Jannah Theme License is not validated, Go to the theme options page to validate the license, You need a single license for each domain name.
United Kingdom

MP for Manston constituency says he does not trust Suella Braverman – UK politics live | Politics

Tory MP for Manston constituency says he does not trust Suella Braverman

Roger Gale, the Conservative MP for North Thanet, who has Manston migrant centre in his constituency, has said that he does not trust the home secretary, Suella Braverman.

Gale told Times Radio:

Her language yesterday, I’m afraid, suggested that she is only really interested in playing the right wing.

The fact of the matter is that, of course, I’m also defending my constituents’ interest because the facility at Manston was designed to turn people around in 24 hours, maximum 48 hours, and move them on, it’s a processing centre, not a refugee camp.

I was given a clear undertaking by Priti Patel as home secretary and by the minister of state that that is what would happen and that there would be no expansion of the facility.

Over the last few days, we have seen an almost doubling of the size of the number of people in Manston and a massive building of further accommodation, and that is not acceptable.

It’s in breach of the undertakings that I was given and I’m not prepared to accept it. I don’t accept or trust this home secretary’s word.

Key events

Filters BETA

The Liberal Democrats have joined calls for Matt Hancock to have to forgo his MP’s salary while he participates in I’m a Celebrity. (See 12.06pm.) Sarah Olney, the Lib Dem Treasury spokesperson, said:

Yet again we see a Conservative MP taking voters for granted. At a time when MPs should be supporting their constituents with the cost of living crisis, Matt Hancock is choosing instead to go to the jungle to feed his own ego.

Matt Hancock should declare how much he is earning from appearing on the show, and forego his MP’s salary for the duration. The taxpayer should not pay him while he refuses to do his job.

The Labour MP Chris Bryant has said that he did see a Tory MP “manhandled” into voting a certain way in the fracking division – despite the Commons speaker saying today that his inquiry had found that did not happen. (See 12.35pm.)

Bryant went public on the night of the vote to say that he had seen the Tory MP Alexander Stafford “manhandled” and “bullied” by his colleagues in the voting lobby.

Speaking on the World at One on Radio 4, Bryant said:

I am not challenging the ruling of the speaker but I know what I saw and I am not withdrawing a single word.

It may be that some people feel that they weren’t bullied but I saw intimidatory behaviour.

If you have 15 or 12 MPs standing round one MP effectively, to my mind, kettling them, that is intimidatory behaviour and it will be seen as bullying in any other line of work.

Bryant posted a picture of what he saw on Twitter, even though MPs are not meant to photograph what happens in the chamber or in the voting lobbies. He later deleted the photograph, but in his interview he defended his decision to publicise it in the first place. He said:

I knew that I was breaking the rules. I have apologised to the House for breaking the rules. I thought sometimes you have to break a rule if you see a greater injustice being done. We are trying to change the culture in parliament.

Culture minister says government ‘disappointed’ by BBC’s plan to cut local content on local radio stations

Julia Lopez, a culture minister, has said the government is “disappointed” by the plans announced by the BBC yesterday to cut the amount of designated local programming on its local radio stations.

Responding to a Commons urgent questions about the proposals, she told MPs:

Overall, we do have concerns about the proposals, which we were not given notice of.

I want to take this opportunity to stress that the BBC is rightly operationally and editorially independent from the government, and decisions on service delivery are ultimately a matter for them.

However, the government is disappointed that the BBC is reportedly planning to make such extensive cuts to its local radio output …

For those older residents living in rural areas, it can be a particular lifeline. The BBC must make sure it continues to provide distinctive and genuinely local radio services with content that reflects and represents people and communities from all corners of the UK.

Lopez also said that the BBC received £3.8bn a year from the licence fee and that, if it was not longer going to deliver “distinct, local and regional content”, then the government would be entitled to ask some “very serious questions”.

Other MPs expressed similar concerns. Emma Hardy (Lab), who tabled the UQ, said local radio “cannot call itself local when it stops being local after 2pm”. And Julian Knight (Con), the chair of the Commons culture committee, said there were “very real concerns over potential loss of local distinctiveness through these proposed cuts”.

Julia Lopez. Photograph: Ian West/PA
Henry Dyer

Henry Dyer

Matt Hancock has failed to follow rules requiring former ministers to seek permission on post-government roles with his forthcoming appearance on I’m A Celebrity, the Guardian has learned.

Until June 2023, Hancock must seek permission from the advisory committee on business appointments before taking up outside employment or appointments, but has failed to make an application for his role on the reality show.

The Guardian understands that Lord Pickles, the Conservative chair of the committee, will be writing to Hancock to ask for an explanation for his failure to seek the committee’s advice before taking the role on the show.

The breach of the business appointment rules, which form part of the ministerial code, carries no financial penalties but could lead to Hancock’s future chances of receiving an honour or a peerage being diminished.

A spokesperson for Hancock did not respond to the Guardian’s request for comment.

A Just Stop Oil protester trying to climb the gates of Downing Street today, with supporters looking on.
A Just Stop Oil protester trying to climb the gates of Downing Street today, with supporters looking on. Photograph: Guy Bell/REX/Shutterstock

No 10 claims ‘significant proportion’ of people crossing Channel in small boats are economic migrants

And here is a summary of all the other (ie, non-Hancock) lines from the Downing Street lobby briefing. It mostly covered asylum seekers, and the NHS.

  • Rishi Sunak told cabinet that the UK was a “compassionate, welcoming” country, the PM’s spokesperson told journalists. In a read-out of what was said at cabinet, the spokesperson said:

The prime minister said this will always be a compassionate, welcoming country and pointed to the success of the Homes for Ukraine scheme where 100,000 Ukrainians have now been taken in across the UK. He said the UK’s ability to do this depends on having control of our borders and that the entire government would be working together to further grip this important issue.

Suella Braverman, the home secretary, also stressed the need at cabinet for a “whole-government approach” to tackling the problems caused by people crossing the Channel in small boats, the spokesperson said.

  • But the spokesperson would not say whether Sunak could say the arrival of asylum seekers amounts to an “invasion”. He said he had not asked Sunak if he would use the term himself. Asked if the government would describe the arrivals as an “invasion”, the spokesperson said:

The home secretary was seeking to express the sheer scale of the challenge that faces the country.

George Parker, the FT’s political editor, says the “invasion” row is a typical dead cat distraction.

Suella Braverman has succeeded in turning the debate about her failing to grip the migrant crisis and security breaches into a discussion about her use of language, ie talking about “an invasion”. Classic dead cat strategy.https://t.co/JlFcwU1LAZ

— George Parker (@GeorgeWParker) November 1, 2022

The home secretary was seeking to express the sheer scale of the challenge that faces the country, with people, including a significant proportion of economic migrants, seeking to make this journey.

But, as my colleague Aubrey Allegretti points out, the spokesperson would not define what “significant proportion” means.

Curiously, the PM’s spokesman today defended Suella Braverman’s language – saying she was reflecting frustration that a “significant proportion” of those arriving on small boats are “economic migrants”.

When pressed for evidence or any stats, none were given.

Exchange below 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/ta852xBCZN

— Aubrey Allegretti (@breeallegretti) November 1, 2022

According to recent Home Office figures, 76% of the applications for asylum considered in the year ending in June 2022 resulted in asylum being granted at the initial decision.

The prime minister said significant progress had been made by the government – with almost 30,000 more nurses recruited, the continued rollout of community diagnostic centres and the near elimination of two year waits. But he said it will be a challenging winter.

Grant Shapps, the business secretary, and Suella Braverman, the home secretary, arriving for cabinet this morning.
Grant Shapps, the business secretary, and Suella Braverman, the home secretary, arriving for cabinet this morning. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Inquiry into fracking vote finds no evidence of MPs being bullied or forced into voting certain way, Speaker says

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, told MPs at the start of business today that there was no evidence of members being forced to vote a certain way during the division on fracking two weeks ago.

Hoyle launched an inquiry in response to allegations that some Tory MPs were bullied into voting for the government, and that at least one MP was “physically pulled through the door into the voting lobby”.

Conservative MPs opposed to fracking were reluctant to vote against the Labour motion that could have led to it being banned, but they were being told it was being treated as a confidence vote, until No 10 changed its mind on this point at the last minute. The U-turn added to the confusion during what was a particularly fractious division, and, after 40 MPs failed to vote for the government, the debacle contributed to Liz Truss’s decision that she would have to resign.

Announcing the initial findings of his inquiry, Hoyle said:

The atmosphere was tense and members were raising their voices to make themselves heard, but there is no evidence of any bullying or undue influence placed on other members.

The crowding made it hard to see what was really taking place. While some members thought that physical contact was being used to force a member into the lobby, the member concerned has said very clearly that this did not happen. Those who had the clearest views of the incident confirmed this.

Hoyle also said that MPs should treat each other with respect, that he took allegations of bullying very seriously and that he would “take swift action wherever necessary to address any improper behaviour in the chamber or in the lobbies”.

Downing Street criticises Hancock for abandoning his parliamentary duties for reality TV show

And Rishi Sunak has also joined those criticising Matt Hancock for taking part in I’m a Celebrity. At the Downing Street lobby briefing, asked about Sunak’s response to the prospect of an MP abandoning his constituents to spend time in the jungle in Australia, the PM’s spokesperson replied:

The prime minister thinks at a challenging time for the country MPs should be working hard for their constituents, whether that’s in the house or in their constituency … The public, when they elect their MPs, expect them to work hard for their constituency.

Opposition MPs urge Hancock to forgo salary, or resign as MP, if he wants to be on I’m a Celebrity

Here are some more tweets from opposition MPs criticising Matt Hancock’s decision to take part in I’m a Celebrity. He is being urged to forgo his salary, or even to quit his seat.

Labour’s Chris Bryant says Hancock should resign, and let his constituents choose a new MP.

If @MattHancock thinks representing his constituents is an inconvenience, his constituents should have a chance to decide whether they could bring that inconvenience to an end. #byelectionnow

— Chris Bryant (@RhonddaBryant) November 1, 2022

Lucy Powell, the shadow culture secretary, expects Hancock to be voted off first.

While his constituents need help with the cost of living and want answers about the economy his party has just tanked, Matt Hancock is jetting off to Australia to eat kangaroo testicles. Sums them up really.

No doubt he’ll be voted off first, as this never ends well for MPs. https://t.co/RJi4T9LyNx

— Lucy Powell MP (@LucyMPowell) November 1, 2022

Justin Madders, the shadow employment minister, says Hancock illustrates how Tory MPs do not take parliament seriously.

From Geoffrey Cox and Boris Johnson spending weeks in the Caribbean when they should have been in Parliament, to Matt Hancock deciding he can become a “celebrity”, it seems Tory MPs consider representing their constituents to be an inconvenience at best

— Justin Madders MP (@justinmadders) November 1, 2022

Andrew Gwynne, a shadow health minister, has the same response as the SNP’s Pete Wishart. (See 11.52am.)

To be fair to Matt Hancock, I’d sooner eat Wallaby anus than be a Tory MP too.

— Andrew Gwynne MP 🇺🇦 (@GwynneMP) November 1, 2022

And the Green MP Caroline Lucas says Hancock should forgo his salary.

Great to know that Matt Hancock has worked out a way to represent his constituents from the jungle… otherwise I’m assuming he’ll be returning his MP’s salary? https://t.co/Ln9rJ8fQE2

— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) November 1, 2022

Here is the statement from Simon Hart, the government chief whip, announcing that Matt Hancock, the former health secretary, is having the whip withdrawn for appearing on I’m a Celebrity. Hart said:

Following a conversation with Matt Hancock, I have considered the situation and believe this is a matter serious enough to warrant suspension of the whip with immediate effect.

And commenting on the story, the SNP’s Pete Wishart said:

It speaks volumes that Matt Hancockwould rather be stranded in a remote jungle eating kangaroo testicles than spend a moment longer on the Tory benches at Westminster, as Rishi Sunak’s government lurches from one crisis to another.

Simon Hart
Simon Hart. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, inviting journalists to buy a poppy in Downing Street after cabinet this morning.
Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, inviting journalists to buy a poppy in Downing Street after cabinet this morning. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

As David Hughes from PA Media reports, Matt Hancock’s decision to reinvent himself as a reality TV star has not gone down well with his local Conservative association.

Fair to say @MattHancock‘s local Conservative Association is unimpressed. Andy Drummond, deputy chairman (political) of West Suffolk Conservative Association, told @PA: “I’m looking forward to him eating a kangaroo’s penis. Quote me. You can quote me that.”

— David Hughes (@DavidHughesPA) November 1, 2022

Andrew Sparrow

Andrew Sparrow

Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Rachel Hall.

The Commons authorities have announced that there are two urgent questions and two statements today. Steve Barclay, the health secretary, is taking questions at 11.30pm. At 12.30pm a culture minister will respond to a UQ about cuts to BBC local radio, and after 1pm a Home Office minister will respond to a UQ about reports that the Chinese are operating “police stations” in the UK. After 1.30pm Tom Tugenhdat, the security minister, will give a statement on national security, and after 2.30pm Mark Spencer, the farming minister will give a statement on avian flu.

Hancock has whip suspended after I’m A Celebrity appearance revealed

Matt Hancock has had the Tory whip suspended with immediate effect after he signed up for ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, the Conservative chief whip, Simon Hart, has said.

The Sun’s political editor, Harry Cole, reported that the former health secretary has joined the lineup for this season’s I’m a Celebrity as a “bombshell” extra campmate.

He is following in the footsteps of MP for Mid Bedfordshire and former culture secretary Nadine Dorries, who appeared on the show in 2012, and had the whip suspended as a result.

Hancock, who is MP for West Suffolk, was forced to quit as health secretary after breaking coronavirus lockdown rules by conducting an affair in his ministerial office.

Hancock was among supporters of Rishi Sunak who welcomed the new leader to Conservative headquarters last week but was overlooked for a ministerial job.

He had also reportedly been considering a run to be chair of the Treasury select committee, but pulled out of the race on Monday.

Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale has said that he agrees with Suella Braverman that the asylum system is “broken” due to the influx in illegal trafficking, though added that he thought her approach was “the wrong direction of travel”.

He said:

I share Mrs Braverman’s desire to see this ended. It is criminal. It is trading in human misery and it’s quite wrong.

When you’ve seen, as I have, two, three-year-old toddlers at Manston in the processing centre, kids slightly younger, actually, than my own grandchildren, who crossed the channel and open boats, you realise just how pernicious and how dangerous this is, and it has to be brought to a halt, that I agree with entirely.

Where I think we as a party have gone wrong, and indeed the Labour party hasn’t offered any solutions either so let’s not be holier than thou about this, is that we’ve taken the wrong approach.

Instead of trying to work with the French authorities and the European authorities to reach a pan European solution to what is a pan-European problem, we’ve chosen to play to the gallery.

Are we going to get to grips with this? Well, I hope that the prime minister’s approach to President Macron will yield results. If it does, that’s a very good thing. That is the right approach and the right direction of travel. The home secretary’s approach is the wrong direction of travel, I believe.

Sir Roger Gale.
Sir Roger Gale. Photograph: UK Parliament/Roger Harris/Reuters

There’s more from the Resolution Foundation event on the autumn statement:

Rachel Wolf, who co-authored the 2019 Conservative manifesto, has said it will be “almost impossible” to deliver on the document’s “central promises” of boosting public funding and better public services

She said:

It is almost impossible, at this point, to go back to the central promise of the manifesto.

When you look at what has happened to those voters now, before we get to these autumn statement choices, it’s pretty bleak.

This is not Rishi Sunak’s fault, he warned against it. It going to be very, very difficult for him to sustain over the next two years any hope of a majority or a victory next time because, fundamentally, it will be too easy to lay the blame of this at the Conservatives’ door.

Because all of the instincts of the Conservative parliamentary party remain in the kind of slightly traditional ‘freeze public spending, don’t raise taxes’ space which is not really necessarily where their voters are.

I think that the actions they’ll take in the autumn statement will say as much about their political strategy as it does about their economic one.

Tory MP for Manston constituency says he does not trust Suella Braverman

Roger Gale, the Conservative MP for North Thanet, who has Manston migrant centre in his constituency, has said that he does not trust the home secretary, Suella Braverman.

Gale told Times Radio:

Her language yesterday, I’m afraid, suggested that she is only really interested in playing the right wing.

The fact of the matter is that, of course, I’m also defending my constituents’ interest because the facility at Manston was designed to turn people around in 24 hours, maximum 48 hours, and move them on, it’s a processing centre, not a refugee camp.

I was given a clear undertaking by Priti Patel as home secretary and by the minister of state that that is what would happen and that there would be no expansion of the facility.

Over the last few days, we have seen an almost doubling of the size of the number of people in Manston and a massive building of further accommodation, and that is not acceptable.

It’s in breach of the undertakings that I was given and I’m not prepared to accept it. I don’t accept or trust this home secretary’s word.

As the prime minister and chancellor mull tax rises for millions of households and a squeeze on spending to plug the £50bn black hole in the public finances, former Bank of England deputy governor and OBR forecaster Sir Charlie Bean has said that “all the low-hanging fruit” has already been picked.

He told an event hosted by the Resolution Foundation thinktank about the upcoming autumn statement:

We are at the point where governments have to recognise they can’t do this by efficiency savings. All the low-hanging fruit was picked during the austerity years.

You can only really keep spending down if you’re prepared to change the view of what the public sector should be doing.

And that’s what we ought to be having a debate about.



https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2022/nov/01/suella-braverman-rishi-sunak-tories-manston-migrant-centre-uk-politics-live-news MP for Manston constituency says he does not trust Suella Braverman – UK politics live | Politics

Back to top button