theweekuk--2020-07-20--UK’s Covid track-and-trace programme ‘breaks data protection law’

The UK government ’ s coronavirus track-and-trace scheme breaks data privacy law , according to campaigners .
The accusation comes after the Department of Health and Social Care ( DHSC ) conceded in a letter to the Open Rights Group ( ORG ) that the programme was launched without an assessment of its impact on privacy .
The activist organisation say the disclosure means the track-and-trace programme has been “ unlawful ” since coming into operation at the end of May .
The admission from the DHSC followed threats from the group “ to go to court to force the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assessment ( DPIA ) - a requirement under the General Data Protection Regulation ( GDPR ) for projects that process personal data ” , the BBC reports .
But while admitting that no such assessment has been conducted , the “ DHSC says there is no evidence data has been used in an unlawful manner ” , adds the Daily Mail .
A spokesperson for the department said : “ NHS Test and Trace is committed to the highest ethical and data governance standards - collecting , using , and retaining data to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while taking full account of all relevant legal obligations.
” Despite such reassurances , “ ORG is just one group to raise privacy concerns over the scheme , with a former cabinet minister also previously warning of ‘ serious errors ’ in its implementation ” , says the newspaper .
Last month , Labour ’ s Lord Hain alleged that the NHS had failed to carry out legal data protection obligations prior to the launch and had entered into data sharing relationships “ on unnecessarily favourable terms to large companies ” , The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Killock told BBC Radio 4 today that “ the government is simply not going through the basic checks to make sure the system is safe to operate ” .
“ They failed to conduct a data protection impact assessment and that means they haven ’ t done the basic check to make sure data is handled safely.
” Killock added .
Fears that track-and-trace technology could violate privacy laws have caused problems in a number of other countries .
Norway deleted its app in June after the system was shown to have breached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws .
UK Treasury figures show that Downing Street is spending £10bn on Britain ’ track-and-trace rollout .
An app has been trialled on the Isle of Wight , but the government has suggested it may not be ready to launch across the rest of the UK until winter .

The UK government’s coronavirus track-and-trace scheme breaks data privacy law, according to campaigners.
The accusation comes after the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) conceded in a letter to the Open Rights Group (ORG) that the programme was launched without an assessment of its impact on privacy.
The activist organisation say the disclosure means the track-and-trace programme has been “unlawful” since coming into operation at the end of May.
The admission from the DHSC followed threats from the group “to go to court to force the government to conduct a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) - a requirement under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for projects that process personal data”, the BBC reports.
But while admitting that no such assessment has been conducted, the “DHSC says there is no evidence data has been used in an unlawful manner”, adds the Daily Mail.
A spokesperson for the department said: “NHS Test and Trace is committed to the highest ethical and data governance standards - collecting, using, and retaining data to fight the virus and save lives, while taking full account of all relevant legal obligations.”
Despite such reassurances, “ORG is just one group to raise privacy concerns over the scheme, with a former cabinet minister also previously warning of ‘serious errors’ in its implementation”, says the newspaper.
Last month, Labour’s Lord Hain alleged that the NHS had failed to carry out legal data protection obligations prior to the launch and had entered into data sharing relationships “on unnecessarily favourable terms to large companies”, The Telegraph reports.
ORG executive director Jim Killock told BBC Radio 4 today that “the government is simply not going through the basic checks to make sure the system is safe to operate”.
“They failed to conduct a data protection impact assessment and that means they haven’t done the basic check to make sure data is handled safely.” Killock added.
Fears that track-and-trace technology could violate privacy laws have caused problems in a number of other countries. Norway deleted its app in June after the system was shown to have breached the Nordic nation’s data privacy laws.
UK Treasury figures show that Downing Street is spending £10bn on Britain’ track-and-trace rollout. An app has been trialled on the Isle of Wight, but the government has suggested it may not be ready to launch across the rest of the UK until winter.


theweekuk--2020-07-20--Four things we learned from Kanye West’s first US election campaign rally

Kanye West has launched his US presidential campaign with a chaotic rally in South Carolina , less than two weeks after announcing his 2020 bid .
Addressing supporters in Charleston , the rapper delivered a rambling speech in which he appeared to make policy decisions on the spot - including giving women $ 1m when they have a baby - and also wept at one point .
Wearing a bulletproof vest and with “ 2020 ” shaved into his head , West also bombarded the crowd of a few hundred people with his views of subjects ranging from racism and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So just what did we learn ?
Addressing the rally without a mic , West “ broke down in tears as he recalled how he wanted wife Kim Kardashian to abort their first child and that his father never wanted him to be born ” , the Daily Mirror reports .
The 43-year-old billionaire said that his views had changed after he received a “ message from God ” and that “ financial incentives to help struggling mothers could be a way to discourage the practice ” , according to the newspaper .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion illegal at all .
It should always be legal .
But there should be an option of maximum increase available… Maximum increase would be , everybody that has a baby gets a million dollars , ” Kanye told the crowd .
He did not say where this money would come from .
“ The only thing that can free us is by obeying the rules that were given to us for a promised land , ” he continued .
“ Abortion should be legal because guess what ?
The law is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legality ?
” His latest comments on abortion come weeks after West told Forbes magazine that he was “ pro-life because I ’ m following the word of the Bible ” .
Breaking down at the campaign launch as he talked about his own parents , the musician said : “ My mom saved my life .
My dad wanted to abort me .
My mom saved my life .
There would have been no Kanye West because my dad was too busy.
” The rapper revealed that he had almost repeated this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own wife was pregnant with their daughter North .
“ I was having the rapper ’ s lifestyle , ” he said .
“ I was sitting up in Paris , and I had my leather pants on … and I had my laptop up and I got all of my creative ideas … And the screen went black and white and God said , ‘ If you fuck with my vision , I ’ m going to fuck with yours.
’ “ And I called my wife and she said , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baby.
’ I said , ‘ We ’ re gon na have this child ’ … So even if my wife were to divorce me after this speech , she brought North into the world when I didn ’ t want to .
She stood up and she protected that child.
” Arguably the most controversial element of West ’ s speech was an impromptu monologue about an abolitionist who is “ one of the most respected figures of 19th century America ” , The Guardian reports .
“ Harriet Tubman never actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the slaves go work for other white people , ” the rapper said .
As the BBC explains , Tubman was a slave who escaped from a Maryland plantation in 1849 , at the age of 27 , but then “ returned to the South to rescue other slaves on the network of routes and safe houses known as ‘ underground railroad ’ , risking her own life to lead people to freedom ” .
West ’ s comments about Tubman are the latest in a series of inflammatory claims that he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the enslavement of African Americans as “ a choice ” by the enslaved .
“ When you hear about slavery for 400 years ... for 400 years ?
That sounds like a choice , ” he said during a 2018 interview with entertainment news site TMZ .
“ Like , you was there for 400 years , all of y ’ all ?
” “ We ’ re mentally imprisoned , ” West claimed , adding that “ right now we ’ re choosing to be enslaved ” .
Another memorable moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he “ ranted ” against porn , says The Telegraph .
“ Freedom does not come from an election .
The freedom comes from you not loading up the pornography , ” he told the audience .
Last October , the star spoke publicly about his decades-long battle against porn addiction , as hip-hop news site XXL reported at the time .
“ Like for me , Playboy was my gateway into full-on pornography addiction , ” he told Zane Lowe on Apple Music ’ s Beats 1 Radio .
“ My dad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five and it ’ s affected almost every choice I made for the rest of my life .
From age five till now , having to kick the habit.
” West ’ s history of eccentric behaviour has prompted widespread speculation about his mental state , as he acknowledged during his rally speech .
“ They ’ re going to run this , they ’ re going to tell you that I ’ m crazy , ” he said .
” The world ’ s crazy !
” Despite the star ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lecturer in African American studies at the University of Maryland , told the BBC that he feared West ’ s rambling performance pointed to a “ manic episode ” .
“ He has admitted in the past he has been battling mental illness and that sometimes he does not take medication , ” said Nichols .
“ He was a little more coherent than he has been in other times… when he has gone on these rants , but I really believe he is in a bad place right now .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @

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theweekuk--2020-07-20--Reaction: China tension rises as Britain ditches Hong Kong extradition treaty

Dominic Raab is suspending the UK ’ s extradition treaty with Hong Kong as pressure mounts for Downing Street to take a tougher stance against China .
The foreign secretary will tell the Commons today that the agreement is being shelved in response to “ a draconian security law ” imposed by Beijing that “ jeopardises ” the former British colony ’ s judicial independence , says The Times .
Under the treaty , which has been in place for more than 30 years , “ if someone in Hong Kong is suspected of a crime in the UK then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hand them over to face justice - and vice versa ” , the BBC explains .
The China-ruled territory also has extradition agreements with 19 other countries , including Canada and Australia , both of which have already suspended their deals .
The plan for the UK to do likewise is “ a political decision designed to send another message to Beijing ” , says BBC political correspondent Nick Eardley .
“ Sanctions - which could target senior Chinese officials - are an option too , ” he writes .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take longer.
” Appearing on BBC One ’ s The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday , Raab accused China of committing “ gross ” human rights abuses against the East Asian nation ’ s Uighur Muslims .
“ We are working with our international partners on this , ” said the foreign secretary , who described the persecution of the minority group as “ deeply , deeply troubling ” .
“ The reports of the human aspect of it - from forced sterilisation to the education camps - are reminiscent of something we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long time , ” he added .
His comments came after China ’ s ambassador to the UK launched “ a brazen defence of his country ’ s human rights record ” following the widespread circulation of footage showing “ shackled prisoners being herded onto trains ” in the Chinese province of Xinjiang , The Guardian reports .
After being shown the images during an interview with the BBC ’ s Marr , Liu Xiaoming said : “ I do not know where you get this videotape.
” “ Sometimes you have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Uighur people enjoy peaceful , harmonious coexistence with other ethnic groups of people , ” Liu added , before insisting : “ We treat every ethnic group as equal.
” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is flying into London for talks with Raab and Boris Johnson , but will first meet with “ 20 backbench MPs who have been pressing for a hard line on China ” , The Times says .
The group - which includes Conservative MPs Iain Duncan Smith , David Davis and Damian Green , and Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are backing growing calls in Westminster for a ban Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok .
Duncan Smith , co-founder of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China , has welcomed the decision to end the UK ’ s extradition deal as “ the right thing to do in response to the Chinese government crackdown on people in Hong Kong ” .
The tweeted message was echoed by Nathan Law , one of Hong Kong ’ s most prominent young democracy activists , who recently fled to London .
“ Talked to many members of the parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong support on the idea of suspending the extradition treaty with Hong Kong .
Change is happening , ” Law wrote on Twitter .

Dominic Raab is suspending the UK’s extradition treaty with Hong Kong as pressure mounts for Downing Street to take a tougher stance against China.
The foreign secretary will tell the Commons today that the agreement is being shelved in response to “a draconian security law” imposed by Beijing that “jeopardises” the former British colony’s judicial independence, says The Times.
Under the treaty, which has been in place for more than 30 years, “if someone in Hong Kong is suspected of a crime in the UK then the British authorities can ask Hong Kong to hand them over to face justice - and vice versa”, the BBC explains.
The China-ruled territory also has extradition agreements with 19 other countries, including Canada and Australia, both of which have already suspended their deals.
The plan for the UK to do likewise is “a political decision designed to send another message to Beijing”, says BBC political correspondent Nick Eardley.
“Sanctions - which could target senior Chinese officials - are an option too,” he writes. “But they are more complicated and likely to take longer.”
Appearing on BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Raab accused China of committing “gross” human rights abuses against the East Asian nation’s Uighur Muslims.
“We are working with our international partners on this,” said the foreign secretary, who described the persecution of the minority group as “deeply, deeply troubling”.
“The reports of the human aspect of it - from forced sterilisation to the education camps - are reminiscent of something we have not seen for a long, long time,” he added.
His comments came after China’s ambassador to the UK launched “a brazen defence of his country’s human rights record” following the widespread circulation of footage showing “shackled prisoners being herded onto trains” in the Chinese province of Xinjiang, The Guardian reports.
Someone just leaked drone footage of CCP authorities loading Uyghurs onto trains, presumably to transport them to reeducation camps. Look familar? pic.twitter.com/zfmEvpObMX — Neoliberal 🌐🇺🇦 (@ne0liberal) July 15, 2020
After being shown the images during an interview with the BBC’s Marr, Liu Xiaoming said: “I do not know where you get this videotape.”
“Sometimes you have a transfer of prisoners, in any country. Uighur people enjoy peaceful, harmonious coexistence with other ethnic groups of people,” Liu added, before insisting: “We treat every ethnic group as equal.”
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is flying into London for talks with Raab and Boris Johnson, but will first meet with “20 backbench MPs who have been pressing for a hard line on China”, The Times says.
The group - which includes Conservative MPs Iain Duncan Smith, David Davis and Damian Green, and Labour MPs Chris Bryant and John Spellar - are backing growing calls in Westminster for a ban Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok.
Duncan Smith, co-founder of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, has welcomed the decision to end the UK’s extradition deal as “the right thing to do in response to the Chinese government crackdown on people in Hong Kong”.
The tweeted message was echoed by Nathan Law, one of Hong Kong’s most prominent young democracy activists, who recently fled to London.
“Talked to many members of the parliament on this issue, and got very strong support on the idea of suspending the extradition treaty with Hong Kong. Change is happening,” Law wrote on Twitter.


theweekuk--2020-07-20--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 20 Jul 2020

An official government study predicted that more than 200,000 people could die from the impact of lockdown and protecting the @ @ @ @ @ Department of Health , the Office of National Statistics , the government ’ s Actuary @ @ @ @ @ forecast that up to 25,000 could die from delays to treatment in first six months @ @ @ @ @ further 185,000 in the medium to long term .

Government study forecast 200,000 deaths due to lockdown
An official government study predicted that more than 200,000 people could die from the impact of lockdown and protecting the NHS. Experts from the Department of Health, the Office of National Statistics, the government’s Actuary Department and the Home Office forecast that up to 25,000 could die from delays to treatment in first six months of the pandemic and a further 185,000 in the medium to long term.


theweekuk--2020-07-20--Woman unaware she was pregnant gives birth after 7k run

A British woman who was unaware she was pregnant gave birth to a baby girl at her boyfriend ’ s apartment in Amsterdam .
Charlotte Wheeler-Smith had just taken part in a seven-kilometre run through the city when she went into labour .
Earlier in the day she had consulted with a doctor because of stomach problems but was told it was probably just flatulence or irritable bowel syndrome .
Private island sells to buyer who had n't even visited A private island off the coast of Ireland with three beaches , seven houses and natural wildlife has sold for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buyer who had not even visited the location in person before going through with the purchase .
Estate agent Knight Frank said this “ highlights a trend that is becoming more apparent as the impact of Covid-19 is felt and people look to purchase property or land in remote locations ” .
Swarm of flying ants over UK is spotted from space A 50-mile-wide cloud of flying ants , so large it has been spotted in space , has been making its way over the UK .
The vast swarm was picked up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Kent and Sussex , on the southeast coast .
A spokesperson for the Met Office said there were likely to be “ thousands ” of ants within the swarm .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A British woman who was unaware she was pregnant gave birth to a baby girl at her boyfriend’s apartment in Amsterdam. Charlotte Wheeler-Smith had just taken part in a seven-kilometre run through the city when she went into labour. Earlier in the day she had consulted with a doctor because of stomach problems but was told it was probably just flatulence or irritable bowel syndrome.
Private island sells to buyer who hadn't even visited
A private island off the coast of Ireland with three beaches, seven houses and natural wildlife has sold for more than $6.3 million to a buyer who had not even visited the location in person before going through with the purchase. Estate agent Knight Frank said this “highlights a trend that is becoming more apparent as the impact of Covid-19 is felt and people look to purchase property or land in remote locations”.
Swarm of flying ants over UK is spotted from space
A 50-mile-wide cloud of flying ants, so large it has been spotted in space, has been making its way over the UK. The vast swarm was picked up by the Met Office's weather radar over Kent and Sussex, on the southeast coast. A spokesperson for the Met Office said there were likely to be “thousands” of ants within the swarm.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-07-20--How coronavirus is changing Europe’s tourist hotspots

For decades , residents of Europe ’ s tourist-filled cities complained about the swathes of visitors that crowded their streets , bars and travel networks .
But today , those locals may be having second thoughts , as tourists - and the much-needed revenues they bring - remain absent from many former travel hotspots despite the lifting of coronavirus restrictions .
Before coronavirus hit Europe earlier this year , the continent ’ s cities were among the most visited in the world .
In 2019 , Barcelona welcomed 30 million visitors , Amsterdam attracted 19 million , and Venice got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The last of this trio has previously been cited as an example of a tourist destination that became a victim of its own success , with an annual flood of tourists causing misery for residents and driving up rental prices .
“ Around 2,000 people leave each year , ” an anti-tourism protestor told media in 2017 .
“ If we go on this way , in a few years ’ time Venice will only be populated by tourists .
This would be a social , anthropological and historical disaster.
” When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across almost all of Europe , with authorities in popular destinations telling residents to stay indoors and visitors to stay away .
Gradually , lockdown measures have been peeled back , with hotels and restaurants allowed to reopen , and mandatory testing and quarantines lifted .
But while some tourists have begun to trickle back to Europe ’ s famous cities , the relaunch in many areas has been sluggish .
In Tenerife , tables sit empty .
“ Bookings are down 80 % in Italy despite government incentives .
Ferries to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the load they once did , ” reports The New York Times .
Few people are venturing outside their own country ’ s borders within Europe , and visitors from outside the continent are few and far between .
“ Just 13 countries are on the list of those considered safe by the European Union , a list that so far excludes the United States , ” says the newspaper .
As further restrictions are lifted , more people will start to venture out of their home countries and visit their European neighbours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotels , restaurants and budget airlines across Europe is expected to change the way tourism operates in the longer term .
“ We think the low-cost market is going to change , both because of effects on airlines and attitudes to mobility , ” Xavier Marce , the Barcelona councillor responsible for tourism , told The Guardian .
“ Tourism will be completely different , ” she said .
“ Not everyone will travel like they used to .
And those who do travel may want to do so in a calmer way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enjoy the experience more.
” Governments are doing what they can to help the hospitality industry .
After being hit hard and early by the coronavirus , Italy has tried to promote tourism within its borders by issuing vouchers of up to €500 ( £450 ) per family for lodging .
The Italian parliament was told earlier this month that about 400,000 vouchers worth a total of €183m ( £165m ) had been handed out .
But only a small fraction of Italian hotels are accepting the vouchers , according to Milan-based newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second wave of coronavirus cases could be the nail in the coffin for hospitality businesses across much of Europe .
That threat is already looming in some regions .
In Barcelona , residents are being asked to stay at home for 15 days , as the daily Covid-19 infection toll once more climbs to more than 1,000 in Spain ’ s Catalonia region , reports the BBC .
Barcelona bar owner Maria Quintana said : “ We ’ d just started to see things coming back to life with the arrival of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a step backwards .
”

For decades, residents of Europe’s tourist-filled cities complained about the swathes of visitors that crowded their streets, bars and travel networks.
But today, those locals may be having second thoughts, as tourists - and the much-needed revenues they bring - remain absent from many former travel hotspots despite the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.
Pre-coronavirus
Before coronavirus hit Europe earlier this year, the continent’s cities were among the most visited in the world.
In 2019, Barcelona welcomed 30 million visitors, Amsterdam attracted 19 million, and Venice got 25 million visitors, says The Guardian.
The last of this trio has previously been cited as an example of a tourist destination that became a victim of its own success, with an annual flood of tourists causing misery for residents and driving up rental prices.
“Around 2,000 people leave each year,” an anti-tourism protestor told media in 2017. “If we go on this way, in a few years’ time Venice will only be populated by tourists. This would be a social, anthropological and historical disaster.”
How things are changing
When coronavirus hit, tourism was explicitly banned across almost all of Europe, with authorities in popular destinations telling residents to stay indoors and visitors to stay away.
Gradually, lockdown measures have been peeled back, with hotels and restaurants allowed to reopen, and mandatory testing and quarantines lifted.
But while some tourists have begun to trickle back to Europe’s famous cities, the relaunch in many areas has been sluggish.
In Tenerife, tables sit empty. “Bookings are down 80% in Italy despite government incentives. Ferries to the Greek islands are carrying well under half the load they once did,” reports The New York Times.
Few people are venturing outside their own country’s borders within Europe, and visitors from outside the continent are few and far between. “Just 13 countries are on the list of those considered safe by the European Union, a list that so far excludes the United States,” says the newspaper.
As further restrictions are lifted, more people will start to venture out of their home countries and visit their European neighbours and beyond. But the collapse of hotels, restaurants and budget airlines across Europe is expected to change the way tourism operates in the longer term.
“We think the low-cost market is going to change, both because of effects on airlines and attitudes to mobility,” Xavier Marce, the Barcelona councillor responsible for tourism, told The Guardian.
“Tourism will be completely different,” she said. “Not everyone will travel like they used to. And those who do travel may want to do so in a calmer way, maybe they will see less but enjoy the experience more.”
Governments are doing what they can to help the hospitality industry.
After being hit hard and early by the coronavirus, Italy has tried to promote tourism within its borders by issuing vouchers of up to €500 (£450) per family for lodging. The Italian parliament was told earlier this month that about 400,000 vouchers worth a total of €183m (£165m) had been handed out.
But only a small fraction of Italian hotels are accepting the vouchers, according to Milan-based newspaper Corriere della Sera.
And a feared second wave of coronavirus cases could be the nail in the coffin for hospitality businesses across much of Europe.
That threat is already looming in some regions.
In Barcelona, residents are being asked to stay at home for 15 days, as the daily Covid-19 infection toll once more climbs to more than 1,000 in Spain’s Catalonia region, reports the BBC.
Barcelona bar owner Maria Quintana said: “We’d just started to see things coming back to life with the arrival of a few foreign tourists, so this is a step backwards.”


theweekuk--2020-07-20--Instant Opinion: Britain does not need the ‘mess of a grand Covid inquiry’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
Spare us the mess of a grand Covid inquiry “ I can not see the coronavirus inquiry producing outcomes as practically useful or emotionally important .
Instead it will be one of those monster inquiries with an incredibly broad remit , doomed to meander on for years .
A case in point ( and progress ) : the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse , which stretches on and on , wading through decades of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from ‘ child sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic church ’ to ‘ the internet and child sexual abuse ’ to ‘ the protection of children outside the United Kingdom ’ ... We do not need a festival of finger-pointing , millions spent , a gravy train ridden by lawyers for years , some predictable conclusions that make the news briefly in 2029 , a few paltry apologies from politicians who have already written their own ‘ it wasn ’ t me ’ version of history in their memoirs .
We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into what went wrong in the first half of 2020 , with the conclusions made public , to avoid further catastrophes in the second .
Independent inquiries are not the panacea some politicians make them out to be .
It ’ s a lesson we should have learnt by now.
” on defending liberty in the era of coronavirus Saying I ’ ll never wear a mask has put me in a pickle “ While I ’ ve recognised the need throughout the pandemic to pull together and think of others , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the liberty to ask questions and the right to dissent .
What we ’ ve got instead is an atmosphere in which we are told that merely obeying the rules isn ’ t enough : you must believe them in your heart , spy on your neighbours , clap for the NHS and be a one-man propaganda team for whatever science we happen to be following this week .
When Facebook launched a campaign against ‘ harmful misinformation ’ about the virus , on the assumption we were too thick to sort fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Oh great .
So not only must we stop going out but we ’ ve got to suspend critical thinking , too.
’ All this is completely unnecessary .
Polls show overwhelming support for masks and making them compulsory ; people put themselves into lockdown before the state told them to .
The campaign against free thought - policed voluntarily by your friends and family - is wildly popular and , I suspect , a subconscious reaction to Trump , Brexit , riots , climate change , refugees and the whiff of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for half a decade.
” on the PM punishing the people Boris Johnson says it 's our own fault if we face a second coronavirus lockdown – but he knows test and trace doesn ’ t work “ [ Boris ] Johnson is entitled to make his judgement and take into account the economy .
A prolonged recession will cost lives , too .
He seems to be a man with a taste for taking risks - whether that ’ s an early election , a no deal Brexit or inflating the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by all accounts , rarely been a tranquil affair .
But these risks , with another widespread Covid-19 outbreak , are being taken against expert public health advice , and with other people ’ s lives .
‘ Whack-a-mole ’ is not a strategy that inspires much confidence .
Worse than that , even , is that Johnson wants to evade responsibility for all this - for the decisions the he alone ultimately takes - by shoving the blame onto the British people .
His talk , more like a threat , about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second national wave of infections is his way of telling us it will all be our own fault if things go horribly wrong .
He compares the prospect of a second lockdown to the use of nuclear weapons , so that if ill-informed citizens make a collective error on Covid-19 they ’ ll be punished with another shutdown - maybe this time without such a generous furlough scheme and other business support.
” on what type of country we want to live in Now Britain stands at the crossroads .
Will we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have written a lot recently , England ’ s handling of the pandemic proves that its creaking , centralised system of government , full of ossified practices and institutionalised prejudice , needs to be thoroughly localised and democratised .
This is the best way to safeguard against future pandemics and outbreaks .
As opposed to the Johnson-Cummings model , whereby regeneration is somehow to be dropped on places from on high , it is also how new economic futures can be shaped by the people who will deliver and benefit from them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blur means we tend to think that truly historic events are things frozen in black and white , or chronicled in epic documentaries .
But make no mistake : more than any other period in most of our lifetimes , this a time of massive significance , bringing with it a sense of both crisis and opportunity .
Amid constant detours and distractions , all of us need to think about the future before it hits us like a hammer .
The problem with dread , after all , is that sooner or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Shardha Jogee , c hairperson of the University of Texas Department of Astronomy , in The New York Times on getting children back to classes How to Reopen the Economy Without Killing Teachers and Parents “ The Trump administration is pressing schools to provide full-time in-person classes .
But schools can ’ t open five days a week for all students while meeting the six-foot social distancing guidelines .
Many are contemplating alternating in-class and online learning .
How will such a system help parents , kids and businesses get back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a time when 51 million Americans are unemployed ?
There is a better way : Allow schools to offer only virtual classes this fall , and convert schools and other large unused spaces into Safe Centers for Online Learning .
We could call them not schools , but ‘ SCOLs.
’ This is not a radical concept .
Many universities are bringing some portion of their student body back to campus , but still holding classes mostly or exclusively online .
Students who can keep learning at home should do so .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be crowded and it would be possible to maintain social distancing .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Clare Foges in The Times
on avoiding a long coronavirus blame game
Spare us the mess of a grand Covid inquiry
“I cannot see the coronavirus inquiry producing outcomes as practically useful or emotionally important. Instead it will be one of those monster inquiries with an incredibly broad remit, doomed to meander on for years. A case in point (and progress): the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, which stretches on and on, wading through decades of evidence across continents, industries and faiths, from ‘child sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic church’ to ‘the internet and child sexual abuse’ to ‘the protection of children outside the United Kingdom’... We do not need a festival of finger-pointing, millions spent, a gravy train ridden by lawyers for years, some predictable conclusions that make the news briefly in 2029, a few paltry apologies from politicians who have already written their own ‘it wasn’t me’ version of history in their memoirs. We need a pointed, practical, urgent investigation into what went wrong in the first half of 2020, with the conclusions made public, to avoid further catastrophes in the second. Independent inquiries are not the panacea some politicians make them out to be. It’s a lesson we should have learnt by now.”
2. Tim Stanley in The Daily Telegraph
on defending liberty in the era of coronavirus
Saying I’ll never wear a mask has put me in a pickle
“While I’ve recognised the need throughout the pandemic to pull together and think of others, what I’ve fought for throughout is the liberty to ask questions and the right to dissent. What we’ve got instead is an atmosphere in which we are told that merely obeying the rules isn’t enough: you must believe them in your heart, spy on your neighbours, clap for the NHS and be a one-man propaganda team for whatever science we happen to be following this week. When Facebook launched a campaign against ‘harmful misinformation’ about the virus, on the assumption we were too thick to sort fact from fiction, a friend sighed: ‘Oh great. So not only must we stop going out but we’ve got to suspend critical thinking, too.’ All this is completely unnecessary. Polls show overwhelming support for masks and making them compulsory; people put themselves into lockdown before the state told them to. The campaign against free thought - policed voluntarily by your friends and family - is wildly popular and, I suspect, a subconscious reaction to Trump, Brexit, riots, climate change, refugees and the whiff of anarchy that has been in the air for half a decade.”
3. Sean O’Grady in The Independent
on the PM punishing the people
Boris Johnson says it's our own fault if we face a second coronavirus lockdown – but he knows test and trace doesn’t work
“[Boris] Johnson is entitled to make his judgement and take into account the economy. A prolonged recession will cost lives, too. He seems to be a man with a taste for taking risks - whether that’s an early election, a no deal Brexit or inflating the national debt. His private life has, by all accounts, rarely been a tranquil affair. But these risks, with another widespread Covid-19 outbreak, are being taken against expert public health advice, and with other people’s lives. ‘Whack-a-mole’ is not a strategy that inspires much confidence. Worse than that, even, is that Johnson wants to evade responsibility for all this - for the decisions the he alone ultimately takes - by shoving the blame onto the British people. His talk, more like a threat, about a fresh national lockdown if there is a second national wave of infections is his way of telling us it will all be our own fault if things go horribly wrong. He compares the prospect of a second lockdown to the use of nuclear weapons, so that if ill-informed citizens make a collective error on Covid-19 they’ll be punished with another shutdown - maybe this time without such a generous furlough scheme and other business support.”
4. John Harris in The Guardian
on what type of country we want to live in
Now Britain stands at the crossroads. Will we choose dread or hope?
“As I have written a lot recently, England’s handling of the pandemic proves that its creaking, centralised system of government, full of ossified practices and institutionalised prejudice, needs to be thoroughly localised and democratised. This is the best way to safeguard against future pandemics and outbreaks. As opposed to the Johnson-Cummings model, whereby regeneration is somehow to be dropped on places from on high, it is also how new economic futures can be shaped by the people who will deliver and benefit from them. The 21st century’s digital blur means we tend to think that truly historic events are things frozen in black and white, or chronicled in epic documentaries. But make no mistake: more than any other period in most of our lifetimes, this a time of massive significance, bringing with it a sense of both crisis and opportunity. Amid constant detours and distractions, all of us need to think about the future before it hits us like a hammer. The problem with dread, after all, is that sooner or later it becomes self-fulfilling.”
5. Dr Shardha Jogee, chairperson of the University of Texas Department of Astronomy, in The New York Times
on getting children back to classes
How to Reopen the Economy Without Killing Teachers and Parents
“The Trump administration is pressing schools to provide full-time in-person classes. But schools can’t open five days a week for all students while meeting the six-foot social distancing guidelines. Many are contemplating alternating in-class and online learning. How will such a system help parents, kids and businesses get back to a normal schedule — a pressing need at a time when 51 million Americans are unemployed? There is a better way: Allow schools to offer only virtual classes this fall, and convert schools and other large unused spaces into Safe Centers for Online Learning. We could call them not schools, but ‘SCOLs.’ This is not a radical concept. Many universities are bringing some portion of their student body back to campus, but still holding classes mostly or exclusively online. Students who can keep learning at home should do so. As a result, the centers would not be crowded and it would be possible to maintain social distancing.”


theweekuk--2020-07-20--Could more people die from lockdown than from coronavirus?

Tens of thousands more people could die from the effects of the Covid lockdown and efforts to protect the NHS @ @ @ @ @ , according to a newly revealed government report .
Experts say that healthcare delays and @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus could result in up to 200,000 deaths - a prediction likely to fuel “ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown restrictions ” , says The Telegraph .
Some politicians have argued that it is @ @ @ @ @ measures , while others “ have questioned whether the cure is worse than the disease @ @ @ @ @ .
What does the report say ?
Published in April by experts from the Department @ @ @ @ @ of National Statistics ( ONS ) , the government ’ s Actuary Department and the @ @ @ @ @ said that to 25,000 people could die from delaying treatment for non-coronavirus-related illnesses in the @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , with a further 185,000 dying in the medium to long term .


theweekuk--2020-07-21--Instant Opinion: Britain can’t blame its ‘weird politics’ on Russia

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
on pointing the finger at villains Our weird politics can ’ t all be blamed on Russia “ If [ the Russia report ] feels like a damp squib , the main reason will be because the expectations are so high .
You could feel it this weekend , as speculative stories suggested that we were soon to learn definitively of Russian efforts in all sorts of areas .
As if , were it not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quite Alarming Populism wouldn ’ t have happened , and we ’ d just have had Sir Paul McCartney playing Hey Jude at the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony for ever .
And as if , when this becomes proven , we ’ ll just be able to turn it all off and go back ... With activists seeing Reds under their beds , and rivals acting like bots for fun , and security guards acting the same because they can ’ t help it , real malign interference will always be hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battles have been won or lost , it will always be perilously hard to make the case that it even mattered .
That only goes to show , though , why it matters so much.
” on souring relations with a former trade ally George Osborne promised us a ‘ golden decade ’ with China .
It doesn ’ t quite seem to be working out “ It was another world , 2015 .
David Cameron had just celebrated winning a general election , and was looking forward to a pleasant second term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reins in 2019 to his Chancellor , George Osborne .
For the time being , Mr Cameron was opening talks with European leaders , in order to secure a triumphant new deal for Britain that would make Remain ’ s victory in the forthcoming EU referendum a formality .
And , perhaps even more excitingly – he was about to lead Britain into a glorious new relationship with China .
To this end , President Xi Jinping was honoured with a state visit to Britain , during which he gave a speech to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ mutual affection ’ , and Mr Cameron treated him to fish and chips and a cosy pint in a Buckinghamshire country pub ...
It was only five years ago .
Yet it seems we can probably now forget about that ‘ golden decade ’ .
” 3 .
Elizabeth Warren , Democratic senator from Massachusetts , in The New York Times on what the Senate can do to beat coronavirus To Fight the Pandemic , Here ’ s My Must-Do List “ While the virus continues to rage , extended unemployment coverage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expiration dates for unemployment insurance , let ’ s tie those benefits to real-time economic data .
Families would be better off and we ’ d be investing in a stronger economic recovery .
The structural racism that has long existed in this country has caused the pandemic to hit Black and Latino neighborhoods and Indian Country especially hard .
The next relief package must include Senate Democrats ’ proposal for at least $ 350 billion immediately invested in these communities .
To avoid a tsunami that could put millions of people out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and expand the national eviction moratorium , provide emergency rental assistance and increase funding for families experiencing homelessness .
We should broadly cancel student loan debt so families don ’ t have a student debt bomb waiting for them on the other side of this pandemic — a burden that again falls disproportionately on students of color.
” 4 .
Olivia Marks-Waldman , CEO of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust , in The Independent on the need for international action against China The persecution of Uighur Muslims in China shows we have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is all there .
We can see what is happening .
Despite the challenges facing journalists trying to report from the region , the information which we are seeing is clear , and the world knows what is taking place .
But is this knowledge enough to prompt international action ?
Over 100 days in 1994 , the genocide in Rwanda took place .
As the genocide began , United Nations forces were withdrawn from the area .
The international community knew what was happening and the UN Security Council debated whether to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole families were slaughtered in their homes , on their streets , and in churches where they sheltered .
The response was too late .
Approximately one million Tutsis were murdered .
Today , many Rwandans are still asking why the international community failed to step in , leaving whole communities to be murdered ...
If the international community continues to see the evidence coming from China but refuses to act until it is too late , in years to come on 27 January , will we also learn about the Uighur people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” 5 .
Steal As Much As You Can , in The Guardian on an industry open only to a wealthy few After the pandemic , Britain ’ s arts sector will be less diverse than ever “ The pandemic has dealt a grim blow to precarious workers in the arts and media sector and people from low-income backgrounds hoping to break into these industries .
The impact of this will be twofold : in the short term , thousands of people who contribute to the UK ’ s creative life stand to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term , Britain ’ s arts and culture sector risks becoming further skewed towards a wealthy minority .
Unless the sector strives to represent a broad cross-section of society , what case does it have in asking for financial support ?
As the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu put it in a 1996 series of lectures about television , journalists – and by extension TV presenters , artists , writers , actors , directors and musicians – are ‘ reality makers ’ .
They have the power to create a world that the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market imperatives prevent the arts and cultural sectors from reflecting the interests of the public in their commissioning and hiring practices , it can make no claim to be representing reality .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Hugo Rifkind in The Times
on pointing the finger at villains
Our weird politics can’t all be blamed on Russia
“If [the Russia report] feels like a damp squib, the main reason will be because the expectations are so high. You could feel it this weekend, as speculative stories suggested that we were soon to learn definitively of Russian efforts in all sorts of areas. As if, were it not for Vladimir Putin, the Age of Quite Alarming Populism wouldn’t have happened, and we’d just have had Sir Paul McCartney playing Hey Jude at the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony for ever. And as if, when this becomes proven, we’ll just be able to turn it all off and go back... With activists seeing Reds under their beds, and rivals acting like bots for fun, and security guards acting the same because they can’t help it, real malign interference will always be hard to spot. And afterwards, when political battles have been won or lost, it will always be perilously hard to make the case that it even mattered. That only goes to show, though, why it matters so much.”
2. Michael Deacon in The Daily Telegraph
on souring relations with a former trade ally
George Osborne promised us a ‘golden decade’ with China. It doesn’t quite seem to be working out
“It was another world, 2015. David Cameron had just celebrated winning a general election, and was looking forward to a pleasant second term in No10, before handing over the reins in 2019 to his Chancellor, George Osborne. For the time being, Mr Cameron was opening talks with European leaders, in order to secure a triumphant new deal for Britain that would make Remain’s victory in the forthcoming EU referendum a formality. And, perhaps even more excitingly – he was about to lead Britain into a glorious new relationship with China. To this end, President Xi Jinping was honoured with a state visit to Britain, during which he gave a speech to Parliament about ‘friendly ties’ and ‘mutual affection’, and Mr Cameron treated him to fish and chips and a cosy pint in a Buckinghamshire country pub... It was only five years ago. Yet it seems we can probably now forget about that ‘golden decade’.”
3. Elizabeth Warren, Democratic senator from Massachusetts, in The New York Times
on what the Senate can do to beat coronavirus
To Fight the Pandemic, Here’s My Must-Do List
“While the virus continues to rage, extended unemployment coverage is critical. Rather than set arbitrary expiration dates for unemployment insurance, let’s tie those benefits to real-time economic data. Families would be better off and we’d be investing in a stronger economic recovery. The structural racism that has long existed in this country has caused the pandemic to hit Black and Latino neighborhoods and Indian Country especially hard. The next relief package must include Senate Democrats’ proposal for at least $350 billion immediately invested in these communities. To avoid a tsunami that could put millions of people out on the street, Congress should extend and expand the national eviction moratorium, provide emergency rental assistance and increase funding for families experiencing homelessness. We should broadly cancel student loan debt so families don’t have a student debt bomb waiting for them on the other side of this pandemic — a burden that again falls disproportionately on students of color.”
4. Olivia Marks-Waldman, CEO of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, in The Independent
on the need for international action against China
The persecution of Uighur Muslims in China shows we have not learned from past genocides
“The evidence is all there. We can see what is happening. Despite the challenges facing journalists trying to report from the region, the information which we are seeing is clear, and the world knows what is taking place. But is this knowledge enough to prompt international action? Over 100 days in 1994, the genocide in Rwanda took place. As the genocide began, United Nations forces were withdrawn from the area. The international community knew what was happening and the UN Security Council debated whether to act. While they did so, whole families were slaughtered in their homes, on their streets, and in churches where they sheltered. The response was too late. Approximately one million Tutsis were murdered. Today, many Rwandans are still asking why the international community failed to step in, leaving whole communities to be murdered... If the international community continues to see the evidence coming from China but refuses to act until it is too late, in years to come on 27 January, will we also learn about the Uighur people and how their culture was destroyed?”
5. Nathalie Olah, author of Steal As Much As You Can, in The Guardian
on an industry open only to a wealthy few
After the pandemic, Britain’s arts sector will be less diverse than ever
“The pandemic has dealt a grim blow to precarious workers in the arts and media sector and people from low-income backgrounds hoping to break into these industries. The impact of this will be twofold: in the short term, thousands of people who contribute to the UK’s creative life stand to lose their livelihoods. In the longer term, Britain’s arts and culture sector risks becoming further skewed towards a wealthy minority. Unless the sector strives to represent a broad cross-section of society, what case does it have in asking for financial support? As the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu put it in a 1996 series of lectures about television, journalists – and by extension TV presenters, artists, writers, actors, directors and musicians – are ‘reality makers’. They have the power to create a world that the rest of us consume. As long as market imperatives prevent the arts and cultural sectors from reflecting the interests of the public in their commissioning and hiring practices, it can make no claim to be representing reality.”


theweekuk--2020-07-21--Russian elite using experimental coronavirus vaccine since April

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Russia’s political and business elite have reportedly been given early access to a coronavirus vaccine that has been in use since April.
Sources familiar with the country’s bid to develop the first Covid inoculation told Bloomberg that top executives, billionaire tycoons and government officials have been getting the shots, developed by the state-run Gamaleya Institute in Moscow.
The vaccine project is being financed by the state-run Russian Direct Investment Fund and supported by the Defence Ministry. Insiders say the jab is “a so-called viral vector vaccine”, combining “human adenovirus - a common cold virus” with “the spike protein of SARS CoV-2” to create an immune response, according to the news agency.
The vaccine is expected to be ready for distribution in Russia by September, with initial trials involving military personnel completed last week, The Times says.
The Gamaleya Institute “hasn’t published results for the study, which involved about 40 people, but has begun the next stage of testing with a larger group”, adds Bloomberg.
Dozens of “well-connected Russians” have reportedly volunteered for doses of the experimental vaccine, but “none would allow their names to be published”.
However, executives at Rusal, the aluminium giant founded by oligarch Oleg Deripaska, are understood to be among those receiving the vaccine. Whether Deripaska, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, has used the drug personally is unclear.
Such testing is legal, but is said to have been “kept under wraps to avoid a crush of potential participants”.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has claimed not to know the names of anyone receiving the institute’s vaccine. Asked if President Putin has had the jab, Peskov told reporters that “it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to use an uncertified vaccine on the head of state”.
Although the effectiveness of the new vaccine has yet to be proven, the jab is based on proven vaccines for other diseases and as such should be “safe”, according to Sergei Netesov, a former executive at Vector, a state-run virology centre in Siberia that is also working on an inoculation.
But “those who take it do so at their own risk”, he added.
Putin has made “finding a vaccine a top priority”, though “some Western experts remain skeptical that Russia has the expertise to produce its own vaccine by September”, reports Fortune.


theweekuk--2020-07-21--Prince William and Harry charities reported for ‘inappropriate use of funds’

The charitable foundations of Prince Harry and Prince William have been reported to the Charity Commission over alleged “ conflicts of interest , inappropriate use of funds and a lack of independence ” .
Anti-monarchy campaign group Republic claims that Prince William and Kate Middleton ’ s Royal Foundation gave £145,000 as a grant to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ’ s now-defunct charity Sussex Royal , reports the Daily Mail .
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge ’ s foundation is also alleged to have handed a further £144,901 to Travalyst , “ which was then under the umbrella @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an activity in the sustainable tourism space ’ ” , adds The Telegraph .
The Republic campaigners argue that “ the only rationale ” for the grants decision “ was the personal relationship between two patrons , the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Cambridge ” .
In a letter to the charities watchdog , the campaign group ’ s chief executive Graham Smith added : “ Neither patrons are trustees of the Royal Foundation , so there is also a question mark over the independence of the trustees of the Royal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has since decided to close , and it is reported that they will transfer all their funds to Travalyst .
“ Again , this appears to be a personal decision by a trustee [ the Duke of Sussex ] to fund another of his projects , rather than to ensure the funds are being used for the original purposes for which they were donated.
” A spokesperson for Prince Harry said the claims were “ false ” and “ salaciously created ” , reports Sky News .
“ To this point , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims made about the Duke of Sussex and his charitable work .
It is both defamatory and insulting to all the outstanding organisations and people he has partnered with , ” the representative said .
Harry has never had any “ personal financial interest ” and all of his charitable work has been “ transparent and above board ” , according to the Royal ’ s legal team .
“ To suggest otherwise is unequivocally wrong and will be acted upon accordingly with the weight of the law , ” the lawyers said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the grants made to Sussex Royal “ were fully in line with governance requirements and were reported transparently ” .
The Charity Commission said it was assessing the information in the complaint to decide whether it was appropriate to investigate .
A spokesperson added : “ We have not made any determination of wrongdoing .
”

The charitable foundations of Prince Harry and Prince William have been reported to the Charity Commission over alleged “conflicts of interest, inappropriate use of funds and a lack of independence”.
Anti-monarchy campaign group Republic claims that Prince William and Kate Middleton’s Royal Foundation gave £145,000 as a grant to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s now-defunct charity Sussex Royal, reports the Daily Mail.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s foundation is also alleged to have handed a further £144,901 to Travalyst, “which was then under the umbrella of the Sussexes’ charity as ‘an activity in the sustainable tourism space’”, adds The Telegraph.
The Republic campaigners argue that “the only rationale” for the grants decision “was the personal relationship between two patrons, the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Cambridge”.
In a letter to the charities watchdog, the campaign group’s chief executive Graham Smith added: “Neither patrons are trustees of the Royal Foundation, so there is also a question mark over the independence of the trustees of the Royal Foundation.
“The Sussex Royal charity has since decided to close, and it is reported that they will transfer all their funds to Travalyst.
“Again, this appears to be a personal decision by a trustee [the Duke of Sussex] to fund another of his projects, rather than to ensure the funds are being used for the original purposes for which they were donated.”
A spokesperson for Prince Harry said the claims were “false” and “salaciously created”, reports Sky News.
“To this point, it is deeply offensive to today see false claims made about the Duke of Sussex and his charitable work. It is both defamatory and insulting to all the outstanding organisations and people he has partnered with,” the representative said.
Harry has never had any “personal financial interest” and all of his charitable work has been “transparent and above board”, according to the Royal’s legal team. “To suggest otherwise is unequivocally wrong and will be acted upon accordingly with the weight of the law,” the lawyers said.
A Royal Foundation spokesperson added that the grants made to Sussex Royal “were fully in line with governance requirements and were reported transparently”.
The Charity Commission said it was assessing the information in the complaint to decide whether it was appropriate to investigate. A spokesperson added: “We have not made any determination of wrongdoing.”


theweekuk--2020-07-21--Prince Andrew’s aides ‘pleased’ with car crash interview, BBC presenter claims

Prince Andrew and his team were “ happy ” with the infamous BBC Newsnight interview that led to his effective sacking from royal duties just days after airing , it has been claimed .
Interviewer Emily Maitlis “ has revealed that it was only after the public reacted with fury and incredulity to his performance that his aides began to worry ” , the Daily Mail reports .
Speaking to Radio Times ahead of next week ’ s Bafta TV Awards - where the interview with the Duke of York is nominated in the news category - Maitlis said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy with the interview .
We had plenty of engagement with them after it went out .
I think their shock was not at the interview itself , but the reaction it caused in the days and weeks afterwards.
” During the 45-minute grilling at Buckingham Palace , the Duke declined to say he regretted his friendship with late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein .
The Royal claimed he stayed at Epstein ’ s home during a trip to New York after the billionaire was convicted of child sex offences because he was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that in “ hindsight ” , the decision was a mistake .
Andrew ’ s many other “ memorable answers ” included detailing a visit to Pizza Express in Woking and claiming that he was medically unable to sweat after serving in the Falklands War , the Daily Mirror adds .
Maitlis says that she realised the interview would be “ explosive ” within minutes of kicking off filming , adding : “ First , he was tackling the subject matter head on .
“ Secondly , the lack of apology or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Prince still believed that his actions had broadly been the right ones .
And thirdly , the level of detail was unlike anything I was expecting.
” YouGov polling results released after the interview found that just 6 % of Britons believed the Duke ’ s account of his friendship with Epstein .

Prince Andrew and his team were “happy” with the infamous BBC Newsnight interview that led to his effective sacking from royal duties just days after airing, it has been claimed.
Interviewer Emily Maitlis “has revealed that it was only after the public reacted with fury and incredulity to his performance that his aides began to worry”, the Daily Mail reports.
Speaking to Radio Times ahead of next week’s Bafta TV Awards - where the interview with the Duke of York is nominated in the news category - Maitlis said: “We know that the Palace was happy with the interview. We had plenty of engagement with them after it went out.
I think their shock was not at the interview itself, but the reaction it caused in the days and weeks afterwards.”
During the 45-minute grilling at Buckingham Palace, the Duke declined to say he regretted his friendship with late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The Royal claimed he stayed at Epstein’s home during a trip to New York after the billionaire was convicted of child sex offences because he was “too honourable to end the relationship, adding that in “hindsight”, the decision was a mistake.
Andrew’s many other “memorable answers” included detailing a visit to Pizza Express in Woking and claiming that he was medically unable to sweat after serving in the Falklands War, the Daily Mirror adds.
Maitlis says that she realised the interview would be “explosive” within minutes of kicking off filming, adding: “First, he was tackling the subject matter head on.
“Secondly, the lack of apology or any real expression of regret told me that the Prince still believed that his actions had broadly been the right ones. And thirdly, the level of detail was unlike anything I was expecting.”
YouGov polling results released after the interview found that just 6% of Britons believed the Duke’s account of his friendship with Epstein.


theweekuk--2020-07-21--Reaction: hopes raised in first Oxford vaccine trial - but what happens next?

An experimental coronavirus vaccine developed by Oxford University is safe and generates a strong immunity after a single dose , initials trials on human volunteers have found .
Announcing the breakthrough , Professor Sarah Gilbert , from Oxford ’ s Jenner Institute , told The Guardian that the AZD1222 vaccine , formerly known as ChAdOx1 nCoV “ seems to be behaving just as we thought it would do ” .
Boris Johnson welcomed the trial results as “ very positive news ” , adding : “ There are no guarantees , we ’ re not there yet and further trials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an important step in the right direction.
” The prime minister ’ s optimism was echoed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock , who said that the government has “ already ordered 100 million doses of this vaccine , should it succeed ” .
Medical experts have “ hailed the results as a ‘ really important milestone ’ which kept alive the hope of a vaccine being rolled out before Christmas ” , reports The Telegraph .
The successful trial “ increases our confidence that the vaccine will work and allows us to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scale for broad and equitable access around the world , ” said Mene Pangalos , head of innovation medicines at pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca , whichis ready to produce two billion doses .
The initial test findings , outlined in a paper in The Lancet , could see emergency vaccines delivered to some people as early as October , reports The New York Times .
The findings are “ hugely promising ” says the BBC ’ s health and science correspondent James Gallagher , “ but it is still too soon to know if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Based on their results , researchers say further clinical studies should be done with this vaccine , ” reports Sky News .
“ More than 4,000 participants are already enrolled in the UK , with enrolment of a further 10,000 people planned as researchers test the AZD1222 vaccine.
” However , the researchers warn that because coronavirus infection rates in the UK remain relatively low , demonstrating the efficacy of the vaccine may take some time .
In a bid to speed up the process , some scientists are calling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccinated person is deliberately exposed to the virus to test whether the jab works .
Adrian Hill , director of the Jenner Institute at Oxford , told a Science Media Centre webinar this week that such trials could start before the end of the year .
He explained : “ Essentially , you need to tackle three problems - can you find a suitable inoculum , a strain that you can administer safely to volunteers ?
“ Secondly , where would you do this ?
It has to be a quarantine facility , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ?
Thirdly , ideally , having on standby a suitable treatment if the infection took off or was more intense than you anticipated.
” As the world awaits the final verdict on the jab , Johnson ’ s government says that the UK “ has secured early access to 90 million doses of promising coronavirus vaccine candidates ” , in addition to the 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine .


theweekuk--2020-07-21--Inside the European Union’s €750bn coronavirus recovery package summit

European Union leaders have agreed a €750bn ( £677bn ) post-coronavirus recovery package following a fourth night of fraught talks in Brussels .
The money will fund grants and loans aimed at countering the impact of the pandemic , and is part of a €1.82trn ( £1.64trn ) seven-year budget agreed by the 27-member states .
The negotiations saw the bloc ’ s member states split into opposing sides , with nations hardest hit by the virus calling for more spending , while opponents “ concerned about costs ” haggled over the overall size of the aid package , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the “ biggest joint borrowing ever agreed by the EU ” , according to the broadcaster , and was hailed by summit chair and President of the European Council Charles Michel as a “ pivotal moment ” for Europe .
The package will comprise €390bn ( £352bn ) worth of grants and €360bn ( £325bn ) worth of loans , and was agreed as “ a compromise ” with the so-called “ frugal four ” member states - Sweden , Denmark , Austria and the Netherlands - along with Finland , Euronews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand out €500bn ( £451bn ) as grants and €250bn ( £225.5bn ) in loans , a distribution of funds “ which was supported and pushed by a close Franco-German alliance ” , says the news site .
But the five more frugal nations pushed back against such a generous spending plan , reporting causing Emmanuel Macron “ to bang his fists in anger ” , according to Sky News .
The French president told the hold-out member states that “ he thought they were putting the European project in danger ” by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the BBC .
Europe ’ s worst-hit countries , including Spain and Italy , had been “ asking for a more flexible deal to help them deal with the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic ” , Sky News adds .
The compromise package was agreed after “ the ‘ frugal ’ nations were reportedly won over by the promise of rebates on their contributions to the EU budget ” , says the BBC .
Was spending the only issue ?
As well as disagreements about how the funding should be distributed , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be linked to the rule of law .
Both Hungary and Poland - nations described by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as “ illiberal democracies ” - threatened to veto the spending plan “ over a proposal to freeze funds for states undercutting the rule of law ” , Reuters reports .
This plan was championed by the Netherlands ’ Prime Minister Mark Rutte , who called for “ strict control over how funds are spent ” , as well as a guarantee that right-wing nationalist Orban would not continue “ his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says the news agency .
Orban told reporters on Sunday that he could not understand “ the personal reason for the Dutch prime minister to hate me or Hungary ” , adding : “ I don ’ t like blame games but the Dutchman is the real responsible man for the whole mess ...
The Dutch prime minister , he is the fighter.
” Rutte previously told a news conference in the Hague on 10 July that events in both Hungary and Poland were “ very worrying ” , adding that “ Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currency , but also a community of values ” .
Despite Rutte ’ s efforts , however , the final package contains no mechanism to force countries to abide by any democratic rules , in what news site Emerging Europe labels a “ victory over rule of law ” for Hungary and Poland .
So what happens next ?
The commission will raise the funds for the spending plan by borrowing up to €750bn ( £676bn ) in the financial markets .
Meanwhile , “ member states will need to prepare national recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to unlock their allocated share of this funding , which will be distributed from 2021 to 2023 ” , the Financial Times says .
After a contentious debate over how countries should be allowed to spend their allocation , the EU27 agreed that an “ individual member state [ can ] raise objections if it feels [ another country ] is failing to fulfil its reform promises in return for the money it is receiving from the commission ” , the newspaper reports .
Speaking to reporters after the four days of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcomed the “ good deal ” , adding that “ Europe is solid ” .
French leader Macron echoed Michel ’ s optimism , hailing a “ historic day for Europe ” .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the deal “ is an important signal beyond Europe ’ s borders that the EU ... is able to take action ” .
Italian leader Giuseppe Conte added that the plan “ will allow [ Europe ] to face the crisis with strength and effectiveness ” .
Conte also noted that just under 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be sent to Italy , Europe ’ s second-worst hit country after Britain .

European Union leaders have agreed a €750bn (£677bn) post-coronavirus recovery package following a fourth night of fraught talks in Brussels.
The money will fund grants and loans aimed at countering the impact of the pandemic, and is part of a €1.82trn (£1.64trn) seven-year budget agreed by the 27-member states.
The negotiations saw the bloc’s member states split into opposing sides, with nations hardest hit by the virus calling for more spending, while opponents “concerned about costs” haggled over the overall size of the aid package, the BBC reports.
The resulting compromise plan is the “biggest joint borrowing ever agreed by the EU”, according to the broadcaster, and was hailed by summit chair and President of the European Council Charles Michel as a “pivotal moment” for Europe.
What happened during negotiations?
The package will comprise €390bn (£352bn) worth of grants and €360bn (£325bn) worth of loans, and was agreed as “a compromise” with the so-called “frugal four” member states - Sweden, Denmark, Austria and the Netherlands - along with Finland, Euronews reports.
The plan was originally to hand out €500bn (£451bn) as grants and €250bn (£225.5bn) in loans, a distribution of funds “which was supported and pushed by a close Franco-German alliance”, says the news site.
But the five more frugal nations pushed back against such a generous spending plan, reporting causing Emmanuel Macron “to bang his fists in anger”, according to Sky News.
The French president told the hold-out member states that “he thought they were putting the European project in danger” by refusing to back greater borrowing, says the BBC.
Europe’s worst-hit countries, including Spain and Italy, had been “asking for a more flexible deal to help them deal with the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic”, Sky News adds.
The compromise package was agreed after “the ‘frugal’ nations were reportedly won over by the promise of rebates on their contributions to the EU budget”, says the BBC.
Was spending the only issue?
As well as disagreements about how the funding should be distributed, the member states also clashed over how disbursements would be linked to the rule of law.
Both Hungary and Poland - nations described by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as “illiberal democracies” - threatened to veto the spending plan “over a proposal to freeze funds for states undercutting the rule of law”, Reuters reports.


theweekuk--2020-07-21--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 21 Jul 2020

The long-awaited Russia report is expected to be published this morning , nine months after its publication was blocked by @ @ @ @ @ is expected to explain the threat Moscow poses to the UK and what has been @ @ @ @ @ The release , due at 10:30am , comes after allegations of Russian interference in last @ @ @ @ @ the Kremlin has said are false .

Much-awaited Russia report due for release this morning
The long-awaited Russia report is expected to be published this morning, nine months after its publication was blocked by Boris Johnson. The document is expected to explain the threat Moscow poses to the UK and what has been done to counter it. The release, due at 10:30am, comes after allegations of Russian interference in last year's election, which the Kremlin has said are false.


theweekuk--2020-07-21--Man collects lottery winnings disguised as Darth Vader

A man who won a lottery jackpot of more than £480,000 concealed his identity by collecting his winnings dressed as Darth Vader .
The Jamaican man told officials at Supreme Ventures that he bought his ticket at Di Endz Sports Bar in May Pen , Clarendon .
“ I come from a poor family , sometimes I could n't attend school because my parents did n't have it , but I told myself that God will help me one day so I can help my family , ” he said .
A man in Idaho man broke a Guinness World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one minute in to the centre of an archery target .
David Rush , who has broken more than 150 Guinness World Records to promote STEM education , said the challenge was harder than he thought once he realised his chopsticks would need to hit and stay in the 12.6-inch diameter inner circle of the target .
Chef locks himself away from angry punter A chef locked himself in the kitchen when an angry tourist wouldn ’ t accept that the tea room was closed .
Richard Holt The chef , who runs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anglesey in Wales , said the visitor became increasingly angry when he told him the venue was closed .
“ He began shouting even louder and squared up to me aggressively , cursing , all the while with his young pre-teen son in earshot , ” he said .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A man who won a lottery jackpot of more than £480,000 concealed his identity by collecting his winnings dressed as Darth Vader. The Jamaican man told officials at Supreme Ventures that he bought his ticket at Di Endz Sports Bar in May Pen, Clarendon. “I come from a poor family, sometimes I couldn't attend school because my parents didn't have it, but I told myself that God will help me one day so I can help my family,” he said.
Serial record breaker wins chopstick challenge
A man in Idaho man broke a Guinness World Record when he threw 19 chopsticks in one minute in to the centre of an archery target. David Rush, who has broken more than 150 Guinness World Records to promote STEM education, said the challenge was harder than he thought once he realised his chopsticks would need to hit and stay in the 12.6-inch diameter inner circle of the target.
Chef locks himself away from angry punter
A chef locked himself in the kitchen when an angry tourist wouldn’t accept that the tea room was closed. Richard Holt The chef, who runs Melin Llynnon mill and tea room in Anglesey in Wales, said the visitor became increasingly angry when he told him the venue was closed. “He began shouting even louder and squared up to me aggressively, cursing, all the while with his young pre-teen son in earshot,” he said.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-07-21--‘Fumigate him out’: what happens if Donald Trump refuses to accept defeat?

Donald Trump will be “ fumigated out ” of the Oval Office if he refuses to quit following his predicted defeat in November ’ s US presidential election , according to the top US Democrat .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the warning after the president failed to give a straight answer during a TV interview about whether he “ might not accept ” the results of the vote .
Speaking to Fox News on Sunday , Trump replied : “ No .
I have to see .
Look you - I have to see .
No , I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ .
I 'm not going to say ‘ no ’ .
And I didn ’ t last time , either.
” What are the rules ?
Depending on the result of the upcoming presidential election , at noon on 20 January 2021 one of two things will happen .
Either the clock will reset for another four years of Trump ’ s presidency or a new leader - expected to be presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden - will be inaugurated .
The date represents “ democracy ’ s most dangerous instant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , testing whether the nation stays moored to self-governance ” , says The Atlantic .
The idea of Trump attempting to cling to power may “ seem far-fetched ” , Politico adds .
“ But the president ’ s comments have people chattering in the halls of Congress and throughout the Beltway.
” Constitutional law expert Jonathan Turley told the news site that a president who fails to leave the White House after their replacement is sworn in is little more than “ an interloper ” .
“ The system would make fast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deny the results of the election , ” the George Washington University professor said .
On the other hand , a president could challenge the legitimacy of a narrow Democratic win - which is why Pelosi says her party ’ s winning margin must be a “ big ” one .
What if the president loses but still won ’ t leave ?
Noon on 20 January would also mark the expiry of the nuclear codes , which allow Trump to launch an atomic weapon , Slate explains .
The officer who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so-called “ football ” that contains the nuclear codes leaves his side .
And simultaneously , another officer holding a backup football joins Biden at the inauguration ceremony .
The football represents the transition of military power from one president to the next , and “ the entire US military establishment will pivot away from ex-president Trump and salute President Biden ” , says Slate .
“ The principle of civilian control is hammered into American officers from the time they ’ re cadets - and the 20th Amendment of the Constitution states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January ’ - no ifs , ands , or buts.
” If Trump attempted to order the military to do anything for him at that point , they would be obliged to refuse .
Failure to do so would result in each rebel personnel member ’ s conviction for mutiny and sedition .
As the football changes hands , the Secret Service also abandons the former president , with the exception of a small group of officers who follow him and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives .
And foreign powers open lines of communication with the Biden administration , and sever those connected to Trump .
If Trump managed to enlist any military defectors to his cause , the majority of the US Army would be obliged to answer to Commander-in-Chief Biden .
“ In other words , ” says Slate , “ Trump could hole himself up in the Oval Office , but the Oval Office would very soon be cut off from all power .
He would have no choice but to give up.
” What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will go ?
Trump has already suggested that mail-in voting represents a plot to steal the election .
He has also made the apparently tongue-in-cheek suggestion that , by popular demand , he might stay in office beyond the Constitution ’ s eight-year limit .
Prior to his 2016 presidential election win , Trump “ made similar comments about not accepting defeat ” , the London Evening Standard notes .
However , the Biden camp has indicated that it is not overly worried about Trump not leaving .
Democrat spokesperson Andrew Bates yesterday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide this election ” .
“ And the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House , ” he added .
If the election yields a narrow victory to Biden but Trump contests the result , the vote could go to a recount .
According to The Atlantic , in such a situation the president “ could put the military and other tools of presidential power in an awkward spot , pressuring them to pick sides and untangle competing claims about who won ” .
Lawrence Douglas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amherst College , published a book this year titled Will He Go ?
that lays out what could happen if both men claim to have won the election and neither back down , as happened in 2000 before Al Gore conceded to George W. Bush .
“ In 2020 , we have no Al Gore to save us from a complete electoral meltdown and the unrest and violence it could unleash , ” Douglas wrote .
The law expert told The Atlantic : “ If people really prepare to engage in constitutional brinkmanship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designed to deal with that type of person… It depends on people having internalised the norms that make a constitutional democracy work.
” Democrat congressman Adam Smith , chair of the House Armed Services Committee , agrees with that assessment .
“ There ’ s a zero percent chance that [ Trump ] would gracefully transfer power , ” Smith said .
“ The best we can hope for is that he would ungracefully transfer power .
”


theweekuk--2020-07-21--Kremlin interference: what is in the long-awaited Russia report?

Britain ’ s government and intelligence agencies “ actively avoided ” investigating or recognising the threat of Russian interference in UK elections , an inquiry by MPs has found .
The allegation is one of a series of damning conclusions made by the Intelligence and Security Committee ( ISC ) in the parliamentary security watchdog ’ s long-awaited Russia report .
The report was finished last October but its publication was repeatedly delayed by the Conservative government for “ no reason ” , say the cross-party committee members .
What is in the report ?
The ISC says that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to investigate Russian attempts to interfere with UK elections and democracy , and instead , as The Guardian puts it , “ effectively turned a blind eye to allegations of Russian disruption ” .
The government “ had not seen or sought evidence of successful interference in UK democratic processes ” at the time of the 2016 EU referendum , and had made no effort to do so , according to the committee , which scrutinises the work of the UK intelligence agencies .
“ We have not been provided with any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , says the report .
“ This situation is in stark contrast to the US handling of allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election , where an intelligence community assessment was produced within two months of the vote , with an unclassified summary being made public.
” The authors add : “ Had the relevant parts of the intelligence community conducted a similar threat assessment prior to the referendum , it is inconceivable that they would not have reached the same conclusion as to Russian intent , which might then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect the process.
” The ISC members reveal that when they asked MI5 for written evidence at the outset of their investigation , the security service “ initially provided just six lines of text ” .
So lacking was the UK government ’ s investigation into Kremlin interference that no definite conclusion could be reached about whether Russia had successfully interfered in the referendum vote , the report says .
Which part of government was responsible for the “ hot potato ” of “ defending the UK ’ s democratic processes ” was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the role of MI5 and the Secret Intelligence Service ( SIS ) is not to set their own priorities but rather to provide “ secret intelligence as context ” for ministers , who then factor that intelligence into their decision-making and policy setting .
Instead , central government ’ s Department for Culture , Media and Sport was identified by the committee as being responsible for “ the broad [ government ] policy regarding the use of disinformation ” .
However , the report concludes , “ It has been surprisingly difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Although the ISC could not conclusively show Russia ’ s meddling had influenced the result of UK elections , the MPs say that Britain was “ clearly a target ” for the Kremlin .
Indeed , they claim that Russian influence in the UK is now “ the new normal ” , reports the BBC .
Unsurprisingly , the official UK government response to the report defends Downing Street and the UK spy agencies .
The government has also rejected calls to launch a new investigation into Kremlin interference in the Brexit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ we have seen no evidence of successful interference in the EU referendum ” , adding that MI5 and SIS make “ regular assessments ” of the Russian threat .
“ Given this long-standing approach , a retrospective assessment ” of the Brexit referendum “ is not necessary But not everyone is convinced .
Former attorney general Dominic Grieve told Sky News that “ somebody took their eye off the ball or didn ’ t ever put their eye on the ball in the first place ” .
“ Saying that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about it is an inadequate response .
I think there should be a much fuller investigation into whether Russia did interfere , ” Grieve said .
Meanwhile , Labour ’ s shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy tweeted that it was “ extraordinary that the prime minister took the political decision last October ahead of the General Election to block the publication of this important report that systematically goes through the threat Russia poses to the UK ’ s national security ” .
Responding to the report , Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tweeted : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia must desist from its attacks on the UK and our allies .
We will be resolute in defending our country , our democracy and our values from such Hostile State Activity .
”

Britain’s government and intelligence agencies “actively avoided” investigating or recognising the threat of Russian interference in UK elections, an inquiry by MPs has found.
The allegation is one of a series of damning conclusions made by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) in the parliamentary security watchdog’s long-awaited Russia report.
The report was finished last October but its publication was repeatedly delayed by the Conservative government for “no reason”, say the cross-party committee members.
What is in the report?
The ISC says that the British government and intelligence agencies made no effort to investigate Russian attempts to interfere with UK elections and democracy, and instead, as The Guardian puts it, “effectively turned a blind eye to allegations of Russian disruption”.
The government “had not seen or sought evidence of successful interference in UK democratic processes” at the time of the 2016 EU referendum, and had made no effort to do so, according to the committee, which scrutinises the work of the UK intelligence agencies.
“We have not been provided with any post-referendum assessment of Russian attempts at interference”, says the report.
“This situation is in stark contrast to the US handling of allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, where an intelligence community assessment was produced within two months of the vote, with an unclassified summary being made public.”
The authors add: “Had the relevant parts of the intelligence community conducted a similar threat assessment prior to the referendum, it is inconceivable that they would not have reached the same conclusion as to Russian intent, which might then have led them to take action to protect the process.”
The ISC members reveal that when they asked MI5 for written evidence at the outset of their investigation, the security service “initially provided just six lines of text”.
So lacking was the UK government’s investigation into Kremlin interference that no definite conclusion could be reached about whether Russia had successfully interfered in the referendum vote, the report says.
Which part of government was responsible for the “hot potato” of “defending the UK’s democratic processes” was also unclear.
The report points out that the role of MI5 and the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) is not to set their own priorities but rather to provide “secret intelligence as context” for ministers, who then factor that intelligence into their decision-making and policy setting.