Watch PMQS LIVE: Boris Johnson put on the spot as image with champagne at party emerges

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1644419110’Don’t be ridiculous Neil’ – Therese Coffey slaps down question

During a select committee session on Wednesday, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions slapped down an accusation from Labor MP, Neil Coyle that she was preparing to resign.

She said: “Don’t be ridiculous Neil. If you want to bring up gossip, I can bring up other stuff that happened downstairs.”

1644416330Senior Tory MPs urge UK to do more to respond to ‘horrific’ Afghanistan crisis

Britain “can and must do more” to respond to the “horrific” humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan a former International Development Secretary has urged.

Andrew Mitchell welcomed the £286 million of UK aid announced so far but warned it is “not enough”.

He raised reports of people selling their daughters into early marriage or parting with body organs in a bid to provide food for their families.

The UK’s 20-year military mission in Afghanistan ended in August as the Taliban swept to power.

Mr Mitchell, asking an urgent question in the House of Commons, said: “The stark reality is Britain can and must do more to rise to this horrific challenge.

“The inescapable facts are that the Taliban won and we lost, but we had previously promised that the military withdrawal would not be followed by economic and political withdrawal.”

Read our story here.

1644414881Labour: Concerns PM has ‘legitimised’ far-right conspiracies about Keir Starmer

Labour said there was “concern” that Boris Johnson had given “legitimacy” to far-right conspiracies that had possibly fuelled demonstrators to ambush Sir Keir Starmer outside Parliament.

A spokesman for the opposition leader said: “You will have heard Labor spokespeople say in the last 24 hours that there has been concern at the Prime Minister giving legitimacy to these views that originated in the dark corners of the internet, in far-right conspiracies .

“And I think there is a question over whether these are ideas that the Prime Minister should give legitimacy to by raising them at the despatch box in the House of Commons.”

Sir Keir was mobbed on Monday by protesters in Whitehall, some of whom shouted slurs about Jimmy Savile.

Boris Johnson has been urged to withdraw a claim made last week that Sir Keir had failed to prosecute Savile while Director of Public Prosecutions.

But Mr Johnson has repeatedly refused to apologise for the jibe, insisting he was not making a personal attack but a point about Sir Keir’s overall responsibility for the Crown Prosecution Service.

Labor said it would not be commenting on whether security arrangements would be being scaled up following the incident.

1644414468Latest ‘Partygate’ photo was investigated by Sue Gray – No 10

The Prime Minister’s press secretary has said the quiz shown in the latest ‘Partygate’ photo was one of those investigated by Sue Gray but was unable to say whether the photograph was submitted in evidence to her.

“I’m not going to get into precise evidence but she obviously had access to all the evidence she needed,” the press secretary said.

She insisted the event was a “virtual quiz” and confirmed that No 10 would “publish in full” whatever report was provided by Sue Gray at the conclusion of the Met Police investigation.

Asked if the event where Mr Johnson was pictured near an open bottle of sparkling wine was a party, she said: “You have our previous statement which sets out it was a virtual quiz.”

Asked about Mr Johnson’s response to Labor MP Fabian Hamilton in the Commons, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “My understanding is that he was referring to the fact that this wasn’t an issue that the police had looked into.

“Obviously that event was listed in the Sue Gray update and considered by the Met.”

1644413690No 10: Covid self-isolation likely to be scrapped on or around Feb 24

The rules around self isolation will likely be scrapped on or around February 24, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said, writes the Evening Standard’s Political Reporter, Rachael Burford.

A living with Covid plan is expected to be published after Parliament return from recess on February 21.

The Prime Minister’s clarified spokesman that the Government would not “recommend” people with Covid go to work, but the legal requirement to self isolate would be scrapped if hospital admissions continue to fall.

He said: “We are removing the regulations to self isolate. [But] In the same way we wouldn’t recommend someone with flu go to work, we wouldn’t recommend someone with Covid go to work.”

The spokesman said it was thanks to the British people who came forward in “huge” numbers to get vaccinated that the country was in a position to remove restrictions.

“It is that level of protection that means we are allowed to move forward,” he added.

1644413248 ‘We’re learning to live with Covid’, says Javid

Sajid Javid has confirmed the Prime Minister’s plans to end Covid self-isolation by the end of the month, saying we’re learning to live with Covid.

He said: “We expect to be able to end remaining restrictions – including the requirement to self-isolate – a full month early, provided positive trends in data continue.

“We are the freest country in Europe thanks to the strong defenses we have built. We’re learning to live with COVID.”

1644412262Cummings claims ‘better’ Partygate pictures will come out

Dominic Cummings, the PM’s former top adviser, has claimed that there are “even better” photos of ‘Partygate’ that have yet to be published.

Mr Cummings wrote: “There’s waaaaay better pics than that floating around, incl in the flat.”

The Met Police is currently investigating alleged lockdown-busting parties on eight separate dates.

Mr Cummings added: “Doesnt matter if cabinet office stitch up MET like they did [Lord] Geidt, the pics will come out”.

1644411337Boris Johnson under pressure following latest picture

The picture published by the Daily Mirror refers to the alleged party held on December 15, 2020.

The Met Police is not currently investigating the event.

Commenting on the picture, barrister Adam Wagner said: “The previous photograph of the Prime Minister showed what could have been a meeting briefly interrupted by a Zoom call.

“However, the new photograph shows four people with alcohol and food, as well as a Christmas hat and tinsel, which suggests a Christmas party.”

1644410779“Will the Prime Minister repent on his words and resign?” – Ruth Jones

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s Jimmy Saville remark, Labor MP Ruth Jones said: “Will the Prime Minister do the decent thing and repent on his words and resign?”

Mr Johnson said “thugs who did so should not be left off the hook” but did not retract his remarks.

Concluding PMQs, Mr Johnson insisted he will publish the finding of the Sue Gray report in full and said the Government remains committed to releasing Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

1644411011 “Will the Prime Minister refer the event to the police?” – Fabian Hamilton

Labor MP Fabian Hamilton raised the photo with Mr Johnson at Prime Minister’s Questions as he battles to survive the “partygate” scandal, the Standard’s political editor Nicholas Cecil reports.

Mr Hamilton said: “At the height of the lockdown restrictions in 2020, my constituent who has worked for the NHS for over 30 years was diagnosed with a tumour on her whilst spine in hospital undergoing painful surgery her family obeyed the rules and did not visit her.

“In the last few minutes, a photo has emerged of the Prime Minister in Downing Street on December 15, 2020, surrounded by alcohol, food and people wearing tinsel.

“It looks a lot like one of the Christmas parties he told us never happened.

“So for the sake of my constituent and the sacrifices she made, will the Prime Minister be referring this party to the police as it is not one of the ones already being investigated.”

Mr Johnson responded: “First of all, I’m very sorry about his constituent and for the difficulties that she has been through.

“I understand very much his feelings.

“But in what he has just said, I’m afraid he is completely in error.”

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