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UK Covid: Labour MP ordered to leave Commons for saying Boris Johnson has lied ‘over and over again’ – as it happened UK Covid: Labour MP ordered to leave Commons for saying Boris Johnson has lied ‘over and over again’ – as it happened
(about 1 hour later)
Dawn Butler ordered to leave the House of Commons after refusing to withdraw claims Boris Johnson ‘lied to the country’Dawn Butler ordered to leave the House of Commons after refusing to withdraw claims Boris Johnson ‘lied to the country’
The Labour MP Dawn Butler has been ordered to leave the Commons chamber for the rest of the day after saying that Boris Johnson has lied “over and over again” about coronavirus. (See 4.07pm.)The Labour MP Dawn Butler has been ordered to leave the Commons chamber for the rest of the day after saying that Boris Johnson has lied “over and over again” about coronavirus. (See 4.07pm.)
The government “risks losing social consent” for its test-and-trace programme if it does not immediately allow fully vaccinated people to avoid isolation, the former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has said.The government “risks losing social consent” for its test-and-trace programme if it does not immediately allow fully vaccinated people to avoid isolation, the former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has said.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has rejected Boris Johnson’s move to renegotiate the Northern Irish protocol, raising the temperature of a simmering Brexit row.The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has rejected Boris Johnson’s move to renegotiate the Northern Irish protocol, raising the temperature of a simmering Brexit row.
Post Office workers who have had convictions for theft, fraud and false accounting resulting from computing errors quashed will each get an interim compensation payment of up to £100,000 the government has said.Post Office workers who have had convictions for theft, fraud and false accounting resulting from computing errors quashed will each get an interim compensation payment of up to £100,000 the government has said.
That’s all from me for today. But our coronavirus coverage continues on our global live blog. It’s here.That’s all from me for today. But our coronavirus coverage continues on our global live blog. It’s here.
Scotland has recorded its highest daily Covid fatalities figure since March, after NHS figures showed that 22 deaths of people with confirmed Covid infections were recorded in the past 24 hours.Scotland has recorded its highest daily Covid fatalities figure since March, after NHS figures showed that 22 deaths of people with confirmed Covid infections were recorded in the past 24 hours.
That brings the death toll of those who died within 28 days of a positive Covid test to 7,842. The latest fatalities figure comes after a sustained drop in detected infections: 1,825 people tested positive in the past 24 hours.That brings the death toll of those who died within 28 days of a positive Covid test to 7,842. The latest fatalities figure comes after a sustained drop in detected infections: 1,825 people tested positive in the past 24 hours.
Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, said the latest fatalities figure was a reminder that increases in hospital admissions and deaths tended to lag days or weeks behind rises in positive cases.Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, said the latest fatalities figure was a reminder that increases in hospital admissions and deaths tended to lag days or weeks behind rises in positive cases.
Reminding people to get vaccinated and to remember physical distancing and other restrictions, she tweeted:Reminding people to get vaccinated and to remember physical distancing and other restrictions, she tweeted:
Northern Ireland’s government has delayed a decision on relaxing Covid-19 rules until next week, when ministers will be able to review fresh health data. Northern Ireland’s executive has delayed a decision on relaxing Covid-19 rules until next week, when ministers will be able to review fresh health data.
The Stormont executive had been expected today to approve the reopening of theatres and concert halls with social distancing on 26 July but deferred the decision, keeping the region on a more cautious track than the rest of the UK.The Stormont executive had been expected today to approve the reopening of theatres and concert halls with social distancing on 26 July but deferred the decision, keeping the region on a more cautious track than the rest of the UK.
The power-sharing executive did relax restrictions on activities considered low risk. From 26 July 15 people from unlimited households can meet outdoors and close contact services such as hairdressers can operate without pre-booked appointments.The power-sharing executive did relax restrictions on activities considered low risk. From 26 July 15 people from unlimited households can meet outdoors and close contact services such as hairdressers can operate without pre-booked appointments.
Ministers will meet again next week to decide about theatres and live indoor events, and also whether to extend the limit on indoor gatherings from six to 10 people. They will also review the obligation to wear masks in places of worship.Ministers will meet again next week to decide about theatres and live indoor events, and also whether to extend the limit on indoor gatherings from six to 10 people. They will also review the obligation to wear masks in places of worship.
Democratic Unionist party (DUP) leaders want Northern Ireland to follow England’s lead and open up faster but the other four parties in the executive – Ulster Unionists, Alliance, Sinn Fein and the SDLP – prefer a slower pace in light of rising infection levels.Democratic Unionist party (DUP) leaders want Northern Ireland to follow England’s lead and open up faster but the other four parties in the executive – Ulster Unionists, Alliance, Sinn Fein and the SDLP – prefer a slower pace in light of rising infection levels.
This House of Commons library document includes a list of other occasions when MPs have been ordered to leave the chamber for disorderly conduct, or for saying something unacceptable about another MP, since 1992. The former Labour MP Dennis Skinner features on the list four times, once for calling a minister a “little squirt”.This House of Commons library document includes a list of other occasions when MPs have been ordered to leave the chamber for disorderly conduct, or for saying something unacceptable about another MP, since 1992. The former Labour MP Dennis Skinner features on the list four times, once for calling a minister a “little squirt”.
The Press Association has filed a longer account of what happened when Labour’s Dawn Butler was ordered to leave the Commons chamber for calling Boris Johnson a liar.The Press Association has filed a longer account of what happened when Labour’s Dawn Butler was ordered to leave the Commons chamber for calling Boris Johnson a liar.
Butler highlighted questionable claims by Johnson, including his recent assertion that the link between Covid cases and deaths had been “severed”, rather than just severely weakened. She went on:Butler highlighted questionable claims by Johnson, including his recent assertion that the link between Covid cases and deaths had been “severed”, rather than just severely weakened. She went on:
Judith Cummins, the temporary deputy speaker, intervened, saying:Judith Cummins, the temporary deputy speaker, intervened, saying:
Butler replied:Butler replied:
Cummins intervened again and urged Butler to “reflect” on her words and withdraw them. Butler replied:Cummins intervened again and urged Butler to “reflect” on her words and withdraw them. Butler replied:
Cummins then read out a statement in which she ordered Butler to “withdraw immediately from the House for the remainder of the day’s sitting”. Butler complied, and left the chamber.Cummins then read out a statement in which she ordered Butler to “withdraw immediately from the House for the remainder of the day’s sitting”. Butler complied, and left the chamber.
Cummins has been serving as a temporary deputy speaker this week in place of Rosie Winterton, who is having to isolate.Cummins has been serving as a temporary deputy speaker this week in place of Rosie Winterton, who is having to isolate.
If you are looking for some good books to read over holidays, you should read the Publishers Association’s list of summer book recommendations from parliamentarians and political journalists. It’s a good list, and it’s here (pdf). The press release is worth a read too, mostly for its use of the word quasquicentennial (125th anniversary). Boris Johnson is one of the contributors to the list, and he has chosen Evelyn Waugh’s journalism satire, Scoop. This essay, by Robert Hutton in the July edition of the Critic, explains why that is such an appropriate choice.If you are looking for some good books to read over holidays, you should read the Publishers Association’s list of summer book recommendations from parliamentarians and political journalists. It’s a good list, and it’s here (pdf). The press release is worth a read too, mostly for its use of the word quasquicentennial (125th anniversary). Boris Johnson is one of the contributors to the list, and he has chosen Evelyn Waugh’s journalism satire, Scoop. This essay, by Robert Hutton in the July edition of the Critic, explains why that is such an appropriate choice.
Alternatively, you could read Gordon Brown’s Seven Ways to Change the World, one of the best new political books that has landed on my desk in recent months and a reminder of what it is like to have political leaders who think deeply, with knowledge and creativity and moral urgency, about the biggest problems facing the world. It is an inspiring book, and an easier read than you might expect, even though the passages on global financial regulation are probably not what you would save for the beach. William Davies reviewed it well for the Guardian here.Alternatively, you could read Gordon Brown’s Seven Ways to Change the World, one of the best new political books that has landed on my desk in recent months and a reminder of what it is like to have political leaders who think deeply, with knowledge and creativity and moral urgency, about the biggest problems facing the world. It is an inspiring book, and an easier read than you might expect, even though the passages on global financial regulation are probably not what you would save for the beach. William Davies reviewed it well for the Guardian here.
The Brown book is not a memoir, but it does also contain this snippet about the Blair government, and its relationship with the Bush administration, which is newish to me, and worth flagging up. Brown writes:The Brown book is not a memoir, but it does also contain this snippet about the Blair government, and its relationship with the Bush administration, which is newish to me, and worth flagging up. Brown writes:
The UK has recorded 39,906 new coronavirus cases, and 84 new deaths, according to the latest update to the government’s coronavirus dashboard. Week on week, cases are still going up. But today the week-on-week rate of increase (the total for the last seven days, compared to the total for the previous seven days) is 24.2%, compared to 35.8% yesterday, suggesting the rate of increase is starting to slow.The UK has recorded 39,906 new coronavirus cases, and 84 new deaths, according to the latest update to the government’s coronavirus dashboard. Week on week, cases are still going up. But today the week-on-week rate of increase (the total for the last seven days, compared to the total for the previous seven days) is 24.2%, compared to 35.8% yesterday, suggesting the rate of increase is starting to slow.
But deaths are up by 50.6% week on week.But deaths are up by 50.6% week on week.
The Labour MP Dawn Butler has been ordered to leave the House of Commons for the rest of the day after refusing to withdraw claims that Boris Johnson has “lied to the house and the country over and over again”.The Labour MP Dawn Butler has been ordered to leave the House of Commons for the rest of the day after refusing to withdraw claims that Boris Johnson has “lied to the house and the country over and over again”.
Butler was told to withdraw from the chamber by temporary deputy speaker Judith Cummins following her remarks in a Commons debate. Under parliamentary rules, MPs are not supposed to accuse each other of lying in the chamber.Butler was told to withdraw from the chamber by temporary deputy speaker Judith Cummins following her remarks in a Commons debate. Under parliamentary rules, MPs are not supposed to accuse each other of lying in the chamber.
Butler said:Butler said:
Highlighting questionable claims by the PM, Butler said:Highlighting questionable claims by the PM, Butler said:
No prime minister in the modern era has been accused of lying as much as Johnson. Earlier this year Peter Oborne, who worked as political editor at the Spectator when Johnson was its editor, published a whole book about Johnson’s lying in which he said: “I have never encountered a senior British politician who lies and fabricates so regularly, so shamelessly and so systematically as Boris Johnson.”No prime minister in the modern era has been accused of lying as much as Johnson. Earlier this year Peter Oborne, who worked as political editor at the Spectator when Johnson was its editor, published a whole book about Johnson’s lying in which he said: “I have never encountered a senior British politician who lies and fabricates so regularly, so shamelessly and so systematically as Boris Johnson.”
And Dominic Cummings, Johnson’s former chief adviser, recently published an essay saying that Johnson “lies – so blatantly, so naturally, so regularly – that there is no real distinction possible with him, as there is with normal people, between truth and lies”.And Dominic Cummings, Johnson’s former chief adviser, recently published an essay saying that Johnson “lies – so blatantly, so naturally, so regularly – that there is no real distinction possible with him, as there is with normal people, between truth and lies”.
UPDATE: Here is the clip.UPDATE: Here is the clip.
Interim compensation payments worth up to £100,000 will be offered to post office operators who were wrongly convicted as part of the Horizon scandal, the postal affairs minister, Paul Scully, has announced today.Interim compensation payments worth up to £100,000 will be offered to post office operators who were wrongly convicted as part of the Horizon scandal, the postal affairs minister, Paul Scully, has announced today.
These payments will not stop victims bringing civil claims through the courts. The Post Office is proposing to offer final compensation through the alternative dispute resolution arrangements.These payments will not stop victims bringing civil claims through the courts. The Post Office is proposing to offer final compensation through the alternative dispute resolution arrangements.
Scully said:Scully said:
Hundreds of people may have been wrongly prosecuted in the course of the Horizon scandal, which involved operators being falsely accused of theft because of defects with the Post Office’s Horizon accounting system.Hundreds of people may have been wrongly prosecuted in the course of the Horizon scandal, which involved operators being falsely accused of theft because of defects with the Post Office’s Horizon accounting system.
Further to Nadhim Zahawi’s announcement (see 12.27pm) that UK nationals vaccinated overseas will be able to have their status authenticated, a reader got in touch to make the point that the stipulation of having to see a UK GP first makes it useless for most people.Further to Nadhim Zahawi’s announcement (see 12.27pm) that UK nationals vaccinated overseas will be able to have their status authenticated, a reader got in touch to make the point that the stipulation of having to see a UK GP first makes it useless for most people.
Many of the affected group will be people living permanently in other countries, and thus without a GP in the UK. In fact, many EU countries’ health systems require people to de-register from their domestic health service.Many of the affected group will be people living permanently in other countries, and thus without a GP in the UK. In fact, many EU countries’ health systems require people to de-register from their domestic health service.
The Department of Health and Social Care said it realises this is an issue, and that people in that situation will need to wait for the proposed mutual recognition of vaccination status between 30-plus countries, a process that is ongoing but – officials hope – will be concluded soon.The Department of Health and Social Care said it realises this is an issue, and that people in that situation will need to wait for the proposed mutual recognition of vaccination status between 30-plus countries, a process that is ongoing but – officials hope – will be concluded soon.
The CBI, the leading organisation representing major employers in the UK, has joined those groups calling for an urgent change to the isolation rules for contacts of people testing positive.The CBI, the leading organisation representing major employers in the UK, has joined those groups calling for an urgent change to the isolation rules for contacts of people testing positive.
In response to the latest figures showing more than 600,000 people in England and Wales pinged in a week (see 11.02am), Tony Danker, the CBI director general, said in a statement:In response to the latest figures showing more than 600,000 people in England and Wales pinged in a week (see 11.02am), Tony Danker, the CBI director general, said in a statement:
Danker also said it was important for firms to have access to an “effective, accessible testing regime”.Danker also said it was important for firms to have access to an “effective, accessible testing regime”.
One in seven people transferred to the test and trace system after testing positive for Covid-19 were not reached in the latest week, PA Media reports. PA says:One in seven people transferred to the test and trace system after testing positive for Covid-19 were not reached in the latest week, PA Media reports. PA says:
Boris Johnson has spoken to Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, this afternoon, No 10 has said. The two leaders spoke about the recent floods in Germany, and the importance of tackling climate change, but, judging by the No 10 readout, the call was largely about the Northern Ireland protocol. According to Downing Street, Johnson told Merkel what he told Ursula von der Leyen earlier (see 12.32pm) about how he believed solutions to the problems that have arisen “could not be found through the existing mechanisms of the protocol”.Boris Johnson has spoken to Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, this afternoon, No 10 has said. The two leaders spoke about the recent floods in Germany, and the importance of tackling climate change, but, judging by the No 10 readout, the call was largely about the Northern Ireland protocol. According to Downing Street, Johnson told Merkel what he told Ursula von der Leyen earlier (see 12.32pm) about how he believed solutions to the problems that have arisen “could not be found through the existing mechanisms of the protocol”.
No 10 went on:No 10 went on:
Public Health England has just published its latest weekly Covid surveillance report (pdf).Public Health England has just published its latest weekly Covid surveillance report (pdf).
The report covers the week ending Sunday 18 July. It says in that week “case rates increased in all age groups, regions and ethnic groups”.The report covers the week ending Sunday 18 July. It says in that week “case rates increased in all age groups, regions and ethnic groups”.
Hospitalisations were also going up in the week ending 18 July, the report says.Hospitalisations were also going up in the week ending 18 July, the report says.
Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, has used new powers to direct the Stormont executive to commission abortion services in Northern Ireland, PA Media reports. PA says:Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, has used new powers to direct the Stormont executive to commission abortion services in Northern Ireland, PA Media reports. PA says:
In his statement Lewis said:In his statement Lewis said: