Government watchdog calls for review of the use of foreign CCTV technology in Whitehall after a video of Matt Hancock clinch with Gina Coladangelo was leaked Requested in letter from the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner Fraser Sampson said ‘risks and considerations are complex and multi-faceted’ False claims blamed leak of Hancock clip on hostile … Read more
‘The general rule over human history is that once powers are yielded to the state at moments of crisis or emergency, it’s never the case – or very very, rarely the case – that the state hands them back.’ The words of Michael Gove in 2009 as he railed against Tony Blair‘s failed attempt to … Read more
David Cameron texted ministers and officials 62 times as he desperately lobbied for Greensill Capital, it was revealed yesterday. The former prime minister also made 11 phone calls and sent 12 emails to some of the most senior figures in the Government and the Bank of England during the four-month bombardment. He even turned to … Read more
Don’t hug too often, keep embraces short and avoid face-to-face contact, is the message from No10’s cautious scientific advisers ahead of the next major relaxation of Covid rules. Boris Johnson will announce England’s next steps out of lockdown at a 5pm Downing Street press conference today, where he is expected to confirm that friends and … Read more
Keir Starmer‘s attempted relaunch after Labour’s election disaster fell flat today after he blinked first in a standoff with Angela Rayner. The leader has suffered another major blow to his authority amid claims he wanted to shift his deputy into the health brief after stripping her of responsibility for campaigns – but she refused. In … Read more
Ministers and the Cabinet Secretary face a grilling today over claims Boris Johnson tried to get Tory donors to fund a £60,000 Downing Street flat renovation. Cabinet Secretary Simon Case will appear before MPs following a string of explosive allegations made by Dominic Cummings. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove is also set to answer an … Read more
As No10 officials and senior ministers joined Boris Johnson in the Cabinet Room the mood was bleak. For weeks the Prime Minister had been rejecting calls to impose a second lockdown, not just from Cabinet colleagues but also from the scientists. But, with the number of Covid infections and deaths on an obstinately upward curve, … Read more
Boris Johnson said he would rather see ‘bodies pile high in their thousands’ than order a third lockdown, it was claimed last night. The explosive remark is said to have come after he reluctantly imposed the second lockdown, sources told the Mail. Downing Street last night strongly denied the Prime Minister made the comment, insisting … Read more
Boris Johnson said he would rather see ‘bodies pile high in their thousands’ than order a third lockdown, it was claimed last night. The explosive remark is said to have come after he reluctantly imposed the second lockdown, sources told the Mail. Downing Street last night strongly denied the Prime Minister made the comment, insisting … Read more
They are the whodunnits that make Line Of Duty look straightforward. Who has been leaking Downing Street secrets in an attempt to damage Boris? And is there one guilty party – or multiple villains? Here our Political Editor Glen Owen examines the evidence – and reveals the most likely culprits. Leak 1: ‘Chatty Rat’ reveals details … Read more