thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--The Skincare Rules Dermatologists Swear By

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Taking care of your skin can feel like a lifelong task. Whether it’s managing hormonal acne, tackling perpetual dryness or simply staying hydrated, finding a routine that works for you takes time.
Plus, there’s so much advice out there – how do you know what tips to take on board? Amidst the marketing campaigns, beauty counters, skincare aisles and Instagram ads, we’re cutting through the noise to ask dermatologists what they do to look after their skin.
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What’s worth us splashing our cash on – and where can we save?
Never leave the house without SPF
Dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto says her first skincare rule is to wear at least an SPF 30 – every single day. “Sometimes it’s in the form of a plain sunscreen, other times it may be a BB cream or foundation that contains the equivalent factor,” she says.
“Regular use will reduce damage by UV radiation and help protect against fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and pigmentation leading to uneven skin tone,” Mahto adds. Her go-to product is Heliocare 360 Gel Oil-Free SPF 50, a gel texture which doesn’t block pores or cause her skin to break out.
Remember price is not indicative of quality
Just because a product costs more, it doesn’t make it more effective, says Dr Mahto. “Choosing the right skincare is about choosing the right ingredients,” she explains. “Any extra money you spend on more expensive products often goes towards packaging, branding and marketing.”
This is a rule dermatologist Dr Justine Kluk follows, too. She won’t spend a fortune on cleansers and moisturisers – she uses La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Cleanser, which is £12.50, and Avène Skin Recovery Cream, at £16.50.
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Instead, Kluk splurges on the Skinceuticals Phloretin CF Serum, which is £150. It’s an antioxidant serum, and she’ll use four to five drops every morning. The serum is a mix of vitamin C and ferulic acid which, she says, manages uneven skin tone, refines texture and brightens skin. Having had a baby less than a year ago, Kluk says the vitamin C improves the pigmentation on her face as a result of melasma – a skin condition where patches of colour develop on the face.
While it’s the most expensive part of her routine, Kluk says it’s the best serum she’s ever tried in terms of how it looks and feels on her skin. “It doesn’t break me out like a lot of serums do, so I’m prepared to spend a bit more,” she says.
Dermatologist Dr Stefanie Williams uses the same serum, as it protects her skin from pollution and other environmental stressors (so we’re definitely adding it to our shopping list).
Ditch toners and facial oils
Dr Williams ditched toners, believing it’s a product we can do without if we have a good cleanser (FYI both Dr Mahto and Dr Williams cite the £37 Jan Marini Bioglycolic Cleanser as a regular in their skincare routines).
She also doesn’t overload her skin with heavy creams, balms or facial oils. “I don’t recommend the use of facial oils,” she emphasises. “I think they’re overrated and, in many instances, the actual cause of skin problems we see in clinic – they clog up your pores and slow down skin renewal.”
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For anybody with a tendency for breakouts, Williams strictly advises against using them, as well as cleansing oils or balms of any sort. “They congest the skin, aggravating breakouts – even if the company claims they don’t.”
Facial oils can also be bad for those who have oily and dry skin, she says. “I have seen it many times in clinic – the dreaded ‘facial oil face’, i.e. people keep applying facial oils to give the skin a bit of a glow, as underneath the skin gets duller and duller.”
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Include retinol in your routine
Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is often considered the gold standard anti-aging ingredient as it reduces fine lines and pigmentation. It’s found in creams and serums at different strengths – from 0.2% to around 2% without a prescription. Dr Kluk and Dr Mahto introduced it into their routines from their mid-20s – this when your skin starts to lose definition and produces less collagen, therefore losing elasticity.
If you’re new to retinol, incorporate it into your routine slowly, advises Dr Kluk, who uses the Medik8 r-Retinoate Youth Activating Cream. A product with retinol will exfoliate the top layer of your skin, so if you use a strong one straight away, it would be quite harsh.
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“Start by using it two consecutive nights a week for the first couple of weeks,” she says. “If there’s no irritation such as flaking skin, then alternate evenings for two to four weeks and if that’s well tolerated, continue using it every night.”
Kluk advises starting off with a 0.3% strength retinol. La Roche-Posay Redermic [R] Anti-Ageing Concentrate, which is £24, is a good one to begin with, she says.
Be patient with the results, Dr Kluk adds. You’re unlikely to see immediate changes, but after years of use, you’ll have fewer fine lines and wrinkles. And remember, if you use retinol you should always wear SPF, as your skin is more susceptible to UV damage.
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Clean your phone screen regularly
Having an effective skincare routine plays a big part in your skin health, but there are other external lifestyle factors that play a part. Have you ever considered your phone may be causing breakouts?
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“Studies have shown touchscreens contain large numbers of bacteria on their surface,” says Mahto. “Pressure created by placing your phone against your cheek may result in activation of the oil producing glands. When this is combined with heat generated from the phone and bacteria present on the surface, imperfections may occur.” Not ideal.
To combat this, Dr Mahto regularly wipes the surface of her smartphone clean, and keeps a pack in her handbag so they’re close to hand at all times.
Be consistent and patient with your routine
Dr Kluk suffered acne from the age of 12. “Thankfully my breakouts are mostly stable and under control now, she says. “I think the things that helped me were remaining calm and remembering to be consistent with my skincare routine.”
There’s no quick fix for skin issues like acne or rosacea, no matter how much we want to see a difference overnight. “It can often take weeks or sometimes months before you see a difference,” adds Dr Kluk. “A lot of us fall down by being impatient, which is understandable when something is visible and makes you feel self-conscious.”
In her years spent treating patients in her clinic, the biggest takeaway she shares is that if you stick to the tried-and-tested methods and give them time to work, it’s more effective, less expensive and less frustrating.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--I Used To Be An Anti-LGBTQ Evangelical. Here's What Finally Changed My Heart And Mind

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Growing up watching the popular 1980s sitcom Growing Pains, I found myself going starry-eyed every time heartthrob Kirk Cameron appeared on the screen. When I learned that Cameron was an evangelical Christian, just like me, I admired him even more — there weren’t many people in Hollywood willing to speak out in the name of their faith, but Cameron was unashamed to do so.
In 2012 I watched Cameron tell talk show host Piers Morgan that he believed homosexuality is “unnatural,” and just for good measure, he added, “It’s detrimental and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilisation.”
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Naturally, Cameron received backlash from the LGBTQ community and its allies because of his public comments. But many evangelicals, myself included, rushed to defend him and his views.
I was 22 at the time, newly wedded and living in a 400-square-foot room in a dorm for married couples at a small Christian college in Ontario. I was entering my third trimester with my first child, and had been unemployed for months after being laid-off from my job as an assistant at the college where we lived. I spent my plentiful free time writing on my blog, This Rookie Wife, which quickly garnered a group of like-minded readers, as well as some dissenting but curious readers.
I wrote about my faith, new motherhood and marriage. But my most popular blog posts were the ones that offered my take on controversial topics like the value of purity, submitting to your husband and why I didn’t believe women should use birth control. I was passionate about my faith, and I wasn’t afraid or ashamed of publicly sharing my beliefs. In fact, I thought I was equipping the next generation of Christian women by writing about topics relevant to them.
After Cameron discussed his thoughts on gay marriage and homosexuality on CNN, I felt it was important to show my support for him. I posted a status on my personal Facebook account that read, “It’s important to watch the entire interview when looking at Kirk Cameron’s (and many conservative Christians’) view on gay marriage. I’m so proud of Kirk for saying what he believes, instead of brushing aside this important topic for fear of the very real controversy.”
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What I didn’t realise at the time was how harmful that single post would be. Even now, seven years later, my friends who are LGBTQ allies recall that post and how alienating and painful my words were. After recently re-watching Cameron’s interview and reading over my response to it, I’m shocked at myself ― at how blatantly careless and hurtful I was.
“I was passionate about my faith, and I wasn’t afraid or ashamed of publicly sharing my beliefs. In fact, I thought I was equipping the next generation of Christian women by writing about topics that were relevant to them.”
After my post I (rightfully) received blowback from LGBTQ friends and people who disagreed with my statement, and I decided to avoid writing or talking about gay marriage and homosexuality online. I didn’t support the LGBTQ community’s fight for equality, but I wasn’t going to talk about it or broadcast how I felt. While I didn’t publicly discuss my personal opinion that being gay or trans went against God’s word, I still fervently believed that.
Then, on 12 June, 2016, I woke up to the news of the horrific mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub, an LGBTQ bar in Orlando, Florida, in which 49 people were killed and 53 others injured by a lone gunman. Despite my feelings about the LGBTQ community, I could not fathom anyone doing something so evil.
That day was a wake-up call for me, and it marked the first time I truly recognised just how much hatred – and violence – the LGBTQ community faces. Still, as I witnessed many others speak out against what had happened at Pulse – as well as against the discrimination that queer people face daily in America and around the world – I remained silent. I wanted to say something, though I wasn’t sure what to say. I knew my silence could be read as complacency and that my choice to do nothing was harmful, too. At the time, I was too afraid of what others would think of me, and I didn’t want other evangelicals to call me out.
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The Pulse tragedy was a starting point for my decision to accept and embrace the LGBTQ community, but my inner change of heart wasn’t instantaneous. I spent the next few years contemplating, studying, considering my beliefs and how they affected others. I explored the victimisation of the LGBTQ community and read about the abuse that many in the queer community have faced and continue to face.
I read books that featured same-sex relationships, and it was through these fictional worlds that my reality began to shift. Books like Simon Vs. The Homosapiens by Becky Albertalli, Tin Man by Sarah Winman, Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid all helped me to open the door to another way of thinking. I stopped viewing the queer community as a caricature or a monolith and started to see each individual, in all of their humanity. I knew that I couldn’t continue to oppress an entire group of people anymore, and was gutted by my prior actions.
Around this time I also left behind my faith-based blog and decided to become a professional writer. It was through my career that I was introduced to talented writers who would become my friends and included some who identify as LGBTQ and many who are allies and activists. These friends wrote powerful essays and articles about marginalised communities, which I devoured. In private, I talked to some of my close LGBTQ-identifying friends about my past, gutted that my old beliefs victimised my own friends.
Last summer, a writer and queer friend of mine was attacked online by a group of mostly male bullies, many who claimed to be devout and loving Christians, for writing an article about a Pride parade. I watched as my friend was torn apart online for her writing and her activism, as conservative evangelical strangers attempted to silence her and do harm to her with their words.
This woman was called a pedophile by some, while others suggested that her children should be taken away from her because she dared to claim that Pride celebrations were appropriate – and even fun! – for children. As I watched her being attacked, I couldn’t help but wonder if, just a few years ago, I would have been part of that online mob. I thought back to my outspoken defence of Kirk Cameron and the words I had used that had caused so much hurt. I realised I was part of the problem, whether I actively and vocally attempted to I defend what I now know to be the indefensible or just decided to stay quiet when others were being harassed, discriminated — or worse — simply for being who they were.
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As I’ve evolved and shed many of my conservative view, I’ve had to wrestle with how to abandon an old ideology while remaining committed to my faith. While I am still a devoted Christian, I’ve had to work to untangle myself from doctrine that is harmful and strive to adopt an intersectional and inclusive theology. I no longer want to exclude anyone because of my faith but I have mostly kept my shifting views and opinions quiet. I haven’t publicly supported the LGBTQ community because I’ve worried about what will happen if I fully embrace, and broadcast, my new beliefs.
“The truth is I’ve been afraid of ruffling the feathers of other Christian friends who won’t agree with me. Because of my fear of being personally attacked, I have been unwilling to put myself in a tricky position with the people who I once sided with.”
The truth is I’ve been afraid of ruffling the feathers of other Christian friends who won’t agree with me. Because of my fear of being personally attacked, I have been unwilling to put myself in a tricky position with the people who I once sided with. What I’m starting to recognize, though, is the hypocrisy in my fear. I wasn’t afraid of hurting or upsetting the LGBTQ community and supporters when I publicly stood against them, so why am I afraid now?
My silence has left me standing awkwardly in the middle, when I know the right thing to do is be full-heartedly committed to uplifting the LGBTQ community as an unashamed ally. The stats don’t lie: Most LGBTQ Americans experience harassment, LGBTQ youth contemplate suicide at a rate three times greater than heterosexual youth, and a national epidemic of fatal transgender violence plagues America. How can I be silent, when silence is violence against the very people who need open and loud support?
I cannot stand in the shadows anymore, knowing that to do so is to perpetuate stigma and continue shaming the queer community.
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While I may never be able to fully undo the hurt that I have caused with the beliefs that I once held, I can stand up and offer my support and, what’s more, I can say I’m sorry.
To the LGBTQ community: I am so sorry. I know that my future actions will never absolve my prior beliefs and statements, but I will do better. As an ally to the queer community, I will use my voice and platform to oppose violence against marginalized groups, and I will use my words to help open up conversations about the importance of LGBTQ allyship within the church. I will also actively support charities that do grassroots work within the queer community. To start, I will be donating every cent I earn from this article to The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity. And I’ll never be silent again.
I promise to do better, and I pledge to be an ally that isn’t afraid anymore. Today, I share my story with the hope that other Christians will open their eyes to the hurt that they’ve caused — and to consider the way that their beliefs have directly harmed LGBTQ people. Jesus himself commands, “Love each other as I have loved you,” and that is exactly what I intend to do.
Brianna Bell is a Canadian writer who writes about parenting and mental health. This article first appeared on HuffPost US Personal
Have a compelling personal story you want to tell? Find out what we’re looking for here, and pitch us on ukpersonal@huffpost.com


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--'I Lost The Lyrics So Had To Write It Again From Scratch': Shaznay Lewis On All Saints’ Pure Shores

Whilst Never Ever gave All Saints their breakthrough hit, it was Pure Shores that signalled the moment the British/Canadian girl group truly arrived.
Co-written with William Orbit, fresh from his huge global success as co-writer and producer of Madonna’s Ray Of Light and Music albums, Pure Shores featured the ethereal, dreamlike electronica that was Orbit’s stock and trade.
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Sonically, it was a huge leap – and departure in style – for All Saints, and new territory for songwriter Shaznay Lewis whose musical leanings were very much rooted in R&B up until that point.
The inclusion in Danny Boyle’s Leonardo DiCaprio-starring The Beach helped propel the song – and the band – to a global audience, and it became a huge hit.
Twenty years since its release, Shaznay remembers the song – and the “bonkers” period that was the year 2000.
Shaznay Lewis Fascination
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William Orbit was introduced to us by Pete Tong who was our A&R at the time.
In all honesty I didn’t know that much about William beforehand because that wasn’t really my genre, but he’s one of the nicest people.
Danny Boyle approached William first because he had the track and they called me to write to it.
They showed me less than a minute of a clip [from The Beach] of where it was going to go, [played] the backing track and asked me to write to that based on that scene. It was a free rein once they’d shown me the clip. It was a case of ‘watch this, be inspired, go off and give it a go’. They didn’t really point me in any direction of how they wanted it to be lyrically.
I found it quite easy because I didn’t have to draw from my own narrative or story.
Being given a brief like that, they’d already painted the picture for me. It was quite an enjoyable process because it was the first time I’d done something like that. I love being shown an idea and then being asked to go away and come up with a concept to it. It’s a nice way of storytelling. It would be amazing to do something like a Bond theme.
All Saints Fascination
I was on a plane when I wrote the lyrics.
I was flying to LA to work with William on the song. So I wrote it on the plane and when we landed and I got to the hotel I couldn’t find the lyrics. I’d lost them. So I then had to write it again from scratch. No pressure! [laughs]. It wasn’t exactly the same but can you imagine if that one was better? But you know, it wasn’t such a bad thing because sometimes you have to sit with things, and imagine if I’d stuck to that original version and it wasn’t actually quite right? So it was good that I was able to go back and listen again and tackle it again. Parts of it were the same but I know there were parts that were different.
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I came up with the title after writing the song.
I’ve never even thought that it isn’t mentioned once in the actual song.
I am so glad that William came into my life.
Working with him taught me a lot. It opened my eyes to working with people who might not necessarily be on the same page as me and how much I could learn from a different perspective as a writer.
I think such a left-field track like Pure Shores blended well with my style of writing.
It just brought out what I do in a different kind of way and it also opened up my ears and allowed me to love contrast. I like the idea of two people coming from opposite ends of the scale.
London Records
I think we appreciate that song so much more now than we even did at the time.
I love it. It’s kind of marinaded like a fine wine.
Everyone’s got a story or a journey with the song.
Twenty years later everybody’s lived with the song, All of us – us girls and the people who bought that song – to be here twenty years later and to be at shows together and to be able to perform it and listen to it and reminisce about where they were at that time. We are really grateful and happy to have done the journey and to be at this point with a lot of those songs. It’s a beautiful thing that people still love the song.
It was a very hectic time. It was bonkers.
We were here, there and everywhere. Once we’d written Pure Shores and Black Coffee with William… those two songs written off the back of our first album were so different and quite a departure in terms of production and where we’d come. We made the first album in such a hub, we did a lot of stuff with [producer] K-Gee, so to go from that to the second album and working with William was very different. To me that was a huge indication as to how huge we’d become and how things were changing. It was quite a significant change but one that moved so fast that I didn’t grasp how much it was changing.
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All Saints Fascination
Our biggest dream at that point was just to get on Top Of The Pops.
I think once we’d done that we thought we’d made it! Anything outside of that was beyond our imagination.
We were absolutely freezing cold filming the video.
It was a very long, cold day. There was nothing glamorous about it at all. It’s funny because a lot of people were like ‘oh my god, did you film that video in Thailand?’, to which I reply ‘no we didn’t, we filmed it in Norfolk’. We really got the short straw on that one!
And we hated the clothes.
The stylist wasn’t too impressed that we didn’t like them [laughs].
I’ve only seen The Beach once.
If I saw it now I’d probably think something different, but I remember at the time there was some of it that I didn’t understand. I’d like to go back and watch it again to see what I think now.
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People have told me where they’ve done trips to Thailand and they take a boat to where they shot the film and they play Pure Shores.
I don’t know because I’ve never been to Thailand and I think they’ve stopped doing it now, but I just thought that it’s amazing that this song gets played on that beach and we’ve never even been there!


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--Phillip Schofield Makes Emotional Plea After Coming Out As Gay

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Phillip Schofield has thanked the public and pleaded for anyone for in his situation not to say silent, after he came out as gay on Friday.
In a Twitter post, the presenter also thanks the public for their support saying “you will never know how important” it has been.
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He added: “Please please, no matter your age or your thoughts, TALK to someone, don’t let your head beat you and hopefully you’ll find out that your friends and family are have a remarkable ability to to surprise you with their love and understanding.”
Schofield had already revealed the sweet and supportive way that his mother reacted when he told her he is gay.
The This Morning presenter, who spoke about his sexuality for the first time on Friday, said that his mother Pat, 83, said “I don’t care” when he told her, PA Media reports.
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Schofield, 57, revealed on Instagram that he had “been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay” before appearing on the ITV daytime show to talk about his experience with his co-star and close friend Holly Willoughby.
He said: “My mum has been on the phone all morning. ‘Hope you’re OK, thinking of you.’
“I went down to see her in Cornwall, and I told her, and she said, ‘Oh, OK. Well, I don’t care!’
“And that is the same with everyone.”
Willoughby said that is “amazing,” adding: “I can feel the relief from you.”
Schofield has been married to wife Steph for more than 20 years and they have two daughters together, Molly and Ruby.
He said that he has received plenty of support from his loved ones over his revelation.
“It’s funny because everyone I have spoken to, you have all been so supportive, so loving and caring,” he told Willoughby.
“My entire family, to a person, have grabbed us and said ‘It’s OK, we love you, we are proud of you’, and every person I tell, it gets a little lighter and a little lighter.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--Mike Pence Hints At Trouble Ahead For Boris Johnson Over Huawei Decision

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Boris Johnson’s decision to allow Chinese tech giant Huawei a role in Britain’s 5G network could threaten a post Brexit trade deal between the UK and America, US vice president Mike Pence has indicated.
The comments came after it was reported that US president Donald Trump blasted the prime minister with “apoplectic” rage during a heated phone call regarding the 5G move.
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Pressed on whether the Huawei decision could be a deal breaker in Brexit trade talks, Pence told CNBC: “We’ll see. We’ll see if it is.”
Referring to the UK move to allow Huawei limited participation in the 5G rollout, Pence said: “We are profoundly disappointed because look, when I went at the president’s direction in September I met with prime minister Johnson and I told him the moment the UK is out of Brexit we were willing to begin to negotiate a free trade arrangement with the UK.
“But we just don’t believe that utilising the assets, the technology of Huawei is consistent with the security or privacy interests of the UK, of the United States and it remains a real issue between our two countries.”
The US vice president added: “We’re anxious to build our economic ties, but we have made it clear to prime minister Johnson and to officials in the UK, that as we expand opportunities to build out 5G across this country… we want to see our companies meet the needs in the United States and UK and among all our allies without the compromise of privacy and the compromise of security that necessarily comes with Huawei and control by the Chinese Communist Party.”
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Asked about reports that Trump was “apoplectic with fury” when talking to the PM, Pence said: “Well, I never comment on the president’s private conversations with me, or others.”
The prime minister defied repeated lobbying from the US to rule that the Chinese firm could play a limited role in the infrastructure.
The States had warned the move would jeopardise intelligence sharing as it raised concerns over the telecommunications company’s links to the Chinese state.
Citing officials in London and Washington, the Financial Times reported that the US president had been livid with the PM in a phone call after the decision was announced last week.
One person briefed on the contents of the call described the US president as being “apoplectic” with the PM, according to the newspaper.
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Downing Street did not deny the report and pointed towards a No 10 version of events after the call, saying the PM had updated Trump on the decision.
The move has been a particularly thorny one for Johnson, with his Brexit plans relying heavily on striking an ambitious free trade deal with the US.
“The prime minister underlined the importance of like-minded countries working together to diversify the market and break the dominance of a small number of companies,” the statement added.
Huawei is only one of a series of issues where the two nations are at odds.
Washington has threatened to retaliate with tariffs on the British car industry, if the government goes ahead with a planned tax on tech companies such as Google and Facebook.
The UK is also pressing for the extradition of the wife of an American intelligence official charged with causing the death of 19-year-old motorcyclist Harry Dunn.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--Here's What Could Happen In Boris Johnson's Cabinet Reshuffle

Boris Johnson departs from Number 10 Downing Street. Barcroft Media via Getty Images
Sign up now to get The Waugh Zone, our evening politics briefing, by email.
Reshuffle rumours
Boris Johnson will be spending all weekend weighing up a game of multidimensional chess. He’ll need to make the right moves to deliver for the country and keep the Tory party happy.
No, it’s not Brexit but the cabinet reshuffle which is expected next Thursday.
And that of course means Westminster is awash with gossip, speculation and the kind of do-it-yourself lineups usually reserved for football fans the morning before a big game.
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Some themes are however emerging. People don’t expect a big Dominic Cummings-inspired reorganisation which would have seen the cabinet dramatically cut in size, given the paucity of Whitehall leaks about preparations.
Several insiders feel it would be a waste of the first year in office of a government with a huge majority and could actually hurt Johnson by reducing his power of patronage.
A few weeks ago Tory MPs were counting only three or four cabinet members as safe and predicting a “Valentine’s Day massacre”.
But these plans also appear to have been scaled back, although given recent rows between the Treasury and No.10 cautious sources are not ruling out a brutal night of the long knives to rival Johnson’s first reshuffle.
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A major health warning is required as we discuss names, but plenty are predicting a difficult day for women, with Theresa Villiers’ and Andrea Leadsom’s names repeatedly coming up in discussions about who’s facing the chop.
But there is much talk of talented junior ministers such as Lucy Frazer and Victoria Atkins winning promotions to fill the gaps.
Penny Mordaunt is being tipped by some for a cabinet return six months after her brutal sacking.
But she is still distrusted by some in No.10 after apparently stringing Johnson along before backing Jeremy Hunt in last summer’s Tory leadership race.
Trade secretary Liz Truss meanwhile will be feeling better about her position after being namechecked in Johnson’s big Brexit speech on Monday and getting good coverage for her trade plans, even if the PM called her “Lynne”.
In terms of the men, bombastic attorney general Geoffrey Cox is being tipped for the axe as ministers grow tired of what they see as his grandstanding in cabinet. Frazer could be in line for his job.
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Defence secretary Ben Wallace is a long-term friend of Johnson but was vocally opposed to the PM’s decision to grant Chinese tech giant Huawei a role in British 5G infrastructure and has been mentioned in dispatches as a potential candidate for the sack.
Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg is surely at risk having been put in a box since his appalling comments about Grenfell victims during the general election.
Much intrigue also surrounds the futures of Michael Gove and Rishi Sunak, who are certainly safe and could get big jobs, although the Guardian’s Rowena Mason has reported that the latter could be staying put as Treasury chief secretary.
Former Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay is almost certain to return to the cabinet having helped lead successful negotiations on the withdrawal agreement before unceremoniously losing his post when the Department for Exiting the EU (DExEU) was scrapped last week.
He is being tipped to replace Villiers at Defra, with his knowledge of Brexit detail likely to prove valuable in the department most affected.
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Someone will have to replace Baroness Nicky Morgan at culture after she revealed this week she was definitely on the way out.
Lower down the ranks there is some fierce jockeying and a tricky job for the PM, who has to wrestle with effectively two “new intakes” of MPs from 2017 and 2019.
One senior Tory MP told me Johnson must not fast-track bright new things who won seats in Labour’s “red wall” straight into parliamentary seats, warning it would create “seething resentment” towards the two or three that get special treatment.
Some 2017ers meanwhile feel the newest intake is “very ambitious”, noting that some have been giving “audition” speeches without notes in the chamber and unusually holding hustings for select committee chairs like Hunt.
Many are hoping for a “measured” approach, with 2017ers being promoted and 2019ers taking over their PPS roles, with an “up or out” policy for junior ministers from 2015 or earlier.
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Whatever happens, the shape of Johnson-ism and its protagonists should be a little clearer this time next week.
Quote Of The Day
“You can find the BBC at times enraging, arrogant and extravagant. But a weaker BBC would mean a weaker British culture – and no Conservative can seriously want that.”
– Tory former cabinet minister Damian Green fires a shot across Boris Johnson’s bows.
Cheat Sheet
Workers should have the freedom to switch off digital devices and not face job-related contact outside of normal hours, Rebecca Long-Bailey has said.
A former Conservative activist has been jailed and expelled from the party after sending a malicious message threatening senior Labour MP Yvette Cooper with harm.
The government is investigating 69 suicides that may be linked to its overhaul of welfare – but the National Audit Office thinks there may be more.
Tracy Brabin has raised £2,000 – and counting – to help a charity empower young women by auctioning the off-the-shoulder dress that drew sexist criticism when she wore it in the Commons.
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What I’m Listening To


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--I Wish Phillip Schofield Coming Out Wasn’t News. But Visibility Is Still Everything

This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield (right) has come out as gay. Getty Creative
Wouldn’t it be nice if I wasn’t writing an article? If the world had nothing to say about who someone loves, or how they love them? Sadly, that isn’t the case, and here we are: Phillip Schofield has shown bravery in sharing the news that he is gay, and suddenly everybody has something to say.
The announcement has been met with love, pride and acceptance, but there are an alarming number of comments that are, let’s say, less positive: “I always knew it”, “What about his family?”, “Why is this news?”.
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Then there are others that remind us he’s a “Tory”, or those who tell us about his supposed ongoing celebrity feuds. Whether or not these claims are true is besides the point – should these really be reasons not to support his heartfelt announcement? Gay people exist across the world, hold a wide variety of views and are friends with a wide variety of people. Our community is vast and diverse, and rightly so. Sending love to someone who is publicly sharing something personal is not the same as supporting their views, decisions or politics.
To suggest that you “always knew” is troubling – it rests upon assumptions and preconceived notions of what homosexuality is, or how gay people should behave. Stereotypes are not facts, and by attaching behaviours to sexualities we limit how we interact with each other and bolster damaging standards of “masculinity”.
It also belittles individual struggles with sexuality – sadly, even though the world is becoming more open and accepting, it is not always easy to express your true feelings.
Even now, in 2020, it’s uncommon for boys to run around playgrounds kissing other boys or for girls to kiss girls. Imagine what it was like for Schofield, who was in his twenties when Section 28 was introduced – a government act prohibiting the “promotion of homosexuality” in popular culture. But that’s besides the point too because we don’t even know that Schofield fully understood or identified with his sexuality at that time – another assumption that is being thrown around in Twitter’s murky waters.
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There is a lot that is not covered in his statement, and rightly so. He has a right to a private life. Sadly, this therefore means that people rush to fill in the gaps. We do not know when or how he began to understand these feelings, therefore it is not fair for us to label his marriage a “sham”, a “lie” or to negate his relationship with his wife and children.
Many comments mask homophobic views with compassion for his family, offering condolences for his “poor wife and kids” despite their explicit acceptance and support. It’s easy to attach personal views to their experience, which can quickly spin into speculation and fake news. Let’s focus on the facts that the family have shared with us.
Schofield has tactfully placed his family at the heart of his statement – acknowledging the “pain and confusion” this is causing, and his interview on This Morning was truly emotional when they discussed his relationship with those closest to him. Though this is clearly an inevitably challenging time, they are facing it together.
I really wish I agreed with those that wish this wasn’t news. I completely empathise with the craving for my sexuality to be normal but currently that is a hope, not a reality. Section 28 was only abolished 17 years ago – it is not yet ancient history. We live in a world where it is still illegal, punishable, to be gay.
And while that is the case, visibility is everything. So yes, I wish I wasn’t writing this article. But I’m glad I am, because the courage required to live authentically in the public eye is something to applaud. As his statement poignantly concludes: “Please be kind”.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--Katie Hopkins' Twitter Reinstated Following Week-Long Absence

Katie Hopkins’ Twitter account has been reinstated after it disappeared last Friday, amid complaints from anti-racism campaigners.
It had been confirmed the social media platform was conducting an investigation into the account of the former Apprentice star, who has become known for her pro-Trump, pro-Brexit and anti-immigration views.
The investigation was launched after Countdown’s Rachel Riley met with Twitter bosses to discuss both Hopkins’ account and that of George Galloway.
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Katie Hopkins PA Archive/PA Images
However, on Friday, Hopkins’ account, which has over 1 million followers, was live once again.
In a post announcing her return to the platform, she shared an accompanying video, in which she claimed reports that her account had been suspended was “fake news”.
She also dedicated the video to actor James Woods, who is a vocal Trump supporter.
A Twitter spokesperson previously confirmed the investigation into Hopkins’ account, saying: “Keeping Twitter safe is a top priority for us – abuse and harassment have no place on the service.
“We take enforcement action against any account that is violative of our rules – which includes violations of our hateful conduct policy and abusive behaviour policy.
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“These rules apply to everyone using our service – regardless of the account involved.”
HuffPost UK has contacted Twitter for comment following Hopkins’ reappearance on the site.
Rachel Riley Barcroft Media via Getty Images
Rachel Riley, who is Countdown’s resident maths expert, previously revealed her part in having Hopkins’ account suspended, writing:
She told her 654,000 followers: “I met with @Twitter yesterday with @imi_ahmed from @CCDHate and asked them among other things to review George Galloway & Katie Hopkins’s presence on their platform. I am pleased to see that action appears to have been taken!”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--How Valentine's Day Became A Thing

How Valentine's Day Became A Thing

How Valentine's Day Became A Thing
Here’s the story of how Valentine’s Day came into being. Like every good romance story, it ends in tragedy for the hero, but Saint Valentine’s demise led to one of the world’s biggest holidays that Britons spend some £650 million a year on.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--Pussycat Dolls Debut New React Music Video And, Obviously, It's A Lot

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Almost two months after first debuting the song on the X Factor: Celebrity live final, the Pussycat Dolls have unveiled their comeback single, and along with it a brand new music video.
And we probably don’t need to tell you… it’s a lot.
It’s been a decade since the chart-topping girl group split up, but in their React music video – which just might be their most provocative offering to date – it’s very much business as usual.
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Following the theme of their Flashdance-esque X Factor performance, the three-minute video features plenty of chair-ography, daring wardrobe choices and a whole lot of water.
They're ba-ack! Vevo
While Nicole Scherzinger takes centre stage as ever, each of the five band members get their moment in the spotlight, with Kimberly Wyatt, true to form, showing off an impressive high-kick.
What we really need to talk about, though, is the choreography because… wow…
After 10 years away, the Pussycat Dolls are well and truly back Vevo
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...seriously, wow...
We're a little bit speechless tbh Vevo
After years of speculation, the Pussycat Dolls finally confirmed they were reuniting towards the end of last year, with former PCD member Melody Thornton declining to take part.
They performed together for the first time in nine years in December, debuting React as part of a medley of their hits at the X Factor: Celebrity final.
Viewers had a mixed reaction to the performance, with many even complaining to Ofcom about the band’s racy routine.
The five-piece will also be performing a string of shows around the UK in April, after which they’ll be taking their tour Down Under.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--69 Suicides Linked To Welfare Overhaul – And Watchdog Says There May Be More

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The government is investigating 69 suicides that may be linked to its overhaul of welfare – but a key watchdog thinks there may be more.
The National Audit Office has said it is “highly unlikely” the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has yet captured the true scale of self-inflicted deaths connected to benefits over the last six years.
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A failure to keep a robust records, failing to give clear guidance and the DWP only investigating deaths when the media shone light on individual cases were highlighted as part of the NAO’s report on Friday.
The alarming warning from the watchdog comes amid a torrent of criticism over the rollout of the government’s flagship Universal Credit benefit, with the Trussell Trust having repeatedly underlined the programme as the main reason people were using foodbanks.
Only nine internal process reviews (IPRs) arose from communications with coroners, 19 were prompted by media reports while others were triggered by claimants’ families.
Figures also showed a steady rise of investigations, with the 21 probed between April and November outnumbering the total of the previous two years combined.
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“It is highly unlikely that the 69 cases the department has investigated represents the number of cases it could have investigated in the past six years,” the report said.
The department does not have a “robust record” of contact from coroners, with no single clear route for them to get in touch, meaning some may have failed to prompt IPRs.
Campaigners outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London supporting the legal challenge against the Government�s Universal Credit welfare scheme. PA Archive/PA Images
When cases should be investigated has “not always been clear” and the DWP admitted “not all its staff are aware of the IPR guidance”.
Internal advice says the reports are mandatory when a claimant has died by suicide and it is alleged “department activity” may have contributed.
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But the DWP told the watchdog that an IPR should be completed when it becomes aware “of any suicide of a benefit claimant”, regardless of further allegations.
The report adds: “The department has only recently taken a more proactive approach to conducting IPRs into suicides of benefits claimants.
“This is partly a result of investigating more cases where information received from the media was the trigger.”
A DWP spokesperson said the department was taking the findings “extremely seriously”.
“We are urgently working to drive forward improvements and learn the lessons from these tragic cases,” she added.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--Brad Pitt Set For Oscars Glory | Good Vibes Only

Brad Pitt Set For Oscars Glory | Good Vibes Only
This week in the world of entertainment, Brad Pitt added a BAFTA to his Golden Globe, teeing him up for that possible Oscar win this Sunday. Al Pacino took a tumble on the red carpet, made an unexpected appearance on The One Show and we look at some ridiculous celebrity facial expressions.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--I Want To Make The Dream Of Home Ownership A Reality For This Generation

House buying has been increasingly out of reach for the majority of the population. Getty Editorial
As Housing Secretary, I’m on a personal mission to boost housing prospects for everyone right across the country and build the homes of all tenures that people need.
The new Conservative government is here to serve its people and extending the dream of home ownership is central to this ambition.
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We’re already making breakthroughs – building more homes than in any year bar one in the last 30 years.
Last year, we delivered 244,000 additional homes, but we need to help more people get a foot on the housing ladder.
I want to raise the bar and help more young people and the hardworking frontline staff of our public services – local people who work endlessly to provide the best nursing, the best medical care and the best education for their local area.
That’s why today I am elevating the offer and launching our First Homes scheme, reducing the costs of a proportion of new homes for first-time buyers and local people.
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This new offer could see tens of thousands of First Homes built up and down the country, enriching the choices of homes available across the regions.
We all know that owning a home provides people with a unique sense of pride and responsibility – it means having a place to make your own.
I remember my grandfather telling me how he became the first person on his street in Manchester to buy his house and quite possibly the first in his family as well.
To him and generations since, owning a home was about more than four walls and a roof.
It was about planting the seeds for your future, creating a place for your family to grow, building a stable life in your local community. It was about a sense of place – something that is the heart of this government.
But today, while most young people dream of becoming a homeowner, only 27% of 24 to 35 year olds are property owners.
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That needs to change immediately.
We know that the biggest barrier is price. Over the last 23 years, the average national house price has increased from just under £59,000 over £235,000, quadrupling the deposit needed to buy.
As a result, young people struggle to save up and are forced to move out of the places they grew up in to buy a home.
First Homes will address this and create a new generation of homeowners by cutting the cost of new homes by a minimum of 30 per cent for first time buyers.
Not only will this lower deposit and mortgage requirements, but it will improve the prospects for people who find the market unaffordable.
And the discount would be locked in to the property in perpetuity – meaning that future generations will continue to benefit from this revolutionary scheme.
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Regardless of whether you want to live in Cornwall or Cumbria, I want to help local people to be able to stay in their communities and build a family wherever they feel most at home.
Everyone remembers the moment they get the keys to their first home – it’s a massive moment that you remember for the rest of your life.
First Homes is central to passing on that sense of empowerment on to the next generation.
I want to unlock the dream of homeownership, making it a reality for this generation and the next and today’s announcement will help to accelerate home ownership and put local people first when it comes to buying a home.
We are also legislating on rights for renters and will soon launch the Social Housing White Paper – a personal priority for me as Secretary of State.
My message to HuffPost readers aspiring to buy their own home is clear – we are on your side and here to support you.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--Not A Good Look: How Fast Fashion Is Destroying The World

Not A Good Look: How Fast Fashion Is Destroying The World
Fashion is a trillion-dollar industry – and the second-biggest polluter on the planet. Demand for cheap clothes has led to a rise in fast fashion, and every year we send over £140 million worth of clothes to landfill, while one in six of us have as many as five things in our wardrobe that we’ve never even worn. Here is exactly how fast fashion is harming the environment, and what you can do to stop it.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--Senior Tory Damian Green Tells Boris Johnson: 'Stop The BBC Bashing'

Damian Green is the chairman of the one-nation caucus of Conservative MPs Leon Neal via Getty Images
Senior Tory MP Damian Green has warned Boris Johnson’s government to “stop the BBC bashing” after ministers threatened a shake-up of the licence fee.
The former first secretary of state, who was a close ally of Theresa May’s, strongly defended the public service broadcaster in an article for Conservative Home, saying “a weaker BBC would mean a weaker British culture”.
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It comes after culture secretary Nicky Morgan announced ministers were considering decriminalising non-payment of the licence fee, which BBC bosses fear could cost the corporation £200m a year as the payment would effectively become voluntary.
Morgan said in a speech on Monday it was time to think about keeping the fee “relevant” in a “changing media landscape”.
Johnson’s top team, which has clashed with the media several times recently, also appear to be boycotting flagship political programmes, such as Radio 4’s Today and BBC Two’s Newsnight.
But Green, who is chair of the one-nation caucus of Conservative MPs, has said the “season of BBC bashing” is “particularly ill-timed” as the UK tries to promote the country post-Brexit, claiming the broadcaster is a “cherished” and “uniquely British” institution which is admired around the world.
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The BBC has faced claims from people both on the left and right of the political spectrum that it is biased, with December’s general election intensifying pressure on editors.
Culture secretary Nicky Morgan ASSOCIATED PRESS
It comes as US trade negotiators are thought to want an end to special treatment for public broadcasters, with the US Chamber of Commerce demanding “no culture carve-out” for the BBC.
The public consultation was announced by Morgan over the sanctions for evading the licence fee, which increases to £157.50 in April.
As it stands, prosecution for non-payment of the levy can end in a court appearance and a potential fine of up to £1,000. Anyone who refuses to pay the fine faces jail.
Green said it was “sensible” to review the licence fee level but urged his Tory colleagues to rethink targeting the broadcaster too heavily, saying it “provides the backbone of broadcast reporting in our thankfully robust political culture”.
He said: “That’s an essential part of a democracy. And we should remember that, for all the debate swirling around Westminster, the BBC is still the news source that the country uses and trusts the most.”
He also cautioned against comparisons with subscription services such as Netflix, claiming they “don’t really stand up to much scrutiny”.
He concluded: “You can find the BBC at times enraging, arrogant and extravagant. But a weaker BBC would mean a weaker British culture – and no Conservative can seriously want that.”
The BBC has said a 2015 review found the current system to be the fairest.
The consultation, which will last eight weeks with the government publishing its response this summer, will also look at the viability of an alternative enforcement scheme.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--Casa Amor Was The Ultimate Relationship Test, And Not All Of Them Survived | Love Island Unpacked

Casa Amor Was The Ultimate Relationship Test, And Not All Of Them Survived | Love Island Unpacked
From Eva and Shaughna getting dumped to Jess getting a Skittle stuck in her eyelash, it's been an explosive - and ridiculous - week in the villa.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--Contraceptive Shortages Should Have Us All Shouting From The Rooftops In Anger

Contraception and HRT shortages are having devastating consequences Getty Creative
Women across the UK have been facing catastrophic contraceptive and hormonal replacement therapy shortages for the past few years. Perhaps this is the first time you’re hearing about this? After all, reproductive health issues are so often relegated to the sidelines. But this is a scandal that should shock and anger all of us, and should see us bellowing from the rooftops with rage.
Access to hormones isn’t an optional luxury – for many it’s a lifeline, and one women have fought tooth and nail for. And not just for women – contraceptive freedom affects men’s lives too. How many men have a female family member who relies on hormones to function? Or perhaps a partner who is facilitating their own reproductive choices by taking them?
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Some women have been forced into making drastic changes to their contraceptive or hormonal regime in the face of a complete lack of communication from the Department of Health over the shortages. Not only is that disruptive, but women having to take medical decisions into their own hands to fill the gaps that should be held by medical professionals is dangerous. Some have been rationing HRT, terrified they will run out, and unsure of when they will be able to get hold of their prescription again. Others have had to stop using their preferred contraceptive altogether because they are unable to get hold of it – and bearing the full force of the consequences that come with that.
What’s the problem with that, you might ask? Contraception is contraception, after all. But not all pills and HRT are made equal. Sometimes it takes years to find the right one that works for your body, and months more to settle into a routine. Changing the dose or the brand can have devastating side effects, including mood changes and bleeding. At a time when women’s reproductive rights are being slowly eroded around the world, forcing women into making drastic changes to their contraceptive regime through unexplained shortages should worry us all.
Unsurprisingly, the shortage is “causing chaos”, according to leading sexual health experts, who have written to ministers to warn them of an increase in unplanned pregnancies and abortions as a result, and urging them to take action. We know the pill is rooted in sexual liberation for women. It’s about choice – and seeing women as valued, autonomous members of society with agency over sexual desire and pregnancy, and it’s imperative these hard won freedoms are defended.
But hormones aren’t just used for contraception. I have had a chemical menopause on two occasions to treat my endometriosis, so I know just how important HRT can be for some who experience life-changing side effects from the lack of oestrogen: depression, insomnia, night sweats, vaginal atrophy, the list goes on. HRT can be the difference between functioning in society or not – between losing your identity as a person, or retaining your sense of self. And not just for menopausal women, transgender women rely on HRT too. Women with reproductive diseases like endometriosis or polycystic ovaries are routinely prescribed the pill to help with the excruciating symptoms. Those with premenstrual dysphoric disorder often use hormonal contraceptives to keep debilitating depression around their menstrual cycle at bay. Vulnerable women involved in sex work or trapped in abusive situations rely on long-term contraception, like the injection.
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This latest shortage is a reminder of just how easily women’s reproductive rights can be snatched away, through negligence, indifference or both. And that should scare us. The British Menopause Society, the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have now written to health secretary Matt Hancock, calling for a new working group to tackle the problem. But we need to go one step further than just ensuring this doesn’t happen again. We need to safeguard women’s right to choose and we can start with overhauling how contraception is prescribed. Short supplies of contraception should be available to purchase at affordable prices from pharmacies – women shouldn’t have to wait weeks for a GP appointment to discuss their hormones. Information about medication shortages should be transmitted to those patients who use them as soon as it becomes available – women shouldn’t be going to pharmacies to fill their prescription, only to be told it isn’t in stock and they don’t know when it will be back.
Above all, the government must recognise the very real consequences these supply shortages are having on women’s lives and take measures to fix it – and fast. If women’s rights are truly a priority for this government, now is the time to speak up.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--Young Tory Jailed For Menacing Message About Labour MP Yvette Cooper

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A former Conservative activist has been jailed after sending a malicious message threatening senior Labour MP Yvette Cooper with harm.
Joshua Spencer, who was expelled from the Conservative Party over the incident, admitted sending the message about the Commons home affairs committee chair on April 11.
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Leeds Magistrates Court heard the 25 year-old, from Knottingley, West Yorkshire, sent a message to someone he met on a dating site, suggesting Cooper should “pay” for trying to stop a no-deal Brexit and he would have a “crack head” see she was “beat up”.
It reads: “I’m already organising her to her hurt. Amazing what crack heads will do for £100. I’m gonna get her beat up.”
Spencer was sentenced to nine weeks in prison.
Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns gave evidence to the court, providing a character reference for Spencer, according to the Guardian.
Jenkyns, who defeated Cooper’s husband, Ed Balls, in Morley and Outwood constituency in 2015, gave a statement.
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In it, she said Spencer was “a decent and honest person whose heart is in the right place and who always helps people in need”. She said she did not condone what he had done but claimed he had been “let down by the system” and desperately needed help for his mental health problems, including biopolar disorder and suicidal thoughts.
Cooper is the MP for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford in West Yorkshire.
The court heard that as well as attending the count in Cooper’s constituency, Spencer was at the “big Brexit bash” party organised by Jenkyns in Morley last week.
But he has since been kicked out of the party and the Tories say he was suspended when the allegations came to light.
A Conservative Party spokesperson said: “This kind of conduct has no place in our public life and we extend our sympathies to Yvette Cooper for the distress and harm this incident must have caused.
“Mr. Spencer has been expelled from the party, following his suspension from the party when he was charged in court for these offences.”
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Labour MP Yvette Cooper PA Wire/PA Images
In a victim statement to the court, Cooper said: “Disagreement and debate are a healthy part of our politics. But violent threats, intimidation and abuse, online or offline, undermine our democracy.
“MPs across the country, particularly women MPs, have unfortunately become accustomed to a continued stream of abuse online and threats from a small number of people, often on the extreme fringes of politics. But this behaviour is not normal, and we must never treat it as so.”
She added she decided to take action as the threats grew “more serious”.
“In this case the individual lives in my constituency, has contacted me directly on a regular basis, is an active member of the local Conservative party and prominent in mainstream local politics in my constituency,” she said. “I understand he denied responsibility for some considerable time and I am still not aware of any expression of remorse or regret.
″During the period in which the police were investigating he also continued to contact me and organised a hostile event outside my constituency office. Given the nature of the Facebook message and his continued behaviour, I and my office have had to take the threat very seriously.”
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Following criticism over her intervention, Jenkyns defended giving evidence, saying: “I have known Joshua for a number of years. I stand by my decision to have given him a personal reference.
“Josh has bipolar and had mental health issues since his father’s suicide in 2015 and I was, and remain, concerned about his emotional and mental well-being and wanted to make absolutely sure it was taken into consideration as part of the judicial process.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--This Morning Host Phillip Schofield Comes Out As Gay

This Morning Host Phillip Schofield Comes Out As Gay
Popular television presenter Phillip Schofield has come out as gay. In a moving Instagram post, the star spoke of the love and support of his family in making the announcement.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--Ant & Dec And Holly Willoughby Lead Messages Of Support After Phillip Schofield Comes Out As Gay

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Some of the biggest names in showbiz have voiced their support for Phillip Scofield after the This Morning presenter came out as gay.
On Friday morning the star posted an emotional statement on Instagram revealing he was gay.
There was an immediate outpouring of support for the 57-year-old star from some of the entertainment world’s biggest names.
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His This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby was one of the first to react with a post on Instagram.
She wrote: “Never Been more proud of my friend than I am today.”
Many other big names also took to social media to send their love and support, including many other ITV stars like Ant & Dec, Dermot O’Leary and Susanna Reid.
Huge respect and admiration for our friend @Schofe. Sending love to you P, and to your 3 lovely girls ❤ — antanddec (@antanddec) February 7, 2020
Love to @Schofe and his family ♥ — Susanna Reid (@susannareid100) February 7, 2020
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A picture paints a thousand words.
This is a man who was in pain , who today confided in Ruth and I and who knows we stand in support of him, his family and his sexuality .... Also unlike some, he appreciated a laugh to break the tension. @Schofe hoping you find happiness. 👏👏👍 pic.twitter.com/p7RuE7H8uY — Eamonn Holmes (@EamonnHolmes) February 7, 2020
Takes a lot of guts to do this, not least when you’re a very public figure & know it will all be dissected in a very public way. Sending my very best to @schofe & his family. 👍 https://t.co/VA6MyO5ONd — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 7, 2020
Sending big love to the Schofield and his family, @Schofe Stand up guy, heart of a lion. X — Dermot O'Leary (@radioleary) February 7, 2020
Incredibly proud of @Schofe today. For anyone struggling today know that you are brave and you are loved x — James Corden (@JKCorden) February 7, 2020
So much love to @Schofe and his family . ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ — Davina McCall (@ThisisDavina) February 7, 2020
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@Schofe you’re the best - love you mate ❤ — Gary Barlow (@GaryBarlow) February 7, 2020
The main thing this will do is help others. I wish Philip Schofield and his family all the very best.🌈 https://t.co/HYWfk0UVQs — kath 🙀🕷❄🇪🇺 (@KathyBurke) February 7, 2020
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I'm not surprised about Philip Schofield. Growing up I remember him presenting with Gordon the Gopher from inside that closet! Joking aside, that cannot have been an easy statement to make. People come out at different stages in their lives. Good luck Philip xxxx — Matt Lucas (@RealMattLucas) February 7, 2020
Sending All my love and support for @Schofe and his family. Incredibly brave. — Ronan Keating (@ronanofficial) February 7, 2020
Heard the news @thismorning sending all the love to @Schofe the girls and Steph. And well done to all at this morning for a beautiful interview. No matter who you are or at what point in life everyone deserves to be their true self. Xx — Rylan Clark-Neal (@Rylan) February 7, 2020
Welcome to the family, Mr.Scofield! We've been expecting you.
https://t.co/uAjiNcMeSo — Armistead Maupin (@ArmisteadMaupin) February 7, 2020
Just when I though I couldn’t love this person more. Honest, open and most importantly happy. @Schofe pic.twitter.com/RFuL2QFyuI — Peter Andre (@MrPeterAndre) February 7, 2020
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Proud of this guy! Thinking of you and your family who will always be family @Schofe ❤ pic.twitter.com/Y03xalqx3g — Alex Beresford (@alexberesfordTV) February 7, 2020
Incredibly proud of @Schofe today.. huge love and respect to him and his family ❤ — Bobby Norris (@BobbyCNorris) February 7, 2020
When you create a new entertainment show and start discussing who should host, the first name on the list is always Phillip Schofield. That’s a fact. He’s just the very best at what he does, and the public adore him. Looking forward to many more years of his charm and brilliance. — Richard Osman (@richardosman) February 7, 2020
Well done Phillip x — TheVivienne (@THEVIVIENNEUK) February 7, 2020
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Sending love and support to @schofe from all the Loose Women family. https://t.co/k3PMrWXghv — Loose Women (@loosewomen) February 7, 2020
Bravo Phillip for your honesty.. Coming out is difficult but your family, friends and fans will be proud of you being your authentic self.. I’m proud of your bravery.. Welcome officially to our beautiful rainbow… https://t.co/dvMs0RJml2 — Ian H Watkins (@Ianhwatkins) February 7, 2020
Thank you @Schofe for your bravery and honesty. Being your friend and colleague for the past 15 years I’m sending you and your family all the love and support. #loveislove — Matt Evers (@TheMattEvers) February 7, 2020
Huge love and respect .@Schofe ❤ — Danny Hatchard (@danboy) February 7, 2020
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So much love for @Schofe for his open, honest, dignified statement https://t.co/dsbeXZ0wMa — Victoria Derbyshire (@vicderbyshire) February 7, 2020
So much love to you @Schofe such bravery xxxxx https://t.co/8fPnfzPtbu — Gok Wan MBE 🌈 (@therealgokwan) February 7, 2020
Just caught up on @thismorning, and what a lovely chat with @Schofe. Nothing but a great guy since the first time I met him, always asking how my family are, deserves a world of happiness, and hope this bravery provides him that. Great to see. 🤍 — Chris Hughes (@chrishughes_22) February 7, 2020
The power of friendship, love and support always prevails. @Schofe ❤ pic.twitter.com/0Ho2JdLSEW — Emily Atack (@EmAtack) February 7, 2020
What a man @Schofe !! brave, courageous and inspiring !! — Mark Wright (@MarkWright_) February 7, 2020
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It takes a lot of bravery to be your self @Schofe ❤ https://t.co/u2TrKwv2xM — Nicola Adams (@NicolaAdamsOBE) February 7, 2020
Braveness at its HIGHEST @Schofe 💛💛💛your love for your family was so prevalent in your interview with as you said “your sister” @hollywills surround yourself with the ones who matter 😘😘😘the loyal and the lovely 💛💛💛massive cuddle coming your way @thismorning #ThisMorning — Lisa Jane riley (@Reallisariley) February 7, 2020
Much respect to @Schofe — Dom Joly (@domjoly) February 7, 2020
It's up to all LGBTQ people how or when or whether they come out. But when someone with a public platform comes out, it helps people who are struggling with their sexuality. Love and support to @Schofe 🏳🌈 https://t.co/po209ES3U8 — Owen Jones🌹 (@OwenJones84) February 7, 2020
Coming to terms with & being your authentic self is never easy, especially in the public eye.
What @Schofe has done is incredibly courageous, powerful & will help so many. I am beaming with pride for him.
I’m even more proud of his family who seem so wonderful.#loveislove ❤ — Ranj Singh (@DrRanj) February 7, 2020
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I will never forget the day I came out @Schofe. It was to you, on your show and you were the most supportive, reassuring, positive person to me that day. So if there is anything I can do in return, it’s offer you the same support and say well done, it takes courage. Proud of you — CHARLIE KING (@CharlieKing85) February 7, 2020
Such a powerful, emotionally honest statement from @Schofe https://t.co/uonyeZTg1q — Cathy Newman (@cathynewman) February 7, 2020
So proud of you @Schofe 🙌 It has been a true honor working with you for the past decade 🤗Sending you and your family all my love and support!!! ❤❤ pic.twitter.com/wpDKn0ukqW — Alexandra Schauman (@AlexandraLukasz) February 7, 2020
Phillip - who has been married to his wife Steph for almost 27 years - thanked his family for their support in his statement.
“You never know what’s going on in someone’s seemingly perfect life, what issues they are struggling with, or the state of their wellbeing – and so you won’t know what has been consuming me for the last few years,” he wrote.
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“With the strength and support of my wife and daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact I am gay.”
He continued: “This is something that has caused many heartbreaking conversations at home. I have been married to Steph for nearly 27 years, and we have two beautiful grown-up daughters, Molly and Ruby. My family have held me so close: they have tried to cheer me up, to smother me with kindness and love, despite their own confusion.
“Yet I still can’t sleep and there have been some very dark moments.
“My inner conflict contrasts with an outside world that has changed so very much for the better. Today, quite rightly, being gay is a reason to celebrate and be proud. Yes, I am feeling pain and confusion, but that comes only from the hurt that I am causing to my family.”
Useful websites and helplines:
London Lesbian & Gay switchboard (LLGS) is a free confidential support & information helpline for LGBT communities throughout the UK | 0300 330 0630
(LLGS) is a free confidential support & information helpline for LGBT communities throughout the UK | 0300 330 0630 Manchester Lesbian and Gay Switchboard is a free support, information and referral service for the Manchester and North-West area | 0161 235 8000
is a free support, information and referral service for the Manchester and North-West area | 0161 235 8000 Stonewall for more information on other LGBT services and helplines | 08000 502020


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-07--Bottling Up Your Grief Can Be Bad For Your Body, Too. Here's Why

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Grief is personal. We all will deal with the loss of a friend or family member in a different way. But science is helping us understand something: that bottling up your emotions after someone dies is bad for you both physically and mentally.
As the nation mourns the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, the royal family are grieving a family member, and in full view of the world. King Charles III and his siblings have lost a mother. Princes William and Harry have each released emotional tributes to their grandmother; and their children will no doubt be missing their great-grandmother. Grief hits differently through the generations.
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But they must allow themselves to feel it.
Prince Harry has been incredibly vocal in the past about how containing his grief after the death of his mum, Princess Diana, meant he faced two years of “total chaos”, until he went to see a counsellor about it.
He said at the time: “I can safely say that losing my mum at the age of 12, and therefore shutting down all of my emotions for the last 20 years, has had a quite serious effect on not only my personal life but my work as well.”
And the physical repercussions can also be huge.
A 2020 study from Rice University, Texas, found people who avoid expressing their emotions suffer more bodily inflammation than those who express their emotions freely.
If you’re wondering why that matters, inflammation is linked to a host of negative health conditions, including serious cardiovascular issues like stroke and heart attack.
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Researchers spoke to 99 people who had recently lost a spouse. They were asked how they were coping with the loss of their loved one and to rate, on a scale of one to seven, how closely they agreed with statements about certain coping strategies. They also had blood tests to measure inflammation levels.
Those who bottled up their emotion were found to have higher levels of bodily inflammation. “These findings really highlight the importance of acknowledging one’s emotions after the death of a spouse rather than bottling them up,” said Christopher Fagundes, an associate professor of psychology at Rice University.
Expressing emotions immediately after loss can promote better physical and mental health outcomes, researchers said, while noting that, after a certain amount of time, if could actually signal severe and prolonged mental and physical health issues, they noted.
The study’s results aren’t surprising. Previous research has linked chronic psychological stress with the body losing its ability to regulate the inflammatory response, and therefore promoting the development and progression of disease. And it’s not the first time bottling up emotion has been linked to negative health outcomes either.
A 2013 study by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Rochester found people who suppressed their emotions increased their chance of an early death by more than 30%. It also increased their risk of being diagnosed with cancer by 70%.
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CSA-Archive via Getty Images
Counsellor and psychotherapist Nora Allali-Carling says the fact that bottling up emotions can impact the body physically is nothing new. She often sees clients who are bereaved struggle with irritable bowel syndrome, for example.
“Often you find people have lower immune systems after a bereavement, particularly with a spouse or significant other,” she explains. “Colds, coughs, aches and pains is another common one, especially in the shoulders and upper limbs.” Her clients will often report pain around the chest and stomach, too.
“With a bereavement where somebody bottles up those emotions, all those feelings – negative or positive – remain in the body,” she continues. “Not being able to share those, or express those, does impact the body.”
Cruse Bereavement Care supports around 60,000 people a year, either face-to-face or on the phone. “We find many of the people who turn to us have experienced physical health problems after they have been bereaved,” says Andy Langford, the charity’s chief operating officer.
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“This is why talking about how you feel is so important. Not only can this lift the intense weight of grief, but over time it can contribute to making you feel physically better. Isolation can starve us of this human contact and we can feel worse. So it is vital to speak with someone you can trust, this could be a family member a close friend or support services like Cruse.”
As for why people might bottle up grief in this way, Allali-Carling says: “The emotion is so strong and intense, it can be overwhelming and all-consuming. You don’t really know how to show it until people have given you permission to grieve, but also you have given yourself permission to grieve.
“A lot of people don’t know what to do with those feelings.”
If you are struggling with a bereavement and it’s impacting day-to-day life, she recommends seeing your GP as a first port of call, who can refer you to a therapist.
There are plenty of charities, like Cruse, which also offer support and online forums can be a helpful way to speak with other people who are bereaved.
A spokesperson for charity Widowed and Young adds: “We would advise anyone who has been bereaved to talk to other people about how they are feeling – whether that’s to a friend, relative, health professional or to other people who have been through the same thing.”
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Useful websites and helplines:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-09--Oscars 2020 Red Carpet: Billy Porter Pulls Out All The Stops Again, A Year On From His Tuxedo Dress

Oscars 2020 Red Carpet: Billy Porter Pulls Out All The Stops Again, A Year On From His Tuxedo Dress Moment

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Just under a year on from his infamous tuxedo dress, Billy Porter pulled out all the stops as he hit the red carpet at this year’s Oscars.
In 2019, Billy made headlines when he was photographed on his way into the Academy Awards sporting an incredible outfit, made up of a traditional suit jacket and an elaborate ball-gown skirt.
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The Pose actor has since earned himself a huge reputation for his over-the-top fashion choices, and we’re happy to say that he did not disappoint as he walked the Oscars red carpet, ahead of his pre-show presenting role.
Billy Porter at the 2020 Oscars Rick Rowell via Getty Images
Billy posed up a storm in a flowing patterned skirt on his way into the event, which he paired with a sleeveless top, made up of 24-carat gold feathers.
He completed the look with some chunky gold Jimmy Choo boots, which E!’s fashion team claimed Billy had dubbed his “lady of the night shoes”.
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Seriously, clock those shoes Rick Rowell via Getty Images
Billy’s tuxedo dress might be approaching its first birthday, but it’s an outfit that everyone is clearly still talking about, and he’ll soon be sporting it once again as he makes a cameo in Sesame Street.
However, although his fans all over the world are looking forward to his appearance in the long-running children’s show, some took issue with the fact he’d be wearing a dress, with some even organising a petition calling for his cameo to be scrapped entirely.
Responding to these critics earlier this week, Billy said: “If you don’t like it, don’t watch it… what about me singing with a penguin [on Sesame Street] has anything to do with what I’m doing in my bedroom?
“The really interesting thing for me is that that’s what it’s all about when it comes to LGBTQ people — the first thing everyone wants to talk about is how we having sex.”
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Billy in his stunning tuxedo dress last year Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Last month, Billy turned heads as he made his way into the Grammys, where his intricate hat also inspired one of our favourite memes of 2020.
Check out all the photos from this year’s Oscars red carpet below…
Oscars 2020: All The Red Carpet Pics You Need To See See gallery
Want to watch the Oscars live? Sky is screening the event on its Sky Cinema Oscars channel or you can sign up for a seven-day free trial for a Sky Cinema pass from Now TV.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-09--Oscars 2020 Red Carpet: All The Photos You Need To See From The Academy Awards

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The statues have been polished, the votes have been counted (and, hopefully, verified) and now the celebrities have hit the red carpet at this year’s Oscars.
Every year, the Academy Awards are the high point of the showbiz calendar, with some of the biggest names from the last 12 months of film waiting to find out whether they’ve won an Oscar for their performances.
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This year’s contenders were a particularly star-studded bunch, and we’re happy to say that they more than delivered on the red carpet.
Among the A-listers in attendance at Sunday night’s ceremony were Renée Zellweger, Cynthia Erivo, Joaquin Phoenix and Antonio Banderas, all of whom were up for Best Actor or Actress at this year’s ceremony.
Also providing big red carpet moments were Supporting nominees, like Margot Robbie, Florence Pugh, Tom Hanks and, of course, Brad Pitt.
Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt and Cynthia Erivo on the Oscars red carpet Kevin Mazur/Getty/David Fisher/Shutterstock
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But it wasn’t just the stars up for awards who caught our attention as they made their way into the event.
With the Oscars going without a host for the second year running, the Film Academy roped in different stars to present awards over the course of the night, meaning there were even more celebs in attendance than usual.
This included some HuffPost faves like Timothée Chalamet, Olivia Colman, and Sandra Oh, while Billie Eilish and Billy Porter were among the performers during the awards show.
Olivia Colman. Billy Porter and Billie Eilish David Fisher/Shutterstock/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Check out the gallery below for all of the red carpet pics you need to see from this year’s Oscars...
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Oscars 2020: All The Red Carpet Pics You Need To See See gallery
Want to watch the Oscars live? Sky is screening the event on its Sky Cinema Oscars channel or you can sign up for a seven-day free trial for a Sky Cinema pass from Now TV.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-09--Irish Election: Sinn Fein Demands Place In Government After Poll Surge

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Left-wing Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein has demanded to be part of the next Irish government after an election that leader Mary Lou McDonald described as a ballot box “revolution”.
McDonald vowed to work with like-minded parties to form Ireland’s next ruling coalition after a sensational performance in the country’s general election that challenges the 90-year power duopoly of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.
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While it remains unclear whether it will ultimately be part of any future government, the support gained by McDonald’s party has sent shockwaves across the Irish political landscape.
The final declaration of seats remains a long way off, but tallies suggest the party is set to top constituency polls across the country.
The party appears to be faring better than an exit poll that reported an extraordinary statistical three-way dead heat between the three main parties.
In a result symbolic of the surge, the first seat declared shortly after 4pm was Sinn Fein’s Donnchadh O Laoghaire, who topped the poll ahead of Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin.
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ELECTED: Sinn Féin TD @Donnchadhol has been elected to the constituency of Cork South Central 🎉🎉 #GE2020 #Togh2020 pic.twitter.com/RO2SxUiqcT — Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) February 9, 2020
Fine Gael Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was also outpolled by a Sinn Fein candidate in his Dublin West constituency.
But the odds remain against Sinn Fein emerging with the most seats, primarily because it ran significantly fewer candidates than its two main rivals – 42 compared to Fianna Fail’s 84 and Fine Gael’s 82
Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have vowed never to go into government with Sinn Fein, and Fianna Fail has ruled out a “grand coalition” with Fine Gael.
If parties stick to their pledges then it would be extremely difficult for any of the three to lead a majority government.
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Smaller parties such as the Greens, Labour, the Social Democrats and Solidarity/People Before Profit – and a sizeable number of independent TDs – may all be courted as the main parties seek junior coalition partners.
Arriving at the RDS count centre in Dublin, Mrs McDonald branded talk of excluding her party as “undemocratic”.
She said she had been in touch with the Greens, Social Democrats and People Before Profit to discuss the prospect of them joining her party in government.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald celebrates with supporters after topping the poll in Dublin. ASSOCIATED PRESS
“It’s been an election about change,” she said.
“The extraordinary thing is that it seems that the political establishment – and by that I mean Fianna Fail and Fine Gael – are in a state of denial. They are still not listening to what the people have said.
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“I want us to have a government for the people. I want us to have ideally a government with no Fianna Fail or Fine Gael in it. I have started the contact with other parties to explore over the next days whether that is a possibility.
“I also have to say this, that in any event I do not accept the exclusion – or talk of excluding our party – a party that represents almost a quarter of the electorate.
“I think that is fundamentally undemocratic.”
Asked if the result marked a revolution in Irish politics, McDonald replied: “Yes, you could call it that for sure.”
Martin said he would not “pre-empt” the final outcome of the election.
He declined to rule out working with Sinn Fein but he insisted there were “significant incompatibility” issues with the party.
“Our policies, our positions and principles haven’t changed overnight or in 24 hours,” he said.
Arriving at his count centre in Cork, he said: “We will obviously listen. The people have spoken and there is no greater democrat than I, but that said we will not pre-empt the outcome itself because it’s very clear to us that the destination of the final seats in many constituencies cannot be called now.”
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If overall tallies are borne out when all results are confirmed, the task of forming a coalition government looks extremely complicated.
The uncertainty created by the exit poll has even thrown up the possibility of another general election being necessary.
There are 160 seats in the Dail parliament. The speaker is automatically re-elected, leaving 159 seats up for grabs and 80 the magic number for a majority.
Vote transfers will be crucial in the proportional representation contest.
Varadkar’s last government – a minority Fine Gael-led administration that included several independent TDs – was sustained in power through a historic confidence and supply arrangement with Fianna Fail.
That landmark pact between two parties founded from opposing sides of Ireland’s civil war of the 1920s took 70 days to negotiate following the inconclusive 2016 general election.
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A new confidence and supply deal cannot be ruled out – potentially a reverse of the last one, with Fine Gael supporting a Fianna Fail-led minority.
The fractured vote could yet force Ireland’s two traditional political superpowers to contemplate the once unthinkable – a grand coalition in government together.
Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar as he arrives for the count at Phibblestown Community Centre in Dublin. PA
Brexit did not feature prominently in an election campaign which was instead dominated by domestic issues like spiralling rental prices, record-breaking homeless numbers, controversy over the state pension age and a struggling health service.
The exit poll, carried out by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of The Irish Times, RTE, TG4 and UCD, suggested that only 1% of voters highlighted Brexit as their main concern.
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Health (32%) and housing or homelessness (26%) were the most important deciding factors in how people voted.
Fine Gael business minister Heather Humphreys has said it was not a mistake for her party to put Brexit at the centre of its re-election strategy.
“A lot of people obviously thought Brexit is over… Brexit is far from over,” she told RTE Radio One.
“Brexit is still a big threat but some people live in the moment and a lot of people thought Brexit has gone away – it has not gone away.”
Counting, which is taking place across the state’s 39 constituencies, is expected to last at least two days.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-09--Halt Jamaica Deportation Flight Until Windrush Report Released, MPs And Peers Tell PM

Protestors from the Movement For Justice group demonstrate outside the Jamaican High Commission in London to demand that Jamaica stops cooperating with deportation flights. Guy Smallman via Getty Images
Pressure is growing on Boris Johnson to halt a flight set to deport 50 people to Jamaica until a report into the Windrush controversy is released.
More than 150 cross-party MPs and peers have written to the prime minister warning of the “unacceptable risk” of removing anyone with a potential Windrush claim.
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The 2018 scandal saw at least 83 people with the right to live in the UK wrongly deported.
The Home Office has chartered a flight to Jamaica on February 11 “specifically for removing foreign criminals”.
Nadia Whittome, Labour MP for Nottingham East, organised the letter in protest at the move she says is intended to deport people who have been resident in the UK for decades.
The flight comes after a review commissioned in the wake of the Windrush scandal recommended deportations of foreign-born offenders, particularly those who came to the UK as children, should be reconsidered, according to a leaked copy of a draft report.
The leaked review, which was sent to the MP David Lammy in June 2019, reportedly said that forced removals should only be considered in the “most severe cases”.
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News of the flight prompted Lammy to call for the flight to be suspended prior to the report and highlighted the impact on their families.
Whittome said: “The fact is that many of the individuals in question have lived in the UK since they were children and at least 41 British children are now at risk of losing their fathers through this charter flight.
“The government risks repeating the mistakes of the Windrush scandal unless it cancels this flight and others like it until the Windrush Lessons Learned Review has been published and its recommendations implemented.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is among those calling for Johnson to intervene.
The Home Office plans to deport 50 people to Jamaica on 11th February.
Cancel the flight until the Lessons Learned Review is published and its recommendations implemented, or risk repeating the Windrush scandal.
Over 170 colleagues and I wrote urging the Prime Minister to act. pic.twitter.com/cubfqsBPwx — Nadia Whittome MP (@NadiaWhittomeMP) February 9, 2020
Labour shadow immigration minister Bell Ribeiro-Addy said: “Mass deportation by charter flight is the most brutal and inhumane way to remove people from this country.
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“It often lacks due process, has little regard for deportees safety, and even less for their right to a family life.
“Both the Home Office and the Prime Minister do not appear to even have the correct information on those due on the flight.
“We are calling on the government to halt all charter flight deportations until it publishes its Windrush lessons learned review.
“After the Windrush scandal, we expect better.
“But this government will stop at nothing to maintain its hostile environment.”
Many on this flight are more British than foreign, having lived in the UK since they were young children. Many have not committed "severe" crimes, but are one-time drug offenders. Deportations must be stopped until the Windrush Review is implemented.pic.twitter.com/ZbePdSkiSy — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) February 7, 2020
The Home Office previously said that under the UK Borders Act 2007, a deportation order must be made where a foreign national has been convicted of an offence and received a custodial sentence of 12 months or more.
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However there are exceptions, including where this would breach a person’s human rights or the UK’s obligations under the Refugee Convention.
A Home Office spokesman previously said: “The planned charter flight to Jamaica is specifically for removing foreign criminals.