This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/dec/10/general-election-swinson-says-johnsons-rhetoric-puts-eu-citizens-at-risk-of-hate-crimes-live

The article has changed 34 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
General election: Ashworth dismisses as 'banter' tape of him telling friend Labour will lose – live news General election: Ashworth dismisses as 'banter' tape of him telling friend Labour will lose – live news
(32 minutes later)
Justice secretary Robert Buckland defends Johnson while Labour says NHS is ‘in crisis’Justice secretary Robert Buckland defends Johnson while Labour says NHS is ‘in crisis’
Jonathan Ashworth is now saying that when he told his Tory activist friend that Labour was bound to lose the general election (see 11.44am), he was actually just trying to “psych out” the opposition. He told the BBC’s Politics Live. That was was speaking to Greig Baker down in Canterbury, a Tory activist and old friend who runs a political intelligence agency. Ashworth went on:
Almost 200 reports were made to police about parliamentary candidate safety in less than three weeks during the election campaign, PA Media reports. Around half of the 198 reports made between 15 November and 4 December were serious enough to be treated as crimes, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) told the news agency. Most of the incidents were allegations of malicious communications online. There were also reports of criminal damage and harassment.Almost 200 reports were made to police about parliamentary candidate safety in less than three weeks during the election campaign, PA Media reports. Around half of the 198 reports made between 15 November and 4 December were serious enough to be treated as crimes, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) told the news agency. Most of the incidents were allegations of malicious communications online. There were also reports of criminal damage and harassment.
As PA reports, there were three reports of assaults against campaign volunteers but none against candidates and the incidents were not thought to be serious. A third of reports came from campaign volunteers and staff, with the remainder coming from candidates themselves, the NPCC said. The body said it had not seen trends of abuse being directed against any one particular party.As PA reports, there were three reports of assaults against campaign volunteers but none against candidates and the incidents were not thought to be serious. A third of reports came from campaign volunteers and staff, with the remainder coming from candidates themselves, the NPCC said. The body said it had not seen trends of abuse being directed against any one particular party.
Just in case Jonathan Ashworth’s day could not get any worse, he has now had an endorsement from the Tory cabinet minister Michael Gove.Just in case Jonathan Ashworth’s day could not get any worse, he has now had an endorsement from the Tory cabinet minister Michael Gove.
A colleague has just asked if Ashworth is one of the possible contenders to replace Jeremy Corbyn in the event of Labour losing the election. My reply? Until today, possibly, but probably not any more ...A colleague has just asked if Ashworth is one of the possible contenders to replace Jeremy Corbyn in the event of Labour losing the election. My reply? Until today, possibly, but probably not any more ...
A false online story that the photograph of an ill boy lying on the floor of Leeds General infirmary was staged came from a hacked account, according to the medical secretary whose name was attached to the initial post. My colleague Alex Hern has the story.A false online story that the photograph of an ill boy lying on the floor of Leeds General infirmary was staged came from a hacked account, according to the medical secretary whose name was attached to the initial post. My colleague Alex Hern has the story.
Here are extracts from what Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, says in the leaked tape of a conversation he had recently with a Tory activist whom he considered a longstanding friend. Ashworth has not disputed the accuracy of the tape, although he claims that he was not being sincere, that he was just engaged in “banter”, and that he was just humouring an opponent. (See 11.02am.)Here are extracts from what Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, says in the leaked tape of a conversation he had recently with a Tory activist whom he considered a longstanding friend. Ashworth has not disputed the accuracy of the tape, although he claims that he was not being sincere, that he was just engaged in “banter”, and that he was just humouring an opponent. (See 11.02am.)
If you listen to the tape in full, it certainly doesn’t sound as if Ashworth was making it all up just to humour his friend. But perhaps he’s a terrific actor. You can listen to it here and come to your own view.If you listen to the tape in full, it certainly doesn’t sound as if Ashworth was making it all up just to humour his friend. But perhaps he’s a terrific actor. You can listen to it here and come to your own view.
Here the main points Ashworth makes.Here the main points Ashworth makes.
Ashworth says the outlook is “abysmal” for Labour in some parts of the country and that he expects the party to lose the election. He repeatedly says he expects Boris Johnson to win, and he does not seem to be in any doubt about this at all. He says:Ashworth says the outlook is “abysmal” for Labour in some parts of the country and that he expects the party to lose the election. He repeatedly says he expects Boris Johnson to win, and he does not seem to be in any doubt about this at all. He says:
And, at another point, he says:And, at another point, he says:
He says the electoral map has turned “topsy-turvy”, with both main parties likely to win in unexpected places. Labour could win Canterbury, a former Tory seat it won unexpectedly in 2017, he says. But it could lose Bolsover, a former safe Labour seat represented by Dennis Skinner. Ashworth says:He says the electoral map has turned “topsy-turvy”, with both main parties likely to win in unexpected places. Labour could win Canterbury, a former Tory seat it won unexpectedly in 2017, he says. But it could lose Bolsover, a former safe Labour seat represented by Dennis Skinner. Ashworth says:
Ashworth says the situation for Labour is “dire” in its heartland seats.Ashworth says the situation for Labour is “dire” in its heartland seats.
He says “the combination of Corbyn and Brexit” is to blame for the “awful” problems Labour candidates are having in some areas.He says “the combination of Corbyn and Brexit” is to blame for the “awful” problems Labour candidates are having in some areas.
He says Johnson’s ‘get Brexit done’ message is effective. Talking about why Johnson is picking up support, Ashworth says:He says Johnson’s ‘get Brexit done’ message is effective. Talking about why Johnson is picking up support, Ashworth says:
He says Johnson would have to “massively fuck it up” to lose. He says:He says Johnson would have to “massively fuck it up” to lose. He says:
Ashworth declines to express confidence in how Corbyn would perform as prime minister. Asked if he would be as bad as people like his Tory friend expect, Ashworth pauses for a long time before replying “I don’t know.”Ashworth declines to express confidence in how Corbyn would perform as prime minister. Asked if he would be as bad as people like his Tory friend expect, Ashworth pauses for a long time before replying “I don’t know.”
Ashworth hints that officials in No 10 might have some security concerns about Corbyn. In response to the question about what Corbyn would be like in office, Ashworth says:Ashworth hints that officials in No 10 might have some security concerns about Corbyn. In response to the question about what Corbyn would be like in office, Ashworth says:
But he also stresses that he does not expect Corbyn to become PM. “It’s not going to happen. I can’t see it happening,” he says.But he also stresses that he does not expect Corbyn to become PM. “It’s not going to happen. I can’t see it happening,” he says.
He says Labour MPs opposed to Corbyn made a mistake in 2016 when they tried to depose him too early. Asked about what Labour MPs might do to get rid of Corbyn, he says:He says Labour MPs opposed to Corbyn made a mistake in 2016 when they tried to depose him too early. Asked about what Labour MPs might do to get rid of Corbyn, he says:
Ashworth suggests Corbyn could be replaced quite quickly after an election defeat. Asked how long it might take for the party to replace him, he replies: I think things can change quickly.Ashworth suggests Corbyn could be replaced quite quickly after an election defeat. Asked how long it might take for the party to replace him, he replies: I think things can change quickly.
The UK economy has stagnated in October, and also over the last quarter, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, my colleague Graeme Wearden reports. He says:The UK economy has stagnated in October, and also over the last quarter, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, my colleague Graeme Wearden reports. He says:
Graeme has more on his business live blog here.Graeme has more on his business live blog here.
Here are more quotes from what Jonathan Ashworth told the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme about the tape recording of him saying Labour would lose, which was leaked to the Guido Fawkes website. (See 10.30am.) He said:Here are more quotes from what Jonathan Ashworth told the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme about the tape recording of him saying Labour would lose, which was leaked to the Guido Fawkes website. (See 10.30am.) He said:
Asked if he thought Jeremy Corbyn was a threat to national security, Ashworth replied:Asked if he thought Jeremy Corbyn was a threat to national security, Ashworth replied:
James Cleverly, the Conservative party chair, has just put out this statement about the Ashworth tape. (See 10.30am.) He said:James Cleverly, the Conservative party chair, has just put out this statement about the Ashworth tape. (See 10.30am.) He said:
Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, has dismissed as “banter” a tape that has been leaked to the Guido Fawkes website that shows him saying Labour will lose the election.Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, has dismissed as “banter” a tape that has been leaked to the Guido Fawkes website that shows him saying Labour will lose the election.
The website, which strongly backs Boris Johnson, has released an 11-minute tape of a conversation. It’s here.The website, which strongly backs Boris Johnson, has released an 11-minute tape of a conversation. It’s here.
On the tape, which seems to have been recorded early last week, just before President Trump’s visit to the UK, Ashworth can be heard repeatedly saying he does not expect Labour to win the election. He says:On the tape, which seems to have been recorded early last week, just before President Trump’s visit to the UK, Ashworth can be heard repeatedly saying he does not expect Labour to win the election. He says:
In the recording Ashworth also says Jeremy Corbyn is a serious problem for Labour, hints that officials in No 10 might have security concerns about him, and argues that Corbyn’s critics in the parliamentary Labour party made a mistake in 2016 because they launched the attempt to get rid of him too soon.In the recording Ashworth also says Jeremy Corbyn is a serious problem for Labour, hints that officials in No 10 might have security concerns about him, and argues that Corbyn’s critics in the parliamentary Labour party made a mistake in 2016 because they launched the attempt to get rid of him too soon.
Ashworth has just been on Victoria Derbyshire’s show on the BBC. He told her that it was a recording of a conversation he had had with Greig Baker, a Tory activist whom he had considered a friend. They had travelled around the US together many years ago, he said. Ashworth said he was “joshing” with Baker when he spoke about Labour losing, as you would if you were trying to reassure someone worried their football team might lose. He said:Ashworth has just been on Victoria Derbyshire’s show on the BBC. He told her that it was a recording of a conversation he had had with Greig Baker, a Tory activist whom he had considered a friend. They had travelled around the US together many years ago, he said. Ashworth said he was “joshing” with Baker when he spoke about Labour losing, as you would if you were trying to reassure someone worried their football team might lose. He said:
Ashworth said he was disappointed he had been betrayed by someone he considered a friend, and he accepted that this had made him look foolish.Ashworth said he was disappointed he had been betrayed by someone he considered a friend, and he accepted that this had made him look foolish.
He also insisted that he did not see Corbyn as a threat to national security.He also insisted that he did not see Corbyn as a threat to national security.
Jeremy Corbyn has been speaking at a Labour rally in Bolton. He told activists that they had until Thursday night “to save the NHS”. He said:Jeremy Corbyn has been speaking at a Labour rally in Bolton. He told activists that they had until Thursday night “to save the NHS”. He said:
Jeremy Corbyn gave a longish interview to BBC Breakfast this morning. We’ve quoted some of it already. (See 8.20am.) Here are some more lines.Jeremy Corbyn gave a longish interview to BBC Breakfast this morning. We’ve quoted some of it already. (See 8.20am.) Here are some more lines.
Corbyn played down suggestions that his leadership was a problem for Labour, stressing that this was not a presidential election. When it was put to him that Labour candidates weren’t putting him on their leaflets because he was unpopular, he replied:Corbyn played down suggestions that his leadership was a problem for Labour, stressing that this was not a presidential election. When it was put to him that Labour candidates weren’t putting him on their leaflets because he was unpopular, he replied:
He said he “absolutely” had the stamina to serve a full five-year term as PM. When it was put to him that, at 70, he would be the oldest prime minister to enter Downing Street for more than a century, he said:He said he “absolutely” had the stamina to serve a full five-year term as PM. When it was put to him that, at 70, he would be the oldest prime minister to enter Downing Street for more than a century, he said:
He claimed the NHS would not be forced to adopt a four-day working week. Asked about Labour’s plans to, over a decade, reduce the average working week to 32 hours, and whether this would be imposed on the NHS, he said:He claimed the NHS would not be forced to adopt a four-day working week. Asked about Labour’s plans to, over a decade, reduce the average working week to 32 hours, and whether this would be imposed on the NHS, he said:
Corbyn said the change would be funded “through productivity in all industries and places of work”.Corbyn said the change would be funded “through productivity in all industries and places of work”.
He insisted Labour’s plans for the NHS were credible. When it was put to him that the Royal College of Physicians has said NHS plans in the manifestos from both main parties are not credible, Corbyn replied:He insisted Labour’s plans for the NHS were credible. When it was put to him that the Royal College of Physicians has said NHS plans in the manifestos from both main parties are not credible, Corbyn replied:
Overnight the Labour party has released a dossier of evidence that it says shows the NHS is “in crisis and on the brink”. The information comes from board papers from NHS trusts in England. Those trusts have to classify the risks they face.Overnight the Labour party has released a dossier of evidence that it says shows the NHS is “in crisis and on the brink”. The information comes from board papers from NHS trusts in England. Those trusts have to classify the risks they face.
Here are some examples of risks relating to staffing.Here are some examples of risks relating to staffing.
There are more details in the Labour press release. There is also a more detailed dossier, but that does not seem to be online.There are more details in the Labour press release. There is also a more detailed dossier, but that does not seem to be online.
Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, said:Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, said: