26Jan 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Put Boris on gardening leave whilst Met investigate

Put Boris on gardening leave whilst Met investigate

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called for Boris Johnson to be placed on gardening leave and removed from Number 10 while the Metropolitan Police investigate the numerous rule-breaking parties that took place. Traditionally, people under investigation are placed on leave whilst the proceedings are ongoing. This is to prevent them from attempting to prevent a fair investigation from being carried out by influencing witnesses or destroying evidence. It’s been reported in recent weeks that Downing Street staff have been advised to delete emails or texts pertaining to parties, ahead of the Sue Gray investigation. Whilst Boris Johnson is on leave, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab would be expected to take over running the day-to-day affairs of the Government. Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: “Since Boris Johnson is…
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25Jan 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
A new low for the worst Education Secretary in history

A new low for the worst Education Secretary in history

Parliamentary news
Responding to allegations from Christian Wakeford against Gavin Williamson that he threatened to cancel a new school in his constituency if he voted against the Government on free school meals, Munira Wilson MP, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson commented: “This is a new low for the worst Education Secretary in memory. “First he betrayed our children's chances to catch up, then he refused to see them fed, now he's exposed for threats and cancelling new schools. ”He is the last person in the country to deserve this rumoured knighthood.”
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25Jan 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Serious allegations of Islamophobia need to investigated

Serious allegations of Islamophobia need to investigated

Parliamentary news
Responding to allegations from Nusrat Ghani MP who says her faith was raised by a Government Whip as a reason as to why she was sacked as a Minister in 2020, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper commented: “Nusrat Ghani is incredibly brave to speak out. These very serious allegations of Islamophobia clearly need to investigated by a complaints process that is independent of the Conservative’s party machine so that she and others can have confidence that her claims won’t be swept aside. “With every passing day, the public are shocked by more and more revelations and allegations from Conservative MPs about the way their Conservative government operates. It’s time for a clear-out, starting in Number 10.”
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25Jan 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Not a penny for new aid in Tonga this year, following aid cut

Not a penny for new aid in Tonga this year, following aid cut

Parliamentary news
Layla Moran MP has been granted an Urgent Question on the humanitarian situation in Tonga, following the eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano on 15 January.  Liberal Democrat analysis from the Government’s own DevTracker shows that UK aid spending in Tonga has been reduced to £0 in 2021-22, a reduction of more than £500k on 2020-21, in the first year of the Government’s aid cut.  The Government is yet to announce the release of any new financial aid to the country following the eruption. Layla Moran criticised the Government’s decision to cut the international development budget, saying that it “has left us responding to disasters like this with one hand tied behind our back”.  The eruption of Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano and subsequent tsunami in Tonga on 15 January has particularly affected smaller islands - on…
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25Jan 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Agnew resignation: Buck stops with Sunak over lost Billions

Agnew resignation: Buck stops with Sunak over lost Billions

Parliamentary news
Responding to the resignation of Treasury Minister Lord Agnew over Covid loan fraud, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said: "Will the last Boris Johnson supporter left turn off the lights? “With two Ministerial resignations in two months and dozens of Tory MPs on the brink of handing in their letters into 1922, this is truly a Conservative government paralysed by chaos. "It is outrageous this Government has allowed fraudsters to steal billions of taxpayer's money, especially when households are facing unfair tax hikes. “The combination of ‘arrogance, indolence, and ignorance’ which Lord Agnew referred to cannot be allowed to continue. “The buck stops with Rishi Sunak. He must explain how he’s going to get back these billions he allowed to be stolen from our schools, hospitals and police…
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25Jan 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
One in three Tory voters less likely to support local Tory candidate if they back Boris Johnson

One in three Tory voters less likely to support local Tory candidate if they back Boris Johnson

Parliamentary news
One third (32%) of those who voted Conservative at the last election are now less likely to support a Conservative candidate if they back Boris Johnson to be Prime Minister. The new poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats finds four in ten (43%) of the public are less likely to vote Conservative at the next election if their Conservative candidate supports Boris Johnson as Prime Minister. This figure rises to six in ten Labour voters (62%) and almost seven in ten (69%) of Liberal Democrat voters. The Liberal Democrats are within touching distance of Conservative seats across the country, including seats such as Wimbledon, Winchester and Carshalton & Wallington which have Conservative majorities of less than 1,000 votes. The Liberal Democrats have already begun delivering leaflets about Boris Johnson breaking…
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25Jan 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Ed Davey: Met Police must interview Boris Johnson under caution

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has welcomed the confirmation from Commissioner Cressida Dick that the Met Police is now investigating parties held in Downing Street and Whitehall in breach of Covid rules, calling it the “first step towards justice for millions across the country.” It comes after Ed Davey wrote to Cressida Dick two weeks ago calling for a full investigation into the gatherings held in Number 10. The Liberal Democrats say Boris Johnson should be interviewed under caution, and given Fixed Penalty Notices for every time he is found to have breached Covid laws. Over 17,700 people have been fined by the Metropolitan Police for breaching Covid laws during the pandemic, including 113 fines for holding a gathering of over 30 people. Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “This…
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25Jan 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Davey on Boris birthday party: Met must investigate this to deliver justice

Davey on Boris birthday party: Met must investigate this to deliver justice

Parliamentary news
Responding to new revelations that Boris Johnson held a birthday party for himself in June 2020, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: "This can't go on any longer. "Party after party, lie after lie, this disgraced Prime Minister brings more pain every day to bereaved families who have already suffered too much. "It is clear now the Sue Gray inquiry is not fit for purpose. The Met must investigate this to deliver justice for millions who sacrificed so much during this pandemic. "Britain played by the rules which Boris Johnson wrote, but couldn't be bothered to stick to himself. It is time he saved the country even more pain and resigned."
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21Jan 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Davey: PM acting like a mafia boss

Davey: PM acting like a mafia boss

Parliamentary news
Responding to claims made by Conservative MP William Wragg that government ministers, whips and advisers have attempted to blackmail and bully colleagues who oppose Boris Johnson, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: "It is simply remarkable that a Prime Minister could countenance scrapping local projects and funding if MPs refuse to back him. "All Boris Johnson cares about is saving his own skin. He’s acting more like a mafia boss than a Prime Minister. "These latest allegations of criminal behaviour are yet more proof that a civil servant investigation into Partygate is utterly inadequate. The Metropolitan Police must investigate. "Number 10 is now in full scorched earth mode. Every minute the Tories allow him to stay in power damages our country."
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21Jan 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Growing court backlog is failing rape survivors

Growing court backlog is failing rape survivors

Parliamentary news
More than 1,300 rape cases are waiting to be brought before the Crown Court, as new figures from the Ministry of Justice reveal the backlog in the Justice system has grown. In total there are 1,336 cases involving charges of rape waiting to be heard. Of these, 289 cases are still ongoing more than a year after reaching the courts, and the average case now takes more than 14 months (435 days) from charge to completion. Responding to the figures, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse MP said: “This Conservative Government is failing survivors by letting too many rapists walk free. Cases drag on far too long and conviction rates are appallingly low. “Even before the pandemic, Tory Ministers had let this backlog soar out of control. They need to…
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