skynewspolitics--2020-02-08--'Astounding' exit poll predicts three-way tie in Irish election

The Irish general election looks set to be heading for a surprise three-way tie , according to an exit poll .
There had been predictions that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar would struggle to maintain power , but his Fine Gael party are said to be leading the main opposition Fianna Fail - though by only 0.2 % , with 22.4 % of the vote versus 22.2 % .
But the real surprise according to the Ipsos MRBI exit poll is that Sinn Fein - the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army ( IRA ) - are neck and neck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
Sky News ' senior Ireland correspondent David Blevins said it would be an `` absolutely astounding result '' for the party if it played out .
`` This could be a defining moment which shows there 's been a move away from the two main parties by voters who want something different , '' he said .
No party is expected to reach the 80-seat threshold to enable it to govern on its own , and a coalition administration of some complexion is almost inevitable .
The exit poll was released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final results not expected until Sunday night .
It was the first time in more than a century that an Irish parliamentary poll had taken place on Saturday , which made turnout harder to assess as the voting pattern was different to a weekday .
An election of twists and turns looks like it could deliver a truly astonishing result .
Tonight 's Ipsos MRBI exit poll has put Ireland 's big three political parties dead level on 22 % of the vote each - with huge uncertainty now overshadowing how the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Varadkar 's Fine Gael on 22.4 % , a buoyant Sinn Fein on 22.3 % and the largest opposition party Fianna Fail on 22.2 % , a hung Dail ( Irish parliament ) is now almost certain .
The first takeaway from this is the story of Sinn Fein .
In 2016 , they took 13.8 % of the vote .
If the exit poll is correct , it 's a fantastic result for Mary Lou McDonald in her first general election , but yet again , falls slightly short of the predicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The polling data also reveals just how strongly Ireland 's young voters backed Sinn Fein - 31.8 % of 18-24-year-olds voted for the republican party , more than Fine Gael and Fianna Fail combined in that age category .
What does this mean for Leo Varadkar ?
It 's too early too tell .
It appears that his prediction of a late swing back to Fine Gael may be correct to an extent , but his party is still certain to lose seats .
He faces a real battle to remain in office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picture of Irish politics realigned .
Since the foundation of the Irish state , politics here was dominated by the big two , as Fianna Fail and Fine Gael took turns to lead every single Irish government .
Now their support combined has dropped to just over 40 % of voters - and Sinn Fein can lay claim to being a big hitter south of the border for the first time .
But it 's equally important to bear in mind that parity in this poll does not equate to seat numbers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 February .
Sinn Fein has simply not fielded enough candidates ( at just 42 ) to truly capitalise on its remarkable surge in support .
Sources within the party have spoken several times of being caught on the hop with its new-found popularity among voters thirsty for change .
Fianna Fail will probably be the largest party after this election , but on these numbers may not be able to form a functioning government without striking a new confidence and supply agreement with arch-rivals Fine Gael ( in reverse to the Brexit-inspired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - or by performing a dramatic U-turn and entering government with Sinn Fein .
After a lot of hype in the last few weeks , it would be fair to assume that Micheál Martin will be disappointed with his return .
A third option - and the one absolutely nobody wants - is another election within a short time frame .
Newspaper editors are ripping up the Sunday front pages .
Nobody foresaw the Sinn Fein tide in GE2020 - fewer still would 've have dreamed it could result in a three-way tie @

The Irish general election looks set to be heading for a surprise three-way tie, according to an exit poll.
There had been predictions that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar would struggle to maintain power, but his Fine Gael party are said to be leading the main opposition Fianna Fail - though by only 0.2%, with 22.4% of the vote versus 22.2%.
But the real surprise according to the Ipsos MRBI exit poll is that Sinn Fein - the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) - are neck and neck with the two main parties on 22.3%.
Image: Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald
Sky News' senior Ireland correspondent David Blevins said it would be an "absolutely astounding result" for the party if it played out.
"This could be a defining moment which shows there's been a move away from the two main parties by voters who want something different," he said.
No party is expected to reach the 80-seat threshold to enable it to govern on its own, and a coalition administration of some complexion is almost inevitable.
The exit poll was released at 10pm on Saturday, with the final results not expected until Sunday night.
It was the first time in more than a century that an Irish parliamentary poll had taken place on Saturday, which made turnout harder to assess as the voting pattern was different to a weekday.
Image: Dublin will become home to a new government but its form remains uncertain
Analysis: Exit poll reveals hung parliament an almost certainty
By Stephen Murphy, Ireland correspondent
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An election of twists and turns looks like it could deliver a truly astonishing result.
Tonight's Ipsos MRBI exit poll has put Ireland's big three political parties dead level on 22% of the vote each - with huge uncertainty now overshadowing how the next government can be formed.
With Leo Varadkar's Fine Gael on 22.4%, a buoyant Sinn Fein on 22.3% and the largest opposition party Fianna Fail on 22.2%, a hung Dail (Irish parliament) is now almost certain.
Image: Micheál Martin of Fianna Fail
The first takeaway from this is the story of Sinn Fein.
In 2016, they took 13.8% of the vote. If the exit poll is correct, it's a fantastic result for Mary Lou McDonald in her first general election, but yet again, falls slightly short of the predicted performance in the last opinion poll.
The polling data also reveals just how strongly Ireland's young voters backed Sinn Fein - 31.8% of 18-24-year-olds voted for the republican party, more than Fine Gael and Fianna Fail combined in that age category.
What does this mean for Leo Varadkar? It's too early too tell.
It appears that his prediction of a late swing back to Fine Gael may be correct to an extent, but his party is still certain to lose seats. He faces a real battle to remain in office.
Image: Leo Varadkar was tipped to suffer major losses in the election
Fundamentally, this poll paints a picture of Irish politics realigned. Since the foundation of the Irish state, politics here was dominated by the big two, as Fianna Fail and Fine Gael took turns to lead every single Irish government.
Now their support combined has dropped to just over 40% of voters - and Sinn Fein can lay claim to being a big hitter south of the border for the first time.
But it's equally important to bear in mind that parity in this poll does not equate to seat numbers in the new Dail when it convenes on 20 February.
Sinn Fein has simply not fielded enough candidates (at just 42) to truly capitalise on its remarkable surge in support.
Sources within the party have spoken several times of being caught on the hop with its new-found popularity among voters thirsty for change.
Image: Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein are neck and neck
Fianna Fail will probably be the largest party after this election, but on these numbers may not be able to form a functioning government without striking a new confidence and supply agreement with arch-rivals Fine Gael (in reverse to the Brexit-inspired agreement of the last four years) - or by performing a dramatic U-turn and entering government with Sinn Fein.
After a lot of hype in the last few weeks, it would be fair to assume that Micheál Martin will be disappointed with his return.
A third option - and the one absolutely nobody wants - is another election within a short time frame.
Newspaper editors are ripping up the Sunday front pages. Nobody foresaw the Sinn Fein tide in GE2020 - fewer still would've have dreamed it could result in a three-way tie.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-08--Senior Tories pen letter demanding Huawei is 'ruled out' of 5G plans

Sir Iain Duncan Smith is among four former cabinet ministers behind the letter Four former cabinet ministers are among a group of Conservative MPs who have signed a letter raising concerns about the government 's decision to allow Huawei a role in building the UK 's 5G network .
In the letter , Sir Iain Duncan Smith , Owen Paterson , David Davis and Damian Green call for `` high-risk '' vendors to be ruled out now , or phased out over time .
It has also been signed by the new chairman of the Defence Select Committee , Tobias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bob Seely .
The six men say they want the government to `` rule out hi-tech from untrusted , high-risk vendors '' , or to ensure there are `` sunset clauses '' to limit the length of time such companies can be used .
`` We are seeking to identify a means by which we ensure that only trusted vendors are allowed as primary contractors into our critical national infrastructure , '' they say .
Mr Ellwood told Sky News that the way in which China has handled the deadly coronavirus `` shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with '' .
He added : `` A full three or four weeks passed before they actually clamped down on the city of Wuhan , but in that time five million people managed to leave before a curfew was placed . ''
The Tory MP for Bournemouth East also suggested there were many unanswered questions about the Chinese firm .
He continued : `` We do n't know the extent to which Huawei is obliged to provide information to the Chinese authorities , by law they have to do so .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence services and Huawei , and it isn ’ t just Huawei , it ’ s China Telecom , it 's Tencent , Alibaba - all these companies are obliged to have a very different relationship to the state , to the Communist Party of China , than we have over here . ''
Sir Iain told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme : `` There is real concern across the floor of the House .
I think there is a lot of disquiet over this . ''
He added : `` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trusted vendor , if , as the foreign secretary said at the despatch box , that China is considered to be an aggressor in these matters , they are constantly attacking our systems alongside Russia .
`` They claim that Russia is an aggressor , but they wo n't have anything to do with Russian technology - then surely the same principle must apply to China .
`` And , I think , therefore , we need to get the government to look to get the involvement of Huawei , not to 35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
`` We are turning out to be the mugs in this game . ''
The government has said Huawei would be limited to involvement in 35 % of the network and kept away from sensitive areas .
The letter come as US vice president Mike Pence suggested the decision by Boris Johnson to allow Huawei a limited role in 5G roll-out could jeopardise a post-Brexit trade deal between Britain and America .
Pressed on whether the Huawei decision could be a deal breaker in Brexit trade talks , Mr Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We 'll see if it is .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He added : `` We are profoundly disappointed because , look , when I went at the president 's direction in September , I met with Prime Minister Johnson and I told him the moment the UK is out of Brexit we were willing to begin to negotiate a free trade arrangement with the UK .
`` But we just do n't believe that utilising the assets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the security or privacy interests of the UK , of the United States , and it remains a real issue between our two countries . ''
His remarks follow claims Donald Trump had vented `` apoplectic '' rage at the prime minister during a recent heated phone conversation with him about the 5G move .

Four former cabinet ministers are among a group of Conservative MPs who have signed a letter raising concerns about the government's decision to allow Huawei a role in building the UK's 5G network.
In the letter, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Owen Paterson, David Davis and Damian Green call for "high-risk" vendors to be ruled out now, or phased out over time.
It has also been signed by the new chairman of the Defence Select Committee, Tobias Ellwood, and Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely.
The six men say they want the government to "rule out hi-tech from untrusted, high-risk vendors", or to ensure there are "sunset clauses" to limit the length of time such companies can be used.
"We are seeking to identify a means by which we ensure that only trusted vendors are allowed as primary contractors into our critical national infrastructure," they say.
Mr Ellwood told Sky News that the way in which China has handled the deadly coronavirus "shows the sort of country we are dealing with".
He added: "A full three or four weeks passed before they actually clamped down on the city of Wuhan, but in that time five million people managed to leave before a curfew was placed."
Image: Tobias Ellwood, the new chairman of the Defence Select Committee, has also signed the letter
The Tory MP for Bournemouth East also suggested there were many unanswered questions about the Chinese firm.
He continued: "We don't know the extent to which Huawei is obliged to provide information to the Chinese authorities, by law they have to do so.
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"We don't know the connections between the intelligence services and Huawei, and it isn’t just Huawei, it’s China Telecom, it's Tencent, Alibaba - all these companies are obliged to have a very different relationship to the state, to the Communist Party of China, than we have over here."
Sir Iain told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There is real concern across the floor of the House. I think there is a lot of disquiet over this."
Image: Iain Duncan Smith wants 'high-risk' vendors to be ruled out now, or phased out over time
He added: "The truth is if they are not a trusted vendor, if, as the foreign secretary said at the despatch box, that China is considered to be an aggressor in these matters, they are constantly attacking our systems alongside Russia.
"They claim that Russia is an aggressor, but they won't have anything to do with Russian technology - then surely the same principle must apply to China.
"And, I think, therefore, we need to get the government to look to get the involvement of Huawei, not to 35%, but to zero," he added.
Image: The government says Huawei would have limited involvement in the 5G network
"We are turning out to be the mugs in this game."
The government has said Huawei would be limited to involvement in 35% of the network and kept away from sensitive areas.
The letter come as US vice president Mike Pence suggested the decision by Boris Johnson to allow Huawei a limited role in 5G roll-out could jeopardise a post-Brexit trade deal between Britain and America.
Pressed on whether the Huawei decision could be a deal breaker in Brexit trade talks, Mr Pence told CNBC: "We'll see. We'll see if it is.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
He added: "We are profoundly disappointed because, look, when I went at the president's direction in September, I met with Prime Minister Johnson and I told him the moment the UK is out of Brexit we were willing to begin to negotiate a free trade arrangement with the UK.
"But we just don't believe that utilising the assets, the technology of Huawei is consistent with the security or privacy interests of the UK, of the United States, and it remains a real issue between our two countries."
His remarks follow claims Donald Trump had vented "apoplectic" rage at the prime minister during a recent heated phone conversation with him about the 5G move.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-08--Tracy Brabin's 'shouldergate' dress reaches £14,000 in charity auction

Tracy Brabin defended herself following offensive comments made about her dress The dress that Labour MP Tracy Brabin wore in the House of Commons , sparking a huge backlash on social media , has reached £14,000 in a charity auction .
The former Coronation Street actress was forced to defend herself when it slipped off her shoulder on Monday as she leaned on the despatch box due to a broken ankle .
The dress is listed on eBay with the description : `` Black dress worn by Tracy Brabin MP in 'shouldergate ' as widely covered across the media .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been flying off the shelves as a result of the coverage - and is now sold out ! ''
One Twitter user shared a photo of Ms Brabin wearing the outfit and asked : `` Is this really appropriate attire for parliament ? ''
Thousands of people commented , including one which asked her to `` put some clothes on love '' , and others said she looked `` drunk '' , `` classless '' and like a `` slapper '' .
She hit back , tweeting that she was not `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , about to breastfeed , a slapper , drunk , just been banged over a wheelie bin '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Speaking on Sky 's Sarah-Jane Mee , Ms Brabin called criticism of the dress `` everyday sexism '' , and added that she would `` wear it again '' .
She added : `` Whilst I can brush [ these comments ] off as sometimes part of the job , I think it was really important that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are women across the country and world in work who have to put up with this sort of judgement every day of the week .
`` And certainly , young women who are subject to the male gaze and men feeling very free to comment on what they 're wearing and how they look . ''
By Saturday afternoon , bids on the dress had reached £14,000 .
The auction ends on Thursday 13 February and the money raised will go to Girlguiding , a charity for girls and young women in the @ @

The dress that Labour MP Tracy Brabin wore in the House of Commons, sparking a huge backlash on social media, has reached £14,000 in a charity auction.
The former Coronation Street actress was forced to defend herself when it slipped off her shoulder on Monday as she leaned on the despatch box due to a broken ankle.
Image: Bids for the dress reached £14,000 by Saturday afternoon
The dress is listed on eBay with the description: "Black dress worn by Tracy Brabin MP in 'shouldergate' as widely covered across the media.
"This is an ASOS dress which has been flying off the shelves as a result of the coverage - and is now sold out!"
One Twitter user shared a photo of Ms Brabin wearing the outfit and asked: "Is this really appropriate attire for parliament?"
Thousands of people commented, including one which asked her to "put some clothes on love", and others said she looked "drunk", "classless" and like a "slapper".
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She hit back, tweeting that she was not "a slag, hungover, a tart, about to breastfeed, a slapper, drunk, just been banged over a wheelie bin".
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Speaking on Sky's Sarah-Jane Mee, Ms Brabin called criticism of the dress "everyday sexism", and added that she would "wear it again".
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She added: "Whilst I can brush [these comments] off as sometimes part of the job, I think it was really important that I could call it out because there are women across the country and world in work who have to put up with this sort of judgement every day of the week.
Image: Tracy Brabin hit back at trolls on social media
"And certainly, young women who are subject to the male gaze and men feeling very free to comment on what they're wearing and how they look."
By Saturday afternoon, bids on the dress had reached £14,000.
The auction ends on Thursday 13 February and the money raised will go to Girlguiding, a charity for girls and young women in the UK.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-08--UK's Huawei decision could hurt possible Brexit trade deal, warns Pence

Mike Pence on whether UK 's Huawei decision could hurt possible trade deal Mike Pence on whether UK 's Huawei decision could hurt possible trade deal Britain has decided to let Huawei Technologies have a limited role in its 5G network remains a point of issue between the two traditional allies .
Boris Johnson 's decision to allow Chinese tech giant Huawei a role in Britain 's 5G network could threaten a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and America , according to US vice president Mike Pence .
His comments came after it was reported that US President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' rage during a phone call regarding the 5G move .
Speaking to the US broadcaster CNBC , Mr Pence said : `` We are profoundly disappointed because look , when I went at the president 's direction in September I met with Prime Minister Johnson and I told him the moment the UK is out of Brexit we were willing to begin to negotiate a free trade arrangement with the UK .
`` But we just do n't believe that utilising the assets , the technology of Huawei is consistent with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of the United States and it remains a real issue between our two countries . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The vice president added : `` We 're anxious to build our economic ties , but we have made it clear to Prime Minister Johnson and to officials in the UK , that as we expand opportunities to build out 5G across this country ... we want to see our companies meet the needs in the United States and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the compromise of privacy and the compromise of security that necessarily comes with Huawei and control by the Chinese Communist Party . ''
Asked whether the decision was a possible deal-breaker , he replied : `` We 'll see . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In response , a UK government spokesperson said : `` Both the UK and US governments have been clear about our commitment to work together to agree a comprehensive free trade agreement now the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vice president has said - our teams have begun that process . ''
Mr Johnson defied repeated lobbying from the US to rule in January that the Chinese firm could play a limited role in the infrastructure .
The US had warned the move would jeopardise intelligence sharing as it raised concerns over the telecommunications company 's links to the Chinese state .
The move has been a particularly thorny one for Mr Johnson , with his Brexit plans relying heavily on striking an ambitious free trade deal with the US .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Huawei is only one of a series of issues where the two nations are at odds .
Washington has threatened to retaliate with tariffs on the British car industry , if the government goes ahead with a planned tax on tech companies such as Google and Facebook .
The UK is also pressing for the extradition of the wife of a US intelligence official charged with causing the death of 19-year-old motorcyclist Harry Dunn .
Nevertheless , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the UK and the US is in a `` fantastic place '' as he visited London .

Boris Johnson's decision to allow Chinese tech giant Huawei a role in Britain's 5G network could threaten a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and America, according to US vice president Mike Pence.
His comments came after it was reported that US President Donald Trump blasted Mr Johnson with "apoplectic" rage during a phone call regarding the 5G move.
Speaking to the US broadcaster CNBC, Mr Pence said: "We are profoundly disappointed because look, when I went at the president's direction in September I met with Prime Minister Johnson and I told him the moment the UK is out of Brexit we were willing to begin to negotiate a free trade arrangement with the UK.
"But we just don't believe that utilising the assets, the technology of Huawei is consistent with the security or privacy interests of the UK, of the United States and it remains a real issue between our two countries."
Image: Asked whether the Huawei decision could prove a 'deal-breaker', Mr Pence replied: 'We’ll see.'
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The vice president added: "We're anxious to build our economic ties, but we have made it clear to Prime Minister Johnson and to officials in the UK, that as we expand opportunities to build out 5G across this country... we want to see our companies meet the needs in the United States and UK and among all our allies without the compromise of privacy and the compromise of security that necessarily comes with Huawei and control by the Chinese Communist Party."
Asked whether the decision was a possible deal-breaker, he replied: "We'll see."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
In response, a UK government spokesperson said: "Both the UK and US governments have been clear about our commitment to work together to agree a comprehensive free trade agreement now the UK has left the EU, and as the vice president has said - our teams have begun that process."
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Mr Johnson defied repeated lobbying from the US to rule in January that the Chinese firm could play a limited role in the infrastructure.
The US had warned the move would jeopardise intelligence sharing as it raised concerns over the telecommunications company's links to the Chinese state.
The move has been a particularly thorny one for Mr Johnson, with his Brexit plans relying heavily on striking an ambitious free trade deal with the US.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Huawei is only one of a series of issues where the two nations are at odds.
Washington has threatened to retaliate with tariffs on the British car industry, if the government goes ahead with a planned tax on tech companies such as Google and Facebook.
The UK is also pressing for the extradition of the wife of a US intelligence official charged with causing the death of 19-year-old motorcyclist Harry Dunn.
Nevertheless, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the "special relationship" between the UK and the US is in a "fantastic place" as he visited London.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-09--Well hello Mary Lou, goodbye two-party politics

Mary Lou McDonald celebrates with her supporters after being elected All changed , changed utterly .
The words of the poet WB Yeats in the wake of Ireland 's uprising against British rule in 1916 .
They could equally apply to the general election that has just taken place , producing something of a political revolution .
For generations , Ireland has been a two-party state - governed by either Fianna Fail or Fine Gael - but there 's a third contender now : Sinn Fein .
The party long seen by many as `` the political wing of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now fighting its battles at the ballot box .
: : Ireland election : What are the main issues ?
In the parish-pump politics of this island , it 's a big deal to have the Taoiseach ( Prime Minister ) in your constituency .
But Leo Varadkar , the man who has held that office for the last two years , did n't top the poll in Dublin West .
His own consolation was that the opposition leader , Micheal Martin , had to wait until the sixth count in Cork South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Dublin Central , where Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald swept to instant victory .
It 's just over two years since Ms McDonald succeeded Gerry Adams , the man who had led Sinn Fein for three decades .
A graduate in English Literature with a Masters in European Integration Studies , she began her political career as a researcher .
Having served as Sinn Fein 's first ever MEP , she became the party 's deputy leader in 2009 and was elected to the Irish Parliament two years later .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children but she 's very private about her personal life away from the cut and thrust of politics .
Ireland has witnessed radical social change - votes for same-same sex marriage and abortion - and this result is viewed by many as the next chapter of that .
An electorate , exercised about the crisis in public services - homelessness , hospital overcrowding , the high cost of living - has lost faith in the establishment parties .
It 's a grassroots movement and Sinn Fein has won support from voters of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remember the IRA 's campaign of violence .
To put it simply , in the Republic of Ireland , they have decided to focus on the future more than the past .
A song from the end of the last century may be more applicable than the poetry from the start of it .

All changed, changed utterly. The words of the poet WB Yeats in the wake of Ireland's uprising against British rule in 1916.
They could equally apply to the general election that has just taken place, producing something of a political revolution.
For generations, Ireland has been a two-party state - governed by either Fianna Fail or Fine Gael - but there's a third contender now: Sinn Fein.
Image: Sinn Fein's Donnchadh O Laoghaire celebrates being the first TD elected to the 33rd Dail
The party long seen by many as "the political wing of the IRA" has come of age, now fighting its battles at the ballot box.
Image: Leo Varadkar failed to top the poll in Dublin West
:: Ireland election: What are the main issues?
In the parish-pump politics of this island, it's a big deal to have the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) in your constituency.
But Leo Varadkar, the man who has held that office for the last two years, didn't top the poll in Dublin West.
His only consolation was that the opposition leader, Micheal Martin, had to wait until the sixth count in Cork South Central.
It was a different story in Dublin Central, where Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald swept to instant victory.
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It's just over two years since Ms McDonald succeeded Gerry Adams, the man who had led Sinn Fein for three decades.
Image: Micheal Martin said his party looked like being on course to win the most seats
A graduate in English Literature with a Masters in European Integration Studies, she began her political career as a researcher.
Having served as Sinn Fein's first ever MEP, she became the party's deputy leader in 2009 and was elected to the Irish Parliament two years later.
She and her husband Martin Lanigan have two children but she's very private about her personal life away from the cut and thrust of politics.
Ireland has witnessed radical social change - votes for same-same sex marriage and abortion - and this result is viewed by many as the next chapter of that.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
An electorate, exercised about the crisis in public services - homelessness, hospital overcrowding, the high cost of living - has lost faith in the establishment parties.
It's a grassroots movement and Sinn Fein has won support from voters of all ages, not just those too young to remember the IRA's campaign of violence.
To put it simply, in the Republic of Ireland, they have decided to focus on the future more than the past.
A song from the end of the last century may be more applicable than the poetry from the start of it.
Well Hello Mary Lou, goodbye two-party politics.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-10--Sinn Fein leads race to form government after election gains

Sinn Fein leads the race to form a government in Ireland after winning the most first-preference votes in the general election .
The left-wing party and former political wing of the IRA took 24.5 % of all votes but only fielded 42 candidates - far short of the magic number of 80 that any government needs to have a majority in the Dail parliament .
Party president Mary Lou McDonald said she wanted to lead a coalition supported by smaller parties without either of the two centre-right superpowers which have long dominated Irish-politics .
Leo Varadkar , the current prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the vote , has also dismissed forming a government with their support .
“ For us , coalition with Sinn Fein is not an option , ” he said after the election result .
Paschal Donohoe , Fine Gael 's director of elections , also confirmed on Monday that his party would have some form of engagement with Sinn Fein , but ruled out going into government with them .
Meanwhile Micheal Martin , leader of Fianna Fail which won 22.2 % , left the door open to an alliance with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incompatibility '' policy issues but refused to repeat a campaign pledge not to do business with the party .
The business of coalition building is still some way off given only 78 of the 160 seats have been allocated , as counting continues thanks to Ireland ’ s proportional representation voting system .
A Sinn Fein-led coalition without either of the other two main parties would be a `` really tall order '' which would `` require virtually every other member of parliament to be on board '' , Sky News ' senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested Fine Gael and Fianna Fail could form a grand coalition , but that could be dangerous for them by making Sinn Fein the official opposition .
Or one of them could cross their red line and do a deal to go into government with Sinn Fein .
`` We talk about political earthquakes , this is something of a political tsunami , '' he added .
Ms McDonald will have to look to the Greens , Labour , Social Democrats , Solidarity/People Before Profit , and a sizeable number of independents if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Ireland , where coalition governments are normal , the horse-trading involved in building them can go on for a long time .
It took 63 days for an executive to form back in 2016 .
“ I don ’ t think we ’ re going to see any white smoke in terms of deals being done between the different parties for certainly days , probably weeks , ” said Sky News ’ Ireland correspondent Stephen Murphy .
Downing Street is `` following results carefully '' as they unfold , the UK prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the possibility of Sinn Fein 's success paving the way for a referendum on Northern Ireland joining the Republic of Ireland , he said : `` We will not worry about that just yet .
`` The close relationship between the UK and Ireland will continue regardless of the election result . ''

Sinn Fein leads the race to form a government in Ireland after winning the most first-preference votes in the general election.
The left-wing party and former political wing of the IRA took 24.5% of all votes but only fielded 42 candidates - far short of the magic number of 80 that any government needs to have a majority in the Dail parliament.
Party president Mary Lou McDonald said she wanted to lead a coalition supported by smaller parties without either of the two centre-right superpowers which have long dominated Irish-politics.
:: Could McDonald become Ireland's first female PM?
Image: Ireland uses a proportional representation voting system
Leo Varadkar, the current prime minister whose Fine Gael party got 20.9% of the vote, has also dismissed forming a government with their support.
“For us, coalition with Sinn Fein is not an option,” he said after the election result.
Paschal Donohoe, Fine Gael's director of elections, also confirmed on Monday that his party would have some form of engagement with Sinn Fein, but ruled out going into government with them.
Image: Leo Varadkar's party got 20.9% of the vote
Meanwhile Micheal Martin, leader of Fianna Fail which won 22.2%, left the door open to an alliance with Sinn Fein.
He raised “significant incompatibility" policy issues but refused to repeat a campaign pledge not to do business with the party.
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Image: Michael Martin raised 'significant incompatibility' policy issues with Sinn Fein
The business of coalition building is still some way off given only 78 of the 160 seats have been allocated, as counting continues thanks to Ireland’s proportional representation voting system.
A Sinn Fein-led coalition without either of the other two main parties would be a "really tall order" which would "require virtually every other member of parliament to be on board", Sky News' senior Ireland correspondent David Blevins said.
He suggested Fine Gael and Fianna Fail could form a grand coalition, but that could be dangerous for them by making Sinn Fein the official opposition.
Or one of them could cross their red line and do a deal to go into government with Sinn Fein.
"We talk about political earthquakes, this is something of a political tsunami," he added.
Image: Most of the individual seat results are yet to be declared
Ms McDonald will have to look to the Greens, Labour, Social Democrats, Solidarity/People Before Profit, and a sizeable number of independents if she does seek to become taoiseach.
In Ireland, where coalition governments are normal, the horse-trading involved in building them can go on for a long time.
It took 63 days for an executive to form back in 2016.
“I don’t think we’re going to see any white smoke in terms of deals being done between the different parties for certainly days, probably weeks,” said Sky News’ Ireland correspondent Stephen Murphy.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Downing Street is "following results carefully" as they unfold, the UK prime minister's spokesman said.
Asked about the possibility of Sinn Fein's success paving the way for a referendum on Northern Ireland joining the Republic of Ireland, he said: "We will not worry about that just yet.
"The close relationship between the UK and Ireland will continue regardless of the election result."


skynewspolitics--2020-02-09--Deportation of 50 people to Jamaica 'risks repeat of Windrush scandal'

More than 150 politicians and peers have written to the prime minister calling on him to stop the deportation of 50 people to Jamaica .
The Home Office says those being deported are criminals but campaigners say some were as young as 13 when they moved to the UK .
Nottingham East Labour MP Nadia Whittome organised the letter and said deportations should be stopped until a report into the Windrush controversy is released .
She said : `` The fact is that many of the individuals in question have lived in the UK since they were children and at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of losing their fathers through this charter flight .
`` The government risks repeating the mistakes of the Windrush scandal unless it cancels this flight and others like it until the Windrush Lessons Learned Review has been published and its recommendations implemented . ''
The Windrush generation were named after the ship that brought migrants to the UK from the Caribbean in 1948 .
Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973 were automatically granted indefinite leave to remain but many of them were not given any documents to confirm their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been denied access to services , held in detention or removed , despite living legally in the country for decades .
Reacting to Ms Whittome 's request last week , Boris Johnson said : `` The people of this country will think it right to send back foreign national offenders . ''
Labour shadow immigration minister Bell Ribeiro-Addy said : `` Mass deportation by charter flight is the most brutal and inhumane way to remove people from this country .
`` It often lacks due process , has little regard for deportees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to a family life .
`` After the Windrush scandal , we expect better .
`` But this government will stop at nothing to maintain its hostile environment . ''
Two of the young men set to be deported were convicted of drugs offences as teenager and say they have no link to Jamaica , having left the country at a young age .
Tajay Thompson was convicted of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply as a 17-year-old .
He served half of a 15-month sentence in 2015 and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's not like I 'm a rapist or a murderer , I 've made a mistake when I was 17 and it 's now going to affect my whole life . ''
Mr Thompson was brought to the UK as a five-year-old and lives with his mother and younger brother in south London .
He has only been to Jamaica twice on holiday since and said : `` I feel like I was born here .
Jamaica is not my country . ''
Akiva Heaven , 22 , who served around four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released in May 2018 , said : `` I 've done my sentence already , I 've done my crime , done my time as they would say .
Mr Heaven said he fears for his life if he is forced to return to a place where he has no relatives and no memories .
Last year , 29 convicted criminals were deported to Jamaica on the first deportation flight since the Windrush scandal .
The Home Office previously said that under the UK Borders Act 2007 , a deportation order must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convicted of an offence and received a custodial sentence of 12 months or more .
Possible exceptions include where this would breach human rights or the UK 's obligations under the Refugee Convention .
A Home Office spokesman has previously said : `` The planned charter flight to Jamaica is specifically for removing foreign criminals .
`` Those detained for removal include people convicted of manslaughter , rape , violent crime and dealing Class-A drugs . ''

Campaigners are claiming victory in their fight to stop the deportation of more than 50 people to Jamaica from the UK on Tuesday.
The detainees, who the Home Office says are foreign criminals and are being held at two centres near Heathrow Airport, were due to be flown to the Caribbean island on Tuesday morning.
Earlier on Monday, campaigners lost a High Court ruling but later a Court of Appeal judge, Lady Justice Simler, reached a different decision.
The charity Detention Action claimed the new ruling would affect 56 people but the Home Office said the figure was closer to 30 and has asked the judge to reconsider.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:50 Human rights protesters block traffic
Detention Action argued some detainees at Colnbrooke and Harmondsworth centres still do not have a functioning mobile phone, after issues with a nearby O2 phone mast, and did not have adequate access to legal advice.
Lady Justice Simler ordered the Home Office not to remove anyone "unless satisfied (they) had access to a functioning, non-O2 SIM card on or before 3 February".
Activists also claim some of those facing deportation were as young as 13 when they moved to the UK.
Bella Sankey, director of Detention Action, said: "We are delighted with this landmark decision which is a victory for access to justice, fairness and the rule of law.
"On the basis of this order from our Court of Appeal we do not believe that anyone currently detained at the Heathrow detention centres can be removed on the flight. We understand that this will apply to at least 56 people."
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A Home Office spokesperson said: "The planned charter flight to Jamaica is specifically for deporting foreign national offenders. Those detained for removal include people convicted of manslaughter, rape, violent crime and dealing Class-A drugs.
"We are urgently asking the judge to reconsider their ruling and it would be inappropriate to comment further whilst legal proceedings are ongoing."
More than 150 politicians and peers had written to the prime minister calling on him to stop the deportation.
Two of the young men who had been set to be deported were convicted of drugs offences as teenagers and say they have no link to Jamaica, having left the country at a young age.
Image: Carline Angus says she fears for her son Tajay Thompson's safety if he is deported
Tajay Thompson, who was convicted of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply as a 17-year-old, has been given a reprieve.
He served half of a 15-month sentence in 2015 and, now 23, he had told Sky News: "It's not like I'm a rapist or a murderer, I've made a mistake when I was 17 and it's now going to affect my whole life."
Mr Thompson was brought to the UK as a five-year-old and lives with his mother and younger brother in south London.
He has only been to Jamaica twice on holiday since and said: "I feel like I was born here. Jamaica is not my country."
His mother Carline Angus said she feared for her son's safety if he was deported.
She told Sky News: "Sending a person back to Jamaica to live is totally different from going on holiday.
"The minute you reach back home you are a deportee, your life is in jeopardy. You'd be lucky to survive six months there because you became an easy target. So there's no way he can survive. Tajay knows no one there."
Mr Thompson filed a separate legal challenge and is now able to remain in detention in the UK while his lawyers work to keep him here indefinitely.
Akiva Heaven, 22, who served around four years for a drugs offence and was released in May 2018, said: "I've done my sentence already, I've done my crime, done my time as they would say.
"Now, I'm getting a double punishment."
Mr Heaven said he fears for his life if he is forced to return to a place where he has no relatives and no memories.
Nottingham East Labour MP Nadia Whittome organised the letter to Boris Johnson and said deportations should be stopped until a report into the Windrush controversy is released.
She said: "The fact is that many of the individuals in question have lived in the UK since they were children and at least 41 British children are now at risk of losing their fathers through this charter flight.
"The government risks repeating the mistakes of the Windrush scandal unless it cancels this flight and others like it until the Windrush Lessons Learned Review has been published and its recommendations implemented."
Image: Nadia Whittome called for the flight to be delayed until the Windrush review is published
Windrush campaigner and Labour MP David Lammy urged the government to reassure MPs that there were no British nationals on the flight.
He added: "People watching see the way that this government holds with such disrespect the contribution of West Indian, Caribbean and black people in this country. When, when will black lives matter again?"
The Windrush generation were named after the ship that brought migrants to the UK from the Caribbean in 1948.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:14 2018: Windrush: 'Home Office ignored warnings'
Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973 were automatically granted indefinite leave to remain but many of them were not given any documents to confirm their status.
In recent years, some have been denied access to services, held in detention or removed, despite living legally in the country for decades.
Reacting to Ms Whittome's request last week, Boris Johnson said: "The people of this country will think it right to send back foreign national offenders."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:05 2018: Apology to Windrush members wrongfully detained
Last year, 29 convicted criminals were deported to Jamaica on the first deportation flight since the Windrush scandal.
The Home Office previously said that under the UK Borders Act 2007, a deportation order must be made where a foreign national has been convicted of an offence and received a custodial sentence of 12 months or more.
Possible exceptions include where this would breach human rights or the UK's obligations under the Refugee Convention.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-10--Damning new poll of 'real voters' suggest reasons Corbyn lost the election

Jeremy Corbyn 's unpopularity - as well as Brexit - was a major reason for Labour 's worst general election result since 1935 , according to a damning new poll of `` real voters '' by Tory pollster Lord Ashcroft .
His polling suggests Mr Corbyn was seen as weak , indecisive , lacking in patriotism , had `` apparent terrorist sympathies '' , failed to deal with antisemitism , was `` excessively left-wing '' and unsuitable to lead the country .
Lord Ashcroft also claims traditional Labour voters deserted the party because it had lost touch with them and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their voters for granted '' - and they believed its manifesto was `` pie in the sky '' .
But the better news for Labour in Lord Ashcroft 's polling is that most of its defectors to the Tories in the December election did not rule out returning to the party and were prepared to desert Boris Johnson and the Tories if he fails to deliver .
The findings by Lord Ashcroft , a millionaire and former Conservative grandee , will no doubt be dismissed by Labour activists and Corbyn loyalists since it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own inquiry into his heavy defeat , which did not blame the Labour leader .
`` No doubt some will be suspicious of my motives .
I 'm a Tory , after all - indeed , a former deputy chairman of the party , '' Lord Ashcroft acknowledges in his introduction to his report , Diagnosis Of Defeat : Labour 's Turn To Smell The Coffee , which he claims is `` a pitiless but objective assessment '' .
`` There are two answers to that , '' he says .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong opposition .
Britain will be better governed if those doing the governing are kept on their toes .
`` Moreover , at its best , the Labour Party has been a great force for decency , speaking up for people throughout the country and ensuring nobody is forgotten .
We need it to reclaim that role .
`` The second answer is that you do n't have to trust me - just listen to what real voters have to say . ''
Lord Ashcroft says his report is based on extensive polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party members , together with focus groups with former Labour voters in seats the party lost to the Conservatives in December .
He says his research looks at those who voted Labour in 2017 but not in 2019 , and compares their reasons for switching away from Labour with party members ' understanding of why they lost .
• Labour defectors were most likely to say they switched because they did not want Mr Corbyn to be prime minister , did not believe Labour would be able to deliver on their promises , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , and wanted to get Brexit done .
Labour members thought the result was due to Brexit dominating the election , the media giving an unfair view of Mr Corbyn and Labour , and voters believing Conservative lies • Though many voted to get Brexit done , this did not mean they would necessarily now switch back to Labour .
The principle that the party had refused to listen to them and implement the referendum result was at least as serious for defectors as the issue of Brexit itself • Contrary to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a major reason for Labour 's loss of support .
Former Labour voters in focus groups criticised what they saw as his weakness , indecision , lack of patriotism , apparent terrorist sympathies , failure to deal with antisemitism , outdated and excessively left-wing worldview , and obvious unsuitability to lead the country .
Many described the 2019 Labour manifesto as `` pie in the sky '' • Aside from Brexit and Corbyn , many former Labour voters thought the party had ceased to represent them more generally , and was now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and `` middle-class radicals '' .
There was a widespread feeling that the party looked down on them while taking their votes for granted • Despite this , most did not rule out returning to Labour in the future if the party changed .
Many emphasised that they would now take each election as it comes .
Though they were pleased with the election result and expected Boris Johnson to deliver , they would be prepared to look elsewhere if they were disappointed • Of the leadership contenders , Sir Keir Starmer scored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters as a whole .
However , some Labour defectors associated him with the attempt to stop Brexit .
Emily Thornberry was remembered as having `` slagged off someone because he had an England flag outside his house '' , and Rebecca Long Bailey was described as `` Jeremy in a skirt '' .
Lisa Nandy was less well known , but some gave her credit for speaking out against Mr Corbyn 's leadership .
Lord Ashcroft writes : `` As far as many of these former supporters were concerned , then , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be trusted with the public finances , looked down on people who disagreed with it , was too left-wing , failed to understand or even listen to the people it was supposed to represent , was incompetent , appallingly divided , had no coherent priorities , did not understand aspiration or where prosperity comes from , disapproved of their values and treated them like fools . ''
And he concludes : `` This report is not a roadmap to recovery : different people can draw sharply different conclusions from the same data , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case with this research .
`` But the first step is to come to terms with your starting point . ''

Jeremy Corbyn's unpopularity - as well as Brexit - was a major reason for Labour's worst general election result since 1935, according to a damning new poll of "real voters" by Tory pollster Lord Ashcroft.
His polling suggests Mr Corbyn was seen as weak, indecisive, lacking in patriotism, had "apparent terrorist sympathies", failed to deal with antisemitism, was "excessively left-wing" and unsuitable to lead the country.
Lord Ashcroft also claims traditional Labour voters deserted the party because it had lost touch with them and "looked down on them while taking their voters for granted" - and they believed its manifesto was "pie in the sky".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:15 Why did Labour lose in its heartlands?
But the better news for Labour in Lord Ashcroft's polling is that most of its defectors to the Tories in the December election did not rule out returning to the party and were prepared to desert Boris Johnson and the Tories if he fails to deliver.
The findings by Lord Ashcroft, a millionaire and former Conservative grandee, will no doubt be dismissed by Labour activists and Corbyn loyalists since it contradicts the findings of the party's own inquiry into his heavy defeat, which did not blame the Labour leader.
"No doubt some will be suspicious of my motives. I'm a Tory, after all - indeed, a former deputy chairman of the party," Lord Ashcroft acknowledges in his introduction to his report, Diagnosis Of Defeat: Labour's Turn To Smell The Coffee, which he claims is "a pitiless but objective assessment".
"There are two answers to that," he says.
"The first is that the country needs a strong opposition. Britain will be better governed if those doing the governing are kept on their toes.
"Moreover, at its best, the Labour Party has been a great force for decency, speaking up for people throughout the country and ensuring nobody is forgotten. We need it to reclaim that role.
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"The second answer is that you don't have to trust me - just listen to what real voters have to say."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 Corbyn rated '0 out of 10' for election
Lord Ashcroft says his report is based on extensive polling both among the general public and Labour Party members, together with focus groups with former Labour voters in seats the party lost to the Conservatives in December.
He says his research looks at those who voted Labour in 2017 but not in 2019, and compares their reasons for switching away from Labour with party members' understanding of why they lost.
Lord Ashcroft says his findings include:
Labour defectors were most likely to say they switched because they did not want Mr Corbyn to be prime minister, did not believe Labour would be able to deliver on their promises, no longer thought Labour represented people like them, and wanted to get Brexit done. Labour members thought the result was due to Brexit dominating the election, the media giving an unfair view of Mr Corbyn and Labour, and voters believing Conservative lies
Though many voted to get Brexit done, this did not mean they would necessarily now switch back to Labour. The principle that the party had refused to listen to them and implement the referendum result was at least as serious for defectors as the issue of Brexit itself
Contrary to Labour's official inquiry, Mr Corbyn was a major reason for Labour's loss of support. Former Labour voters in focus groups criticised what they saw as his weakness, indecision, lack of patriotism, apparent terrorist sympathies, failure to deal with antisemitism, outdated and excessively left-wing worldview, and obvious unsuitability to lead the country. Many described the 2019 Labour manifesto as "pie in the sky"
Aside from Brexit and Corbyn, many former Labour voters thought the party had ceased to represent them more generally, and was now mostly for students, the unemployed, and "middle-class radicals". There was a widespread feeling that the party looked down on them while taking their votes for granted
Despite this, most did not rule out returning to Labour in the future if the party changed. Many emphasised that they would now take each election as it comes. Though they were pleased with the election result and expected Boris Johnson to deliver, they would be prepared to look elsewhere if they were disappointed
Of the leadership contenders, Sir Keir Starmer scored the highest ratings among Labour members and voters as a whole. However, some Labour defectors associated him with the attempt to stop Brexit. Emily Thornberry was remembered as having "slagged off someone because he had an England flag outside his house", and Rebecca Long Bailey was described as "Jeremy in a skirt". Lisa Nandy was less well known, but some gave her credit for speaking out against Mr Corbyn's leadership.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:31 Corbyn: I won't fight another election
Lord Ashcroft writes: "As far as many of these former supporters were concerned, then, the Labour Party they rejected could not be trusted with the public finances, looked down on people who disagreed with it, was too left-wing, failed to understand or even listen to the people it was supposed to represent, was incompetent, appallingly divided, had no coherent priorities, did not understand aspiration or where prosperity comes from, disapproved of their values and treated them like fools."
And he concludes: "This report is not a roadmap to recovery: different people can draw sharply different conclusions from the same data, and I'm sure that will be the case with this research.
"But the first step is to come to terms with your starting point."


skynewspolitics--2020-02-09--Campaigners claim victory in bid to stop 50 deportations to Jamaica

Campaigners are claiming victory in their fight to stop the deportation of more than 50 people to Jamaica from the UK on Tuesday .
The detainees , who the Home Office says are foreign criminals and are being held at two centres near Heathrow Airport , were due to be flown to the Caribbean island on Tuesday morning .
Earlier on Monday , campaigners lost a High Court ruling but later a Court of Appeal judge , Lady Justice Simler , reached a different decision .
The charity Detention Action claimed the new ruling would affect 56 people but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 30 and has asked the judge to reconsider .
Detention Action argued some detainees at Colnbrooke and Harmondsworth centres still do not have a functioning mobile phone , after issues with a nearby O2 phone mast , and did not have adequate access to legal advice .
Lady Justice Simler ordered the Home Office not to remove anyone `` unless satisfied ( they ) had access to a functioning , non-O2 SIM card on or before 3 February '' .
Activists also claim some of those facing deportation were as young as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bella Sankey , director of Detention Action , said : `` We are delighted with this landmark decision which is a victory for access to justice , fairness and the rule of law .
`` On the basis of this order from our Court of Appeal we do not believe that anyone currently detained at the Heathrow detention centres can be removed on the flight .
We understand that this will apply to at least 56 people . ''
A Home Office spokesperson said : `` The planned charter flight to Jamaica @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those detained for removal include people convicted of manslaughter , rape , violent crime and dealing Class-A drugs .
`` We are urgently asking the judge to reconsider their ruling and it would be inappropriate to comment further whilst legal proceedings are ongoing . ''
More than 150 politicians and peers had written to the prime minister calling on him to stop the deportation .
Two of the young men who had been set to be deported were convicted of drugs offences as teenagers and say they have no link to Jamaica @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young age .
Tajay Thompson , who was convicted of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply as a 17-year-old , has been given a reprieve .
He served half of a 15-month sentence in 2015 and , now 23 , he had told Sky News : `` It 's not like I 'm a rapist or a murderer , I 've made a mistake when I was 17 and it 's now going to affect my whole life . ''
Mr Thompson was brought to the UK as a five-year-old and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in south London .
He has only been to Jamaica twice on holiday since and said : `` I feel like I was born here .
Jamaica is not my country . ''
His mother Carline Angus said she feared for her son 's safety if he was deported .
She told Sky News : `` Sending a person back to Jamaica to live is totally different from going on holiday .
`` The minute you reach back home you are a deportee , your life is in jeopardy .
You 'd be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you became an easy target .
So there 's no way he can survive .
Tajay knows no one there . ''
Mr Thompson filed a separate legal challenge and is now able to remain in detention in the UK while his lawyers work to keep him here indefinitely .
Akiva Heaven , 22 , who served around four years for a drugs offence and was released in May 2018 , said : `` I 've done my sentence already , I 've done my crime , done my time as they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his life if he is forced to return to a place where he has no relatives and no memories .
Nottingham East Labour MP Nadia Whittome organised the letter to Boris Johnson and said deportations should be stopped until a report into the Windrush controversy is released .
She said : `` The fact is that many of the individuals in question have lived in the UK since they were children and at least 41 British children are now at risk of losing their fathers through this charter flight .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Windrush scandal unless it cancels this flight and others like it until the Windrush Lessons Learned Review has been published and its recommendations implemented . ''
Windrush campaigner and Labour MP David Lammy urged the government to reassure MPs that there were no British nationals on the flight .
He added : `` People watching see the way that this government holds with such disrespect the contribution of West Indian , Caribbean and black people in this country .
When , when will black lives matter again ? ''
The Windrush generation were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the UK from the Caribbean in 1948 .
Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973 were automatically granted indefinite leave to remain but many of them were not given any documents to confirm their status .
In recent years , some have been denied access to services , held in detention or removed , despite living legally in the country for decades .
Reacting to Ms Whittome 's request last week , Boris Johnson said : `` The people of this country will think it right to send back foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 convicted criminals were deported to Jamaica on the first deportation flight since the Windrush scandal .
The Home Office previously said that under the UK Borders Act 2007 , a deportation order must be made where a foreign national has been convicted of an offence and received a custodial sentence of 12 months or more .
Possible exceptions include where this would breach human rights or the UK 's obligations under the Refugee Convention .


skynewspolitics--2020-02-10--Boris Johnson's Brexit deal can be done, but at what cost?

Boris Johnson marked Brexit Day by consigning the B-word to the historical archives , while his team declared the phrase `` no deal '' banned .
It is all part of No 10 's intention to de-dramatise the next phase of Brexit negotiations and deliver Mr Johnson 's election promise that there would be a clean break from the EU by the end of 2020 .
Trade negotiations will be done and dusted by the end of this year with no extension to the implementation period - Boris Johnson 's brave new Brexit world begins in earnest on 1 January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK government has dramatically lowered what it is asking of the EU in the hope that a basic free trade deal can be hammered out in the next 10 months .
The deal the government is seeking is shallower , officials tell me , than the Canada trade deal .
No 10 wants - in trade parlance - an `` exclusive competence deal '' rather than a `` mixed competence deal '' .
That means the European Council has the power to negotiate and rubber stamp the deal without it having to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is a very different prospect to the Canada deal , which took seven years to negotiate and was nearly thwarted at the 11th hour after the people of Wallonia , a small region in Belgium , mounted a spirited opposition to the deal soon after the UK voted to leave in 2016 .
At the time , this trade cliffhanger was viewed as a very bad omen for the prospect of a quick post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and the EU .
But this was all a very different era .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was seeking a deeper relationship with the EU than a Canada-style deal .
She painstakingly drew up a bespoke deal to ensure `` frictionless '' trade and continued access to the single market in return for signing up to a `` common rule book '' .
Mr Johnson - who quit cabinet over Mrs May 's `` Chequers deal '' - is now proposing something far less ambitious : officials and trade experts says his basic free trade deal is doable by the year end - if both sides compromise .
`` Boris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' says Raoul Ruparel , Theresa May 's former Europe adviser .
`` Boris Johnson 's deal is closer to no trade agreement than to membership whereas May 's was closer to membership than no agreement .
It is a big step down from the May deal because she wanted to avoid border friction and customs checks and regulatory checks . ''
Unlike Mrs May , Mr Johnson is accepting friction on the border .
There will be customs declarations and compliance forms .
This is the price he is willing to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can the two sides agree a deal on tariffs and quotas before the year is out ?
It depends if they can find a landing zone on three rather difficult sticking points around level playing field requirements , the role of the European Court of Justice ( ECJ ) , and fishing waters .
Mr Ruparel thinks a deal is `` the most likely outcome '' but says the risk of no agreement is `` underpriced '' .
`` The EU 's starting point is not just Canada , on level playing field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says .
`` This will be difficult and the difference between a basic free trade agreement and no arrangement is not huge .
The calculation will be how much does Boris Johnson want to get a deal done ? ''
Level playing field is a trade policy term for a set of common rules and standards that protect against businesses in one country getting a competitive advantage over others by undercutting them and the EU is particularly sensitive to the competitive risk the UK could pose on its borders .
On state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the EU is demanding that the UK signs up to strict rules in return for a trade deal .
Level playing field commitments typically form part of a trade deal .
But the government 's position is that the EU is asking more of the UK than it did from Canada or Japan because of the economic connectedness and geographical proximity .
A senior government figure pointed out that the commitments to a level playing field in the political declaration is `` commensurate with economic connectedness '' .
Mr Johnson has stepped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a close trading relationship and asked for far less .
His negotiators now expect the EU to do the same when it comes to trying to bind the UK into its laws .
The UK government says it wants to maintain high standards in employment and environmental laws , while the chancellor has made it clear the UK will not to diverge on standards for the sake of it .
Mr Johnson is also clear he will not sign up to `` level playing field ' requirements in a trade treaty , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own standards - equivalent to those of the EU - into law ?
There is , say insiders , room for a fudge if the two sides are prepared to shift a bit .
But what will be `` politically impossible '' for Mr Johnson to accept is any ECJ jurisdiction when it comes to policing the trade deal .
The two sides have pointed to a supranational dispute resolution body , but it can not have the ECJ as the backdrop for interpreting EU laws .
One compromise might be to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to settle disputes - again a fudge .
The final area of contention is around fishing , which could potentially become an explosive issue for the prime minister later this year .
The prime minister has promised UK fishermen a `` better deal '' from Brexit , while the EU has trained its sights on securing fishing quotas , explicitly linked future market access to the EU 's financial services sector to access to the UK giving ground on fish .
For the UK , fishing makes up just 0.1 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fish in our waters than British fleets .
It makes economic sense for the government to trade away fishing quotas and rights over territorial waters in return for a good deal on financial services and in his speech last week , the prime minister said for the first time he was ready to do a deal based on `` annual negotiations with the EU '' .
A valuable chip to cash in for the prime minister but one with plenty of domestic risk .
The negotiations are yet to begin in earnest as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mr Johnson would of course like us to drop Brexit and the prospect of a deal versus no deal from the airwaves .
He promised the British people he would `` get Brexit done '' and he would like them very much to believe that the moment the UK left the EU on 31 January was the end of it .
But this is a 47-year old relationship .
And the partners involved traded £650bn between them in 2018 .
So what that future relationship looks like will define Mr Johnson 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy , and the public finances , influence Britain 's geopolitics and touch upon all of our lives .
Mr Johnson might want to de-dramatise it , or not even talk about it , but what happens between the UK and the EU over these negotiations are even more important than the terms of the divorce .
Go for a Canada-style deal and the UK economy could be 4.9 % worse off by 2035 , according to the more recently published Treasury forecasts .
Go for a managed no-deal exit - rebranded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a projected 7.7 % lower over that time .
Mrs May 's deal would have been the least damaging to the economy , with growth 2.1 % lower by 2035 than remaining in the EU , but this is now Mr Johnson 's Brexit and he has won a mandate to champion a basic deal in return for a quick negotiation and a clean break .
Sam Lowe , a research fellow at the Centre for European Reform think tank , thinks the two sides will manage to agree a deal this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the divorce talks , go down to the wire .
`` One of the constant threads throughout Brexit was everyone saying `` we are happy with severe disruption '' , but no one really wants it when it approaches , '' he says .
`` In the third quarter the UK will concede in certain areas and the EU will budge a little bit and then Boris Johnson will package it up as a win . ''
Only time will tell if he 's right .

Boris Johnson marked Brexit Day by consigning the B-word to the historical archives, while his team declared the phrase "no deal" banned.
It is all part of No 10's intention to de-dramatise the next phase of Brexit negotiations and deliver Mr Johnson's election promise that there would be a clean break from the EU by the end of 2020.
Trade negotiations will be done and dusted by the end of this year with no extension to the implementation period - Boris Johnson's brave new Brexit world begins in earnest on 1 January 2021.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:37 The moment the UK left the EU
To that end, the UK government has dramatically lowered what it is asking of the EU in the hope that a basic free trade deal can be hammered out in the next 10 months.
The deal the government is seeking is shallower, officials tell me, than the Canada trade deal. No 10 wants - in trade parlance - an "exclusive competence deal" rather than a "mixed competence deal".
That means the European Council has the power to negotiate and rubber stamp the deal without it having to be approved by national and regional parliaments.
That is a very different prospect to the Canada deal, which took seven years to negotiate and was nearly thwarted at the 11th hour after the people of Wallonia, a small region in Belgium, mounted a spirited opposition to the deal soon after the UK voted to leave in 2016.
At the time, this trade cliffhanger was viewed as a very bad omen for the prospect of a quick post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and the EU.
But this was all a very different era. Under the May regime, the government was seeking a deeper relationship with the EU than a Canada-style deal.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:53 This is how the country marked 'Brexit day'
She painstakingly drew up a bespoke deal to ensure "frictionless" trade and continued access to the single market in return for signing up to a "common rule book".
Mr Johnson - who quit cabinet over Mrs May's "Chequers deal" - is now proposing something far less ambitious: officials and trade experts says his basic free trade deal is doable by the year end - if both sides compromise.
"Boris Johnson's deal is very different," says Raoul Ruparel, Theresa May's former Europe adviser.
"Boris Johnson's deal is closer to no trade agreement than to membership whereas May's was closer to membership than no agreement. It is a big step down from the May deal because she wanted to avoid border friction and customs checks and regulatory checks."
Unlike Mrs May, Mr Johnson is accepting friction on the border. There will be customs declarations and compliance forms. This is the price he is willing to make businesses pay for regulatory independence.
Image: Theresa May failed to get her Brexit deal over the line
So can the two sides agree a deal on tariffs and quotas before the year is out? It depends if they can find a landing zone on three rather difficult sticking points around level playing field requirements, the role of the European Court of Justice (ECJ), and fishing waters.
Mr Ruparel thinks a deal is "the most likely outcome" but says the risk of no agreement is "underpriced".
"The EU's starting point is not just Canada, on level playing field requirements it goes beyond that," he says.
"This will be difficult and the difference between a basic free trade agreement and no arrangement is not huge. The calculation will be how much does Boris Johnson want to get a deal done?"
Level playing field is a trade policy term for a set of common rules and standards that protect against businesses in one country getting a competitive advantage over others by undercutting them and the EU is particularly sensitive to the competitive risk the UK could pose on its borders.
On state aid, employment, environment and taxation, the EU is demanding that the UK signs up to strict rules in return for a trade deal.
Level playing field commitments typically form part of a trade deal. But the government's position is that the EU is asking more of the UK than it did from Canada or Japan because of the economic connectedness and geographical proximity.
A senior government figure pointed out that the commitments to a level playing field in the political declaration is "commensurate with economic connectedness".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:46 PM: 'An astonishing moment of hope'
Mr Johnson has stepped away from Mrs May's goal of a close trading relationship and asked for far less. His negotiators now expect the EU to do the same when it comes to trying to bind the UK into its laws.
The UK government says it wants to maintain high standards in employment and environmental laws, while the chancellor has made it clear the UK will not to diverge on standards for the sake of it.
Mr Johnson is also clear he will not sign up to "level playing field' requirements in a trade treaty, but might he be prepared to write his own standards - equivalent to those of the EU - into law? There is, say insiders, room for a fudge if the two sides are prepared to shift a bit.
But what will be "politically impossible" for Mr Johnson to accept is any ECJ jurisdiction when it comes to policing the trade deal. The two sides have pointed to a supranational dispute resolution body, but it cannot have the ECJ as the backdrop for interpreting EU laws.
One compromise might be to use international benchmarks on employment or environmental standards to settle disputes - again a fudge.
The final area of contention is around fishing, which could potentially become an explosive issue for the prime minister later this year.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:48 Johnson visits fishermen in Scotland
The prime minister has promised UK fishermen a "better deal" from Brexit, while the EU has trained its sights on securing fishing quotas, explicitly linked future market access to the EU's financial services sector to access to the UK giving ground on fish.
For the UK, fishing makes up just 0.1% of the economy, while EU boats catch more fish in our waters than British fleets.
It makes economic sense for the government to trade away fishing quotas and rights over territorial waters in return for a good deal on financial services and in his speech last week, the prime minister said for the first time he was ready to do a deal based on "annual negotiations with the EU".
A valuable chip to cash in for the prime minister but one with plenty of domestic risk.
Image: Michel Barnier is leading negotiations for the EU
The negotiations are yet to begin in earnest as the two sides set out their stalls, Mr Johnson would of course like us to drop Brexit and the prospect of a deal versus no deal from the airwaves.
He promised the British people he would "get Brexit done" and he would like them very much to believe that the moment the UK left the EU on 31 January was the end of it.
But this is a 47-year old relationship. And the partners involved traded £650bn between them in 2018.
So what that future relationship looks like will define Mr Johnson's administration. It will shape the UK economy, and the public finances, influence Britain's geopolitics and touch upon all of our lives.
Mr Johnson might want to de-dramatise it, or not even talk about it, but what happens between the UK and the EU over these negotiations are even more important than the terms of the divorce.
Image: Britain has left the EU but there is much still to do
Go for a Canada-style deal and the UK economy could be 4.9% worse off by 2035, according to the more recently published Treasury forecasts.
Go for a managed no-deal exit - rebranded the Australian arrangement - and GDP would be a projected 7.7% lower over that time.
Mrs May's deal would have been the least damaging to the economy, with growth 2.1% lower by 2035 than remaining in the EU, but this is now Mr Johnson's Brexit and he has won a mandate to champion a basic deal in return for a quick negotiation and a clean break.
Image: The PM does not want Brexit to be the focus of his time in office
Sam Lowe, a research fellow at the Centre for European Reform think tank, thinks the two sides will manage to agree a deal this year, but thinks it will, as with the divorce talks, go down to the wire.
"One of the constant threads throughout Brexit was everyone saying "we are happy with severe disruption", but no one really wants it when it approaches," he says.
"In the third quarter the UK will concede in certain areas and the EU will budge a little bit and then Boris Johnson will package it up as a win."
Only time will tell if he's right.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-10--Home secretary apologises to Labour MP for threats from activist

Priti Patel has apologised to a Labour MP who was subjected to threats by a Tory activist who was later jailed .
Speaking in the Commons , the home secretary offered her support to Yvette Cooper and said such abuse and threats would not be tolerated .
Former Conservative council candidate Joshua Spencer was sentenced to nine weeks in prison and given a 10-year restraining order at Leeds Magistrates ' Court last week .
The 25-year-old wrote in April that he was working to get Ms Cooper `` hurt '' over her opposition to a no-deal Brexit , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expelled by the party , with a spokesman saying last week : `` This kind of conduct has no place in our public life and we extend our sympathies to Yvette Cooper for the distress and harm this incident must have caused . ''
But Ms Cooper , MP for Normanton , Pontefract and Castleford , has criticised the Conservatives ' national response to the case .
Raising the matter in the Commons , she said : `` On Friday , the deputy chair of the local Conservative Association was jailed for nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against me - ' I 'm already organising her to be hurt ' , 'Amazing what crackheads will do for £100 .
I 'm going to get her beat up ' .
`` The chair of the local association has today written to me expressing regrets and apologies for what he describes as the grave and unacceptable actions of their member , who has since been expelled , and I welcome that letter and that support .
`` But it is a concern to me that there has been thus far no similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the national party . ''
Ms Cooper also expressed her disappointment that Andrea Jenkyns , MP for the neighbouring constituency of Morley and Outwood , had given a `` very positive character reference '' for Spencer without getting in touch with her first .
In addition , she expressed concerns that Spencer was able to attend her general election count in December as a Tory representative , despite the fact that he had received a summons over the case .
Ms Cooper called on the home secretary to condemn the threats , look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and urged all political parties to come together and develop a new `` joint code of conduct against intimidation '' .
She told MPs : `` Violent threats must have no place in politics for all parties . ''
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Ms Patel said what Ms Cooper had to experience was `` categorically unacceptable and wrong '' , adding : `` There is no place for intimidation at all in public life .
`` In terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take it from me right now that I am hugely apologetic for what she has had to put up with .
`` That 's simply unacceptable and that is something we should all be mindful of and look into as representatives of major political parties .
None of this should be tolerated . ''
With regards to the character reference from Ms Jenkyns , Ms Patel said she understood the Tory MP 's comments were `` in support very much of getting the individual some help and support '' in terms of accessing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patel 's comments , Ms Cooper wrote on Twitter : I very much welcome this reply and apology from the Home Secretary .
All political parties should be able to come together to stand up against violent threats wherever they come from . ''
Ms Jenkyns has said she stands by her decision to give Spencer a character reference .
`` Josh has bipolar and had mental health issues since his father 's suicide in 2015 and I was , and remain , concerned about his emotional and mental well-being and wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consideration as part of the judicial process , '' she said in a statement after the court case concluded .
`` I will be seeking assurances that he will get the support he clearly needs as part of his rehabilitation . ''

Priti Patel has apologised to a Labour MP who was subjected to threats by a Tory activist who was later jailed.
Speaking in the Commons, the home secretary offered her support to Yvette Cooper and said such abuse and threats would not be tolerated.
Former Conservative council candidate Joshua Spencer was sentenced to nine weeks in prison and given a 10-year restraining order at Leeds Magistrates' Court last week.
Image: Yvette Cooper has criticised the Tory party's national response to the case
The 25-year-old wrote in April that he was working to get Ms Cooper "hurt" over her opposition to a no-deal Brexit, according to The Guardian.
He has since been expelled by the party, with a spokesman saying last week: "This kind of conduct has no place in our public life and we extend our sympathies to Yvette Cooper for the distress and harm this incident must have caused."
But Ms Cooper, MP for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford, has criticised the Conservatives' national response to the case.
Raising the matter in the Commons, she said: "On Friday, the deputy chair of the local Conservative Association was jailed for nine weeks for menacing communications, including threats against me - 'I'm already organising her to be hurt', 'Amazing what crackheads will do for £100. I'm going to get her beat up'.
"The chair of the local association has today written to me expressing regrets and apologies for what he describes as the grave and unacceptable actions of their member, who has since been expelled, and I welcome that letter and that support.
"But it is a concern to me that there has been thus far no similar condemnation or sense of regret expressed by the national party."
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Ms Cooper also expressed her disappointment that Andrea Jenkyns, MP for the neighbouring constituency of Morley and Outwood, had given a "very positive character reference" for Spencer without getting in touch with her first.
Image: Andrea Jenkyns has said she stands by her decision to give Spencer a character reference
In addition, she expressed concerns that Spencer was able to attend her general election count in December as a Tory representative, despite the fact that he had received a summons over the case.
Ms Cooper called on the home secretary to condemn the threats, look at the Tory response to the case and urged all political parties to come together and develop a new "joint code of conduct against intimidation".
She told MPs: "Violent threats must have no place in politics for all parties."
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Ms Patel said what Ms Cooper had to experience was "categorically unacceptable and wrong", adding: "There is no place for intimidation at all in public life.
"In terms of the national party response, she can take it from me right now that I am hugely apologetic for what she has had to put up with.
"That's simply unacceptable and that is something we should all be mindful of and look into as representatives of major political parties. None of this should be tolerated."
With regards to the character reference from Ms Jenkyns, Ms Patel said she understood the Tory MP's comments were "in support very much of getting the individual some help and support" in terms of accessing mental health services.
Reacting to Ms Patel's comments, Ms Cooper wrote on Twitter: I very much welcome this reply and apology from the Home Secretary. All political parties should be able to come together to stand up against violent threats wherever they come from."
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Ms Jenkyns has said she stands by her decision to give Spencer a character reference.
"Josh has bipolar and had mental health issues since his father's suicide in 2015 and I was, and remain, concerned about his emotional and mental well-being and wanted to make absolutely sure it was taken into consideration as part of the judicial process," she said in a statement after the court case concluded.
"I will be seeking assurances that he will get the support he clearly needs as part of his rehabilitation."


skynewspolitics--2020-02-10--'Nonsensical allegations' - Starmer's team deny breaching data rules

Sir Keir Starmer 's leadership campaign has said it `` categorically '' denies `` nonsensical allegations '' it has breached data rules during the race to replace Jeremy Corbyn .
The Labour Party has passed on claims that the shadow Brexit secretary 's team accessed the party 's membership database to the Information Commissioner 's Office .
An ICO spokesperson confirmed to Sky News that it is `` making enquiries '' on the matter .
A spokesperson for Sir Keir 's campaign flatly denied there had been any wrongdoing .
They said : `` We categorically reject these nonsensical allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been leaked to the media .
`` We are still awaiting the party 's formal response to the serious concerns we and others had about access to Labour Party membership data . ''
It comes as Labour investigates a complaint about rival candidate shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey 's use of party data .
Her camp has called for the focus in the race to return to policy - and said the allegations against them have arisen from a `` failure '' to close an online system allowing access to Labour members ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The investigation into Keir Starmer 's campaign over an alleged data breach should not be allowed to distract from a moment of significant importance in determining the future direction of our party , '' a campaign spokesman said .
`` As Rebecca 's campaign has said previously , the accessibility of members ' data stemmed from a failure to close Dialogue at the end of the general election campaign . ''
General secretary Jennie Formby has written to all candidates following reports of alleged misuse of membership data and party systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Labour Party takes its legal responsibilities for data protection , and the security and integrity of its data and systems , extremely seriously .
`` We have written to all leadership candidates to remind them of their obligations under the law and to seek assurances that membership data will not be misused . ''
At the weekly meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party , MPs led by veteran ex-minister John Spellar complained that general secretary Jennie Formby was not present to answer questions about the membership data `` dirty tricks '' row @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one MP said as she left the meeting .
Another Labour MP told Sky News : `` We 've been trying to get Jennie Formby to come to the PLP for weeks to answer questions about the 'community organisers ' the party appointed during the election campaign at a cost of £3m . ''
The PLP chairman , John Cryer , told MPs at the meeting that Ms Formby would answer these questions at a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Wednesday .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spreaker But one Labour veteran told Sky News : `` I 'll believe it when I see it . ''
Another complaint raised by Labour MPs was a claim that party HQ is only allowing them a 50-word message to their activists about which leadership candidate there are supporting .
`` It 's because not many MPs are supporting Rebecca Long-Bailey , '' said one Lisa Nandy supporter .
`` It 's a stitch-up . ''
Sir Keir and Ms Long-Bailey are seen as the leading candidates to succeed Mr Corbyn as Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most support from MPs , MEPs , constituency parties and affiliate organisations .
Wigan MP Lisa Nandy and shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry are also standing .
A winner in the contest will be announced at the start of April .

Sir Keir Starmer's leadership campaign has said it "categorically" denies "nonsensical allegations" it has breached data rules during the race to replace Jeremy Corbyn.
The Labour Party has passed on claims that the shadow Brexit secretary's team accessed the party's membership database to the Information Commissioner's Office.
An ICO spokesperson confirmed to Sky News that it is "making enquiries" on the matter.
Image: Labour is also investigating a complaint about rival candidate Rebecca Long-Bailey's use of party data
A spokesperson for Sir Keir's campaign flatly denied there had been any wrongdoing.
They said: "We categorically reject these nonsensical allegations and are incredibly disappointed that they have been leaked to the media.
"We are still awaiting the party's formal response to the serious concerns we and others had about access to Labour Party membership data."
It comes as Labour investigates a complaint about rival candidate shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey's use of party data.
Her camp has called for the focus in the race to return to policy - and said the allegations against them have arisen from a "failure" to close an online system allowing access to Labour members' details at the end of the election.
"The investigation into Keir Starmer's campaign over an alleged data breach should not be allowed to distract from a moment of significant importance in determining the future direction of our party," a campaign spokesman said.
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"As Rebecca's campaign has said previously, the accessibility of members' data stemmed from a failure to close Dialogue at the end of the general election campaign."
General secretary Jennie Formby has written to all candidates following reports of alleged misuse of membership data and party systems.
A party spokesman said: "The Labour Party takes its legal responsibilities for data protection, and the security and integrity of its data and systems, extremely seriously.
"We have written to all leadership candidates to remind them of their obligations under the law and to seek assurances that membership data will not be misused."
At the weekly meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, MPs led by veteran ex-minister John Spellar complained that general secretary Jennie Formby was not present to answer questions about the membership data "dirty tricks" row.
"It's outrageous!" one MP said as she left the meeting.
Another Labour MP told Sky News: "We've been trying to get Jennie Formby to come to the PLP for weeks to answer questions about the 'community organisers' the party appointed during the election campaign at a cost of £3m."
The PLP chairman, John Cryer, told MPs at the meeting that Ms Formby would answer these questions at a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Wednesday.
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
But one Labour veteran told Sky News: "I'll believe it when I see it."
Another complaint raised by Labour MPs was a claim that party HQ is only allowing them a 50-word message to their activists about which leadership candidate there are supporting.
"It's because not many MPs are supporting Rebecca Long-Bailey," said one Lisa Nandy supporter. "It's a stitch-up."
Sir Keir and Ms Long-Bailey are seen as the leading candidates to succeed Mr Corbyn as Labour leader, having so far attracted the most support from MPs, MEPs, constituency parties and affiliate organisations.
Wigan MP Lisa Nandy and shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry are also standing.
A winner in the contest will be announced at the start of April.