UK WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE EU ON VACCINE SUPPLY
The Evening Standard reports that the UK Government and European Commission have issued a joint statement saying they are working together to create a win-win situation and expand vaccine supply for all our citizens. The joint statement came after the commission said it will tighten the EU’s vaccine export rules, prompting fears it could bar supplies being sent to the UK. “In the end, openness and global cooperation of all countries will be key to finally overcome this pandemic and ensure better preparation for meeting future challenges,” the statement said. ”We will continue our discussions.” Boris Johnson earlier warned companies may consider whether to invest in EU nations that impose trade blockades as he faced questions from senior MPs at the liaison committee.
FESTIVAL OF BREXIT NOT WANTED BY REMAINERS
The Express reports that bitter Rejoiners have launched upon the announced line-up of a £120million celebration of Britain to once again attack the so-called Festival of Brexit. Ten “showstoppers” have been unveiled for the exhibition, which officially still has no name but has been given the working title of Festival*2022. The final winning collectives were cut down from a shortlist of 30 and show off a broad range of the UK’s strengths. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: These ten showstopper projects will wow audiences in towns and cities across the country, and show off the UK and its creative genius to the world. The festival will take place right across the UK with one exhibition each set for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and six others taking place across the four nations as a whole. But bitter pro-EU activists have hijacked the plans, attacking the festival on social media following the announcement of the lineup.
NO AUTOMATIC RIGHT TO ASYLUM SAYS HOME SECRETARY
The Independent reports that Britain still has no way of deporting refugees from the UK to other countries, the Home Office has confirmed – despite this being a key component of its asylum overhaul announced on Wednesday. Priti Patel has unveiled new measures that will see refugees who arrive in Britain via unauthorised routes denied an automatic right to asylum and instead regularly reassessed for removal to safe countries they passed through, which are usually in the EU. People who cannot immediately be removed will be stripped of benefits – placing them in the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) category – and have their family reunion rights limited, under the new plans. However, there are currently no return arrangements with other countries to enable the deportation process to take place, and it is unclear how the home secretary plans to strike agreements with EU nations to take in asylum seekers from Britain.
NEW UK PANDEMIC FIGHTING BODY
The Daily Mail reports that Matt Hancock today unveiled a new pandemic-fighting body that will replace Public Health England and protect the UK in the face of future disease outbreaks.The Health Secretary said the UK Health Security Agency will begin work next month and its ‘sole job’ will be to ‘plan, prevent and respond to external threats to health’. Dr Jenny Harries, the deputy chief medical officer for England who has been a mainstay at Downing Street press conferences throughout the Covid pandemic, will be put at the helm. Mr Hancock said the UKSA — which has originally meant to be called the National Institute of Health Protection — will initially focus on fighting Covid, before tackling future viral outbreaks or biochemical attacks at ‘unbelievable pace.
ALEX SALMOND TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION
Scotland’s Daily Record reports that Alex Salmond has said he will take legal action as a result of the “conduct” of Scotland ’s most senior civil servant. He accused Government Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans of refusing to take “real responsibility” for the Government’s botched sexual misconduct probe into him. However, although he name checked Evans, he did not specify who the legal action would be against. He also said he would make a police complaint about what he described as a newspaper “leak” on the case. Salmond, First Minister between 2007 and 2014, was investigated by the Scottish Government after two women made sexual misconduct allegations against him. He pursued a judicial review and the Government accepted their internal probe had been unlawful.
WATCHDOG INVESTIGATING CAMERON
The Times reports that David Cameron is being formally investigated over a possible breach of lobbying sleaze laws that he brought in when he was prime minister. Treasury figures allege that he directly lobbied the chancellor to secure multi million-pound Covid loans for Greensill, a finance firm he was advising. Cameron also approached the Bank of England in an attempt to secure Greensill’s participation in the loans programme. Such interventions may fall foul of legislation that forbids third parties to directly lobby ministers or senior officials without declaring themselves on the government’s official register of lobbyists. Failure to register can lead to a £7,500 civil penalty or, in severe cases, criminal prosecution. Cameron, 54, tried to secure loans for the company from the government’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility.
POLICE OFFICERS FEEL UNDER SIEGE
The Telegraph reports: Police forces are ramping up plans to deal with protests after officers in Bristol were described as feeling under siege following a second night of unrest from demonstrators. Fourteen people were arrested on Tuesday night after hundreds of people ignored the current ban on gatherings to hold a protest in the city centre. It came after more than 20 officers were injured, including two seriously, when a demonstration on Sunday descended into widespread violence. John Apter, chairman of the Police Federation, said the scenes had been completely unacceptable. He said: “I really feel for my colleagues in Bristol. There is a sense that you really feel under siege. And for some, whatever they do is not enough and for others, it’s too much.” Avon and Somerset Police said the weekend’s protest had been hijacked by extremists who were hell bent on carrying out politically motivated attacks on officers.
BBC BUDGET BLACKHOLE OF £120 MILLION
The Express reports: Rising levels of licence fee evasion are pushing the BBC’s funding model to the brink of collapse, it was warned last night. MPs warned the corporation it is facing a massive financial crunch and must come clean about how many viewers are “turning their noses up” at the organisation. They questioned if BBC bosses have “something to hide” over non-payment levels after the organisation failed to provide precise figures to them. The broadcaster went on to supply former cricketer Lord Botham with detailed information about how many over-75s have resisted paying up. Julian Knight, chairman of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee, branded BBC executives arrogant and claimed they are facing a budget blackhole of £120million a year.
NT DIRECTOR IS NOT WOKE
The Telegraph reports that the director of the National Trust has insisted that she is “not woke” after commissioning a controversial report linking its properties with slavery and colonialism. Hilary McGrady faced strong criticism last year from National Trust members over the 115-page report, which included references to Winston Churchill’s home, prompting more than 500 letters of complaint. Despite the backlash, Ms McGrady has stood by her decision to commission the report because she is “interested in telling all of the history of our properties.” But she did accept that she made a mistake over the timing of the investigation, which was made public following the Black Lives Matter protests.
NO COVID PASSPORT NO PINT IN PUBS
The Daily Star reports that Pubs could bar Brits who haven’t been vaccinated against coronavirus, Boris Johnson today hinted. Vaccine passports and certificates for hospitality venues have long been considered in a bid to prevent future outbreaks and rein in infections. Last month, the Prime Minister said the Government would conduct a review into the issue. And on Wednesday, March 24, he said “it may be up to the landlord” whether customers have to provide proof of vaccination.
AND FINALLY
From the Daily Record: A video featuring a dog has gone viral after tricking his owner into thinking he had a limp – when he was actually copying his owner’s injury. Russell Jones was left unable to walk without limping after he broke his ankle. The pet lover was using crutches to keep his ankle off the ground. But his ‘con artist’ Lurcher, Bill, managed to convince Russell and his wife that he too was in agony. The couple spent £300 in vet bills in order to figure out what was the issue with his paw. But the dog’s limp turned out to be ‘sympathy pains’ after vets discovered he was merely copying his owner while he was walking. Footage that went viral shows the moment Bill limps alongside Russell while the pair are out on a walk together.
NO COVID PASSPORT NO PINT IN PUBS… (and that’s just the start).
” Pubs could bar Brits who haven’t been vaccinated against coronavirus, Boris Johnson today hinted “……. So we’re going to need vaccine passports for pubs, but will it stop there? Soon it could be shops, supermarkets, buses, trains, cafés, cinemas, anywhere people congregate.
Last October the Human Medicine Regulations in the UK were changed so that the producers of Covid-19 vaccines could no longer be sued over injury from them. If the Covid vaccines are safe why was that necessary? The only reason can be that the vaccines may not be safe.
If anybody is killed or maimed by the Covid vaccines it is bound to be kept “confidential”, the mainstream media will never report it. And vaccine passports will force people to take that risk.
Any pub or business that insists on a passport from me will be told, in no uncertain terms, just where to put their business. My medical information is strictly private !
Just looked again and there is one sensible remark hidden in the consultations over vaccines. If the EU think it’s all right to trample roughshod over Companies based in their territory then Companies will think twice where to invest.
Pubs could ban you if you don’t have covid passport???
Thats ok we will go to the savey Landlord who wants the business and the others can FAIL, their problem
In any case, if you are unhappy with with no passport check, there is no compulsion to go to that pub.
Straw poll indicates ‘there is nothing to fear’. Claret and a pint please landlord.
What a lovely thought Mike. There is a pub near here that even lets you take a dog in. Perhaps I will get another dog and start taking an evening walk to the pub again.
No face mask?
I read the limping lurcher article before, somewhere. It is very much believable.
Animals, particularly those we keep as pets, are far more intelligent than most people realise.
I’m sure my cat is concerned about me coughing and sometimes having other difficulties. In her case though it is difficult to say whether it is sympathy, or whether she is worried who will feed her if I pop my clogs !!
bbc received £3.75 billion from the TV licence tax last year.
The same organisation reports swingeing cuts to their budget of 120 million pounds (- about one third of one percent?).
Their budget on football rights? Guessing it must start with a three (thousand million pounds).
No wonder they are pushing american rubgy, rounders and netball. Not to mention invalid sports and woman’s football – football again.