments, Johnson responded by stressing that his commitment to longer sentences for serious offenders was longstanding. He said: | Johnson has rejected claims that he has been opportunistically exploiting the London Bridge attack for political purposes. Dave Merritt, whose son Jack was one of the two young prisoner rehabilitation specialists killed in the attack, has urged politicians not to use the attack as a pretext to introduce more draconian penal policies. Without referring directly to Merritt’s comments, Johnson responded by stressing that his commitment to longer sentences for serious offenders was longstanding. He said: |
| Johnson claimed it was “pretty obvious” that the killer, Usman Khan, was not suitable for early release. Asked whether someone like Khan could ever be de-radicalised, he said: | Johnson claimed it was “pretty obvious” that the killer, Usman Khan, was not suitable for early release. Asked whether someone like Khan could ever be de-radicalised, he said: |
| He also claimed that it was clear from the outset that Khan was not suitable for rehabilitation. | He also claimed that it was clear from the outset that Khan was not suitable for rehabilitation. |
| Johnson criticised the appeal court’s decision to reduce Khan’s sentence. He said: | Johnson criticised the appeal court’s decision to reduce Khan’s sentence. He said: |
| Welfare cuts were necessary to avoid mass unemployment during the austerity era, Jackson Carlaw, the interim Scottish Conservative leader, has said. On a BBC Radio Scotland phone-in, asked to explain why food bank use had gone up so much while the Conservatives had been in power, Carlaw replied: | Welfare cuts were necessary to avoid mass unemployment during the austerity era, Jackson Carlaw, the interim Scottish Conservative leader, has said. On a BBC Radio Scotland phone-in, asked to explain why food bank use had gone up so much while the Conservatives had been in power, Carlaw replied: |
| Carlaw argued the country was “now at the end of that period of austerity” and he said the Conservatives were now planning changes to the welfare system. He said: | Carlaw argued the country was “now at the end of that period of austerity” and he said the Conservatives were now planning changes to the welfare system. He said: |
| The Tory manifesto does commit the party to reducing the number of reassessments a disabled person must go through when claiming benefits, if a change in their condition is unlikely. | The Tory manifesto does commit the party to reducing the number of reassessments a disabled person must go through when claiming benefits, if a change in their condition is unlikely. |
| But the manifesto does not say anything specific about reducing the sanctions imposed on people who abuse the benefits system. I’ve asked the Scottish Conservatives to clarify what Carlaw was referring to when he raised this point in the phone-in, and I will post the reply when I get one. | But the manifesto does not say anything specific about reducing the sanctions imposed on people who abuse the benefits system. I’ve asked the Scottish Conservatives to clarify what Carlaw was referring to when he raised this point in the phone-in, and I will post the reply when I get one. |
| UPDATE: A Tory source says, when Carlaw spoke about the penalty being reduced for benefits abuse, he was just referring to the manifesto commitment to reduce the number of assessments disabled people need to undergo. | UPDATE: A Tory source says, when Carlaw spoke about the penalty being reduced for benefits abuse, he was just referring to the manifesto commitment to reduce the number of assessments disabled people need to undergo. |