skynewspolitics--2020-02-19--New immigration system looks a lot like the old one

New immigration system looks a lot like the old one New immigration system looks a lot like the old one It is , depending on who you listen to , one of the most dramatic revolutions in Britain 's immigration system .
Or simply a re-branding of what we already have .
Some claim it will cause immigration to fall dramatically .
Others say that the number of people coming into the UK might conceivably rise as a result of it .
There has always been much confusion about the immigration system and that is because , rather like Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex and highly contentious .
So let 's try to strip away some of the nonsense claims and try to understand what the Home Office is proposing to do to Britain 's rules on migration and visas and what that actually means in practice both for Britons and for those who want to come to work here .
With great fanfare the Home Secretary Priti Patel has now unveiled her plans for what she depicted as a wholesale reform of Britain 's immigration system .
As of next year , when Britain 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an end , those coming to this country from both the EU and from the rest of the world will encounter the same rules which determine whether they can come and work here .
This , in a sense , is perhaps the most important change .
For decades Britain has had two systems - one for the EU and one for the rest .
As of next year it will have one .
Given previously ( and indeed currently , until the end of the transition period ) EU citizens had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will become more difficult to migrate to this country from Europe .
There are all sorts of implications .
It means more paperwork for those coming into the country and those hoping to employ them .
It means immigrants from Europe will have to fulfil certain criteria , including having a job ready for them , having a certain level of skills , having a proficiency in English and earning a certain amount .
It means , in short , that coming to this country as a European citizen will become more difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of the above - a job offer , a high skill level and so on - will struggle to get in at all .
This is certainly a big shift .
There are certain allowances and clauses which should mitigate the problems this might cause to the NHS ( nurses should still be able to come in relatively easily ) and there is a route whereby highly skilled scientists can come into the country without a job offer .
But for many industries - one thinks most obviously of social care and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way on having a limitless supply of labour on the other side of the Channel - will struggle .
Some care homes , which are already run on wafer thin margins - will struggle to operate .
Given the government has pledged to reform the care sector , but still has yet to explain how , this only adds to the already vertiginous pile of questions about what will really happen for this struggling but important sector .
Social care is hardly the only sector to face these kinds of problems .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has been heavily reliant on cheap labour from Eastern Europe , or the food industry .
Simply put , it will become much more difficult to bring in cheap labour from overseas .
So those workers will either have to be found in the UK labour market - which will not be easy given employment is already close to record highs - or they will have to be paid more .
Which could put some companies out of business .
There is another concern - more mundane on the face of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hitherto used EU workers but did n't have to bother with all that much paperwork will suddenly face an avalanche of extra compliance costs .
They will have to apply to get a licence as a registered sponsor for migrant workers - something that takes a few months .
Then when they want to hire from overseas there will be more paperwork to ensure those workers can get visas .
They are likely to have to carry out an English test - though at the moment it 's unclear whether that 's something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will leave it up to employers .
In short , there are lots of big questions that will have a big impact for employers - which is all very well but the government intends for the new system to be in place by the end of the year .
Bearing in mind it takes some months to hire people , that means companies need to have everything in place for this by September or October of this year - seven months away .
And the full Immigration White Paper has n't even been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change took four years to be implemented , that is asking an awful lot both of government and of businesses and immigrants .
Given the changes are due to kick in at the same time as Britain 's transition period comes to an end and new trade rules are due to kick in , the challenge looks to be of superhuman proportions .
None of this is to say the new system is unfair .
Most economists think that in many ways it looks like a reasonable system .
And given some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little looser than they were before , there is a chance it actually boosts immigration from outside Europe .
But here is where economics and immigration policy collide .
Because actually the main thing driving immigration is n't really the nature of the visa regulations but the strength of the economy .
The main reason Britain had record immigration in recent years is n't the nature of the system but the fact that lots of people wanted to come and work in the UK , where growth was relatively robust , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigrants could expect to improve their standard of living .
So it 's quite possible migration may be lower in future - but do n't assume that 's down to the system .
It might just as easily be down to the strength or otherwise of the economy .
If , on the other hand , we get a post-Brexit boom , it 's not implausible that net migration rises yet again .
This is a crucial distinction .
The system matters - but so too does the broader economic outlook .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you look at the bit of the migration system that the government has always controlled - which is to say the non-EU bit - it 's not altogether clear the changes will make it all that different to how it was before .
This is not an Australian-style points system .
The whole point of Australia 's immigration system is that immigrants do n't have to come to the country with a job lined up provided they can demonstrate they meet some of the key criteria ( and hence points ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to have a job to come to the country , unless you are one of the top scientists able to qualify for the special high-skilled route .
Indeed , in many senses the new immigration system looks a lot like the old one .
Which is to say the 2008 migration white paper which the coalition and then Tory government inherited .
Theresa May made various small changes : trimming allowances in certain places , attempting to restrict graduates here , introducing a cap on skilled visa entrants there .
The new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaving us with something that looks a lot like what we had before .

Sky's economics editor examines the rules and whether they will make a difference to the number of people coming to the UK.
New immigration system looks a lot like the old one
It is, depending on who you listen to, one of the most dramatic revolutions in Britain's immigration system.
Or simply a re-branding of what we already have.
Some claim it will cause immigration to fall dramatically. Others say that the number of people coming into the UK might conceivably rise as a result of it.
There has always been much confusion about the immigration system and that is because, rather like Britain's benefits system, it is highly complex and highly contentious.
So let's try to strip away some of the nonsense claims and try to understand what the Home Office is proposing to do to Britain's rules on migration and visas and what that actually means in practice both for Britons and for those who want to come to work here.
With great fanfare the Home Secretary Priti Patel has now unveiled her plans for what she depicted as a wholesale reform of Britain's immigration system.
As of next year, when Britain's Brexit transition period is due to come to an end, those coming to this country from both the EU and from the rest of the world will encounter the same rules which determine whether they can come and work here.
This, in a sense, is perhaps the most important change.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:28 Surinder Arora, chairman of Arora Group with 2,200 hospitality staff, says the new immigration plans leave him worried.
For decades Britain has had two systems - one for the EU and one for the rest. As of next year it will have one.
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Given previously (and indeed currently, until the end of the transition period) EU citizens had free movement, that inevitably means it will become more difficult to migrate to this country from Europe.
There are all sorts of implications. It means more paperwork for those coming into the country and those hoping to employ them. It means immigrants from Europe will have to fulfil certain criteria, including having a job ready for them, having a certain level of skills, having a proficiency in English and earning a certain amount.
It means, in short, that coming to this country as a European citizen will become more difficult.
It also means that those without most of the above - a job offer, a high skill level and so on - will struggle to get in at all.
This is certainly a big shift.
There are certain allowances and clauses which should mitigate the problems this might cause to the NHS (nurses should still be able to come in relatively easily) and there is a route whereby highly skilled scientists can come into the country without a job offer.
But for many industries - one thinks most obviously of social care and hospitality, who relied in a big way on having a limitless supply of labour on the other side of the Channel - will struggle.
Some care homes, which are already run on wafer thin margins - will struggle to operate. Given the government has pledged to reform the care sector, but still has yet to explain how, this only adds to the already vertiginous pile of questions about what will really happen for this struggling but important sector.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:33 Low-skilled migrants will be denied visas under new rules
Social care is hardly the only sector to face these kinds of problems. One might also pinpoint the construction sector, which has been heavily reliant on cheap labour from Eastern Europe, or the food industry.
Simply put, it will become much more difficult to bring in cheap labour from overseas.
So those workers will either have to be found in the UK labour market - which will not be easy given employment is already close to record highs - or they will have to be paid more. Which could put some companies out of business.
There is another concern - more mundane on the face of it but important nonetheless. Many companies which hitherto used EU workers but didn't have to bother with all that much paperwork will suddenly face an avalanche of extra compliance costs.
They will have to apply to get a licence as a registered sponsor for migrant workers - something that takes a few months.
Then when they want to hire from overseas there will be more paperwork to ensure those workers can get visas. They are likely to have to carry out an English test - though at the moment it's unclear whether that's something the government will do or whether it will leave it up to employers.
In short, there are lots of big questions that will have a big impact for employers - which is all very well but the government intends for the new system to be in place by the end of the year.
Bearing in mind it takes some months to hire people, that means companies need to have everything in place for this by September or October of this year - seven months away.
And the full Immigration White Paper hasn't even been published.
Given the last major immigration change took four years to be implemented, that is asking an awful lot both of government and of businesses and immigrants.
Given the changes are due to kick in at the same time as Britain's transition period comes to an end and new trade rules are due to kick in, the challenge looks to be of superhuman proportions.
Image: The immigration system is highly complex and highly contentious
None of this is to say the new system is unfair.
Most economists think that in many ways it looks like a reasonable system. And given some of the criteria for non-EU workers are actually a little looser than they were before, there is a chance it actually boosts immigration from outside Europe.
But here is where economics and immigration policy collide. Because actually the main thing driving immigration isn't really the nature of the visa regulations but the strength of the economy.
The main reason Britain had record immigration in recent years isn't the nature of the system but the fact that lots of people wanted to come and work in the UK, where growth was relatively robust, where there were plenty of jobs and where immigrants could expect to improve their standard of living.
So it's quite possible migration may be lower in future - but don't assume that's down to the system. It might just as easily be down to the strength or otherwise of the economy.
If, on the other hand, we get a post-Brexit boom, it's not implausible that net migration rises yet again. This is a crucial distinction. The system matters - but so too does the broader economic outlook.
And anyway, for all the fanfare, if you look at the bit of the migration system that the government has always controlled - which is to say the non-EU bit - it's not altogether clear the changes will make it all that different to how it was before.
Image: The new rules could affect the farming industry
This is not an Australian-style points system.
The whole point of Australia's immigration system is that immigrants don't have to come to the country with a job lined up provided they can demonstrate they meet some of the key criteria (and hence points).
In Britain's system you will still have to have a job to come to the country, unless you are one of the top scientists able to qualify for the special high-skilled route.
Indeed, in many senses the new immigration system looks a lot like the old one. Which is to say the 2008 migration white paper which the coalition and then Tory government inherited.
Theresa May made various small changes: trimming allowances in certain places, attempting to restrict graduates here, introducing a cap on skilled visa entrants there.
The new system strips out most of those changes leaving us with something that looks a lot like what we had before.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-19--Government adviser raises fears over new terror laws

Keeping prisoners behind bars for longer could `` expose them to worse influences '' than if they were released , the government 's terror laws adviser has said .
Jonathan Hall QC raised doubts about the `` effectiveness '' of legislation being rushed through parliament after the Streatham and London Bridge attacks .
He questioned whether keeping `` non-risky prisoners '' in jail for longer would really `` protect the public '' in an analysis of the Terrorist Offenders ( Restriction of Early Release ) Bill , which has completed its journey through the Commons and will be debated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The plans , which will affect around 50 people currently behind bars , aim to make sure terrorist offenders serve two-thirds of their sentence before they are considered eligible for release , rather than the current halfway mark , and require sign-off by the parole board .
Ministers are trying to speed its passage through parliament before the next jailed terrorist is due for release on Friday 28 February .
Mr Hall , the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation , said : `` I raise questions about the effectiveness of some aspects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It is said that keeping terrorist prisoners longer in custody will protect the public since they will be off the streets .
`` But the question is whether keeping a non-risky prisoner longer in custody , rather than releasing them , will protect the public .
`` Recent reporting on conditions in prison suggest that keeping prisoners in custody any longer than necessary may be to expose them to worse influences than if released .
`` Shorter periods of licence also mean less chance of intervention by the Probation Service .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes could create a `` cliff edge '' where the parole board refuses to release an offender until the end of a sentence so terrorists are freed without any licence restrictions .
`` The possibility of risky offenders being released without these controls gives rise to a cliff-edge in terms of managing their risk . ''
He added : `` Unless there is a clear justification for retroactively changing the earliest release date for this particular set of prisoners , it sets an uncomfortable precedent for retroactive alterations to the release dates for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of imprisonment .
`` Whilst consideration by the Parole Board of all terrorist offenders prior to release is sensible and to be welcomed , it is unclear to me why this consideration needs to be delayed until two thirds of the sentences of prisoners - who would otherwise have been released after one half - have elapsed . ''
The law change has also been opposed by Dave Merritt , whose son Jack was stabbed to death on London Bridge in November last year .
He told Sky News it was a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson for backing the legislation to `` score some points '' in the run-up to December 's general election .

Keeping prisoners behind bars for longer could "expose them to worse influences" than if they were released, the government's terror laws adviser has said.
Jonathan Hall QC raised doubts about the "effectiveness" of legislation being rushed through parliament after the Streatham and London Bridge attacks.
He questioned whether keeping "non-risky prisoners" in jail for longer would really "protect the public" in an analysis of the Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Bill, which has completed its journey through the Commons and will be debated by the House of Lords next week.
Image: The bill will be debated by the House of Lords next week
The plans, which will affect around 50 people currently behind bars, aim to make sure terrorist offenders serve two-thirds of their sentence before they are considered eligible for release, rather than the current halfway mark, and require sign-off by the parole board.
Ministers are trying to speed its passage through parliament before the next jailed terrorist is due for release on Friday 28 February.
Mr Hall, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said: "I raise questions about the effectiveness of some aspects of the bill as they affect existing prisoners.
"It is said that keeping terrorist prisoners longer in custody will protect the public since they will be off the streets.
"But the question is whether keeping a non-risky prisoner longer in custody, rather than releasing them, will protect the public.
"Recent reporting on conditions in prison suggest that keeping prisoners in custody any longer than necessary may be to expose them to worse influences than if released.
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"Shorter periods of licence also mean less chance of intervention by the Probation Service."
Image: Forensic experts at the scene of the Streatham terror attack
Mr Hall also raised concerns the changes could create a "cliff edge" where the parole board refuses to release an offender until the end of a sentence so terrorists are freed without any licence restrictions.
"The possibility of risky offenders being released without these controls gives rise to a cliff-edge in terms of managing their risk."
He added: "Unless there is a clear justification for retroactively changing the earliest release date for this particular set of prisoners, it sets an uncomfortable precedent for retroactive alterations to the release dates for other offenders who are currently serving sentences of imprisonment.
"Whilst consideration by the Parole Board of all terrorist offenders prior to release is sensible and to be welcomed, it is unclear to me why this consideration needs to be delayed until two thirds of the sentences of prisoners - who would otherwise have been released after one half - have elapsed."
The law change has also been opposed by Dave Merritt, whose son Jack was stabbed to death on London Bridge in November last year.
He told Sky News it was a "knee-jerk reaction" and "ill-considered intervention" and accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson for backing the legislation to "score some points" in the run-up to December's general election.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-20--Corbyn 'happy' to serve in next Labour leader's shadow cabinet

Jeremy Corbyn says he would be `` happy '' to carry on serving as a senior member of Labour 's top team .
The outgoing party leader left the door open to remaining in the shadow cabinet after formally handing over to his successor in six weeks ' time .
He has already been touted for a top job by shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey - one of the contenders to replace him .
She said `` I 'd like to '' keep him in the shadow cabinet if she beats off competition from shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership contender Richard Burgon has said having Mr Corbyn as his shadow foreign secretary would be `` ideal '' .
Responding to the offers , Mr Corbyn did not rule out staying on Labour 's frontbench - something a leader has not done since Ramsay McDonald moved from the top job to lord president of the Privy Council under the national government in 1935 .
`` I 'm happy to serve the party in any capacity because my whole life has been about making my contribution in parliament , holding the government to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy areas , '' he said during a visit to the flood-hit Welsh town of Pontypridd .
`` I 've been proud to lead the party for the last five years , proud of the policy achievements we 've made and of the huge growth in membership . ''
Asked to confirm that meant if he was offered a job he would take it , Mr Corbyn added : `` Let 's see what it is .
`` I did n't know I was going to be offered anything , you 're telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' It comes after Ed Miliband - Mr Corbyn 's predecessor - was reportedly being lined up for a return to the frontbench by Sir Keir .
Senior allies of the leadership contender were quoted by the Telegraph as saying Mr Miliband was a contender to become shadow chancellor .
The new leader will be revealed at a special conference on Saturday 4 April .

Jeremy Corbyn says he would be "happy" to carry on serving as a senior member of Labour's top team.
The outgoing party leader left the door open to remaining in the shadow cabinet after formally handing over to his successor in six weeks' time.
He has already been touted for a top job by shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey - one of the contenders to replace him.
Image: Labour's new leader will be announced on Saturday 4 April
She said "I'd like to" keep him in the shadow cabinet if she beats off competition from shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer and backbencher Lisa Nandy.
And deputy leadership contender Richard Burgon has said having Mr Corbyn as his shadow foreign secretary would be "ideal".
Responding to the offers, Mr Corbyn did not rule out staying on Labour's frontbench - something a leader has not done since Ramsay McDonald moved from the top job to lord president of the Privy Council under the national government in 1935.
"I'm happy to serve the party in any capacity because my whole life has been about making my contribution in parliament, holding the government to account and of course speaking out on policy areas," he said during a visit to the flood-hit Welsh town of Pontypridd.
"I've been proud to lead the party for the last five years, proud of the policy achievements we've made and of the huge growth in membership."
Asked to confirm that meant if he was offered a job he would take it, Mr Corbyn added: "Let's see what it is.
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"I didn't know I was going to be offered anything, you're telling me something I didn't know."
Image: Rebecca Long-Bailey, Lisa Nandy and Sir Keir Starmer are fighting it out to become Labour leader
It comes after Ed Miliband - Mr Corbyn's predecessor - was reportedly being lined up for a return to the frontbench by Sir Keir.
Senior allies of the leadership contender were quoted by the Telegraph as saying Mr Miliband was a contender to become shadow chancellor.
The new leader will be revealed at a special conference on Saturday 4 April.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-20--Home secretary embroiled in bullying allegations row

A bullying allegations row has broken out over the home secretary 's alleged treatment of her department ’ s most senior civil servant .
Priti Patel tried to remove permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutnam from the role after they had a series of arguments , according to the Press Association .
She is also facing accusations of belittling officials , making unreasonable demands and creating an `` atmosphere of fear '' , according to The Times .
Ms Patel and Sir Philip had `` fundamental disagreements about the rule of law '' , the newspaper quoted a source as saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary told PA they `` did not recognise '' these claims .
And the Home Office said no formal complaint had been made against her and it takes staff welfare “ extremely seriously ” .
Matters reportedly came to a head last week when an unnamed senior official collapsed after a meeting with Ms Patel , following an all-night effort to reverse a High Court ruling barring the deportation of 25 foreign criminals to Jamaica .
The official was confronted by Ms Patel who demanded to know why the Home Office had failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
He fell ill later in the day and when checked over at a hospital found to have a sodium deficiency , believed to be because he drank too much water while working late .
A source told PA that staff were exhausted after working all night but dismissed claims the meeting was heated .
Instead they described it as `` constructive '' , with officials being asked to work on finding solutions to making sure the situation did not occur again .
Business minister Nadhim Zahawi said he had known Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for being someone who 's `` utterly professional , works night and day to deliver for the country '' .
`` She is a brilliant , collegiate team player , '' he told LBC , adding when asked if she was a bully : `` No , I do n't think she is at all . ''
But Dave Penman , general secretary of the FDA union which represents senior civil servants , said staff at the Home Office were `` working flat out '' .
`` Putting undue pressure and demands on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not make for good government and will do this administration no favours in delivering its policy priorities , '' he added .
`` Ministers have to recognise the consequences of their behaviour . ''

A bullying allegations row has broken out over the home secretary's alleged treatment of her department's most senior civil servant.
Priti Patel tried to remove permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutnam from the role after they had a series of arguments, according to the Press Association.
She is also facing accusations of belittling officials, making unreasonable demands and creating an "atmosphere of fear", according to The Times.
Image: The Home Office said no formal complaint had been made against Ms Patel
Ms Patel and Sir Philip had "fundamental disagreements about the rule of law", the newspaper quoted a source as saying.
But an ally of the home secretary told PA they "did not recognise" these claims.
And the Home Office said no formal complaint had been made against her and it takes staff welfare "extremely seriously".
Matters reportedly came to a head last week when an unnamed senior official collapsed after a meeting with Ms Patel, following an all-night effort to reverse a High Court ruling barring the deportation of 25 foreign criminals to Jamaica.
The official was confronted by Ms Patel who demanded to know why the Home Office had failed to reverse the ruling, The Times said.
He fell ill later in the day and when checked over at a hospital was found to have a sodium deficiency, believed to be because he drank too much water while working late.
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Image: Sir Philip Rutnam, pictured in 2012, is the Home Office permanent secretary
A source told PA that staff were exhausted after working all night but dismissed claims the meeting was heated.
Instead they described it as "constructive", with officials being asked to work on finding solutions to making sure the situation did not occur again.
Business minister Nadhim Zahawi said he had known Ms Patel for 25 years and praised her for being someone who's "utterly professional, works night and day to deliver for the country".
"She is a brilliant, collegiate team player," he told LBC, adding when asked if she was a bully: "No, I don't think she is at all."
But Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union which represents senior civil servants, said staff at the Home Office were "working flat out".
"Putting undue pressure and demands on committed public servants that are already overstretched does not make for good government and will do this administration no favours in delivering its policy priorities," he added.
"Ministers have to recognise the consequences of their behaviour."


skynewspolitics--2020-02-20--Labour figure 'pretty upset' at Blair's trans comments

Tony Blair 's plea for Labour not to start a `` culture war '' over transgender people 's rights has sparked fury from one of the party 's deputy leadership candidates .
The former prime minister intervened after days of internal debate over whether to change the law to make it easier for people to select their own gender .
Giving a speech to mark 120 years since Labour was formed , he included an urge for Labour not to become a `` pressure group '' by making trans rights `` our big thing '' .
Several candidates running to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputy leader have signed a pledge to expel those who “ express bigoted , transphobic views ” .
Among them was Angela Rayner , the shadow education secretary , who took on Mr Blair 's comments at an LGBT+ hustings in Manchester on Thursday night .
`` I 'm pretty upset about what Tony Blair said today , '' she said .
`` There were a number of things that were wrong with it .
`` First of all for me it was like 'leadership should n't talk about this ' - you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman have n't chosen to be in the middle of a battle .
`` It 's not about a political football , it 's people 's lives . ''
Ms Rayner said she was `` absolutely petrified '' that there were party members who `` think somehow some elements of our Labour Party do not think they are valid or somehow there is a question about who they should be '' .
She added : `` Trans rights are human rights and we have an absolute obligation as the Labour Party to lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applauded by fellow deputy leadership candidates , including Rosena Allin-Khan .
Lisa Nandy , one of the three final contenders to be Labour leader , at a later event vowed to redouble her support for trans rights after being targeted by a barrage of `` hate and anger '' .
Throughout both hustings there were heckles from a small minority of the audience .
One person accused the candidates of not knowing `` what the definition of woman is '' and said that `` women 's voices are being shut down '' during @ @ @

Tony Blair's plea for Labour not to start a "culture war" over transgender people's rights has sparked fury from one of the party's deputy leadership candidates.
The former prime minister intervened after days of internal debate over whether to change the law to make it easier for people to select their own gender.
Giving a speech to mark 120 years since Labour was formed, he included an urge for Labour not to become a "pressure group" by making trans rights "our big thing".
Image: Tony Blair urged Labour not to start a 'culture war'
Several candidates running to be the party's leader and deputy leader have signed a pledge to expel those who "express bigoted, transphobic views".
Among them was Angela Rayner, the shadow education secretary, who took on Mr Blair's comments at an LGBT+ hustings in Manchester on Thursday night.
"I'm pretty upset about what Tony Blair said today," she said.
"There were a number of things that were wrong with it.
"First of all for me it was like 'leadership shouldn't talk about this' - you don't choose your battles, transgender woman haven't chosen to be in the middle of a battle.
"It's not about a political football, it's people's lives."
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Ms Rayner said she was "absolutely petrified" that there were party members who "think somehow some elements of our Labour Party do not think they are valid or somehow there is a question about who they should be".
Image: Angela Rayner said the issue was not a 'political football'
She added: "Trans rights are human rights and we have an absolute obligation as the Labour Party to lead that fight."
Her comments were applauded by fellow deputy leadership candidates, including Rosena Allin-Khan.
Lisa Nandy, one of the three final contenders to be Labour leader, at a later event vowed to redouble her support for trans rights after being targeted by a barrage of "hate and anger".
Throughout both hustings there were heckles from a small minority of the audience.
One person accused the candidates of not knowing "what the definition of woman is" and said that "women's voices are being shut down" during the debate.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-21--Windrush review's finding Home Office 'institutionally racist' now removed - report

A draft conclusion that the Home Office was `` institutionally racist '' over its `` hostile environment '' policy towards migrants has been removed from a delayed report into the Windrush scandal , it has emerged .
The independent review into the treatment of Caribbean migrants who were detained or deported despite having the right to live in Britain has been conducted by Wendy Williams , HM inspector of constabulary .
According to The Times , the phrase `` institutionally racist '' was included in an early draft of the review 's findings but no longer appears in more recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The `` lessons learned '' review was commissioned following the 2018 outcry over the treatment of so-called Windrush generation migrants who came to the UK from the Caribbean following the Second World War .
It was originally due to submit a final report in March last year but was delayed .
The review is still ongoing to allow those criticised , including ministers and officials , to have the chance to respond , The Times reported .
Its findings are expected to be published within the next six weeks .
The Home Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents but stressed that ministers `` have not seen any version of the report '' .
A spokesman said : `` This is an independent review being led by Wendy Williams .
`` She has not yet submitted the final report to the Home Office .
Once we have received it , we will publish it as soon as practicable . ''
A government source also pointed to how the review was `` still inside an independent reporting structure '' .
The phrase `` institutionally racist '' was notably used in a 1999 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence .
Labour MP Yvette Cooper , the chair of the House of Commons home affairs committee , said it would be `` completely unacceptable '' for the Home Office to attempt to `` water down '' the Williams review 's conclusions and judgements .
Fellow Labour MP David Lammy warned it would be `` an outrage and an insult to the Windrush generation '' if the Williams ' report was `` watered down for political reasons '' .
He posted on Twitter : `` The Windrush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detention of black British citizens by the UK Home Office .
`` The victims ' nationality and rights were denied because of the colour of their skin .
If this is not institutionally racist I have no idea what is . ''
Mr Lammy added : `` The truth must be published in full . ''
Last year , Channel 4 News reported leaked extracts from the Williams review branded the Home Office `` reckless '' and accused the department of having failed in their legal duty to counter racial discrimination .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sajid Javid , who took charge of the Home Office following the resignation of Amber Rudd over the Windrush scandal .

A draft conclusion that the Home Office was "institutionally racist" over its "hostile environment" policy towards migrants has been removed from a delayed report into the Windrush scandal, it has emerged.
The independent review into the treatment of Caribbean migrants who were detained or deported despite having the right to live in Britain has been conducted by Wendy Williams, HM inspector of constabulary.
According to The Times, the phrase "institutionally racist" was included in an early draft of the review's findings but no longer appears in more recent drafts, including the latest version.
The "lessons learned" review was commissioned following the 2018 outcry over the treatment of so-called Windrush generation migrants who came to the UK from the Caribbean following the Second World War.
It was originally due to submit a final report in March last year but was delayed.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:05 2018: Apology to Windrush members wrongfully detained
The review is still ongoing to allow those criticised, including ministers and officials, to have the chance to respond, The Times reported.
Its findings are expected to be published within the next six weeks.
The Home Office said it does not comment on leaked documents but stressed that ministers "have not seen any version of the report".
A spokesman said: "This is an independent review being led by Wendy Williams.
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"She has not yet submitted the final report to the Home Office. Once we have received it, we will publish it as soon as practicable."
A government source also pointed to how the review was "still inside an independent reporting structure".
The phrase "institutionally racist" was notably used in a 1999 inquiry into the Met Police, following the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence.
Labour MP Yvette Cooper, the chair of the House of Commons home affairs committee, said it would be "completely unacceptable" for the Home Office to attempt to "water down" the Williams review's conclusions and judgements.
Image: Labour's David Lammy has demanded the 'truth be published in full'
Fellow Labour MP David Lammy warned it would be "an outrage and an insult to the Windrush generation" if the Williams' report was "watered down for political reasons".
He posted on Twitter: "The Windrush scandal resulted in the systematic deportation and detention of black British citizens by the UK Home Office.
"The victims' nationality and rights were denied because of the colour of their skin. If this is not institutionally racist I have no idea what is."
Mr Lammy added: "The truth must be published in full."
Last year, Channel 4 News reported leaked extracts from the Williams review branded the Home Office "reckless" and accused the department of having failed in their legal duty to counter racial discrimination.
The review was commissioned by former home secretary Sajid Javid, who took charge of the Home Office following the resignation of Amber Rudd over the Windrush scandal.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-21--Chancellor has less cash to play with ahead of budget

Britain 's new Chancellor Rishi Sunak is facing less financial wriggle room ahead of his first budget after the UK recorded a smaller-than-expected surplus .
In January , the UK spent less money than it received in taxes and other income , providing a breathing space in the accounts of £9.8bn .
However , this is down 18 % - some £2.1bn - from the same month last year , the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) said .
A Reuters poll of economists had pointed to a surplus of £11.3bn .
The UK regularly posts a surplus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-assessed tax returns .
The latest data showed increases in income and sales tax receipts , but corporation tax income fell in January compared with a year ago .
The improvement in revenue was cancelled out by a hefty 5.7 % annual increase in current spending - reflecting the hike in health spending announced by the former prime minister Theresa May .
The latest finance figures also show Britain paid £2.1bn into the EU budget in January , up by £1.1bn on a year ago .
This rise is largely because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during 2020 rather than a reflection of any budgetary increase .
While the UK officially quit the bloc on 31 January , it continues to align with EU rules and pay into Brussels ' coffers during the transition period , which lasts until the end of December .
The public purse was also bolstered by a £843m fine to be paid by Airbus for a deferred prosecution agreement with various countries .
Mr Sunak has confirmed he will stick with the 11 March date for the government 's first post-Brexit budget , following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be delayed .
: : Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker His predecessor Sajid Javid , who was already working on plans to increase public investment after a decade of tight controls on spending , resigned unexpectedly last week .
The ONS said borrowing in the first 10 months of the financial year stood at £44.8bn , 14.9 % higher than it was for April 2018 to January 2019 .

Britain's new Chancellor Rishi Sunak is facing less financial wriggle room ahead of his first budget after the UK recorded a smaller-than-expected surplus.
In January, the UK spent less money than it received in taxes and other income, providing a breathing space in the accounts of £9.8bn.
However, this is down 18% - some £2.1bn - from the same month last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
A Reuters poll of economists had pointed to a surplus of £11.3bn.
The UK regularly posts a surplus in January, because of the receipt of self-assessed tax returns.
The latest data showed increases in income and sales tax receipts, but corporation tax income fell in January compared with a year ago.
The improvement in revenue was cancelled out by a hefty 5.7% annual increase in current spending - reflecting the hike in health spending announced by the former prime minister Theresa May.
The latest finance figures also show Britain paid £2.1bn into the EU budget in January, up by £1.1bn on a year ago.
This rise is largely because of the timing of contributions made by member states during 2020 rather than a reflection of any budgetary increase.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:44 'No self-respecting minister would accept'
While the UK officially quit the bloc on 31 January, it continues to align with EU rules and pay into Brussels' coffers during the transition period, which lasts until the end of December.
The public purse was also bolstered by a £843m fine to be paid by Airbus for a deferred prosecution agreement with various countries.
Mr Sunak has confirmed he will stick with the 11 March date for the government's first post-Brexit budget, following speculation the tax and spending plans could be delayed.
:: Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
His predecessor Sajid Javid, who was already working on plans to increase public investment after a decade of tight controls on spending, resigned unexpectedly last week.
The ONS said borrowing in the first 10 months of the financial year stood at £44.8bn, 14.9% higher than it was for April 2018 to January 2019.
Yael Selfin, chief economist at KPMG UK, said: "Tough choices will be needed to maintain fiscal discipline.
"With just two months to go until the fiscal year end, overall borrowing for the fiscal year to March is projected to fall below £50bn.
"Despite that relatively good news, if the chancellor intends to stick to the current fiscal targets, he will have relatively limited room to increase spending compared to the ambitious objectives the government has set.
"With only days to go until the budget is finalised, the chancellor will need to balance the ambition of levelling up growth across the different parts of the UK economy and maintaining a semblance of fiscal rectitude."


skynewspolitics--2020-02-20--McDonnell declares Assange 'innocent' after 'offensive' Dreyfus comparison

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has declared Julian Assange `` innocent '' and subject to an attempt by the `` establishment '' to `` victimise '' the Wikileaks founder ahead of an extradition hearing .
The Labour frontbencher made the comments as he defended himself from criticism of his comparison between Assange and the historical Dreyfus case .
Mr McDonnell made the controversial comparison to the French political scandal , which occurred at the turn of the 20th century , after visiting Assange for two hours at London 's Belmarsh prison on Thursday .
In 1894 , French army captain Alfred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selling military secrets to the Germans and was sent to a penal colony off South America 's Atlantic coast .
His conviction was criticised as being motivated by antisemitism and the case deeply split France .
Dreyfus was eventually exonerated following a long campaign on his behalf featuring intellectuals such as novelist Emile Zola , who wrote a denunciation of the prosecution case entitled `` J'Accuse '' .
Karen Pollock , chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust , branded Mr McDonnell 's comparison `` outrageous , ridiculous and so deeply offensive '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer falsely accused of treason because he was Jewish , '' she said .
`` Go figure how or why John McDonnell could make such an inappropriate comparison with the Assange case .
Claudia Mendoza , the Jewish Leadership Council 's policy director , also said : `` John McDonnell 's analogy is crass and offensive .
`` Julian Assange 's case can not be compared to the Dreyfus Affair , one of the most important moments in Jewish history . ''
But Mr McDonnell later defended linking the two cases , posting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear what I meant .
`` Just like the Dreyfus case , the legal action against Julian Assange Is a major political trial in which the establishment is out to victimise an innocent .
`` On that basis , of course it 's right to assert than it 's a parallel . ''
Mr McDonnell had earlier told reporters outside the gates of Belmarsh prison : `` I think this is one of the most important and significant political trials of this generation , in fact longer .
`` I think it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The way in which a person is being persecuted for political reasons , for simply exposing the truth for what went on in relation to recent wars . ''
The United States wants Assange to face 18 charges , including conspiring to commit computer intrusion over the publication of diplomatic cables a decade ago .
The 48-year-old is accused of working with former US army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to leak hundreds of thousands of classified documents .
If found guilty he could face up to 175 years in jail .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assange 's extradition to the US should be opposed and `` the rights of journalists and whistleblowers upheld '' .
He told MPs that Assange 's work had exposed `` war crimes , including the murder of civilians and large-scale corruption '' .
Assange 's extradition hearing is due to start next week .
The Australian has been held on remand in Belmarsh since last September after serving a 50-week jail sentence for breaching his bail conditions while he was in the Ecuadorian embassy in London .
He entered the building in 2012 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offence allegations , which he has always denied and were subsequently dropped .
Mr McDonnell on Thursday claimed , if Assange was extradited from the UK to the US , it would `` damage the democratic standing of our own country as well as America '' .
`` We have a long tradition in this country of standing up for journalistic freedom , standing up for the protection of whistleblowers and those who expose injustices , '' he added .
The shadow chancellor said he felt `` anxious '' over the `` barbaric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A group of 117 doctors and psychologists have called for an end to what they describe as `` the psychological torture and medical neglect '' of Assange .
On Wednesday , a court heard US President Donald Trump offered Julian Assange a pardon if he said Russia was not involved in a leak of Democratic Party emails , which were published by Wikileaks .
The White House dismissed the claim as a `` complete fabrication and a total lie '' .

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has declared Julian Assange "innocent" and subject to an attempt by the "establishment" to "victimise" the Wikileaks founder ahead of an extradition hearing.
The Labour frontbencher made the comments as he defended himself from criticism of his comparison between Assange and the historical Dreyfus case.
Mr McDonnell made the controversial comparison to the French political scandal, which occurred at the turn of the 20th century, after visiting Assange for two hours at London's Belmarsh prison on Thursday.
Image: The conviction of Alfred Dreyfus was criticised as being motivated by antisemitism
In 1894, French army captain Alfred Dreyfus was convicted of treason for allegedly selling military secrets to the Germans and was sent to a penal colony off South America's Atlantic coast.
His conviction was criticised as being motivated by antisemitism and the case deeply split France.
Dreyfus was eventually exonerated following a long campaign on his behalf featuring intellectuals such as novelist Emile Zola, who wrote a denunciation of the prosecution case entitled "J'Accuse".
Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, branded Mr McDonnell's comparison "outrageous, ridiculous and so deeply offensive".
"Dreyfus was a French artillery officer falsely accused of treason because he was Jewish," she said.
"Go figure how or why John McDonnell could make such an inappropriate comparison with the Assange case.
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Claudia Mendoza, the Jewish Leadership Council's policy director, also said: "John McDonnell's analogy is crass and offensive.
"Julian Assange's case cannot be compared to the Dreyfus Affair, one of the most important moments in Jewish history."
But Mr McDonnell later defended linking the two cases, posting on Twitter: "It was quite clear what I meant.
"Just like the Dreyfus case, the legal action against Julian Assange Is a major political trial in which the establishment is out to victimise an innocent.
"On that basis, of course it's right to assert than it's a parallel."
Mr McDonnell had earlier told reporters outside the gates of Belmarsh prison: "I think this is one of the most important and significant political trials of this generation, in fact longer.
"I think it's the Dreyfus case of our age.
"The way in which a person is being persecuted for political reasons, for simply exposing the truth for what went on in relation to recent wars."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The United States wants Assange to face 18 charges, including conspiring to commit computer intrusion over the publication of diplomatic cables a decade ago.
The 48-year-old is accused of working with former US army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to leak hundreds of thousands of classified documents.
If found guilty he could face up to 175 years in jail.
Pink Floyd founding member Roger Waters has also accused authorities of politicising the Assange case, claiming he is being brought to court "to punish him as a warning to other journalists".
Waters described Assange as "an extremely important journalist who has committed no crime" and said he is "not guilty of hacking anybody or anything".
The musician said the extradition proceedings were "ridiculous" and "completely illegal".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:58 Roger Waters defends Julian Assange
Last week, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn claimed Assange's extradition to the US should be opposed and "the rights of journalists and whistleblowers upheld".
He told MPs that Assange's work had exposed "war crimes, including the murder of civilians and large-scale corruption".
Assange's extradition hearing is due to start next week.
The Australian has been held on remand in Belmarsh since last September after serving a 50-week jail sentence for breaching his bail conditions while he was in the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
He entered the building in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden over sex offence allegations, which he has always denied and were subsequently dropped.
Mr McDonnell on Thursday claimed, if Assange was extradited from the UK to the US, it would "damage the democratic standing of our own country as well as America".
"We have a long tradition in this country of standing up for journalistic freedom, standing up for the protection of whistleblowers and those who expose injustices," he added.
The shadow chancellor said he felt "anxious" over the "barbaric" treatment Assange has experienced in prison.
A group of 117 doctors and psychologists have called for an end to what they describe as "the psychological torture and medical neglect" of Assange.
On Wednesday, a court heard US President Donald Trump offered Julian Assange a pardon if he said Russia was not involved in a leak of Democratic Party emails, which were published by Wikileaks.
The White House dismissed the claim as a "complete fabrication and a total lie".


skynewspolitics--2020-02-21--Has 'demanding' home secretary crossed the line?

In any profession , there 's a line between being a demanding boss and a straight-up bully .
The question being asked in Westminster at the moment is - did Priti Patel cross it ?
The Times newspaper has been leading the charge against the home secretary , reporting on Friday that a former minister who worked with her in a previous job regarded her tenure as their ministry 's `` darkest period '' .
I 've spoken to two people who worked in departments she served in .
Neither had extensive direct contact with Ms Patel , but say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff .
One of these officials said the tension stretched into the higher ranks of the ministry and she was known to `` fly off the handle a lot '' .
The other spoke about workers in the Department for International Development tracking her flight path online , when she was recalled from Africa in 2017 to be sacked for holding unofficial meetings with Israeli politicians .
Those close to Ms Patel categorically deny she 's a bully and say she 's simply a `` demanding boss '' in a `` busy department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda through '' .
Indeed , in the high-pressure world of politics , tension in the ranks does n't always indicate a culture of bullying .
`` Every minister has a troubled relationship with their civil servants '' , wrote former Home Office adviser Salma Shah in The Times on Friday .
But top-level fallouts are rather rarer .
That 's why eyebrows were elevated further this week when it emerged that the home secretary has also been at loggerheads with her most senior official , the Home Office permanent secretary Sir Philip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disagreements got so bad Ms Patel tried to have Sir Philip moved .
One area of tension was over how to deal with recent climate change protests that closed down central London .
The home secretary was unhappy with the response from officials and was concerned that police did not have the powers to prevent campaigners blocking roads .
Sources close to Ms Patel now say the government will act to limit disruption in the future .
That could include new legislation aimed at preventing protesters closing down public routes by chaining themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Out Politics on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Another dispute was over last week 's High Court ruling that barred the deportation of a group of foreign criminals .
Taken together , it 's easy to see how an image has formed in some circles of a home secretary unconcerned with the law pushing up against a permanent secretary determined to do things by the book .
That 's not to say Sir Philip Rutnam has a squeaky clean record though .
Allies of former home secretary Amber Rudd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veteran , blaming him for her resignation over the Windrush scandal .
Those in government are keen to point out no official complaints have been lodged against Ms Patel .
The trade union that represents Whitehall staffers has criticised the disciplinary process though , saying an independent and more transparent process is needed .
Across parliament , politics and other professions , recent years have seen a new more robust approach to bullying and harassment .
That 's brought with it an increased focus on when passion and drive morphs into something more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under that microscope .
But , rightly or wrongly , as one of Boris Johnson 's most high-profile cabinet ministers and backed by an emboldened Downing Street , it will take a lot for her to be pushed out of her job .

In any profession, there's a line between being a demanding boss and a straight-up bully. The question being asked in Westminster at the moment is - did Priti Patel cross it?
The Times newspaper has been leading the charge against the home secretary, reporting on Friday that a former minister who worked with her in a previous job regarded her tenure as their ministry's "darkest period".
I've spoken to two people who worked in departments she served in.
Neither had extensive direct contact with Ms Patel, but say she was not liked at all among staff.
One of these officials said the tension stretched into the higher ranks of the ministry and she was known to "fly off the handle a lot".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:32 Priti Patel on immigration overhaul
The other spoke about workers in the Department for International Development tracking her flight path online, when she was recalled from Africa in 2017 to be sacked for holding unofficial meetings with Israeli politicians.
Those close to Ms Patel categorically deny she's a bully and say she's simply a "demanding boss" in a "busy department" who wants to "drive her agenda through".
Indeed, in the high-pressure world of politics, tension in the ranks doesn't always indicate a culture of bullying.
"Every minister has a troubled relationship with their civil servants", wrote former Home Office adviser Salma Shah in The Times on Friday.
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But top-level fallouts are rather rarer.
Image: The home secretary has been at loggerheads with Sir Philip Rutnam
That's why eyebrows were elevated further this week when it emerged that the home secretary has also been at loggerheads with her most senior official, the Home Office permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutnam.
At one point, the disagreements got so bad Ms Patel tried to have Sir Philip moved.
One area of tension was over how to deal with recent climate change protests that closed down central London.
The home secretary was unhappy with the response from officials and was concerned that police did not have the powers to prevent campaigners blocking roads.
Sources close to Ms Patel now say the government will act to limit disruption in the future.
That could include new legislation aimed at preventing protesters closing down public routes by chaining themselves together.
:: Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Another dispute was over last week's High Court ruling that barred the deportation of a group of foreign criminals.
Taken together, it's easy to see how an image has formed in some circles of a home secretary unconcerned with the law pushing up against a permanent secretary determined to do things by the book.
That's not to say Sir Philip Rutnam has a squeaky clean record though.
Allies of former home secretary Amber Rudd are no fans of the civil service veteran, blaming him for her resignation over the Windrush scandal.
Those in government are keen to point out no official complaints have been lodged against Ms Patel.
The trade union that represents Whitehall staffers has criticised the disciplinary process though, saying an independent and more transparent process is needed.
Across parliament, politics and other professions, recent years have seen a new more robust approach to bullying and harassment.
That's brought with it an increased focus on when passion and drive morphs into something more sinister.
The home secretary is currently under that microscope.
But, rightly or wrongly, as one of Boris Johnson's most high-profile cabinet ministers and backed by an emboldened Downing Street, it will take a lot for her to be pushed out of her job.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-21--UK politicians could see lies flagged by Twitter

UK politicians could face having bright red and orange badges added beneath their tweets if they post lies and misinformation .
Twitter is exploring ways to address misinformation , with one option including flagging tweets as `` harmfully misleading '' and providing corrections underneath .
NBC News was sent a leaked demonstration of how the new feature would work and published mock-ups of how it would look .
Using examples from US politicians , tweets flagged as `` harmfully misleading '' would be accompanied by the message : `` Twitter Community reports have identified this tweet as violating Community Policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet 's visibility will be reduced . ''
Underneath the tweet , `` top reports '' from other Twitter users detailing why the tweet is misleading would be added .
NBC News reported these would be collated from fact-checkers and journalists who have verified Twitter accounts , or possibly by other users who would participate in a new `` community reports '' feature said to be `` like Wikipedia . ''
One example was based on Democrat presidential candidate Bernie Sanders ' claim that 40 % of guns in the US are sold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been found to be false by US media .
The recent UK general election was marked by a series of rows over whether parties were being wholly truthful with their claims .
The Conservative Party was accused by Twitter of misleading the public after they rebranded one of their official party accounts to make it look like a factchecking service during a televised debate between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn .
Twitter confirmed the leaked demo was one possible means of attempting to counter misinformation on their site .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploring a number of ways to address misinformation and provide more context for Tweets on Twitter .
`` This is a design mockup for one option that would involve community feedback .
`` Misinformation is a critical issue and we will be testing many different ways to address it . ''
Sky News understands Twitter has yet to decide whether or not to test the proposal , which is in very early stages of development .
Any further measures that Twitter does adopt to counter misinformation would be rolled-out globally .
Earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not allow users to `` deceptively share synthetic or manipulated media that are likely to cause harm '' .
They said : `` We may label Tweets containing synthetic and manipulated media to help people understand the media 's authenticity and to provide additional context . ''
This labelling would begin from 5 March , Twitter added .

UK politicians could face having bright red and orange badges added beneath their tweets if they post lies and misinformation.
Twitter is exploring ways to address misinformation, with one option including flagging tweets as "harmfully misleading" and providing corrections underneath.
NBC News was sent a leaked demonstration of how the new feature would work and published mock-ups of how it would look.
Image: A mock-up of the possible new measures to counter misleading tweets
Using examples from US politicians, tweets flagged as "harmfully misleading" would be accompanied by the message: "Twitter Community reports have identified this tweet as violating Community Policy on Harmfully Misleading Information.
"This tweet's visibility will be reduced."
Underneath the tweet, "top reports" from other Twitter users detailing why the tweet is misleading would be added.
NBC News reported these would be collated from fact-checkers and journalists who have verified Twitter accounts, or possibly by other users who would participate in a new "community reports" feature said to be "like Wikipedia."
One example was based on Democrat presidential candidate Bernie Sanders' claim that 40% of guns in the US are sold without any background checks, which has been found to be false by US media.
The recent UK general election was marked by a series of rows over whether parties were being wholly truthful with their claims.
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The Conservative Party was accused by Twitter of misleading the public after they rebranded one of their official party accounts to make it look like a factchecking service during a televised debate between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Twitter confirmed the leaked demo was one possible means of attempting to counter misinformation on their site.
A spokesperson said: "We're exploring a number of ways to address misinformation and provide more context for Tweets on Twitter.
"This is a design mockup for one option that would involve community feedback.
"Misinformation is a critical issue and we will be testing many different ways to address it."
Sky News understands Twitter has yet to decide whether or not to test the proposal, which is in very early stages of development.
Any further measures that Twitter does adopt to counter misinformation would be rolled-out globally.
Earlier this month, Twitter unveiled new rules that will not allow users to "deceptively share synthetic or manipulated media that are likely to cause harm".
They said: "We may label Tweets containing synthetic and manipulated media to help people understand the media's authenticity and to provide additional context."
This labelling would begin from 5 March, Twitter added.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-23--Acid-washed chicken from US raised by new environment secretary

The new environment secretary has dismissed fears that chlorinated chicken and hormone-injected beef could be rolled out in UK supermarkets .
George Eustice refused twice to rule out the possibility - which has been raised by campaigners who warn food standards will be cut as part of a trade deal with the United States .
But pressed again he told Sky News ' Sophy Ridge on Sunday `` we wo n't make any moves on our standards '' .
Washington has already declared it wants `` comprehensive market access '' for agricultural goods as part of a new post-Brexit trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on chlorine-washed poultry , which is widespread in the US but has been banned in the EU since 1997 .
Mr Eustice , who comes from a farming background and was promoted in last week 's reshuffle , told Ridge there are `` no plans '' to change the law .
Asked to reaffirm his predecessor Theresa Villiers ' commitment not to import chlorinated chicken or hormone-treated beef , he said : `` We 're absolutely clear as a government we will not take risks either without food standards and when it comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our views on animal welfare on to the international stage . ''
Pressed again , he said `` lactic acid washes '' are now used more in the US than chlorine , which is unlikely to allay fears over animal welfare .
When asked for the third time , he confirmed : `` What I 'm saying is we wo n't make any moves on our standards .
`` We 've got a clear position in this country that it is illegal to sell chlorine-washed chicken , illegal to sell beef treated with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change those things . ''
It comes after Ms Villiers reportedly said last month : `` We will not dilute our strong environmental protections , food safety and animal welfare .
Even limited access to our markets is a big prize to aspire to . ''
The government 's chief science adviser has tried to allay concerns by insisting there is no evidence the controversial meat is harmful .
Sir Ian Boyd said in August : `` From a health perspective there really is n't a problem with chlorinated chicken .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welfare , and that is a values-based choice that people need to make .
`` My view is that we need to be allowed to make that choice . ''

The new environment secretary has dismissed fears that chlorinated chicken and hormone-injected beef could be rolled out in UK supermarkets.
George Eustice refused twice to rule out the possibility - which has been raised by campaigners who warn food standards will be cut as part of a trade deal with the United States.
But pressed again he told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday "we won't make any moves on our standards".
Washington has already declared it wants "comprehensive market access" for agricultural goods as part of a new post-Brexit trade deal.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:40 Environment secretary questioned over chlorinated chicken
The issue has notably focused on chlorine-washed poultry, which is widespread in the US but has been banned in the EU since 1997.
Mr Eustice, who comes from a farming background and was promoted in last week's reshuffle, told Ridge there are "no plans" to change the law.
Asked to reaffirm his predecessor Theresa Villiers' commitment not to import chlorinated chicken or hormone-treated beef, he said: "We're absolutely clear as a government we will not take risks either without food standards and when it comes to animal welfare we will be projecting our views on animal welfare on to the international stage."
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Pressed again, he said "lactic acid washes" are now used more in the US than chlorine, which is unlikely to allay fears over animal welfare.
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When asked for the third time, he confirmed: "What I'm saying is we won't make any moves on our standards.
"We've got a clear position in this country that it is illegal to sell chlorine-washed chicken, illegal to sell beef treated with hormones, we have no plans to change those things."
It comes after Ms Villiers reportedly said last month: "We will not dilute our strong environmental protections, food safety and animal welfare. Even limited access to our markets is a big prize to aspire to."
The government's chief science adviser has tried to allay concerns by insisting there is no evidence the controversial meat is harmful.
Sir Ian Boyd said in August: "From a health perspective there really isn't a problem with chlorinated chicken.
"The issue is about production processes and animal welfare, and that is a values-based choice that people need to make.
"My view is that we need to be allowed to make that choice."


skynewspolitics--2020-02-23--Diane Abbott to step down from shadow cabinet

Diane Abbott has confirmed she will not remain in the shadow cabinet when the next Labour leader is elected .
The shadow home secretary said that regardless of who wins she will return to life on the backbenches and work on ensuring the party does n't take a `` swerve to the right on migration policy '' .
She also declared support for Rebecca Long-Bailey , the shadow business secretary who critics dub the `` continuity Corbyn '' candidate .
Speaking to Sky News ' Sophy Ridge On Sunday , Ms Abbott was asked if she wanted to keep a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shadow cabinet .
`` No , '' she confirmed .
`` I will be stepping down because I think the new leader , whether it 's Becky , whether it 's Lisa [ Nandy ] , whether it 's Keir [ Starmer ] , they 'll have to be able to choose their own shadow cabinet .
`` I was a backbencher for a few years and there is an awful lot to do on the backbenches .
`` One of the things that I 'd want to do is make sure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right on migration policy - I think that 's a dead end for the Labour Party .
`` We have to stand by our principles and stand by our values and make sure we have an immigration policy which is fair and which is workable . ''
Ms Abbott , who was a backbencher for 23 years before being promoted to shadow the health and home secretaries by leader Jeremy Corbyn , also said Labour is `` long overdue a woman leader '' and that it is `` embarrassing '' that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she doubled down on her claim it was `` unlikely '' a former senior parliamentary official was intimidated by ex-Speaker John Bercow .
Lieutenant General David Leakey , who kept order in the House of Lords from 2011-17 , filed a formal complaint `` detailing allegations of bullying , intimidation and unacceptable behaviour '' by Mr Bercow , who stepped down from politics in November and denies the claims .
But Ms Abbott tweeted that he had `` served in Germany , Northern Ireland and Bosnia '' and that `` claims he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It provoked a fierce backlash , with head of the civil servants ' union Dave Penman telling Sky News : `` To try and suggest somehow that David Leakey 's background makes him immune from this I think is ludicrous .
It lacks common sense .
It 's simply about trying to support Bercow . ''
Asked if she was denying Lt Gn Leakey was intimidated , Ms Abbott told Ridge On Sunday : `` Anybody can be bullied .
Anybody of any age or any profession can be bullied .
I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course anybody can be bullied . ''
She insisted : `` Anybody can be intimidated .
But I think that given Leakey and the leadership roles that he played , as I said I think it 's unlikely he was intimidated by John Bercow .
`` Annoyed by John Bercow , insulted by John Bercow , but not intimidated . ''
`` Anybody can be abused - and I know more about this than some members of parliament because I remain the most abused online of any Labour MP , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying was that given Leakey 's history , it seems unlikely he 'd actually be intimidated by John Bercow . ''
The former Speaker faced a raft of bullying accusations in the run up to his resignation , but a new wave was launched when it was reported Labour was lining up to nominate him for a peerage .
Dawn Butler , an MP running to be the party 's deputy leader , said Downing Street should follow tradition and elevate Mr Bercow to the House of Lords - `` otherwise I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
Earlier this week he dismissed accusations that he frequently lost his temper .
`` I make no apology for the fact that I fought my corner .
`` But the idea I was some sort of raging bull ... has no credibility at all , '' he said , according to The Guardian .

Diane Abbott has confirmed she will not remain in the shadow cabinet when the next Labour leader is elected.
The shadow home secretary said that regardless of who wins she will return to life on the backbenches and work on ensuring the party doesn't take a "swerve to the right on migration policy".
She also declared support for Rebecca Long-Bailey, the shadow business secretary who critics dub the "continuity Corbyn" candidate.
Image: Ms Abbott is backing Rebecca Long-Bailey (left) in the leadership race
Speaking to Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday, Ms Abbott was asked if she wanted to keep a senior position in the new leader's shadow cabinet.
"No," she confirmed. "I will be stepping down because I think the new leader, whether it's Becky, whether it's Lisa [Nandy], whether it's Keir [Starmer], they'll have to be able to choose their own shadow cabinet.
"I was a backbencher for a few years and there is an awful lot to do on the backbenches.
"One of the things that I'd want to do is make sure that we don't make a swerve to the right on migration policy - I think that's a dead end for the Labour Party.
"We have to stand by our principles and stand by our values and make sure we have an immigration policy which is fair and which is workable."
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
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Ms Abbott, who was a backbencher for 23 years before being promoted to shadow the health and home secretaries by leader Jeremy Corbyn, also said Labour is "long overdue a woman leader" and that it is "embarrassing" that the party has never had one.
And she doubled down on her claim it was "unlikely" a former senior parliamentary official was intimidated by ex-Speaker John Bercow.
Lieutenant General David Leakey, who kept order in the House of Lords from 2011-17, filed a formal complaint "detailing allegations of bullying, intimidation and unacceptable behaviour" by Mr Bercow, who stepped down from politics in November and denies the claims.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:26 'It's unlikely Leakey was intimidated by Bercow'
Image: Lieutenant General David Leakey filed a formal complaint
But Ms Abbott tweeted that he had "served in Germany, Northern Ireland and Bosnia" and that "claims he was bullied" were "unlikely".
It provoked a fierce backlash, with head of the civil servants' union Dave Penman telling Sky News: "To try and suggest somehow that David Leakey's background makes him immune from this I think is ludicrous. It lacks common sense. It's simply about trying to support Bercow."
Asked if she was denying Lt Gn Leakey was intimidated, Ms Abbott told Ridge On Sunday: "Anybody can be bullied. Anybody of any age or any profession can be bullied. I think intimidating Leakey is one thing, but of course anybody can be bullied."
She insisted: "Anybody can be intimidated. But I think that given Leakey and the leadership roles that he played, as I said I think it's unlikely he was intimidated by John Bercow.
"Annoyed by John Bercow, insulted by John Bercow, but not intimidated."
Image: John Bercow denies any accusations of bullying
Ms Abbott added she knew a lot about receiving abuse.
"Anybody can be abused - and I know more about this than some members of parliament because I remain the most abused online of any Labour MP," she said.
"But all I was saying was that given Leakey's history, it seems unlikely he'd actually be intimidated by John Bercow."
The former Speaker faced a raft of bullying accusations in the run up to his resignation, but a new wave was launched when it was reported Labour was lining up to nominate him for a peerage.
Dawn Butler, an MP running to be the party's deputy leader, said Downing Street should follow tradition and elevate Mr Bercow to the House of Lords - "otherwise I think that is a form of bullying too".
Earlier this week he dismissed accusations that he frequently lost his temper.
"I make no apology for the fact that I fought my corner.
"But the idea I was some sort of raging bull... has no credibility at all," he said, according to The Guardian.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-23--Nandy admits 'pause for thought' at backing trans pledge

Lisa Nandy has admitted having a `` pause for thought '' before signing a pro-transgender pledge that has blown up into a Labour row .
The leadership hopeful said she decided to endorse the campaign because she agreed with the `` sentiment '' of `` protecting trans rights '' .
But she warned that pledge cards had become `` a real problem in British politics '' and expressed regret about signing any .
Questions over the candidates ' stance on trans rights first emerged when Ms Nandy and Rebecca Long-Bailey backed a call for the party to expel any members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The unofficial Labour Campaign for Trans Rights was behind the move and singled out two groups specifically - Woman 's Place UK and LGB Alliance .
Asked whether they should be kicked out of Labour , Ms Nandy told Sky News ' Sophy Ridge on Sunday : `` No .
I have to say that was the part of the pledge that gave me pause for thought about whether to sign it .
`` But I decided to sign it in the end because I think that the sentiment of the pledge about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men are men and trans women are women is really important , especially at the moment with the level of discrimination that people face .
`` I do n't think that proscribing organisations is actually the right way to deal with disciplinary issues in the Labour Party .
`` I think that the question for us is always about individual behaviour and it is right to recognise that there are women who have fought for generations in order to create safe spaces for women , who want to have a proper debate about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ era where we have recognised that trans men are men , trans women are women and we 've got to do far more to protect trans women from harm as well . ''
Pushed on whether she regretted backing the campaign , Ms Nandy continued : `` I think that pledge cards themselves have become a real problem in British politics .
`` I think with hindsight if we could have all signed a pledge card at the beginning to say that we would n't sign pledge cards , we 'd probably be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the ways that pledge cards have been used is to pit people against one another .
`` We 've seen it happen with Brexit in recent years , we 've seen it happen with the Israel-Palestine debate within the Labour Party in recent months , and it surely must be possible to have a better level of debate than this . ''

Lisa Nandy has admitted having a "pause for thought" before signing a pro-transgender pledge that has blown up into a Labour row.
The leadership hopeful said she decided to endorse the campaign because she agreed with the "sentiment" of "protecting trans rights".
But she warned that pledge cards had become "a real problem in British politics" and expressed regret about signing any.
Image: Lisa Nandy says banning organisations is not the answer
Questions over the candidates' stance on trans rights first emerged when Ms Nandy and Rebecca Long-Bailey backed a call for the party to expel any members who express "transphobic" views.
The unofficial Labour Campaign for Trans Rights was behind the move and singled out two groups specifically - Woman's Place UK and LGB Alliance.
Asked whether they should be kicked out of Labour, Ms Nandy told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "No. I have to say that was the part of the pledge that gave me pause for thought about whether to sign it.
"But I decided to sign it in the end because I think that the sentiment of the pledge about protecting trans rights and accepting that trans men are men and trans women are women is really important, especially at the moment with the level of discrimination that people face.
"I don't think that proscribing organisations is actually the right way to deal with disciplinary issues in the Labour Party.
"I think that the question for us is always about individual behaviour and it is right to recognise that there are women who have fought for generations in order to create safe spaces for women, who want to have a proper debate about how we best protect that in an era where we have recognised that trans men are men, trans women are women and we've got to do far more to protect trans women from harm as well."
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Pushed on whether she regretted backing the campaign, Ms Nandy continued: "I think that pledge cards themselves have become a real problem in British politics.
"I think with hindsight if we could have all signed a pledge card at the beginning to say that we wouldn't sign pledge cards, we'd probably be in a much better place because one of the ways that pledge cards have been used is to pit people against one another.
"We've seen it happen with Brexit in recent years, we've seen it happen with the Israel-Palestine debate within the Labour Party in recent months, and it surely must be possible to have a better level of debate than this."


skynewspolitics--2020-02-24--Priti Patel 'deeply concerned by false allegations' amid claims MI5 'doesn't trust her'

Home Secretary Priti Patel has dismissed claims that MI5 does n't trust her and that she bullied her department 's most senior civil servant .
The Press Association reports that she is demanding a leak inquiry be carried out by the Cabinet Office following a number of `` false allegations '' , including that intelligence chiefs are limiting the information they share with her .
Those claims came via The Sunday Times , just days after Ms Patel became embroiled in a bullying row .
Downing Street has said Prime Minister Boris Johnson has `` full confidence '' in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withheld from her .
It was reported last week that Ms Patel , who kept her job in Boris Johnson 's recent cabinet reshuffle , tried to remove permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutnam from his role after a series of arguments .
She also faced accusations in The Times of belittling officials , making unreasonable demands and creating an `` atmosphere of fear '' , which have been denied by the Home Office .
In a statement , the department said : `` The home secretary and permanent secretary are deeply concerned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media .
`` They are focused on delivering on the Home Office 's hugely important agenda , which includes creating an immigration system that works for the UK , more police on the streets and keeping the public safe from terrorism . ''
Another statement followed regarding the allegations about MI5 .
It said Ms Patel `` receives the same daily intelligence briefings as her predecessors '' - and insisted that no information was being withheld by the security services .
`` The home secretary and MI5 have a strong and close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding : `` Baseless claims to the contrary are both wrong and against the public interest . ''
According to the Press Association , Ms Patel has ordered a formal leak inquiry be carried out by Helen MacNamara , who is the director-general of propriety and ethics at the Cabinet Office .
But while an ally of the home secretary has told the news agency that Ms MacNamara has so far blocked the request , Cabinet Office sources have suggested one has not yet been made .
Home Office minister James Brokenshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` demanding '' , but rejected suggestions she was a bully .
He told Kay Burley @ Breakfast : `` Yes , she is demanding , but in that role you have to be because you are dealing with some of the most sensitive , some of the most challenging things that you have to deal with across government .
`` I think the home secretary is absolutely focused on the public good , the agenda that we 've set around policing , on immigration and indeed around counter-terrorism and security . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolute nonsense '' , but conceded that there is `` huge frustration '' across the Home Office around some of the `` false assertions that have been made publicly '' .
Theresa Villiers , who was until recently environment secretary , also dismissed the claims .
`` I do n't believe for a moment that the home secretary has acted in any way which is inappropriate in relation either to the intelligence services or her civil servants , '' she told Sky 's All Out Politics .
`` This is a nasty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I think it 's entirely unjustified . ''
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker James Starkie , a former special adviser to Ms Patel , said he `` loved '' working for her .
`` I 've never seen anything that you would describe as bullying , '' he told Sky News .
The reports are a continuation of what has been a difficult month for Ms Patel , who faced scepticism over the government 's new post-Brexit immigration system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was questioned for suggesting that eight million `` economically inactive '' Britons could fill many vacancies left by workers from the EU , despite official figures showing most of them are retired , long-term sick or students .

Home Secretary Priti Patel has dismissed claims that MI5 doesn't trust her and that she bullied her department's most senior civil servant.
The Press Association reports that she is demanding a leak inquiry be carried out by the Cabinet Office following a number of "false allegations", including that intelligence chiefs are limiting the information they share with her.
Those claims came via The Sunday Times, just days after Ms Patel became embroiled in a bullying row.
Image: MI5 is reportedly reluctant to share intel with Ms Patel
Downing Street has said Prime Minister Boris Johnson has "full confidence" in the home secretary and intelligence is not being withheld from her.
It was reported last week that Ms Patel, who kept her job in Boris Johnson's recent cabinet reshuffle, tried to remove permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutnam from his role after a series of arguments.
She also faced accusations in The Times of belittling officials, making unreasonable demands and creating an "atmosphere of fear", which have been denied by the Home Office.
In a statement, the department said: "The home secretary and permanent secretary are deeply concerned about the number of false allegations appearing in the media.
"They are focused on delivering on the Home Office's hugely important agenda, which includes creating an immigration system that works for the UK, more police on the streets and keeping the public safe from terrorism."
Another statement followed regarding the allegations about MI5.
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It said Ms Patel "receives the same daily intelligence briefings as her predecessors" - and insisted that no information was being withheld by the security services.
Image: There have been reports of a row between Sir Philip Rutnam and the home secretary
"The home secretary and MI5 have a strong and close working relationship," said a spokesman, adding: "Baseless claims to the contrary are both wrong and against the public interest."
According to the Press Association, Ms Patel has ordered a formal leak inquiry be carried out by Helen MacNamara, who is the director-general of propriety and ethics at the Cabinet Office.
But while an ally of the home secretary has told the news agency that Ms MacNamara has so far blocked the request, Cabinet Office sources have suggested one has not yet been made.
Home Office minister James Brokenshire told Sky News that Ms Patel was "demanding", but rejected suggestions she was a bully.
He told Kay Burley@Breakfast: "Yes, she is demanding, but in that role you have to be because you are dealing with some of the most sensitive, some of the most challenging things that you have to deal with across government.
"I think the home secretary is absolutely focused on the public good, the agenda that we've set around policing, on immigration and indeed around counter-terrorism and security."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:32 Priti Patel on immigration overhaul
Mr Brokenshire said the reports were "absolute nonsense", but conceded that there is "huge frustration" across the Home Office around some of the "false assertions that have been made publicly".
Theresa Villiers, who was until recently environment secretary, also dismissed the claims.
"I don't believe for a moment that the home secretary has acted in any way which is inappropriate in relation either to the intelligence services or her civil servants," she told Sky's All Out Politics.
"This is a nasty, spiteful briefing campaign against the home secretary and I think it's entirely unjustified."
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
James Starkie, a former special adviser to Ms Patel, said he "loved" working for her.
"I've never seen anything that you would describe as bullying," he told Sky News.
The reports are a continuation of what has been a difficult month for Ms Patel, who faced scepticism over the government's new post-Brexit immigration system upon its unveiling last week.
She was questioned for suggesting that eight million "economically inactive" Britons could fill many vacancies left by workers from the EU, despite official figures showing most of them are retired, long-term sick or students.


skynewspolitics--2020-02-24--Whitehall seeks HR chief amid concerns about how 'spads' are treated

The Cabinet Office is looking for a civil servant to oversee HR policy for ministers ' advisers , amid reported concerns about their treatment by Number 10 .
A job advert on the government 's website says the Cabinet Office is seeking a `` HR policy lead '' who will have a `` key role in establishing the cross-government special adviser HR function '' .
It is described as a `` high-profile and stretching role '' which would involve the successful applicant being asked to `` revise and embed a full suite of HR policies , processes and principles ensuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A salary of up to £60,635 is being offered .
In recent months , there have been concerns about the treatment of special advisers , known as spads .
BuzzFeed News , citing a senior Whitehall official , said the new role has been specifically created in response to concerns within the civil service about the treatment of spads .
Sonia Khan , an adviser to former chancellor Sajid Javid , was escorted from Downing Street by police after being sacked by Dominic Cummings in August .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aides in Downing Street earlier this month , with one of them saying it was `` unkind '' for him to say that half of them would be sacked .
Mr Javid quit as chancellor earlier this month after being told by the PM to sack his aides , something which he said `` any self-respecting minister '' would reject .
His departure came after weeks of reported tensions between him and Mr Cummings .
Sources stressed to the Press Association that the appointment was not being made in response to any particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` In December 2018 the then government announced it would be reviewing how special advisers ' terms could be made clearer and more consistent .
`` This is a routine appointment to the existing team to support this ongoing work and does not constitute a change to the way special advisers are managed . ''

The Cabinet Office is looking for a civil servant to oversee HR policy for ministers' advisers, amid reported concerns about their treatment by Number 10.
A job advert on the government's website says the Cabinet Office is seeking a "HR policy lead" who will have a "key role in establishing the cross-government special adviser HR function".
It is described as a "high-profile and stretching role" which would involve the successful applicant being asked to "revise and embed a full suite of HR policies, processes and principles ensuring they are fit for purpose".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:18 'Are you the Thomas Cromwell of politics?'
A salary of up to £60,635 is being offered.
In recent months, there have been concerns about the treatment of special advisers, known as spads.
BuzzFeed News, citing a senior Whitehall official, said the new role has been specifically created in response to concerns within the civil service about the treatment of spads.
Sonia Khan, an adviser to former chancellor Sajid Javid, was escorted from Downing Street by police after being sacked by Dominic Cummings in August.
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's chief adviser was challenged at a meeting of aides in Downing Street earlier this month, with one of them saying it was "unkind" for him to say that half of them would be sacked.
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Mr Javid quit as chancellor earlier this month after being told by the PM to sack his aides, something which he said "any self-respecting minister" would reject.
His departure came after weeks of reported tensions between him and Mr Cummings.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:11 Javid: I had 'no option' but to quit
Sources stressed to the Press Association that the appointment was not being made in response to any particular individual.
A Cabinet Office spokesman said: "In December 2018 the then government announced it would be reviewing how special advisers' terms could be made clearer and more consistent.
"This is a routine appointment to the existing team to support this ongoing work and does not constitute a change to the way special advisers are managed."