Political news

• Revealed: why Michael Fallon was forced to quit as defence secretary

  04-11-2017 23:00
  Journalist’s accusation of sexual harassment was final straw for Theresa May after series of allegations The dramatic circumstances of Sir Michael Fallon’s sudden resignation as defence secretary last week can be revealed by the Observer.The cabinet heavyweight’s shock departure on Wednesday followed a phone call from the journalist, Jane Merrick, who informed Downing Street that he had lunged at her and attempted to kiss her on the lips in 2003 after they had lunched together.
  
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• Scottish Minister Mark McDonald Quits Over 'Inappropriate Behaviour'

  04-11-2017 22:11
  A Scottish minister has resigned over past actions he said were “considered to be inappropriate”, it was announced on Saturday.Mark McDonald, the SNP minister for childcare and early years, apologised “to anyone I have upset” as he stepped down from the role, the Press Association reports.The MSP for Aberdeen Donside said previous behaviour he had thought “humorous or attempting to be friendly” might have made others uncomfortable.It is understood the complain
  
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• Scottish minister resigns over ‘inappropriate actions’

  04-11-2017 21:36
  Highest profile Scottish politician so far falls foul of increased scrutiny of sexual conduct
  
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• Scottish minister resigns over ‘inappropriate actions’

  04-11-2017 21:36
  Highest profile Scottish politician to fall foul of increased scrutiny of sexual conduct
  
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• Brexit, the ministers, the professor and the spy: how Russia pulls strings in UK

  04-11-2017 21:00
  The charges filed against a Trump aide shocked the US – but also shed new light on the complex connections that link Russia to Brexit and the Foreign OfficeOn “or about” 25 April 2016, a member of Donald Trump’s campaign team emailed his line manager with good news. His efforts to make contact with the highest levels of power in Moscow had borne fruit: “The Russian government has an open invitation by Putin for Mr Trump to meet him when he is ready.”This was G
  
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• Boris Johnson in spotlight as questions raised over Russian influence on UK

  04-11-2017 21:00
  Foreign secretary among three ministers targeted by people linked to FBI investigation into Donald Trump’s alleged collusion with MoscowThree senior past and present Foreign Office ministers, including the foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, were targeted by individuals identified by the FBI last week as central to their investigation into Trump-Russia collusion, the Observer has learned.Tom Watson, deputy leader of the Labour party, called the revelations “extraordinary” an
  
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• Alex Salmond: 'Westminster politics decays before our eyes'

  04-11-2017 20:22
  Former Scottish first minister says ‘timing has never looked better’ for independence due to the weakness of its opponentsThe former leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Alex Salmond, has said Westminster politics is “decaying before our eyes” as he issued a rallying cry to supporters of independence.Related: Scotsman editor hits back at Alex Salmond over 'ill-informed attack'Continue reading...
  
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• Sexual harassment revelations must mark a turning point

  04-11-2017 19:00
  An independent complaints body would make it easier for victims to speak out on abuse
  
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• Croydon Cat Killer 'Could Have Killed Pet Rabbit In Harpenden And Mutilated Body'

  04-11-2017 17:29
  A pet rabbit who was killed and his body mutilated could be the latest victim of the “Croydon cat killer”, police have said.Lionhead rabbit Teddy’s dismembered body was discovered by his owners in their garden in The Cleave, Harpenden, earlier this week.Police said that a link to the Croydon cat killer is being considered.South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL), believes that about 250 animals have been killed in similar circumstances since October 2015.A statement from
  
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• Hammond under pressure to ditch ‘giant’ business rates rise

  04-11-2017 16:20
  Businesses fear the 4% rise will be a ‘tipping point’ for economy ahead of BrexitPhilip Hammond is under intense pressure from tens of thousands of UK companies to drop a planned 4% rise in business rates next year, amid warnings it would be a “tipping point” for the economy ahead of Brexit.The country’s leading business lobby groups, including the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), Federation of Small Businesses and British Property Federation, have joined forces
  
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• Jeremy Corbyn Amazes Gogglebox Viewers With Bizarre Passion For Coddled Eggs

  04-11-2017 16:19
  Jeremy Corbyn talks about how he makes 'Coddled Eggs.'#Goggleboxpic.twitter.com/RSlQnZQeX7
  Jeremy Corbyn’s highly-anticipated appearance on Gogglebox finally hit screens around Britain last night.But to the surprise of many viewers of the show’s Stand Up To Cancer celebrity special, it was not social justice or Brexit which got the Labour leader riled up... but eggs. Watching kitchen queen Nigella prepare Turkish eggs, Corbyn was literally on the edge of his seat as he criticise
  
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• Sexual harassment claims are 'no witch hunt', says Harman

  04-11-2017 14:26 via bbc.co.uk
  Labour MP Harriet Harman says change is "overdue" following sexual abuse allegations in Westminster.
  
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• Women Speak Out About The Sexual Harassment They Face Every Day At Work

  04-11-2017 14:09
  The allegations against Harvey Weinstein have triggered a wave of revelations about powerful men in the entertainment industries, politics, media and FTSE companies. The behaviour of those in the public eye is being scrutinised. But what about in the real world where a boss in a restaurant, office or hospital holds as much power over their employees as Weinstein did over the young actresses he is said to have harassed?Sexual harassment permeates through most industries. A Trade Union C
  
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• Actress Daisy Lewis Slams 'Misogynistic' Tatler Article Which Suggested She's 'Fun In Bed'

  04-11-2017 14:09
  British actress Daisy Lewis has slammed high society magazine Tatler for “irresponsible journalism” after it suggested in an article that the “loud” star is fun “in bed”.The comments appeared as part of the magazine’s annual Little Black Book feature listing the “most selectable, delectable eligibles of the year”.Describing Lewis, best known for her role as schoolteacher Sarah Bunting in Downton Abbey, the author wrote: “As Daisy i
  
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• Tory MP Charlie Elphicke suspended after 'serious allegations'

  04-11-2017 14:04 via bbc.co.uk
  The Dover MP denies any wrongdoing after "serious allegations" are referred to police.
  
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• Jo Brand Praised For Taking All-Male 'Have I Got News For You' Panel To Task Over Sexual Harassment Jokes

  04-11-2017 12:57
  Jo Brand vs. #HIGNFY on women. pic.twitter.com/0R34BbhSeY— Johnathan Randall (@MrJRan) November 4, 2017Jo Brand has received widespread praise after taking last night’s Have I Got News For You guests to task over why sexual harassment should be taken seriously. The comedian offered a ringing rebuke following a series of jokes by the all-male panel over recent misconduct allegations within Parliament, with viewers accusing panelists of trying to “downplay” harassment.
  
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• ‘Stranger Things 3’: 7 Questions That Should Be Answered In The Next Series

  04-11-2017 12:22
  We know, we know, ‘Stranger Things 2’ is only a week old but the world spins quickly and before you know it, we’ll be midway through 2018, with more all-new episodes of the Netflix show about to drop. In the past week, we’ve watched (and rewatched) all of the latest installments which means there’s only one thing left to do. Yup, it’s time to start thinking about what might happen in the third series.Creators the Duffer Brothers have already confirmed that it&
  
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• Liam Gallagher’s ‘Celebrity GoggleBox’ Appearance Was Everything We Hoped It’d Be

  04-11-2017 10:47
  We were delighted when Liam Gallagher was announced as one of the participants in this year’s ‘Celebrity Gogglebox’ and when the episode aired on Friday (3 November), he did not disappoint.The former Oasis rocker appeared on the Stand Up To Cancer special alongside his mum, Peggy, and son Gene, and naturally, he was on fine form.During his appearance, Liam’s typically to-the-point criticisms on everything from David Attenborough’s ‘Blue Planet II’ to Nig
  
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• ‘House Of Cards’ Will Not Continue With Kevin Spacey, Netflix Confirm

  04-11-2017 10:11
  Netflix have confirmed that they will not be producing any new episodes of ‘House Of Cards’ that feature Kevin Spacey, following a series of sexual harassment allegations against the actor. As Frank Underwood, Kevin is the focal point of the show but Netflix and production company MRC have not ruled out finding a way to carry on without him.A statement reads: “Netflix will not be involved with any further production of ‘House of Cards’ that includes Kevin Spacey. &l
  
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• London Underground Incident Sees Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Passenger Struck By Rush Hour Train

  04-11-2017 09:44
  A 29-year-old has been charged with attempted murder after a man suffered serious injuries when he was hit by a London Tube train.The alleged victim, aged in his 50s, was hurt during the rush hour incident at Bayswater Underground Station in central London on Thursday, the Press Association reported.British Transport Police said the man was “struck by a train” at the station shortly after 5pm and taken to hospital, where his injuries were deemed non-life threatening.Man charged with
  
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• In Post-Weinstein Hollywood, The Celebration Of Johnny Depp Is Increasingly Hard To Bear

  04-11-2017 09:42
  For the past year, I have struggled to stomach the presence of Johnny Depp.This started with his split from Amber Heard. When they settled their divorce outside of court, many aspects of the couple’s parting remained private, but a number of others did not. The video of him, drinking and appearing to throw a bottle in his kitchen is on the internet, as is a photograph of a mirror, stained with the name of a man Depp thought his wife was having an affair with. Heard said that the words on i
  
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• Labour MP Clive Lewis denies groping claim

  04-11-2017 09:07 via bbc.co.uk
  The party is investigating a formal complaint against the former shadow defence secretary.
  
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• Wetherspoon’s Boss ‘100% Certain’ Brexit Can Mean Cheaper Food - But Can’t Say If His Prices Will Drop

  04-11-2017 08:33
  “I’m 100% sure what I’m saying is true,” Tim Martin tells HuffPost UK, after printing half a million beermats that tell Wetherspoon’s customers Brexit can make their food and drink cheaper, despite repeated warnings that leaving the EU will do the opposite.“If by any chance I’ve got it wrong, I’ve not made myself look too clever.”Lots of people would say the chairman of Wetherspoon’s, Britain’s biggest pub chain, has not made
  
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• Families of child sexual abuse victims threaten action against UK government

  04-11-2017 08:01
  Families of children attacked or harassed by other pupils are dismayed by lengthy delays in issuing guidelines to schoolsLawyers acting for families whose children have been victims of rape, sexual assault and harassment by fellow school pupils have stepped up action against the education secretary, Justine Greening, with a letter threatening judicial review proceedings.The Equality and Human Rights Commission is funding a legal challenge against the education secretary, which accuses her of fai
  
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• Beware: this Russian cyber warfare threatens every democracy | Natalie Nougayrède

  04-11-2017 07:00
  Kremlin-inspired interference is about much more than skewed elections. It’s the world of mind control imagined by George OrwellAnyone in Europe and Britain worried about the state of US democracy should take time to watch the videos of this week’s congressional hearings over Russian online meddling in the 2016 presidential election. If the words “checks and balances” mean anything, this surely is it.My favourite moment is when senator Dianne Feinstein leans into the micr
  
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• Britain’s food banks prepare for difficult winter

  04-11-2017 06:03
  Universal credit rollout puts extra pressure on system
  
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• House of Commons crumbles amid a culture of decay

  04-11-2017 06:02
  Politics is profoundly destabilised, so the latest scandals may achieve lasting change
  
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• UK has conceded on cut-off date for EU nationals, say Brussels sources

  04-11-2017 06:00
  Exclusive: Sources close to Brexit talks say collapse in number coming to UK has sunk case for earlier date on protected rightsBritain has quietly conceded that EU27 nationals coming to the country at any point before Brexit day in 2019 will have their rights protected, after a collapse in the number of workers coming to the country blew apart any argument for an earlier cut-off date, according to EU sources close to the negotiations.Downing Street had been keeping open the possibility that it w
  
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• Cognita schools chief puts trust back in private model

  04-11-2017 05:01
  Former FTSE manager brings in ‘brutal’ reforms deemed necessary after criticism
  
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• Red Robbo

  04-11-2017 04:38 via bbc.co.uk
  The Longbridge union convenor, who has died aged 90, remains a controversial figure.
  
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• Westminster in crisis and a raise in rates

  04-11-2017 01:53
  British politics is engulfed in a tide of sexual harassment allegations, where will it go next? Is it time for a cultural shift in the Palace of Westminster?
  
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• Tories suspend MP and refer ‘serious’ allegations to police

  04-11-2017 00:00
  Charlie Elphicke says he is unaware of the claims and denies any wrongdoing
  
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