Political news

• Michael Fallon quits in Westminster sexual misconduct storm

  01-11-2017 23:54
  Defence secretary says behaviour fell short of ‘high standards’ as scandal intensifies
  
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• Foster carers housing lone child refugees to receive specialist training

  01-11-2017 23:28 via theguardian.com
  Scheme helping 1,000 carers announced as government prepares to hear ruling of court case regarding end of the Dubs schemeThe government has announced specialist training for 1,000 foster carers looking after unaccompanied migrant children, ahead of a key court ruling on a decision to wind up a scheme under which child refugees are brought to the UK.The announcement comes as ministers face criticism for the UK’s failure to accept any child refugees from Greece or Italy since the Dubs schem
  
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• UK issues murder warrant for Manchester bomber’s brother

  01-11-2017 23:07
  Extradition over 22 deaths complicated by Hashem Abedi being held by Libya militia
  
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• ‘The Apprentice’: Fired Candidate Ross Fretten Claims This Week’s Task Fines Were Unfair

  01-11-2017 23:02
  This week’s ‘The Apprentice’ boardroom casualty has claimed that one aspect of this week’s task was a little unfair and to be honest, we actually agree with him.It’s not uncommon for the fired candidates to claim the process was unfair but in Wednesday (1 November) night’s episode, both teams were penalised for failing certain aspects of the treasure hunt-style task.On the one hand, Ross’s team - what was formerly “the boys” - were missing it
  
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• Snap Analysis: Fallon's Resignation A Supreme Irony For Government's 'Safe Pair Of Hands'

  01-11-2017 22:46
  Having served under four different Tory Prime Ministers, Sir Michael Fallon was seen as the ultimate ‘safe pair of hands’ by many in his party.That phrase sounds bitterly ironic now after a shock Cabinet resignation sparked by his own expectation of further allegations of inappropriate touching of women.Only last month, as Theresa May was rocked by her disastrous Tory conference speech and backbench plots against her, Fallon was touted as a possible replacement PM.The 65-year-old vet
  
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• Analysis: Fallon's Resignation A Supreme Irony For Government's 'Safe Pair Of Hands'

  01-11-2017 22:45
  Having served under four different Tory Prime Ministers, Sir Michael Fallon was seen as the ultimate ‘safe pair of hands’ by many in his party.That phrase sounds bitterly ironic now after a shock Cabinet resignation sparked by his own expectation of further allegations of inappropriate touching of women.Only last month, as Theresa May was rocked by her disastrous Tory conference speech and backbench plots against her, Fallon was touted as a possible replacement PM.The 65-year-old vet
  
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• Michael Fallon quits as defence secretary, saying his behaviour has 'fallen short'

  01-11-2017 22:13 via theguardian.com
  Fallon has resigned as minister after three years in post, as friends suggest there may have been some ‘inappropriate flirtation’ recentlyMichael Fallon has resigned as defence secretary, admitting that his behaviour towards women in the past has “fallen short”, as the Conservatives struggle to contain the growing scandal about sexual harassment at Westminster. Continue reading...
  
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• UK defence secretary quits in sexual misconduct storm

  01-11-2017 21:45
  Fallon goes as Westminster scandal intensifies
  
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• Sir Michael Fallon resigns, saying his conduct 'fell short'

  01-11-2017 21:45 via bbc.co.uk
  Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon resigns following allegations about his personal conduct.
  
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• Michael Fallon: 'I may have fallen below high standards'

  01-11-2017 21:30 via bbc.co.uk
  Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has resigned following allegations of past behaviour.
  
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• Michael Fallon Resigns As Defence Secretary

  01-11-2017 21:19
  Michael Fallon has quit as Defence Secretary in the aftermath of being embroiled in the Westminster sex scandal, a Downing Street spokesman said.In his resignation letter, the long-serving MP said has past behaviour had “fallen short” of what is expected in the military. Fallon is the first minister to step down from Theresa May’s government amid the sexual harassment scandal that has rocked Westminster.Earlier this week, he apologised over an incident 15 years ago in
  
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• Secret Brexit Impact Papers MUST Be Published By Government, Commons Decides

  01-11-2017 21:12
  Ministers are to be forced to publish secret papers on the impact of Brexit on the UK economy after a landmark Commons defeat for the Government.Labour hailed a major “victory for Parliament and democracy” as MPs passed an Opposition Day motion demanding that the confidential documents be handed over to a select committee.Commons Speaker John Bercow ruled that the vote was binding on ministers and insisted that they had to respond as soon as possible.He said that ministers could find
  
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• Government may bow to pressure to release Brexit impact studies

  01-11-2017 20:58 via theguardian.com
  Labour motion seeking release of Brexit economic impact assessments passes unanimously – but it is unclear whether motion is bindingThe government seems likely to be forced to release unredacted versions of dozens of documents assessing the impact of Brexit on the economy after a Labour motion was passed unanimously in the Commons.The motion called for the 58 studies, which ministers have fiercely resisted publishing, to be released in full to the Brexit select committee, members of which
  
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• Michael Fallon Resigns As Defence Secretary After Admitting Past Conduct Has 'Fallen Short'

  01-11-2017 20:37
  Michael Fallon has quit as the UK’s Defence Secretary in the aftermath of being embroiled in the Westminster sex scandal.In his resignation letter, the long-serving MP said his past behaviour had “fallen short” of what is expected in the military.Fallon is the first ministerial casualty following a series of Westminster sexual harassment allegations, which have emerged in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein revelations.Earlier this week, he apologised over an incident 15 years ago
  
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• MPs bring Brexit impact studies closer to publication

  01-11-2017 20:36
  Redacted versions of sector surveys may still not be published for three months
  
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• Brexit impact studies closer to publication after MPs vote

  01-11-2017 20:36
  Redacted versions may still not be published for three months
  
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• Jet-set Boris's 'flying buttress' Brexit plan brought to ground | John Crace

  01-11-2017 20:23 via theguardian.com
  Johnson sought to conjure a vision of Britain propping up an imperilled EU, but it was his metaphors that collapsed It had been more than a year since Boris Johnson last appeared before the foreign affairs select committee, and he was determined to recount his Blue Planet adventures. Brazil. Beautiful country, lovely people. Estonia. Lovely country, beautiful people ... “We’ve only got two hours,” interrupted Tom Tugendhat, the committee chairperson, rolling his eyes.Continue r
  
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• 'House Of Cards-style' Sex Abuse Can Only Be Stopped By Independent Complaints System

  01-11-2017 20:02
  Westminster’s “culture of abuse” can only end if sex harassment complaints are dealt with independently of MPs and political parties, a union boss representing Parliamentary staff has warned.Dave Penman, general secretary of the First Division Association (FDA) of senior civil servants, suggested that the Tory party’s tiny majority and “partisan interest” meant that “House of Cards-style” misconduct would go unpunished as long as MPs had the final
  
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• 'House Of Cards-style' Sex Abuse Can Only Be Stopped By Independent Complaints System - Civil Service Union Chief

  01-11-2017 19:54
  Westminster’s “culture of abuse” can only end if sex harassment complaints are dealt with independently of MPs and political parties, a union boss representing Parliamentary staff has warned.Dave Penman, general secretary of the First Division Association (FDA) of senior civil servants, suggested that the Tory party’s tiny majority and “partisan interest” meant that “House of Cards-style” misconduct would go unpunished as long as MPs had the final
  
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• Gambling reformers should look online for the real dangers

  01-11-2017 19:53
  The debate goes to the heart of what role government should play in personal choice
  
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• Former MP assaulted me in 2012 says ex-Commons intern

  01-11-2017 19:45 via bbc.co.uk
  James Greenhalgh says he felt violated in 2012 but was told he could not make an anonymous complaint.
  
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• Car industry asks May for ‘urgent clarity’ on Brexit

  01-11-2017 19:42
  Investment in sector has fallen 75% amid uncertainty over future trade relations
  
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• Donald Trump Wants To Call His Tax Reform Bill 'The Cut Cut Cut Act'

  01-11-2017 19:40
  Donald Trump is well-known for his rather direct manner and apparently this also extends to naming legislation.The President is reported to be pushing for his long-awaited tax reform bill to be called...The Cut Cut Cut ActAccording to ABC News, a senior congressional aide and a senior White House official have revealed a conflict in the White House over the name of the bill which has yet to be decided less than 24 hours before it is unveiled.There is some method in the apparent madness - interna
  
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• Pressure on ministers over Brexit papers

  01-11-2017 19:20 via bbc.co.uk
  Labour seeks to use an "ancient" Parliamentary tool to force the government's hand.
  
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• Guardian Columnist Calls Female Political Journalists 'Predators' Who Trick 'Poor Old Ugly' MPs

  01-11-2017 19:20
  Female lobby journalists are “predators” who trick “poor old ugly” MPs in order to get stories, it has been claimed.Michael White, the former political editor of the Guardian, faces calls to apologise after making the remarks on BBC Radio 4′s Media Show.It comes as allegations that male MPs sexually harassed people, including two female lobby journalists, continue to swirl.White said: “The power doesn’t all lie on one side. Clever, attractive young women
  
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• Ex-Guardian Columnist Calls Female Political Journalists 'Predators' Who Trick 'Poor Old Ugly' MPs

  01-11-2017 19:19
  Female lobby journalists are “predators” who trick “poor old ugly” MPs in order to get stories, it has been claimed. Michael White, the former political editor of the Guardian, faces calls to apologise after making the remarks on BBC Radio 4′s Media Show. It comes as allegations that male MPs sexually harassed people, including two female lobby journalists, continue to swirl. White said: “The power doesn’t all lie on one side. Clever, attr
  
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• Don't Think Your Mumbod Is Imperfect Just Because You Have Caesarean Scars, Massive Areolae Or Sagging Breasts

  01-11-2017 19:06
  I started my blog as a platform to share the "real life" aspect of motherhood. Not all of these beautifully edited and glorified photos of this perfect image (which I can tell you now does not exist). You get the breastfeeding, mum-bun hair and lack of sleep horror stories.Now I'm sure there will be the typical, "oh my god I can't believe she put that picture online... her boobs are showing and sagging, and her stomach is showing". And of course my own mother's constant concern for the fact my b
  
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• Covent Garden Collision: Police On Scene After Taxi Mounts Pavement In 'Serious Injury Accident'

  01-11-2017 19:06
  Met Police are on the scene of a traffic collision in Covent Garden, with witnesses reporting that a black cab has mounted the pavement.Officers confirmed that there had been a “serious injury accident” involving a taxi, but said it is not thought to be terror-related. Police are “aware of injuries”, the force reported, but are awaiting further confirmation.The driver of the taxi was stopped at the scene and has been detained by police, Scotland Yard said in a statem
  
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• Push forward border contingency plan, says National Audit Office head

  01-11-2017 19:05 via bbc.co.uk
  National Audit Office head Sir Amyas Morse tells MPs he wants a customs back-up plan moved forward.
  
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• Dear Woman Who Called Me A Bad Mother

  01-11-2017 19:05
  Dear Woman,You told me I was a bad mother. You saw a snapshot in to my relationship with my five year old and you called me a bad mother. Actually, I think you called me a bad mother because I politely refused your offer of boiled sweets for my son and you didn't like the refusal. That isn't ok.I am a strong woman and I am generally pretty confident in my parenting ability and in my relationship with my children. Sure, I mess up at times and I don't always get it completely right but actually, t
  
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• My Workplace's Support During My Mental Health Diagnosis Was Invaluable And Inspiring

  01-11-2017 19:04
  2017 has been an amazing year for me in so many ways - in February, I was invited to 10 Downing Street to be part of an initial roundtable discussion, which was the start of the recently published report - Thriving in Work Report. In May, I left my job in Transport for London (TfL) after 15 years' service in order to start a second career. Then last month, I was invited to a Reception on World Mental Health Day at Buckingham Palace; recognising the work I've done as a mental health campaigner to
  
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• A Glacier That Could Add 11 Feet To The Sea Level Is Dangerously Close To Melting

  01-11-2017 19:02
  Totten glacier, the largest in East Antarctica, is being melted from below by warm water that reaches the ice.Up until now it wasn’t entirely clear what was pushing this warm water towards the glacier however a research team at the University of Texas has made the worrying discovery that it is in fact intense winds that are to blame.While in the past this wouldn’t be as much of a problem, climate change is expected to see the intensity of these winds increase significantly in the fut
  
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• Probe urged into alleged tax dodge on business jets

  01-11-2017 18:54
  UK Labour party says 957 aircraft were imported through Isle of Man
  
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• Covent Garden Collision: Two People Injured After Taxi Mounts Pavement In 'Serious Injury Accident'

  01-11-2017 18:36
  At least two people have been injured in a traffic collision in Covent Garden, with witnesses reporting that a black cab mounted the pavement in one of the busiest areas of London. Met Police officers confirmed that there had been a “serious injury accident” involving a taxi in the centre of the city, but said it is not thought to be terror-related.  According to the force, two casualties are currently being treated by the London Ambulance Service. Meanwhile, the
  
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• Until The Imbalance Between MPs And Staff In Westminster Is Tackled, Parliament Will Remain A 19th Century Workplace

  01-11-2017 18:30
  As a trade union that represents staff right across the public sector, including those working in Parliament, we regularly hear distressing stories of harassment and abuse from one employee to another. In all walks of life, this kind of behaviour is centred around the power dynamic - not always men against women, and not always an abuse of grade or authority. Not always, but very often.It has taken years of campaigning and negotiations by unions, including our own, to ensure that practise as wel
  
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• Boris Johnson Says His Jokes Are Good For British Foreign Policy

  01-11-2017 18:20
  Boris Johnson has hit back at suggestions his jokes are damaging the United Kingdom’s relationships with other countries.The foreign secretary said on Wednesday that “telling jokes is often a very effective way of getting a diplomatic message across”.Tory MP Tom Tugendhat, the chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, has suggested Johnson should cut out the gags as it was “really, really hard to do cross-cultural humour”.Appearing before Tugendha
  
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• In defence of joke diplomacy - Boris Johnson

  01-11-2017 18:15 via bbc.co.uk
  The foreign secretary says humour can be a "very effective way of getting your message across".
  
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• Theresa May: Take sex abuse claims to police

  01-11-2017 18:10 via bbc.co.uk
  The PM invites party leaders to discuss the recent allegations of sexual harassment at Westminster.
  
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• Johnson's 'nyet' to Russia UK election role

  01-11-2017 18:02 via bbc.co.uk
  Boris Johnson is asked if he has seen evidence suggesting Russia has meddled in UK elections. After being handed a note by an aide, he replies "nyet" - Russian for no.
  
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• HSBC accused of ‘possible criminal complicity’ in Gupta scandal

  01-11-2017 18:02
  Letter to Treasury alleges bank ignored warnings over transfers out of South Africa
  
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• LabourToo Probe Into Sexual Harassment To Report Its Findings To Party Next Month

  01-11-2017 18:00
  A campaign set up by six Labour women to probe the extent of sexual harassment and abuse within the party will report its findings to officials next month.LabourToo has been collating anonymous submissions from party members, staff and politicians for several weeks in a bid to change the processes and policies around dealing with serious allegations.Today its founders told HuffPost UK they plan to verify and collate all of the responses received into a report, which will be presented to Labour o
  
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• Hard Brexit Makes Lords Reform A Priority

  01-11-2017 17:51
  Change is generally unwelcome in the House of Lords, and when it does happen, it moves slower than cold treacle.I welcome the Burns Report, on how to reduce the size of the second chamber, from about 850 to 600. I say 'about' as it's hard to pin down the exact figure as peers retire or die at random and the government keeps packing more in regardless.But the scope of the report was very narrow, only aiming to find a formula for making the House smaller. It had to ignore the challenge of creating
  
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• The Vatican And The European Union

  01-11-2017 17:50
  If you are British, the Vatican is probably the safest place to debate with participants from the 26 member states the future of the European Union. We were attending a conference there last week, an unusual mix of former and present EU officials, bishops, cardinals, MEPs, national parliamentarians, civil society leaders and academics, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, some 350 in all. It was a daunting task to explain how Britain's future was now being decid
  
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• Labour NEC Elections: A Bridge To Internal Divisions?

  01-11-2017 17:48
  Looking at it from a realist perspective, the likelihood is that you will have no idea who I am or what I've done within the Labour Party. But I see this a positive prospect. My name is Patrick Jenkins and I am standing to be one of the local party representatives on the Labour Party National Executive Committee (NEC). My experience has involved being a local party executive member, conference delegate, Town Councillor and campaigner on local issues such as cuts to children's centres in Warwicks
  
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• Fears And Threats Can Not Keep The Country Together

  01-11-2017 17:47
  The Spanish government should learn from recent history.The scenario looks all too familiar. The regional government demands more rights and self- governance, the national government dismisses it all as pure nonsense and threatens to take all the rights away. Law and national security become word most used and anyone who disagrees is "the enemy".Pro-government demonstrations, calls for arrests, direct central rule, I've seen it all before.I come from the former Yugoslavia, a country that has bec
  
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• This Is Why It's Time To Give 16-17 Year Olds The Vote

  01-11-2017 17:45
  It was a bleak Tuesday afternoon and I was on my way home from town on a bus. A young woman, clutching shopping bags and a large Starbucks sat beside me. The bus lurched forward and a splash of the coffee landed on my shoe. A moment of awkward, British apologising gave way to a pleasant conversation.The young woman was called Kirstie and she was on her way home from work. She'd been in early and was back later that night. Kirstie works as an assistant carer to the elderly. She works for a privat
  
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• Lais Ribeiro Has Been Chosen To Wear The Victoria's Secret Sapphire Encrusted Fantasy Bra

  01-11-2017 17:35
  Victoria’s Secret has chosen which of its ‘Angels’ will don the coveted fantasy bra for 2017: Brazilian supermodel Lais Ribeiro.The fantasy bra shows off the height of the brand’s craftsmanship in lingerie couture, so it’s considered a great privilege for the model who is lucky enough to bear it. Speaking to Vogue, Ribeiro admitted the news was a surprise to her. “I had no idea that [the fitting] was for the bra,” said Ribeiro. “I came in
  
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• Human Rights To The Rescue: How the EU Charter Could Save Brexit

  01-11-2017 17:34
  Despite Theresa May's assertion that the EU rights that we take for granted will continue post Brexit, the EU Withdrawal Bill which is currently floundering through Parliament removes meaningful access to all EU human rights protection. Most significantly, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights will not become part of UK law.The decision to cull the Charter makes no sense. But does it also reveal something about the motivation for leaving the EU? Is Brexit for May's Tories about taking back contro
  
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• Things Parents Need To Know Before Letting Their Child Dye Their Hair: Risks And Alternatives

  01-11-2017 17:20
  Parents need to be aware of the potential risks of hair dye use before they let their children experiment with hair colour, a doctor has warned.One of the most commonly used chemicals in hair-dye, Para-phenylenediamine (PPD), can cause skin reactions, worsen asthma and, on rare occasions, result in systemic illness (one that affects the entire body), according to Dr Rahul Chodhari, spokesperson for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).“The
  
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• This Beer Company Want To 'Make Earth Great Again'

  01-11-2017 17:13
  Today, craft beer makers BrewDog have launched Make Earth Great Again, a protest beer (yes, they’re a thing), to bring attention to the glaring climate change issues that we are facing.
  
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