Farage: Government right to consider Natwest licence over Coutts brouhaha July 20, 2023 Nigel Farage has praised the Government following reports ministers are considering making new laws to stop banks closing customers’ accounts because they disagree with their political views. The former Ukip leader said MPs are “beginning to realise that this system is coming for them as well” after his bank accounts were closed by Coutts because his views [...]
What does Susan Hall’s selection mean for London? July 19, 2023 The Conservatives have selected former London Assembly group leader Susan Hall to run against Labour’s Sadiq Khan in the mayoral elections next year. For anyone who’s not been following the process, it has been somewhat of a rollercoaster. Murmurings started some months ago with reports CCHQ were on the hunt for a quasi-celeb, someone with [...]
Coutts treatment of Farage ‘ought to jeopardise’ Natwest’s bank licence, senior Tory says July 19, 2023 Top Tory MPs have piled pressure on Coutts and its owner Natwest after the private bank reportedly closed Nigel Farage’s account because his views do “not align with our values”. Former Brexit secretary David Davis said the decision amounted to “thinly veiled political discrimination” and called it a “vindictive, irresponsible and undemocratic action”. Speaking during [...]
Our media literacy push is rewarded over Online Safety Bill July 19, 2023 Lord Holmes of Richmond expresses his delight over some significant changes to the Online Safety Bill in relation to media literacy.
MI6 chief calls for Russians to spy for UK July 19, 2023 The head of MI6 has urged Russians angry at Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine to spy for the UK. Sir Richard Moore told them “our door is always open” and “we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end”. He said that while artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to help target the Kremlin’s [...]
Sunak set to delay decision on UK rejoining Horizon July 19, 2023 Rishi Sunak is expected to delay making a decision on whether the UK should rejoin the EU’s Horizon science funding programme until after the summer break, it has been reported. The prime minister will not announce whether British researchers will have access to the €95.5bn programme until the autumn,the Financial Times (FT) reported. A government [...]
Susan Hall selected as Conservative mayoral candidate July 19, 2023 Susan Hall has been selected as the Conservative London mayoral candidate. Hall, a former City Hall Tory group leader, will take on incumbent mayor Sadiq Khan, who is pursuing a record third term, in the election next year. She secured 57 per cent of the vote, beating rival candidate Moz Hossain, on 43 per cent, [...]
Met Police has ‘so much further to go’ in tackling racism and misogyny July 19, 2023 The Met Police still have “so much further to go” in rooting out racism and misogyny in the force, the mother of two murdered sisters has said. Mina Smallman said a lack of acceptance and transparency persists in the Met, and that instances of both good and bad policing should be highlighted more often. Smallman’s [...]
Deloitte to review BBC internal processes after Huw Edwards scandal July 18, 2023 A top Deloitte partner has been drafted in to help the BBC review its internal processes following the Huw Edwards scandal. The Big Four firm will be assisting the broadcaster as it evaluates how complaints are assessed in the wake of the crisis. Dame Elan Closs Stephens, acting BBC chairwoman, told a House of Lords [...]
Conservatives heading for triple by-election loss, bookies predict July 18, 2023 The Conservatives are tipped for a triple by-election loss this week as they prepare to do battle in three Tory seats, bookies have predicted. Voters in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Selby and Ainsty and Somerton and Frome will head to the polls this Thursday to select new MPs. Ballots are expected to be an electoral [...]