Rabu, 31 Mei 2023

Boris Johnson hands over his WhatsApps and asks for them to be given to Covid inquiry - The Independent

Boris Johnson has thrown down the gauntlet to Rishi Sunak by handing over his unredacted WhatsApps and notebooks and urging the government to give them to the Covid-19 inquiry.

Heaping pressure on the prime minister ahead of Thursday’s 4pm deadline, the former Tory leader urged the Cabinet Office to “urgently disclose” the material to Baroness Hallett’s inquiry.

It comes as Mr Sunak’s government was warned that it would face an embarrassing defeat if it challenged the Covid inquiry in court in an effort to withhold Mr Johnson’s WhatsApp messages.

Senior Tories also urged Mr Sunak to end the row, saying it would be “less painful” to back down and hand over the Johnson files to Lady Hallett’s team.

A spokesperson for Mr Johnson said that “all” the material requested by the Covid inquiry “has been handed to the Cabinet Office in full and in unredacted form”. The Cabinet Office has had “access to this material for several months”, the former PM’s spokesperson added, but they made clear that Mr Johnson had provided all the requested material to the government today.

With the government continuing to signal that it will resist Lady Hallett’s demand for the messages, notebooks and diaries, the former PM’s team also warned that “Mr Johnson would immediately disclose it directly to the inquiry if asked”.

His spokesperson said: “While Mr Johnson understands the government’s position, and does not seek to contradict it, he is perfectly happy for the inquiry to have access to this material in whatever form it requires.”

They added: “Mr Johnson cooperated with the inquiry in full from the beginning of this process and continues to do so. Indeed, he established the inquiry. He looks forward to continuing to assist the inquiry with its important work.”

The Cabinet Office – which had told the inquiry it did not have all the material that was being demanded – has now confirmed it has received the information and said officials were looking at it.

It had earlier raised concerns about setting a precedent by handing over the requested documents in unredacted form.

But Sir Jonathan Jones KC, the government’s former legal chief, told The Independent that the “cards are stacked” against the Sunak government if the increasingly “bizarre” dispute goes to court.

“It’s a mess,” said the senior lawyer. “It’s likely the court will have to rule on it – it doesn’t seem either side is minded to back down. I’m not aware of any precedent for the government refusing to give information to a public inquiry it set up. It’s all pretty extraordinary.”

He added: “The powers of a public inquiry are wide. There is logic to the position the Covid inquiry is taking – that it has to see the material to decide on its relevance. The cards are stacked in favour of the inquiry. The bar for getting a court to strike down a request [from a public inquiry] is high.”

Boris Johnson is at the centre of another Covid row

Former Supreme Court justice Jonathan Sumption also said that attempts to withhold the messages were likely to fail, explaining that he did not think the arguments put forward by the Cabinet Office would “cut much ice” in the courts. “I frankly can’t see the courts quashing [Lady Hallett’s] decision,” Lord Sumption told the BBC’s The World at One.

Arguing that going to court would be a “political mistake”, he added: “They are not going to succeed in a judicial review, so all they will achieve in resisting is to make it look like they are hiding something.”

SirJonathan said that if the Sunak government refused to hand over the Johnson material by the deadline, Lady Hallett’s team could either go to the High Court to seek an order, or launch a criminal lawsuit by arguing that the refusal to provide information violates the Inquiries Act 2005.

In her recent exchange of letters with the Cabinet Office, the chair of the inquiry pointed out that the failure of the government to comply could be a criminal offence, punishable with a fine of up to £1,000 or even imprisonment for a maximum of 51 weeks.

Boris Johnson is at odds with Rishi Sunak’s government over the release of his messages and notebooks

“Presumably [the Covid inquiry] would try to hold some senior figure in the Cabinet Office responsible,” said Sir Jonathan on the possibility of criminal proceedings, before describing the scenario as “extraordinary” and “the least likely outcome”.

The former Treasury solicitor said it was “quite likely” that the government would seek a judicial review before 4pm on Thursday in an effort to “test the validity” of Lady Hallett’s request.

Urging a rethink, Sir Jonathan said: “It would be quite a climbdown for the government to say it will provide information, but I think it should consider doing so to avoid extreme scenarios.”

No 10 has said that while there is nothing to stop Mr Johnson from handing any personal evidence directly to the inquiry, any “government-owned” material would need to be disclosed by the government.

The Covid inquiry would not be drawn on whether it could ask for and accept material directly from Mr Johnson if Thursday’s deadline passes without a climbdown from the Cabinet Office. A source said the inquiry would “cross that bridge if it comes to it”.

Former Tory cabinet minister Malcolm Rifkind told The Independent that Mr Johnson should be allowed to hand over his WhatsApp messages directly to Lady Hallett. “If he’s willing to do that, he should be able to do so. It’s his WhatsApp messages – not theirs [the Cabinet Office].”

Mr Rifkind also said a compromise could still be reached – suggesting that the government and Lady Hallett could agree on an “independent” broker to look over the messages and decide what should be redacted.

Baroness Hallett has demanded that the requested documents are filed by 4pm on Thursday

Senior Tory MP Caroline Nokes said the “reluctance” by the government to provide the WhatsApp messages and notebooks “seems a nonsense”. She told TalkTV there would be “less pain for the government if they hand [the material] over quickly”.

Senior Tory William Wragg, chair of the public administration and constitutional affairs committee, also urged the government to back down. “If the inquiry requests documents and info, then whoever it has asked should comply,” he told the BBC.

Historian Sir Anthony Seldon, who has chronicled Mr Johnson’s time in No 10, said it was a “simple no-brainer” that the messages should be handed over. “This event was so seismic, and the premiership of Boris Johnson was so catastrophic, we have to get out the full facts,” he told TalkTV.

With the deadline looming and Mr Sunak facing accusations of a “cover-up”, work and pensions secretary Mel Stride insisted that the government had “nothing to hide”. Mr Stride told Sky News that the inquiry already has “all the information that it is right for it to have”.

Meanwhile, an ally of Mr Johnson told The Independent that the former prime minister should sue the Cabinet Office following its recent referral to the police of information relating to possible breaches of the Covid rules at Chequers and No 10.

“If I was Boris, I would go legal and flush out any cover-ups,” they said. “I think the plotters have overplayed their hand in trying to destroy Boris, and their actions are beginning to unravel.”

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2023-05-31 19:24:46Z
2058364973

Castle for sale for £30000 – but make sure you read the small print - The Telegraph

A castle in Shetland is up for sale for just £30,000 - but renovations to save the 200-year-old building will cost £12 million.

Brough Lodge, which is set on 40 acres of land on the island of Fetlar, is seeking a “philanthropic entrepreneur” who will take on plans to transform the site into a world-class retreat.

The proposals would create 24 bedrooms and restaurants, including an elevated dining room, while retaining the existing building, at an estimated cost of £12 million to the buyer.

“The vision is simple but effective,” the Brough Lodge Trust, which was set up in 1998 to preserve the building, says on its website.

“Brough Lodge… will be transformed into a world-class retreat that will delight all who visit it.

“Under the plans we have developed, the building’s historic character would be fully respected.”

The proposals would create 24 bedrooms and restaurants at the castle Credit: UrbanImages / Alamy Stock Photo

The trust added: “Our hope is that a philanthropic entrepreneur will share our vision and take on the project.”

Since taking over the estate, the volunteer-run trust has spent more than £500,000 of donations to make the property watertight and add a new roof.

Dating back to 1820, Brough Lodge was built on the site of an earlier house by a merchant called Arthur Nicholson and inspired by architecture he had seen while travelling in France, Switzerland and Italy.

The building, which is listed as category A by Historic Environment Scotland, is situated on the north-west end of Fetlar and has been unoccupied since the 1980s when the last Lady Nicholson moved out.

Olive Borland, the last heir of the Nicholson family, transferred ownership of the estate in 2007 to the Brough Lodge Trust and is one of the trustees.

Ideal for yoga retreats

Guests participating in retreats at the castle would have the chance to do textile classes, with the trust hoping to spotlight Shetland’s global reputation as a centre of excellence in knitting and weaving.

The island’s peaceful setting would also be ideal for yoga retreats, the trust said.

The project will benefit the island of 61 people thanks to the creation of up to 14 jobs, it added, while “further inward investment may be stimulated”.

The building will also help to develop a better understanding, both within Shetland and further afield, of Fetlar’s cultural heritage.

The proceeds of the sale of the lodge will go towards tuition in hand knitting for children, the trust says.

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2023-05-31 14:19:00Z
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Train strikes: Which services will be affected by industrial action this week? - Sky News

A fresh wave of rail strikes will affect train journeys across the country this week.

Ongoing pay disputes between the government and the ASLEF and RMT unions will see staff walk out today, Friday 2, and Saturday 3 June.

There is also an overtime ban for ASLEF drivers tomorrow.

Both unions have rejected the pay offers put forward by the government so far this year, with bosses claiming there is still strong support for industrial action among their members. Meanwhile commuters have been suffering months of regular train cancellations.

This Saturday's disruption will affect people travelling to the FA Cup final at Wembley, the Epsom Derby in Surrey, England v Ireland test match at Lord's and Beyonce's Renaissance tour date at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Here are all the train operators impacted:

Avanti West Coast

More on Rail Strikes

No services running on any routes on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Fewer trains running on reduced hours on Friday 2 June.

Services will be busier than usual, with some knock-on timetable changes on Thursday 1 and Sunday 4 June.

Chiltern Railways

No trains on any routes on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Very limited service on Friday 2 June, with "essential travel only" encouraged.

Amended timetable with busier-than-usual services on Thursday 1 June.

C2c

Most trains will not stop at Limehouse on Friday 2 June.

CrossCountry

No trains on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Limited services on Friday 2 June.

Normal services on Thursday 1 and Sunday 4 June.

East Midlands Railway

No trains on any routes on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Significantly reduced service between 7.30am and 6.30pm on Friday 2 June.

Possible short notice cancellations on Thursday 1 June, with passengers advised to check before they travel.

Great Northern

No trains running on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Overtime ban may impact some services on Thursday 1 June.

Limited service with reduced hours on Friday 2 June.

Knock-on effect of strikes will mean fewer services before 7am on Sunday 4 June.

GWR

Extremely limited services will run between 7.30am and 6.30pm on Wednesday 31 May, Friday 2, and Saturday 3 June.

Minor changes to late-night services on Thursday 1 June.

Minor changes to early-morning services on Sunday 4 June.

Greater Anglia

Reduced service on Wednesday 31 May from 7am onwards, with most routes running no trains at all.

Some services cancelled due to short notice of strike action on Thursday 1 June.

Trains only running between 7am and 11pm on Friday 2 June with a reduced frequency.

Reduced service on most routes on Saturday 3 June, with no service between Cambridge and Liverpool Street.

Morning disruption expected on Sunday 4 June.

LNER

Reduced timetable with no trains running beyond Edinburgh on Wednesday 31 May and Saturday 3 June.

Minor changes to timetable on Thursday 1 and Sunday 4 June.

Reduced timetable on Saturday 3 June.

London Northwestern

No trains on any routes on Wednesday 31 May and Saturday 3 June.

Limited services on a limited number of routes on Friday 2 June.

Potential on the day cancellations or timetable changes on Thursday 1 June.

Northern

No trains on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Limited service on Friday 2 June, with no replacement bus services and some stations closed.

South Western Railway

Reduced services on Wednesday 31 May and Saturday 3 June and no trains on the Island Line.

Short notice delays and cancellations possible on Thursday 1 June due to overtime ban.

Significantly reduced services with large parts of the network closed on Friday 2 June.

Southeastern

No trains running with no replacement buses on Wednesday 31 May and Saturday 3 June.

Intending to run a normal service on Thursday 1 June.

Only 58 out of 180 stations open, with no replacement buses for closed stations on Friday 2 June.

Southern

No trains running on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Overtime ban may impact some services on Thursday 1 June.

Limited service with reduced hours on Friday 2 June.

Knock-on effect of strikes will mean fewer services before 7am on Sunday 4 June.

Thameslink

No trains running on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Overtime ban may impact some services on Thursday 1 June.

Limited service with reduced hours on Friday 2 June.

Knock-on effect of strikes will mean fewer services before 7am on Sunday 4 June.

TransPennine Express

No trains on any route on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Some services cancelled or altered on Thursday 1 June and Friday 2 June.

West Midlands

No trains on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

On the day cancellations and alterations possible as a result of overtime ban on Thursday 1 June.

Limited services on Friday 2 June.

Heathrow Express

Only one train an hour on Wednesday 31 May between 7am and 7pm.

No trains at all on Saturday 3 June.

Stansted Express

Trains roughly every 40 minutes between 4.40am and 12.30am on Wednesday 31 May.

Some services not running on Thursday 1 June.

Only two trains an hour between 7.11am and 12.30am on Friday 2 June.

Services roughly every 30 minutes between 4.40am and 12.30am on Saturday 3 June.

Gatwick Express

No Gatwick Express trains on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

People travelling to Gatwick on Friday 2 June can use Southern or Thameslink trains instead.

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2023-05-31 14:31:07Z
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Train strikes: Which services will be affected by industrial action this week? - Sky News

A fresh wave of rail strikes will affect train journeys across the country this week.

Ongoing pay disputes between the government and the ASLEF and RMT unions will see staff walk out today, Friday 2, and Saturday 3 June.

There is also an overtime ban for ASLEF drivers tomorrow.

Both unions have rejected the pay offers put forward by the government so far this year, with bosses claiming there is still strong support for industrial action among their members. Meanwhile commuters have been suffering months of regular train cancellations.

This Saturday's disruption will affect people travelling to the FA Cup final at Wembley, the Epsom Derby in Surrey, England v Ireland test match at Lord's and Beyonce's Renaissance tour date at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Here are all the train operators impacted:

Avanti West Coast

More on Rail Strikes

No services running on any routes on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Fewer trains running on reduced hours on Friday 2 June.

Services will be busier than usual, with some knock-on timetable changes on Thursday 1 and Sunday 4 June.

Chiltern Railways

No trains on any routes on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Very limited service on Friday 2 June, with "essential travel only" encouraged.

Amended timetable with busier-than-usual services on Thursday 1 June.

C2c

Most trains will not stop at Limehouse on Friday 2 June.

CrossCountry

No trains on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Limited services on Friday 2 June.

Normal services on Thursday 1 and Sunday 4 June.

East Midlands Railway

No trains on any routes on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Significantly reduced service between 7.30am and 6.30pm on Friday 2 June.

Possible short notice cancellations on Thursday 1 June, with passengers advised to check before they travel.

Great Northern

No trains running on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Overtime ban may impact some services on Thursday 1 June.

Limited service with reduced hours on Friday 2 June.

Knock-on effect of strikes will mean fewer services before 7am on Sunday 4 June.

GWR

Extremely limited services will run between 7.30am and 6.30pm on Wednesday 31 May, Friday 2, and Saturday 3 June.

Minor changes to late-night services on Thursday 1 June.

Minor changes to early-morning services on Sunday 4 June.

Greater Anglia

Reduced service on Wednesday 31 May from 7am onwards, with most routes running no trains at all.

Some services cancelled due to short notice of strike action on Thursday 1 June.

Trains only running between 7am and 11pm on Friday 2 June with a reduced frequency.

Reduced service on most routes on Saturday 3 June, with no service between Cambridge and Liverpool Street.

Morning disruption expected on Sunday 4 June.

LNER

Reduced timetable with no trains running beyond Edinburgh on Wednesday 31 May and Saturday 3 June.

Minor changes to timetable on Thursday 1 and Sunday 4 June.

Reduced timetable on Saturday 3 June.

London Northwestern

No trains on any routes on Wednesday 31 May and Saturday 3 June.

Limited services on a limited number of routes on Friday 2 June.

Potential on the day cancellations or timetable changes on Thursday 1 June.

Northern

No trains on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Limited service on Friday 2 June, with no replacement bus services and some stations closed.

South Western Railway

Reduced services on Wednesday 31 May and Saturday 3 June and no trains on the Island Line.

Short notice delays and cancellations possible on Thursday 1 June due to overtime ban.

Significantly reduced services with large parts of the network closed on Friday 2 June.

Southeastern

No trains running with no replacement buses on Wednesday 31 May and Saturday 3 June.

Intending to run a normal service on Thursday 1 June.

Only 58 out of 180 stations open, with no replacement buses for closed stations on Friday 2 June.

Southern

No trains running on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Overtime ban may impact some services on Thursday 1 June.

Limited service with reduced hours on Friday 2 June.

Knock-on effect of strikes will mean fewer services before 7am on Sunday 4 June.

Thameslink

No trains running on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Overtime ban may impact some services on Thursday 1 June.

Limited service with reduced hours on Friday 2 June.

Knock-on effect of strikes will mean fewer services before 7am on Sunday 4 June.

TransPennine Express

No trains on any route on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

Some services cancelled or altered on Thursday 1 June and Friday 2 June.

West Midlands

No trains on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

On the day cancellations and alterations possible as a result of overtime ban on Thursday 1 June.

Limited services on Friday 2 June.

Heathrow Express

Only one train an hour on Wednesday 31 May between 7am and 7pm.

No trains at all on Saturday 3 June.

Stansted Express

Trains roughly every 40 minutes between 4.40am and 12.30am on Wednesday 31 May.

Some services not running on Thursday 1 June.

Only two trains an hour between 7.11am and 12.30am on Friday 2 June.

Services roughly every 30 minutes between 4.40am and 12.30am on Saturday 3 June.

Gatwick Express

No Gatwick Express trains on Wednesday 31 May or Saturday 3 June.

People travelling to Gatwick on Friday 2 June can use Southern or Thameslink trains instead.

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2023-05-31 10:51:40Z
2082901686

Train strikes this week to hit FA Cup final and Epsom Derby - BBC

Paddington train station

Rail services ground to a halt in parts of the country on Wednesday as a fresh wave of strikes began.

Members of the train drivers' union Aslef walked out and will do so again on Saturday 3 June, the day of the FA Cup Final, while members of the RMT will strike on Friday.

Aslef said there was "no waning in enthusiasm" in the long-running dispute over pay and conditions.

The government said the strikes were co-ordinated to disrupt major events.

Wednesday's strikes will affect 15 train companies, with services due to start later and finish much earlier than usual - typically between 07:30BST and 18:30.

About 40% of trains will run, but there will be wide regional variations, with some operators running no services at all. During the RMT's action on Friday about half of the network is set to shut down.

Train strikes to hit FA Cup

Aslef drivers will walk out again on Saturday, affecting the first ever all-Manchester FA Cup final at Wembley and the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park.

That strike will also affect Beyoncé's Renaissance world tour concert in London; the England v Ireland cricket Test match at Lord's; and some 100,000 horse racing fans travelling to Epsom for the Derby.

National Express said it was providing 120 private coaches to take football fans to Wembley. These are for match ticket holders only, with seats bought via their club.

But it added: "Every time there is a rail strike, we see an increase in both enquiries and bookings across our UK-wide scheduled coach network... with a 30% increase in bookings for travel this week so far."

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford (left), Manchester City forward Erling Haaland (right) and the FA Cup trophy
Reuters/Getty Images

Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, said train drivers were "determined to get a resolution and remain in this for the long haul".

But he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that "zero" progress had been made in negotiations with the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents train operators, and accused the government of being underhand.

"We go into talks in good faith, then deceitfully [the RDG] put out deals they know are destined to fail and we can't accept.

"Ultimately, we'll have to solve this - after four years without a pay rise my members feel they're entitled to one, particularly during this cost-of-living crisis."

'Really crippling'

Business is also counting the cost of the long-running industrial action.

Tristan Moffat, owner of the Piano Works bar in London, told the BBC "nothing has hit us harder".

"The train strikes really are crippling to the business, and in a time when we're already seeing so many businesses on the knife-edge and up against the wall we need a period of stability."

Tristan Moffat, Piano Works

It is likely that evening services on some lines will be affected on the days before each strike, so passengers are advised to check the last train times on the evenings before strike days and the mornings following strikes.

Mr Whelan denied this weekend's strikes had been planned to coincide with major events, adding that there was not "a day in this country when there's not a pop concert or something going on".

But an RDG spokesperson said the walkouts would cause "disappointment and frustration for tens of thousands of people" and inconvenience families travelling for the half-term holidays.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport added that the unions forced their members to miss out on pay every time they strike.

"The government has facilitated a fair and reasonable pay offer, now union leaders must do the right thing and put this to their members," they added.

Banner saying 'Get in touch'

Are you affected by the train strikes? Are you taking part in the industrial action? Get in touch.

line

Both Aslef and the RMT say they have not been given a pay offer they can recommend to their members.

The cost of living is rising at its fastest rate in nearly 40 years and unions say wages have not kept pace.

The most recent offer which Aslef's leadership has rejected involves a 4% pay rise in year one and a further increase of 4% in year two, conditional on the union accepting changes to ways of working.

They include changes to driver training and Sunday working commitments, as well as giving employers control over rotas.

Presentational grey line

The train operators affected on Wednesday

  • Avanti West Coast
  • Chiltern Railways
  • CrossCountry
  • East Midlands Railway
  • Great Western Railway
  • Greater Anglia
  • Great Northern Thameslink
  • Govia Thameslink Railway
  • London North Eastern Railway
  • Northern Trains
  • Southeastern
  • Southern/ Gatwick Express
  • SWR depot drivers
  • SWR Island Line
  • TransPennine Express
  • West Midlands Trains

The London Underground will not be affected by the action.

Presentational grey line

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2023-05-31 09:46:59Z
2082901686

London commuters face fresh travel chaos in first of three train strikes this week - Evening Standard

L

ondon commuters are facing more travel disruption on Wednesday as a fresh round of strikes get underway.

Services across many train companies are expected to be severely hampered because of walkouts by the Aslef train drivers’ union on Wednesday, and Saturday, June 3 in the row over pay and conditions.

Meanwhile, the RMT union has also called a strike for Friday, June 2.

The strikes will affect services on 15 train companies, with trains due to start later and finish much earlier than usual - typically between 7.30am and 6.30pm.

On Aslef strike days, only around 40 per cent of trains will be running - and in some areas, operators will be running no services at all.

On the RMT strike day, around half of the network will shut down, with around 50 per cent of normal services running.

Passengers are being advised to plan ahead and check the times of first and last trains.

Wednesday’s walkout will affect major services to and from London and commuter services within the capital.

The services affected are:

  • Avanti West Coast
  • Chiltern Railways
  • CrossCountry
  • East Midlands Railway
  • Gatwick Express
  • Great Northern
  • Great Western Railway
  • Greater Anglia
  • Heathrow Express
  • Island Line
  • LNER
  • London Northwestern Railway
  • Northern
  • South Western Railway
  • Southeastern
  • Southern
  • Stansted Express
  • Thameslink
  • TransPennine Express
  • West Midlands Railway

Announcing the walkouts earlier this month, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “We do not want to go on strike – we do not want to inconvenience passengers, we have families and friends who use the railway, too, and we believe in investing in rail for the future of this country – but the blame for this action lies, fairly and squarely, at the feet of the employers who have forced our hand over this by their intransigence.

“It is now up to them to come up with a more sensible, and realistic, offer and we ask the government not to hinder this process.”

Aslef will also start an overtime ban from June 1, which could affect some services in and out of the capital.

Among those affected are likely to be football fans attempting to travel to London for the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley.

The strike action will also likely affect more than 100,000 people travelling to the annual Epsom Derby on Saturday as well as fans travelling to Beyonce’s Renaissance world tour concert at Tottenham’s stadium.

The Rail Delivery Group, the industry body representing the train operating companies, called the disruption “unnecessary and damaging”.

A spokesperson said: “The upcoming rail strikes called by the Aslef and RMT leadership will not only affect our passengers’ daily commute, but will also impact those travelling from to the FA Cup final and other events across the country, causing disappointment and frustration for tens of thousands of people.

“It will also inconvenience families who have been looking forward and have planned their half-term holidays.

“It will also further burden our people who have already lost thousands of pounds at a time of financial strain.”

The rail unions have accused ministers of tying train companies’ hands, leaving them unable to negotiate a “reasonable” pay deal.

But ministers insist there is a fair offer on the table that union leaders should put to their members.

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2023-05-31 07:11:36Z
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COVID inquiry: Deadline extended for government to hand over Boris Johnson's WhatsApp messages - Sky News

The deadline for the government to hand over Boris Johnson's WhatsApp messages to the COVID Inquiry has been extended.

Inquiry chair Lady Hallett had ordered the government to hand over the messages - alongside diary entries and notes - by 4pm on Tuesday 30 May.

The deadline has now set been 4pm on Thursday 1 June. The Cabinet Office asked for an extension to Monday 5 June as they do not have access to Mr Johnson's messages or notebooks, but this was rejected.

Politics latest:
PM promises 'transparency' amid Johnson COVID message reprieve

What is the COVID inquiry asking for?

  • Unredacted messages sent and received by Boris Johnson between 1 January 2020 and 24 February 2022.
  • Unredacted diaries for Mr Johnson between 1 January 2020 and 24 February 2022
  • Copies of 24 unredacted notebooks filled in by Mr Johnson between 1 January 2020 and 24 February 2022
  • Unredacted messages sent and received by adviser Henry Cook between 1 January 2020 and 24 February 2022.
  • The inquiry wants messages - even from group chats - about the government response to COVID, as well as contact with a list of certain experts, ministers, civil servants and advisers

This is despite saying in their original appeal against the order that there was "unambiguously irrelevant" material in the redacted parts of messages sent to the inquiry.

When the Cabinet Office lodged the appeal on 15 May, it said Mr Johnson's WhatsApp messages had not yet been received by the government.

A spokesman for the former prime minister said today that he had "no objection" to sending the material to the inquiry.

More on Boris Johnson

Mr Johnson has written to the Cabinet Office to demand the government requests in writing access to his messages and notes - which he says has not happened yet.

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Rishi Sunak insists that 'tens of thousands' of documents have been handed over to the inquiry and that 'lessons will be learned' from its findings.

Sources close to Mr Johnson say Cabinet Office officials have visited his office in person to examine notebooks within the past few weeks.

If the government does not abide by the new deadline on Thursday, Lady Hallett has ordered that a statement be sent by a "senior civil servant" confirming the Cabinet Office does not have the requested information, as well as a chronology of the government's contacts with Mr Johnson about the requests and whether the government has ever had the data.

Breaking a section 21 order could see the government face criminal proceedings, and there is also potential for a court battle over whether the information should be passed to the inquiry.

Speaking shortly before the inquiry's announcement Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the "government is carefully considering its position, but it is confident in the approach that it's taking".

The battle between the parties centres on messages Mr Johnson sent and received, as well as his diaries and his notebooks from during the pandemic.

Baroness Hallett opens preliminary hearing for COVID-19 Inquiry
Image: Baroness Hallett opens preliminary hearing for COVID-19 Inquiry

Lady Hallett made an order under section 21 of the Inquiries Act 2005 for the material to be handed over by the Cabinet Office.

Messages to and from former adviser Henry Cook were also included in the legal action.

It is this order which has now been extended.

Lady Hallett highlighted in her explanation that the Cabinet Office redacted material about the policing of Sarah Everard protests during the period of restrictions - something she said was "not a promising start".

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New deadline for ex-PM's COVID messages

She later obtained the messages in full.

She also identified communications - which have still only been seen in their redacted form - that she considers are "in fact relevant to my investigation".

Labour's deputy leader, Angela Rayner, said: "It now appears that vital evidence has gone missing. It must be found and handed over as requested if the whiff of a cover-up is to be avoided and bereaved families are to get the answers they deserve.

"It is for the COVID inquiry itself rather than Conservative ministers to decide what is and is not relevant material for its investigation, and this interference only serves to undermine the inquiry's crucial job of getting to the truth."

Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrats' deputy leader, added: "This dog ate my homework type excuse from the government simply doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

"For the Cabinet Office to simultaneously refuse to disclose Boris Johnson's messages because they were irrelevant to the inquiry, whilst claiming not to even have them, will raise suspicions of another Conservative cover up.

"Rishi Sunak is too weak to stand up to Johnson and make him hand over this evidence, while bereaved families are being left aghast.

"The public has waited long enough already to get the truth. The inquiry's work mustn't be delayed any longer because of endless chaos in the Conservative Party."

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2023-05-30 13:30:00Z
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Kathleen Stock Oxford talk live: Trans activists brace for 'heated' rally - The Telegraph

A protestor has glued themselves to the floor of the Oxford Union in protest of the Kathleen Stock talk.

Riz Possnett, a student activist is sitting in front of Prof Stock and Union president Matthew Dick wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the words “No More Dead Trans Kids”.

A protester is sitting in front of the speakers and refusing to move.

The protesters have been booed by members of the audience, with one attendee calling for “free speech” and another urging everyone to “listen to Kathleen Stock”

Marie Daouda, a French lecturer at Oriel College, has taken the opportunity to make a statement while the Union waits for police officers.

She said that “anyone with two free hands” should take a minute to Google the Tavistock gender clinic scandal

Police officers appear to be struggling to work out how to remove the activist student Riz Possnett from the floor of the Union. The student is said to have glued their hands to the floor.  Four officers have arrived with tools to try and remove the student and are filming as they do so. 

Follow the latest updates below.

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2023-05-30 15:57:43Z
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Primary school teacher sacked after Facebook appeal to parents of yobs who attacked his home - Daily Mail

Primary teacher, 52, sacked after Facebook appeal to parents of yobs who attacked his home and threatened to murder and rape wife and disabled step-daughter

  • Michael Flynn claims he was sacked from Twydall Primary School over the post
  • The school says it parted ways with Mr Flynn because of safeguarding worries

A primary school teacher has been sacked over a Facebook post he made after yobs threatened to murder and rape his family, he has claimed.

Michael Flynn, 52, allegedly broke his school's social media policy by posting online following two different incidents involving a group of youngsters at his assisted-living home, where his wife cares full time for her disabled daughter.

On May 23 the group allegedly tried to take a bicycle from the front garden of his home in Gillingham, Kent. His wife Angela, a former American police officer, says she asked them to leave before one of them threatened to stab her and bring people who would rape her and murder the family.

Mr Flynn, who missed the confrontation because he was sleeping through a diabetic episode, claims he posted to encourage the boys' parents to get in touch.

He now alleges he was dismissed over his online post, but his former employer, Twydall Primary School in Gillingham, says they parted ways because of safeguarding worries.

His former employer, Twydall Primary School in Gillingham (pictured), says they parted ways with Mr Flynn because of safeguarding worries

Mr Flynn took to Facebook after the first alleged incident on May 23. 

His post read: 'Four kids tried to steal a pushbike from my front garden. When challenged they were verbally abusive and threatening to my wife.

'A chase ensued, one kid lost his shoes in the conflict. If this is your son, you may want to contact me before I contact the police.

'Twydall is a small place and I will find him sooner or later.

'So, if you want to sort this out calmly, I suggest the parents PM me or I will sort this out my way.'

However, the next day the same group allegedly returned to the property with a large rock and looked ready to launch it at a window before Mr Flynn looked out and they ran off. He says he was dismissed the following day. 

Mr Flynn's 22-year teaching career is now at risk and he has been forced to look for temporary driving work to support his disabled step-daughter.

He said: 'I have stolen nothing and I've threatened no one. I am the victim of a crime, yet I am being punished.'

Mr Flynn has taught around the world, once tutoring the Mexican president's children. He is now concerned that he may never return to the profession.

He said: 'I loved teaching and this is certainly not the way I wanted to end my career.'

The yobs allegedly tried to take a bicycle from the front garden of his home in Gillingham, Kent. Mrs Flynn (left, with Mr Flynn on right) says she asked them to leave before one of them threatened to stab her and bring people who would rape her and murder the family
Mr Flynn took to Facebook after the first alleged incident on May 23

A school spokesman said: 'The wellbeing of our pupils is our priority and we take our responsibilities to safeguard children extremely seriously.

'We cannot discuss individual cases, but incidents brought to our attention are fully investigated and acted upon in line with our policies and procedures, which align with Department for Education guidance.'

Asked whether he thought he'd gone too far with his Facebook post, Mr Flynn said: 'Adrenalin was running a little high. I had just been woken by my wife telling me someone had threatened to rape her.

'I wish I had worded it a bit differently but I don't regret looking out for my community.'

Former Louisiana police officer Mrs Flynn stays at home to care for her 20-year-old daughter Alexis, who needs 24-hour care after she was paralysed from the neck down in a diving accident four years ago.

She said: 'I have to be here 24/7 to help my daughter and I'm petrified. Those kids said they were going to come back with people who were going to kill my family and rape me.'

She added: 'If they had thrown that rock through the window, Alexis would not have even been able to raise her hands to stop it hitting her.'

The couple say vulnerable neighbours in the assisted-living community are also worried about anti-social behaviour in the area.

The couple say vulnerable neighbours in the assisted-living community are also worried about anti-social behaviour in the area. Michael and Angela Flynn are pictured together

Mrs Flynn added: 'People are frightened to go out in their garden and lay down at night in their beds not knowing that everything they have worked for is safe.

'They are being held hostage by these delinquents.'

Police have confirmed officers are investigating abuse aimed at Mrs Flynn.

She added: 'The children need to know there are repercussions for their actions. If they don't get a handle on it now, while these kids are young, it is just going to get worse.

'We have a responsibility as a community to ensure they do have repercussions so they can grow into functional adults.

'Every jail cell in America is filled with murderers who started out stealing a piece of gum.'

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Politics latest news: Boris Johnson says he has 'no objection' to Covid inquiry having WhatsApp messages - The Telegraph

Boris Johnson has insisted he does not object to disclosing evidence to the official Covid-19 inquiry amid a legal standoff between the Government and the inquiry. 

A spokesman for the former prime minister said: "Mr Johnson has no objection to disclosing material to the inquiry. He has done so and will continue to do so. The decision to challenge the inquiry’s position on redactions is for the Cabinet Office."

The statement came after the inquiry announced it had pushed back a deadline for the Government to hand over the former premier’s pandemic-related WhatsApp messages and diaries.

The inquiry had set a deadline of 4pm today for the Cabinet Office to provide the material but that has now been extended to 4pm on June 1, following a request from the Government. 

The inquiry said in an update published this morning that it was "informed that the Cabinet Office does not have in its possession either Mr Johnson's WhatsApp messages or Mr Johnson's notebooks". 

The Cabinet Office rejected the original request for the unredacted material, arguing it had no duty to disclose "unambiguously irrelevant" material. But the inquiry remains insistent that the material must be handed over. 

Rishi Sunak told broadcasters during a visit to Kent this morning that "the Government is carefully considering its position but it is confident in the approach that it’s taking".

You can follow the latest updates below. 

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2023-05-30 13:02:05Z
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