skynewspolitics--2020-11-08--Five things we learnt from this week's Sophy Ridge On Sunday

The US election is finally over - sort of .
Pending any legal challenges that are extremely unlikely to change the result , that is .
So , with Joe Biden now the president-elect , what are the challenges ahead ?
Count the votes ?
Yes , in principle For Democrats , the apocalypse has been averted , while Republicans may disagree .
In a less than ideal start to the UK government 's relationship with Mr Biden , Dominic Raab refused to say unequivocally that all votes should be counted in a democratic election .
Asked directly four times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressed twice more , the foreign secretary conceded at the third time of asking : `` Yes , in principle . ''
But he added : `` What you are really trying to do , Sophy , is drag me in so that the legal claims about whether or not all the votes have properly been counted - when you look at the mailed votes , the votes in person and the claims that have been made for example about the posted military ballots - so I just do n't want to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also praised Mr Biden for having `` won with more votes in history in any election '' .
And he made sure to give the Democrat 's running-mate her full title after it was left out of last night 's statement , saying : `` We congratulate Vice President-elect Kamala Harris , who will be the first black woman to hold that office - a landmark achievement . ''
Former chancellor and home secretary , Sajid Javid , said Donald Trump has `` done a huge amount of damage to democracy both in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his `` adolescent behaviour '' .
Mr Javid told Sophy that in calling for the vote count to be stopped , the now one-term president was harming his own nation and others , saying `` the US is a beacon of democracy across the world , as we are , and he has done damage , is still doing damage because he has n't stopped '' .
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Javid is no fan of Mr Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for retweeting far-right group Britain First .
He was later excluded from the banquet welcoming the president 's state visit to the UK , something he described as `` odd '' .
The former banker ( and member of a Republican club during his time in New York ) said he hoped that `` serious people around [ Trump ] will take him aside and tell him to stop and put an end to this '' .
He was upbeat about the government 's chances of getting on with the new president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade and saying : `` I think there 's a lot of crossover , a lot of mutual interests , far more than there ever was with a Trump administration . ''
Mr Javid was joined by Labour 's Emily Thornberry , who said the UK must speak with `` one voice '' against Donald Trump 's refusal to accept the US election result .
The shadow international trade secretary said : `` I do n't think anybody can be surprised .
I think it 's very much the pattern of behaviour that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he has been telling us himself for some time that this is what he was going to do .
`` I think what 's important is that we all stand united , those of us who are interested in democracy and supporters of Western democracy in particular .
To have the sitting president say that the result is n't valid is very damaging indeed and so I think it is very important that we all speak with one voice on this . ''
General Sir Nick Carter spoke to Sky 's foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said there was a `` risk '' of a third world war - adding that `` we have to remember that history might not repeat itself but it has a rhythm '' .
He suggested that `` with quite a lot of the regional conflicts that are going on at the moment…you could see escalation lead to miscalculation '' which could in turn become `` full-blown war '' .
Within the last 10 years , conflicts in Ukraine and Syria and Iraq , as well as the Armenia-Azerbaijan war , have all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pull in larger states on various sides - with Sir Nick saying the UK had to make sure it was `` very cautious '' about how it managed flashpoints .
All I want for Christmas is a four-nation approach There may be excitement in America , but over here worries about what coronavirus means for our normal rituals remain .
Wales ' First Minister Mark Drakeford told the show : `` I think it is really important that we have a four-nation approach to Christmas .
So many families in Wales have their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the United Kingdom and vice-versa .
`` We were promised last week by Michael Gove that we will have another four-nation meeting in this coming week so that we can pool ideas , plan together , have a common approach to the Christmas period .
I really hope that meeting materialises . ''
The first part of the first minister 's wish seems likely to come true , if Boris Johnson 's words on Thursday are to be believed .
The prime minister confirmed all four nations are `` working together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period , because all of us want to ensure families can come together wherever they live '' .
Mr Drakeford refused to be drawn on what any eventual agreement could look like .
Questions over how to cope with students coming home , reuniting families or simply what can be done on Christmas Day , all remain up in the air .

The US election is finally over - sort of.
Pending any legal challenges that are extremely unlikely to change the result, that is.
So, with Joe Biden now the president-elect, what are the challenges ahead?
Count the votes? Yes, in principle
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For Democrats, the apocalypse has been averted, while Republicans may disagree. In a less than ideal start to the UK government's relationship with Mr Biden, Dominic Raab refused to say unequivocally that all votes should be counted in a democratic election.
Asked directly four times on Sophy Ridge on Sunday, and pressed twice more, the foreign secretary conceded at the third time of asking: "Yes, in principle."
But he added: "What you are really trying to do, Sophy, is drag me in so that the legal claims about whether or not all the votes have properly been counted - when you look at the mailed votes, the votes in person and the claims that have been made for example about the posted military ballots - so I just don't want to get sucked into that."
Mr Raab also praised Mr Biden for having "won with more votes in history in any election".
And he made sure to give the Democrat's running-mate her full title after it was left out of last night's statement, saying: "We congratulate Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who will be the first black woman to hold that office - a landmark achievement."
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Damage to democracy
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Former chancellor and home secretary, Sajid Javid, said Donald Trump has "done a huge amount of damage to democracy both in his own country and abroad" with his "adolescent behaviour".
Mr Javid told Sophy that in calling for the vote count to be stopped, the now one-term president was harming his own nation and others, saying "the US is a beacon of democracy across the world, as we are, and he has done damage, is still doing damage because he hasn't stopped".
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Mr Javid is no fan of Mr Trump, having publicly rebuked him in 2017 for retweeting far-right group Britain First. He was later excluded from the banquet welcoming the president's state visit to the UK, something he described as "odd".
The former banker (and member of a Republican club during his time in New York) said he hoped that "serious people around [Trump] will take him aside and tell him to stop and put an end to this".
He was upbeat about the government's chances of getting on with the new president, however, citing climate change and free trade and saying: "I think there's a lot of crossover, a lot of mutual interests, far more than there ever was with a Trump administration."
Speak with one voice
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Mr Javid was joined by Labour's Emily Thornberry, who said the UK must speak with "one voice" against Donald Trump's refusal to accept the US election result.
The shadow international trade secretary said: "I don't think anybody can be surprised. I think it's very much the pattern of behaviour that [Trump] indulges in and actually, he has been telling us himself for some time that this is what he was going to do.
"I think what's important is that we all stand united, those of us who are interested in democracy and supporters of Western democracy in particular. To have the sitting president say that the result isn't valid is very damaging indeed and so I think it is very important that we all speak with one voice on this."
World War Three risk
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General Sir Nick Carter spoke to Sky's foreign affairs editor Deborah Haynes for the show and said there was a "risk" of a third world war - adding that "we have to remember that history might not repeat itself but it has a rhythm".
He suggested that "with quite a lot of the regional conflicts that are going on at the moment…you could see escalation lead to miscalculation" which could in turn become "full-blown war".
Within the last 10 years, conflicts in Ukraine and Syria and Iraq, as well as the Armenia-Azerbaijan war, have all pulled in or had the potential to pull in larger states on various sides - with Sir Nick saying the UK had to make sure it was "very cautious" about how it managed flashpoints.
All I want for Christmas is a four-nation approach
There may be excitement in America, but over here worries about what coronavirus means for our normal rituals remain.
Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford told the show: "I think it is really important that we have a four-nation approach to Christmas. So many families in Wales have their friends and other family members in other parts of the United Kingdom and vice-versa.
"We were promised last week by Michael Gove that we will have another four-nation meeting in this coming week so that we can pool ideas, plan together, have a common approach to the Christmas period. I really hope that meeting materialises."
The first part of the first minister's wish seems likely to come true, if Boris Johnson's words on Thursday are to be believed. The prime minister confirmed all four nations are "working together on a joint approach to the Christmas period, because all of us want to ensure families can come together wherever they live".
Mr Drakeford refused to be drawn on what any eventual agreement could look like. Questions over how to cope with students coming home, reuniting families or simply what can be done on Christmas Day, all remain up in the air.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-09--PM warned not to become 'international pariah' over Brexit bill - as Biden watches on

The government will reinstate any parts of its international law-breaking Brexit legislation that are removed by the House of Lords , a cabinet minister has vowed .
The UK Internal Market Bill , which has been condemned by critics both in Westminster and abroad , seeks to allow ministers to override the Withdrawal Agreement signed with the EU .
But the proposed legislation is set to suffer a heavy defeat in the House of Lords on Monday , when peers consider the most controversial parts of the bill .
Labour warned the UK could become an `` international pariah '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A fresh parliamentary row over the legislation is likely to again be closely watched in the US , where president-elect Joe Biden has previously warned about Northern Ireland 's Good Friday Agreement becoming a `` casualty '' of Brexit .
The Financial Times reported Mr Biden would stress this point during his first call with Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the coming days .
However , Environment Secretary George Eustice told Sky News the government would stand firmly behind its legislation .
Asked whether ministers would immediately reinstate any of the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House of Lords , Mr Eustice replied : `` We will .
`` The UK Internal Market Bill is not about undermining the Belfast Agreement , it 's about standing behind it and making sure it works and looking after the interests of Northern Ireland - making sure the peace that has been hard-won there can carry on .
`` The limited number of areas where we took a power , subject to parliament agreeing it , to be able to create legal clarity and legal certainty should there be areas that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the EU ca n't agree .
`` We 've got to provide that legal certainty and legal clarity and that 's all the bill does . ''
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Lord Falconer , Labour 's shadow attorney general , branded the government 's argument that the bill is needed to protect the Good Friday Agreement as `` utter and obvious nonsense '' .
He told Sky News : `` I would advise the government to stop and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the point in making the UK an international pariah just at the moment a new US president emerges who is saying 'not only do I want the British government to comply with the Northern Ireland Protocol , but I want a law-abiding world ' ?
`` To make ourselves an international outsider , somebody who will come low down the list of people the US will want to do business with is a very big mistake for the UK . ''
Lord Falconer said the House of Lords was `` doing the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these law-breaking provisions now '' .
`` It gets the government off a hook - I would suggest the government stops digging , they 're in a big hole , '' he added .

The government will reinstate any parts of its international law-breaking Brexit legislation that are removed by the House of Lords, a cabinet minister has vowed.
The UK Internal Market Bill, which has been condemned by critics both in Westminster and abroad, seeks to allow ministers to override the Withdrawal Agreement signed with the EU.
But the proposed legislation is set to suffer a heavy defeat in the House of Lords on Monday, when peers consider the most controversial parts of the bill.
Labour warned the UK could become an "international pariah" if the bill is passed in full.
Image: Joe Biden has warned about the Good Friday Agreement becoming a 'casualty' of Brexit
A fresh parliamentary row over the legislation is likely to again be closely watched in the US, where president-elect Joe Biden has previously warned about Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement becoming a "casualty" of Brexit.
The Financial Times reported Mr Biden would stress this point during his first call with Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the coming days.
However, Environment Secretary George Eustice told Sky News the government would stand firmly behind its legislation.
Asked whether ministers would immediately reinstate any of the bill's clauses that might be removed by the House of Lords, Mr Eustice replied: "We will.
"The UK Internal Market Bill is not about undermining the Belfast Agreement, it's about standing behind it and making sure it works and looking after the interests of Northern Ireland - making sure the peace that has been hard-won there can carry on.
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"The limited number of areas where we took a power, subject to parliament agreeing it, to be able to create legal clarity and legal certainty should there be areas that the Joint Committee process in our negotiations with the EU can't agree.
"We've got to provide that legal certainty and legal clarity and that's all the bill does."
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:: Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Lord Falconer, Labour's shadow attorney general, branded the government's argument that the bill is needed to protect the Good Friday Agreement as "utter and obvious nonsense".
He told Sky News: "I would advise the government to stop and think.
"What on Earth is the point in making the UK an international pariah just at the moment a new US president emerges who is saying 'not only do I want the British government to comply with the Northern Ireland Protocol, but I want a law-abiding world'?
"To make ourselves an international outsider, somebody who will come low down the list of people the US will want to do business with is a very big mistake for the UK."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:37 Celebrations in Biden's ancestral Irish home
Lord Falconer said the House of Lords was "doing the government a favour by seeking to take out these law-breaking provisions now".
"It gets the government off a hook - I would suggest the government stops digging, they're in a big hole," he added.
Senior Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, a former minister and now chair of the House of Commons' defence select committee, said that if the UK was "genuine about a new chapter of co-operation" with the US under Mr Biden, then it "must ditch" parts of the UK Internal Market Bill.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-09--£670k spend on PR team for UK vaccines chief 'unjustified'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has hit out at the `` unjustified '' spending of £670,000 of taxpayers ' cash on a team of PR consultants for the head of the UK 's coronavirus vaccine taskforce .
Kate Bingham , an investment fund manager and the wife of a Conservative minister , has used eight full-time consultants from Admiral Associates , a London PR agency , to oversee her media strategy since her appointment earlier this year .
The Sunday Times reported the consultants had helped prepare Ms Bingham for media appearances , draft statements and to oversee a vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have `` insisted '' on hiring the consultants , despite concerns they would duplicate the work of communications staff at the Department for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy ( BEIS ) .
The newspaper also reported the team 's hire was signed off by civil servants and not Business Secretary Alok Sharma .
On an LBC Radio phone-in show on Monday , Sir Keir said the spend on the PR consultants `` ca n't be justified '' .
The Labour leader contrasted the expenditure with the troubles of small business owners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show , during the coronavirus crisis .
`` You can not justify that sort of money being spent , '' he added .
`` If only it was the only example .
`` There are lots of examples of lucrative contracts going without any due process and I think the public mood on this is very , very clear . ''
Environment Secretary George Eustice failed to defend the use of PR consultants by Ms Bingham , suggesting it would have been better to use `` in-house '' government resources .
: : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He told Sky News ' Kay Burley that Health Secretary Matt Hancock would be `` monitoring all of the work they do '' , adding : `` I do n't know whether it was strictly PR consultants or whether it was management consultants more generally .
`` I used to work in that industry , but also as press secretary to [ former Conservative leader ] David Cameron .
`` And so , generally , I think these resources can come from in-house .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those particular contracts . ''
BEIS did not comment on The Sunday Times ' report .
But Whitehall sources said specialist communications support was employed by the vaccine taskforce for a time-limited period , with details of the contract to be published in line with usual transparency rules .
The UK 's vaccine taskforce was set up by Mr Hancock and Mr Sharma .
It is led by the government 's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and England 's deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan van Tam .
She is married @ @ @ @ @ @ @ junior Treasury minister .
Mr Norman is two years older than Mr Johnson , with both having attended Eton College and then Oxford University .
Ms Bingham attended Oxford University at the same time as Mr Johnson 's sister , Rachel Johnson .

The head of the UK's coronavirus vaccine taskforce is expected to leave her role at the end of the year.
Government sources stressed Kate Bingham was always due to leave at this stage.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer earlier hit out at the "unjustified" spending of £670,000 of taxpayers' cash on a team of PR consultants for the under-fire vaccines tsar.
Image: Kate Bingham is an investment fund manager and the wife of a Conservative minister
Ms Bingham, an investment fund manager and the wife of a Conservative minister, has used eight full-time consultants from Admiral Associates, a London PR agency, to oversee her media strategy since her appointment earlier this year.
The Sunday Times reported the consultants had helped prepare Ms Bingham for media appearances, draft statements and to oversee a vaccines podcast on Spotify.
She was said to have "insisted" on hiring the consultants, despite concerns they would duplicate the work of communications staff at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
The newspaper also reported the team's hire was signed off by civil servants and not Business Secretary Alok Sharma.
On an LBC Radio phone-in show on Monday, Sir Keir said the spend on the PR consultants "can't be justified".
The Labour leader contrasted the expenditure with the troubles of small business owners, who had earlier called into the show, during the coronavirus crisis.
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"You cannot justify that sort of money being spent," he added.
"If only it was the only example.
"There are lots of examples of lucrative contracts going without any due process and I think the public mood on this is very, very clear."
Environment Secretary George Eustice failed to defend the use of PR consultants by Ms Bingham, suggesting it would have been better to use "in-house" government resources.
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He told Sky News' Kay Burley that Health Secretary Matt Hancock would be "monitoring all of the work they do", adding: "I don't know whether it was strictly PR consultants or whether it was management consultants more generally.
"I used to work in that industry, but also as press secretary to [former Conservative leader] David Cameron.
"And so, generally, I think these resources can come from in-house. I don't know the specific circumstances of those particular contracts."
BEIS did not comment on The Sunday Times' report.
But Whitehall sources said specialist communications support was employed by the vaccine taskforce for a time-limited period, with details of the contract to be published in line with usual transparency rules.
The UK's vaccine taskforce was set up by Mr Hancock and Mr Sharma.
It is led by the government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and England's deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan van Tam.
Ms Bingham reports directly to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
She is married to Tory MP Jesse Norman, a junior Treasury minister.
Mr Norman is two years older than Mr Johnson, with both having attended Eton College and then Oxford University.
Ms Bingham attended Oxford University at the same time as Mr Johnson's sister, Rachel Johnson.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-09--Britons offered hope of quarantine-free holidays due to rapid COVID tests

Britons could be allowed to make quarantine-free holidays with the help of quick coronavirus tests , Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said .
In a speech to the Airport Operators Association on Monday , the cabinet minister told the air industry that the current trial of new , rapid turnaround tests in Liverpool offered `` hope for optimism '' .
And , with England due to exit its second national lockdown on 2 December , Mr Shapps also outlined the more immediate aim of a `` much-reduced period of self-isolation '' for travellers due to new arrivals procedures .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holidays are banned and those in breach of the restrictions face penalties starting at £200 and increasing to a maximum of £6,400 .
During the summer , many Britons were able to enjoy trips abroad thanks to the establishment of `` travel corridors '' with a number of countries .
However , as the second wave of COVID-19 infections continues to spread , many of those countries have now been removed from the exemption list and most arrivals to the UK once again have to self-isolate for 14 days .
In his speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently in `` perhaps the darkest hour for aviation '' .
But he stressed that `` much-reduced '' quarantine periods could soon be on the way , once lockdown is over .
`` I want you to know that we 've been making good progress on a 'test to release ' programme to launch once we 're out of lockdown , '' he said .
`` This will consist of a single test for arrivals into the UK , provided by the private sector and at the cost of the passenger , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown , this should encourage many more people to book flights with confidence knowing there is an option that allows them to shorten self-isolation . ''
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Shapps said he would report to Prime Minister Boris Johnson `` very soon '' with plans to `` support the recovery of international tourism and travel and increase consumer confidence '' .
The transport secretary also said the government was working with other countries to help establish an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing rules when travelling .
On the prospect of complete quarantine-free travel , Mr Shapps added that `` the type of lateral flow tests currently being trialled in Liverpool also give hope for optimism '' .
`` This is a highly accurate swab test that gives results in less than an hour , and does n't need to go to a lab , '' he said .
`` Ultimately , it could open the way for non-quarantined air travel .
`` The primary solution to the aviation crisis is getting passengers flying safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an effective vaccine but , before that , through effective testing . ''

Britons could be allowed to make quarantine-free holidays with the help of quick coronavirus tests, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said.
In a speech to the Airport Operators Association on Monday, the cabinet minister told the air industry that the current trial of new, rapid turnaround tests in Liverpool offered "hope for optimism".
And, with England due to exit its second national lockdown on 2 December, Mr Shapps also outlined the more immediate aim of a "much-reduced period of self-isolation" for travellers due to new arrivals procedures.
Under England's current lockdown rules, foreign holidays are banned and those in breach of the restrictions face penalties starting at £200 and increasing to a maximum of £6,400.
Image: Transport Secretary Grant Shapps offered hope of either none, or much-reduced, self-isolation periods
During the summer, many Britons were able to enjoy trips abroad thanks to the establishment of "travel corridors" with a number of countries.
However, as the second wave of COVID-19 infections continues to spread, many of those countries have now been removed from the exemption list and most arrivals to the UK once again have to self-isolate for 14 days.
In his speech, Mr Shapps suggested the world was currently in "perhaps the darkest hour for aviation".
But he stressed that "much-reduced" quarantine periods could soon be on the way, once lockdown is over.
"I want you to know that we've been making good progress on a 'test to release' programme to launch once we're out of lockdown," he said.
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"This will consist of a single test for arrivals into the UK, provided by the private sector and at the cost of the passenger," Mr Shapps said.
"Allowing a much-reduced period of self isolation.
"Beyond the lockdown, this should encourage many more people to book flights with confidence knowing there is an option that allows them to shorten self-isolation."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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Mr Shapps said he would report to Prime Minister Boris Johnson "very soon" with plans to "support the recovery of international tourism and travel and increase consumer confidence".
The transport secretary also said the government was working with other countries to help establish an "international standard" for self-isolation and testing rules when travelling.
On the prospect of complete quarantine-free travel, Mr Shapps added that "the type of lateral flow tests currently being trialled in Liverpool also give hope for optimism".
"This is a highly accurate swab test that gives results in less than an hour, and doesn't need to go to a lab," he said.
"Ultimately, it could open the way for non-quarantined air travel.
"The primary solution to the aviation crisis is getting passengers flying safely again.
"Ultimately through the development of an effective vaccine but, before that, through effective testing."


skynewspolitics--2020-11-09--Brexit: Johnson insists deal is 'there to be done' as Barnier arrives for fresh talks

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted that a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union is `` there to be done '' , as the end of the transition period looms .
A deal would need to be agreed by mid-November to allow time for ratification but talks had stalled in recent months , with both sides struggling to reach agreement on at least two main sticking points .
The chief negotiators - Michel Barnier for the EU and David Frost for the UK - will resume talks in London this week .
On his arrival in London on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very happy to be back '' and `` work continues '' on securing a deal .
Speaking ahead of the talks , Mr Johnson said : `` I 've always been a great enthusiast for a trade deal with our European friends and partners .
`` I think it 's there to be done , the broad outlines are pretty clear .
We just need to get on and do it if we can .
And I said that to [ European Commission president ] Ursula Von der Leyen just yesterday .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The main obstacles to a deal are guarantees on fair competition , especially over state aid rules ; and fisheries , a symbolic sector for Brexit supporters .
The move comes after Mr Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen spoke by phone on Saturday for `` a stock take '' on the progress of the stop-start negotiations , with both acknowledging `` significant differences '' remain .
Another source of conflict between the two sides is Mr Johnson 's determination to press ahead with a controversial bill , despite warnings from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Market Bill , due to be voted on by peers this week , would override clauses in the Withdrawal Agreement which relate to Northern Ireland .
The government has already admitted it breaks international law .
Mr Biden , who has Irish heritage , said in September that the Good Friday Agreement should not be `` a casualty of Brexit '' , adding that a UK-US trade deal would depend on the agreement being upheld .
Mr Johnson said : `` The whole point of that bill , and indeed the Finance Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Good Friday Agreement and the peace process in Northern Ireland .
`` And again , that 's one of the things that we 're united on with our friends in the White House . ''
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer wrote in The Guardian : `` If the government is serious about a reset in its relationship with the United States , then it should take an early first step and drop these proposals . ''

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted that a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union is "there to be done", as the end of the transition period looms.
A deal would need to be agreed by mid-November to allow time for ratification but talks had stalled in recent months, with both sides struggling to reach agreement on at least two main sticking points.
The chief negotiators - Michel Barnier for the EU and David Frost for the UK - will resume talks in London this week.
Image: Mr Johnson says he told Ms von der Leyen: 'We just need to get on and do it if we can'
On his arrival in London on Sunday, Mr Barnier said he was "very happy to be back" and "work continues" on securing a deal.
Speaking ahead of the talks, Mr Johnson said: "I've always been a great enthusiast for a trade deal with our European friends and partners.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:01 Brexit: UK open to '2-3 year' fishing deal
"I think it's there to be done, the broad outlines are pretty clear. We just need to get on and do it if we can. And I said that to [European Commission president] Ursula Von der Leyen just yesterday. And she totally agrees with me."
The main obstacles to a deal are guarantees on fair competition, especially over state aid rules; and fisheries, a symbolic sector for Brexit supporters.
The move comes after Mr Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen spoke by phone on Saturday for "a stock take" on the progress of the stop-start negotiations, with both acknowledging "significant differences" remain.
Another source of conflict between the two sides is Mr Johnson's determination to press ahead with a controversial bill, despite warnings from US president-elect Joe Biden.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:26 Will Mr Biden's presidency affect Brexit talks?
The Internal Market Bill, due to be voted on by peers this week, would override clauses in the Withdrawal Agreement which relate to Northern Ireland.
The government has already admitted it breaks international law.
Mr Biden, who has Irish heritage, said in September that the Good Friday Agreement should not be "a casualty of Brexit", adding that a UK-US trade deal would depend on the agreement being upheld.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:42 'Half of firms have gone backwards' in Brexit planning
Mr Johnson said: "The whole point of that bill, and indeed the Finance Bill, is to protect and uphold the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process in Northern Ireland.
"And again, that's one of the things that we're united on with our friends in the White House."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer wrote in The Guardian: "If the government is serious about a reset in its relationship with the United States, then it should take an early first step and drop these proposals."


skynewspolitics--2020-11-09--Government suffers huge defeats as top Tories join attacks on 'ridiculous and immoral' bill

The House of Lords has voted to remove parts of the government 's Brexit legislation that ministers have admitted will allow them to break international law .
In two votes , peers voted overwhelmingly ( 433 votes to 165 , majority 268 , and 407 votes to 148 , majority 259 ) to strip out the controversial clauses in the UK Internal Market Bill .
The government has already vowed to reinstate them when the legislation returns to the Commons .
Reacting to the defeats , a government spokesperson said : `` We are disappointed that the House of Lords @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK Internal Market Bill , which was backed in the House of Commons by 340 votes to 256 and delivers on a clear Conservative manifesto commitment .
`` We will retable these clauses when the bill returns to the Commons .
`` We 've been consistently clear that the clauses represent a legal safety net to protect the integrity of the UK 's internal market and the huge gains of the peace process . ''
The bill , which has been condemned by critics both in Westminster and abroad , seeks to allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the EU .
Former prime minister Sir John Major said the legislation had `` damaged our reputation around the world '' .
`` Lawyers everywhere are incredulous that the UK - often seen as the very cradle of the Rule of Law - could give themselves the power to break the law , '' he added .
Speaking in the chamber earlier , former Tory leader Lord Howard said the UK would be setting a `` lamentable example '' if it breaks international law .
Lord Clarke , a former chancellor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , describing it as `` intrinsically ridiculous and deeply damaging '' .
Liberal Democrat peer Lord Fox joined the criticism , telling the Lords : `` A law-breaking government might have impressed President Trump .
`` But when there is an Irish-American president in waiting , this bill is not a good look . ''
Lord Falconer , a Labour peer and former lord chancellor , also warned over the impact of the US election result .
He said : `` If these clauses were ever used they would be guaranteeing , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK would go to the bottom of the pecking order with the US in Europe .
`` Popular UK to Billy no-mates , all in 10 weeks from the 8th of September . ''
Lord Newby , leader of the Lib Dems in the Lords , said the upper chamber was `` within its constitutional right '' to remove the clauses .
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' If we ca n't take a view on a matter of deliberate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well pack up our bags now . ''
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said a `` primary function '' of the Lords is to `` defend the rule of law and to protect the balances of power and peace in our Union '' .
As a result , he said the move by peers would have his `` unqualified support '' .
The fresh parliamentary row over the legislation is likely to again be closely watched in the US , where president-elect Joe Biden has previously warned about Northern Ireland 's Good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Brexit .
The Financial Times has reported Mr Biden will stress this point during his first call with Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the coming days .
Speaking to Sky News earlier , Environment Secretary George Eustice said the government would stand firmly behind its legislation .

The House of Lords has voted to remove parts of the government's Brexit legislation that ministers have admitted will allow them to break international law.
In two votes, peers voted overwhelmingly (433 votes to 165, majority 268, and 407 votes to 148, majority 259) to strip out the controversial clauses in the UK Internal Market Bill.
The government has already vowed to reinstate them when the legislation returns to the Commons.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:01 Brexit: UK open to '2-3 year' fishing deal
Reacting to the defeats, a government spokesperson said: "We are disappointed that the House of Lords has voted to remove clauses from the UK Internal Market Bill, which was backed in the House of Commons by 340 votes to 256 and delivers on a clear Conservative manifesto commitment.
"We will retable these clauses when the bill returns to the Commons.
"We've been consistently clear that the clauses represent a legal safety net to protect the integrity of the UK's internal market and the huge gains of the peace process."
The bill, which has been condemned by critics both in Westminster and abroad, seeks to allow ministers to override the Withdrawal Agreement signed with the EU.
Former prime minister Sir John Major said the legislation had "damaged our reputation around the world".
"Lawyers everywhere are incredulous that the UK - often seen as the very cradle of the Rule of Law - could give themselves the power to break the law," he added.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:26 Will Biden's presidency affect Brexit talks?
Speaking in the chamber earlier, former Tory leader Lord Howard said the UK would be setting a "lamentable example" if it breaks international law.
Lord Clarke, a former chancellor, said the legislation was "immoral", describing it as "intrinsically ridiculous and deeply damaging".
Liberal Democrat peer Lord Fox joined the criticism, telling the Lords: "A law-breaking government might have impressed President Trump.
"But when there is an Irish-American president in waiting, this bill is not a good look."
Lord Falconer, a Labour peer and former lord chancellor, also warned over the impact of the US election result.
He said: "If these clauses were ever used they would be guaranteeing, as president-elect Biden has said, that the UK would go to the bottom of the pecking order with the US in Europe.
"Popular UK to Billy no-mates, all in 10 weeks from the 8th of September."
Lord Newby, leader of the Lib Dems in the Lords, said the upper chamber was "within its constitutional right" to remove the clauses.
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:: Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"If we can't take a view on a matter of deliberate law-breaking by the government we may as well pack up our bags now," he added.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said a "primary function" of the Lords is to "defend the rule of law and to protect the balances of power and peace in our Union".
As a result, he said the move by peers would have his "unqualified support".
The fresh parliamentary row over the legislation is likely to again be closely watched in the US, where president-elect Joe Biden has previously warned about Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement becoming a "casualty" of Brexit.
The Financial Times has reported Mr Biden will stress this point during his first call with Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the coming days.
Speaking to Sky News earlier, Environment Secretary George Eustice said the government would stand firmly behind its legislation.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-09--Hope of COVID vaccine by Christmas - but PM warns it's 'very early days'

The prime minister has welcomed the announcement that a COVID-19 vaccine has been found to be 90 % effective in preventing people from getting the virus , but says `` we absolutely can not rely on this news as a solution '' .
Speaking at a Downing Street news conference , Boris Johnson said these are `` very , very early days '' and `` the biggest mistake we could make now is to soften our resolve '' .
He later added : `` There is a long way before we have got this thing beat . ''
There have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus in the UK , bringing the total number of cases to 1,213,363 .
Another 194 people have died within 28 days of testing positive for COVID-19 , meaning there have now been a total of 49,238 deaths .
Pharmaceutical company Pfizer has announced that its vaccine , which is being developed with BioNTech , has been found to be 90 % effective in preventing people from getting the virus .
Mr Johnson said the news was a sign that the `` scientific cavalry '' is on its way , but he preached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine had cleared a `` significant hurdle '' but there were more to overcome before it can be rolled out widely .
Mr Johnson said he had talked about the `` distant bugle of the scientific cavalry coming over the brow of the hill '' with a breakthrough .
`` I can tell you that tonight that toot of the bugle is louder , but it 's still some way off , we absolutely can not rely on this news as a solution , '' he said .
`` The biggest mistake we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our resolve at a critical moment . ''
Answering questions from journalists he reiterated this point , saying : `` I remain buoyantly optimistic about the prospects of this country next year .
`` I just do n't want to let people run away with the idea that this development is a home run , a slam dunk , a shot to the back of the net , yet .
`` There is a long way before we have got this thing beat . ''
It has also been announced that 600,000 rapid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 50 local public health leaders this week to help detect asymptomatic cases .
The lateral flow test kits can deliver results within an hour and it is hoped the move will enable priority and high-risk groups to be tested on a weekly basis .
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam , deputy chief medical officer for England , said the vaccine news was a `` very important scientific breakthrough '' and he was `` hopeful '' the first vaccine could be seen by Christmas .
He characterised the development as akin to a football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shootout .
`` You have n't won the cup yet , but what it does is it tells you that the goalkeeper can be beaten , '' Professor Van-Tam said .
But echoing the PM 's urge for caution , he said `` we do n't yet know '' when life can return to normal or when restrictions can start to be lifted .
`` Frankly , we 're in the middle of the second wave , and I do n't see the vaccine making any difference for the wave we are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it may prevent future waves , but this one we have to battle through to the end without a vaccine . ''
He suggested a `` much better horizon '' could be a reality by spring , but stressed : `` We 've seen a swallow , but this is very much not summer . ''
To relax now would be a `` colossal mistake '' , Professor Van-Tam said , warning : `` Much depends on the extent to which you continue to follow the rules , not only through the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope to return to a time of slightly lower restrictions . ''
He said it was not known whether the vaccine would prevent transmission of the virus , describing this as a `` crucial factor '' in how far a vaccine would `` take us towards '' a return to a more normal life .
The PM told the news conference that misinformation from anti-vaccine groups `` holds no water '' .
On this point , Professor Van-Tam said : `` Vaccine misinformation has been out there ever since the first vaccines were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misinformation , and I do n't propose to give it any further airtime . ''
Analysis : PM right to be cautious By Thomas Moore , science correspondent The prime minister had a tricky balancing act as he gave his reaction to the vaccine .
Any politician would want to promise a better future , an end to the pandemic , a return to normal life .
But he knows the danger of complacency .
Would some people give up on lockdown , ditch the masks and get together with friends if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just weeks away ?
He peppered his comments with words like `` interim results '' , `` potentially good news '' and `` we can not let our enthusiasm run away with us . ''
He 's right to be cautious , however bright the prospects .
So far the vaccine has only been shown to be effective a few days after the second dose .
Nobody knows how long that protection will last .
The trials have n't been going for long enough .
Nor have Pfizer and BioNTech released evidence that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need a vaccine the most , but their immune systems tend to respond less well .
And while the clinical trials show the vaccine prevents disease , it may not stop spread of the virus - so we would need to live with some social distancing .
As the deputy chief medical officer said as he stood alongside the PM : `` We 've seen a swallow , but this is very much not the summer . ''

The prime minister has welcomed the announcement that a COVID-19 vaccine has been found to be 90% effective in preventing people from getting the virus, but says "we absolutely cannot rely on this news as a solution".
Speaking at a Downing Street news conference, Boris Johnson said these are "very, very early days" and "the biggest mistake we could make now is to soften our resolve".
He later added: "There is a long way before we have got this thing beat."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:49 Is this the vaccine the world is waiting for?
There have been a further 21,350 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK, bringing the total number of cases to 1,213,363.
Another 194 people have died within 28 days of testing positive for COVID-19, meaning there have now been a total of 49,238 deaths.
Pharmaceutical company Pfizer has announced that its vaccine, which is being developed with BioNTech, has been found to be 90% effective in preventing people from getting the virus.
Mr Johnson said the news was a sign that the "scientific cavalry" is on its way, but he preached cautious optimism.
The PM said the vaccine had cleared a "significant hurdle" but there were more to overcome before it can be rolled out widely.
Mr Johnson said he had talked about the "distant bugle of the scientific cavalry coming over the brow of the hill" with a breakthrough.
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"I can tell you that tonight that toot of the bugle is louder, but it's still some way off, we absolutely cannot rely on this news as a solution," he said.
"The biggest mistake we could make now would be to slacken our resolve at a critical moment."
Answering questions from journalists he reiterated this point, saying: "I remain buoyantly optimistic about the prospects of this country next year.
"I just don't want to let people run away with the idea that this development is a home run, a slam dunk, a shot to the back of the net, yet.
"There is a long way before we have got this thing beat."
It has also been announced that 600,000 rapid coronavirus tests will be sent out to more than 50 local public health leaders this week to help detect asymptomatic cases.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:14 Coronavirus: Mass testing begins in Liverpool
The lateral flow test kits can deliver results within an hour and it is hoped the move will enable priority and high-risk groups to be tested on a weekly basis.
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer for England, said the vaccine news was a "very important scientific breakthrough" and he was "hopeful" the first vaccine could be seen by Christmas.
He characterised the development as akin to a football team taking the lead in a penalty shootout.
"You haven't won the cup yet, but what it does is it tells you that the goalkeeper can be beaten," Professor Van-Tam said.
But echoing the PM's urge for caution, he said "we don't yet know" when life can return to normal or when restrictions can start to be lifted.
"Frankly, we're in the middle of the second wave, and I don't see the vaccine making any difference for the wave we are now in.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:54 COVID-19: Has the spread of the virus slowed?
"I'm hopeful that it may prevent future waves, but this one we have to battle through to the end without a vaccine."
He suggested a "much better horizon" could be a reality by spring, but stressed: "We've seen a swallow, but this is very much not summer."
To relax now would be a "colossal mistake", Professor Van-Tam said, warning: "Much depends on the extent to which you continue to follow the rules, not only through the current lockdown period, but afterwards when we hope to return to a time of slightly lower restrictions."
He said it was not known whether the vaccine would prevent transmission of the virus, describing this as a "crucial factor" in how far a vaccine would "take us towards" a return to a more normal life.
The PM told the news conference that misinformation from anti-vaccine groups "holds no water".
On this point, Professor Van-Tam said: "Vaccine misinformation has been out there ever since the first vaccines were made and it is exactly that, misinformation, and I don't propose to give it any further airtime."
Analysis: PM right to be cautious
By Thomas Moore, science correspondent
The prime minister had a tricky balancing act as he gave his reaction to the vaccine.
Any politician would want to promise a better future, an end to the pandemic, a return to normal life.
But he knows the danger of complacency. Would some people give up on lockdown, ditch the masks and get together with friends if the take home message was a vaccine was just weeks away?
He peppered his comments with words like "interim results", "potentially good news" and "we cannot let our enthusiasm run away with us."
He's right to be cautious, however bright the prospects.
So far the vaccine has only been shown to be effective a few days after the second dose. Nobody knows how long that protection will last. The trials haven't been going for long enough.
Nor have Pfizer and BioNTech released evidence that the jab protects the elderly. They need a vaccine the most, but their immune systems tend to respond less well.
And while the clinical trials show the vaccine prevents disease, it may not stop spread of the virus - so we would need to live with some social distancing.
As the deputy chief medical officer said as he stood alongside the PM: "We've seen a swallow, but this is very much not the summer."


skynewspolitics--2020-11-09--Former PM suggests two referendums on Scottish independence

Former prime minister Sir John Major has suggested that Scotland could get two referendums on independence .
Sir John said a refusal from Boris Johnson to sanction another vote could increase support for separation .
`` In law , the Scots require the approval of the Westminster government before they can legally hold a new independence referendum , '' he said in a speech delivered at the Middle Temple 's 2020 Lecture Series .
`` But refusing one might help the separatist case , by adding to the list of grievances the Scottish National Party exploit with such skill .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is either to agree the referendum can take place - or to refuse to permit it .
`` Both options come with great risk . ''
Sir John , who was in Downing Street from 1990 to 1997 , said the saga surrounding Britain 's exit from the European Union could offer a potential solution .
`` The Westminster government could agree for an independence referendum to take place , on the basis of two referenda , '' he said .
`` The first to vote upon the principle of negotiations , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' The purpose of the second referendum would be that Scottish electors would know what they were voting for , and be able to compare it to what they now have .
`` This did not happen with Brexit : had it done so , there may have been no Brexit .
`` Many Scottish voices - and especially business - may support the logic of this : it may focus minds away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ English government , and back to the mutual and long-term virtues of the Union . ''
Voters in Scotland opted to remain in the UK in a 2014 referendum .
But First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has argued that the 2016 vote for Brexit - which saw Scotland vote in favour of Remain - has changed things .
Recent polls have shown an increased support for independence , but Mr Johnson has so far refused to grant permission for another vote .
Kirsten Oswald , the Scottish National Party 's Westminster deputy leader , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a `` wake-up call '' over Mr Johnson 's `` undemocratic stance '' .
`` Poll after poll has shown that independence is now becoming the settled will of the majority of people in Scotland , and it is for the people of Scotland to decide their future , '' she said .
`` It is not for out of touch Westminster governments to dictate the terms of a referendum or to dictate the future of the people of Scotland . ''

Former prime minister Sir John Major has suggested that Scotland could get two referendums on independence.
Sir John said a refusal from Boris Johnson to sanction another vote could increase support for separation.
"In law, the Scots require the approval of the Westminster government before they can legally hold a new independence referendum," he said in a speech delivered at the Middle Temple's 2020 Lecture Series.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 11:57 Is the Union in trouble?
"But refusing one might help the separatist case, by adding to the list of grievances the Scottish National Party exploit with such skill.
"The choice for the UK government is either to agree the referendum can take place - or to refuse to permit it.
"Both options come with great risk."
Sir John, who was in Downing Street from 1990 to 1997, said the saga surrounding Britain's exit from the European Union could offer a potential solution.
"The Westminster government could agree for an independence referendum to take place, on the basis of two referenda," he said.
"The first to vote upon the principle of negotiations, and the second upon the outcome of them.
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"The purpose of the second referendum would be that Scottish electors would know what they were voting for, and be able to compare it to what they now have.
"This did not happen with Brexit: had it done so, there may have been no Brexit.
"Many Scottish voices - and especially business - may support the logic of this: it may focus minds away from a short-term reflex opposition to a perceived English government, and back to the mutual and long-term virtues of the Union."
Voters in Scotland opted to remain in the UK in a 2014 referendum.
Image: Nicola Sturgeon argues circumstances have changed since the 2014 referendum
But First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has argued that the 2016 vote for Brexit - which saw Scotland vote in favour of Remain - has changed things.
Recent polls have shown an increased support for independence, but Mr Johnson has so far refused to grant permission for another vote.
Kirsten Oswald, the Scottish National Party's Westminster deputy leader, said Sir John's comments should serve as a "wake-up call" over Mr Johnson's "undemocratic stance".
"Poll after poll has shown that independence is now becoming the settled will of the majority of people in Scotland, and it is for the people of Scotland to decide their future," she said.
"It is not for out of touch Westminster governments to dictate the terms of a referendum or to dictate the future of the people of Scotland."


skynewspolitics--2020-11-09--'Wholly unjustified': Raab hits out at Belarus after two UK diplomats expelled

Belarus ' decision to expel two UK diplomats has been criticised as `` wholly unjustified '' by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab .
He also claimed that President Alexander Lukashenko can not hide the oppression of his people , and has called for free and fair elections in the country .
Mr Raab tweeted : `` The expulsion of two UK diplomats from Belarus for legitimately observing protests is wholly unjustified .
`` ( Belarusian leader ) Lukashenko ca n't hide the oppression of his own people .
`` The only way forward is free & fair elections & accountability for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Earlier , Belarus had declared the two diplomats persona non grata , citing alleged `` destructive activity '' , according to Russian news agency RIA .
Protesters have been calling for authoritarian leader Mr Lukashenko to resign for months after he was re-elected in August for a sixth term in office .
The demonstrators claim the contested vote was rigged and they have been on the streets for 90 straight days , demanding he quits as his security forces carry out a violent crackdown .
Last week , an independent report found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it had exposed the extent of human rights violations committed by Mr Lukashenko , according to the Foreign Office .
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe ( OSCE ) report said authorities were responsible for `` massive and systematic human rights violations in response to peaceful demonstrations and protests '' .
On Sunday , thousands of activists tried to enter the centre of the capital Minsk from several directions to protest .
But police cordoned off the area with armoured vehicles as riot officers prevented them from gathering in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were arrested , including model Olga Khizhinkova - a former Miss Belarus , according to human rights activists .
Since gaining power in 1994 , Mr Lukashenko has suppressed the opposition and independent news media .
He has refused dialogue with opponents and claimed western countries have incited the protests .
After the election , his main challenger Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya , under pressure from officials , fled to neighbouring Lithuania .
She says she hopes US president-elect Joe Biden will put pressure on Mr Lukashenko .
`` Joe Biden has spoken out more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of support for the Belarusian people , '' she said .
Ms Tsikhanouskaya has also urged protesters to continue their demonstrations .
`` We have stood against lawlessness and violence for 90 days already .
In these 90 days , Belarusians made the regime understand that they have lost legitimacy and authority , '' she said .

Belarus' decision to expel two UK diplomats has been criticised as "wholly unjustified" by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
He also claimed that President Alexander Lukashenko cannot hide the oppression of his people, and has called for free and fair elections in the country.
Mr Raab tweeted: "The expulsion of two UK diplomats from Belarus for legitimately observing protests is wholly unjustified.
"(Belarusian leader) Lukashenko can't hide the oppression of his own people.
"The only way forward is free & fair elections & accountability for those responsible for violence against demonstrators."
Image: President Alexander Lukashenko has refused dialogue with opponents
Earlier, Belarus had declared the two diplomats persona non grata, citing alleged "destructive activity", according to Russian news agency RIA.
Protesters have been calling for authoritarian leader Mr Lukashenko to resign for months after he was re-elected in August for a sixth term in office.
The demonstrators claim the contested vote was rigged and they have been on the streets for 90 straight days, demanding he quits as his security forces carry out a violent crackdown.
Last week, an independent report found the election had been "falsified" and it had exposed the extent of human rights violations committed by Mr Lukashenko, according to the Foreign Office.
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The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) report said authorities were responsible for "massive and systematic human rights violations in response to peaceful demonstrations and protests".
On Sunday, thousands of activists tried to enter the centre of the capital Minsk from several directions to protest.
But police cordoned off the area with armoured vehicles as riot officers prevented them from gathering in a single place.
Image: Opposition supporters gathered in Minsk on Sunday
More than 500 people were arrested, including model Olga Khizhinkova - a former Miss Belarus, according to human rights activists.
Since gaining power in 1994, Mr Lukashenko has suppressed the opposition and independent news media.
He has refused dialogue with opponents and claimed western countries have incited the protests.
Image: A group of men, believed to be security forces, detain a protester in Minsk
After the election, his main challenger Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya, under pressure from officials, fled to neighbouring Lithuania.
She says she hopes US president-elect Joe Biden will put pressure on Mr Lukashenko.
"Joe Biden has spoken out more than once and taken a firm position of support for the Belarusian people," she said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:04 October: Tension and anger rumbles on in Belarus
Ms Tsikhanouskaya has also urged protesters to continue their demonstrations.
"We have stood against lawlessness and violence for 90 days already. In these 90 days, Belarusians made the regime understand that they have lost legitimacy and authority," she said.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-09--Peer 'withdraws' reference to Kamala Harris as 'the Indian' after being accused of racism

A peer says he has `` withdrawn '' his reference to vice-president elect Kamala Harris as `` the Indian '' on Twitter .
Lord Kilclooney was accused of racism after posting the message , while he has been reported to the Commissioner for Standards and the Lords Speaker .
The cross-bench peer earlier insisted there was `` nothing racist '' in his tweet , which read : `` What happens if Biden moves on and the Indian becomes President .
Who then becomes Vice President ? ''
His remark sparked a furious backlash , with politicians and campaigners calling on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a message on Monday afternoon , Lord Kilclooney said he had `` withdrawn '' the remark because `` it seems to have upset some people '' .
He added : `` I did not know her name and identified her with the term Indian .
Most people understood .
Racist NO . ''
However , despite saying he had `` withdrawn '' the reference , the original tweet initially remained on his timeline before later being deleted .
It follows the election of Ms Harris , the first black and Asian-American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American vice-president alongside her Democratic colleague Joe Biden .
Baroness Angela Smith , the Labour leader of the House of Lords , said she would report the comments to the parliamentary authorities .
She said : `` I am so angry about this comment .
It is despicable and beneath contempt , and totally unacceptable from anyone - but especially from someone in Parliament .
`` I will be making an official complaint to both the Commissioner for Standards and the Lords Speaker . ''
Lord Speaker Lord Fowler said the peer should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is an offensive way to refer to anyone , let alone a woman who has just made history , '' he said in a tweet .
`` The comment is entirely unacceptable and has no place in British politics .
I could not be clearer . ''
Lord Kilclooney denied that his message was racist .
He told the Press Association : `` The first thing is to get it in perspective , the criticism is minor , the support is massive - I 've never had so many Twitter followers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm very fond of India myself , I 'm a member of the British India all-party group , I have two Indians ( tenants ) in my flats here in London and there 's nothing racist in it whatsoever .
`` She 's proud of her Indian roots just as Biden 's proud to say he 's Irish . ''
It is not the first time Lord Kilclooney , a cross-bench peer , has been accused of racism , after he previously described then-Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar as `` a typical Indian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Mr Varadkar by saying `` I did n't know his name at the time '' but , asked if he will delete his latest message now he knows Ms Harris 's name , he said : `` No , not indeed .
Because she 's proud of her Indian background . ''
The 82-year-old peer , who is no longer a member of the Ulster Unionist Party , said that he did not try to find out her name online before writing the tweet .
Asked why he did not use a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he replied : `` That 's not your concern . ''

A peer says he has "withdrawn" his reference to vice-president elect Kamala Harris as "the Indian" on Twitter.
Lord Kilclooney was accused of racism after posting the message, while he has been reported to the Commissioner for Standards and the Lords Speaker.
The cross-bench peer earlier insisted there was "nothing racist" in his tweet, which read: "What happens if Biden moves on and the Indian becomes President. Who then becomes Vice President?"
Image: Kamala Harris has made history as the first vice president-elect woman of colour
His remark sparked a furious backlash, with politicians and campaigners calling on him to delete the post and apologise.
In a message on Monday afternoon, Lord Kilclooney said he had "withdrawn" the remark because "it seems to have upset some people".
He added: "I did not know her name and identified her with the term Indian. Most people understood. Racist NO."
However, despite saying he had "withdrawn" the reference, the original tweet initially remained on his timeline before later being deleted.
It follows the election of Ms Harris, the first black and Asian-American person to take up the post of American vice-president alongside her Democratic colleague Joe Biden.
Baroness Angela Smith, the Labour leader of the House of Lords, said she would report the comments to the parliamentary authorities.
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She said: "I am so angry about this comment. It is despicable and beneath contempt, and totally unacceptable from anyone - but especially from someone in Parliament.
"I will be making an official complaint to both the Commissioner for Standards and the Lords Speaker."
Lord Speaker Lord Fowler said the peer should retract his comments and apologise.
"This is an offensive way to refer to anyone, let alone a woman who has just made history," he said in a tweet.
"The comment is entirely unacceptable and has no place in British politics. I could not be clearer."
Lord Kilclooney denied that his message was racist.
He told the Press Association: "The first thing is to get it in perspective, the criticism is minor, the support is massive - I've never had so many Twitter followers in one day, ever.
"I'm very fond of India myself, I'm a member of the British India all-party group, I have two Indians (tenants) in my flats here in London and there's nothing racist in it whatsoever.
"She's proud of her Indian roots just as Biden's proud to say he's Irish."
It is not the first time Lord Kilclooney, a cross-bench peer, has been accused of racism, after he previously described then-Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar as "a typical Indian".
He justified his previous tweet about Mr Varadkar by saying "I didn't know his name at the time" but, asked if he will delete his latest message now he knows Ms Harris's name, he said: "No, not indeed. Because she's proud of her Indian background."
The 82-year-old peer, who is no longer a member of the Ulster Unionist Party, said that he did not try to find out her name online before writing the tweet.
Asked why he did not use a search engine before sending the message, he replied: "That's not your concern."


skynewspolitics--2020-11-09--No 10 rejects Premier League 'scarce resources' claim for absence of EFL bailout

Number 10 has dismissed the Premier League 's suggestion `` scarce resources '' have prevented a bailout deal for lower league football clubs .
The Premier League , made up of the 20 top-flight clubs , and English Football League , which represents the lower three divisions , have been engaged in discussions over a rescue package due to the coronavirus crisis .
With fans banned from stadiums under COVID-19 restrictions , many clubs are facing stark financial difficulties due to the lack of match-day revenues .
The government has called on the Premier League to `` step up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clubs .
But , as yet , a deal has yet to be agreed with the Premier League reported to have offered only one-fifth of the estimated £250m that clubs in the Championship , League One and League Two make each season from game-day incomes .
In an interview with Politico , published on Monday , Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said : `` Our offer goes to the issue of 'need ' rather than 'want , ' and where you have scarce resources in the current environment that has to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mirrors the government 's approach - rescuing other areas of sport , and indeed the economy , to save bits from going out of business , rather than to underwrite losses .
`` At the moment there is n't an agreement - but we stand willing to continue to talk , and our offer remains on the table to save clubs if they are in significant COVID-related distress . ''
However , Downing Street gave short shrift to the suggestion that the Premier League could not afford to help out other clubs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ splashed out around £1.3bn on new player signings - just £100m shy of last summer 's total , despite the COVID-19 crisis .
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's official spokesman told reporters at a regular Westminster briefing the government had `` been clear we expect football to support itself '' .
He added this was `` an explicit part '' of the government 's support in allowing Premier League matches to resume earlier this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We do want to see progress , particularly when Premier League clubs have spent over a £1bn in the recent transfer window - nearly as much as the next four biggest European leagues put together , '' the spokesman said .
Mr Masters highlighted , in the Politico interview , how £250m of the Premier League 's summer spending went on lower-league players `` which obviously assisted many clubs to reach a financially secure situation '' .

Number 10 has dismissed the Premier League's suggestion "scarce resources" have prevented a bailout deal for lower league football clubs.
The Premier League, made up of the 20 top-flight clubs, and English Football League, which represents the lower three divisions, have been engaged in discussions over a rescue package due to the coronavirus crisis.
With fans banned from stadiums under COVID-19 restrictions, many clubs are facing stark financial difficulties due to the lack of match-day revenues.
Image: Premier League clubs spent around £1.3bn this summer on new players
The government has called on the Premier League to "step up to the plate" and support lower league clubs.
But, as yet, a deal has yet to be agreed with the Premier League reported to have offered only one-fifth of the estimated £250m that clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two make each season from game-day incomes.
In an interview with Politico, published on Monday, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: "Our offer goes to the issue of 'need' rather than 'want,' and where you have scarce resources in the current environment that has to be the right approach.
"It also mirrors the government's approach - rescuing other areas of sport, and indeed the economy, to save bits from going out of business, rather than to underwrite losses.
"At the moment there isn't an agreement - but we stand willing to continue to talk, and our offer remains on the table to save clubs if they are in significant COVID-related distress."
However, Downing Street gave short shrift to the suggestion that the Premier League could not afford to help out other clubs.
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Over the summer, Premier League clubs splashed out around £1.3bn on new player signings - just £100m shy of last summer's total, despite the COVID-19 crisis.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson's official spokesman told reporters at a regular Westminster briefing the government had "been clear we expect football to support itself".
He added this was "an explicit part" of the government's support in allowing Premier League matches to resume earlier this year under its "Project Restart".
"We do want to see progress, particularly when Premier League clubs have spent over a £1bn in the recent transfer window - nearly as much as the next four biggest European leagues put together," the spokesman said.
Mr Masters highlighted, in the Politico interview, how £250m of the Premier League's summer spending went on lower-league players "which obviously assisted many clubs to reach a financially secure situation".


skynewspolitics--2020-11-09--UK vaccines chief expected to leave post at end of year

The head of the UK 's coronavirus vaccine taskforce is expected to leave her role at the end of the year .
Government sources stressed Kate Bingham was always due to leave at this stage .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer earlier hit out at the `` unjustified '' spending of £670,000 of taxpayers ' cash on a team of PR consultants for the under-fire vaccines tsar .
Ms Bingham , an investment fund manager and the wife of a Conservative minister , has used eight full-time consultants from Admiral Associates , a London PR agency , to oversee her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
The Sunday Times reported the consultants had helped prepare Ms Bingham for media appearances , draft statements and to oversee a vaccines podcast on Spotify .
She was said to have `` insisted '' on hiring the consultants , despite concerns they would duplicate the work of communications staff at the Department for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy ( BEIS ) .
The newspaper also reported the team 's hire was signed off by civil servants and not Business Secretary Alok Sharma .
On an LBC Radio phone-in show on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the PR consultants `` ca n't be justified '' .
The Labour leader contrasted the expenditure with the troubles of small business owners , who had earlier called into the show , during the coronavirus crisis .
`` You can not justify that sort of money being spent , '' he added .
`` If only it was the only example .
`` There are lots of examples of lucrative contracts going without any due process and I think the public mood on this is very , very clear . ''
Environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of PR consultants by Ms Bingham , suggesting it would have been better to use `` in-house '' government resources .
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He told Sky News ' Kay Burley that Health Secretary Matt Hancock would be `` monitoring all of the work they do '' , adding : `` I do n't know whether it was strictly PR consultants or whether it was management consultants more generally .
`` I used to work in that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to [ former Conservative leader ] David Cameron .
`` And so , generally , I think these resources can come from in-house .
I do n't know the specific circumstances of those particular contracts . ''
BEIS did not comment on The Sunday Times ' report .
But Whitehall sources said specialist communications support was employed by the vaccine taskforce for a time-limited period , with details of the contract to be published in line with usual transparency rules .
The UK 's vaccine taskforce was set up by Mr Hancock and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government 's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and England 's deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan van Tam .
She is married to Tory MP Jesse Norman , a junior Treasury minister .
Mr Norman is two years older than Mr Johnson , with both having attended Eton College and then Oxford University .
Ms Bingham attended Oxford University at the same time as Mr Johnson 's sister , Rachel Johnson .


skynewspolitics--2020-11-10--NHS told to be ready to deploy COVID-19 vaccine from start of December

The NHS has been asked to be ready to deploy a coronavirus vaccine from the start of December , Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told Sky News .
It was announced on Monday that a COVID-19 vaccine , being developed by Pfizer and BioNTech , has been found to be 90 % effective in preventing people from getting the virus .
Mr Hancock described the development as `` promising news '' but , with England currently less than a week into a month-long lockdown , warned it was only `` one step of many we need to get out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for all '' .
Live updates on coronavirus from UK and around world '' The critical thing is that we all keep our resolve on the measures that are in place now , '' he added .
However , Mr Hancock revealed he had asked the NHS , which will be supported by the Armed Forces , to `` be ready from the start of December '' for the deployment of a vaccine .
He said : `` Of course there are many hurdles that still need to be gone over and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data and obviously that is critical and we wo n't deploy a vaccine unless we can be confident in its clinical safety .
`` But we also do need to be ready should a vaccine be licensed and get through all those hurdles and ready to roll it out . ''
Mr Hancock said care home residents and staff , NHS and social care staff , and then elderly people would be first in line for vaccination .
But the health secretary declined to add his voice to those who have said life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next year .
Boris Johnson on Tuesday offered his `` huge thanks '' to Kate Bingham , the head of the UK 's vaccine taskforce , for securing 40 million doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine .
Ms Bingham , the wife of a Conservative minister , has recently been under pressure after it emerged she has spent £670,000 of taxpayers ' cash on a team of PR consultants .
Meanwhile , the British Medical Association has said coronavirus vaccines could be available from GPs and large drive-through sites 12 hours a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doctors should get ready to start giving out jabs as soon as they are available , the medical union said .
The BMA has told GP surgeries to be ready for `` rapid delivery '' of coronavirus vaccines once they are approved by regulators .
Family doctors are being given guidance on a new `` directed enhanced service '' that would go beyond their normal hours to deliver vaccines 8am to 8pm Monday to Sunday .
Patients are set to be given two vaccine doses - either 21 or 28 days apart .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines could also be available at mass vaccination centres that will operate `` in a similar way to testing centres '' , the union added .
There could also be `` roving teams '' of vaccine nurses who offer jabs to those in care homes or to people who are housebound .
The BMA said in its statement : `` Vaccine availability will be limited to begin with , meaning only small numbers of vaccines may be given in December with most vaccinations taking place in early 2021 .
`` Working together , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer vaccinations seven days a week so that the vaccine is delivered within its short shelf-life and so patients receive it as soon as possible .
`` Practices will need to work together to decide which one practice ( or another appropriate site ) is used for the vaccination site , remembering the need for provision to be potentially available 8am to 8pm , seven days a week . ''
But scientists have expressed concerns about how GPs will store vaccines as they must be kept at -80C .
They say many surgeries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
Brendan Wren , a professor of microbial pathogenesis at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , told Sky News : `` You can certainly make a lot of it but whether you could get it to everybody that needs it is another issue and that 's why it 's good that there are other vaccines available . ''

A breakthrough in COVID-19 vaccinations means there is a "70-80%" chance the UK will be returning to normality by Easter - as long as authorities do not "screw up" distribution of the jab, a top a scientific adviser has said.
Sir John Bell, Regius Professor of medicine at University of Oxford, told MPs the announcement by Pfizer and BioNTech suggested there could be two or three coronavirus vaccines by the new year.
He said he was "quite optimistic" that most of the country's vulnerable people could have jabs administered by spring - heralding a resumption of normal life.
Live updates on coronavirus from the UK and around the world
It came as the government said it has asked the NHS to prepare to begin rolling the vaccine out by in December.
During a Commons session on coronavirus on Tuesday, former health secretary Jeremy Hunt asked him: "What are your percentage chances in this situation of getting to Easter and having vaccinated the vulnerable, the most vulnerable parts of our population, so that post-Easter we could think about resuming to normality?"
Prof Bell replied: "I think we've got a 70, 80 per cent chance of doing that.
"That's provided they don't screw up the distribution of the vaccine, that's not my job. But provided they don't screw that up, it'll all be fine."
US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its vaccine partner BioNTech released initial results that suggested their jab was 90% effective at protecting people from COVID-19.
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Prof Bell described the announcement as a "massive step forward", adding: "It also signals, I think, that many of the other vaccines that have the same immunogenicity are likely also to be efficacious.
Image: A COVID-19 vaccine being developed by Pfizer and BioNTech has been found to be 90% effective
"So I wouldn't be surprised if we hit the new year with two or three vaccines, all of which could be distributed.
"And that's why I'm quite optimistic of getting enough vaccinations done in the first quarter of next year that by spring things will start to look much more normal than they do now."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock described the vaccine announcement as "promising news" but, with England currently less than a week into a month-long lockdown, warned it was only "one step of many we need to get out of this and to tackle this pandemic once and for all".
"The critical thing is that we all keep our resolve on the measures that are in place now," he added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:17 Prevention of virus development 'not sexy' enough
However, Mr Hancock revealed he had asked the NHS, which will be supported by the Armed Forces, to "be ready from the start of December" for the deployment of a vaccine.
He said: "Of course there are many hurdles that still need to be gone over and we haven't seen the full safety data and obviously that is critical and we won't deploy a vaccine unless we can be confident in its clinical safety.
"But we also do need to be ready should a vaccine be licensed and get through all those hurdles and ready to roll it out."
Mr Hancock said care home residents and staff, NHS and social care staff, and then elderly people would be first in line for vaccination.
But the health secretary declined to add his voice to those who have said life could be back to normal by spring next year.
Boris Johnson on Tuesday offered his "huge thanks" to Kate Bingham, the head of the UK's vaccine taskforce, for securing 40 million doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine.
Ms Bingham, the wife of a Conservative minister, has recently been under pressure after it emerged she has spent £670,000 of taxpayers' cash on a team of PR consultants.
Meanwhile, the British Medical Association has said coronavirus vaccines could be available from GPs and large drive-through sites 12 hours a day and seven days a week.
Family doctors are being given guidance on a new "directed enhanced service" that would go beyond their normal hours to deliver vaccines 8am to 8pm Monday to Sunday.
Patients are set to be given two vaccine doses - either 21 or 28 days apart.
The BMA said in its statement: "Vaccine availability will be limited to begin with, meaning only small numbers of vaccines may be given in December with most vaccinations taking place in early 2021.
But Dr Bharat Pankhania, senior clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter, cautioned against being too confident in the 90% statistic.
He told Sky News: "There are questions still to answer, figures to be distilled… I want to know are you really sure?
"Because I don't think the 90% figure tallies up very well. It depends on the number people exposed to the virus after receiving [the trial jab].
"These are the issues that need to be ironed out before we can say we have a successful vaccine with us."
He said he was "as optimistic" about the Pfizer vaccine as "the many others in development" and that he expects there to be multiple successful vaccines in time.
Meanwhile, health experts said vaccines may be approved for use that are not as effective as the top performer in a bid to drive down the burden of coronavirus.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:13 PM's warning over potential vaccine
Government advisers said that even jabs with a lower efficacy in preventing COVID-19 could still have large population benefits in a public health emergency,
Scientists have also expressed concerns about how GPs will store vaccines as they must be kept at -80C.
They say many surgeries do not have freezers cold enough for them.
But Mr Hancock said: "Cold chain requirements are significant and do add to the logistical complications, but we have known about that cold chain requirement for many months now so it's been part of our planning for some time.
"And so we have a good degree of confidence that that will be in place."