General news

• Tory candidate quits over ‘ill-judged’ comments on rape case

  07-11-2019 23:45
  
  Ex-BBC Radio Norfolk presenter Nick Conrad said women should 'keep your knickers on' during a radio discussion in 2014.
  
  Read more

• Ulster Unionist Party endorses Tom Elliott as Westminster candidate

  07-11-2019 23:33
  
  He will contest the Fermanagh and South Tyrone seat held by Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew.
  
  Read more

• Mothers promised full year of maternity pay in Labour manifesto

  07-11-2019 23:30
  
  Party seeks ‘step change’ in rights of women at work, with pledge to cut gender pay gap. Mothers will be given maternity pay for a full year after the birth of their children and all employees will have a right to work flexibly as part of a Labour manifesto pledge to improve life for parents. Dawn Butler, Labour’s shadow women and equalities secretary, said she wanted to see a “step change in how women are treated at work”, which would be reflected in the party&rsqu
  
  Read more

• Labour promises ‘step change’ in way women are treated at work

  07-11-2019 23:30
  
  Shadow equalities secretary Dawn Butler has set out a plan for increased maternity pay and more flexible working.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Care home operators accused of extracting 'disguised' profits

  07-11-2019 23:30
  
  Many firms are based in tax havens and have questionable finances, says thinktank. Care home operators are making up to £1.5bn a year in profits, which include fees to directors and an array of questionable financial arrangements, according to research undertaken by a thinktank. Many of the firms that provide most of the UK’s 465,000 care home beds are owned or backed by hedge funds, while some of the biggest are based in overseas tax havens. The Centre for Health and the Public Inte
  
  Read more

• William praises air ambulance crews at charity reception

  07-11-2019 23:21
  
  The Duke of Cambridge became patron of the London Air Ambulance's 30th anniversary charity campaign in January.
  
  Read more

• Eighteen-year-old stabbed to death in west London

  07-11-2019 23:20
  
  A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the incident at Hillingdon Civic Centre in Uxbridge. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PAPolice have launched a murder investigation after an 18-year-old was stabbed to death in west London.Officers were called at about 4.40pm on Thursday to reports of a stabbing at Hillingdon Civic Centre in High Street, Uxbridge. The victim was taken to hospital with a stab wound to his chest, but was pronounced dead less than an hour later.A 17-year-
  
  Read more

• Tory candidate steps down over rape comments after Boris Johnson criticism

  07-11-2019 23:19
  
  BBC Radio Norfolk host Nick Conrad, pictured in 2010. Photograph: Simon Finlay/ArchantA Conservative candidate has stood down after Boris Johnson criticised his remarks from 2014 saying women should keep their “knickers on” to avoid rape.Nick Conrad, a 34-year-old former radio presenter, was chosen on Wednesday evening to stand in the Broadland constituency in Norfolk. However, he withdrew on Thursday night, saying: “It has become clear to me that the media attention on my prev
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Suspected blood stains in backpacker’s apartment ‘could have come from bucket’

  07-11-2019 23:16
  
  A forensic expert has been giving evidence at the trial over Grace Millane's death in New Zealand.
  
  Read more

• Tory Candidate Nick Conrad, Who Said Women Should 'Keep Their Knickers On' To Avoid Rape, Stands Down

  07-11-2019 23:09
  
  The Conservative candidate for Broadland, Nick Conrad, has announced he isstanding down over "ill-judged comments" during a radio discussion about arape case.
  
  Read more

• Jeremy Corbyn says Labour government would ‘deliver for people’

  07-11-2019 23:06
  
  The party leader said small donations had already swollen Labour's war chest by £1 million.
  
  Read more

• Toby Carvery launches online roast dinner delivery service

  07-11-2019 22:58
  
  The move comes a year after the chain began accepting takeaway orders that customers could collect themselves.
  
  Read more

• William praises air ambulance crews in palace reception

  07-11-2019 22:45
  
  The Duke of Cambridge became patron of the London Air Ambulance's 30th anniversary charity campaign in January.
  
  Read more

• Who are the favourites to take over as Labour deputy leader?

  07-11-2019 22:10
  
  Tom Watson has quit as Labour deputy leader and will not contest his seat in the December election. Photograph: Peter Nicholls/ReutersLabour’s deputy chairman, Tom Watson, has announced he is stepping down and will not be standing as an MP in the general election. A new deputy will not be chosen until after the election but already some candidates are starting to emerge. Dawn ButlerDawn Butler. Photograph: Jonathan Hordle/Rex/ShutterstockThe MP for Brent South is one of Jeremy Corbyn&rsquo
  
  Read more

• Snow Patrol frontman picks up Oh Yeah Legend award

  07-11-2019 21:57
  
  Gary Lightbody said receiving the honour at the NI Music Prize night is 'just bonkers, really'.
  
  Read more

• Tories and Labour warned over ambitious spending promises

  07-11-2019 21:41
  
  Returning infrastructure investment to 1970s levels may be undeliverable, says IFS. Labour and the Conservatives have triggered a public spending bidding war, promising massive programmes of borrowing that will return public investment to levels last seen in the 1970s, according to Britain’s leading experts on the public finances. The Institute for Fiscal Studies said plans unveiled by Sajid Javid, the chancellor, and John McDonnell, his Labour shadow, would represent a decisive break with
  
  Read more

• Boris Johnson makes NI trade pledge as he highlights Brexit deal

  07-11-2019 21:32
  
  The Prime Minister made the comments as he visited a crisp factory in Co Armagh.
  
  Read more

• Labour candidate steps down after comparing Israel to 'abusive adult'

  07-11-2019 21:25
  
  In a blogpost Kate Ramsden said the international community had to ‘intervene with Israel’. Photograph: Kate Ramsden/TwitterA Labour candidate has stood down after being put under investigation for a blogpost that compared Israel to “an abused child who becomes an abusive adult”.Kate Ramsden, who had been standing for Gordon, in Aberdeenshire, withdrew for “personal reasons” after Labour asked her to re-interview and said she could face a disciplinary process.
  
  Read more

• Tom Watson: anger and regret follow deputy's resignation

  07-11-2019 21:24
  
  Labour colleagues criticise leave-taking on eve of election as allies hope to fill vacant post with centrist. The shock news of Tom Watson’s resignation as deputy leader of Labour has caused introspection and anger among parliamentarians concerned over Jeremy Corbyn’s transformation of the party. Dawn Butler, the shadow women’s minister, was the first person to confirm that she would run for the vacant position, and Watson’s former allies in the parliamentary party said t
  
  Read more

• Juul halts sales of mint-flavored e-cigarette popular with teenagers

  07-11-2019 21:16
  
  The decision to end mint sales comes after Juul dropped other flavors, including mango, that were popular with adolescent e-cigarette users. Photograph: Seth Wenig/APLeading e-cigarette company Juul has halted sales of its popular mint flavor tobacco products, the company announced on Thursday.Mint-flavored products reportedly account for 70% of Juul’s sales and are particularly popular with younger vapers.According to a Journal of the American Medical Association study published this week
  
  Read more

• PM shows commitment to union with three-country tour on ‘Con Air’

  07-11-2019 20:10
  
  Boris Johnson sampled tea, whisky and crisps in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
  
  Read more

• On the campaign trail - Late trains, a missing signature, whisky and beer

  07-11-2019 20:06
  
  Britain holds an election on Dec. 12, a political gamble by Prime Minister Boris Johnson who sees it as his best chance to break the deadlock in parliament over Brexit.British finance minister Sajid Javid tore up the country's spending rules on Thursday, promising to pump billions into upgrading the country's schools, hospitals, roads and railways.Shortly before the speech was due to start, word went around from a Conservative Party official that the start of the event in the northern English ci
  
  Read more

• General Election 2019: What is Labour's economic plan?

  07-11-2019 19:48 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has unveiled Labour's economic plan. What's in it?
  
  Read more

• Teenager dies after stabbing in west London

  07-11-2019 19:40
  
  A second teenager suffered a knife injury to his ear, the Metropolitan Police said.
  
  Read more

• Two former Labour MPs urge voters to back Boris Johnson

  07-11-2019 19:29
  
  Ian Austin and John Woodcock both say Jeremy Corbyn is not fit to become prime minister. Two former Labour MPs have urged voters to back Boris Johnson to stop Jeremy Corbyn becoming prime minister, saying the Labour leader is “completely unfit” to be in charge of the country. In remarks seized upon by Tory ministers, Ian Austin said he would not run again as an MP but wanted to speak out against Corbyn. Austin, a longtime critic of the Labour leader, who left the party over claims it
  
  Read more

• Facebook admits it cannot keep track of all political ads on its platform

  07-11-2019 19:27
  
  The tech giant said it was reliant on users to report ads that slip through the cracks.
  
  Read more

• Jo Swinson: Lib Dems can win even in leave-voting constituencies

  07-11-2019 19:25
  
  The Liberal Democrat leader, Jo Swinson, visits a forest school in North East Somerset, Jacob Ree-Mogg’s constituency. Photograph: Will Oliver/EPAThe Liberal Democrat leader, Jo Swinson, has insisted that her party can again make the west of England a stronghold even in places that voted to leave the EU.In a show of confidence, Swinson’s bus rolled into North East Somerset – Jacob Rees-Mogg’s constituency – on Thursday for a visit to a forest school nursery.Swinson
  
  Read more

• Sky News witnesses 'spectacular' explosions on North Korea 'nuclear site'

  07-11-2019 19:23
  
  Sky News has witnessed the demolition and closure of what North Korea says is its nuclear weapons test site in Punggye-ri.
  
  Read more

• Labour Candidate Defends Would-Be MP Who Said She’d Cheer Blair’s Demise: ‘People Celebrated Hitler’s Death’

  07-11-2019 19:23
  
  A Labour election candidate has given an astonishing interview where sheappeared to compare the celebrating the death of Tony Blair to Adolf Hitler'sdemise.
  
  Read more

• Britbox: 'We know what competing with Netflix looks like'

  07-11-2019 19:23
  
  Reemah Sakaan, ITV's group director for Britbox talks to Ian King Live about the UK-based streaming video service launched today.
  
  Read more

• Helen Mirren 'very flattered' to be mistaken for Keanu Reeves's rumoured girlfriend

  07-11-2019 19:22
  
  The 'Catherine the Great' star says the pair are 'lucky' to have one another.
  
  Read more

• NHS should not suffer because of the whims of politicians

  07-11-2019 19:11
  
  A former NHS consultant on funding shortages, Jean Jackson on the young doctors under pressure, and Mike Allott on a cross-party approach to funding and best practice. I agree with medical student Julia Simons wholeheartedly regarding funding for the NHS ( I couldn’t stay silent when Johnson visited my hospital, Journal, 5 November). I retired from my position as a consultant in a major London hospital in 2002; for many years prior to my retirement I was aware of the lack of funding for th
  
  Read more

• Labour must embrace radical electoral reform

  07-11-2019 19:11
  
  A group activists and trade unionists urge the party to abolish the House of Lords, while Theo Morgan writes that replacing FPTP with proportional representation is essential. Plus, John Forsyth suggests relocating parliament away from London. Polly Toynbee is spot-on in her analysis of the democratic deficit Britain is faced with ( Journal, 5 November). Leading Brexiters are very keen to talk about democracy, and the will of the people, but are strangely silent on the large proportion of the el
  
  Read more

• The rich dodge scrutiny with attacks on the intellectual ‘elite’

  07-11-2019 19:10
  
  The focus of wealthy Brexiters and Conservatives on the allegedly improper influence of the intellectual elite demonstrates their lack of self-confidence in defending their own interests, says William Wallace. Tony Hinkins ( Letters, 6 November) is right to point out that “the elite” against whom wealthy Brexiters and Conservatives declaim is the intellectual elite, rather than the economic and social elites to which they themselves belong. This is the rich protesting against reasone
  
  Read more

• A lack of justice for young people in our punitive society

  07-11-2019 19:10
  
  Retired youth court judge David Simpson on the age of criminal responsibility and imprisonment, and retired solicitor Malcolm Fowler on delays in criminal cases. The age of criminal responsibility for children has been a subject of debate for a generation, and I suspect the answer to why it is so low compared with our European neighbours is that we are a uniquely punitive society ( Government urged to raise age of criminal responsibility above 10, 5 November). We obviously have a deep-seated bel
  
  Read more

• Harry Dunn parents say they rejected Trump offer of cheque

  07-11-2019 19:05
  
  A spokesman for Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn said Trump told them the treasury secretary was ‘standing by ready to write a cheque’. Photograph: S Meddle/ITV/Rex/ShutterstockThe family of a 19-year-old motorcyclist killed outside a Northamptonshire RAF base in a crash involving the wife of a US diplomat have said compensation from Donald Trump will not resolve the matter.Anne Sacoolas was allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road before the collision with Harry Dunn on 27 Augu
  
  Read more

• UK railways cannot cope with climate crisis, says rail boss

  07-11-2019 19:04
  
  Head of Scotland’s railway calls for vastly increased investment in future-proofing network. Britain’s railways can no longer cope with the effects of the climate crisis, a senior rail executive has warned. Extreme weather events including heatwaves, storms and flooding have damaged infrastructure and halted thousands of services across the UK this year. Alex Hynes, the managing director of Scotland’s railway, said more investment would be needed to future-proof the railway aga
  
  Read more

• Death of a Salesman moves to Young Vic after Piccadilly Theatre ceiling collapse

  07-11-2019 18:56
  
  US actor Wendell Pierce, who stars in the production, said he hoped those injured during the incident were 'recovered and healing'.
  
  Read more

• Campaign highlights: PM stops for a cuppa as Jeremy Corbyn comes under fire

  07-11-2019 18:51
  
  There was also news of an electoral pact formed by Remain parties.
  
  Read more

• Downpours bring flooding misery as election campaigning continues in the rain

  07-11-2019 18:45
  
  Torrential rain in the north of England leaves road and rail lines closed.
  
  Read more

• ‘Got them’: Father of murdered Jodie Chesney’s relief as two teenagers convicted

  07-11-2019 18:38
  The 17-year-old was with friends in a park in London when she was stabbed in the back in March.
  
  Read more

• George Osborne Warns Of Tory Tax Bombshell As Javid Unveils £100bn 'Renewal Fund'

  07-11-2019 18:36
  
  George Osborne has warned the chancellor's bold £100bn spending plans willmean higher taxes in the future.
  
  Read more

• Boris Johnson distances himself from Tory candidate's rape comments

  07-11-2019 18:26
  Nick Conrad said in 2014 radio exchange that women should keep ‘knickers on’ to avoid rape. Boris Johnson has been forced to distance himself from comments made by a Conservative parliamentary candidate who once said women should keep their “knickers on” to avoid rape. Nick Conrad, a 34-year-old former radio presenter, was chosen on Wednesday evening to stand in the Broadland constituency in Norfolk. In a 2014 radio exchange about rape allegations, Conrad suggested women
  
  Read more

• Nurses vote to go on strike in row over pay and staff shortages

  07-11-2019 18:21
  It is the first time members of the Royal College of Nursing in Northern Ireland have backed industrial action.
  
  Read more

• Police officer in court charged with murder of ex-footballer Dalian Atkinson

  07-11-2019 18:19
  The officer will remain anonymous after a ruling by a judge.
  
  Read more

• Spend, spend, spend – Javid and McDonnell vie for first dibs, same policy

  07-11-2019 18:15
  Austerity appears to melt away as Tories and Labour proffer the Midas touch with unfrozen coffers. Let a hundred horse radishes bloom. As Jeremy Corbyn almost wrote to Tom Watson. The good times are here again. Austerity? What austerity? The absence of pain would almost make the agony worthwhile. Almost. Somewhat later than billed due to cancelled trains in the north-west – whenever the government finds out who has been in charge of infrastructure spending there’s going to be hell to
  
  Read more

• Lazio v Celtic and more: Europa League – live!

  07-11-2019 18:14
  Updates from Thursday’s Europa League matchesLive scoreboard: the latest from tonight’s gamesAnd you can email Simon here or tweet him here 5.14pm GMT Lazio: Strakosha, Felipe, Vavro, Acerbi, Lazzari, Parolo, Lucas, Milinkovic-Savic, Jony, Caicedo, Immobile. Subs: Patric Gil, Berisha, Luis Alberto, Bastos, Lulic, Guerrieri, Adekanye.Celtic: Forster, Elhamed, Jullien, Ajer, Hayes, Brown, McGregor, Forrest, Christie, Elyounoussi, Edouard. Subs: Gordon, Taylor, Bitton, Sinclair, Bauer,
  
  Read more

• Carney says rate cuts will be considered if political turmoil continues

  07-11-2019 18:10
  The Bank said it could consider following European and US counterparts in reducing rates if uncertainty continues.
  
  Read more

• Jo Swinson says Labour and the Tories are the same on Brexit. That’s just not true | Chaminda Jayanetti

  07-11-2019 18:09
  There are plenty of reasons not to vote for Corbyn. But his current Brexit policy is close to what the Lib Dems pledged in 2017Once upon a time, words had meanings. Take “merge”, for example – to “blend gradually into something else so as to become indistinguishable from it”, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Related: Jo Swinson fails to tread line between ambition and delusion | John CraceContinue reading...
  
  Read more

• John Bolton fails to appear before Trump impeachment inquiry – live

  07-11-2019 18:06
  Former national security adviser reportedly objected to mixing US national security priorities in Ukraine with Trump’s political concerns – follow liveSign up for the US briefing and get a new perspective 5.05pm GMT The House intelligence committee has released a statement saying that former national security adviser John Bolton, a no-show for testimony today, informed the committee that he “would take us to court if we subpoenaed him.”“The White House instruction t
  
  Read more

Follow @GeneralnewsUK on Twitter!