CHAOTIC EASTER OF PROTESTS FORECAST

The Daily Mail reports that several Kill The Bill protests are scheduled to take part in a National Weekend of Action’ over what could be a chaotic Easter, following more violent clashes in Bristol. Calls for protesters in all cities to gather to oppose controversial anti-protest legislation on Saturday April 3 have been shared widely online. Protests are expected to take place in London, Plymouth and Bournemouth on what is forecast to be a sunny weekend and the first to benefit from the easing of ‘stay at home’ lockdown restrictions. Kill the Bill demonstrators yesterday ignored officers’ pleas to stay at home as they marched in rallies across Britain – another night of violence in Bristol saw ten protestors arrested. In Manchester police made eighteen arrests yesterday, as pictures showed protesters clashing with officers.

 

THE DEVIL’S IN THE DETAIL

Reuters reports from the Vatican that  Pope Francis led Palm Sunday services in an almost empty St. Peter’s Basilica because of coronavirus restrictions for the second consecutive year. In pre-coronavirus times, Palm Sunday, which marks the start of Holy Week and leads to Easter, tens of thousands of people would pack St. Peter’s Square holding olive branches and intricately woven palm fronds in an outdoor ceremony. “The Devil is taking advantage of the crisis to sow distrust, desperation and discord,” he said, adding that the pandemic had brought physical, psychological and spiritual suffering. Since he was elected in 2013, Francis has made clear that he believes the devil to be real, saying in a 2018 document that it was mistaken to consider him a myth. In a small-scale version of a traditional Palm Sunday service, the 84-year-old pope and the cardinals processed to the altar holding palm fronds. Palm Sunday commemorates the day the gospels say Jesus rode into Jerusalem and was hailed by the people, only to be crucified five days later.

 

RETURNING TO WORK COULD BE UNSAFE

The Guardian reports that millions of workers could be returning to unsafe workplaces without Covid risk assessments while the vaccines are still being rolled out and dangerous variants are circulating. A survey of union safety reps by the TUC suggests almost half of employers have not carried out a Covid risk assessment or have outdated, inadequate measures in place that may not prevent transmission of the virus. This comes as staff at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in Swansea prepare to strike over safety concerns following the largest workplace outbreak of the pandemic. The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union notified the government agency last week that hundreds of staff in the Welsh city’s offices, where more than 600 workers tested positive, will walk out unless occupancy levels in the buildings are reduced.

 

WARNING FROM FORMER CHIEF CONSTABLE

The Guardian reports that a former police chief has warned that new protest laws move Britain dangerously towards paramilitary policing and that UK ministers are flexing their muscles via their police force like repressive regimes around the world. The warning from Michael Barton, the former Chief Constable of Durham comes as policing braces itself for a report expected within the next 48 hours after Metropolitan police officers were accused of heavy-handed tactics at a vigil on Clapham Common for Sarah Everard. The home secretary ordered a report expected on Monday or Tuesday from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary. The key question it will answer will be whether the Met’s actions were proportionate or not.

 

FREE HOME COVID TESTS FOR STAFF

The SUN reports that bosses will be able to offer free rapid Covid tests to staff to take at home as the government extends its workplace testing programme. Home test kits will be provided to firms with more than 10 employees where it is not possible to set up on-site testing, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said today. The DHSC urged firms to register by April 12 to access free lateral flow tests until the end of June. It was not clear whether the tests will be paid for after that point.The home tests are being targeted at companies unable to set up testing in the workplace, either because there is insufficient space or because they operate over multiple sites. Employees will be told to inform their bosses of a positive test result, as well as the NHS, which will offer them a confirmatory PCR test.

 

DELAY OF COVID TESTING  MEANS 40,000 TRUCK DRIVERS WILL ENTER UK

The SUN reports that truck  drivers arriving in the UK will need Covid tests from next week to stop mutant strains, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced today. Truckers travelling from outside Britain and Ireland must take a coronavirus test within 48 hours of arriving, then one every 72 hours after. It comes as cases surge across Europe, with one in ten infections in France linked to the South Africa strain, which experts fear is more resistant to vaccines. The new lateral flow testing rule, which kicks off from April 6, applies to all lorry drivers staying for more than two days. Delaying the move until April 6 means around 40,000 lorries will arrive in the UK before the mass testing plan starts.

 

TRACKERS AND GRADUATED DRIVING LICENCES FOR OLDIES

The Daily Mail reports that Drivers over the age of 70 who suffer from poor health could be allowed to retain their licences if they stick to roads in their local area. New proposals being discussed by the DVLA and Driving Mobility would also see elderly motorists installing a tracker on their vehicle as part of a ‘graduated driving licence’ scheme. The discussions come as data shows an increase in the number of drivers over the age of 70 on the road. Statistics also show that the number of deaths on the road involving motorists in this age group rose from 95 in 2010 to 145 in 2020.

 

RESPECT ISLAM

The Sunday Times reports that Muslim leaders in West Yorkshire are to warn Boris Johnson that Britain risks becoming like France if the government does not insist on respect for Islam. Adil Shahzad, imam of the Al-Hikam Institute in Bradford, said that a letter would be sent to the prime minister and to local MPs to show the strength of feeling after a teacher shared a cartoon of the prophet Muhammad. Many Muslim parents want the teacher, at nearby Batley Grammar School, sacked. ‘All we ask for is a bit of respect,’ ‘ Shahzad said, adding: If one teacher can do it, another teacher can do it five years down the line, and we do not want this to be the case.’

 

REJOINERS ATTEMPT TO TURN THE CLOCK BACK

The Express reports that a rejoiner organisation has launched a recruitment campaign to revive the pro-EU activist spirit and take the UK back into the bloc. Despite Britain completing its departure from the EU, The Young European Movement UK, has published a job application for a Youth Engagement Manager.  As part of the team’s pursuit to reverse Brexit, the role will look to make a huge difference for young people across the UK, just five years after the referendum. Since the UK left the EU, rejoiner campaigns and movements have sprung up across the country despite the public voting to leave. Indeed, as many Britons filled out the census last week, Rejoin the EU urged the public to mark their nationality as European. In a post on its Facebook page, the group asked Britons to do so as it attempts to drag the country back into the EU.

 

WELSH FIRST MINISTER BACKS UK

The Express reports that Welsh First Minister and Labour leader Mark Drakeford has come under intense pressure to back independence, following a surge in support for a referendum in Wales. During a tense grilling on the BBC, host Andrew Marr pointed out it was very odd for a unionist party to have three Labour candidates in the upcoming election who backed Welsh independence. Mr Drakeford squirmed in response, as Mr Marr claimed that even a majority of his own party members are pro-Welsh independence. When pressed by Andrew Marr, the Welsh Labour leader insisted he was a unionist and so was his party although 51 percent of his  party members are pro-independence.

 

SNP BELIEVES DREAM OF SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE IS CLOSE

The Daily Record reports that the SNP is closer than ever to achieving their dream of an independent Scotland, the party’s deputy leader has claimed just hours after two MPs quit. Keith Brown pointed to the results of recent opinion polls showing more than half of Scots are in favour of leaving the UK – although some more recent polls have shown a drop in support. It comes as the Nationalist leadership is scrambling to deal with the launch of the new Alba Party by former first minister Alex Salmond. Two SNP MPs, Kenny MacAskill and Neale Hanvey, have this weekend walked out on Nicola Sturgeon’s party to join Alba.

 

AND FINALLY

From ‘My London’:  A group of pensioners in West London face being fined and arrested after gathering to play dominoes and backgammon in a market square. A predominantly black Caribbean and Irish community from Maida Vale, the group could face action if they’re deemed to be causing noise and disruption. Westminster Council has secured a special injunction from the courts to allow officers to fine those that fall under this bracket. The over-50s who frequent the square claim that this order threatens to shut down the community mental health support system, developed over decades of friendships and of meetings for a coffee.

 

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