skynewspolitics--2020-02-04--PM accused of 'moving goalposts' as petrol and diesel car ban brought forward

In 15 years the only new option for UK motorists will be electric cars , under the new plans Boris Johnson has been accused by the car industry of `` moving the goalposts '' as he confirmed plans to phase out new petrol , diesel and hybrid cars by 2035 .
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders ( SMMT ) said the plan to bring forward the change from 2040 was `` extremely concerning '' and accused the PM of setting a `` date without a plan '' .
It came as efforts to step up the battle against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aviation industry firms publicly pledging to cut the sector 's emissions to net zero by 2050 .
Yet that promise , backed by airlines including British Airways and easyJet and lauded by the government , was also under fire - described as a `` flight of fancy '' by Greenpeace .
The pledge on cars came as Boris Johnson launched a climate change summit , COP 26 , to be held in Glasgow in November .
While bringing forward the ban on selling new petrol and diesel vehicles , it includes hybrid models @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 15 years the only new option for UK motorists will be electric cars .
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said : `` It 's extremely concerning that government has seemingly moved the goalposts for consumers and industry on such a critical issue . ''
Mr Hawes insisted that car makers were `` fully invested in a zero emissions future '' with dozens of plug-in models on the market already and more to come this year .
`` However , with current demand for this still expensive technology still just a fraction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an already very challenging ambition will take more than industry investment , '' he added .
: : Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Hawes said the UK 's charging network was `` woefully inadequate '' , adding that there was still no clarity on whether discounts currently available to electric car buyers would be extended beyond this spring .
The new plans come at a time when the car industry is already struggling , with new vehicle sales in 2019 falling to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and major manufacturers worried about whether their businesses will be sustainable under a `` hard '' Brexit arrangement .
Denmark , Ireland , the Netherlands and Sweden are ahead of the UK 's timetable , with their petrol and diesel bans coming into force in 2030 .
Transport secretary Grant Shapps had already signalled last September that the government wanted to bring forward the date from 2040 .
But Mr Hawes said : `` A date without a plan will merely destroy value today . ''
He called for the government to set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aims while safeguarding jobs and industry , allowing lower income groups to benefit , and not undermining hybrid technology that was helping to deliver air quality and climate change goals .
On the other side of the debate , Friends of the Earth called for the ban to be brought forward even earlier , to 2030 , and for the government also to pull support for `` more climate-wrecking roads and runways '' .
The PM 's plans to boost his green credentials have been helped by the backing of Sir David Attenborogh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maker .
Speaking ahead of the climate change summit launch , Mr Johnson said : `` There can be no greater responsibility than protecting our planet , and no mission that a global Britain is prouder to serve .
`` 2020 must be the year we turn the tide on global warming - it will be the year when we choose a cleaner , greener future for all . ''
However Mr Johnson 's leadership on climate change was called into question by Claire O'Neill , who was sacked by the prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summit .
She said that while the PM was pledging to put the issue among the `` Premier League '' of priorities , it was `` currently somewhere around the middle of League One '' .
It came as air industry group Sustainable Aviation - a coalition of airlines , aeroplane makers and airport operators - announced its plans to tackle emissions .
The aviation pledge relies on more efficient aircraft and more sustainable fuels as well as the controversial use of offsetting - which relies on things like planting trees to balance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry insists that it can still grow passenger numbers by 70 % by 2050 while still cutting net emissions from 30 million tonnes of CO2 per year today to zero .
But Greenpeace UK executive director John Sauven said carbon offsetting - a key part of the pledge - was `` simply an excuse to carry on with business as usual '' and the only way for the aviation industry to cut emissions was by cutting demand .

Boris Johnson has been accused by the car industry of "moving the goalposts" as he confirmed plans to phase out new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars by 2035.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the plan to bring forward the change from 2040 was "extremely concerning" and accused the PM of setting a "date without a plan".
It came as efforts to step up the battle against climate change took centre stage, with aviation industry firms publicly pledging to cut the sector's emissions to net zero by 2050.
Yet that promise, backed by airlines including British Airways and easyJet and lauded by the government, was also under fire - described as a "flight of fancy" by Greenpeace.
The pledge on cars came as Boris Johnson launched a climate change summit, COP 26, to be held in Glasgow in November.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 Sept 2019: 'We've let down the young'
While bringing forward the ban on selling new petrol and diesel vehicles, it includes hybrid models for the first time, meaning that in 15 years the only new option for UK motorists will be electric cars.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "It's extremely concerning that government has seemingly moved the goalposts for consumers and industry on such a critical issue."
Mr Hawes insisted that car makers were "fully invested in a zero emissions future" with dozens of plug-in models on the market already and more to come this year.
"However, with current demand for this still expensive technology still just a fraction of sales, it's clear that accelerating an already very challenging ambition will take more than industry investment," he added.
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Mr Hawes said the UK's charging network was "woefully inadequate", adding that there was still no clarity on whether discounts currently available to electric car buyers would be extended beyond this spring.
The new plans come at a time when the car industry is already struggling, with new vehicle sales in 2019 falling to their lowest level for six years, and major manufacturers worried about whether their businesses will be sustainable under a "hard" Brexit arrangement.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:49 Sky pledges to go net zero carbon by 2030
Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden are ahead of the UK's timetable, with their petrol and diesel bans coming into force in 2030.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps had already signalled last September that the government wanted to bring forward the date from 2040.
But Mr Hawes said: "A date without a plan will merely destroy value today."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:30 'Slash VAT' on electric cars to drive sales
He called for the government to set out how it planned to achieve its aims while safeguarding jobs and industry, allowing lower income groups to benefit, and not undermining hybrid technology that was helping to deliver air quality and climate change goals.
On the other side of the debate, Friends of the Earth called for the ban to be brought forward even earlier, to 2030, and for the government also to pull support for "more climate-wrecking roads and runways".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:29 Dec 2019: UN chief issues greenhouse gas warning
The PM's plans to boost his green credentials have been helped by the backing of Sir David Attenborough, the veteran naturalist and TV documentary maker.
Speaking ahead of the climate change summit launch, Mr Johnson said: "There can be no greater responsibility than protecting our planet, and no mission that a global Britain is prouder to serve.
"2020 must be the year we turn the tide on global warming - it will be the year when we choose a cleaner, greener future for all."
However Mr Johnson's leadership on climate change was called into question by Claire O'Neill, who was sacked by the prime minister last week from her role running the summit.
She said that while the PM was pledging to put the issue among the "Premier League" of priorities, it was "currently somewhere around the middle of League One".
It came as air industry group Sustainable Aviation - a coalition of airlines, aeroplane makers and airport operators - announced its plans to tackle emissions.
The aviation pledge relies on more efficient aircraft and more sustainable fuels as well as the controversial use of offsetting - which relies on things like planting trees to balance out the emissions by vehicles.
The industry insists that it can still grow passenger numbers by 70% by 2050 while still cutting net emissions from 30 million tonnes of CO2 per year today to zero.
But Greenpeace UK executive director John Sauven said carbon offsetting - a key part of the pledge - was "simply an excuse to carry on with business as usual" and the only way for the aviation industry to cut emissions was by cutting demand.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-04--Stormzy: Every government has let down black and working class people

Stormzy : Every government has let black and working class people down Stormzy : Every government has let black and working class people down Stormzy backed Labour and Jeremy Corbyn in the most recent election Grime star Stormzy has hit out at politicians , accusing every government of letting black and working class people down .
He said little had changed over the years , regardless of whether the Conservatives or Labour were in power .
`` Every government has let black people down , let working-class people down , '' Stormzy told the March issue of GQ magazine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whether it 's been a Labour government or a Tory government , not much has changed for the people who need it the most . ''
Stormzy - real name Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo - also renewed his criticism of Prime Minister Boris Johnson .
He said he was `` literally not for man .
He has made it clear in his vocabulary and in the stances he takes '' .
Stormzy backed Labour and Jeremy Corbyn in the most recent election .
He said in December that Britain was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had worsened since Mr Johnson became PM .
The grime artist made the comments in an interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica , in which he was asked if Britain was still racist .
He said : `` Definitely , 100 % .
It 's like : 'Oh no , we 're not racist ' .
But there 's a lot of racism in the country .
`` The difficult thing with the UK is , as you said , in Italy it 's a clear problem , whereas trying to explain that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a British person ] is the most difficult thing ever .
`` They think : 'No , it 's not .
Stormzy you 're successful .
Look at London , there 's loads of black people … ' It 's a more difficult case to fight . ''
Stormzy said Mr Johnson was a `` figurehead '' whose comments encouraged racism .
He said : `` If the top person can openly say this racist thing - the 'piccaninnies ' remarks , 'watermelon smiles ' , comparing Muslim women to a letter box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top man , the leader we have to follow , and he openly says these things , he encourages hate among others . ''
Mr Johnson has in the past been challenged about his use of language .
When asked about previous controversial comments - including those cited by Stormzy - Mr Johnson told journalists at his Tory leadership campaign launch last summer : `` If sometimes in the course of trying to get across what I genuinely think , I use phrases and language that have caused offence , of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have caused .
`` But I will continue to speak as directly as I can .
Because that is what I think the British public want to hear . ''

Grime star Stormzy has hit out at politicians, accusing every government of letting black and working class people down.
He said little had changed over the years, regardless of whether the Conservatives or Labour were in power.
"Every government has let black people down, let working-class people down," Stormzy told the March issue of GQ magazine.
Image: The grime star also used the interview to renew his criticism of Boris Johnson
"Since when I've been young, whether it's been a Labour government or a Tory government, not much has changed for the people who need it the most."
Stormzy - real name Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo - also renewed his criticism of Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
He said he was "literally not for man. He has made it clear in his vocabulary and in the stances he takes".
Stormzy backed Labour and Jeremy Corbyn in the most recent election.
He said in December that Britain was "definitely" racist and claimed the problem had worsened since Mr Johnson became PM.
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The grime artist made the comments in an interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica, in which he was asked if Britain was still racist.
He said: "Definitely, 100%. It's like: 'Oh no, we're not racist'. But there's a lot of racism in the country.
"The difficult thing with the UK is, as you said, in Italy it's a clear problem, whereas trying to explain that Britain is a racist country [to a British person] is the most difficult thing ever.
"They think: 'No, it's not. Stormzy you're successful. Look at London, there's loads of black people …' It's a more difficult case to fight."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:29 September: Applause as PM confronted over 'racist remarks'
Stormzy said Mr Johnson was a "figurehead" whose comments encouraged racism.
He said: "If the top person can openly say this racist thing - the 'piccaninnies' remarks, 'watermelon smiles', comparing Muslim women to a letter box - if that is our figurehead, the top man, the leader we have to follow, and he openly says these things, he encourages hate among others."
Mr Johnson has in the past been challenged about his use of language.
When asked about previous controversial comments - including those cited by Stormzy - Mr Johnson told journalists at his Tory leadership campaign launch last summer: "If sometimes in the course of trying to get across what I genuinely think, I use phrases and language that have caused offence, of course I'm sorry for the offence that I have caused.
"But I will continue to speak as directly as I can. Because that is what I think the British public want to hear."


skynewspolitics--2020-02-03--PM drafts in Attenborough to promote petrol and diesel car ban

Sir David says 'we can not be too radical ' in tackling climate change Boris Johnson is being joined by `` national treasure '' Sir David Attenborough as he attempts to boost his green credentials by speeding up a ban on petrol and diesel cars .
Launching a United Nations climate change summit to be held in Glasgow in November , the PM is confirming plans to bring forward a ban on fossil fuel cars by five years to 2035 .
It will mean that in 15 years ' time the only new option for UK motorists will be electric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holland and Sweden are banning petrol and diesel cars in 2030 .
The backing of Sir David , the veteran naturalist and TV documentary maker who has become a leading campaigner for tackling climate change , is a major boost for the government .
Last year , appearing before the energy select committee of MPs in the Commons , Sir David said the world `` can not be too radical '' in tackling climate change , and launched a veiled attack on Donald Trump .
And in an interview last month Sir David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` moment of crisis '' on climate change and made an urgent appeal for action after claiming human beings have `` overrun the planet '' .
`` We have been putting things off year after year , '' he said .
`` We have been raising targets and saying : 'Oh well , if we do it within the next 20 years ' .
The moment of crisis has come .
We can no longer prevaricate . ''
: : Listen to A New Climate podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change conference , COP26 , has been hit by controversy after the sacking of his president , former Tory energy minister Claire Perry O'Neill , by the government last week .
Downing Street insiders have told Sky News her successor will be appointed in the PM 's Cabinet reshuffle , expected next week , and will be a serving government minister .
Two former environment secretaries , Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove and Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom , are seen as the leading candidates to succeed Ms Perry O'Neill .
But speaking ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` Hosting COP26 is an important opportunity for the UK and nations across the globe to step up in the fight against climate change .
`` As we set out our plans to hit our ambitious 2050 net zero target across this year , so we shall urge others to join us in pledging net zero emissions .
`` There can be no greater responsibility than protecting our planet , and no mission that a global Britain is prouder to serve .
2020 must be the year we turn the tide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year when we choose a cleaner , greener future for all . ''
According to Downing Street , the PM will use his speech to call for international efforts to reach net zero as early as possible through investment in cleaner , greener technology , preservation of the natural habitat and measures to improve resilience to climate change impact .
No 10 also confirmed that the government plans to bring forward an end to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans to 2035 , or earlier if a faster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as including hybrids for the first time .
Speaking at the Conservative conference in Manchester last September , the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said it was the government 's desire to improve on its target of a ban in 2040 .
`` The government 's advisory committee on climate change has said 2035 is a date for which we should aim , '' he told the Tory faithful .
`` We will need to test the arguments and work in partnership with industry to examine how to proceed . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ launch , Mr Shapps said : `` This government 's £1.5bn strategy to make owning an electric vehicle as easy as possible is working - last year alone , a fully electric car was sold every 15 minutes .
`` We want to go further than ever before .
That 's why we are bringing forward our already ambitious target to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars to tackle climate change and reduce emissions . ''
The prime minister will also be joined at the summit launch by the Italian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity ( CBD ) in Rome later this month , on protecting plants and wildlife .

Boris Johnson is being joined by "national treasure" Sir David Attenborough as he attempts to boost his green credentials by speeding up a ban on petrol and diesel cars.
Launching a United Nations climate change summit to be held in Glasgow in November, the PM is confirming plans to bring forward a ban on fossil fuel cars by five years to 2035.
It will mean that in 15 years' time the only new option for UK motorists will be electric cars, although Denmark, Ireland, Holland and Sweden are banning petrol and diesel cars in 2030.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 'We've let down the young'
The backing of Sir David, the veteran naturalist and TV documentary maker who has become a leading campaigner for tackling climate change, is a major boost for the government.
Last year, appearing before the energy select committee of MPs in the Commons, Sir David said the world "cannot be too radical" in tackling climate change, and launched a veiled attack on Donald Trump.
And in an interview last month Sir David, 93, spoke passionately about a "moment of crisis" on climate change and made an urgent appeal for action after claiming human beings have "overrun the planet".
"We have been putting things off year after year," he said. "We have been raising targets and saying: 'Oh well, if we do it within the next 20 years'. The moment of crisis has come. We can no longer prevaricate."
:: Listen to A New Climate podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Spreaker
The Glasgow climate change conference, COP26, has been hit by controversy after the sacking of his president, former Tory energy minister Claire Perry O'Neill, by the government last week.
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Downing Street insiders have told Sky News her successor will be appointed in the PM's Cabinet reshuffle, expected next week, and will be a serving government minister.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:29 UN chief issues greenhouse gas warning
Two former environment secretaries, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove and Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom, are seen as the leading candidates to succeed Ms Perry O'Neill.
But speaking ahead of the summit launch, Mr Johnson said: "Hosting COP26 is an important opportunity for the UK and nations across the globe to step up in the fight against climate change.
"As we set out our plans to hit our ambitious 2050 net zero target across this year, so we shall urge others to join us in pledging net zero emissions.
"There can be no greater responsibility than protecting our planet, and no mission that a global Britain is prouder to serve. 2020 must be the year we turn the tide on global warming - it will be the year when we choose a cleaner, greener future for all."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 12:21 A New Climate?
According to Downing Street, the PM will use his speech to call for international efforts to reach net zero as early as possible through investment in cleaner, greener technology, preservation of the natural habitat and measures to improve resilience to climate change impact.
No 10 also confirmed that the government plans to bring forward an end to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans to 2035, or earlier if a faster transition is feasible, subject to consultation, as well as including hybrids for the first time.
Speaking at the Conservative conference in Manchester last September, the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said it was the government's desire to improve on its target of a ban in 2040.
"The government's advisory committee on climate change has said 2035 is a date for which we should aim," he told the Tory faithful. "We will need to test the arguments and work in partnership with industry to examine how to proceed."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:58 IPCC: Deforestation is fuelling the climate crisis
Now, speaking ahead of the summit launch, Mr Shapps said: "This government's £1.5bn strategy to make owning an electric vehicle as easy as possible is working - last year alone, a fully electric car was sold every 15 minutes.
"We want to go further than ever before. That's why we are bringing forward our already ambitious target to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars to tackle climate change and reduce emissions."
The prime minister will also be joined at the summit launch by the Italian PM Giuseppe Conte, who will host a meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Rome later this month, on protecting plants and wildlife.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-04--Bullying claims against me 'total and utter rubbish' - Bercow

Former speaker John Bercow has said accusations he `` brutalised '' parliamentary staff and politicians are `` total and utter rubbish '' .
In an interview with Sky News , the ex-speaker of the House of Commons called former Black Rod David Leakey , who made the accusations in late January , `` completely and utterly ignorant '' .
He also called former Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom `` untrustworthy '' and a `` poor leader of the House '' .
Mr Leakey , who was Black Rod until February 2018 , accused Mr Bercow of bullying him over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff and politicians told him privately they were bullied by Mr Bercow .
In his first broadcast interview since the accusations were made , Mr Bercow , who resigned in November , told Sky News the claims were `` total and utter rubbish from start to finish '' .
He said : `` First point is that David Leakey did n't work for me , he was n't employed by me , he was n't employed by the House of Commons .
`` He worked in and was protocol officer of the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no position whatsoever to comment on my relations with my parliamentary colleagues , of which he is completely and utterly ignorant .
`` He does n't know what my relationship was with my clerks .
He has absolutely no intelligence on those matters whatsoever .
`` What we have here is a person who had left the House , is thrashing about , desperate to remain relevant , popping up at every turn , trying to make himself seem very important , centre stage , at the heart of things in the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Days before Mr Leakey accused the former speaker of bullying , Lord Lisvane , the former clerk of the House of Commons , submitted a dossier of allegations against Mr Bercow to the Parliamentary Standards Authority .
Mr Bercow , who is promoting his new autobiography Unspeakable , said he only saw Mr Leakey `` three or four times a year over a period of years , mainly in relation to or preparation for ceremonial events '' .
He said the two men are `` very different people from very different backgrounds with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had an argument in 2011 and 2012 but `` got along perfectly adequately after 2012 '' .
The former speaker added : `` Absurdly , preposterously he 's turning up years later , a couple of years after he left the house , commenting on events he ca n't possibly know about because he 'd already left .
`` He said something about my relations with Andrea Leadsom in May 2018 , something I allegedly said to her and made her cry - he would n't know , he 'd left three months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know-nothing , he would n't have the foggiest idea what he 's talking about .
`` He was deeply hostile towards me .
He 's entitled to his views but on the matter of bullying he suffers from the disadvantage of being 100 % wrong .
Amen . ''
Sky News understands Mr Leakey is reluctant to comment on Mr Bercow 's reaction now a formal complaint has been submitted .
He previously called for other complainants to come forward as he warned Mr Bercow brought one former Leader of the Commons to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Mrs Leadsom , who was Leader of the Commons from 2017 to 2019 , Mr Bercow said he was advised to bring witnesses to private meetings with her as she could not be trusted .
`` There was no trust between us and I was advised at one point , by a senior person in government , that she was very hostile , that she was looking to ferment trouble for me , '' he told Sky News .
`` There had been other relationships with colleagues where there was some distrust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
I just thought the prudent thing to do was protect myself .
`` In my view , she was a poor leader of the house , she was both driven and weak and it 's quite a bad combination . ''
Mrs Leadsom replied with a curt : `` Well , you know , he 's got a book to sell and I do n't want to give him any extra air time .
That 's it . ''

Former speaker John Bercow has said accusations he "brutalised" parliamentary staff and politicians are "total and utter rubbish".
In an interview with Sky News, the ex-speaker of the House of Commons called former Black Rod David Leakey, who made the accusations in late January, "completely and utterly ignorant".
He also called former Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom "untrustworthy" and a "poor leader of the House".
Image: David Leakey has filed a complaint against John Bercow
Mr Leakey, who was Black Rod until February 2018, accused Mr Bercow of bullying him over the years and said several highly-ranked parliamentary staff and politicians told him privately they were bullied by Mr Bercow.
In his first broadcast interview since the accusations were made, Mr Bercow, who resigned in November, told Sky News the claims were "total and utter rubbish from start to finish".
He said: "First point is that David Leakey didn't work for me, he wasn't employed by me, he wasn't employed by the House of Commons.
"He worked in and was protocol officer of the House of Lords. He is in absolutely no position whatsoever to comment on my relations with my parliamentary colleagues, of which he is completely and utterly ignorant.
"He doesn't know what my relationship was with my clerks. He has absolutely no intelligence on those matters whatsoever.
"What we have here is a person who had left the House, is thrashing about, desperate to remain relevant, popping up at every turn, trying to make himself seem very important, centre stage, at the heart of things in the way I went about my work."
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Days before Mr Leakey accused the former speaker of bullying, Lord Lisvane, the former clerk of the House of Commons, submitted a dossier of allegations against Mr Bercow to the Parliamentary Standards Authority.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:02 'He's got a book to sell, hasn't he?'
Mr Bercow, who is promoting his new autobiography Unspeakable, said he only saw Mr Leakey "three or four times a year over a period of years, mainly in relation to or preparation for ceremonial events".
He said the two men are "very different people from very different backgrounds with very different mindsets" and admitted they had an argument in 2011 and 2012 but "got along perfectly adequately after 2012".
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The former speaker added: "Absurdly, preposterously he's turning up years later, a couple of years after he left the house, commenting on events he can't possibly know about because he'd already left.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:34 Order! John Bercow's highlights from election night
"He said something about my relations with Andrea Leadsom in May 2018, something I allegedly said to her and made her cry - he wouldn't know, he'd left three months before.
"The guy is a know-nothing, he wouldn't have the foggiest idea what he's talking about.
"He was deeply hostile towards me. He's entitled to his views but on the matter of bullying he suffers from the disadvantage of being 100% wrong. Amen."
Sky News understands Mr Leakey is reluctant to comment on Mr Bercow's reaction now a formal complaint has been submitted.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:45 John Bercow wants a peerage
He previously called for other complainants to come forward as he warned Mr Bercow brought one former Leader of the Commons to tears.
When asked about his relationship with Mrs Leadsom, who was Leader of the Commons from 2017 to 2019, Mr Bercow said he was advised to bring witnesses to private meetings with her as she could not be trusted.
"There was no trust between us and I was advised at one point, by a senior person in government, that she was very hostile, that she was looking to ferment trouble for me," he told Sky News.
Image: Andrea Leadsom said she did not want to give John Bercow any more airtime after he called her untrustworthy
"There had been other relationships with colleagues where there was some distrust of her by people and possibly by others. I just thought the prudent thing to do was protect myself.
"In my view, she was a poor leader of the house, she was both driven and weak and it's quite a bad combination."
Mrs Leadsom replied with a curt: "Well, you know, he's got a book to sell and I don't want to give him any extra air time. That's it."


skynewspolitics--2020-02-04--MP defends outfit: 'I'm not a tart, hungover or a slapper'

Tracy Brabin : 'Who knew people could get so emotional over a shoulder ... ' A Labour frontbencher has hit back at trolls who said she looked like a `` slapper '' and appeared `` drunk '' as she was criticised for wearing an off-the-shoulder dress in the Commons .
Tracy Brabin 's remarks came after a Twitter user shared a photograph of her wearing the outfit and asked : `` Is this really appropriate attire for parliament ? ''
The shadow culture secretary replied to the tweet : `` Sorry I do n't have time to reply to all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can confirm I 'm not ... . ''
A slag , Hungover , A tart , About to breastfeed , A slapper , Drunk , Just been banged over a wheelie bin .
`` Who knew people could get so emotional over a shoulder ... '' Her attire split opinion on the social media platform with one Twitter user asking : `` Why is Tracy Brabin on the Labour front bench with her bare shoulder on display .
So classless . ''
However , another hit back , tweeting : `` When will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what ladies such as Ms Brabin SAY as opposed to WEAR .
It 's sexist and wrong . ''
Ms Brabin was raising a point of order in the Commons on Downing Street 's decision to order senior journalists from some of the UK 's major news organisations to leave before a briefing on Boris Johnson 's Brexit plans when she spoke at the despatch box wearing the outfit .

A Labour frontbencher has hit back at trolls who said she looked like a "slapper" and appeared "drunk" as she was criticised for wearing an off-the-shoulder dress in the Commons.
Tracy Brabin's remarks came after a Twitter user shared a photograph of her wearing the outfit and asked: "Is this really appropriate attire for parliament?"
The shadow culture secretary replied to the tweet: "Sorry I don't have time to reply to all of you commenting on this but I can confirm I'm not....
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"A slag, Hungover, A tart, About to breastfeed, A slapper, Drunk, Just been banged over a wheelie bin.
"Who knew people could get so emotional over a shoulder..."
Her attire split opinion on the social media platform with one Twitter user asking: "Why is Tracy Brabin on the Labour front bench with her bare shoulder on display. So classless."
However, another hit back, tweeting: "When will our society start to focus more on what ladies such as Ms Brabin SAY as opposed to WEAR. It's sexist and wrong."
Ms Brabin was raising a point of order in the Commons on Downing Street's decision to order senior journalists from some of the UK's major news organisations to leave before a briefing on Boris Johnson's Brexit plans when she spoke at the despatch box wearing the outfit.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-04--Cameron's bodyguard 'leaves gun in plane toilet'

A 9mm Glock pistol , similar to the one found on the plane .
File pic Police are investigating claims @ @ @ @ @ Cameron 's bodyguard left his gun in a plane toilet .
A passenger found the @ @ @ @ @ a 9mm Glock pistol , and handed it to flight attendants on the transatlantic flight @ @ @ @ @ .
The Sun reported that passports belonging to the close protection officer and Mr Cameron @ @ @ @ @ gun .
In a statement , the Metropolitan Police said : `` We are aware @ @ @ @ @ flight into the UK on 3 February and the officer involved has since been removed @ @ @ @ @ We are taking this matter extremely seriously and an internal investigation is taking place .
@ @ @ @ @ a former prime minister , is entitled to continued security provided by the Met 's @ @ @ @

Police are investigating claims that former prime minister David Cameron's bodyguard left his gun in a plane toilet.
A passenger found the weapon, believed to be a 9mm Glock pistol, and handed it to flight attendants on the transatlantic flight, the Daily Mail said.
The Sun reported that passports belonging to the close protection officer and Mr Cameron were also found beside the gun.
Image: A 9mm Glock pistol, similar to the one found on the plane. File pic
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: "We are aware of the incident on a flight into the UK on 3 February and the officer involved has since been removed from operational duties.
"We are taking this matter extremely seriously and an internal investigation is taking place."
Mr Cameron, as a former prime minister, is entitled to continued security provided by the Met's Specialist Protection unit.
Some social media users sought to poke fun at the news by pointing out Mr Cameron also famously left his daughter in a pub in 2012.
Nancy, 8, was looked after by staff at the The Plough Inn at Cadsden for 15 minutes before Mr Cameron's wife, Samantha, rushed back to collect her.
The family had popped out for a meal while staying at Chequers - the prime minister of the day's country residence.
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After lunch, the group was collected by two vehicles and Mr Cameron thought Nancy was in the second car with his wife, six-year-old Arthur, and Florence who's 22 months old; Samantha believed Nancy was with her father.
But the little girl had gone to the toilet and when she came out, her family had gone. They only realised she was missing when they got back to Chequers.
Mr Cameron's bodyguards are there to protect him, not assist with childcare so although "security is kept under constant review, no one will face disciplinary action", a Number 10 spokesperson said at the time.
The former Conservative leader has been trying to keep a low profile since quitting Downing Street when he lost the EU referendum back in 2016.
But he has seemingly been keeping active on the work front, with The Guardian reporting he made £836,000 in the year to 30 April 2019.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-04--Long-Bailey causes 'massive row' over claims of Labour nepotism

Labour leadership hopeful Rebecca Long-Bailey has insisted she was not seeking to criticise senior members of Jeremy Corbyn 's team after suggesting that nepotism and `` mismanagement '' had contributed to the party 's election defeat .
Sky News understands the leading left-wing candidate has made private phone calls to both Seb Corbyn , son of the Labour leader , and Laura Murray , daughter of senior Labour adviser Andrew Murray , to assure them she was not referring to them when she told The Guardian that under her leadership `` promotions will be based on what you know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corbyn previously worked as an adviser to shadow chancellor John McDonnell , while Laura Murray is the Labour Party 's head of complaints .
The shadow business secretary addressed concerns raised by her comments in a tweet .
She posted : `` This has sparked a lot of interest , but I 'm clear that Labour has some of the hardest working staff at all levels of any political party in the world , and I 'm pledging that their level of dedication will be matched by an organisational structure that makes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original comments , which also included criticism of the management of resources and strategy during the election , were widely seen as a veiled attack on senior figures in Mr Corbyn 's team .
`` While Jeremy 's social media pages built on their 2017 success , despite staff 's hard work the official Labour party operation fell back in some areas and did n't match up to the Tory strategy of pumping out tailored , persuasive content '' , she told The Guardian .
`` Targeting the wrong seats based on partial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places we could n't win , '' she continued .
A source close to the current leadership has told Sky News that Mrs Long-Bailey 's comments had caused `` a massive internal row '' , putting a strain on ties between her backers in the grassroots activist movement Momentum and the Unite union , which have endorsed her as the next leader .
The source also claimed Mrs Long-Bailey 's comments to the paper had been referred to the Procedures Committee of Labour 's governing body , although this has not been confirmed @ @ @ @

Labour leadership hopeful Rebecca Long-Bailey has insisted she was not seeking to criticise senior members of Jeremy Corbyn's team after suggesting that nepotism and "mismanagement" had contributed to the party's election defeat.
Sky News understands the leading left-wing candidate has made private phone calls to both Seb Corbyn, son of the Labour leader, and Laura Murray, daughter of senior Labour adviser Andrew Murray, to assure them she was not referring to them when she told The Guardian that under her leadership "promotions will be based on what you know, not who you know".
Seb Corbyn previously worked as an adviser to shadow chancellor John McDonnell, while Laura Murray is the Labour Party's head of complaints.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:01 Now the UK is out of the EU, what next?
The shadow business secretary addressed concerns raised by her comments in a tweet.
She posted: "This has sparked a lot of interest, but I'm clear that Labour has some of the hardest working staff at all levels of any political party in the world, and I'm pledging that their level of dedication will be matched by an organisational structure that makes the most of their talents."
Image: A source said Rebecca Long-Bailey's comments caused 'a massive internal row'
The original comments, which also included criticism of the management of resources and strategy during the election, were widely seen as a veiled attack on senior figures in Mr Corbyn's team.
"While Jeremy's social media pages built on their 2017 success, despite staff's hard work the official Labour party operation fell back in some areas and didn't match up to the Tory strategy of pumping out tailored, persuasive content", she told The Guardian.
"Targeting the wrong seats based on partial data meant activists wasted efforts campaigning in places we couldn't win," she continued.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:53 This is how the country marked 'Brexit day'
A source close to the current leadership has told Sky News that Mrs Long-Bailey's comments had caused "a massive internal row", putting a strain on ties between her backers in the grassroots activist movement Momentum and the Unite union, which have endorsed her as the next leader.
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The source also claimed Mrs Long-Bailey's comments to the paper had been referred to the Procedures Committee of Labour's governing body, although this has not been confirmed by the party.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-04--Jewish leaders condemn Tory MP for attending right-wing conference

Jewish leaders have called for a Tory MP to have the whip withdrawn for attending a conference with `` some of Europe 's most notorious far-right politicians '' .
Daniel Kawczynski , MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham , spoke at a National Conservativism conference in Rome , where speakers included Hungary 's far-right prime minister Viktor Orban .
The Board of Deputies of British Jews called on the Conservatives to discipline the backbencher , while Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge and the Jewish Labour Movement wrote to the Tory chief whip calling for Mr Kawczynski 's whip to be removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Italy 's Matteo Salvini , who both spoke at the conference , represent `` serious ideas and concerns , some of which are shared by many citizens of the UK '' .
His behaviour was `` unacceptable '' , the Muslim Council of Britain said .
Marie van der Zyl , president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews , said : `` We condemn the decision by Conservative MP Daniel Kawczynski to speak at a conference alongside some of Europe 's most notorious far-right politicians .
`` Mr Kawczynski 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense to talk with parties and politicians that are either leading their respective countries , or will perhaps take power in the next few years ' , is a specious one , for the simple reason that the MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham is not any sort of government representative .
`` If the Conservative Party fails to discipline Mr Kawczynski , it runs the serious risk of the public assuming that they share his views on association with such people . ''
Mr Orban is seen as one of the leaders of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a border fence with Serbia and Croatia during the 2015 European migrant crisis .
Mr Salvini is also a hardline anti-immigration leader , while fellow speaker Ryszard Legutko is a Polish Law and Justice MEP who reportedly described homophobia as a `` totally fictitious problem '' .
Marion Marechal , the niece of far-right leader Marine Le Pen , was also on the line-up .
She describes France as becoming `` the little niece of Islam '' .
Mr Kawczynski , a Polish-born Brexiteer , wrote to local newspaper the Shropshire Star saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' him by speaking at the conference regardless .
`` Clearly , Messrs Orban and Salvini are not to everyone 's tastes , '' he wrote .
`` But they represent serious ideas and concerns , some of which are shared by many citizens of the UK .
`` They have certainly proved electorally attractive in their own countries and have every right to speak at a conference on the subject of national sovereignty , the very thing they have pledged to defend and which accounts for their popularity with voters . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tory chief whip , she wrote that Mr Kawczynski was `` sharing a platform with a number of far-right European politicians who have made deeply offensive and dangerous comments '' .
`` The Conservative Party now has a choice .
It can demonstrate that there are lines that should not be crossed by Conservative MPs , '' she wrote .

Jewish leaders have called for a Tory MP to have the whip withdrawn for attending a conference with "some of Europe's most notorious far-right politicians".
Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, spoke at a National Conservativism conference in Rome, where speakers included Hungary's far-right prime minister Viktor Orban.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews called on the Conservatives to discipline the backbencher, while Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge and the Jewish Labour Movement wrote to the Tory chief whip calling for Mr Kawczynski's whip to be removed.
Image: Viktor Orban 'is not to everyone's taste', said Daniel Kawczynski MP
Mr Kawczynski argued that Mr Orban and Italy's Matteo Salvini, who both spoke at the conference, represent "serious ideas and concerns, some of which are shared by many citizens of the UK".
His behaviour was "unacceptable", the Muslim Council of Britain said.
Marie van der Zyl, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: "We condemn the decision by Conservative MP Daniel Kawczynski to speak at a conference alongside some of Europe's most notorious far-right politicians.
"Mr Kawczynski's defence, that 'it is only common sense to talk with parties and politicians that are either leading their respective countries, or will perhaps take power in the next few years', is a specious one, for the simple reason that the MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham is not any sort of government representative.
"If the Conservative Party fails to discipline Mr Kawczynski, it runs the serious risk of the public assuming that they share his views on association with such people."
Image: Matteo Salvini is a hardline anti-immigration leader
Mr Orban is seen as one of the leaders of Europe's growing right-wing movement, building a border fence with Serbia and Croatia during the 2015 European migrant crisis.
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Mr Salvini is also a hardline anti-immigration leader, while fellow speaker Ryszard Legutko is a Polish Law and Justice MEP who reportedly described homophobia as a "totally fictitious problem".
Marion Marechal, the niece of far-right leader Marine Le Pen, was also on the line-up. She describes France as becoming "the little niece of Islam".
Mr Kawczynski, a Polish-born Brexiteer, wrote to local newspaper the Shropshire Star saying he would defy those who "deplored" him by speaking at the conference regardless.
"Clearly, Messrs Orban and Salvini are not to everyone's tastes," he wrote.
"But they represent serious ideas and concerns, some of which are shared by many citizens of the UK.
Image: Dame Margaret Hodge wrote a letter to the Tory chief whip calling for Mr Kawczynski to have the whip removed
"They have certainly proved electorally attractive in their own countries and have every right to speak at a conference on the subject of national sovereignty, the very thing they have pledged to defend and which accounts for their popularity with voters."
In Dame Margaret's letter to the Tory chief whip, she wrote that Mr Kawczynski was "sharing a platform with a number of far-right European politicians who have made deeply offensive and dangerous comments".
"The Conservative Party now has a choice. It can demonstrate that there are lines that should not be crossed by Conservative MPs," she wrote.


skynewspolitics--2020-03-30--UK to spend £75m on rescue flights to bring stranded Britons home

The UK is committing £75m to help Britons stranded abroad by chartering rescue flights when there are no other routes available .
The announcement was made by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab at the daily Downing Street briefing on the coronavirus .
Up to a million Britons are thought to be stranded as airlines and borders across the world shut down in a bid to stem the COVID-19 outbreak .
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office ( FCO ) and Department for Trade have signed a memorandum of understanding with a group of airlines - Virgin , EasyJet , Jet2 and Titan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where they have tickets and where there are still commercial routes available .
British Airways has also made a commitment .
Travellers will be allowed to use different carriers or fly on different days .
Where there is no commercial option , the FCO is going to use the travel management company CTM to organise charter flights to bring Britons home .
When availability comes up for a flight , embassies and missions around the world will alert any British national in their country wanting to come home .
Mr Raab said priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - including the elderly or those with pressing medical needs - and also to countries where there are large numbers of British tourists trying to return to the UK .
He said the new plan would help `` tens of thousands '' .
Mr Rabb said an `` unprecedented '' number of British travellers were trying to come back - which he estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands .
He said around 150,000 British nationals had already been helped back from Spain , while 8,500 were brought back from Morocco and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not faced challenges like this in getting people home from abroad on this scale in recent memory , '' he added .
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It comes as a further 180 people have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus , taking the total to 1,415 .
The number , which was down from the previous day 's 207 , counts those who died in the 24 hours up to 5pm on Sunday .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in just a few days in the number of people being treated for coronavirus in England 's hospitals , according to new figures .
Sir Simon Stevens , chief executive of NHS England , said on Friday more than 6,200 patients were in hospital with COVID-19 .
But on Monday , he said this figure had jumped to more than 9,000 .
The government 's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said the number of hospital admissions is going up constantly and he expected them to worsen over the next two weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an extra 1,000 patients a day and described this daily rise as `` stable '' .
He told reporters : `` I do expect that number to continue .
I expect people coming every day to be about that , it may go up a little bit .
`` And in two or three weeks you would expect that to stabilise and to start to go down a bit . ''
Sir Patrick said the social distancing measures introduced this month were `` making a difference '' and transmission of coronavirus in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the number of cases of coronavirus flattens , the number of people needing hospital admission should fall , he said .
He said the hospital intake rates show `` we 're not on a fast acceleration '' .
He added the UK is `` tracking roughly along the same path as France , I 've said before , we 're behind Italy in terms of the curve '' .
Sir Patrick said the use of the London Tube has fallen dramatically and rail and road transport is also down a lot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ defended the UK 's coronavirus testing regime following growing calls for the country to hugely expand its programme .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed on Sunday the UK has reached 10,000 tests a day , which he added was ahead of schedule as the government works towards conducting 25,000 tests a day .
In its latest daily testing figures , Public Health England ( PHE ) said 8,278 tests were carried out on 4,908 people as of 9am on Sunday .
That figure is down from 9,114 tests at 9am on Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ day can now be carried out .
Earlier , the head of the Royal College of Physicians , Professor Andrew Goddard , said around one in four NHS doctors was off work sick or in isolation .

The UK is committing £75m to help Britons stranded abroad by chartering rescue flights when there are no other routes available.
Speaking at the daily Downing Street briefing on the coronavirus, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the new plan will assist tens of thousands of travellers.
Up to a million Britons are thought to be stranded as airlines and borders across the world shut down in a bid to stem the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Department for Trade have signed a memorandum of understanding with a group of airlines - Virgin, EasyJet, Jet2 and Titan Airways - to help travellers get back where they have tickets and where there are still commercial routes available. British Airways has also made a commitment.
Travellers will be allowed to use different carriers or fly on different days.
Where there is no commercial option, the FCO is going to use the travel management company CTM to organise charter flights to bring Britons home.
When availability comes up for a flight, embassies and missions around the world will alert any British national in their country wanting to come home.
Mr Raab said priority would be given to the most vulnerable - including the elderly or those with pressing medical needs - and also to countries where there are large numbers of British tourists trying to return to the UK.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:37 20,000 ex-NHS staff return to fight COVID-19
Mr Raab said an "unprecedented" number of British travellers were trying to come back - which he estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands.
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He said around 150,000 British nationals had already been helped back from Spain, while 8,500 were brought back from Morocco and 5,000 from Cyprus.
"We've not faced challenges like this in getting people home from abroad on this scale in recent memory," he added.
Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry criticised the government's efforts, saying: "We were promised a new strategy on repatriations today, but for the hundreds of thousands of Brits stranded abroad and their families back home it was just more of the same.
"More reliance on commercial flights, which, for too many British travellers based in too many locations, are simply not an option at present. More vague promises about charter flights, but none of the commitment or urgency other countries like Germany have put into this."
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It comes as a further 180 people have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus, taking the total to 1,415.
The number, which was down from the previous day's 207, counts those who died in the 24 hours up to 5pm on Sunday.
There has been almost a 50% rise in just a few days in the number of people being treated for coronavirus in England's hospitals, according to new figures.
Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said on Friday more than 6,200 patients were in hospital with COVID-19. But on Monday, he said this figure had jumped to more than 9,000.
Image: New UK coronavirus cases
The government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said the number of hospital admissions is going up constantly and he expected them to worsen over the next two weeks.
He said the NHS was seeing around an extra 1,000 patients a day and described this daily rise as "stable".
He told reporters: "I do expect that number to continue. I expect people coming every day to be about that, it may go up a little bit.
"And in two or three weeks you would expect that to stabilise and to start to go down a bit."
Sir Patrick said the social distancing measures introduced this month were "making a difference" and transmission of coronavirus in the community was thought be decreasing.
And as the number of cases of coronavirus flattens, the number of people needing hospital admission should fall, he said.
He said the hospital intake rates show "we're not on a fast acceleration".
He added the UK is "tracking roughly along the same path as France, I've said before, we're behind Italy in terms of the curve".
Sir Patrick said the use of the London Underground has fallen dramatically and rail and road transport is also down a lot.
Image: Transport use
Meanwhile, health minister Helen Whately has defended the UK's coronavirus testing regime following growing calls for the country to hugely expand its programme.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed on Sunday the UK has reached 10,000 tests a day, which he added was ahead of schedule as the government works towards conducting 25,000 tests a day.
In its latest daily testing figures, Public Health England (PHE) said 8,278 tests were carried out on 4,908 people as of 9am on Sunday. That figure is down from 9,114 tests at 9am on Saturday.
PHE also said almost 11,000 tests a day can now be carried out.
Earlier, the head of the Royal College of Physicians, Professor Andrew Goddard, said around one in four NHS doctors was off work sick or in isolation.


skynewspolitics--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: Cummings becomes latest govt official to self-isolate

The prime minister 's chief adviser Dominic Cummings is in self-isolation after showing coronavirus symptoms , No 10 has confirmed .
He started developing symptoms over the weekend and will be staying in contact with the rest of the Downing Street team during his quarantine period .
Boris Johnson 's spokesman said on Monday that Mr Cummings had not yet been tested .
On Friday , the prime minister became the first leader of a major world power to test positive for the virus .
His health minister , Matt Hancock , subsequently tested positive , while the government 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack are self-isolating after experiencing symptoms .
Mr Cummings was filmed running across Downing Street shortly after the prime minister posted a video message announcing he had tested positive for coronavirus .
Britain 's initial response to containing the spread of the highly contagious respiratory infection was modest in comparison to European countries such as Italy .
However , Mr Johnson imposed stringent controls after projections showed a quarter of a million people in the UK could die .
The prime minister insisted he would still be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street through `` the wizardry of modern technology '' .
The government 's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said the prime minister was already using `` digital tools '' to manage meetings .
Mr Johnson said in a video message that the UK will get through the crisis `` together '' , as he praised the 750,000 volunteers who have offered to assist the health service .
His remarks came after England 's deputy chief medical officer , Dr Jenny Harries , said it could be six months or more before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
Housing , Communities and Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick warned additional lockdown measures could be enforced if current restrictions are deemed to be insufficient , or if Britons fail to comply with them .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He said teams are working `` around the clock '' to deliver equipment to frontline NHS staff - with 170 million masks , 42.8 million gloves and 2.3 million pairs of eye protectors delivered to 58,000 healthcare facilities so far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Johnson said `` we have 20,000 NHS staff coming back to the colours - doctors and nurses - it 's a most amazing thing '' .
The government said testing of NHS staff began over the weekend , with roll-out across England from today .
It was confirmed on Sunday that another 207 people in the UK have died after testing positive for coronavirus - taking the total to 1,235 .
Dr Amged El-Hawrani became the first frontline hospital worker in the UK to die after contracting coronavirus .

The prime minister's chief adviser Dominic Cummings is in self-isolation after showing coronavirus symptoms, No 10 has confirmed.
He started developing symptoms over the weekend and will be staying in contact with the rest of the Downing Street team during his quarantine period.
Boris Johnson's spokesman said on Monday that Mr Cummings had not yet been tested.
On Friday, the prime minister became the first leader of a major world power to test positive for the virus.
Image: Boris Johnson (R) with chief adviser Dominic Cummings
His health minister, Matt Hancock, subsequently tested positive, while the government's chief medical adviser, Chris Whitty, and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack are self-isolating after experiencing symptoms.
Mr Cummings was filmed running across Downing Street shortly after the prime minister posted a video message announcing he had tested positive for coronavirus.
Britain's initial response to containing the spread of the highly contagious respiratory infection was modest in comparison to European countries such as Italy.
However, Mr Johnson imposed stringent controls after projections showed a quarter of a million people in the UK could die.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:15 PM's chief adviser seen running from No 10
The prime minister insisted he would still be able to work as he self-isolates in 11 Downing Street through "the wizardry of modern technology".
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The government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said the prime minister was already using "digital tools" to manage meetings.
Mr Johnson said in a video message that the UK will get through the crisis "together", as he praised the 750,000 volunteers who have offered to assist the health service.
His remarks came after England's deputy chief medical officer, Dr Jenny Harries, said it could be six months or more before the UK gets back to normal from the pandemic.
Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick warned additional lockdown measures could be enforced if current restrictions are deemed to be insufficient, or if Britons fail to comply with them.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
He said teams are working "around the clock" to deliver equipment to frontline NHS staff - with 170 million masks, 42.8 million gloves and 2.3 million pairs of eye protectors delivered to 58,000 healthcare facilities so far.
In a two-and-a-half minute message, Mr Johnson said "we have 20,000 NHS staff coming back to the colours - doctors and nurses - it's a most amazing thing".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:25 PM's video message from his virus isolation
The government said testing of NHS staff began over the weekend, with roll-out across England from today.
It was confirmed on Sunday that another 207 people in the UK have died after testing positive for coronavirus - taking the total to 1,235.
Dr Amged El-Hawrani became the first frontline hospital worker in the UK to die after contracting coronavirus.


skynewspolitics--2020-03-30--Questions over COVID-19 testing as govt claims UK is 'right at the top of the league'

A government minister has defended the UK 's coronavirus testing regime following growing calls for the country to hugely expand its programme .
Health minister Helen Whately told Sky News the country is `` right at the top of the league table '' for COVID-19 testing - despite admitting countries such as South Korea and Germany have conducted a much greater number of tests .
Former prime minister Tony Blair and ex-health secretary Jeremy Hunt have both called on the government to undertake mass testing for COVID-19 as the UK battles the disease .
They both cited countries such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to coronavirus has been praised due to their high level of testing .
Germany is estimated to now be conducting as many as 500,000 tests per week to determine whether people have coronavirus .
The World Health Organisation has previously called on national governments to `` test , test , test '' as the `` backbone '' of the global response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed on Sunday the UK had reached 10,000 tests a day , which he added was ahead of schedule as the government works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health England said the latest figure for the daily number of COVID-19 tests conducted is 9,114 , a figure which was accurate as of 9am on Saturday .
Ms Whately told Sky News the government is `` increasing the volume of tests '' with an aim to reach the 25,000 a day target - for people with symptoms of coronavirus - within the next three weeks .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Over the weekend , frontline NHS staff began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` over the next few days and weeks '' this will be expanded to social care staff , the health minister said .
She explained this would particularly take place in areas suffering staff shortages , adding : `` If someone actually tests negative , or their family member tests negative and it 's a household isolation situation , then that member of staff can go back to work .
`` And that will really help make sure we 've got the staff we need to help for people . ''
Asked whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach to testing wrong , Ms Whately replied : `` There are a couple of countries - South Korea and Germany namely - who have managed to test greater volumes .
`` But , actually , we 're right at the top of the league table of the volume of testing that we 've been doing .
`` We have tested tens of thousands of people and we 're going to be ramping this up .
`` All the way through our response to coronavirus , we have been following the best possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on that approach to testing or , for instance , on the so-called lockdown measures . ''
Labour 's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth called on the government to detail why testing in the UK had not yet reached greater levels .
He said : `` Experts continue to call for the UK to significantly ramp up testing .
`` When Germany is testing around 500,000 people a week , many are asking why we are still not even hitting the 10,000 a day promised on 11 March .
`` We called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a blunt tool without a national strategy to test and contact trace .
`` At today 's Downing Street press conference we call on ministers to outline why testing is still not being scaled up at sufficient levels and what bottlenecks domestically and globally are hindering this . ''
The government has separately ordered millions of antibody tests , subject to them being approved , which will determine whether someone has already had coronavirus and is therefore unlikely to be reinfected .
Public Health England has previously suggested such antibody tests could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high street chains such as Boots .

A government minister has defended the UK's coronavirus testing regime following growing calls for the country to hugely expand its programme.
Health minister Helen Whately told Sky News the country is "right at the top of the league table" for COVID-19 testing - despite admitting countries such as South Korea and Germany have conducted a much greater number of tests.
Former prime minister Tony Blair and ex-health secretary Jeremy Hunt have both called on the government to undertake mass testing for COVID-19 as the UK battles the disease.
They both cited countries such as South Korea and Germany, whose response to coronavirus has been praised due to their high level of testing.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 11:52 Blair: 'Near universal virus tests' needed
Germany is estimated to now be conducting as many as 500,000 tests per week to determine whether people have coronavirus.
The World Health Organisation has previously called on national governments to "test, test, test" as the "backbone" of the global response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed on Sunday the UK had reached 10,000 tests a day, which he added was ahead of schedule as the government works towards conducting 25,000 tests a day.
Public Health England said the latest figure for the daily number of COVID-19 tests conducted is 9,114, a figure which was accurate as of 9am on Saturday.
Ms Whately told Sky News the government is "increasing the volume of tests" with an aim to reach the 25,000 a day target - for people with symptoms of coronavirus - within the next three weeks.
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Over the weekend, frontline NHS staff began to be tested for coronavirus, while "over the next few days and weeks" this will be expanded to social care staff, the health minister said.
She explained this would particularly take place in areas suffering staff shortages, adding: "If someone actually tests negative, or their family member tests negative and it's a household isolation situation, then that member of staff can go back to work.
"And that will really help make sure we've got the staff we need to help for people."
Asked whether the UK had so far got its approach to testing wrong, Ms Whately replied: "There are a couple of countries - South Korea and Germany namely - who have managed to test greater volumes.
"But, actually, we're right at the top of the league table of the volume of testing that we've been doing.
"We have tested tens of thousands of people and we're going to be ramping this up.
"All the way through our response to coronavirus, we have been following the best possible scientific advice.
"Whether that's on that approach to testing or, for instance, on the so-called lockdown measures."
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Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth called on the government to detail why testing in the UK had not yet reached greater levels.
He said: "Experts continue to call for the UK to significantly ramp up testing.
"When Germany is testing around 500,000 people a week, many are asking why we are still not even hitting the 10,000 a day promised on 11 March.
"We called for enforced social distancing, but it is a blunt tool without a national strategy to test and contact trace.
"At today's Downing Street press conference we call on ministers to outline why testing is still not being scaled up at sufficient levels and what bottlenecks domestically and globally are hindering this."
The government has separately ordered millions of antibody tests, subject to them being approved, which will determine whether someone has already had coronavirus and is therefore unlikely to be reinfected.
Public Health England has previously suggested such antibody tests could be available to order on Amazon or at high street chains such as Boots.


skynewspolitics--2020-03-30--Why Boris Johnson and other leaders have become more popular amid coronavirus

Boris Johnson 's popularity - like that of the majority of world leaders - has risen significantly during the coronavirus crisis .
As tracked by Ipsos MORI , the prime minister 's satisfaction ratings had improved to 52 % by mid-March .
This is an increase of five points from 47 % at the start of February , and up 16 points on his ratings back in early December ( 36 % ) , just before the general election .
Polling by Number Cruncher more recently found that Johnson 's satisfaction ratings had risen to 72 % .
But Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At a time of unprecedented global crisis , and with only one or two exceptions , leaders the world over are experiencing rising popularity .
Measured by Gallup , US President Donald Trump 's job ratings have soared to their highest ever point , with 49 % of adults approving of his performance and 45 % disapproving .
French President Emanuel Macron has seen an even larger increase in his satisfaction rating than his counterparts - rising to 51 % , some 13 points up since last month , and his highest since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has seen her approval rise to a meteoric 79 % , up 11 points since early March - a remarkable figure for a leader who has been in power for well over a decade .
The approval rating of Giuseppe Conte , prime minister of Italy , the country worst-hit so far in terms of deaths , has hit 71 % - an incredible 27 points higher than in February .
More broadly , polling firm Morning Consult reports that approval has risen in their daily tracker survey for a number of world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO ) declared a pandemic .
Indeed , virtually the only leader to have seen their ratings markedly decline is Brazil 's populist far-right president , Jair Bolsonaro , with the public seemingly unimpressed by his coronavirus-denialism .
What is interesting , however , is that this widespread rise in popularity appears to have little to do with actual performance in handling the crisis so far - with both the US and UK response having been criticised at times .
So what explains the fact that world leaders ' popularity seems to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem to be seeing is the `` rally-round-the-flag '' effect originally proposed by American political scientist John Mueller .
The characteristics that Mr Mueller linked with these surges of popular support for incumbents were inspired by Cold War events , but have substantial resonance with the COVID-19 outbreak .
For a rally-round-the-flag to occur , the event had to be international , involve the country and its leader directly , and be `` specific , dramatic , and sharply focused '' .
The global significance of the coronavirus pandemic - and the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has been ) likened to a war - fits perfectly with this definition .
In all countries , leaders have been a central figure in the government response .
As to what drives this rally-round-the-flag at times of national crisis , one of the traditional explanations was that patriotic feelings led the public to view their incumbent leader as the focus of national unity , leading to greater support as citizens set aside their partisan biases .
Others have argued that rallies in popularity depend on opposition politicians temporarily laying aside their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media coverage , thereby influencing how the public perceive leaders .
Another view is that when feeling vulnerable and under threat , citizens put their trust in political leaders and authorities to protect them .
Whichever explanation works best , however , a big question remains : how long is any rise in popularity for our current crop of leaders likely to last ?
To address it we can , perhaps , look to one fairly recent precedent .
The last rally-round-the-flag with similar global ramifications as COVID-19 was that following the 9/11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , President George W Bush 's approval rating jumped nearly 40 points to 90 % , the highest ever recorded for a US president .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker More than a year later President Bush 's approval rating was 68 % , still nearly 20-points higher than his rating at the time of the attacks .
President Bush 's popularity declined steadily throughout his first and second terms , and in the end only Harry S Truman and Richard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ratings .
It is impossible to say , then , precisely when the COVID-19 rally-round-the-flag effect might start to fade and then finally end .
As people are finally able to move beyond the pandemic , political gravity is bound to kick in : what goes up must come down .
Where that leaves individual leaders will depend in large part not just on how they are eventually seen to have handled the current crisis , but also on how they handle other issues whose importance to voters will gradually grow again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ published by UK in a Changing Europe

Boris Johnson's popularity - like that of the majority of world leaders - has risen significantly during the coronavirus crisis.
As tracked by Ipsos MORI, the prime minister's satisfaction ratings had improved to 52% by mid-March.
This is an increase of five points from 47% at the start of February, and up 16 points on his ratings back in early December (36%), just before the general election.
Polling by Number Cruncher more recently found that Johnson's satisfaction ratings had risen to 72%.
But Mr Johnson is by no means alone.
At a time of unprecedented global crisis, and with only one or two exceptions, leaders the world over are experiencing rising popularity.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:25 PM's video message from his virus isolation
Measured by Gallup, US President Donald Trump's job ratings have soared to their highest ever point, with 49% of adults approving of his performance and 45% disapproving.
French President Emanuel Macron has seen an even larger increase in his satisfaction rating than his counterparts - rising to 51%, some 13 points up since last month, and his highest since January 2018.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has seen her approval rise to a meteoric 79%, up 11 points since early March - a remarkable figure for a leader who has been in power for well over a decade.
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The approval rating of Giuseppe Conte, prime minister of Italy, the country worst-hit so far in terms of deaths, has hit 71% - an incredible 27 points higher than in February.
More broadly, polling firm Morning Consult reports that approval has risen in their daily tracker survey for a number of world leaders since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a pandemic.
Indeed, virtually the only leader to have seen their ratings markedly decline is Brazil's populist far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, with the public seemingly unimpressed by his coronavirus-denialism.
What is interesting, however, is that this widespread rise in popularity appears to have little to do with actual performance in handling the crisis so far - with both the US and UK response having been criticised at times.
So what explains the fact that world leaders' popularity seems to be rising regardless?
Image: Brazil's leader Jair Bolsonaro has downplayed coronavirus
Most obviously what we seem to be seeing is the "rally-round-the-flag" effect originally proposed by American political scientist John Mueller.
The characteristics that Mr Mueller linked with these surges of popular support for incumbents were inspired by Cold War events, but have substantial resonance with the COVID-19 outbreak.
For a rally-round-the-flag to occur, the event had to be international, involve the country and its leader directly, and be "specific, dramatic, and sharply focused".
The global significance of the coronavirus pandemic - and the fact that the fight against it can (and has been) likened to a war - fits perfectly with this definition.
In all countries, leaders have been a central figure in the government response.
As to what drives this rally-round-the-flag at times of national crisis, one of the traditional explanations was that patriotic feelings led the public to view their incumbent leader as the focus of national unity, leading to greater support as citizens set aside their partisan biases.
Others have argued that rallies in popularity depend on opposition politicians temporarily laying aside their partisan interests and on increased levels of media coverage, thereby influencing how the public perceive leaders.
Another view is that when feeling vulnerable and under threat, citizens put their trust in political leaders and authorities to protect them.
Whichever explanation works best, however, a big question remains: how long is any rise in popularity for our current crop of leaders likely to last?
To address it we can, perhaps, look to one fairly recent precedent.
Image: George W Bush enjoyed a ratings boost after 9/11 - but it didn't last
The last rally-round-the-flag with similar global ramifications as COVID-19 was that following the 9/11 attacks on America.
In the aftermath, President George W Bush's approval rating jumped nearly 40 points to 90%, the highest ever recorded for a US president.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
More than a year later President Bush's approval rating was 68%, still nearly 20-points higher than his rating at the time of the attacks.
Nothing, however, lasts forever.
President Bush's popularity declined steadily throughout his first and second terms, and in the end only Harry S Truman and Richard Nixon left the White House with lower ratings.
It is impossible to say, then, precisely when the COVID-19 rally-round-the-flag effect might start to fade and then finally end.
As people are finally able to move beyond the pandemic, political gravity is bound to kick in: what goes up must come down.
Where that leaves individual leaders will depend in large part not just on how they are eventually seen to have handled the current crisis, but also on how they handle other issues whose importance to voters will gradually grow again.
A version of this article was originally published by UK in a Changing Europe


skynewspolitics--2020-03-30--Abortion rules relaxed during coronavirus crisis

Women unable to access a clinic will be able to use abortion pills at home as the government temporarily relaxes rules during the coronavirus crisis .
The Department for Health and Social Care will soon be issuing updated guidance in a move welcomed by medical bodies and healthcare charities .
Under the updated guidance , women who need a medical abortion up to ten weeks will be able to hold a telephone or online consultation with a doctor .
They will then be able to use abortion pills at home .
The change in abortion rules is being time limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis is over .
The move had initially been announced last week , but government officials later said it was `` published in error '' .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock subsequently told MPs there were `` no proposals to change any abortion rules '' as part of the COVID-19 response .
Ann Furedi , chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service ( BPAS ) welcomed the government 's now changed stance on Monday .
She said : `` We welcome the confirmation we have received today that the government will re-instate telemedicine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This will prevent tens of thousands of women from having to travel needlessly to clinics and will also enable many of our healthcare professionals to provide teleconsultations and prescriptions from the safety of their own homes . ''
But Ms Furedi added her charity remains `` extremely concerned '' about the ability of women in other parts of the UK to access abortion care during the pandemic .
`` In Northern Ireland , abortion care is now lawful , but services have not yet been established and telemedical abortion care is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government last week , '' she added .
`` As a result , women are being forced to travel hundreds of miles via ferry and public transport to clinics in England at a time when they are also being told to stay at home to save lives .
`` We urge policymakers to now implement similar measures to permit telemedical abortion services in Northern Ireland as a matter of urgency . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Women ending a pregnancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take two pills 24 to 48 hours apart .
In 2018 , England followed Scotland and Wales by allowing the second pill to be taken at home in some cases .
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said allowing women to take both abortion pills at home was a `` vital and necessary step '' as the country battles coronavirus .
`` Giving women the option of taking both abortion pills at home following a video consultation is safe and effective and has rightly been judged as a vital and necessary step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 , '' a spokesperson said .
`` Many women will no longer be forced to make the difficult decision between leaving their home and continuing with an unwanted pregnancy . ''
Confirming the action , a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said : `` Public safety and continued access to key services is our priority during this difficult period .
`` We are updating our guidance so women who need an abortion up to ten weeks and ca n't access a clinic can use abortion pills at home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary basis and must follow a telephone or e-consultation with a doctor .
`` We will set out the next steps , including updated guidance , shortly . ''

Women unable to access a clinic will be able to use abortion pills at home as the government temporarily relaxes rules during the coronavirus crisis.
The Department for Health and Social Care will soon be issuing updated guidance in a move welcomed by medical bodies and healthcare charities.
Under the updated guidance, women who need a medical abortion up to ten weeks will be able to hold a telephone or online consultation with a doctor.
They will then be able to use abortion pills at home.
The change in abortion rules is being time limited for two years or until the coronavirus crisis is over.
Image: Health Secretary Matt Hancock previously said there were 'no proposals' to change abortion rules
The move had initially been announced last week, but government officials later said it was "published in error".
Health Secretary Matt Hancock subsequently told MPs there were "no proposals to change any abortion rules" as part of the COVID-19 response.
Ann Furedi, chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) welcomed the government's now changed stance on Monday.
She said: "We welcome the confirmation we have received today that the government will re-instate telemedicine for early medical abortion in England.
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"This will prevent tens of thousands of women from having to travel needlessly to clinics and will also enable many of our healthcare professionals to provide teleconsultations and prescriptions from the safety of their own homes."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:39 Dr Alex on the fight against COVID-19
But Ms Furedi added her charity remains "extremely concerned" about the ability of women in other parts of the UK to access abortion care during the pandemic.
"In Northern Ireland, abortion care is now lawful, but services have not yet been established and telemedical abortion care is not permitted under the regulations produced by the government last week," she added.
"As a result, women are being forced to travel hundreds of miles via ferry and public transport to clinics in England at a time when they are also being told to stay at home to save lives.
"We urge policymakers to now implement similar measures to permit telemedical abortion services in Northern Ireland as a matter of urgency."
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Women ending a pregnancy in its first ten weeks have to take two pills 24 to 48 hours apart.
In 2018, England followed Scotland and Wales by allowing the second pill to be taken at home in some cases.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said allowing women to take both abortion pills at home was a "vital and necessary step" as the country battles coronavirus.
"Giving women the option of taking both abortion pills at home following a video consultation is safe and effective and has rightly been judged as a vital and necessary step if we are to limit the spread of COVID-19," a spokesperson said.
"Many women will no longer be forced to make the difficult decision between leaving their home and continuing with an unwanted pregnancy."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:14 Relatives grieve over COVID-19 funerals
Confirming the action, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Public safety and continued access to key services is our priority during this difficult period.
"We are updating our guidance so women who need an abortion up to ten weeks and can't access a clinic can use abortion pills at home.
"This measure will be on a temporary basis and must follow a telephone or e-consultation with a doctor.
"We will set out the next steps, including updated guidance, shortly."