inews--2020-05-27--Coronavirus latest: Ministers warned of mental health crisis in NHS among medical staff

Coronavirus latest : Ministers warned of mental health crisis in NHS among medical staff Exclusive : The number of working days lost to mental health issues doubled even before Covid-19 Doctors and nurses face a `` mental health crisis '' as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic , the Government has been warned as figures show the burden of mental illness is taking an increasing toll on the NHS .
Research suggests that the coronavirus crisis has already increased the burden on medical workers with staff suffering from depression and burnout , and the situation is likely to get worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing union warned that NHS employees are suffering `` real trauma '' with the effects likely to last for the long term .
Data revealed through a parliamentary question shows that in 2010 , there were 2,060,416 days of work lost in the NHS in England due to staff suffering from anxiety , stress , depression or other psychiatric conditions .
In 2019 the figure had grown to 4,796,928 - an increase of 132 per cent in a decade .
The number of working days lost to the health service in England because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubled in a decade ( Photo : Getty ) Practitioner Health , a service which provides mental health support for medics , has reported an increase in calls while a survey from the British Medical Association ( BMA ) recently found that 44 per cent of doctors are reporting conditions such as `` depression , anxiety , stress or burnout '' .
Academic research has found that pandemics can exert a heavy mental toll on medical workers .
During the SARS outbreak , one third of medics in Canada - where the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high degree of distress '' , according to one study .
A survey of health workers in China during the first wave of Covid-19 in January found nearly 5 per cent had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder .
Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran told i : `` As the country thanks its frontline coronavirus heroes , the mental toll coronavirus is taking on them might take months to reveal itself .
The NHS is facing a mental health timebomb and needs to start preparing to care for the staff caring for us .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ BMA said : `` Staff who are presenting with complex mental health conditions need to be able to access appropriate treatment .
However , with NHS mental health services already overstretched and facing increased demand , there is a real concern that they will not have access to the necessary support that they need and deserve - both now and once this pandemic has passed . ''
Dame Donna Kinnair , general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing , added : `` The skill and professionalism of nursing staff have been on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge of this global pandemic .
But the genuine trauma some people are experiencing will undoubtedly be part of the long-term legacy of this pandemic .
`` Nursing staff must be afforded literal and mental 'space ' when their work situation genuinely becomes too much .
They need to hear it from their managers , peers and the supportive public that it 's ok not to be ok and that support is available . ''
The Government says that NHS workers have access to wellbeing apps , virtual common rooms and a dedicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health problems .
A spokesman for the Department of Health said : `` Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our staff during this unprecedented period is a top priority , and we understand the huge pressures they and their families are facing .
`` We have a range of services available to staff , including the launch last month of a mental health hotline .
Other services range from practical and financial assistance through to specialist bereavement and psychological support .
Anyone struggling should come forward to a colleague , their occupational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can get the help and support they need . ''

Doctors and nurses face a “mental health crisis” as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government has been warned as figures show the burden of mental illness is taking an increasing toll on the NHS.
The number of working days lost to the health service in England thanks to mental health problems has more than doubled in the past decade.
Research suggests that the coronavirus crisis has already increased the burden on medical workers with staff suffering from depression and burnout, and the situation is likely to get worse in the weeks to come. The nursing union warned that NHS employees are suffering “real trauma” with the effects likely to last for the long term.
Data revealed through a parliamentary question shows that in 2010, there were 2,060,416 days of work lost in the NHS in England due to staff suffering from anxiety, stress, depression or other psychiatric conditions. In 2019 the figure had grown to 4,796,928 – an increase of 132 per cent in a decade.
Burnout fears
Practitioner Health, a service which provides mental health support for medics, has reported an increase in calls while a survey from the British Medical Association (BMA) recently found that 44 per cent of doctors are reporting conditions such as “depression, anxiety, stress or burnout”.
Academic research has found that pandemics can exert a heavy mental toll on medical workers. During the SARS outbreak, one third of medics in Canada – where the disease killed 44 people – showed a “high degree of distress”, according to one study. A survey of health workers in China during the first wave of Covid-19 in January found nearly 5 per cent had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran told i: “As the country thanks its frontline coronavirus heroes, the mental toll coronavirus is taking on them might take months to reveal itself. The NHS is facing a mental health timebomb and needs to start preparing to care for the staff caring for us.”
Dr Phil de Warren-Penny of the BMA said: “Staff who are presenting with complex mental health conditions need to be able to access appropriate treatment. However, with NHS mental health services already overstretched and facing increased demand, there is a real concern that they will not have access to the necessary support that they need and deserve – both now and once this pandemic has passed.”
‘Genuine trauma’
Dame Donna Kinnair, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, added: “The skill and professionalism of nursing staff have been on full display as they rise to the challenge of this global pandemic. But the genuine trauma some people are experiencing will undoubtedly be part of the long-term legacy of this pandemic.
“Nursing staff must be afforded literal and mental ‘space’ when their work situation genuinely becomes too much. They need to hear it from their managers, peers and the supportive public that it’s ok not to be ok and that support is available.”
The Government says that NHS workers have access to wellbeing apps, virtual common rooms and a dedicated helpline to seek support for any mental health problems. A spokesman for the Department of Health said: “Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our staff during this unprecedented period is a top priority, and we understand the huge pressures they and their families are facing.
“We have a range of services available to staff, including the launch last month of a mental health hotline. Other services range from practical and financial assistance through to specialist bereavement and psychological support. Anyone struggling should come forward to a colleague, their occupational health team or the helpline so that they can get the help and support they need.”


inews--2020-05-27--Boris Johnson says it's time to 'move on' and rejects demands for Dominic Cummings inquiry

Boris Johnson says it 's time to 'move on ' and rejects demands for Dominic Cummings inquiry PM says an investigatiomn would not be a good use of officials ' time during pandemic Boris Johnson has flatly ruled out ordering an official investigation into Dominic Cummings ’ travel during the lockdown as he sought to draw a line under the controversy which has paralysed his Government .
In fiery exchanges with MPs of all parties , he insisted that an inquiry would not be a good use of officials ’ time while the United Kingdom is in the midst of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of undermining the Government ’ s moral authority and putting the national interest behind his own interest by refusing to bow to demands to sack his controversial adviser .
But Mr Johnson repeatedly told them that the time had come to “ move on ” and argued that the public wanted its political leaders to focus on ” uniting our message ” .
Dozens of Tory MPs have called for Mr Cummings to be fired after it emerged that he had travelled to Durham during the height of the lockdown and then drove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Prime Minister brushed off demands for the Cabinet Secretary , Sir Mark Sedwill , to investigate his chief adviser ’ s behaviour ( Photo : Parliament TV/PA Wire ) “ Quite frankly I 'm not certain - right now - that an inquiry into that matter is a very good use of official time .
We are working flat out on coronavirus , ” he said .
Maintaining that the saying the furore was just a “ political ding dong ” , he also insisted that some of the media allegations about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spell out what he believed the inaccuracies were .
The Tory MP Simon Hoare said he feared that lockdown rules would in future be less rigorously respected because of Mr Cummings ’ conduct .
He said : “ What do we say to our constituents , who are likely to say : ‘ You can keep your lockdown if it has to come back .
If other people don ’ t have to abide by it , why on earth should we ?
’ ” Labour ’ s Meg Hillier asked him if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ so unclear ” that only his chief aide did the right thing while the public did not understand the restrictions .

Boris Johnson has flatly ruled out ordering an official investigation into Dominic Cummings’ travel during the lockdown as he sought to draw a line under the controversy which has paralysed his Government.
In fiery exchanges with MPs of all parties, he insisted that an inquiry would not be a good use of officials’ time while the United Kingdom is in the midst of the coronavirus epidemic.
They accused him of undermining the Government’s moral authority and putting the national interest behind his own interest by refusing to bow to demands to sack his controversial adviser.
But Mr Johnson repeatedly told them that the time had come to “move on” and argued that the public wanted its political leaders to focus on ”uniting our message”.
Dozens of Tory MPs have called for Mr Cummings to be fired after it emerged that he had travelled to Durham during the height of the lockdown and then drove to Barnard Castle to test his eyesight.
Calls brushed off
Appearing before the Commons Liaison Committee, the Prime Minister brushed off demands for the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Mark Sedwill, to investigate his chief adviser’s behaviour.
“Quite frankly I’m not certain – right now – that an inquiry into that matter is a very good use of official time. We are working flat out on coronavirus,” he said.
Maintaining that the saying the furore was just a “political ding dong”, he also insisted that some of the media allegations about Mr Cummings were false but refused to spell out what he believed the inaccuracies were.
The Tory MP Simon Hoare said he feared that lockdown rules would in future be less rigorously respected because of Mr Cummings’ conduct.
He said: “What do we say to our constituents, who are likely to say: ‘You can keep your lockdown if it has to come back. If other people don’t have to abide by it, why on earth should we?’”
‘Political concerns prioritised’
Mr Johnson replied: “I don’t think that’s true about how the British people will respond to the next phases.”
Yvette Cooper, the former Labour Cabinet minister, told him: “You are putting your political concerns above clear public health messages about coronavirus.”
The Prime Minister retorted: “The British people want us all to lay aside the political point-scoring and put the national interest first.”
Labour’s Meg Hillier asked him if if his Government’s messaging was “so unclear” that only his chief aide did the right thing while the public did not understand the restrictions.
He replied: “No, Meg, I think the message during lockdown was very clear and people who had the virus, including my adviser, isolated for 14 days, people stayed at home.”


inews--2020-05-27--Men At The Barre — Inside The Royal Ballet, BBC4, review: challenging the 'men in tights' stereotype

Men At The Barre — Inside The Royal Ballet , BBC4 , review : challenging the 'men in tights ' stereotype Richard Macer 's film proved that male ballet is more about muscle than make-up but it failed to get behind the calf muscles of the dancers Men At The Barre – Inside The Royal Ballet , BBC Four , 9pm ★★★ Richard Macer ’ s film Men At The Barre – Inside The Royal Ballet set out to challenge the “ men in tights ” stereotype about male dancers .
It certainly did this – there was a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt like rather meagre returns for so much access .
Once it had been established that the Royal Ballet ’ s principal dancers , such as Matthew Ball and and Marcelino Sambe , are , to borrow Macer ’ s phrase , “ like Olympian gods ” , things should have moved on .
But I rarely felt any closer to understanding what drives these men or why one dancer makes it to principal and another doesn ’ t .
A fear of alienating a casual audience meant the film felt lightweight .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... ] you get your own dressing room , ” Macer told us .
“ But the ranks below have to share one big one.
” The best moments came when Macer stepped away from the rehearsal rooms .
He visited the house of principal dancer Steven McRae , who has been injured and , at 34 , probably has his best years behind him .
In this domestic setting , some of the obfuscating badinage that characterised earlier interviews fell away .
“ I need to look at my children jumping without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Achilles might snap , ” explained McRae , touching upon the psychological impact of injury .
There was also an insightful chat with Joseph Sissens , who said that a racist remark by a Scout leader had pushed him to succeed .
He wanted to prove that `` I am worth the time . ''
These comments started to give us an idea of who these “ men in tights ” really are .
But a full picture remained frustratingly out of reach .
It was never long before the calf muscles were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the greatest clue of all : dancers will always be defined by their bodies .

Men At The Barre – Inside The Royal Ballet, BBC Four, 9pm ★★★
Richard Macer’s film Men At The Barre – Inside The Royal Ballet set out to challenge the “men in tights” stereotype about male dancers. It certainly did this – there was a lot more muscle than make-up – but that felt like rather meagre returns for so much access.
Once it had been established that the Royal Ballet’s principal dancers, such as Matthew Ball and and Marcelino Sambe, are, to borrow Macer’s phrase, “like Olympian gods”, things should have moved on. But I rarely felt any closer to understanding what drives these men or why one dancer makes it to principal and another doesn’t.
A fear of alienating a casual audience meant the film felt lightweight. “If you become a principal […] you get your own dressing room,” Macer told us. “But the ranks below have to share one big one.”
The best moments came when Macer stepped away from the rehearsal rooms. He visited the house of principal dancer Steven McRae, who has been injured and, at 34, probably has his best years behind him. In this domestic setting, some of the obfuscating badinage that characterised earlier interviews fell away. “I need to look at my children jumping without feeling sick at the thought that their Achilles might snap,” explained McRae, touching upon the psychological impact of injury.
There was also an insightful chat with Joseph Sissens, who said that a racist remark by a Scout leader had pushed him to succeed. He wanted to prove that “I am worth the time.”
These comments started to give us an idea of who these “men in tights” really are. But a full picture remained frustratingly out of reach. It was never long before the calf muscles were back in focus. Perhaps that was the greatest clue of all: dancers will always be defined by their bodies.


inews--2020-05-27--McMillions, Sky Documentaries, review: a great heist story boringly told

Undercover cops , oodles of cash going missing , Big Macs and a shady figure known only as Uncle Jimmy — so why is McMillions dull ?
Nearly $ 20 million was stolen during the McDonald 's Monopoly heist , which is explored in McMillions on Sky Documentaries ( Photo : Sky ) How on earth did they manage it ?
Extraordinary , really , when you think about it .
No , no , sorry , not the people who swindled nearly $ 20m ( £16m ) out of McDonald ’ s by rigging its Monopoly promotional game .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ How on earth did they manage to make this story so boring ?
My god .
In 2001 , FBI special agent Doug Mathews spotted a note on his colleague ’ s desk , which read : “ McDonald ’ s Monopoly Fraud ?
” Mathews was intrigued and soon discovered that the winners of the big money prizes in the fast food chain ’ s Monopoly game – buy a burger , get a token , maybe strike it lucky – were all linked .
And the trail went back to 1989 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agent at the heart of McMillions ( Photo : Sky ) It ’ s a cool set-up with all the components of a great heist – undercover cops , oodles of cash going missing and a shady figure known only as Uncle Jimmy .
But I had to mainline a full fat Coke just to get through the first episode .
Directors Brian Lazarte and James Hernandez haven ’ t been able to come up with a compelling way to tell this story .
So what we had was a bunch of cops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( “ there was a big decision to be made and that was ... do we contact McDonald ’ s ?
” ) , and some pretty amateurish reconstructions of things that didn ’ t warrant the effort , like boardroom meetings or bits of paper being passed around .
Mathews is clearly meant to be the diamond of McMillions .
But I found him insufferable , all goofy grins and pre-rehearsed gags .
It was as if he had been waiting for this moment his whole life .
Not what you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no-nonsense any day .
The action in episode one arrived when Mathews went undercover , posing as a film director , in order to scope out recent jackpot winner Michael Hoover .
Not much happened , some important intelligence was gathered , but one of Mathew ’ s FBI colleagues reflected afterwards : “ It just doesn ’ t get any better than that.
” Which , for viewers , is very concerning indeed .

McMillions, Sky Documentaries, 9pm ★★
How on earth did they manage it? Extraordinary, really, when you think about it. No, no, sorry, not the people who swindled nearly $20m (£16m) out of McDonald’s by rigging its Monopoly promotional game. I mean the team behind McMillions. How on earth did they manage to make this story so boring? My god.
In 2001, FBI special agent Doug Mathews spotted a note on his colleague’s desk, which read: “McDonald’s Monopoly Fraud?” Mathews was intrigued and soon discovered that the winners of the big money prizes in the fast food chain’s Monopoly game – buy a burger, get a token, maybe strike it lucky – were all linked. And the trail went back to 1989.
It’s a cool set-up with all the components of a great heist – undercover cops, oodles of cash going missing and a shady figure known only as Uncle Jimmy. But I had to mainline a full fat Coke just to get through the first episode.
Directors Brian Lazarte and James Hernandez haven’t been able to come up with a compelling way to tell this story. So what we had was a bunch of cops in suits reminiscing, not that interestingly (“there was a big decision to be made and that was… do we contact McDonald’s?”), and some pretty amateurish reconstructions of things that didn’t warrant the effort, like boardroom meetings or bits of paper being passed around.
Mathews is clearly meant to be the diamond of McMillions. But I found him insufferable, all goofy grins and pre-rehearsed gags. It was as if he had been waiting for this moment his whole life. Not what you want from the cops. Give me straight-talking, no-nonsense any day.
The action in episode one arrived when Mathews went undercover, posing as a film director, in order to scope out recent jackpot winner Michael Hoover. Not much happened, some important intelligence was gathered, but one of Mathew’s FBI colleagues reflected afterwards: “It just doesn’t get any better than that.” Which, for viewers, is very concerning indeed.


inews--2020-05-27--Muslim lawyer who refused to remove her hijab has become a court judge

Muslim lawyer who refused to remove her hijab has become a court judge The mother-of-three has become a deputy district judge on the Midlands circuit Raffia Arshad has become the first UK deputy district judge to wear a hijab after she was appointed to the Midlands circuit .
Judge Arshad said she wanted to inspire others and to ensure “ the sound of diversity is heard loud and clear ” .
The mother-of-three has admitted she defied advice from a family member to remove her hijab to improve her career chances .
She told Metro.co.uk : “ I decided that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because for me it ’ s so important to accept the person for who they are and if I had to become a different person to pursue my profession , it ’ s not something I wanted.
” This was a defining moment for her , she succeeded in her scholarship interview at the Inns of Court School of Law in 2001 .
She was called to the bar a year later and joined St Mary ’ s Family Law Chambers in Nottingham in 2004 .
Not only , is Judge Arshad the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first member of her family to go to university .
First to go to university Judge Arshad hopes to inspire other young Muslims and women to follow in her footsteps ( Photo : Getty ) '' Do n't worry about what you look like , do n't worry about not fitting into the mould , break that mould and achieve what you need to , '' she told the BBC .
After 17 years as a practising barrister , she is a leading expert in Islamic Family Law and has worked on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and female genital mutilation .
Her appointment last week was a key moment for her not only as a lawyer but as a Muslim and a woman .
She said : “ It ’ s odd because it ’ s something I ’ ve been working towards for a number of years and I always imagined I ’ d be absolutely ecstatic when I found out .
“ I was happy , but the happiness I ’ ve had from other people sharing this is far greater.
” She added : “ Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be that voice for them , to make sure the sound of diversity is heard loud and clear and that it gets to the appropriate places . ''

Raffia Arshad has become the first UK deputy district judge to wear a hijab after she was appointed to the Midlands circuit.
Judge Arshad said she wanted to inspire others and to ensure “the sound of diversity is heard loud and clear”.
The mother-of-three has admitted she defied advice from a family member to remove her hijab to improve her career chances.
She told Metro.co.uk: “I decided that I was going to wear my headscarf because for me it’s so important to accept the person for who they are and if I had to become a different person to pursue my profession, it’s not something I wanted.”
‘Important to accept the person’
This was a defining moment for her, she succeeded in her scholarship interview at the Inns of Court School of Law in 2001.
She was called to the bar a year later and joined St Mary’s Family Law Chambers in Nottingham in 2004.
Not only, is Judge Arshad the first lawyer but she is also the first member of her family to go to university.
The 40-year-old grew up in West Yorkshire and studied law, accounting and finance at Oxford Brookes University.
First to go to university
“Don’t worry about what you look like, don’t worry about not fitting into the mould, break that mould and achieve what you need to,” she told the BBC.
After 17 years as a practising barrister, she is a leading expert in Islamic Family Law and has worked on a number of cases related to forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
Her appointment last week was a key moment for her not only as a lawyer but as a Muslim and a woman.
She said: “It’s odd because it’s something I’ve been working towards for a number of years and I always imagined I’d be absolutely ecstatic when I found out.
“I was happy, but the happiness I’ve had from other people sharing this is far greater.”
She added: “Now it’s up to me to be that voice for them, to make sure the sound of diversity is heard loud and clear and that it gets to the appropriate places.”


inews--2020-05-27--Coronavirus lockdown: Beer gardens could become the new focus for socialising as restrictions are li

Coronavirus lockdown: Beer gardens could become the new focus for socialising as restrictions are lifted

Coronavirus lockdown : Beer gardens could become the new focus for socialising as restrictions are lifted Michael Gove says 'outdoor hospitality ' may be the way forward for pubs and bars Beer gardens could become the new focus for socialising down the pub as the hospitality industry tries to quench the nation ’ s thirst to return to their locals .
A survey by Budweiser Brewing Group UK found 93 per cent of Britons are keen to get back to their local pub when it reopens , with more than a third ( 35 per cent ) planning to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When asked what they missed most about going to the pub , 64 per cent said they missed pub food the most and 33 per cent yearned for a ‘ perfectly poured pint ’ .
Now Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove has given the clearest indication yet of how we might be drinking and socialising in the near future .
Speaking to LBC Radio , he said : “ I think it ’ s going to be very , very difficult for us to return to any of us standing at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cafe indoors in a way that we have in the past.
” But he added : “ What I hope we may be able to see is people being able to have outdoor hospitality , so that you can enjoy a drink in the garden of a pub or eat outdoors in a cafe.
” The Government has proposed 4 July could be the earliest possible date for the reopening of pubs and bars .
Many pub groups are now planning for this date and hoping to get the Government go-ahead .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported to be setting up temporary bars in beer gardens and outdoor spaces with tables spaced two metres apart , where staff will take orders with contactless payments .
Pubs and bars have been shut since 20 March as part of measures to control the spread of coronavirus ( Photo : Getty ) Plastic glasses , paper plates and wooden cutlery would also be used to minimise the spread of the virus .

Beer gardens could become the new focus for socialising down the pub as the hospitality industry tries to quench the nation’s thirst to return to their locals.
A survey by Budweiser Brewing Group UK found 93 per cent of Britons are keen to get back to their local pub when it reopens, with more than a third (35 per cent) planning to go within a week of it resuming service.
When asked what they missed most about going to the pub, 64 per cent said they missed pub food the most and 33 per cent yearned for a ‘perfectly poured pint’.
Now Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove has given the clearest indication yet of how we might be drinking and socialising in the near future.
‘Perfectly poured pint’
Speaking to LBC Radio, he said: “I think it’s going to be very, very difficult for us to return to any of us standing at the bar or any of us mingling in a cafe indoors in a way that we have in the past.”
But he added: “What I hope we may be able to see is people being able to have outdoor hospitality, so that you can enjoy a drink in the garden of a pub or eat outdoors in a cafe.”
The Government has proposed 4 July could be the earliest possible date for the reopening of pubs and bars. Many pub groups are now planning for this date and hoping to get the Government go-ahead.
London’s City Pub Group is reported to be setting up temporary bars in beer gardens and outdoor spaces with tables spaced two metres apart, where staff will take orders with contactless payments.
‘Outdoor hospitality’
Customers could then pick up their order from a collection point outside.
Plastic glasses, paper plates and wooden cutlery would also be used to minimise the spread of the virus.
While J.D. Wetherspoon is offering protective goggles, gloves and masks to its staff as part of reopening plans.


inews--2020-05-27--Coronavirus latest: What Boris Johnson told the Commons Liaison Committee and what he meant

Coronavirus latest : What Boris Johnson told the Commons Liaison Committee and what he meant The Prime Minister faced a grilling during his first appearance in front of committee chairs “ I think what we need to do really is to move on and to get on to how we are going to sort out the coronavirus.
” It was a statement he repeated numerous times on the issue of Dominic Cummings during the near two hour grilling by MPs .
As an operation , Number 10 likes to focus-group key statements , such as its “ Get Brexit Done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Home ” mantra during the Covid-19 crisis to hammer their message home .
The repetition to “ move on ” is one that Mr Johnson will filter through to the public before long .
On several occasions the PM attempted to deflect questioning about Mr Cummings by trying to frame it as a political spat , with MPs motivated by party tribalism .
This was perhaps the riskiest tactic deployed by Mr Johnson as several opinion polls over the last few days have shown the issue was well beyond being a usual Westminster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public .
Throughout his questioning Mr Johnson pointedly refused to refer to Mr Cummings by his name , preferring instead to speak of his “ adviser ” .
This was another key media tactic to avoid him being associated too closely with his most senior aide .
It was in stark contrast to his press conference on Sunday when he mentioned him as “ Dom ” , revealing a far closer , more amicable relationship .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson appearing before the House of Commons Liaison Committee ( Photo : PA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country didn ’ t learn the lessons of Sars or Mers ” .
On face value this is a startling admission from a Tory Prime Minister , to say the UK was not prepared for a pandemic , particularly after 10 years with the Conservatives in power .
But Mr Johnson was clearly looking to lay the blame on the doorstep of all three major parties since 2002 with his reference to “ this country ” .
“ Oh boy .
That is a question I am not competent to pronounce.
” A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a line of questioning that made him the most uncomfortable .
Asked by Caroline Nokes , chair of the Women and Equalities Committee , how many women were “ enough ” to have , Mr Johnson gaped and struggled with an answer .
The lack of women present throughout this crisis has been a major criticism of the PM .
He will need to do better with his answers next time .

Boris Johnson made his first appearance in front of the Commons Liaison Committee since becoming Prime Minister back in July.
Here i analyses his key comments.
“I think what we need to do really is to move on and to get on to how we are going to sort out the coronavirus.”
It was a statement he repeated numerous times on the issue of Dominic Cummings during the near two hour grilling by MPs. As an operation, Number 10 likes to focus-group key statements, such as its “Get Brexit Done” election slogan and the “Stay Home” mantra during the Covid-19 crisis to hammer their message home. The repetition to “move on” is one that Mr Johnson will filter through to the public before long.
“This political ding dong”. “You’re trying to make a political point”.
On several occasions the PM attempted to deflect questioning about Mr Cummings by trying to frame it as a political spat, with MPs motivated by party tribalism. This was perhaps the riskiest tactic deployed by Mr Johnson as several opinion polls over the last few days have shown the issue was well beyond being a usual Westminster bunfight and has had significant cut-through with the public.
“My adviser.”
Throughout his questioning Mr Johnson pointedly refused to refer to Mr Cummings by his name, preferring instead to speak of his “adviser”. This was another key media tactic to avoid him being associated too closely with his most senior aide. It was in stark contrast to his press conference on Sunday when he mentioned him as “Dom”, revealing a far closer, more amicable relationship.
“The brutal reality is this country didn’t learn the lessons of Sars or Mers”.
On face value this is a startling admission from a Tory Prime Minister, to say the UK was not prepared for a pandemic, particularly after 10 years with the Conservatives in power. But Mr Johnson was clearly looking to lay the blame on the doorstep of all three major parties since 2002 with his reference to “this country”.
“Oh boy. That is a question I am not competent to pronounce.”
A response given by the Prime Minister during a line of questioning that made him the most uncomfortable. Asked by Caroline Nokes, chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, how many women were “enough” to have, Mr Johnson gaped and struggled with an answer. The lack of women present throughout this crisis has been a major criticism of the PM. He will need to do better with his answers next time.


inews--2020-05-27--NHS Test and Trace: How UK contact tracing system works as it launches for the first time

NHS Test and Trace : How UK contact tracing system works as it launches for the first time Covid-19 patients are being asked to list all of their contacts once they test positive As the NHS Track and Trace scheme launches , coronavirus tests are now available to anyone in England who suffers Covid-19 symptoms , no matter their age .
Those with a cough , fever or loss of smell will be told to get a Covid-19 test immediately .
The large majority of results come back within 48 hours , although the Government is aiming to reduce turnaround @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If the test comes back positive , they will be asked for the names and phone numbers of everyone they have spent at least 15 minutes with at a distance of less than two metres without protective clothing .
Those details can be submitted via an online form , or through a conversation with a medical professional .
That means there is no need to track down strangers they walk past in the street , workers in shops they visit , or medical staff who have treated them while wearing personal protective equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their workplaces have been following social distancing guidelines rigorously .
Those with a cough , fever or loss of smell will be told to get a Covid-19 test immediately ( Photo : Getty ) It is estimated that each patient will report an average of five contacts while the current lockdown rules are in place , although that will grow as the regulations are eased and people spend more time out of their home .
Non-clinical staff from the Test and Trace programme will phone up the contacts of infected people , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for two weeks even if they do not show symptoms themselves .
Similar schemes are being developed in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland .
For now , it will not be possible for contact tracers to track down those who have been in extended close contact with people they do not know , such as fellow passengers on a bus .
When the NHS app , currently being trialled on the Isle of Wight , goes live for the whole country next month it will be able to detect all contacts including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the app to be an integral part of the contact tracing programme , but there have been questions over how effective it is and whether enough people will download the software to make it worthwhile .

As the NHS Track and Trace scheme launches, coronavirus tests are now available to anyone in England who suffers Covid-19 symptoms, no matter their age.
Those with a cough, fever or loss of smell will be told to get a Covid-19 test immediately. The large majority of results come back within 48 hours, although the Government is aiming to reduce turnaround times to 24 hours or less.
If the test comes back positive, they will be asked for the names and phone numbers of everyone they have spent at least 15 minutes with at a distance of less than two metres without protective clothing. Those details can be submitted via an online form, or through a conversation with a medical professional.
That means there is no need to track down strangers they walk past in the street, workers in shops they visit, or medical staff who have treated them while wearing personal protective equipment. Even colleagues will not count if their workplaces have been following social distancing guidelines rigorously.
On the trail
It is estimated that each patient will report an average of five contacts while the current lockdown rules are in place, although that will grow as the regulations are eased and people spend more time out of their home.
Non-clinical staff from the Test and Trace programme will phone up the contacts of infected people, and tell them they should stay at home for two weeks even if they do not show symptoms themselves. Similar schemes are being developed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For now, it will not be possible for contact tracers to track down those who have been in extended close contact with people they do not know, such as fellow passengers on a bus. When the NHS app, currently being trialled on the Isle of Wight, goes live for the whole country next month it will be able to detect all contacts including strangers.
Ministers had originally planned for the app to be an integral part of the contact tracing programme, but there have been questions over how effective it is and whether enough people will download the software to make it worthwhile.


inews--2020-05-27--Brexit talks latest: Boris Johnson could still walk away from trade negotiations, EU warned

Brexit talks latest : Boris Johnson could still walk away from trade negotiations , EU warned Britain ’ s chief negotiator , Sir David Frost , told a select committee hearing a decision will be made at 'leader level ' next month Boris Johnson will hold talks with EU leaders next month to decide whether the UK should walk away from the trade negotiations , MPs have been told .
Michel Barnier is leading the EU team in trade negotiations ( Photo : Getty ) Brussels ’ chief negotiator , Michel Barnier , told opposition party leaders in Westminster on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to delaying the UK ’ s full departure from the bloc for up to two years .
It follows growing unease over the progress of the trade talks .
MPs are increasingly concerned that the deadline to reach an agreement is looming , leading to the prospect of the UK leaving without a trade deal at the end of the year while still battling the Covid-19 pandemic .
Mr Barnier said : “ Such an extension of up to one or two years can be agreed jointly by the two parties .
Such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Joint Committee before 1 July , and would need to be accompanied by a financial contribution from the UK to the EU budget , he added .
The offer was immediately dismissed by No10 , however , with the Prime Minister ’ s spokesman stating : “ There is no change to the Government 's position .
The transition period will end on 31 December.
” Sir David echoed the sentiment at the Commons Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union , telling MPs the “ firm policy ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond the end of the year .
Sir David also said Boris Johnson will take part in top-level talks next month on whether a trade deal can be agreed with Brussels .
The UK made clear in its negotiating mandate that it would abandon the talks if the “ shape of a deal ” can not be seen by the end of June .
“ The expectation on both sides is that these are done at leader level , ” Sir David said .
“ And , therefore , yes , the Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on both sides to try to hammer out a deal , but the mandarin said there remained “ big gaps ” between both sides on key issues , such as fishery policy , governance , and level playing field provisions .
Sir David said the UK believes the EU ’ s approach “ in key areas is not a mandate that is likely to produce an agreement that can be agreed with us ” .
On the issue of reaching an agreement on fishing to clear the impasse , Sir David admitted he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m beginning to think we might not make it by 30 June.
” He told the Future Relationship with the European Union Committee : “ If you ’ re asking do we think the EU needs to evolve its position to reach an agreement ?
Yes , we do .
”

Boris Johnson will hold talks with EU leaders next month to decide whether the UK should walk away from the trade negotiations, MPs have been told.
Britain’s chief negotiator, Sir David Frost, told a select committee hearing a decision will be made at “leader level” next month, as he admitted there remained major obstacles between both sides agreeing a trade deal.
It came as Downing Street flatly rejected the EU’s offer of a two-year extension to the transition period despite the ongoing impasse.
Open to extending
Brussels’ chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, told opposition party leaders in Westminster on Wednesday the EU was “open” to delaying the UK’s full departure from the bloc for up to two years.
It follows growing unease over the progress of the trade talks. MPs are increasingly concerned that the deadline to reach an agreement is looming, leading to the prospect of the UK leaving without a trade deal at the end of the year while still battling the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Barnier said: “Such an extension of up to one or two years can be agreed jointly by the two parties.
“The European Union has always said that we remain open on this matter.”
Such an extension would have to be agreed by the Joint Committee before 1 July, and would need to be accompanied by a financial contribution from the UK to the EU budget, he added.
The offer was immediately dismissed by No10, however, with the Prime Minister’s spokesman stating: “There is no change to the Government’s position. The transition period will end on 31 December.”
Sir David echoed the sentiment at the Commons Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union, telling MPs the “firm policy” of the Government was not to extend beyond the end of the year.
Sir David also said Boris Johnson will take part in top-level talks next month on whether a trade deal can be agreed with Brussels. The UK made clear in its negotiating mandate that it would abandon the talks if the “shape of a deal” cannot be seen by the end of June.
“The expectation on both sides is that these are done at leader level,” Sir David said. “And, therefore, yes, the Prime Minister would attend.”
It heaps pressure on both sides to try to hammer out a deal, but the mandarin said there remained “big gaps” between both sides on key issues, such as fishery policy, governance, and level playing field provisions.
Sir David said the UK believes the EU’s approach “in key areas is not a mandate that is likely to produce an agreement that can be agreed with us”.
On the issue of reaching an agreement on fishing to clear the impasse, Sir David admitted he was not hopeful adding: “I’m beginning to think we might not make it by 30 June.”
Evolving position
He told the Future Relationship with the European Union Committee: “If you’re asking do we think the EU needs to evolve its position to reach an agreement? Yes, we do.”
Michael Gove, who was also giving evidence, denied the Prime Minister had “knowingly misled” the British public when it came to checks on goods entering Northern Ireland.
Last week, Mr Gove told MPs that checks would be carried out on goods, despite Mr Johnson telling a gathering in Northern Ireland to throw any customs papers “in the bin”.


inews--2020-05-27--Coronavirus: Rota system could be used to get all children in England back to primary school, minist

Coronavirus: Rota system could be used to get all children in England back to primary school, minister Nick Gibb reveals

Coronavirus : Rota system could be used to get all children in England back to primary school , minister Nick Gibb reveals Schools minister Nick Gibb said the Government was looking at the idea for pupils in Years 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 A rota system could be used to get all children in England back to primary school this term , the schools minister has revealed .
Nick Gibb told the House of Commons Education Select Committee that the Government was looking at the idea for pupils in Years 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it wants all primary pupils to be back for a month before the summer holidays .
The Government has prioritised the return of primary school pupils for a mixture of public health and educational reasons ( Photo : Isabel Infantes/AFP ) But with schools having to split classes into groups of no more than 15 and space desks out to limit the risk of infection , headteachers have said they will run out of classrooms if all children return .
Christian Wakeford , the Conservative MP for Bury South , told Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ just about able to accommodate ” the year groups due back on 1 June , but if any more returned “ there is literally no room ” .
Mr Gibb said : “ Those are the issues that we are addressing - how do you maintain social distancing while also bringing back later groups .
“ We are looking at all the different options , for example for rotas for those at that stage.
” However , Mr Gibb said it was still “ difficult to say ” whether primary schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the holidays .
“ We don ’ t know until we see more evidence of the R factor continuing to reduce over the next few weeks , ” he said .
The use of a rota system would mark a change in the Government ’ s approach .
In previous guidance , the DfE has told schools they should “ not plan on the basis of a rota system , either daily or weekly ” .
Mr Gibb said the department had avoided the idea for the first wave of returning pupils because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have full time education ” .
He said another “ important factor ” in the Government ’ s school reopening thinking was allowing parents to return to work , and “ it ’ s more effective for that objective for children to be at school full time and not to be involved in the rota ” .
During the hearing , the Tory MP and former teacher Jonathan Gullis said confidence in the plan to reopen schools had been shaken by the controversy over Dominic Cummings allegedly breaking lockdown .
“ Even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the spirit of the law has indeed been broken.
” Mr Gibb said that most teachers would only need PPE if they had to be in close contact with a pupil awaiting collection after developing Covid-19 symptoms .
“ Schools do have - and are entitled to acquire if they don ’ t have - a small stock of PPE in such circumstances .
My understanding is that about 60 per cent of schools have sufficient PPE .
”

A rota system could be used to get all children in England back to primary school this term, the schools minister has revealed.
Nick Gibb told the House of Commons Education Select Committee that the Government was looking at the idea for pupils in Years 2, 3, 4 and 5.
In England children in reception, Year 1 and Year 6 are set to return to school on 1 June, with the final confirmation due tomorrow.
However, the Government has previously said that it wants all primary pupils to be back for a month before the summer holidays.
‘No room’
But with schools having to split classes into groups of no more than 15 and space desks out to limit the risk of infection, headteachers have said they will run out of classrooms if all children return.
Christian Wakeford, the Conservative MP for Bury South, told Mr Gibb that a school in his constituency was “just about able to accommodate” the year groups due back on 1 June, but if any more returned “there is literally no room”.
Mr Gibb said: “Those are the issues that we are addressing – how do you maintain social distancing while also bringing back later groups.
“We are looking at all the different options, for example for rotas for those at that stage.”
Working parents
However, Mr Gibb said it was still “difficult to say” whether primary schools would be able to fully reopen before the holidays. “We don’t know until we see more evidence of the R factor continuing to reduce over the next few weeks,” he said.
The use of a rota system would mark a change in the Government’s approach. In previous guidance, the DfE has told schools they should “not plan on the basis of a rota system, either daily or weekly”.
Mr Gibb said the department had avoided the idea for the first wave of returning pupils because “it is better for children to have full time education”.
He said another “important factor” in the Government’s school reopening thinking was allowing parents to return to work, and “it’s more effective for that objective for children to be at school full time and not to be involved in the rota”.
Message ‘undermined’
During the hearing, the Tory MP and former teacher Jonathan Gullis said confidence in the plan to reopen schools had been shaken by the controversy over Dominic Cummings allegedly breaking lockdown.
“Unfortunately events over the Bank Holiday weekend from Mr Dominic Cummings has meant that the Government’s message has been undermined,” he said.
“Even though the law may not have been broken, the spirit of the law has indeed been broken.”
School PPE
Mr Gibb was also pressed over whether schools had enough personal protective equipment.
Labour MP Ian Mearns said he had spoken to a school who only had “about a carrier bag size of PPE”.
Mr Gibb said that most teachers would only need PPE if they had to be in close contact with a pupil awaiting collection after developing Covid-19 symptoms.
“Schools do have – and are entitled to acquire if they don’t have – a small stock of PPE in such circumstances. My understanding is that about 60 per cent of schools have sufficient PPE.”
The Government has encountered resistance from teacher unions and councils to its 1 June reopening target.
However, Mr Gibb said the “vast majority” of local authorities were planning to reopen schools on 1 June.


inews--2020-05-27--Lockdown fines: Vicar 'disappointed' there will be no review amid Dominic Cummings row

Lockdown fines : Vicar 'disappointed ' there will be no review amid Dominic Cummings row Rev Martin Poole asked Matt Hancock if there would be a review during Tuesday 's coronavirus press conference A vicar who confronted Matt Hancock over fines handed to families travelling for childcare purposes during lockdown said that he was disappointed there will be no formal government review .
Matt Hancock said he would “ look at ” all fixed-term fines given out by police after he was asked if they would be reviewed by Rev Martin Poole during Tuesday ’ s coronavirus briefing .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be reviewed , though Government sources later tried to downplay the suggestion .
The Housing , Communities and Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick then confirmed this morning that there would be no review of childcare-related travel penalties .
Robert Jenrick confirmed there would be no formal review ( Photo : Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty ) It comes amid an ongoing row over Dominic Cummings ' decision to travel to Durham with his family during the coronavirus lockdown .
“ No , there is n't going to be a formal review .
It 's for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the law , ” he said during an appearance on BBC Breakfast .
“ They have the guidance that we 've provided and the national police chiefs have provided their own guidance , which does give officers a degree of discretion to use their common sense , reflecting the fact that all of our circumstances are different and families , in particular , face particular challenges .
“ They are encouraging their officers to engage in the first instance , to explain and to resort to fines only where absolutely necessary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened.
” Mr Jenrick also defended Mr Cummings ’ actions , saying people could “ exercise a degree of personal judgment ” in following the rules of lockdown and that it was time to “ move on ” from the row over Dominic Cummings ' behaviour .
However , Mr Poole , from Brighton , said he thought the police should look into Mr Cummings ’ actions , adding it was a “ little disappointing ” to hear there would be no review of fines .
“ I took him [ Mr Hancock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go away and have some discussions and that was really nice to hear , ” he told BBC Radio 4 ’ s Today programme .
“ What I want is honesty from Government all the time and if their response is they ca n't review things or they do n't want to , I accept that they 'll say that .
“ But I do feel that if there are people with children , who have been fined for doing that , then they 'll want some sort of recourse.
” The announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government was forced into a u-turn over an “ immoral ” surcharge faced by migrant health and social care workers who receive NHS treatment .
Boris Johnson backed down just 24 hours after he insisted he had no plans to exempt the group from the £400-a-year fee , which is due to rise to £624 in October .

A vicar who confronted Matt Hancock over fines handed to families travelling for childcare purposes during lockdown said that he was disappointed there will be no formal government review.
Matt Hancock said he would “look at” all fixed-term fines given out by police after he was asked if they would be reviewed by Rev Martin Poole during Tuesday’s coronavirus briefing.
The Health Secretary indicated that the fines may be reviewed, though Government sources later tried to downplay the suggestion.
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick then confirmed this morning that there would be no review of childcare-related travel penalties.
It comes amid an ongoing row over Dominic Cummings’ decision to travel to Durham with his family during the coronavirus lockdown.
No review
“No, there isn’t going to be a formal review. It’s for the police to decide whether to impose fines under the law,” he said during an appearance on BBC Breakfast.
“They have the guidance that we’ve provided and the national police chiefs have provided their own guidance, which does give officers a degree of discretion to use their common sense, reflecting the fact that all of our circumstances are different and families, in particular, face particular challenges.
“They are encouraging their officers to engage in the first instance, to explain and to resort to fines only where absolutely necessary and in most cases that is what’s happened.”
“No there isn’t going to be a formal review” of fines during lockdown for people travelling for childcare. – Robert Jenrick MP on #BBCBreakfast.
This is despite what @MattHancock said last night at the daily briefing.
More here: https://t.co/qjvzwcCdCf pic.twitter.com/TU52PjVNyv — BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) May 27, 2020
Mr Jenrick also defended Mr Cummings’ actions, saying people could “exercise a degree of personal judgment” in following the rules of lockdown and that it was time to “move on” from the row over Dominic Cummings’ behaviour.
However, Mr Poole, from Brighton, said he thought the police should look into Mr Cummings’ actions, adding it was a “little disappointing” to hear there would be no review of fines.
“I took him [Mr Hancock] at his word that he would go away and have some discussions and that was really nice to hear,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“It’s a little disappointing to hear afterwards that they’ve rowed back on that a bit.
Fines issued
“What I want is honesty from Government all the time and if their response is they can’t review things or they don’t want to, I accept that they’ll say that.
“But I do feel that if there are people with children, who have been fined for doing that, then they’ll want some sort of recourse.”
The announcement this morning comes just days after the Government was forced into a u-turn over an “immoral” surcharge faced by migrant health and social care workers who receive NHS treatment.
Boris Johnson backed down just 24 hours after he insisted he had no plans to exempt the group from the £400-a-year fee, which is due to rise to £624 in October.
It is the third Government u-turn in a week after ministers also extended a bereavement scheme to include NHS support staff such as porters and cleaners alongside doctors and nurses.


inews--2020-05-27--Iain Morris and Damon Beesley on The First Team: 'Players suffer more than fans'

Iain Morris and Damon Beesley on The First Team : 'Players suffer more than fans' The duo that skewered lad culture with The Inbetweeners are back and want to show us that football is not all toxic masculinity “ There ’ s huge public expectation that these young men have to be role models , club ambassadors and philanthropists , ” says Beesley , an Arsenal fan .
On non-match days , he continues : “ [ Players ] effectively live half their lives in lockdown anyway .
We all remember the 90s when , after training , they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bookies .
You couldn ’ t do that now without facing censure.
” Dressing down : Jack ( Jack McMullen ) and Mattie ( Jake Short ) with kit man Martin ( Jason Williamson ) in The First Team ( Photo : Fudge Park/BBC ) England internationals such as Raheem Sterling and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been putting their time to better use , fundraising for the NHS by competing in a FIFA 20 video game tournament .
“ Computer games have become a real benefit for footballers , ” says Queens Park Rangers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were literally sitting in their homes going : ‘ Well , shall I get drunk ?
Shall I have an affair ?
What am I going to do to fill the time ?
’ “ The other sad thing , from the players I ’ ve spoken to , is that a lot come through the academies as teenagers and make their best mates .
Suddenly at 18 , one gets transferred .
Then six months later , they ’ re transferred again .
And so , weirdly , computer games are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in touch wherever they are in the world.
” The idea for The First Team originated 11 years ago during a chance encounter on a transatlantic flight , when Los Angeles-based Morris got chatting to Republic of Ireland international ( and Inbetweeners fan ) Damien Delaney .
“ He was a good player .
But there was this insecurity about being sold , dropped , injured , anything could happen to him in the prime of his career , ” recalls Morris .
“ He lived in west London on his own , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each day , but said : ‘ I can ’ t go out .
I go to libraries and try to work out what to do with my time .
I ’ m teaching myself to play guitar.
’ ” Iain Morris ( left ) and Damon Beesley at the premiere of The Inbetweeners 2 ' ( Photo : Anthony Harvey ) Beesley adds : “ The thing we both really latched on to was fans accusing players of not caring about their club .
‘ We care so much when we win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Because it affects everything in our lives .
We ’ ve given up our teenage years , hanging out with friends , drinking.
’ They suffer way more than the fans.
” But for the most part this is a workplace comedy set in one of the last all-male bastions , contrasting enlightened Mattie with the older pros he has been signed to replace .
Matchday performances are incidental to tensions within the club .
No ball is shown kicked in anger unless it ’ s at a team-mate ’ s head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debauchery and nudity is – barely – contained in the character of the club ’ s resident hardman , Petey Brooks ( Theo Barklem-Biggs ) .
Filming of The First Team took place at some of the top grounds in the country ( Photo : Fudge Park/BBC ) “ His particular charms probably don ’ t work outside of the dressing room or on the sports field , ” says Beesley .
“ But those remain well respected in the game .
Younger players are much more professional than their elder counterparts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to be a top player .
They ’ re beasts in that fashion.
” For research , the pair spoke to players and staff at Morris ’ beloved QPR , as well as Premier League champions-elect Liverpool , shooting scenes at the club ’ s Anfield stadium and Melwood training ground .
There ’ s schoolboy delight in their recollection of meeting former England striker Les Ferdinand and being embraced by Liverpool ’ s tactile manager Jürgen Klopp .
The charismatic German also cameos in the show , “ privilege ” of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Werner serving as the sitcom ’ s executive producer .
Reports suggest that Amazon are considering taking the BBC comedy to a global audience .
Alongside Short as Mattie , the casting of US comedy fixtures Will Arnett and Chris Geere makes The First Team seem like the latest attempt to sell “ soccer ” Stateside .
The writers deny this , with Morris maintaining that college-educated Mattie brings a crucial “ outsider ’ s perspective ” to English football .
“ And if we wanted to make it for a US audience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a scouser.
” Both Morris and Beesley have previously collaborated with new Star Wars director Taika Waititi .
So when the Oscar-winner , “ who knows nothing about football ” , began work on his next feature , an adaptation of the acclaimed British documentary Next Goal Wins , about American Samoa , “ the worst team in the world ” , and their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign , he enlisted Morris as co-scriptwriter .
The most striking character in a film blessed with them is Jaiyah Saelua .
A fa ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture that roughly translates as “ way of the woman ” , Saelua became the first openly transgender player to compete in a Fifa World Cup qualifier .
Fully accepted by her team-mates , she flourished under Rongen as a tough-tackling linchpin of the side and is played by fa ’ afafine actor Kaimana in the film .

Overpaid, oversexed, overindulged. Male footballers are often portrayed as the peak of toxic masculinity. Whether it’s drink-driving allegations or an orgy in breach of lockdown, the popular image is invariably one of out-of-control testosterone.
Still, with Euro 2020 postponed and the return of the Premier League uncertain, fans are suffering football withdrawal. The BBC has therefore brought forward The First Team, an irreverent new sitcom about hapless young players at a top club.
Written and directed by Iain Morris and Damon Beesley, the duo behind The Inbetweeners, this six-part BBC Two comedy follows poseur Benji (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah), socially awkward Scouser Jack (Jack McMullen) and well-intentioned American misfit Mattie (Jake Short), fringe players at an unnamed club, as they struggle to navigate social media, brand management, sports psychology, Asian betting syndicates, tabloid kiss ’n’ tells and sexual consent lectures.
“There’s huge public expectation that these young men have to be role models, club ambassadors and philanthropists,” says Beesley, an Arsenal fan. On non-match days, he continues: “[Players] effectively live half their lives in lockdown anyway. We all remember the 90s when, after training, they’d go to the pub or the bookies. You couldn’t do that now without facing censure.”
England internationals such as Raheem Sterling and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been putting their time to better use, fundraising for the NHS by competing in a FIFA 20 video game tournament. “Computer games have become a real benefit for footballers,” says Queens Park Rangers fan Morris. “Before, they were literally sitting in their homes going: ‘Well, shall I get drunk? Shall I have an affair? What am I going to do to fill the time?’
“The other sad thing, from the players I’ve spoken to, is that a lot come through the academies as teenagers and make their best mates. Suddenly at 18, one gets transferred. Then six months later, they’re transferred again. And so, weirdly, computer games are a really good way for them to stay in touch wherever they are in the world.”
The idea for The First Team originated 11 years ago during a chance encounter on a transatlantic flight, when Los Angeles-based Morris got chatting to Republic of Ireland international (and Inbetweeners fan) Damien Delaney. “He was a good player. But there was this insecurity about being sold, dropped, injured, anything could happen to him in the prime of his career,” recalls Morris. “He lived in west London on his own, trained for an hour and a half each day, but said: ‘I can’t go out. I go to libraries and try to work out what to do with my time. I’m teaching myself to play guitar.’”
Beesley adds: “The thing we both really latched on to was fans accusing players of not caring about their club. ‘We care so much when we win or lose’, Delaney explained. ‘Because it affects everything in our lives. We’ve given up our teenage years, hanging out with friends, drinking.’ They suffer way more than the fans.”
Footballers’ mental health hit the headlines recently when Luke Chadwick opened up about how, as a teenager at Manchester United, he struggled to cope with taunts from fans. Similarly, Morris, whose television career began as a runner on David Baddiel and Frank Skinner’s Fantasy Football League, highlights the abuse suffered by Eberechi Eze, “now QPR’s most lauded player”.
“Last season, this young guy was on Twitter, getting an absolute hammering from people who’ve probably never seen him play live. He said: ‘It affects me. It’s really bad.’”
The club’s women’s players appear fleetingly in The First Team and voice their disgust at their male colleagues. And withering publicist Olivia (Tamla Kari) is central, cleaning up after the boys’ misadventures.
But for the most part this is a workplace comedy set in one of the last all-male bastions, contrasting enlightened Mattie with the older pros he has been signed to replace. Matchday performances are incidental to tensions within the club. No ball is shown kicked in anger unless it’s at a team-mate’s head. And most of the aggression, debauchery and nudity is – barely – contained in the character of the club’s resident hardman, Petey Brooks (Theo Barklem-Biggs).
“His particular charms probably don’t work outside of the dressing room or on the sports field,” says Beesley. “But those remain well respected in the game. Younger players are much more professional than their elder counterparts. But they never lose the competitiveness you need to be a top player. They’re beasts in that fashion.”
For research, the pair spoke to players and staff at Morris’ beloved QPR, as well as Premier League champions-elect Liverpool, shooting scenes at the club’s Anfield stadium. There’s schoolboy delight in their recollection of meeting former England striker Les Ferdinand and being embraced by Liverpool’s tactile manager Jürgen Klopp. The charismatic German also cameos in the show, “privilege” of Liverpool chairman and former Roseanne showrunner Tom Werner serving as the sitcom’s executive producer.
Reports suggest that Amazon are considering taking the BBC comedy to a global audience. Alongside Short as Mattie, the casting of US comedy fixtures Will Arnett and Chris Geere makes The First Team seem like the latest attempt to sell “soccer” Stateside. The writers deny this, with Morris maintaining that college-educated Mattie brings a crucial “outsider’s perspective” to English football. “And if we wanted to make it for a US audience, we wouldn’t have cast a scouser.”
Both Morris and Beesley have previously collaborated with new Star Wars director Taika Waititi. So when the Oscar-winner, “who knows nothing about football”, began work on his next feature, an adaptation of the acclaimed British documentary Next Goal Wins, about American Samoa, “the worst team in the world”, and their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign, he enlisted Morris as co-scriptwriter.
The film, due out later this year, is shot in Hawaii and stars Michael Fassbender as redoubtable Dutch-American coach Thomas Rongen, alongside Elisabeth Moss. The source material, says Morris, is “fucking brilliant… I’ve not written a film as good as that.”
The most striking character in a film blessed with them is Jaiyah Saelua. A fa’afafine, a third-gender present in Samoan culture that roughly translates as “way of the woman”, Saelua became the first openly transgender player to compete in a Fifa World Cup qualifier. Fully accepted by her team-mates, she flourished under Rongen as a tough-tackling linchpin of the side and is played by fa’afafine actor Kaimana in the film.
“I’m not a fa’afafine, I’m not a South Sea Islander, so finding the character of Jaiyah was tricky,” says Morris. “But all character is about making audiences relate to them in some way, teaching them something new about the world. I’ve not seen a cut yet. But I’m quietly confident as Taika’s pretty good at directing.”
And what of Morris and Beesley’s own directing style? The pair met in the late 90s on Channel 4’s 11 O’Clock Show and were described by the show’s presenter Iain Lee as “nice guys”, even as he admitted living in fear of Morris’ “very vicious tongue”.
Do they ever deploy Sir Alex Ferguson’s “hairdryer treatment” on set? “I’m not going to lie and say I don’t shout,” laughs Morris. “I don’t do it a lot. But when I shout, I really shout”. Echoing The First Team’s changing-room prank culture though, Beesley sums up their approach more as “constant piss-taking”.
The First Team begins on BBC Two on Thursday 28 May at 9.30pm


inews--2020-05-27--Dominic Cummings: Squandering the Government's moral authority is a costly political crime — any pol

Dominic Cummings: Squandering the Government's moral authority is a costly political crime — any political adviser is dispensable

Dominic Cummings : Squandering the Government 's moral authority is a costly political crime — any political adviser is dispensable Some Cabinet ministers are fuming about being pressured to sacrifice their own credibility to save Mr Cummings There can not be many of us who don ’ t want the controversy about Dominic Cummings ’ breach of lockdown rules to disappear .
People simply disagree about the way that this should happen .
The Prime Minister ’ s message to us all was that we should “ move on ” .
The public fury and dismay is a “ distraction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ political ding dong ” - that dismissive phrase certain to further incense those people already irritated by double standards .
Others aren ’ t so sure : some Cabinet ministers are fuming about being pressured to sacrifice their own credibility to save Mr Cummings , in what could yet prove a futile rally .
The Conservative Party backlash is mostly private but growing : 44 Tory MPs had publicly called for the PM ’ s chief adviser to resign or be dismissed for his conduct .
Notably , the Cabinet Office minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account has “ inconsistencies ” and the former chancellor Sajid Javid said the 260-mile journey to Durham was “ neither necessary nor justified ” .
Those of you who don ’ t buy the Daily Star - and it ’ s hard to believe , but there are one or two of you - may have missed its front page cut-out Dominic Cummings “ do whatever the hell you want ” mask .
Opticians , meanwhile , fear potential loss of business as the famed Cummings eyesight test ( drive no less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) grows in popularity .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson appearing before the House of Commons Liaison Committee ( Photo : PA ) Downing Street has misplayed this episode again and again .
A quick apology and admission of the facts would have taken some of the sting out of the story .
Instead , people felt they were being played for fools .
As we reported , public reaction to Mr Cummings ’ Downing Street press conference was fairly brutal , with 71 per cent saying he broke lockdown rules - an increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should resign .
Edinburgh i reader Douglas Brook has a Shakespearean suggestion for Boris Johnson : “ In Act V of Henry IV part 2 , Falstaff is so sure of the patronage of his intimate Prince Hal , now King , that he exhorts his companions thus : ‘ Let us take any man ’ s horses ; the laws of England are at my commandment.
’ However , the new King disowns him and forbids him , on pain of death , to come within 10 miles of his person .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson is especially susceptible to opinion polls , he loses sleep over them .
He struggles terribly with the unpopularity so common for holders of high office .
Any political adviser is dispensable .
The sooner that Mr Johnson and Mr Cummings accept this fact , the sooner the Government can move on from the anger he has caused and try to repair the damage to its authority .

There cannot be many of us who don’t want the controversy about Dominic Cummings’ breach of lockdown rules to disappear. People simply disagree about the way that this should happen.
The Prime Minister’s message to us all was that we should “move on”. The public fury and dismay is a “distraction” – true – and merely a “political ding dong” – that dismissive phrase certain to further incense those people already irritated by double standards.
Others aren’t so sure: some Cabinet ministers are fuming about being pressured to sacrifice their own credibility to save Mr Cummings, in what could yet prove a futile rally. The Conservative Party backlash is mostly private but growing: 44 Tory MPs had publicly called for the PM’s chief adviser to resign or be dismissed for his conduct.
Notably, the Cabinet Office minister Penny Mordaunt said that Mr Cummings’ account has “inconsistencies” and the former chancellor Sajid Javid said the 260-mile journey to Durham was “neither necessary nor justified”. Those of you who don’t buy the Daily Star – and it’s hard to believe, but there are one or two of you – may have missed its front page cut-out Dominic Cummings “do whatever the hell you want” mask. Opticians, meanwhile, fear potential loss of business as the famed Cummings eyesight test (drive no less than 40 minutes to a local beauty spot) grows in popularity.
Downing Street has misplayed this episode again and again. A quick apology and admission of the facts would have taken some of the sting out of the story. Instead, people felt they were being played for fools. As we reported, public reaction to Mr Cummings’ Downing Street press conference was fairly brutal, with 71 per cent saying he broke lockdown rules – an increase – and six in 10 believing he should resign.
Edinburgh i reader Douglas Brook has a Shakespearean suggestion for Boris Johnson: “In Act V of Henry IV part 2, Falstaff is so sure of the patronage of his intimate Prince Hal, now King, that he exhorts his companions thus: ‘Let us take any man’s horses; the laws of England are at my commandment.’ However, the new King disowns him and forbids him, on pain of death, to come within 10 miles of his person. A lesson for our PM?
Read More: Dominic Cummings risks becoming the opposite of Sir Tom Moore in the public mind as his image problems eclipse lockdown breaches
During a pandemic, the Government’s moral authority can save lives. Squandering that is a political crime because it is so costly.
Mr Johnson is especially susceptible to opinion polls, he loses sleep over them. He struggles terribly with the unpopularity so common for holders of high office.
Any political adviser is dispensable. The sooner that Mr Johnson and Mr Cummings accept this fact, the sooner the Government can move on from the anger he has caused and try to repair the damage to its authority.


inews--2020-05-28--What happened to George Floyd? Why the death of a black man arrested in Minneapolis has sparked prot

What happened to George Floyd? Why the death of a black man arrested in Minneapolis has sparked protests against the police

What happened to George Floyd ?
Why the death of a black man arrested in Minneapolis has sparked protests against the police The unarmed 46-year-old died on Monday in police custody after an officer knelt on his neck for several minutes Widely circulated video footage of his arrest shows a white officer named Derek Chauvin kneeling on Mr Floyd 's neck as he lay handcuffed on the ground .
Mr Floyd is seen shirtless and unarmed , telling the officer he can not breathe .
Paramedics are later seen lifting his limp body onto a stretcher .
He was pronounced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were fired on Tuesday , and Mayor Jacob Frey the next day called for Mr Chauvin to be criminally charged , saying that `` being black should not be a death sentence '' .
A protester holds a sign while demonstrating against the death of George Floyd outside the 3rd Precinct Police Precinct on 26 May in Minneapolis ( Photo : Getty ) Mr Floyd 's death prompted mass protests in Minneapolis on Tuesday night , with police officers in riot gear using rubber bullets and tear gas on the crowd .
Demonstrators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , with more in Los Angeles where several hundred campaigners - nearly all in masks due to lockdown rules - marched in anger over Mr Floyd 's death from City Hall to a downtown freeway .
While protests began peacefully , Wednesday 's demonstrations created reports of escalation , with smashed windows and more flash grenades and teargas from the police .
One freelance journalist reported that a person was hit by a deterrent from the police and hurt badly before being taken to a hospital by ambulance .
Earlier that day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is representing Mr Floyd ’ s family , issued a statement urging protesters to stay peaceful and socially distant .
`` We can not sink to the level of our oppressors , and we must not endanger others during this pandemic , '' it read .
`` I would like for these officers to be charged with murder , because that ’ s exactly what they did .
They murdered my brother .
He was crying for help , '' she told NBC News , on the `` heartbreaking '' loss for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was reportedly sat inside a car , and police said he `` physically resisted '' after he got out .
Officers handcuffed him , and police said he `` appeared to be suffering medical distress '' .
He was then taken to a hospital , where he was pronounced dead , they said .
Video footage of the incident has since been shared widely online .
Former police officer Chauvin was recorded by a bystander on Tuesday with his knee on Mr Floyd 's neck for several minutes , showing him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pavement .
In the video , the police officer 's leg remains on Mr Floyd even as he pleaded for help .
`` My stomach hurts , '' Mr Floyd can be heard telling the officer .
`` My neck hurts .
Everything hurts . ''
What is being done ?
The day after Mr Floyd died , Mr Chauvin and three other officers were fired — an act that did not stem the flood of anger that followed the video shot on Memorial Day outside a convenience store .
Another demonstration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's suburban home .
An officer told protesters that he was not there .
Red cans of paint were earlier spilled on his driveway , and someone wrote `` murderer '' in chalk at the end of his driveway .
No one answered when an Associated Press reporter knocked on the door .
Mayor Frey said : `` I 've wrestled with , more than anything else over the last 36 hours , one fundamental question : Why is the man who killed George Floyd not in jail ? ''
`` I understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it 's important for the mayor to channel the emotion of the people who he represents .
But I think it is critical that we adhere very closely to the facts and the law and the normal process , '' Mr Ellison said .

The death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody, has led to widespread outrage and protests across the US.
The 46-year-old died in Minneapolis on Monday after a police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes. He had been arrested for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 (£16) note.
Widely circulated video footage of his arrest shows a white officer named Derek Chauvin kneeling on Mr Floyd’s neck as he lay handcuffed on the ground. Mr Floyd is seen shirtless and unarmed, telling the officer he cannot breathe. Paramedics are later seen lifting his limp body onto a stretcher. He was pronounced dead in hospital.
Four police officers were fired on Tuesday, and Mayor Jacob Frey the next day called for Mr Chauvin to be criminally charged, saying that “being black should not be a death sentence”.
Protests across US
Mr Floyd’s death prompted mass protests in Minneapolis on Tuesday night, with police officers in riot gear using rubber bullets and tear gas on the crowd. Demonstrators continued to protest in the city on Wednesday, with more in Los Angeles where several hundred campaigners – nearly all in masks due to lockdown rules – marched in anger over Mr Floyd’s death from City Hall to a downtown freeway.
While protests began peacefully, Wednesday’s demonstrations created reports of escalation, with smashed windows and more flash grenades and teargas from the police. One freelance journalist reported that a person was hit by a deterrent from the police and hurt badly before being taken to a hospital by ambulance.
Earlier that day, civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who is representing Mr Floyd’s family, issued a statement urging protesters to stay peaceful and socially distant. “We cannot sink to the level of our oppressors, and we must not endanger others during this pandemic,” it read.
George Floyd’s sister, Bridget, has since called for the arrests of the four officers involved, who were fired on Tuesday.
“I would like for these officers to be charged with murder, because that’s exactly what they did. They murdered my brother. He was crying for help,” she told NBC News, on the “heartbreaking” loss for her family.
President Trump said on Wednesday that the FBI and Department of Justice are investigating Mr Floyd’s death.
What happened?
Minneapolis police said officers were responding to an alleged forgery on Monday evening and were told a person later described as the suspect was sitting on a car, CNN reported.
They found Mr Floyd, who was reportedly sat inside a car, and police said he “physically resisted” after he got out. Officers handcuffed him, and police said he “appeared to be suffering medical distress”. He was then taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, they said.
Video footage of the incident has since been shared widely online. Former police officer Chauvin was recorded by a bystander on Tuesday with his knee on Mr Floyd’s neck for several minutes, showing him on the ground with his face against the pavement.
Two officers handled Mr Floyd on the ground, while another watched bystanders.
In the video, the police officer’s leg remains on Mr Floyd even as he pleaded for help. “My stomach hurts,” Mr Floyd can be heard telling the officer. “My neck hurts. Everything hurts.”
At one point, he can be heard saying: “Give me some water or something. Please. Please.”
The footage recorded by a bystander shows Mr Chauvin with his knee on Mr Floyd‘s neck for at least eight minutes, even after Mr Floyd stops speaking and moving.
What is being done?
The day after Mr Floyd died, Mr Chauvin and three other officers were fired — an act that did not stem the flood of anger that followed the video shot on Memorial Day outside a convenience store.
Another demonstration unfolded on the street outside Mr Chauvin’s suburban home. An officer told protesters that he was not there. Red cans of paint were earlier spilled on his driveway, and someone wrote “murderer” in chalk at the end of his driveway. No one answered when an Associated Press reporter knocked on the door.
Mayor Frey said: “I’ve wrestled with, more than anything else over the last 36 hours, one fundamental question: Why is the man who killed George Floyd not in jail?”
He later added: “I saw no threat. I saw nothing that would signal that this kind of force was necessary.”
Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota’s two top law enforcement officials — Attorney General Keith Ellison and Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington — promised a thorough, transparent investigation. But Fov Walz and Mr Ellison didn’t endorse the mayor’s call to immediately charge the officer, saying the legal process needs to play out.
“I understand the emotions are running high, and I think it’s important for the mayor to channel the emotion of the people who he represents. But I think it is critical that we adhere very closely to the facts and the law and the normal process,” Mr Ellison said.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, which would prosecute any state charges, issued a statement saying that Mr Floyd‘s death had “outraged us and people across the country” and that the case “deserves the best we can give.”
The FBI is investigating whether officers willfully deprived Mr Floyd of his civil rights.


inews--2020-05-28--What's on TV tonight: The Inbetweeners writers reunite for football comedy The First Team

What 's on TV tonight : The Inbetweeners writers reunite for football comedy The First Team Also Prince William talks mental health in the context of professional football and QI returns for a new series with the letter ' R' Pick of the day : The First Team Damon Beesley and Iain Morris ’ s first joint sitcom since writing The Inbetweeners also centres on immature male mates , but here it ’ s young professional footballers .
American Mattie ( Jake Short ) has been signed by mistake , Benji ( Shaquille Ali-Yebuah ) drives an uninsured Mercedes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Jack McMullen ) rents a mansion , unfurnished except for a PlayStation .
With Will Arnett ( from BoJack Horseman ) as the club ’ s owner and cameos by Jürgen Klopp and Gary Lineker , this is seemingly a prestige project with an eye on international sales .
And while the comedy isn ’ t yet Premier League , promotion isn ’ t out of the question .
In the Duke of Cambridge ’ s 2019 documentary he discussed mental health with some top footballers .
He continues the conversation here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hart , who has been forced to cope with a very public decline in his career , and a group of bereaved fathers who use their local football team as a support network .
Former Premier League footballer Marvin Sordell also opens up about his depression , while Chelsea manager and former player Frank Lampard discusses how as a player he was “ stuck in the Stone Age ” when it came to mental health and how there ’ s still a long way to go in how it ’ s dealt with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this new series might have been Britain ’ s Most Extreme Parents , as 12 families with radically different parenting styles compete against each other for the votes of a studio audience .
No room here then for just “ muddling through ” , as the first three sets of “ Britain ’ s most confident ” parents present their case to adjudicator Anita Rani , having first hosted each other ’ s children .
Joana aims to promote gender fluidity with her son Willow , while self-described “ lazy ” mum and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do ( and eat ) as they please .
On the other end of the spectrum , Robin and Rin are bringing up their two children with discipline , strong boundaries and mandatory martial arts .
Some of the group finally get to sample retirement living as they head off to spend their final week in India in the foothills of the Himalayas .
Henry Blofeld and a rather ungracious but insightful ( especially about Blofeld ’ s persona ) Britt Ekland stay at a luxury retirement complex , while Susie Blake and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led by a renowned swami .
In the meantime , we learn that Blake has been a Buddhist for the past 30 years , Ekland carries photographs of herself as a Bond Girl whenever she travels ( it acts like a passport apparently ) and that Blofeld will be heading to Doncaster when this is all over to visit his new bestie Paul Chuckle Tonight we ’ re blessed with a new series – or rather a new run , because the letter is now “ r ” .
The opening theme is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ’ s loudest bird , a Japanese expression for the act of “ food-rummaging ” and much else besides , as Aisling Bea , John Barrowman and Phill Jupitus join host Sandi Toksvig and regular stooge Alan Davies .

Pick of the day: The First Team
9.30pm, BBC Two
Damon Beesley and Iain Morris’s first joint sitcom since writing The Inbetweeners also centres on immature male mates, but here it’s young professional footballers. American Mattie (Jake Short) has been signed by mistake, Benji (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah) drives an uninsured Mercedes and lives with his mum, while Jack (Jack McMullen) rents a mansion, unfurnished except for a PlayStation. With Will Arnett (from BoJack Horseman) as the club’s owner and cameos by Jürgen Klopp and Gary Lineker, this is seemingly a prestige project with an eye on international sales. And while the comedy isn’t yet Premier League, promotion isn’t out of the question.
Football, Prince William And Our Mental Health
8.05pm, BBC One
In the Duke of Cambridge’s 2019 documentary he discussed mental health with some top footballers. He continues the conversation here, talking to former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, who has been forced to cope with a very public decline in his career, and a group of bereaved fathers who use their local football team as a support network. Former Premier League footballer Marvin Sordell also opens up about his depression, while Chelsea manager and former player Frank Lampard discusses how as a player he was “stuck in the Stone Age” when it came to mental health and how there’s still a long way to go in how it’s dealt with at clubs.
Britain’s Best Parent?
8.05pm, Channel 4
An alternative title for this new series might have been Britain’s Most Extreme Parents, as 12 families with radically different parenting styles compete against each other for the votes of a studio audience. No room here then for just “muddling through”, as the first three sets of “Britain’s most confident” parents present their case to adjudicator Anita Rani, having first hosted each other’s children. Joana aims to promote gender fluidity with her son Willow, while self-described “lazy” mum and dad Kevin and Kerry let their kids do (and eat) as they please. On the other end of the spectrum, Robin and Rin are bringing up their two children with discipline, strong boundaries and mandatory martial arts.
The Real Marigold Hotel
9pm, BBC One
Some of the group finally get to sample retirement living as they head off to spend their final week in India in the foothills of the Himalayas. Henry Blofeld and a rather ungracious but insightful (especially about Blofeld’s persona) Britt Ekland stay at a luxury retirement complex, while Susie Blake and John Altman bed down at an ashram led by a renowned swami. In the meantime, we learn that Blake has been a Buddhist for the past 30 years, Ekland carries photographs of herself as a Bond Girl whenever she travels (it acts like a passport apparently) and that Blofeld will be heading to Doncaster when this is all over to visit his new bestie Paul Chuckle
QI
9pm, BBC Two
Tonight we’re blessed with a new series – or rather a new run, because the letter is now “r”. The opening theme is rudeness, as we learn about the world’s loudest bird, a Japanese expression for the act of “food-rummaging” and much else besides, as Aisling Bea, John Barrowman and Phill Jupitus join host Sandi Toksvig and regular stooge Alan Davies.


inews--2020-05-28--Adopt Me update time: When the Roblox Monkey Fairground update is coming today, and everything you n

Adopt Me update time: When the Roblox Monkey Fairground update is coming today, and everything you need to know about it

Adopt Me update time : When the Roblox Monkey Fairground update is coming today , and everything you need to know about it Fans of Adopt Me from Roblox will be excited to hear that a new update is coming to the Adopt Me servers today ( Thursday 28 May ) This is what you need to know about the update ( Photo : Roblox ) This is everything that you need to know about it - and what Adopt Me is all about for those who haven ’ t heard of the online game .
Inside the Monkey Fairground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bucks to purchase a jack in the box which holds different items inside - and a guaranteed monkey pet .
Collect enough items and you ’ ll be able to trade them for new monkey variants .
Players can also use Robux to buy a special box containing exclusive monkey items , which can also be exchanged for variants of monkey pets .
The announcement video explains that each monkey is special in their own way .
“ Some of them come with their own pet accessories , animations and tricks to show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monkey is the same as the other , ” the announcement explains .
Players are encouraged to visit the Monkey Fairground whilst it ’ s in town , as it won ’ t be available forever “ and it may be some time before it returns ” .
You can visit the Adopt Me website here to access the update when it goes live .
What is Adopt Me ?
Adopt Me is a free online game from Roblox , which allows you to build homes , raise cute pets and make online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play on the Roblox website , and via the app for phones , tablets , PC and Xbox One .
Adopt Me is the number one game on Roblox , with 50 million monthly active players and a world record of 1.6 million players online .
How have fans reacted to the update announcement ?
One user wrote : “ I am SOOOOO excited you already know I ’ m naming him curious George , I don ’ t care which monkey I get , I will be grateful I ’ m just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ I love how the carnival looks from the outside !
You guys did amazing !
” “ Ninja Monkey !
Can ’ t wait for that one to come !
He just looks so cool and is ready to fight anything that gets in his way !
” tweeted another fan .

This is everything that you need to know about it – and what Adopt Me is all about for those who haven’t heard of the online game.
What’s the update?
The new update coming to Adopt Me is The Monkey Fairground, starting at 5pm, British time.
Inside the Monkey Fairground, players will be able to use bucks to purchase a jack in the box which holds different items inside – and a guaranteed monkey pet.
Collect enough items and you’ll be able to trade them for new monkey variants.
Players can also use Robux to buy a special box containing exclusive monkey items, which can also be exchanged for variants of monkey pets.
There are six monkeys to adopt in the Monkey Fairground.
The announcement video explains that each monkey is special in their own way.
“Some of them come with their own pet accessories, animations and tricks to show off their unique personalities – so no monkey is the same as the other,” the announcement explains.
Players are encouraged to visit the Monkey Fairground whilst it’s in town, as it won’t be available forever “and it may be some time before it returns”.
You can visit the Adopt Me website here to access the update when it goes live.
What is Adopt Me?
Adopt Me is a free online game from Roblox, which allows you to build homes, raise cute pets and make online friends.
Adopt Me is available to play on the Roblox website, and via the app for phones, tablets, PC and Xbox One.
Players can:
Raise over 65+ cute pets
Build and decorate your house
Unlock fun toys and vehicles
Make new friends with other players
Trade items with other players
Explore a magical world where there is a new adventure to experience every day
Invent your own fun, new ways to play
Adopt Me is the number one game on Roblox, with 50 million monthly active players and a world record of 1.6 million players online.
How have fans reacted to the update announcement?
Taking to Twitter, fans have expressed their excitement for the Monkey Fairground update.
One user wrote: “I am SOOOOO excited you already know I’m naming him curious George, I don’t care which monkey I get, I will be grateful I’m just so extremely excited!”
Another wrote: “I love how the carnival looks from the outside! You guys did amazing!”
“Ninja Monkey! Can’t wait for that one to come! He just looks so cool and is ready to fight anything that gets in his way!” tweeted another fan.
The teaser trailer for the update was also posted on the Adopt Me YouTube channel as well, where fans expressed their excitement.
“OMG I’m sooooo excited for the update to finally come!!!!” wrote a YouTube comment.
Another said: “I saw this yesterday and I couldn’t sleep for the whole night!”