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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’
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.
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 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 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, that officials in No 10 might have security concerns about him, and 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:
Here is Love Actually star Hugh Grant on the Conservative party’s parody video released last night. (See 6.50am.)Here is Love Actually star Hugh Grant on the Conservative party’s parody video released last night. (See 6.50am.)
On the Today programme this morning Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, said Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan would take the UK into “years of negotiation”. It would not amount to getting Brexit done, he claimed.On the Today programme this morning Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, said Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan would take the UK into “years of negotiation”. It would not amount to getting Brexit done, he claimed.
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Damien Gayle.Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Damien Gayle.
Robert Buckland, the justice secretary, has also given an interview to BBC Breakfast this morning defending Boris Johnson’s actions yesterday when he tried to avoid commenting on the photograph of four-year-old Jack Williment-Barr having to sleep on a hospital floor. When it was put to Buckland that the PM’s response was awkward to watch, Buckland did not accept that. He said:Robert Buckland, the justice secretary, has also given an interview to BBC Breakfast this morning defending Boris Johnson’s actions yesterday when he tried to avoid commenting on the photograph of four-year-old Jack Williment-Barr having to sleep on a hospital floor. When it was put to Buckland that the PM’s response was awkward to watch, Buckland did not accept that. He said:
Jeremy Corbyn is appearing on the sofa on BBC Breakfast. The first topic of conversation is the NHS. He starts off defending the use of the image of Jack Williment-Barr to make a political point about the NHS.Jeremy Corbyn is appearing on the sofa on BBC Breakfast. The first topic of conversation is the NHS. He starts off defending the use of the image of Jack Williment-Barr to make a political point about the NHS.
Jon Ashworth, the shadow health and care secretary, has defended using the picture of Jack Williment-Barr sleeping on the hospital floor, after the boy’s mother reportedly wrote to the press regulator complaining about the use of her son’s image.Jon Ashworth, the shadow health and care secretary, has defended using the picture of Jack Williment-Barr sleeping on the hospital floor, after the boy’s mother reportedly wrote to the press regulator complaining about the use of her son’s image.
Ashworth insisted that he and Labour were not using Jack as a political football. Indeed, Ashworth insisted, his heart went out to Jack, and baby Lily (on the front of today’s Mirror), and to the family of the “12-year-old child waiting 57 hours - 57 hours - in an A&E in Essex, for a very specialist bed”.Ashworth insisted that he and Labour were not using Jack as a political football. Indeed, Ashworth insisted, his heart went out to Jack, and baby Lily (on the front of today’s Mirror), and to the family of the “12-year-old child waiting 57 hours - 57 hours - in an A&E in Essex, for a very specialist bed”.
No, not using them for political capital at all, Ashworth insisted after it was pointed out he had tweeted Jack’s picture, and Jeremy Corbyn had held it up at a rally.No, not using them for political capital at all, Ashworth insisted after it was pointed out he had tweeted Jack’s picture, and Jeremy Corbyn had held it up at a rally.
According to Ashworth, 600,000 people were left waiting on a trolley for a bed last year, while 17,000 beds had been cut from hospitals by the Conservatives - cuts he pledged to reverse if he became health secretary.According to Ashworth, 600,000 people were left waiting on a trolley for a bed last year, while 17,000 beds had been cut from hospitals by the Conservatives - cuts he pledged to reverse if he became health secretary.
Hi there, Damien Gayle taking over in London now, covering the morning’s political developments until Andrew Sparrow’s had his Weetabix.Hi there, Damien Gayle taking over in London now, covering the morning’s political developments until Andrew Sparrow’s had his Weetabix.
Robert Buckland, the justice secretary, was just speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, attempting more or less to explain away what political observers have described as the worst day so far for the Conservative election campaign. Asked about Johnson’s fumbling response to the photo of Jack Williment-Barr sleeping on the floor of Leeds General infirmary, Buckland said:Robert Buckland, the justice secretary, was just speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, attempting more or less to explain away what political observers have described as the worst day so far for the Conservative election campaign. Asked about Johnson’s fumbling response to the photo of Jack Williment-Barr sleeping on the floor of Leeds General infirmary, Buckland said:
The child’s family want privacy, Buckland insisted. In the meantime, general elections ought to be fought “on the high ground, the big issues” rather than “who said what to who”, he chastised. Suggestions that Jack was a symbol of Tory failure to care for the National Health Service were “rather insulting to all the hard-working people in our NHS”, Buckland said. If only the Conservatives could have a chance to implement their “targeted and structured programme”, everything would be fine.The child’s family want privacy, Buckland insisted. In the meantime, general elections ought to be fought “on the high ground, the big issues” rather than “who said what to who”, he chastised. Suggestions that Jack was a symbol of Tory failure to care for the National Health Service were “rather insulting to all the hard-working people in our NHS”, Buckland said. If only the Conservatives could have a chance to implement their “targeted and structured programme”, everything would be fine.
Answering for Johnson’s bizarre pocketing of a television reporter’s phone to avoid looking at Jack’s picture, Buckland gave a kind of defence of temporary delirium:Answering for Johnson’s bizarre pocketing of a television reporter’s phone to avoid looking at Jack’s picture, Buckland gave a kind of defence of temporary delirium:
He saved his strongest words for the rowdy Labour activists outside Leeds General, who Conservative press office had claimed assaulted Matt Hancock’s adviser. The claims, widely reported by senior journalists briefed by senior Tory sources, were quickly disproved by a video of the incident. But, Buckland said:He saved his strongest words for the rowdy Labour activists outside Leeds General, who Conservative press office had claimed assaulted Matt Hancock’s adviser. The claims, widely reported by senior journalists briefed by senior Tory sources, were quickly disproved by a video of the incident. But, Buckland said:
So there you go.So there you go.
Boris Johnson has parodied what is perhaps the most famous (and most divisive) scene in Love Actually, in a video he has called Brexit, actually.Boris Johnson has parodied what is perhaps the most famous (and most divisive) scene in Love Actually, in a video he has called Brexit, actually.
It’s pretty painful to watch.It’s pretty painful to watch.
Awkwardly, it’s also not even an original parody. Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, who was elected as Labour MP for Tooting, did her own version of the Love Actually scene for a campaign advertisement more than a fortnight ago. She is very unimpressed with the fact, in her words, “Boris Johnson has copied my #ElectionActually video.” Her version is below.Awkwardly, it’s also not even an original parody. Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, who was elected as Labour MP for Tooting, did her own version of the Love Actually scene for a campaign advertisement more than a fortnight ago. She is very unimpressed with the fact, in her words, “Boris Johnson has copied my #ElectionActually video.” Her version is below.
There will be a flurry of campaigning today as the leaders criss-cross the country in a last-minute bid to win votes. Jeremy Corbyn, who will start his day in the north-west before travelling to Glasgow, has told the Guardian he feels confident as the election campaign enters its final days, saying he thought Labour had “got the message out” across the six-week campaign. However, John Crace was at Corbyn’s rally in Bristol yesterday, which he says felt less like the first gig of The Comeback Tour and more like The Long Goodbye.There will be a flurry of campaigning today as the leaders criss-cross the country in a last-minute bid to win votes. Jeremy Corbyn, who will start his day in the north-west before travelling to Glasgow, has told the Guardian he feels confident as the election campaign enters its final days, saying he thought Labour had “got the message out” across the six-week campaign. However, John Crace was at Corbyn’s rally in Bristol yesterday, which he says felt less like the first gig of The Comeback Tour and more like The Long Goodbye.
The day aheadThe day ahead
Busy days all around as party leaders sprint to the finish line.Busy days all around as party leaders sprint to the finish line.
Boris Johnson will start his day in the Midlands with a press conference before travelling up to north-west England in the evening. The Tory leader is expected to head to Manchester for a rally on Tuesday night, via a stop in north Wales to visit businesses.Boris Johnson will start his day in the Midlands with a press conference before travelling up to north-west England in the evening. The Tory leader is expected to head to Manchester for a rally on Tuesday night, via a stop in north Wales to visit businesses.
Jeremy Corbyn will start his day in north-west England at a library before visiting a primary school and a pub in the region, before heading to Glasgow.Jeremy Corbyn will start his day in north-west England at a library before visiting a primary school and a pub in the region, before heading to Glasgow.
The Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson will spend the day in the south-west, canvassing in the area and attending a rally in Somerset. Nigel Farage will be in London, where he is expected to hold a Brexit party press conference.The Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson will spend the day in the south-west, canvassing in the area and attending a rally in Somerset. Nigel Farage will be in London, where he is expected to hold a Brexit party press conference.
The Green party is also staying in London, where it will host an event announcing policies to help students with economic issues.The Green party is also staying in London, where it will host an event announcing policies to help students with economic issues.
Good morning, we’re just two days out from the election and the Conservatives are reeling after what was probably their worst day of the campaign yesterday.Good morning, we’re just two days out from the election and the Conservatives are reeling after what was probably their worst day of the campaign yesterday.
The week did not get off to a great start for the prime minister. Yesterday, Johnson woke up to a photograph of a four-year-old boy being treated on a hospital floor because of a lack of beds on the front page of the Mirror, which later in the day he repeatedly refused on camera to look at, before pocketing the phone of the reporter who tried to show it to him. Marina Hyde on this episode is as brutally funny as you might expect.The week did not get off to a great start for the prime minister. Yesterday, Johnson woke up to a photograph of a four-year-old boy being treated on a hospital floor because of a lack of beds on the front page of the Mirror, which later in the day he repeatedly refused on camera to look at, before pocketing the phone of the reporter who tried to show it to him. Marina Hyde on this episode is as brutally funny as you might expect.
Then Matt Hancock, the health secretary, was dispatched to Leeds General infirmary in an effort to show that the party was taking the case seriously. Johnson’s team wrongly briefing that a Tory aide was “punched” outside the hospital by a leftwing activist, in what was interpreted as a deliberate attempt to deflect attention from the bad news day the Tories were having. The claims quickly turned out to be untrue when video footage showed that the adviser was accidentally brushed in the face and they have now been accused of “lying and cheating” to distract attention from their bad day.Then Matt Hancock, the health secretary, was dispatched to Leeds General infirmary in an effort to show that the party was taking the case seriously. Johnson’s team wrongly briefing that a Tory aide was “punched” outside the hospital by a leftwing activist, in what was interpreted as a deliberate attempt to deflect attention from the bad news day the Tories were having. The claims quickly turned out to be untrue when video footage showed that the adviser was accidentally brushed in the face and they have now been accused of “lying and cheating” to distract attention from their bad day.
Pressure will stay on the Tories today as Jo Swinson accuses Boris Johnson of putting EU citizens in the UK at risk of abuse and hate crimes through a Vote Leave-style “dog whistle” approach to immigration.Pressure will stay on the Tories today as Jo Swinson accuses Boris Johnson of putting EU citizens in the UK at risk of abuse and hate crimes through a Vote Leave-style “dog whistle” approach to immigration.
On a campaign trip to Bath on Tuesday, a seat held by her party, Swinson will condemn the prime minister for his language towards EU citizens, such as saying that too many of them felt able to “treat the UK as if it’s part of their own country”.On a campaign trip to Bath on Tuesday, a seat held by her party, Swinson will condemn the prime minister for his language towards EU citizens, such as saying that too many of them felt able to “treat the UK as if it’s part of their own country”.
Thanks for joining us for the last days of this crazy campaign ride.Thanks for joining us for the last days of this crazy campaign ride.