politicalite--2020-11-30--TOPSHOP COLLAPSES: Business Empire Which Includes The Popular Retailer Folds

Sir Philip Green ’ s Arcadia Group has gone bust , putting 13,000 jobs at risk .
The high street giant , which includes the Topshop , Dorothy Perkins and Burton brands , has hired administrators from Deloitte after the pandemic “ severely impacted ” sales across its brands .
The group , which runs 444 stores in the UK and 22 overseas , said 9,294 employees are currently on furlough .
No redundancies are being announced yet as a result of the appointment and stores will continue to trade , the administrators said .
Ian Grabiner , chief executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an incredibly sad day for all of our colleagues as well as our suppliers and our many other stakeholders .
“ The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic , including the forced closure of our stores for prolonged periods , has severely impacted on trading across all of our brands .
“ Throughout this immensely challenging time our priority has been to protect jobs and preserve the financial stability of the group in the hope that we could ride out the pandemic and come out fighting on the other side .
“ Ultimately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most difficult trading conditions we have ever experienced , the obstacles we encountered were far too severe.
” The administrators said they will be “ assessing all options available ” , which could see brands sold off in separate rescue deals .
Arcadia will continue to honour all online orders made over the Black Friday weekend and will continue to operate all of its current sales channels .
Matt Smith , joint administrator at Deloitte , said : “ We will now work with the existing management team and broader stakeholders to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the group ’ s businesses .
“ It is our intention to continue to trade all of the brands , and we look forward to welcoming customers back into stores when many of them are allowed to reopen .
“ We will be rapidly seeking expressions of interest and expect to identify one or more buyers to ensure the future success of the businesses .
“ As administrators we ’ d like to thank all of the group ’ s employees , customers and business partners for their support , at what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Business Secretary Alok Sharma said he would be keeping a “ very close eye ” on the administrators ’ report on director conduct , and pledged the Government would support the affected workers .
He tweeted : “ Within three months , the administrators have a duty to file a report on director conduct with The Insolvency Service – who will then determine whether a full investigation is required .
I will be keeping a very close eye on this process.
” Mr Sharma added : “ This is a deeply challenging time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to supporting them , including through an unprecedented package of business support worth £280 billion.
” Retail trade union Usdaw has said it is seeking urgent meetings with Arcadia ’ s administrators in a bid to preserve jobs .
Dave Gill , Usdaw national officer , said : “ Now that Arcadia is in administration , it is crucial that the voice of staff is heard over the future of the business and that is best done through their trade union .
“ We are seeking urgent meetings and need assurances on what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the plan for stores to continue trading and the funding of the pension scheme .
“ In the meantime , we are providing our members with the support and advice they need at this very difficult time.
” Earlier on Monday , Mike Ashley ’ s Frasers Group said an offer for a £50 million lifeline for Arcadia was rejected .
It came as MPs called on Sir Philip to cover a shortfall in the pension scheme and urged the pension watchdog to fight on behalf of the group ’ s workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Work and Pensions Committee , called on the tycoon to stump up funds to fill the pensions black hole , which is estimated to be as large as £350 million .
It is the latest retailer to have been hammered by store closures during the coronavirus pandemic .
Rivals including Debenhams , Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group and Oasis Warehouse have all slid into insolvency since lockdown measures were first imposed in March .
Earlier this year , the group revealed plans to cut around 500 of its 2,500 head office jobs amid a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
Frasers Group , which runs Sports Direct , told the London Stock Exchange earlier on Monday that a £50 million loan aimed at keeping Arcadia afloat had been rejected .
The company said : “ Frasers Group can confirm that Arcadia Group Limited have declined Frasers Group ’ s offer of a lifeline loan of up to £50 million .
“ Frasers Group were not given any reasons for the rejection , nor did Frasers Group have any engagement from Arcadia before the loan was declined .
”

Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group has gone bust, putting 13,000 jobs at risk.
The high street giant, which includes the Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Burton brands, has hired administrators from Deloitte after the pandemic “severely impacted” sales across its brands.
The group, which runs 444 stores in the UK and 22 overseas, said 9,294 employees are currently on furlough.
No redundancies are being announced yet as a result of the appointment and stores will continue to trade, the administrators said.
Ian Grabiner, chief executive of Arcadia, said: “This is an incredibly sad day for all of our colleagues as well as our suppliers and our many other stakeholders.
“The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, including the forced closure of our stores for prolonged periods, has severely impacted on trading across all of our brands.
“Throughout this immensely challenging time our priority has been to protect jobs and preserve the financial stability of the group in the hope that we could ride out the pandemic and come out fighting on the other side.
“Ultimately, however, in the face of the most difficult trading conditions we have ever experienced, the obstacles we encountered were far too severe.”
The administrators said they will be “assessing all options available”, which could see brands sold off in separate rescue deals.
Arcadia will continue to honour all online orders made over the Black Friday weekend and will continue to operate all of its current sales channels.
Matt Smith, joint administrator at Deloitte, said: “We will now work with the existing management team and broader stakeholders to assess all options available for the future of the group’s businesses.
“It is our intention to continue to trade all of the brands, and we look forward to welcoming customers back into stores when many of them are allowed to reopen.
“We will be rapidly seeking expressions of interest and expect to identify one or more buyers to ensure the future success of the businesses.
“As administrators we’d like to thank all of the group’s employees, customers and business partners for their support, at what we appreciate is a difficult time.”
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said he would be keeping a “very close eye” on the administrators’ report on director conduct, and pledged the Government would support the affected workers.
He tweeted: “Within three months, the administrators have a duty to file a report on director conduct with The Insolvency Service – who will then determine whether a full investigation is required. I will be keeping a very close eye on this process.”
Mr Sharma added: “This is a deeply challenging time for retailers and we remain fully committed to supporting them, including through an unprecedented package of business support worth £280 billion.”
Retail trade union Usdaw has said it is seeking urgent meetings with Arcadia’s administrators in a bid to preserve jobs.
Dave Gill, Usdaw national officer, said: “Now that Arcadia is in administration, it is crucial that the voice of staff is heard over the future of the business and that is best done through their trade union.
“We are seeking urgent meetings and need assurances on what efforts are being made to save jobs, the plan for stores to continue trading and the funding of the pension scheme.
“In the meantime, we are providing our members with the support and advice they need at this very difficult time.”
Earlier on Monday, Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group said an offer for a £50 million lifeline for Arcadia was rejected.
It came as MPs called on Sir Philip to cover a shortfall in the pension scheme and urged the pension watchdog to fight on behalf of the group’s workers.
Stephen Timms, chairman of the Work and Pensions Committee, called on the tycoon to stump up funds to fill the pensions black hole, which is estimated to be as large as £350 million.
It is the latest retailer to have been hammered by store closures during the coronavirus pandemic. Rivals including Debenhams, Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group and Oasis Warehouse have all slid into insolvency since lockdown measures were first imposed in March.
Earlier this year, the group revealed plans to cut around 500 of its 2,500 head office jobs amid a restructure in the face of the coronavirus crisis.
Frasers Group, which runs Sports Direct, told the London Stock Exchange earlier on Monday that a £50 million loan aimed at keeping Arcadia afloat had been rejected.
The company said: “Frasers Group can confirm that Arcadia Group Limited have declined Frasers Group’s offer of a lifeline loan of up to £50 million.
“Frasers Group were not given any reasons for the rejection, nor did Frasers Group have any engagement from Arcadia before the loan was declined.”
Additional Reporting By The Press Association


politicalite--2020-12-01--‘ALLO! ‘ALLO! Brit Biker Faked ‘French Accent’ To Avoid Arrest

A MOTORCYCLIST stopped for speeding has been compared to Del Boy from Only Fools And Horses after adopting a French accent in a bid to avoid prosecution , according to police .
The biker was pulled over on the A27 at Lancing , West Sussex , on Sunday on a bike with French registration plates .
Pc Glen McArthur , of Sussex Police , revealed on Twitter that a check found that the vehicle was registered in the UK .
He posted : “ This little tinker thought he ’ d run around on French plates to avoid insurance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was somewhat comical !
Au Reviour licence .
“ The bike was followed at excess speed on the A27 @ Lancing last night ( 29/11 ) .
When stopped the rider claimed to be French .
Checks of the bike showed it to be UK registered .
The rider had an expired licence & no insurance.
” One Twitter user asked the police officer : “ Did he sound like ‘ Allo Allo policeman ’ ?
” Another Twitter user said : “ I ’ m reminded of Del Boy ’ s ‘ @ @ @ @ @

A MOTORCYCLIST stopped for speeding has been compared to Del Boy from Only Fools And Horses after adopting a French accent in a bid to avoid prosecution, according to police.
The biker was pulled over on the A27 at Lancing, West Sussex, on Sunday on a bike with French registration plates.
Pc Glen McArthur, of Sussex Police, revealed on Twitter that a check found that the vehicle was registered in the UK.
He posted: “This little tinker thought he’d run around on French plates to avoid insurance, licence etc etc. His fake accent was somewhat comical! Au Reviour licence.
“The bike was followed at excess speed on the A27 @ Lancing last night (29/11). When stopped the rider claimed to be French. Checks of the bike showed it to be UK registered. The rider had an expired licence & no insurance.”
One Twitter user asked the police officer: “Did he sound like ‘Allo Allo policeman’?”
Pc McArthur responded: “Very much so!”
Another Twitter user said: “I’m reminded of Del Boy’s ‘Laboratoire Garnier’.”
Additional Reporting by PA Media


politicalite--2020-12-01--STOP THE STEAL: Donald Trump Supporters Protest in Phoenix

FANS of US President Donald Trump rallied outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Phoenix as Trump ’ s attorney Rudy Giuliani attended a so-called election integrity hearing inside on Monday .
Protesters gathered under the motto ‘ stop the steal , ’ accusing the Democrats and their candidate Joe Biden of electoral fraud .
“ They are stealing the election , we can ’ t let that happen , ” said a protester Dan Elkins .
“ We are here to do whatever we can to keep this from happening.
” Another demonstrator Steven Robinson added , “ I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they took to make sure that they stole this election in the key battleground states , ” stressing that “ southern states were hardcore Trump , there is no way of doubt that there was a fraud.
” On Monday , the state of Arizona certified its election results , confirming the victory of President-elect Joe Biden with the state ’ s 11 electoral votes .
Trump has alleged widespread voter fraud since the election , with his lawyers launching a series of court cases in an attempt to scrutinise the results .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of voter fraud .

FANS of US President Donald Trump rallied outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Phoenix as Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani attended a so-called election integrity hearing inside on Monday.
Protesters gathered under the motto ‘stop the steal,’ accusing the Democrats and their candidate Joe Biden of electoral fraud. “They are stealing the election, we can’t let that happen,” said a protester Dan Elkins.
“We are here to do whatever we can to keep this from happening.” Another demonstrator Steven Robinson added, “I am so disgusted with the absolute crazy efforts they took to make sure that they stole this election in the key battleground states,” stressing that “southern states were hardcore Trump, there is no way of doubt that there was a fraud.”
On Monday, the state of Arizona certified its election results, confirming the victory of President-elect Joe Biden with the state’s 11 electoral votes.
Trump has alleged widespread voter fraud since the election, with his lawyers launching a series of court cases in an attempt to scrutinise the results.
They have yet to show substantial evidence of voter fraud.
Additional Reporting by RUPTLY


politicalite--2020-12-01--CAR RAMPAGE: Two DEAD After Car Smashes Into Pedestrians in Germany

TWO people have been killed and several injured in the German city of Trier after a car drove into a @ @ @ @ @ said .
Trier police tweeted that the driver had been arrested and the vehicle impounded @ @ @ @ @ were on the scene and authorities told people to avoid the city centre .
No @ @ @ @ @ cause of the crash .
Mayor Wolfram Leibe told the SWR broadcaster that , in @ @ @ @ @ , 15 people had suffered serious injuries .
Trier is about 120 miles west of @ @ @ @ @ with Luxembourg .
The city of about 110,000 people is known for its Roman gate @ @ @ @ @ which is near the scene of the crash , and as the birthplace of Karl @ @

TWO people have been killed and several injured in the German city of Trier after a car drove into a pedestrian zone, German police said.
Trier police tweeted that the driver had been arrested and the vehicle impounded.
Police and rescue crews were on the scene and authorities told people to avoid the city centre.
https://twitter.com/politicalite/status/1333785547945308160
No details were available on the cause of the crash.
Mayor Wolfram Leibe told the SWR broadcaster that, in addition to the two dead, 15 people had suffered serious injuries.
Trier is about 120 miles west of Frankfurt, near the border with Luxembourg.
The city of about 110,000 people is known for its Roman gate, the Porta Nigra, which is near the scene of the crash, and as the birthplace of Karl Marx.
This is a developing story.
Additional Reporting by PA Media


politicalite--2020-12-02--HUNGRY HOMO! MEP Resigns After Being CAUGHT at Gay Orgy

A FORMER Euro Parliament lawmaker from Hungary resigned from his country´s ruling party Wednesday after being swept up in a scandal involving what media reports called an orgy that police in Brussels broke up last week amid Belgiums coronavirus lockdown .
Jozsef Szajer , who on Sunday resigned his seat in the European Union´s legislature , resigned as a member of Hungary´s ultra-conservative Fidesz party in a one-sentence letter to the party´s director , ending a 30-year career with the political party he co-founded .
Szajer acknowledged Tuesday that he had attended the Brussels party , but he did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HLN and other media reported that police had disrupted a sex party attended by two dozen men above a café , and that one attendee , a Fidesz MEP , had attempted to flee the scene .
HLN said several diplomats were also present .
In comments to pro-government newspaper Magyar Nemzet , Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday described Szajer´s actions as “ not compatible with the values of our political community.
” “ We will not forget or deny his 30 years of work , but his actions are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he made the only correct decision by apologizing and resigning from the European Parliament and leaving Fidesz , ” Orban said .
The Brussels prosecutor´s office confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that police ended a lockdown party in a downtown Brussels flat on Friday evening after they were called because of a night-time disturbance .
The office did not confirm that it was a group sex party , and a Brussels police spokeswoman declined to comment .
In a statement , the prosecutor´s office later said police found about 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checked their identities , two partygoers invoked diplomatic immunity , it said .
The prosecutor´s office added that a third man was arrested after a passer-by told police he had tried to escape .
Identified by the initials S.J .
and a birth year of 1961 , the man was unable to show I.D .
and was escorted to his residence , where he produced a diplomatic passport .
The initials and birth year are consistent with Szajer´s .
“ The man´s hands were bloody .
It is possible that he may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutor´s office said , adding that police found drugs in the man´s backpack .
All those who attended the party have been reported for violating anti-COVID measures banning social gatherings .
In addition , a police report has been registered against S.J .
for an alleged narcotics violation .
Szajer denied using drugs at the party , and said he offered to have an on-the-spot drug test taken , which police declined .
“ Police said an ecstasy pill was found .
It´s not mine , I don´t know who placed it or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
It was the latest in a series of scandals involving members of Fidesz , which has vocally heralded Hungary´s role in defending Christian family values .
Orban , the head of the party , is a prominent critic of the liberal political culture of Western Europe .
He has laid his political power on a foundation of what he calls “ illiberal ” Christian democracy .
Szajer , a Fidesz founding member , was one of the lead architects in 2011 of a new Hungarian Constitution , which opponents criticized for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s guiding document and limiting the rights of women and LGBT people .
In July , a Budapest court sentenced Fidesz member and former Hungarian ambassador to Peru Gabor Kaleta to a 1-year suspended prison sentence and fined him for possessing more than 19,000 sexually explicit images of minors .
In 2019 , video was leaked of Fidesz politician Zsolt Borkai participating in an orgy on a yacht in the Adriatic Sea .
Borkai , the mayor of a medium-sized city 70 miles from the Hungarian capital , was reelected despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it considered the issue “ a private matter.
” Borkai later resigned .
In a statement Tuesday , Szajer apologized to his family , colleagues and voters .
“ I ask them to evaluate my misstep on the background of 30 years of devoted and hard work .
The misstep is strictly personal , ” he wrote .
“ I am the only ( one ) who owes responsibility for it .
I ask everyone not to extend it to my homeland , or to my political community .
”

A FORMER Euro Parliament lawmaker from Hungary resigned from his country´s ruling party Wednesday after being swept up in a scandal involving what media reports called an orgy that police in Brussels broke up last week amid Belgiums coronavirus lockdown.
Jozsef Szajer, who on Sunday resigned his seat in the European Union´s legislature, resigned as a member of Hungary´s ultra-conservative Fidesz party in a one-sentence letter to the party´s director, ending a 30-year career with the political party he co-founded.
Szajer acknowledged Tuesday that he had attended the Brussels party, but he did not comment on its nature. Belgian newspaper HLN and other media reported that police had disrupted a sex party attended by two dozen men above a café, and that one attendee, a Fidesz MEP, had attempted to flee the scene. HLN said several diplomats were also present.
In comments to pro-government newspaper Magyar Nemzet, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday described Szajer´s actions as “not compatible with the values of our political community.”
“We will not forget or deny his 30 years of work, but his actions are not acceptable and indefensible. After what happened, he made the only correct decision by apologizing and resigning from the European Parliament and leaving Fidesz,” Orban said.
The Brussels prosecutor´s office confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that police ended a lockdown party in a downtown Brussels flat on Friday evening after they were called because of a night-time disturbance. The office did not confirm that it was a group sex party, and a Brussels police spokeswoman declined to comment.
In a statement, the prosecutor´s office later said police found about 20 people in the apartment. After police checked their identities, two partygoers invoked diplomatic immunity, it said.
The prosecutor´s office added that a third man was arrested after a passer-by told police he had tried to escape. Identified by the initials S.J. and a birth year of 1961, the man was unable to show I.D. and was escorted to his residence, where he produced a diplomatic passport.
The initials and birth year are consistent with Szajer´s.
“The man´s hands were bloody. It is possible that he may have been injured while fleeing,” the prosecutor´s office said, adding that police found drugs in the man´s backpack.
All those who attended the party have been reported for violating anti-COVID measures banning social gatherings. In addition, a police report has been registered against S.J. for an alleged narcotics violation.
Szajer denied using drugs at the party, and said he offered to have an on-the-spot drug test taken, which police declined.
“Police said an ecstasy pill was found. It´s not mine, I don´t know who placed it or how,” Szajer said in his statement.
It was the latest in a series of scandals involving members of Fidesz, which has vocally heralded Hungary´s role in defending Christian family values. Orban, the head of the party, is a prominent critic of the liberal political culture of Western Europe. He has laid his political power on a foundation of what he calls “illiberal” Christian democracy.
Szajer, a Fidesz founding member, was one of the lead architects in 2011 of a new Hungarian Constitution, which opponents criticized for enshrining conservative Christian ideology into the nation’s guiding document and limiting the rights of women and LGBT people.
In July, a Budapest court sentenced Fidesz member and former Hungarian ambassador to Peru Gabor Kaleta to a 1-year suspended prison sentence and fined him for possessing more than 19,000 sexually explicit images of minors.
In 2019, video was leaked of Fidesz politician Zsolt Borkai participating in an orgy on a yacht in the Adriatic Sea. Borkai, the mayor of a medium-sized city 70 miles from the Hungarian capital, was reelected despite the scandal. Fidesz said at the time it considered the issue “a private matter.” Borkai later resigned.
In a statement Tuesday, Szajer apologized to his family, colleagues and voters.
“I ask them to evaluate my misstep on the background of 30 years of devoted and hard work. The misstep is strictly personal,” he wrote. “I am the only (one) who owes responsibility for it. I ask everyone not to extend it to my homeland, or to my political community.”
Additional reporting by AP


politicalite--2020-12-02--VACCINE VICTORY: Britain Beats EU in COVID-19 Vaccine Race

BREXIT Britain beat the European Union Health Authorities approved Pfizer ’ s COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday , jumping ahead of the rest of the world in the race to begin the most crucial mass inoculation programme in history with a shot tested in wide-scale clinical trials .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson touted the green light from Britain ’ s medicine authority as a global win and a ray of hope amid the pandemic , though he recognised the logistical challenges of vaccinating an entire country of 67 million .
Britain ’ s move raised hopes that the tide could soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 1.5 million people globally , hammered the world economy and upended normal life for billions since it emerged in Wuhan , China , a year ago .
Britain ’ s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) granted emergency use approval to the vaccine developed by Pfizer and German biotechnology partner BioNTech , which they say is 95 % effective in preventing illness , just 23 days after Pfizer published the first data from its final stage clinical trial .
“ Fantastic news , ” Johnson told parliament , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried away .
“ At this stage it is very , very important that people do not get their hopes up too soon about the speed with which we will be able to roll out this vaccine.
” The world ’ s big powers have been racing for a vaccine for months and coming first may be seen as a coup for a government that has faced criticism over its handling of the crisis .
Both the U.S. and EU regulators are sifting through the same Pfizer vaccine trial data , but have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s speed drew criticism from Brussels where , in an unusually blunt statement , the EU regulator said its longer procedure was more appropriate as it was based on more evidence .
Johnson might be persuaded to take a COVID-19 jab on television to show it was safe , but he would not have one before those in greater need , his press secretary said .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Times Radio : “ The reason we ’ ve been able to move this fast , and the UK is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clinically authorised vaccine , the reason is twofold .
“ Firstly , because the MRHA has done a great job of working with the company to look at that data as it ’ s come through and do things in parallel , rather than one after the other as they normally would , that ’ s the first reason .
“ The second reason is because , whilst until earlier this year we were in the European Medicines Agency ( EMA ) , because of Brexit we ’ ve been able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the UK regulator , a world-class regulator , and not go at the pace of the Europeans , who are moving a little bit more slowly.
” “ We do all the same safety checks and the same processes , but we have been able to speed up how they ’ re done because of Brexit.
” Just hours after the British announcement , President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian authorities to begin mass voluntary vaccinations next week .
Russia will have produced 2 million does of its own vaccine within the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine executive Ralf Rene Reinert said other countries were looking to emulate Britain .
“ I wouldn ’ t make this a race between countries , ” he said .
“ The UK is leading , and now let ’ s see how the other countries move forward .
And Pfizer will do everything to exchange all the data packages with every regulatory agency.
” German Health Minister Jens Spahn said EU member states could have issued similar emergency approvals but Europe had decided to move forward as one .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help promote trust and confidence in this authorisation , ” he said .
Pfizer shares jumped almost 4 % to their highest since July 2019 and BioNTech ’ s U.S.-listed shares rose almost 5 % after hitting record highs on Tuesday .
Global stocks were also higher amid optimism the world can turn a corner in curbing the pandemic , although the gains were more muted than those seen in November when Pfizer published the first trial results .
Britain ’ s MHRA approved the vaccine in record time by doing a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the manufacturing process while Pfizer raced to conclude trials .
“ No corners have been cut , ” MHRA chief June Raine said in a televised briefing from Downing Street , adding that the first data on the vaccine had been received in June and undergone a rigorous analysis to international standards .
“ Safety is our watchword.
” The emergency use approval does not come with any associated volume cap or threshold , Pfizer UK ’ s country manager said .
“ With 450 people dying of COVID-19 infection every day in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine approval outweigh the potential risks , ” said Andrew Hill , senior visiting research fellow in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Liverpool .
U.S. Health Secretary Alex Azar said that the British move should inspire confidence .
“ For the American people this should be very reassuring : an independent regulatory authority in another country has found this vaccine to be safe and effective for use , ” Azar told Fox Business Network .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) will make a decision on emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days or weeks after a panel of outside advisers meets on Dec. 10 .
The FDA often but not always follows the panel ’ s advice .
The European Medicines Agency ( EMA ) said it could give emergency approval for the shot by Dec. 29 , while the World Health Organization said it was reviewing it for “ possible listing for emergency use ” .
“ The data submitted to regulatory agencies around the world are the result of a scientifically rigorous and highly ethical research and development programme , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of BioNTech .
BioNTech said it expected FDA and EMA to make decisions in mid-December .
Britain said it would start vaccinating those most at risk of dying early next week after it gets 800,000 doses from Pfizer ’ s manufacturing centre in Belgium , and UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said tests on that first batch had been completed .
“ I strongly urge people to take up the vaccine but it is no part of our culture or our ambition in this country to make vaccines mandatory , ” Johnson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how fast Pfizer can manufacture and deliver the vaccine – and the extreme temperature of -70C ( -94F ) at which the vaccine must be stored .
It can be kept for five days in a regular fridge .
Britain has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine – enough for just under a third of the population as two shots are needed per person to gain immunity .
Reporting by AP – Guy Faulconbridge and Paul Sandle ; Additional reporting by Kate Kelland , Alistair Smout , Estelle Shirbon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nebehay , Susan Heavey , Francesco Guarascio and Josephine Mas .

BREXIT Britain beat the European Union Health Authorities approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, jumping ahead of the rest of the world in the race to begin the most crucial mass inoculation programme in history with a shot tested in wide-scale clinical trials.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson touted the green light from Britain’s medicine authority as a global win and a ray of hope amid the pandemic, though he recognised the logistical challenges of vaccinating an entire country of 67 million.
Britain’s move raised hopes that the tide could soon turn against a virus that has killed nearly 1.5 million people globally, hammered the world economy and upended normal life for billions since it emerged in Wuhan, China, a year ago.
Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) granted emergency use approval to the vaccine developed by Pfizer and German biotechnology partner BioNTech , which they say is 95% effective in preventing illness, just 23 days after Pfizer published the first data from its final stage clinical trial.
“Fantastic news,” Johnson told parliament, though he cautioned that people should not get carried away.
“At this stage it is very, very important that people do not get their hopes up too soon about the speed with which we will be able to roll out this vaccine.”
The world’s big powers have been racing for a vaccine for months and coming first may be seen as a coup for a government that has faced criticism over its handling of the crisis.
Both the U.S. and EU regulators are sifting through the same Pfizer vaccine trial data, but have yet to give their approval.
EU ‘JEALOUSY’ OVER BRIT SPEED
Britain’s speed drew criticism from Brussels where, in an unusually blunt statement, the EU regulator said its longer procedure was more appropriate as it was based on more evidence.
Johnson might be persuaded to take a COVID-19 jab on television to show it was safe, but he would not have one before those in greater need, his press secretary said.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Times Radio: “The reason we’ve been able to move this fast, and the UK is the first country in the world to have a clinically authorised vaccine, the reason is twofold.
“Firstly, because the MRHA has done a great job of working with the company to look at that data as it’s come through and do things in parallel, rather than one after the other as they normally would, that’s the first reason.
“The second reason is because, whilst until earlier this year we were in the European Medicines Agency (EMA), because of Brexit we’ve been able to make a decision to do this based on the UK regulator, a world-class regulator, and not go at the pace of the Europeans, who are moving a little bit more slowly.”
“We do all the same safety checks and the same processes, but we have been able to speed up how they’re done because of Brexit.”
Just hours after the British announcement, President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian authorities to begin mass voluntary vaccinations next week. Russia will have produced 2 million does of its own vaccine within the next few days, Putin said.
Pfizer vaccine executive Ralf Rene Reinert said other countries were looking to emulate Britain.
“I wouldn’t make this a race between countries,” he said. “The UK is leading, and now let’s see how the other countries move forward. And Pfizer will do everything to exchange all the data packages with every regulatory agency.”
German Health Minister Jens Spahn said EU member states could have issued similar emergency approvals but Europe had decided to move forward as one.
“It’s very important we do this to help promote trust and confidence in this authorisation,” he said.
Pfizer shares jumped almost 4% to their highest since July 2019 and BioNTech’s U.S.-listed shares rose almost 5% after hitting record highs on Tuesday.
Global stocks were also higher amid optimism the world can turn a corner in curbing the pandemic, although the gains were more muted than those seen in November when Pfizer published the first trial results.
‘NO CORNERS CUT’
Britain’s MHRA approved the vaccine in record time by doing a “rolling” concurrent analysis of data and the manufacturing process while Pfizer raced to conclude trials.
“No corners have been cut,” MHRA chief June Raine said in a televised briefing from Downing Street, adding that the first data on the vaccine had been received in June and undergone a rigorous analysis to international standards. “Safety is our watchword.”
The emergency use approval does not come with any associated volume cap or threshold, Pfizer UK’s country manager said.
“With 450 people dying of COVID-19 infection every day in the UK, the benefits of rapid vaccine approval outweigh the potential risks,” said Andrew Hill, senior visiting research fellow in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Liverpool.
U.S. Health Secretary Alex Azar said that the British move should inspire confidence.
“For the American people this should be very reassuring: an independent regulatory authority in another country has found this vaccine to be safe and effective for use,” Azar told Fox Business Network.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will make a decision on emergency use authorization on the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in days or weeks after a panel of outside advisers meets on Dec. 10. The FDA often but not always follows the panel’s advice.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said it could give emergency approval for the shot by Dec. 29, while the World Health Organization said it was reviewing it for “possible listing for emergency use”.
“The data submitted to regulatory agencies around the world are the result of a scientifically rigorous and highly ethical research and development programme,” said Ugur Sahin, chief executive and co-founder of BioNTech.
BioNTech said it expected FDA and EMA to make decisions in mid-December.
Britain said it would start vaccinating those most at risk of dying early next week after it gets 800,000 doses from Pfizer’s manufacturing centre in Belgium, and UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said tests on that first batch had been completed.
“I strongly urge people to take up the vaccine but it is no part of our culture or our ambition in this country to make vaccines mandatory,” Johnson said.
The speed of the rollout depends on how fast Pfizer can manufacture and deliver the vaccine – and the extreme temperature of -70C (-94F) at which the vaccine must be stored. It can be kept for five days in a regular fridge.
Britain has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine – enough for just under a third of the population as two shots are needed per person to gain immunity.
Reporting by AP – Guy Faulconbridge and Paul Sandle; Additional reporting by Kate Kelland, Alistair Smout, Estelle Shirbon, William James, Thomas Escritt, Stephanie Nebehay, Susan Heavey, Francesco Guarascio and Josephine Mas.


politicalite--2020-12-02--DONT DOUBT JUST GET THE VACCINE: Volunteer Believed Jab ‘Saved Her From Covid’

A volunteer on the Pfizer vaccine trial believes it has already prevented her from getting Covid and said she felt “ relief ” at knowing it was safe and working well .
Carrie , 45 , from Missouri in the US believes she got a real dose of the vaccine during the programme , and is “ 100 % ” convinced it protected her when her partner and his son contracted the virus .
She told the PA news agency : “ We ’ re in close quarters , we ’ re in close contact , and I didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of blood to Pfizer afterwards but I didn ’ t contract Covid .
I had no symptoms , nothing.
” “ I have severe asthma and I don ’ t know that I would have had such a great outcome .
I really don ’ t , ” she added .
Asked what she would say to those who had doubts about receiving the Pfizer jab , she responded : “ Don ’ t doubt .
Just get the vaccine.
” More than 43,500 people in six countries have taken part in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pharmaceutical giant and its partner BioNTech .
The trial process is double-blind which means the participants are not told if they are receiving the vaccine or a placebo .
Carrie , who works in publishing , said she was “ thrilled ” when she learned that the UK regulator had approved the preventative treatment , but remained “ jealous ” that it had not yet been given authorisation in the US .
She said that she had felt “ rough for a day or two ” after taking the jab , but added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through that you feel perfectly fine .
“ I can tell you the relief and sense of security that I feel right now , knowing that this is a vaccine that works – really alleviated a lot of anxiety that I had.
” Participants in the trial took two injections – of either the real or false dose – followed by regular visits to test for antibodies .
Bryan , 42 , an engineer from Rome , Georgia in the US , said he feels “ a sense of pride ” after his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he took the placebo after testing negative for antibodies from the virus and the fact that he later caught coronavirus .
Falling ill with the disease made him all the more convinced that people should take the vaccine .
“ I would , especially when you consider the alternative .
The alternative is not pretty .
He added : “ I was a healthy guy , ( around ) 40 years old … I was sick like I ’ ve never been sick before .
I don ’ t think anyone would want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he understood that the speed at which the vaccine was produced may lead some to question it , but insisted : “ I think the public needs to be aware of how safe the vaccine is.
” “ You ’ re always going to be fighting disinformation online and on social media from anti-vaccine ( groups ) and people who frankly just don ’ t know what they ’ re talking about .
“ We have a lot of work to do in that area I think .
It ’ s important people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s safe and that this vaccine is going to save lives .
”

A volunteer on the Pfizer vaccine trial believes it has already prevented her from getting Covid and said she felt “relief” at knowing it was safe and working well.
Carrie, 45, from Missouri in the US believes she got a real dose of the vaccine during the programme, and is “100%” convinced it protected her when her partner and his son contracted the virus.
She told the PA news agency: “We’re in close quarters, we’re in close contact, and I didn’t get it. I gave a lot of blood to Pfizer afterwards but I didn’t contract Covid. I had no symptoms, nothing.”
“I have severe asthma and I don’t know that I would have had such a great outcome. I really don’t,” she added.
Asked what she would say to those who had doubts about receiving the Pfizer jab, she responded: “Don’t doubt. Just get the vaccine.”
More than 43,500 people in six countries have taken part in the phase three trial run by the pharmaceutical giant and its partner BioNTech.
The trial process is double-blind which means the participants are not told if they are receiving the vaccine or a placebo.
Carrie, who works in publishing, said she was “thrilled” when she learned that the UK regulator had approved the preventative treatment, but remained “jealous” that it had not yet been given authorisation in the US.
She said that she had felt “rough for a day or two” after taking the jab, but added: “By the time you get through that you feel perfectly fine.
“I can tell you the relief and sense of security that I feel right now, knowing that this is a vaccine that works – really alleviated a lot of anxiety that I had.”
Participants in the trial took two injections – of either the real or false dose – followed by regular visits to test for antibodies.
Bryan, 42, an engineer from Rome, Georgia in the US, said he feels “a sense of pride” after his part in the trials.
He believes he took the placebo after testing negative for antibodies from the virus and the fact that he later caught coronavirus.
Falling ill with the disease made him all the more convinced that people should take the vaccine.
“I would, especially when you consider the alternative. The alternative is not pretty.
He added: “I was a healthy guy, (around) 40 years old … I was sick like I’ve never been sick before. I don’t think anyone would want to go through that.”
Bryan said he understood that the speed at which the vaccine was produced may lead some to question it, but insisted: “I think the public needs to be aware of how safe the vaccine is.”
“You’re always going to be fighting disinformation online and on social media from anti-vaccine (groups) and people who frankly just don’t know what they’re talking about.
“We have a lot of work to do in that area I think. It’s important people know the facts, that it’s safe and that this vaccine is going to save lives.”
Additional Reporting By The Press Association


politicalite--2020-12-02--KUNG FLU PANNED: Calls for ‘AXE to TV Tax’ As BBC unveils ‘Awful’ Christmas Schedule

THE BBC ’ s Christmas TV offering was panned by viewers who claimed it wasn ’ t worth the mandatory £157.50 a-year TV Licence fee .
The publicly funded corporation is broadcasting a number of repeats in primetime including a re-run of last years Gavin and Stacey special that pulled in more than 11m viewers last Christmas .
Many said they were glad they had Sky and Netflix subscriptions as the BBC offered repeats , outdated children ’ s films , panel shows and the same worn-out programmes that have been on the Beeb every Christmas since at least the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the BBC with shows such as Only Fools and Horses and Doctor Who topping the Christmas TV figures , are no longer a family staple on Christmas Day and have been falling for a number of years , in 2017 viewing figures fell to a record low .
One user told the BBC on Twitter : “ No Dad ’ s Army or Last of the Summer Wine ?
Just what are we paying £157 for these days ?
Thank God for Netflix.
” Steve joked : “ Right up there with your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Margot Parker wrote : “ Thank goodness HM the Queen rescues you for Christmas day !
” Elizabeth wrote : “ So other than Eastenders , and Strictly its all rubbish .
Very disappointing.
” Mike joked : “ Jeez that ’ s awful .
You can ’ t even schedule a marathon right .
What about Kung Fu Panda 2 ?
you monsters.
” Graham added : “ It ’ s hard to describe how awful that line up is on BBC1.
” Paul summed it up with : “ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the channel to watch at Christmas not anymore why on earth do we have to pay an extortionate license fee for this pile of rubbish .
I could think of better programming in my sleep scrap the license fee.
” The BBC defended its festive offering telling Politicalite : “ Audiences appreciate that we are in an exceptional year and Covid has hit TV production , but we have lots of exciting new shows and special episodes for the public to look forward to.
” “ The BBC invests more in British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or service and this year is no different.
” added a BBC spokesperson .
LAST Christmas the BBC won the TV rating war pulling in almost half of the country for the return of the much loved Gavin and Stacey comedy with a staggering 11.6m viewers , but this year it faces a challenge from commercial rival ITV .
The BBC had the biggest audience since 2008 last year and the corporation claimed in the Radio Times : ” It [ was ] the most-watched show on Christmas Day , or over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In fact , it ’ s the biggest overnight audience we ’ ve seen on Christmas Day since 2008 , when Wallace & Gromit ’ s A Matter of Loaf and Death smashed records with 14.3 million .
That same year , more than 12 million also tuned in to EastEnders and Doctor Who.
” This year , however , the BBC is facing a Total Wipeout from ITV who is bringing in the big guns for a special ITV Daytime and Primetime for a Christmas extravaganza on Christmas Day .
ITV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Epic Gameshows including a ‘ The Price Is Right Christmas Special ’ and Jeremy Clarkson will be back for Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and Ant and Dec along with Cat Deeley will host ‘ The Story of SM : TV Live ’ – the UK ’ s most loved Saturday Morning kids show .
Piers Morgan , Susanna Reid , Lorraine , Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby will also broadcast LIVE on ITV on Christmas Morning .
An ITV source told Politicalite : “ There are so many uncertainties around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is guaranteed is that December 25th will be even more special than usual on ITV.
” Starting at 7am GMB will relive the moments created by the real stars of 2020 – celebrating Covid heroes up and down the country , from the likes of Captain Sir Tom to the incredible staff of the NHS who saved so many lives .
“ The Queen of Daytime , Lorraine , will also serve up an hour of heart-warming fun from 9am onwards .
The TV presenter will be letting viewers into the secrets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and laughter with some special guests .
Plus , her family of regular experts will be providing fashion and beauty inspiration to make sure you treat yourself too.
” “ Then , get ready for for an extra helping of festive cheer at 10am when , for the first time ever , Phillip and Holly will be hosting a special episode of This Morning on Christmas Day .
Packed full of heart-warming surprises , special guests , and of course favourite familiar faces – join the This Morning family as they celebrate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain ’ s Got Talent is also back for a spectacular Christmas special as the ITV show welcome to the stage the most memorable and talented acts from the past 14 years .
“ Keeping the festivities in order will be the nation ’ s favourite presenting duo , Ant and Dec .
Joining them will be our judging panel Amanda Holden , Alesha Dixon , David Walliams and Ashley Banjo , who will be ready to be impressed by a whole host of talent.
” said ITV .
ITV will also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ The Savoy at Christmas ’ and Gary Barlow will be entertaining ITV viewers with a festive special ITV told us : “ We have commissioned a one-off music special that promises to be a truly spectacular event held at a magnificent venue and featuring one of the UK ’ s biggest stars.
” “ Gary Barlow ’ s Night At The Museum will see the award-winning singer songwriter performing both new music , from his new album ‘ Music Played By Humans ’ , and some of his greatest hits accompanied by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London ’ s iconic Natural History Museum.
” “ Gary will be joined through the night by a range of special guests , including global superstar and friend Michael Bublé .
Guaranteed to be the hottest ticket in town , ITV viewers will have a front-row seat at this exclusive music event.
” added an ITV spokesperson .
Will you be watching the BBC or ITV this Christmas ?

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THE BBC’s Christmas TV offering was panned by viewers who claimed it wasn’t worth the mandatory £157.50 a-year TV Licence fee.
The publicly funded corporation is broadcasting a number of repeats in primetime including a re-run of last years Gavin and Stacey special that pulled in more than 11m viewers last Christmas.
Many said they were glad they had Sky and Netflix subscriptions as the BBC offered repeats, outdated children’s films, panel shows and the same worn-out programmes that have been on the Beeb every Christmas since at least the early 2010s.
Christmas Day shows on the BBC with shows such as Only Fools and Horses and Doctor Who topping the Christmas TV figures, are no longer a family staple on Christmas Day and have been falling for a number of years, in 2017 viewing figures fell to a record low.
One user told the BBC on Twitter: “No Dad’s Army or Last of the Summer Wine? Just what are we paying £157 for these days? Thank God for Netflix.”
Steve joked: “Right up there with your schedule for a Tuesday afternoon in February.”
Margot Parker wrote: “Thank goodness HM the Queen rescues you for Christmas day!”
Another added: “Thank f*ck I have Sky.”
Elizabeth wrote: “So other than Eastenders, and Strictly its all rubbish. Very disappointing.”
Mike joked: “Jeez that’s awful. You can’t even schedule a marathon right. What about Kung Fu Panda 2? you monsters.”
Graham added: “It’s hard to describe how awful that line up is on BBC1.”
Paul summed it up with: “What an absolute joke the bbc used to be the channel to watch at Christmas not anymore why on earth do we have to pay an extortionate license fee for this pile of rubbish. I could think of better programming in my sleep scrap the license fee.”
The BBC defended its festive offering telling Politicalite: “Audiences appreciate that we are in an exceptional year and Covid has hit TV production, but we have lots of exciting new shows and special episodes for the public to look forward to.”
“The BBC invests more in British content at Christmas than any other broadcaster or service and this year is no different.” added a BBC spokesperson.
THE CHRISTMAS RATINGS WAR
LAST Christmas the BBC won the TV rating war pulling in almost half of the country for the return of the much loved Gavin and Stacey comedy with a staggering 11.6m viewers, but this year it faces a challenge from commercial rival ITV.
The BBC had the biggest audience since 2008 last year and the corporation claimed in the Radio Times:”It [was] the most-watched show on Christmas Day, or over the entire festive period, this decade.”
“In fact, it’s the biggest overnight audience we’ve seen on Christmas Day since 2008, when Wallace & Gromit’s A Matter of Loaf and Death smashed records with 14.3 million. That same year, more than 12 million also tuned in to EastEnders and Doctor Who.”
This year, however, the BBC is facing a Total Wipeout from ITV who is bringing in the big guns for a special ITV Daytime and Primetime for a Christmas extravaganza on Christmas Day.
ITV will showcase Alan Carr with the rerun of Epic Gameshows including a ‘The Price Is Right Christmas Special’ and Jeremy Clarkson will be back for Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and Ant and Dec along with Cat Deeley will host ‘The Story of SM:TV Live’ – the UK’s most loved Saturday Morning kids show.
Piers Morgan, Susanna Reid, Lorraine, Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby will also broadcast LIVE on ITV on Christmas Morning.
An ITV source told Politicalite: “There are so many uncertainties around Christmas this year – but one thing that is guaranteed is that December 25th will be even more special than usual on ITV.”
Starting at 7am GMB will relive the moments created by the real stars of 2020 – celebrating Covid heroes up and down the country, from the likes of Captain Sir Tom to the incredible staff of the NHS who saved so many lives.
“The Queen of Daytime, Lorraine, will also serve up an hour of heart-warming fun from 9am onwards. The TV presenter will be letting viewers into the secrets of her festive period and sharing joy and laughter with some special guests. Plus, her family of regular experts will be providing fashion and beauty inspiration to make sure you treat yourself too.”
“Then, get ready for for an extra helping of festive cheer at 10am when, for the first time ever, Phillip and Holly will be hosting a special episode of This Morning on Christmas Day. Packed full of heart-warming surprises, special guests, and of course favourite familiar faces – join the This Morning family as they celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.”
Britain’s Got Talent is also back for a spectacular Christmas special as the ITV show welcome to the stage the most memorable and talented acts from the past 14 years.
“Keeping the festivities in order will be the nation’s favourite presenting duo, Ant and Dec. Joining them will be our judging panel Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, David Walliams and Ashley Banjo, who will be ready to be impressed by a whole host of talent.” said ITV.
ITV will also be showcasing London’s top hotel with ‘The Savoy at Christmas’ and Gary Barlow will be entertaining ITV viewers with a festive special
ITV told us: “We have commissioned a one-off music special that promises to be a truly spectacular event held at a magnificent venue and featuring one of the UK’s biggest stars.”
“Gary Barlow’s Night At The Museum will see the award-winning singer songwriter performing both new music, from his new album ‘Music Played By Humans’, and some of his greatest hits accompanied by an orchestra in the splendid setting of London’s iconic Natural History Museum.”
“Gary will be joined through the night by a range of special guests, including global superstar and friend Michael Bublé. Guaranteed to be the hottest ticket in town, ITV viewers will have a front-row seat at this exclusive music event.” added an ITV spokesperson.
Will you be watching the BBC or ITV this Christmas?


politicalite--2020-12-02--BAD DIET: Billy Joe Saunders Believes Cakes Spoil His Fight Prep

BILLY Joe Saunders has feared his diet of cakes could cost him dear as he prepares to return to the ring for the first time in 13 months against Martin Murray on Friday night .
The WBO super-middleweight champion conceded his own devotion to the sport pales when compared with that of 38-year-old Murray , who has come up short in four previous world title bids , all overseas .
Saunders said : “ Martin is obviously a good family man and he lives the life outside the gym probably better than me – maybe that makes it more equal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weight ) like a fat pig so he ’ s in camp training all the time while I ’ m sitting back eating cakes , then I get a phone call saying this is what you ’ re getting , go to camp and train and fight.
” Saunders knows he needs to change that mentality if he is to shrug off the disappointment of his two most recent performances , and re-assert his claims to a crack at the division ’ s number one , Saul ‘ Canelo ’ Alvarez .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mexican prior to the outbreak of coronavirus , and now domestic rival Callum Smith has agreed to undertake the daunting challenge later this month .
Saunders added : “ I don ’ t put pressure on myself , but obviously if I ’ m chasing the winner of Callum Smith and Canelo , I know I ’ ve got to do something that no-one ’ s done – I have to shine against Martin Murray.
” Murray has suffered heartbreak in all of his previous title bids , including a brave points defeat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martinez in Buenos Aires in April 2013 .
But despite the display of mutual respect between the two men , Murray is convinced all his setbacks have set him up to make it fifth time lucky on Friday night .
Murray said : “ This is my fifth one now and I really rate Billy Joe , but I truly believe that all the pull-outs and setbacks I have had have got me to this point .
“ I ’ m fit and focused and ready .
I don ’ t watch much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few of Billy ’ s fights and I know he ’ s going to be ready on Friday night , so I ’ m ready for the elite Billy Joe .
”

BILLY Joe Saunders has feared his diet of cakes could cost him dear as he prepares to return to the ring for the first time in 13 months against Martin Murray on Friday night.
The WBO super-middleweight champion conceded his own devotion to the sport pales when compared with that of 38-year-old Murray, who has come up short in four previous world title bids, all overseas.
Saunders said: “Martin is obviously a good family man and he lives the life outside the gym probably better than me – maybe that makes it more equal.
“I go up (in weight) like a fat pig so he’s in camp training all the time while I’m sitting back eating cakes, then I get a phone call saying this is what you’re getting, go to camp and train and fight.”
Saunders knows he needs to change that mentality if he is to shrug off the disappointment of his two most recent performances, and re-assert his claims to a crack at the division’s number one, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
The 31-year-old had been slated to face the Mexican prior to the outbreak of coronavirus, and now domestic rival Callum Smith has agreed to undertake the daunting challenge later this month.
Saunders added: “I don’t put pressure on myself, but obviously if I’m chasing the winner of Callum Smith and Canelo, I know I’ve got to do something that no-one’s done – I have to shine against Martin Murray.”
Murray has suffered heartbreak in all of his previous title bids, including a brave points defeat to the then world number one Sergio Martinez in Buenos Aires in April 2013.
But despite the display of mutual respect between the two men, Murray is convinced all his setbacks have set him up to make it fifth time lucky on Friday night.
Murray said: “This is my fifth one now and I really rate Billy Joe, but I truly believe that all the pull-outs and setbacks I have had have got me to this point.
“I’m fit and focused and ready. I don’t watch much boxing but I’ve seen a few of Billy’s fights and I know he’s going to be ready on Friday night, so I’m ready for the elite Billy Joe.”
Additional Reporting By The Press Association


politicalite--2020-12-01--QUIET CHRISTMAS: Queen And Phillip Planning For Festivities At Windsor Castle

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will spend Christmas just as a couple at Windsor Castle after deciding to enjoy the festive period “ quietly ” .
The head of state and Philip normally host their large family at Sandringham in Norfolk over the holidays and are watched by hundreds as they attend church on Christmas Day .
But in a reflection of the Christmas celebration choices being made by families across the country , the couple have said they will remain at Windsor Castle where they have spent much of the lockdown .
The Queen and her consort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are expected to see some members of their family briefly in accordance with guidelines but Christmas celebrations are likely to involve just the couple .
It is understood the Queen will not be attending church on Christmas Day to avoid large crowds of well-wishers gathering .
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said : “ Having considered all the appropriate advice , the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have decided that this year they will spend Christmas quietly in Windsor.
” The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will spend Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but are expected to see the Queen and Philip at Windsor over the holidays , with Camilla also visiting her family .
It is not known where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will celebrate the festive period but they may , as they have in the past , spend it with Kate ’ s parents who live in the same county as the Queen in the Berkshire village of Bucklebury .
William could visit his grandparents with his family and remain socially distanced .
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relaxation of the coronavirus rules , three households can mix from December 23 to 27 , but the bubble must be exclusive over the five-day period , meaning people can not shift from one group to another .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned families they must make a “ personal judgment ” about the risks of coronavirus to vulnerable loved ones .
The restrictions also mean the Queen will not be able to host her traditional pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace when the wider royal family usually gathers each year for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Queen and duke are fortunate to have enjoyed large Christmas gatherings in the past but they are also aware family members will have competing demands on their time over the festive period and are content to enjoy the period quietly .
Last year , those joining the monarch in Norfolk included Charles and Camilla , William and Kate , Prince George , Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis , the Duke of York , Princess Beatrice and her then fiance Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi , the Princess Royal and the Earl and Countess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of the lockdown at Windsor Castle being looked after by a reduced number of staff dubbed HMS Bubble .
During the 1960s , when the Queen ’ s children were young , many Christmases were celebrated at Windsor .
But since 1988 , when the castle was being rewired , royal Christmases returned to Sandringham .

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will spend Christmas just as a couple at Windsor Castle after deciding to enjoy the festive period “quietly”.
The head of state and Philip normally host their large family at Sandringham in Norfolk over the holidays and are watched by hundreds as they attend church on Christmas Day.
But in a reflection of the Christmas celebration choices being made by families across the country, the couple have said they will remain at Windsor Castle where they have spent much of the lockdown.
The Queen and her consort, who are both in their 90s, are expected to see some members of their family briefly in accordance with guidelines but Christmas celebrations are likely to involve just the couple.
It is understood the Queen will not be attending church on Christmas Day to avoid large crowds of well-wishers gathering.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “Having considered all the appropriate advice, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have decided that this year they will spend Christmas quietly in Windsor.”
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will spend Christmas Day at Highgrove, their Gloucestershire home, but are expected to see the Queen and Philip at Windsor over the holidays, with Camilla also visiting her family.
It is not known where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will celebrate the festive period but they may, as they have in the past, spend it with Kate’s parents who live in the same county as the Queen in the Berkshire village of Bucklebury.
William could visit his grandparents with his family and remain socially distanced.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will remain in the US.
Under a relaxation of the coronavirus rules, three households can mix from December 23 to 27, but the bubble must be exclusive over the five-day period, meaning people cannot shift from one group to another.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned families they must make a “personal judgment” about the risks of coronavirus to vulnerable loved ones.
The restrictions also mean the Queen will not be able to host her traditional pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace when the wider royal family usually gathers each year for a get-together a week or so before Christmas.
The Queen and duke are fortunate to have enjoyed large Christmas gatherings in the past but they are also aware family members will have competing demands on their time over the festive period and are content to enjoy the period quietly.
Last year, those joining the monarch in Norfolk included Charles and Camilla, William and Kate, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, the Duke of York, Princess Beatrice and her then fiance Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, the Princess Royal and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
The couple have spent much of the lockdown at Windsor Castle being looked after by a reduced number of staff dubbed HMS Bubble.
During the 1960s, when the Queen’s children were young, many Christmases were celebrated at Windsor.
But since 1988, when the castle was being rewired, royal Christmases returned to Sandringham.


politicalite--2020-12-04--MARKS AND SHARPS: Male, 57 Arrested After Burnley M&S ‘Stabbing Spree’

A MUSLIM Man from Burnley was arrested after a Marks & Spencer worker and a shopper were stabbed in a store has been detained under the Mental Health Act .
The 57-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a member of staff in her 40s and a shopper in her 60s suffered stab injuries in the attack in Burnley at 9.30am on Wednesday .
The man has been detained for 28 days for an assessment of his mental health , Lancashire police confirmed today .
MailOnline reported that the knife attack – which is not being treated as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the High Street after the national coronavirus lockdown was lifted and all shops reopened on ‘ Wild Wednesday.
’ Footage from the scene captured a man in a face mask being detained by officers outside the Marks & Spencer store yesterday morning .
The 57-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a member of staff in her 40s and a shopper in her 60s suffered stab injuries in the attack in Burnley at 9.30am on Wednesday Police said : “ Our inquiries into this incident are ongoing and I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the public who may have seen or filmed this incident , or who have information which could assist , to get in touch with us.
” “ Mercifully , while the injuries caused in this incident were serious , they are not life-threatening and the two women involved are continuing to receive the support of specially trained police officers .
”

A MUSLIM Man from Burnley was arrested after a Marks & Spencer worker and a shopper were stabbed in a store has been detained under the Mental Health Act.
The 57-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a member of staff in her 40s and a shopper in her 60s suffered stab injuries in the attack in Burnley at 9.30am on Wednesday.
The man has been detained for 28 days for an assessment of his mental health, Lancashire police confirmed today.
MailOnline reported that the knife attack – which is not being treated as terrorism – came as shoppers flocked back to the High Street after the national coronavirus lockdown was lifted and all shops reopened on ‘Wild Wednesday.’
Footage from the scene captured a man in a face mask being detained by officers outside the Marks & Spencer store yesterday morning.
Man arrested in Burnley for stabbing two people outside Marks and Spencer, injuries thought to be serious but not life threatening. pic.twitter.com/NntlUXewau — Stevie (@StevieeeWx) December 2, 2020
The 57-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a member of staff in her 40s and a shopper in her 60s suffered stab injuries in the attack in Burnley at 9.30am on Wednesday
Police said: “Our inquiries into this incident are ongoing and I would like to continue to appeal to members of the public who may have seen or filmed this incident, or who have information which could assist, to get in touch with us.”
“Mercifully, while the injuries caused in this incident were serious, they are not life-threatening and the two women involved are continuing to receive the support of specially trained police officers.”


politicalite--2020-12-04--EVERY LITTLE HELPS: Tesco Backs Our Campaign To #FeedThem This Christmas

TESCO has moved mountains to support Politicalite ’ s Christmas Appeal to help feed the homeless in Greater Manchester on Christmas Day amid the Coronavirus pandemic , we are proud to reveal .
Currently , there are over 280,000 people Homeless in the UK – with 5,564 Brits living rough in Greater Manchester alone and Politicalite is raising funds for Bolton-based charity Homeless Aid UK .
The UK ’ s biggest supermarket pledged to supply Turkey ’ s and Trimmings amid their own campaign urging shoppers to donate to the UK ’ s biggest food collection and support disadvantaged families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Food Charities Trussell Trust and FareShare .
Our Editor has personally pledged £300 – that ’ s 20 large frozen turkeys at Tesco ’ s price and 210 meals for the homeless .
Tesco ’ s generous contribution along with our readers donations over the past few days will mean we can now supply approximately 490 meals this Christmas , but we can still do more .
Last year generous Tesco shoppers donated more than 3million meals-worth of food during the collection .
Tesco will once again be topping up the value of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash .
Speaking about Tesco ’ s own festive charity campaign to help FareShare last month , it ’ s Chief Executive Emma Revie said : “ The pandemic has shown the power of what happens when we stand together in the face of adversity and how much people are willing to give in order to support their local community.
” We had planned to help two Charities in the UK called ‘ Bolton Community Kitchen ’ a charity in my hometown and we will be helping another called ‘ Homeless Aid UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Christmas Day night in Manchester to provide hot food to those who need it most .
One of the charities , the Bolton Community Kitchen is in dire need of help too , the Chairman Gareth told Politicalite earlier this week : “ We usually do a Christmas party [ for the homeless ] But with everything going on we can ’ t this year.
” “ We are also looking for new premises , we have two weeks left on our lease agreement so at the moment we don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So please help us spread Christmas joy this festive season and donate whatever you can to help us feed the homeless .
Our Editor Jordan James said : “ Christmas might be about presents , but there is a world outside your window , and the best present you can give this Christmas is a hot meal for someone who desperately needs it .
So please donate what you can to help us spread some Christmas joy to those who need it most .
”

TESCO has moved mountains to support Politicalite’s Christmas Appeal to help feed the homeless in Greater Manchester on Christmas Day amid the Coronavirus pandemic, we are proud to reveal.
Currently, there are over 280,000 people Homeless in the UK – with 5,564 Brits living rough in Greater Manchester alone and Politicalite is raising funds for Bolton-based charity Homeless Aid UK.
The UK’s biggest supermarket pledged to supply Turkey’s and Trimmings amid their own campaign urging shoppers to donate to the UK’s biggest food collection and support disadvantaged families over the COVID-19 festive period via the Food Charities Trussell Trust and FareShare.
Our Editor has personally pledged £300 – that’s 20 large frozen turkeys at Tesco’s price and 210 meals for the homeless. Tesco’s generous contribution along with our readers donations over the past few days will mean we can now supply approximately 490 meals this Christmas, but we can still do more.
Last year generous Tesco shoppers donated more than 3million meals-worth of food during the collection. Tesco will once again be topping up the value of donations with an additional 20% in cash.
Speaking about Tesco’s own festive charity campaign to help FareShare last month, it’s Chief Executive Emma Revie said: “The pandemic has shown the power of what happens when we stand together in the face of adversity and how much people are willing to give in order to support their local community.”
We had planned to help two Charities in the UK called ‘Bolton Community Kitchen’ a charity in my hometown and we will be helping another called ‘Homeless Aid UK’ and our Editor will help out on Christmas Day night in Manchester to provide hot food to those who need it most.
One of the charities, the Bolton Community Kitchen is in dire need of help too, the Chairman Gareth told Politicalite earlier this week: “We usually do a Christmas party [for the homeless] But with everything going on we can’t this year.”
“We are also looking for new premises, we have two weeks left on our lease agreement so at the moment we don’t know what we will be doing.”
So please help us spread Christmas joy this festive season and donate whatever you can to help us feed the homeless.
Our Editor Jordan James said: “Christmas might be about presents, but there is a world outside your window, and the best present you can give this Christmas is a hot meal for someone who desperately needs it. So please donate what you can to help us spread some Christmas joy to those who need it most.”


politicalite--2020-12-03--PFIZER VACCINE: Rollout To Present ‘Logistical Challenges’ As UK Gets First Covid Jab

The first doses of the approved coronavirus vaccine are due to arrive in the UK on Thursday as the country battles with logistical challenges in administering it to those at the top of the priority list .
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam , deputy chief medical officer for England , confirmed the jab from Pfizer and BioNTech – approved by the UK medicines regulator on Wednesday – will hit British shores in “ hours , not days ” .
The UK became the first country in the world to give the go-ahead to the vaccine , paving the way for vaccinations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer jab , enough to vaccinate 20 million people with two doses , given 21 days apart .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said 800,000 doses of the jab will arrive next week , while BioNTech chief commercial officer Sean Marett confirmed the UK is likely to receive at least five million doses by the end of the year – half of its initial 2020 order due to a production scaleback .
Issues surrounding storage temperature and how many times it can be transported have prompted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ logistical challenges ” in the Pfizer rollout , with experts warning that people in care homes might face a delay in receiving immunisation from the disease .
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation ( JCVI ) , which advises ministers , has recommended care home residents and staff should be the top priority .
Sir Simon Stevens , chief executive of NHS England , told a Downing Street press briefing that the jab must be stored at such low temperatures – minus 70C – that it could only be moved a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large quantities , making it difficult to administer in care homes .
There is not yet approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) to split the vaccine boxes containing 975 doses , meaning it would be wasted if sent to individual residential homes , according to NHS officials .
Liam Smeeth , a non-executive director of the MHRA , told BBC Radio 4 ’ s Today programme that splitting the boxes was “ being considered ” by the regulator but “ whatever they do , they will stick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wales ’ s chief medical officer Dr Frank Atherton confirmed the prioritisation list would have to be tempered as the devolved government would need to use mass vaccination centres which involved “ people moving towards the vaccine ” .
Professor Anthony Harnden , deputy chairman of the JCVI , said the vaccine priority list was designed to be flexible .
“ Our clear remit was to decide on prioritisation groups but that there were going to be vaccine product storage , transport and administration constraints , and individual local circumstances , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have advised in our statement that there is flexibility at an approach to this list according to what was actually feasible and logistical on the ground , so this is not wholly unexpected , but the clear list that we have drawn out is a list of priority in terms of vulnerability.
” Prof Harnden called for a “ very small degree of patience ” , with other vaccines – which could have fewer issues with transport and storage – “ in the pipeline ” .
It is hoped that the Oxford/AstraZeneca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will allow for easier administration on a mass scale as it can be stored at normal fridge-like temperatures .
Professor Ugur Sahin , co-founder of BioNTech , agreed that the rollout of the vaccine was a “ challenge ” .
Pfizer and BioNTech have said the jab can be sent to care homes as long as it travels for no more than six hours after it leaves cold storage and is then put in a normal fridge at 2C to 8C .
Prof Sahin told Good Morning Britain : “ I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collaborating with each other will identify the easiest path to make this vaccine accessible to everyone who needs it.
” Despite the hurdles , Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said Covid-19 will be defeated by the spring .
Asked if he was confident the whole nation will have had two vaccinations by the spring , he told Sky News : “ It ’ s over the coming months we ’ re going to see the rollout .
Further plans will be outlined.
” Information obtained by the PA news agency says that once the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s plant in Belgium , batches will be checked at a central depot to ensure their quality .
Public Health England will process orders placed by the NHS for next-day delivery to hospital hubs around the UK .
Meanwhile , a further 648 people had died in the UK within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday , while there were a further 16,170 lab-confirmed cases .

The first doses of the approved coronavirus vaccine are due to arrive in the UK on Thursday as the country battles with logistical challenges in administering it to those at the top of the priority list.
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer for England, confirmed the jab from Pfizer and BioNTech – approved by the UK medicines regulator on Wednesday – will hit British shores in “hours, not days”.
The UK became the first country in the world to give the go-ahead to the vaccine, paving the way for vaccinations to start next week.
The country has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer jab, enough to vaccinate 20 million people with two doses, given 21 days apart.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said 800,000 doses of the jab will arrive next week, while BioNTech chief commercial officer Sean Marett confirmed the UK is likely to receive at least five million doses by the end of the year – half of its initial 2020 order due to a production scaleback.
Issues surrounding storage temperature and how many times it can be transported have prompted the Prime Minister to warn of “immense logistical challenges” in the Pfizer rollout, with experts warning that people in care homes might face a delay in receiving immunisation from the disease.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises ministers, has recommended care home residents and staff should be the top priority.
Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, told a Downing Street press briefing that the jab must be stored at such low temperatures – minus 70C – that it could only be moved a few times and could only be shifted in large quantities, making it difficult to administer in care homes.
There is not yet approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to split the vaccine boxes containing 975 doses, meaning it would be wasted if sent to individual residential homes, according to NHS officials.
Liam Smeeth, a non-executive director of the MHRA, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that splitting the boxes was “being considered” by the regulator but “whatever they do, they will stick to keeping it safe and effective”.
Wales’s chief medical officer Dr Frank Atherton confirmed the prioritisation list would have to be tempered as the devolved government would need to use mass vaccination centres which involved “people moving towards the vaccine”.
Professor Anthony Harnden, deputy chairman of the JCVI, said the vaccine priority list was designed to be flexible.
“Our clear remit was to decide on prioritisation groups but that there were going to be vaccine product storage, transport and administration constraints, and individual local circumstances,” he told the Today programme.
“We have advised in our statement that there is flexibility at an approach to this list according to what was actually feasible and logistical on the ground, so this is not wholly unexpected, but the clear list that we have drawn out is a list of priority in terms of vulnerability.”
Prof Harnden called for a “very small degree of patience”, with other vaccines – which could have fewer issues with transport and storage – “in the pipeline”.
It is hoped that the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab, if approved by the regulator, will allow for easier administration on a mass scale as it can be stored at normal fridge-like temperatures.
Professor Ugur Sahin, co-founder of BioNTech, agreed that the rollout of the vaccine was a “challenge”.
Pfizer and BioNTech have said the jab can be sent to care homes as long as it travels for no more than six hours after it leaves cold storage and is then put in a normal fridge at 2C to 8C.
Prof Sahin told Good Morning Britain: “I am sure that the experts who are closely collaborating with each other will identify the easiest path to make this vaccine accessible to everyone who needs it.”
Despite the hurdles, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said Covid-19 will be defeated by the spring.
Asked if he was confident the whole nation will have had two vaccinations by the spring, he told Sky News: “It’s over the coming months we’re going to see the rollout. Further plans will be outlined.”
Information obtained by the PA news agency says that once the vaccine arrives in the UK from Pfizer’s plant in Belgium, batches will be checked at a central depot to ensure their quality.
Public Health England will process orders placed by the NHS for next-day delivery to hospital hubs around the UK.
Meanwhile, a further 648 people had died in the UK within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday, while there were a further 16,170 lab-confirmed cases.


politicalite--2020-12-04--EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool Cllr Accuses Mayor Joe ‘Quimby’ Anderson of ‘Stealing £1 BILLION’ from Developm

EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool Cllr Accuses Mayor Joe ‘Quimby’ Anderson of ‘Stealing £1 BILLION’ from Development Schemes

LIVERPOOL Mayor Joe Anderson was arrested Friday in connection with bribery and witness intimidation offences , but Politicalite can reveal that the Mayor dubbed ‘ Joe Quimby ’ of the North is linked to missing funds from Development Schemes in the Liverpool City Region .
The Mayor has been suspended from the Labour Party after he was arrested in connection with a fraud probe into building deals in the city , sources have said .
Anderson , 62 , was arrested by Merseyside Police along with four other men as part of a police probe into building and development contracts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader and Cllr Richard Kemp CBE told Politicalite that Anderson caused major issues after he backed a Zipwire which would have ‘ disneyfied ’ 4 Grade 2* or Grade1 listed buildings in our City Centre .
This was pulled at the last minute .
Kemp also told us : “ Between £500k and £1 billion has gone missing on development schemes in Liverpool.
” “ Our Director of Regeneration , appointed by Joe , has been arrested twice , and his wife once .
2 developers are being arrested one of whom , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his flat ( as one does ) .
” “ Our Regen Director has been on Gardening leave at a cost of £10k a month since mid December .
Police , local and national , are crawling all over a large number of developers in the City.
” added Kemp .
He also revealed : “ 8 months after two residential care homes for people with dementia were built at a cost of £15 million the Council said they were going to be closed .
After an 8 week campaign the Mayor reversed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October after slamming the Government ’ s old tiered lockdown system for offering little financial support to Northern businesses facing collapse under the harshest restrictions .
Police said a 62-year-old was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation .
The 62-year-old is believed to be Anderson – who hit the headlines in October with his vocal criticism of the Government .
Liverpool was the first English region to be put into the top Tier Three – prior to the country ’ s second national lockdown – as cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government of railroading through its Tier Three measures for the city without local leaders agreeing to anything back in October .
His pushback came alongside criticism from Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham , who also blasted the rules – with affected vast swathes of the North .
A 72-year-old and a 25-year-old were arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation .
Two other men – aged 46 and 33 – were accused of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation .
The Labour Party politician has led the city since 2010 and has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secured the Labour Party selection to run to be Mayor of the city for a third term at May ’ s delayed elections .
A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said : ‘ Liverpool City Council is co-operating with Merseyside Police in relation to its ongoing investigation .
We do not comment on matters relating to individuals .
’

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LIVERPOOL Mayor Joe Anderson was arrested Friday in connection with bribery and witness intimidation offences, but Politicalite can reveal that the Mayor dubbed ‘Joe Quimby’ of the North is linked to missing funds from Development Schemes in the Liverpool City Region.
The Mayor has been suspended from the Labour Party after he was arrested in connection with a fraud probe into building deals in the city, sources have said.
Anderson, 62, was arrested by Merseyside Police along with four other men as part of a police probe into building and development contracts in the city.
Liverpool Liberal Democrat Leader and Cllr Richard Kemp CBE told Politicalite that Anderson caused major issues after he backed a Zipwire which would have ‘disneyfied’ 4 Grade 2* or Grade1 listed buildings in our City Centre. This was pulled at the last minute.
Kemp also told us: “Between £500k and £1 billion has gone missing on development schemes in Liverpool.”
“Our Director of Regeneration, appointed by Joe, has been arrested twice, and his wife once. 2 developers are being arrested one of whom, Elliot lawless had £300,000 of cash in his flat (as one does).”
“Our Regen Director has been on Gardening leave at a cost of £10k a month since mid December. Police, local and national, are crawling all over a large number of developers in the City.” added Kemp.
He also revealed: “8 months after two residential care homes for people with dementia were built at a cost of £15 million the Council said they were going to be closed. After an 8 week campaign the Mayor reversed the decision.”
Anderson shot to prominence in October after slamming the Government’s old tiered lockdown system for offering little financial support to Northern businesses facing collapse under the harshest restrictions.
Police said a 62-year-old was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation.
The 62-year-old is believed to be Anderson – who hit the headlines in October with his vocal criticism of the Government.
QUIMBY OF THE NORTH
Liverpool was the first English region to be put into the top Tier Three – prior to the country’s second national lockdown – as cases surged in the city.
He accused the Government of railroading through its Tier Three measures for the city without local leaders agreeing to anything back in October.
His pushback came alongside criticism from Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who also blasted the rules – with affected vast swathes of the North.
A 72-year-old and a 25-year-old were arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation.
Two other men – aged 46 and 33 – were accused of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation.
The Labour Party politician has led the city since 2010 and has been Mayor since 2012.
Last year he secured the Labour Party selection to run to be Mayor of the city for a third term at May’s delayed elections.
A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: ‘Liverpool City Council is co-operating with Merseyside Police in relation to its ongoing investigation. We do not comment on matters relating to individuals.’
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