Priti Patel is facing allegations she bullied officials at the Home Office. The home secretary is reported to have clashed with the department’s top civil servant and is accused of belittling officials, making unreasonable demands and creating an “atmosphere of fear”.
It comes as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn attacked Boris Johnson for failing to visit flood-hit communities in England and Wales – claiming the prime minister has been “nowhere-to-be-seen”. The Fire Brigades Union branded the PM’s response “a shambles”.
Meanwhile Mr Johnson’s senior adviser Dominic Cummings has been criticised for his “ludicrous” views on IQ, genetic selection and so-called “designer babies” – unearthed from a blogpost entitled: ‘Standin’ by the window, where the light is strong’.
More anger aimed at McDonnell's 'Dreyfus' comparison
More anger aimed at John McDonnell over his claim the extradition of Julian Assange was the "Dreyfus case of our age"
Mr McDonnell reference was to the 1895 conviction at a court martial of French officer Alfred Dreyfus on treason charges many felt were brought against him because he was Jewish.
He was later exonerated after a long campaign featuring intellectuals such as novelist Emile Zola, who wrote a denunciation of the prosecution case entitled J'Accuse (I accuse).
Here is Mike Katz, national chair of the Jewish Labour Movement:
And here is antisemitism and security charity CST:
Labour MPs threatening to quit party ‘must trigger immediate by-elections’
Labour MPs threatening to quit the party if Rebecca Long-Bailey becomes leader should be forced to hold immediate by-elections, Dawn Butler has said.
The deputy leadership hopeful attacked those considering a walkout if Ms Long-Bailey is elected, saying it was unacceptable for them to sit as independents if their constituents voted for Labour.
Up to 40 MPs are said to be considering their futures if Ms Long-Bailey, a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn, is named as the new leader in April. One MP previously told The Independent that dozens have discussed walking out.
Labour MPs threatening to quit the party if Rebecca Long-Bailey becomes leader should be forced to hold immediate by-elections, Dawn Butler has said.
The deputy leadership hopeful attacked those considering a walkout if Ms Long-Bailey is elected, saying it was unacceptable for them to sit as independents if their constituents voted for Labour.
Up to 40 MPs are said to be considering their futures if Ms Long-Bailey, a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn, is named as the new leader in April. One MP previously told The Independent that dozens have discussed walking out.
Labour MPs threatening to quit party if Long-Bailey becomes leader ‘must hold immediate by-elections’
‘If constituents voted for a Labour MP, they deserve to be represented by a Labour MP,’ says Dawn Butler
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Why a Brexit trade deal will be so difficult for Boris Johnson to strike - Sean O'Grady
Why a Brexit trade deal will be so difficult to strike
The problem, writes Sean O'Grady, all comes down to trust
‘Weak’ NHS plans spark fears over Boris Johnson’s 50,000 nurses pledge
Boris Johnson’s pledge to deliver 50,000 more nurses to the NHS has been thrown into doubt after a leaked email revealed civil servants have concerns over the PM’s “weak” plans.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has demanded more “robust” details from NHS England on how exactly it will keep nurses working in the NHS after civil servants expressed “concerns” about the current plans.
The leaked email, obtained by Health Service Journal, exposes the difficulty the NHS has in meeting the government’s key manifesto pledge of 50,000 more nurses by 2024-25.
Boris Johnson’s pledge to deliver 50,000 more nurses to the NHS has been thrown into doubt after a leaked email revealed civil servants have concerns over the PM’s “weak” plans.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has demanded more “robust” details from NHS England on how exactly it will keep nurses working in the NHS after civil servants expressed “concerns” about the current plans.
The leaked email, obtained by Health Service Journal, exposes the difficulty the NHS has in meeting the government’s key manifesto pledge of 50,000 more nurses by 2024-25.
Ministers warned to ‘recognise the consequences of their behaviour’ amid Priti Patel bullying claims
A union representing top Whitehall mandarins has warned government ministers to “recognise the consequences of their behaviour”, amid claims that Priti Patel has created an “atmosphere of fear” at the Home Office.
Staff have reportedly accused the home secretary of belittling officials, taking an angry and aggressive tone in meetings and making unreasonable demands of civil servants.
Ms Patel was said to have demanded the removal of her permanent secretary, Sir Philip Rutnam, after he reported concerns over her behaviour to the Cabinet Office, according to The Times.
But business minister Nadhim Zahawi, who has known Ms Patel for 25 years, denied she was a bully, saying she was “utterly professional” and a “brilliant, collegiate team player”.
A union representing top Whitehall mandarins has warned government ministers to “recognise the consequences of their behaviour”, amid claims that Priti Patel has created an “atmosphere of fear” at the Home Office.
Staff have reportedly accused the home secretary of belittling officials, taking an angry and aggressive tone in meetings and making unreasonable demands of civil servants.
Ms Patel was said to have demanded the removal of her permanent secretary, Sir Philip Rutnam, after he reported concerns over her behaviour to the Cabinet Office, according to The Times.
But business minister Nadhim Zahawi, who has known Ms Patel for 25 years, denied she was a bully, saying she was “utterly professional” and a “brilliant, collegiate team player”.
Labour needs 'fundamental reconstruction' to survive, Blair warns
Labour needs to undergo “fundamental reconstruction” in order to survive, Tony Blair will warn the leadership candidates as he marks the 120th anniversary of the party’s founding.
As Sir Keir Starmer, Lisa Nandy, and Rebecca Long-Bailey compete to succeed Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour prime minister will insist that “retreating to a narrow part of the left” always ends in defeat.
Recognising his own toxicity among party members – 62 per cent viewed him unfavourably in recent poll – Mr Blair will stop short of endorsing a candidate vying to take the party into the 2024 general election.
Labour needs to undergo “fundamental reconstruction” in order to survive, Tony Blair will warn the leadership candidates as he marks the 120th anniversary of the party’s founding.
As Sir Keir Starmer, Lisa Nandy, and Rebecca Long-Bailey compete to succeed Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour prime minister will insist that “retreating to a narrow part of the left” always ends in defeat.
Recognising his own toxicity among party members – 62 per cent viewed him unfavourably in recent poll – Mr Blair will stop short of endorsing a candidate vying to take the party into the 2024 general election.
‘Outrageous, ridiculous and so deeply offensive’
Plenty of responses to John McDonnell’s earlier remarks comparing Julian Assange’s extradition case to “the Dreyfus case”.
The shadow chancellor was referring to the 1895 conviction at a court martial of French officer Alfred Dreyfus on treason charges many felt were brought against him because he was Jewish. He was later exonerated after a long campaign.
Karen Pollock, chief executive at the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “Go figure how or why John McDonnell could make such an inappropriate comparison with the Assange case. Outrageous, ridiculous and so deeply offensive.”
Where’s the prime minister?
Boris Johnson has been criticised for staying at the foreign secretary’s Chevening estate this week rather than visiting flood-hit areas in the aftermath of Storm Dennis.
He’s there because the PM’s official country retreat of Chequers is having repair work, with scaffolding visible outside the mansion.
New pictures show scaffolding covered in white sheeting outside the 16th century Buckinghamshire property. The building work is described as “routine maintenance” by Downing Street.
No 10 said Johnson had been receiving “regular updates” about the flooding.
Jeremy Corbyn doesn't rule out shadow cabinet job
Outgoing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has – according to the BBC – declined to rule out taking a job in his successor's shadow cabinet. It's a stark contrast to shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, who has said his time in frontline politics is over.
Outgoing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has – according to the BBC – declined to rule out taking a job in his successor's shadow cabinet. It's a stark contrast to shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, who has said his time in frontline politics is over.
Of course, any role for Mr Corbyn would be dependent on the new leader offering him a job – and Rebecca Long-Bailey is likely the only candidate to consider it.
Corbyn visits flood-hit town in south Wales
Jeremy Corbyn is doing something he thinks the prime minister should have been out doing this week – meeting victims of flooding.
The Labour leader is speaking to affected residents and business owners in Pontypridd in south Wales.
He said earlier: ‘Failing to convene Cobra to support flood-hit communities sends a very clear message: if the prime minister is not campaigning for votes in a general election he simply does not care about helping communities affected by flooding, especially communities that have repeatedly been flooded in recent years.”
Raab blames Russian military intelligence for ‘menacing’ cyber attacks on Georgia
The government has condemned Russia’s military intelligence service over a “significant” number of cyber attacks against Georgia last year.
Foreign secretary Dominic Raab said the GRU’s campaign was “brazen” and “totally unacceptable”.
“The GRU’s reckless and brazen campaign of cyber-attacks against Georgia, a sovereign and independent nation, is totally unacceptable,” Raab said.
“The Russian Government has a clear choice: continue this aggressive pattern of behaviour against other countries, or become a responsible partner which respects international law.
“The UK will continue to expose those who conduct reckless cyber-attacks and work with our allies to counter the GRU’s menacing behaviour.”
Civil service union speaks out against ‘atmosphere of fear’
The FDA union – the body representing civil servants – has intervened in the row at the Home Office, as Priti Patel faces allegations of bullying.
“Ministers must recognise the consequences of their behaviour,” said the union’s general secretary Dave Penman.
“An atmosphere of fear is not conducive to a successful workplace and anonymous briefings against civil servants are not only unfair, they corrode public trust in government.”
The Times reported earlier about allegations of bullying behaviour, citing “multiple sources” inside the Home Office. One said she was responsible for an “atmosphere of fear” at the department.
PM’s floods response a ‘shambles’, says union
The Fire Brigades Union has criticised the “shambles” of Boris Johnson’s response to the floods ravaging communities in many parts of England and Wales in the wake of Storm Dennis.
Matt Wrack, the union’s general secretary, said visiting communities would be “an opportunity for a prime minister to turn out and hear the concerns of people who’ve been affected”.
“Mr Johnson needs to be seen to be taking change,” he added.
Jeremy Corbyn, heading to a flood-hit community in south Wales this afternoon, condemned Johnson’s failure to visit victims – claiming he was “nowhere to be seen”.
Assange ‘persecuted for political reasons’, says McDonnell
Julian Assange should not be extradited to the US and is being “persecuted for political reasons”, shadow chancellor John McDonnell has claimed. The Labour MP visited Assange for two hours at Belmarsh prison, where the WikiLeaks founder is awaiting the start of an extradition hearing next week.
McDonnell said: “I think this is one of the most important and significant political trials of this generation … I think it’s the Dreyfus case of our age.
“The way in which a person is being persecuted for political reasons, for simply exposing the truth for what went on in relation to recent wars.”
McDonnell was referring to the 1895 conviction at a court martial of French officer Alfred Dreyfus on treason charges many felt were brought against him because he was Jewish. He was later exonerated after a long campaign.
McDonnell said: “We’re hoping that in court he (Assange) is able to defeat the extradition bid. We don’t believe that extradition should be used for political purposes.”
Assange, 48, is wanted in the US to face 18 charges, including conspiring to commit computer intrusion, over the publication of US cables a decade ago. If found guilty he could face up to 175 years in jail.
“We have a long tradition in this country of standing up for journalistic freedom, standing up for the protection of whistleblowers and those who expose injustices,” McDonnell said.
Top Tory MP ‘ashamed’ of inaction over Syria
Tobias Ellwood, the head of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, has said he is “ashamed to see how cowardly the West‘s become” over the ongoing conflict in Syria.
“The world mobilises to contain the Coronavirus, affecting thousands, but shows indifference to the hundreds of thousands killed Syria,” the tory MP tweeted. “We hide behind a broken UN that can’t agree a ceasefire.”
Priti Patel ‘asked to move permanent secretary’
More now on the apparent bust-up at the Home Office. According to the BBC, Priti Patel try to move her department’s permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutnam.
A source told the broadcaster No 10 had been asked to “intervene” to move the top civil servant after a fall-out with the home secretary.
The Home Office spokesperson said no “formal complaints” had been made against Patel after The Times reported earlier about allegations of bullying behaviour, citing “multiple sources” inside the department.
Caroline Lucas probed over ‘£150 tour of Commons’
Green MP Caroline Lucas is under investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.
The parliamentary authorities are probing whether she broke the Code of Conduct rules by offering a “personal guided tour” of the Commons for £150 during an election fundraising drive last year.
“I do not believe I have done anything wrong,” she said.
According to The Argus, a member of the public referred to the parliamentary authorities for offering the tour to party donors in exchange for money.
Rory Stewart sets out ‘London Youth Corps’ plan
The former Tory minister has pledged to introduce a citizenship programme for teenagers in London if elected as mayor. Stewart, running as an independent in the race, plans to create a ‘London Youth Corps’, with young people carrying out two shifts each month for a year.
Building on the National Citizen Service (NCS), teenagers would spend two weeks away from home after completing their GCSEs, taking part in activities such as rock-climbing and canoeing, as well as learning skills such as public speaking. He said: “Teenagers face a peer-pressure cooker of social media, an increasingly competitive job market, and in some areas, the threat of gangs and drugs.”
“Our young people need worthwhile and engaging activities outside school, and they need to be shown broader opportunities … As mayor I will make the London Youth Corps a rite of passage for all young Londoners.”
Tony Blair says he would refuse to sign trans rights pledge
Tony Blair has warned Labour’s leadership contenders not to get involved in a “culture war” over transgender rights, warning it could cost the party any chance of power.
Tony Blair has warned Labour’s leadership contenders not to get involved in a “culture war” over transgender rights, warning it could cost the party any chance of power.
The former prime minister said he would not sign a controversial trans rights pledge, which has been backed by Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy, but which leadership frontrunner Keir Starmer has refused to put his name to.
Three-time election winner Blair declined to endorse any of the trio fighting to succeed Jeremy Corbyn, saying that his support would only damage their chances.
London ready to host 2020 Olympic games, says Tory mayoral candidate
Shaun Bailey, who is running in the capital against Sadiq Khan in the mayoral contest, has suggested London could host the Olympic games later this year if Japan is unable to due to the outbreak of coronavirus.
Shaun Bailey, who is running in the capital against Sadiq Khan in the mayoral contest, has suggested London could host the Olympic games later this year if Japan is unable to due to the outbreak of coronavirus.
