Rabu, 08 Juli 2020

Johnny Depp's libel trial is shown a picture of his pillbox and mountain of drugs and alcohol - Daily Mail

A pint of whisky and four lines of cocaine for lunch: Johnny Depp's libel trial is shown a picture taken by Amber Heard of his skull and crossbones 'pill box' and mountain of drugs and alcohol

  • High Court was shown new images offering peek into Hollywood legend Johnny Depp's raucous lifestyle
  • One picture shows glass table littered with mountains of alcohol and drugs in Amber Heard's LA home
  • Another image taken by Heard shows 57-year-old Depp passed out on the floor beside his bed
  • Photographs were presented to High Court in London on second day of Depp's blockbuster libel trial 
Advertisement

The High Court was today shown photographs of Johnny Depp's drink and drug-filled lifestyle including an image taken by Amber Heard that shows a pint of whisky, four lines of cocaine and his skull and crossbones 'pill box' ready for consumption at 1.37pm.

Heard, 34, took the photo at her LA home in 2013 before the couple had another blazing row about his drug and alcohol use - on the afternoon when he was supposed to be filming a documentary on Rolling Stone Keith Richards.

The court was also shown a picture of Depp passed out beside his bed as the 57-year-old actor was peppered with questions about his extensive drinking and drug use by lawyers acting for The Sun. 

Depp took the stand for a second day today as he sues The Sun for libel after it labelled him a 'wife beater' in a trial that is set to take three weeks and feature celebrity witnesses including Vanessa Paradis and Paul Bettany. 

In other developments at the trial today: 

  • The court heard that Depp attacked Amber Heard on a private plane while accusing her of having sex with James Franco on the set of movie The Adderall Diaries in 2014;
  • The attack allegedly happened after Depp took cocaine, half a bottle of whisky, 'a thousand vodka and Red Bull, and two bottles of champagne' according to texts sent by the actor; 
  • The Sun's lawyer has also asked about Heard's claims that he and Marilyn Manson took his daughter to school and then went on a 24-hour cocaine binge; 
  • Court heard how Depp traded 'joke' texts with British actor Paul Bettany about 'f***ing Heard's burnt corpse afterwards to make sure she's dead' and drowning his 'witch' ex-wife;
  • He admitted that he had joked about putting Heard's dog in a microwave but denied holding tiny Yorkshire terrier Pistol out of a car window and making 'howling noises'; 
  • He was accused of slapping Heard while trying to torch a painting by her 'lesbian ex-partner';
  • Depp denied slapping his ex-wife three times after she laughed at his infamous 'Wino Forever' tattoo;
  • Actor allegedly went 'berserk' after a woman fondled Heard during an MDMA trip in a trailer park;
  • Heard wrote unsent email to Depp in which she compared living with him to living with 'Jekyll and Hyde'.

The High Court was shown images of Johnny Depp's drink and drug-filled lifestyle including an image taken by Amber Heard that shows a pint of whisky, four lines of cocaine and his skull and crossbones 'pill box' ready for consumption at 1.37pm

The court was also shown a picture of Depp passed out beside his bed as the 57-year-old Hollywood legend was peppered with questions about his extensive drinking and drug use by lawyers acting for The Sun

The court was also shown a picture of Depp passed out beside his bed as the 57-year-old Hollywood legend was peppered with questions about his extensive drinking and drug use by lawyers acting for The Sun 

One photograph shows a glass table littered with mountains of alcohol and drugs, with four lines of cocaine cut for use next to his driving licence and a tube. 

A skull and crossbones 'pill box' with 'Property of JD' written across the top, which Depp said 'probably' contained drugs at the time the photograph was taken, is to one side.

There are also two glasses of whisky - one half drunk, the other pint-sized - a packet of tobacco next to a brown rolled-up cigarette, and a Keith Richards CD to hand.

Another picture shows Depp passed out on the floor beside his bed. 

The pictures were taken in 2013, on the day Depp was due to be filming a documentary about Keith Richards - shortly before he and Heard rowed about his drug and alcohol use.

Depp was cross examined by The Sun's lawyer today, who asked Depp if he was carrying cocaine in the 'pill box'. The actor replied: 'I would say I probably was.'

Barrister Sasha Wass QC, representing The Sun, said the photograph showed 'four lines of cocaine next to a credit card with a straw on top of the credit card'.

Ms Wass said that when Heard's sister Whitney Henriquez arrived at the house 'she was confronted by the sight of Heard, who had obviously been crying'.

She then suggested that Heard and Ms Henriquez 'remained with you for about four hours trying to persuade you to go to the film set' for the Keith Richards documentary.

Depp said: 'It was a day where Keith Richards and Tom Waits were performing together in the studio.'

But he added that 'to me, it was more important to try to fix things, patch things up with Ms Heard'.

The court also heard how the Pirates of the Caribbean actor had told screenwriter Stephen Deuters that he thought his 'Peruvian period' had upset his former spouse.

He allegedly messaged Mr Deuters: 'Amber is extremely upset and we're dying... Do you want to speak with her while we're there and give her some perspective on me and what I am and what I'm not? She thinks my Peruvian period has made me a monster and that I am ruining the relationship.'

'So the Peruvian period is a reference to cocaine?' Ms Wass asked, to which Depp replied: 'Yes.'

Ms Wass also suggested that, when Depp's assistant Nathan Holmes arrived, he 'refused to leave' and 'you were snorting more and more lines of cocaine'. 

Depp said he was 'definitely partaking of the cocaine' and claimed 'Whitney was partaking of the cocaine as well'.

He also alleged that Heard would 'normally' chop cocaine into lines for him. This was refuted by Ms Wass, who said that had never happened because Heard was 'extremely disapproving' of cocaine.

The actor said in court: 'Well she poured me the whisky and cocaine was visible in front of her, and I have experienced many times with Ms Heard that she would in fact chop the cocaine up for me so that I could do the line and then she would press her finger into it and ingest it orally.

'I'm not suggesting that she did that in this case (on a particular occasion put to him by Ms Wass), but I am suggesting that it was a normal duty that she felt obligated to do.'

Depp 'attacked Heard on private plane as he accused her of having sex with James Franco after consuming "a thousand Red Bull and vodkas, pills and two bottles of champagne"' 

The court also heard that Depp attacked ex-wife Heard on a private plane while accusing her of cheating on him with actor James Franco on a private plane. 

He was accused of screaming about how Heard 'liked getting f****d on set' and making 'vulgar' while grilling her about her relationship with The Adderall Diaries star Franco in 2014.

Ms Wass said that Depp made 'vulgar references to (Heard's) genitalia' and called her a 'go-getter slut' in front of crew members on a flight from Boston to LA.

The barrister then read out a text sent by Depp to his friend British actor Paul Bettany, which read: 'I'm going to properly stop the booze thing, darling. Drank all night before I picked Amber up to fly to LA this past Sunday. Ugly mate. No food for days. Powders. Half a bottle of whisky. 

'A thousand red bull and vodkas, pills, 2 bottles of champers on plane and what do you get?'

Depp denied having launched the attack, commenting 'that's quite a stretch of her imagination' when lurid details of the alleged rampage were recounted by NGN's lawyer.

He claimed that he had been concerned about Franco because Heard had described him as 'creepy and rapey' when they starred alongside one another in stoner comedy Pineapple Express.

Depp is suing The Sun for libel after it labelled him a 'wife beater' in a trial that is set to take three weeks and feature celebrity witnesses including Vanessa Paradis and Paul Bettany (pictured, arriving at the High Court today)
Depp is suing The Sun for libel after it labelled him a 'wife beater' in a trial that is set to take three weeks and feature celebrity witnesses including Vanessa Paradis and Paul Bettany (pictured, leaving the High Court today)

Depp (left, arriving at the High Court; right, leaving the High Court) is suing The Sun for libel after it labelled him a 'wife beater' in a trial that is set to take three weeks and feature celebrity witnesses including Vanessa Paradis and Paul Bettany 

Depp appeared to state that Heard had told him she had to 'run from Franco's advances' during filming - claims which Ms Wass branded as 'made up on the spot.'

The Hollywood star was said to have kicked a chair so forcefully that it swivelled and hit Heard before storming into the bathroom and passing out drunk on the floor.

'I suggest Ms Heard moved seats more than once to get away from you and you started by throwing ice cubes at her and you kicked one of the chairs so hard that it swivelled round and hit her,' Ms Wass said.

'I've never seen anyone be able to push an airplane chair so that it could assault someone,' Depp said.

'You were in a blind rage, demanding to know how much she liked getting off with James Franco. You were so angry that she wouldn't engage with you in this discussion that you slapped her.

'You called her a 'Go-getter sl** and a wh***. Do you agree?' the lawyer asked.

'No ma'am I wouldn't,' said Depp. 'Not under those circumstances I would not. There are possibilities where that kind of thing might come out of my mouth depending on what came out of her mouth prior, but I did not go into a rage on the flight in front of all these people.'

'And throughout all this you were demanding more alcohol and oxygen from the flight attendant,' the QC said.

'I had asked for an oxygen tank just for a lark,' Depp said.

'What's so funny about an oxygen tank?' Ms Wass asked.

'When you put the oxygen tank on and you turn the nozzle you are hit with pure oxygen,' Depp replied. 

'I wasn't abusing a drug, I was breathing in oxygen and I was showing them, I flew with the crew before and the pilot and I had done that before.'

'You eventually went to the toilet, the bathroom of the plane, and you passed out. Has your assistant Nathan Holmes ever had to wake you up when you've passed out on the toilet?' Ms Wass asked.

'I've never passed out on the toilet, not in the act of let's say relieving oneself, but yes leaning on the toilet or sleeping on the floor,' Depp said.

Describing his suspicions that Heard was having an extra-marital affair, Depp said: 'She told me many things that were very negative about Mr Franco that he had tried to kiss her (after the filming of Pineapple Express) and made sexual advances on her in that film she said he was a creep and a rapist or whatever.'

'A rapist? She didn't use that word surely?' Ms Wass asked. 'You've made an extremely important statement just now. You made that up on the spot didn't you?'

Depp replied: 'No it's just a word that came out to describe what she said to me, him leaning in saying I'm going to kiss you now and she had to run from his advances at one point and he was kind of non-stop and she felt he was creepy and rapey was the word. If I said the word rapist then it's because rapey was the word she used.'

He added: 'I suspected Ms Heard was having an affair with Mr Franco and it's since been confirmed that she was.'

The court heard that Ms Heard had made efforts to prevent Depp watching intimate scenes in her films because he would 'lose it.'

'Your concerns about romantic scenes were quite considerable weren't they?' Ms Wass asked.

'Yes I do have concerns,' Depp said.

'She was worried you were going to lose it. Can you imagine why she thought you might lose it?' the lawyer asked.

'She doesn't want me to lose it meaning doesn't want me to get jealous,' Depp said.

'You were screaming obscenities on the plane,' Ms Wass said.

'I was screaming obscenities at Ms Heard with my security, two pilots... A stewardess? I don't agree with what you're saying,' Depp said.

'You said she liked getting f***ed on set and you were making vulgar references to her genitals,' Ms Wass said.

'That's quite a stretch of her imagination,' came the reply.

Amber Heard (pictured, arriving at the High Court) took the photo at her LA home in 2013 before the couple had another blazing row about his drug and alcohol use
Amber Heard (pictured, leaving the High Court) took the photo at her LA home in 2013 before the couple had another blazing row about his drug and alcohol use

Amber Heard (left, arriving at the High Court; right, leaving the High Court) took the photo at her LA home in 2013 before the couple had another blazing row about his drug and alcohol use

Depp 'went on a 24-hour cocaine bender with Marilyn Manson in 2014'  

The court also heard that Depp allegedly went on a 24-hour cocaine 'bender' with Marilyn Manson while Heard sent concerned messages about his whereabouts to his sister.

She messaged Christi Dembrowski in February 2014 saying: 'JD is on a bender with Manson' when he stormed out after another bust-up.

The Hollywood legend said today that he had taken cocaine with Manson 'three times' but denied that drugs were involved in his 2014 visit.

He said instead that he and the famous rocker had been taking his daughter Lily-Rose to school and that it was a 'mystery' how Ms Heard had thought that he was abusing substances.

The Pirates of the Carribean star claimed that his former spouse was 'jealous' and suspected that he had been cheating on her when he disappeared after a row.

Ms Wass said the marriage was characterised by a dysfunctional 'pattern' in which Depp would binge and abandon Ms Heard after arguments about drug use.

The lawyer said: 'And when this syndrome arose, that is to say arguments about drug taking followed by you going on a binge, when the whole thing was over, when the whole explosion was over you would just disappear and go away from her.'

Depp replied: 'There was a time when I said I'm going to stay in a hotel room.

'And she became extremely worried as she didn't know where you were and you were in a state of inebriation or drug consumption and she used to get quite frantic with worry,' the lawyer said.

'She would indeed get quite frantic with worry and she would indeed get jealous that I was out cheating on her,' came the reply.

'Just going back to 2014 you said you'd taken drugs with Marilyn Manson twice, but years before you were with Ms Heard,' Ms Wass said.

'Twice or three times maybe, Depp confirmed. 'Doing a line of cocaine with Manson was, I believe it was before Ms Heard and I were fully involved, lets say.'

Depp said: 'She's speculating that I'm on a binge with Manson for more than 24 hours.

'Manson and I did in fact take my daughter to school.'

But reading from a text allegedly sent by Ms Heard to Depp's sister Christi Dembrowski in February 2014, Ms Wass said: 'JD is on a bender with Manson. Once again he believes it's about me and us fighting.

'Once again I don't know what to do. He's gonna hurt himself and take us as a couple down with him.

'I think he's at Marilyn's now continuing the rage and coke booze binge. Can you help* We have no reason to fight. He just aims all his anger at me when he's on it. Don't know what to do.'

'Do you believe that you were on a binge (with Manson)?' the QC asked.

'I would say that's what Ms Heard believed. As to how she had exact information about what i was doing with Manson is a mystery to me,' Depp replied.

Heard's alleged texts went on: 'He went to drop Lily-Rose off this morning and hasn't been back since. I called the guards to make sure at least one of them got here and Sean did.

'Not sure who dropped her off but I think it was JD and Manson with security.

Asked whether his sister had expressed anxiety about his drug intake at the time, Depp replied: 'My sister Christi has over many, many years since my youth had a number of worries about my consumption growing up and yes, she talked to me many times over the course of my life. We did speak about it.

'She and Ms Heard's ability to speak to one another stopped not long after this.' 

Heard's sister Whitney allegedly reached out to him later urging him to make amends with her sibling.

Depp allegedly responded: 'I'm good just can't deal anymore, she's crossed the line again. Always too much.

'A person needs to think before they go squirrelly. So f***ing sad. I've never done anything but love her.'

But even his own daughter Lily-Rose begged him not to give up on his relationship with Heard because she was a 'good influence' on his parenting, the court heard.

The then-teenager allegedly praised the 'positive effect' the marriage had on his drinking and said he had been a 'better dad since she's been around.'

'Your daughter recognised that ms heard was a good influence on you?' Ms Wass asked.

'Yes, she believed that at the time,' came the reply.

'Your daughter says to you: 'You've been a better dad to Jack and I since she's been around and she's been helping with the alcohol.

''I just see the positive effect she's had on you. Please don't write her off right now. She may surprise you.''

'You say to her: 'I'm not going back to booze. We'll see what happens with her.''

Depp 'joked' with Paul Bettany about setting Amber Heard on fire and 'f***ing her burnt corpse to make sure she's dead' or drowning her to 'make sure she's not a witch'

The court heard that Depp swapped 'joke' texts with British actor Paul Bettany about setting Amber Heard on fire and 'f***ing her burnt corpse afterwards to make sure she's dead' or drowning his 'witch' ex-wife.

The 57-year-old actor was asked by The Sun's lawyer about the series of text messages with Bettany and whether he thought they were a 'respectful' way to talk about his girlfriend.

He admitted it was not as he was peppered with questions in court about his extensive alcohol and cocaine abuse, and alleged complaints about Heard trying to stop him drinking and taking cocaine.

'She didn't like me using alcohol and drugs because she had some delusional idea that they turned me into... this said monster,' he told The Sun's barrister Ms Wass.  

Depp said his 'sense of humour is slightly skewed' as texts emerged in which he quipped with actor Bettany about 'shaving Amber Heard's beaver' - a reference to a pet beaver they considered buying her.

In an explosive series of messages the pair appear to joke about setting Heard on fire before Depp said: 'I will f*** her burnt corpse afterwards to make sure she's dead.'

The court heard how Depp told Bettany to buy Heard a pet beaver and record himself shaving the animal so that they could post the clip online titled: 'Johnny Depp shaves Amber Heard's Beaver.'

Reading from the shocking messages exchanged between Depp and Bettany, Ms Wass said: '(Depp says) first of all we buy Amber a pet beaver and then we take pictures of you shaving the pet beaver.

'All this is to create a domain name 'Johnny Depp Shaves Amber Heard's Beaver'.

'Clearly there are many spin-offs. You could poke, joke, punch.

'Do you think that's a respectful way of somebody, here Paul Bettany, talking about your girlfriend?' the lawyer asked, to which Depp replied: 'It is not a respectful way to talk about Ms Heard.'

Later in June Depp allegedly received a text saying: 'I'm not sure we should burn Amber. She is delightful company and pleasing on the eye. We could of course do the English course of action and perform a drowning test. Thoughts? You have a swimming pool.'

He is said to have responded saying: 'Let's drown her before we burn her!!! I will f*** her burnt corpse afterwards to make sure she's dead.'

Ms Wass said Bettany replied: 'My thoughts entirely. Let's be certain before we pronounce her a witch.'

The actor branded his ex-wife a 'witch' simply for trying to help him recover from his addiction, the lawyer said. But he claimed she reacted 'aggressively' to his alleged drug abuse and dismissed her claims he became violent while intoxicated as 'delusional.'

The QC added: 'This reference to her being a witch was a reference I say to her trying to stop you taking drink and drugs and you resented her for doing that and (she) was the moral police, that sort of thing.'

Depp replied: '(Bettany) knew of our arguments and fighting. He knew details. 

'I was resentful of the fact that Ms Heard was very aggressive and quite insulting about my use of alcohol or, if cocaine came into the picture, she did not like Mr Bettany and I'm afraid she didn't like me very much either and she was constantly harping on things that didn't exist.'

'She didn't like you when you were constantly high on drugs and alcohol did she?' Ms Wass said.

'She didn't like me using alcohol and drugs because she had some delusional idea that they turned me into... this said monster,' came the reply.

In a draft email written by Heard and addressed to Depp but never sent, she allegedly lamented the failing relationship and said: 'I just don't think I can do this anymore. Half of you I love madly. The other half scares me.

'The problem is I never really know which one I'm dealing with until it's too late. The drinking assures me I'm dealing with the abused, scared, insecure, violent little boy...

'I just can't tell where the line starts. Also drugs seem to guarantee that I will have to deal with the monster again. Sometimes the hangover the morning after is just as bad as the full on disco bloodbath I've come to expect.'

The Texan actor allegedly said in the unsent message that Depp's friends were 'embarrassed' about 'picking up a grown man from his own p*** and vomit.' 

Johnny Depp swapped 'joke' texts with British actor Paul Bettany (pictured) about setting Amber Heard on fire and 'f***ing her burnt corpse afterwards to make sure she's dead' or drowning his 'witch' ex-wife, the court heard today

Johnny Depp swapped 'joke' texts with British actor Paul Bettany (pictured) about setting Amber Heard on fire and 'f***ing her burnt corpse afterwards to make sure she's dead' or drowning his 'witch' ex-wife, the court heard today

Depp 'held Heard's tiny Yorkshire terrier out of car window in a fit of rage' 

The Sun's lawyer Sasha Wass QC referred to text messages between Depp and his friend Paul Bettany about 'the fact that Ms Heard was trying to wean you off drug taking'. 

Depp said: 'She was quite adamant that I not drink anymore and she was quite adamant that I should stop any use of cocaine and recreational drugs.'

Ms Wass asked: 'How does that last statement square with your suggestion that she didn't support your sobriety?' 

Depp replied that if someone was helping 'an alcoholic or somebody who is believed to be addicted to drugs... would then themselves stop drinking in front of that person and stop doing drugs around that person'.

He added: 'I would say that is full support.'

Ms Wass said Ms Heard would have two or three glasses of wine, prompting Depp to say: 'Two or three bottles.'

The barrister replied 'that is complete nonsense' and referred to an incident where Depp was travelling in a car with Heard, her sister Whitney, her pet Yorkshire terrier, Pistol, a driver, and the actor's assistant Nathan Holmes.

She said: 'When you were in the car, you were smoking and you opened the window and you were angry and you were aggressive, rather like you were in that clip we saw yesterday - the monster side of your character.' 

Depp replied: 'No ma'am, I was not in that mode at all.'

Ms Wass said: 'And you took hold of Pistol and you held her out of the window and started making howling noises.' The actor responded: 'I can say it is a very endearing image, but it is absolute utter falsity, it is fraudulent.'

The barrister then suggested Depp thought this was funny, to which he responded: 'No ma'am, I don't think hanging an animal, a small defenceless dog that weighs three pounds out of a window is fun.'

Ms Wass then asked if Depp had laughed at a suggestion of the dog being put in a microwave, to which he replied that was a 'running joke' between himself, Heard and others.

The Hollywood legend added: 'I wouldn't say that I was the inventor of that particular joke and also I wasn't the only one who brought anything like that up.'

Ms Wass also asked Depp about an incident in which the dog 'had eaten some hash, some cannabis - quite a lot'.

The barrister suggested it was about an ounce of hash, but Depp said: 'I wouldn't say it was an ounce.' He added: 'The puppy got a hold of a little ball of hashish and just scooped it up before I could get to it.' 

Who will be called to give evidence? Johnny Depp's exes Winona Ryder and Vanessa Paradis will make statements at High Court 

Vanessa Paradis is one of Depp's former partners. She insists he was never abusive towards her

Vanessa Paradis is one of Depp's former partners. She insists he was never abusive towards her 

Vanessa Paradis

Vanessa Paradis is a French singer, actress and model who shot to fame aged just 14 with the song Joe Le Taxi.

She has been a spokesmodel for Chanel for many years and appeared in a number of films, alongside continuing her singing career.

Ms Paradis, 47, was in a relationship with Depp for around 14 years from around 1998. The couple's daughter, Lily-Rose, is also now pursuing a career as an actress.

Ms Paradis is due to give evidence at the trial, having given a witness statement in which she described her former partner as a 'kind, attentive, generous and non-violent person and father'.

Winona Ryder is also due to give evidence at the High Court trial

Winona Ryder is also due to give evidence at the High Court trial

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder is also due to give evidence at the High Court trial as part of his case against News Group Newspapers (NGN).

Ms Ryder was in a relationship with Depp during the early 1990s, and the pair appeared together in Edward Scissorhands.

Depp famously tattooed Winona Forever on his arm. After the couple split, he reportedly changed it to Wino Forever.

Dan Wootton has been The Sun's Executive Editor since March 2018

Dan Wootton has been The Sun's Executive Editor since March 2018

Dan Wootton

New Zealand-born Dan Wootton has been The Sun's Executive Editor since March 2018. The article at the heart of Johnny Depp's libel claim was written by Mr Wootton for his weekly column in the newspaper.

Mr Wootton also presents the weekday Drivetime show on talkRadio and has his own podcast - The Dan Wootton Interview.

A showbiz reporter for many years, before joining The Sun, Mr Wootton had stints at a number of newspapers and magazines, including the Daily Mail, where he also worked as a columnist, and the now defunct News Of The World, where he was Showbiz Editor.

He was also showbiz presenter for ITV's Lorraine show for 10 years.

Advertisement

Depp 'went berserk after a woman fondled Heard during MDMA trip'

Depp went berserk and trashed his trailer with Heard inside after a woman touched her sexually, the court heard.

The actor threatened a woman named Kelly-Sue after he suspected she was making sexual advances towards Heard at a party in Hicksville in 2013, it was said.

He said he took her arm and asked her to stop before telling her: 'Don't take MDMA if you can't handle it' but denied being physically aggressive.

Ms Wass said: 'You eventually said to her 'Do you know how much pressure it would take to break your wrist?''

'No,' came the reply. 'It was at nightfall... As the girls were congregating Kelly-Sue began to touch Ms Heard in ways that were beyond what one would accept as normal affection.

'They were quite sexual and they were quite aggressive and she was clearly very high. I remember (Heard) was just sort of looking at her smiling. I thought it was an uncomfortable situation.

'I removed Kelly-Sue's hand from Ms Heard's body and I told her not to do that. First of all that's my girl, second of all it's rude and invasive. She was quite glassy-eyed and she seemed pretty unsure of her surroundings... She seemed very stable on her feet.

'I remember saying to her if you're going to take this drug MDMA you should know if you're able to handle it or not. Don't take it if you can't handle it.' 

Heard allegedly blasted Depp over the altercation when they arrived back at his trailer and made him feel like a 'bummer,' he said today.

Giving evidence, Depp said: 'The argument did start because of this incident with Kelly-Sue because when we arrived back to our trailer.

'Ms Heard began to yell and scream at me that I had ruined everyone's weekend and that once again I was the bummer and I had ruined everyone's good time. So I was demeaned for being concerned.

'I did get very, I was very upset at being treated yet again as the, pardon the expression, turd in the punch bowl.

'That was undeserved. I didn't feel I deserved to be screamed at and treated like garbage for doing something I felt was right and correct so during the height of the argument I punched the glass art deco light above the bathroom mirror.'

The court heard the wrecked trailer had been booked by a wedding party the following day and staff told Depp he 'couldn't just pay.'

Ms Wass said: 'Do you remember a wedding party was due to arrive in a couple of hours and the owners were saying you can't just pay for it, we have people coming in two hours?'

'They never said that to me but I spoke to the manager and brought him to the trailer and he saw the damage. He said okay. He replaced it, I apologized and he said 'no problem,'' came the reply.

Ms Wass said that when Depp and Heard returned to their trailer that night they had 'a big argument', which Mr Depp said was correct.

The barrister said the row was prompted by two things: 'The fact that you had consumed a lot of alcohol and drugs that night... and secondly that you were jealous'. 

Depp said: 'When we arrived back at the trailer, Ms Heard began to yell and scream at me that I had ruined everyone's weekend and that, you know, once again I was the bummer and that I ruined everyone's good time, so I was demeaned for being concerned.' 

Ms Wass suggested that the owners of the trailer park were 'very upset' the following morning because a wedding party was due to arrive in a few hours.

But Mr Depp said: 'I spoke to the manager, brought him to the trailer, showed him the damage and then he went to his office and returned with a replacement bulb.'

Ms Wass referred to Depp referring to Heard as a 'lesbian camp counsellor', which the actor said he had not said. But the barrister took Depp to text messages between him and Heard in which he used the phrase.

The actor replied: 'Yes, I used those words ... in a text. I used that in a text, but the words were never uttered.'

Ms Wass asked if he agreed that it was a 'highly offensive reference to her'.

Mr Depp replied: 'Yes, it is.' He added: 'That was a very ugly thing to do.'

Depp 'slapped Heard while trying to torch painting by her "lesbian lover"' 

Depp was also accused of slapping Heard while trying to torch a painting by her ex-partner Tasya van Ree. 

Heard claims that the 57-year-old actor hit her several times after an argument about the artwork, which was hanging in her bedroom, and tried to set it on fire.

The fight is said by The Sun to be the first instance of domestic abuse inflicted by Depp during their relationship.

Ms Wass asked if he remembered arriving at Heard's home in Los Angeles 'drunk and having consumed a cocktail of cocaine and cannabis'. Depp replied: 'Not off hand, no.'

The barrister asked: 'Would you describe yourself as jealous?', to which Depp replied: 'I am, yes. I can be jealous.'

She said: 'You were very jealous and accusatory of Ms Heard, suggesting that she was having, or continuing, her affair with Tasya van Ree - it became an obsession of yours that night.' 

Depp said: 'I remember we had several arguments about Ms van Ree, I won't elaborate, I will let you...'

The Sun's lawyer then read out part of Depp's witness statement in which he said he had asked Heard to remove the painting 'as a courtesy' to him.

Ms Wass asked: 'When you asked her to remove the painting, according to your recollection, what did she say?'

'Ultimately, no', the actor replied. He then denied allegations put to him by Ms Wass that he tried to remove the painting and to set fire to it, saying each time they were 'not true'. 

Barrister Sasha Wass QC asked Depp about a tattoo he had done on his arm during his relationship with actress Winona Ryder, which read 'Winona Forever' and which he had changed to 'Wino Forever' after they split
Barrister Sasha Wass QC asked Depp about a tattoo he had done on his arm during his relationship with actress Winona Ryder, which read 'Winona Forever' and which he had changed to 'Wino Forever' after they split

Barrister Sasha Wass QC asked Depp about a tattoo he had done on his arm during his relationship with actress Winona Ryder, which read 'Winona Forever' and which he had changed to 'Wino Forever' after they split

Depp 'attacked Heard after she laughed at his infamous "Wino Forever" tattoo'   

The 57-year-old actor was cross examined on the stand by Ms Wass who alleged that he slapped Heard in 2013 after she laughed at the tattoo during a period where he was drinking heavily.

Depp originally got the tattoo reading 'Winona Forever' in tribute to his then girlfriend Winona Ryder, and changed it after they broke up in 1993.

Today, Depp was asked by Ms Wass QC if he had taken cocaine at the time of the alleged slapping in March 2013. Depp said it was 'difficult to recollect' but it was 'possible'.

Ms Wass put it to Depp that the actor first hit Heard in early 2013 - one of 14 separate allegations of domestic violence, all denied by Depp, relied on by The Sun in their defence. 

The barrister asked Depp about a tattoo he had done on his arm during his relationship with actress Winona Ryder, which read 'Winona Forever' and which he had changed to 'Wino Forever' after they split.

Ms Wass asked if he thought it was a joke at the time, to which he replied: 'Yes, it seemed fitting.'

She then probed the actor further about the alleged incident in March 2013, which Depp agreed was at a time when he had 'fallen off the wagon' following about 160 days of sobriety.

The barrister put it to Depp that he had slapped Heard three times after she laughed at the 'Wino Forever' tattoo during a period where he was drinking heavily.

Ms Wass said: 'You have had a tattoo on one of your arms when you were having a relationship with Winona Ryder and after you separated from Winona Ryder and after you separated from Ms Ryder you took the last syllable of her name and it read 'Wino Forever'. That presumably was a joke at the time.'

She asked: 'You don't really like to have your nose rubbed in it that you've failed do you?'

Depp said: 'I suppose the image of having my nose rubbed in something is I would say not a very nice way of dealing with someone who, especially if you think someone has a drink problem, rubbing their nose in it is in my opinion the wrong way to go. That's what people have done to dogs for years.' 

Ms Wass continued: 'It was when Ms Heard laughed at the tattoo that read Wino Forever because at that stage you were in fact acting like a Wino, like an alcoholic, and you were acting very sensitive about it. Do you agree?'

'I would say I was initially very disappointed in myself that after 160 days having broken my sobriety,' Depp replied.

She said: 'Do you accept that Ms Heard was making a joke out of your tattoo, 'Wino Forever'?'

Depp replied: 'I don't recall any conversation.' 

Ms Wass continued: 'I suggest that that provoked disappointment, firstly, in you, and then anger in you, but you don't remember.' Depp replied: 'I don't recall any argument about any of my tattoos.'

Ms Wass said: 'You then, Mr Depp, slapped Ms Heard across the face.'

The actor responded: 'That is not correct, it's untrue. It didn't happen.' 

Ms Wass said: 'You slapped her more than once, because after you slapped her the first time, she didn't react, she just eyeballed you, she just stared at you, and that made you more angry and you slapped her again.' 

Depp, who is suing The Sun after it labelled him a 'wife beater', originally got the tattoo reading 'Winona Forever' in tribute to his then girlfriend Winona Ryder (pictured together), and changed it after they broke up in 1993

Depp, who is suing The Sun after it labelled him a 'wife beater', originally got the tattoo reading 'Winona Forever' in tribute to his then girlfriend Winona Ryder (pictured together), and changed it after they broke up in 1993

Depp answered: 'That is patently untrue.'

Ms Wass then put it to the actor that he slapped his former wife three times in total during the incident, to which he replied: 'I'm sorry but that is not true, you are mistaken.'

The barrister said Depp told Heard 'for the first time about the person you have been calling 'the monster', your alter ego, the person who took over when you were under the influence of drink and drugs'. 

Depp replied: 'No, ma'am.'

Ms Wass also told the court that Heard had told Depp 'that she knew all about addiction because her father and, indeed, also her mother had also been drug users'. 

Depp said that was true and that he became 'very close' with Heard's father and mother. But the actor denied that Heard had said 'she could help him' with his drug use.

The actor was read extracts from an exchange of text messages between him and Heard on March 12, 2013, in which he wrote: 'Just thought you should know, there exists a book entitled Disco Bloodbath. That is all.'

The court heard Heard replied: 'We need that book... is it about last Friday night by any chance?' Depp then said: 'How can you make me smile about such a hideous moment?'

The message ended: 'I f****** love you, you c***.'

In a written statement about the incident, Depp said: 'I understand from my solicitors that the defendants also allege that on 8 March 2013, Ms Heard and I were in her home in Los Angeles.

'They state that I was getting drunk and high on drugs and was angry that Ms Heard had hung up a painting given to her by someone she had formerly dated.

'Allegedly my team and Ms Heard asked her sister to come over to try to intervene with me, which she did.

'After Ms Heard's sister left, they state that I hit Ms Heard so hard that blood from her lip ended on the wall.

'They state that I subsequently sent Ms Heard a text message referring to that evening as a 'disco bloodbath' and a 'hideous moment' and that the morning after this incident I tried to set fire to the painting.

'I cannot remember if I was with Ms Heard at her home on March 8, 2013.

'I know that at some point around this time I did ask Ms Heard to remove a painting that she had received from her former wife from the bedroom, as a courtesy to me.

'I do not recall the exact date I asked Ms Heard to do this. I do not remember Ms Heard's sister being asked to come over either by Ms Heard or by any member of my team when this happened.

'I certainly did not hit Ms Heard at all, then or ever, and her accusation that I hit her so hard that blood from her lip ended up on the wall is precisely the kind of picturesque but absurd lie she often tells.

'Insofar as I exchanged texts with Ms Heard on March 12th, 2013 (and I do not remember whether I did or not), my intention in apologising would have been, as always, to placate Ms Heard.

'The words 'disco blood bath' and a 'hideous moment' would not have referred to any physical abuse. I also did not try to set fire to the painting in question at any point in time.' 

Heard wrote Depp an unsent email where she compared living with him to living with 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' 

Ms Wass also read aloud an email written by Heard to Depp, which was never sent to him, in which she said the actor lived 'in a world full of enablers'.

The email began: 'I just don't know if I can do this anymore. It is like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Half of you I love madly, and the other half scares me. I can't take him. I wish I could, but I can't. The problem is, I never really know/understand which one I'm dealing with until it's too late.

'The drinking assures me that I am dealing with the monster. The abused, scared, insecure, violent little boy. I just can't tell where the line starts.'

The barrister said: 'Your answer to Ms Heard's allegation that you were a serial domestic abuser was that this is a hoax.'

Depp replied: 'Hoax is probably the best word one could use because the allegations, all of the allegations, are patently untrue.'

He added: 'From hearing you read out this (email), that was not sent to me, and from some of the information I have garnered from my experience yesterday and having studied the case, I will suggest, ma'am, that it appears to me that Ms Heard was building a dossier very early on that appears to be an insurance policy for later.'

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMie2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5bWFpbC5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FydGljbGUtODUwMjY1OS9Kb2hubnktRGVwcHMtbGliZWwtdHJpYWwtc2hvd24tcGljdHVyZS1waWxsYm94LW1vdW50YWluLWRydWdzLWFsY29ob2wuaHRtbNIBf2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5bWFpbC5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FydGljbGUtODUwMjY1OS9hbXAvSm9obm55LURlcHBzLWxpYmVsLXRyaWFsLXNob3duLXBpY3R1cmUtcGlsbGJveC1tb3VudGFpbi1kcnVncy1hbGNvaG9sLmh0bWw?oc=5

2020-07-08 16:45:53Z
52780902436006

Massive crane collapses onto homes in Bow east London 'leaving one man seriously injured' - Daily Mail

Massive 65-foot crane collapses onto two terraced houses and block of flats being built in London leaving four injured as firefighters try to rescue people trapped inside

  • A 65-foot crane collapsed onto two houses on Gale St in Bow, east London 
  • Met Police confirm four people have suffered injuries and have been rescued 
  • Several vehicles and buildings have damaged - Police say to avoid the area 

A 65-foot-high crane has collapsed in east London, destroying two houses and leaving four people injured with fears others could be trapped in the wreckage.

Pictures from the scene at a building site on Gale Street in Bow show gaping holes in the roof of a house and through a nearby fence. Several cars can also be seen covered in dust and debris. 

Met Police, responding to 999 calls at around 2.40pm, confirmed at least four people were injured when the crane collapsed into a residential property and a building site.

Paramedics have taken two people to hospital with head injuries, and assessed another two at the scene.

It is believed that firefighters are now trying to free people who are trapped inside the two homes struck by the crane. 

A 20-metre-high crane has collapsed in east London, destroying two houses and leaving four people injured. It is feared more people could be trapped in the wreckage of the two homes

A 20-metre-high crane has collapsed in east London, destroying two houses and leaving four people injured. It is feared more people could be trapped in the wreckage of the two homes

Neighbour Bridget Teirney said: 'Crane behind my building just collapsed in Bow, London. At least one man crushed, crane went through 2 house.'

She added that the crane driver has 'made it down safely' but that 'one man, who is responding and being assisted by fire and ambulance is still under the crane.'

A few minutes later she said that the man had been freed and was being taken to hospital.

Assistant Commissioner Graham Ellis said that Urban Search and Rescue crews had begun a 'complex rescue operation' to search the two properties.

Pictures from the scene at a building site on Gale Street in Bow show gaping holes in the roof of a house and through a nearby fence

Pictures from the scene at a building site on Gale Street in Bow show gaping holes in the roof of a house and through a nearby fence

Neighbour Bridget Teirney said: 'Crane behind my building just collapsed in Bow, London. At least one man crushed, crane went through 2 house'

Neighbour Bridget Teirney said: 'Crane behind my building just collapsed in Bow, London. At least one man crushed, crane went through 2 house'

Aerial footage shows how the huge metal structure ripped through the roof into the top floors of the homes, with windows blowing open from the force of the impact. 

'This is a multi-agency response and is likely to be a protracted incident. I would ask people to avoid the area.' 

Fire crews have also deployed a drone to provide aerial imagery to aid the rescue operation.

Police have evacuated the surrounding properties and cordoned off the street.

John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said he was 'extremely worried' by the incident.

'Council teams are on site supporting emergency services and setting up a rest centre for affected residents in the area. Our thoughts are with everyone affected. Priority is to ensure safety but need answers as to how this happened.' 

London Fire Brigade said they have received 14 calls to reports of a crane that has collapsed onto a building in Gale Street, Bow.

London Fire Brigade said they have received 14 calls to reports of a crane that has collapsed onto a building in Gale Street, Bow
London Fire Brigade said they have received 14 calls to reports of a crane that has collapsed onto a building in Gale Street, Bow

London Fire Brigade said they have received 14 calls to reports of a crane that has collapsed onto a building in Gale Street, Bow

A crane has collapsed in east London reportedly destroying two houses and leaving one man seriously injured

A crane has collapsed in east London reportedly destroying two houses and leaving one man seriously injured

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 2.42pm today to reports of an incident involving a crane collapsing near Watts Grove, Bow.

'We dispatched a number of specialist resources including an advanced paramedic, ambulance crews and our hazardous area response teams (HART), with the first of our medics arriving within three minutes.

'The incident is ongoing and we are working closely with other members of the emergency services at the scene.' 

Emergency services are asking people to stay out of the area. 

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 2.42pm today to reports of an incident involving a crane collapsing near Watts Grove, Bow'

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 2.42pm today to reports of an incident involving a crane collapsing near Watts Grove, Bow'

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMihQFodHRwczovL3d3dy5kYWlseW1haWwuY28udWsvbmV3cy9hcnRpY2xlLTg1MDI2NDUvTWFzc2l2ZS1jcmFuZS1jb2xsYXBzZXMtaG9tZXMtQm93LWVhc3QtTG9uZG9uLWxlYXZpbmctb25lLW1hbi1zZXJpb3VzbHktaW5qdXJlZC5odG1s0gGJAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5bWFpbC5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FydGljbGUtODUwMjY0NS9hbXAvTWFzc2l2ZS1jcmFuZS1jb2xsYXBzZXMtaG9tZXMtQm93LWVhc3QtTG9uZG9uLWxlYXZpbmctb25lLW1hbi1zZXJpb3VzbHktaW5qdXJlZC5odG1s?oc=5

2020-07-08 15:44:45Z
52780906676388

Four injured after crane collapses on house in Bow, east London - Sky News

Four people are believed to be injured after a crane collapsed on a house in Bow, east London.

London Fire Brigade tweeted: "A 20 meter crane has collapsed onto a terraced house in #Bow. Fire crews are working to free people trapped inside. Please avoid the area."

Crane collapses in Bow
Crane falls on London home

Police said they had received reports that four people were injured and the Ambulance Service said a number of crews and "specialist resources" were at the scene in Watts Grove.

Bridget Teirney tweeted: "Crane behind my building just collapsed in Bow, London. At least one man crushed, crane went through 2 house."

Image: Police said four people had reportedly been injured
The crane collapsed in Bow, east London. Pic: Bridget Teirney
Image: The crane collapsed in Bow, east London. Pic: Bridget Teirney

Pictures from the scene show firefighters with ladders propped up against a house with most of its roof destroyed.

The crane appears to have been working on a nearby building site a few streets away.

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZGh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L3Blb3BsZS10cmFwcGVkLWFmdGVyLWNyYW5lLWNvbGxhcHNlcy1vbi1ob3VzZS1pbi1ib3ctZWFzdC1sb25kb24tMTIwMjQxNzfSAWhodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hbXAvcGVvcGxlLXRyYXBwZWQtYWZ0ZXItY3JhbmUtY29sbGFwc2VzLW9uLWhvdXNlLWluLWJvdy1lYXN0LWxvbmRvbi0xMjAyNDE3Nw?oc=5

2020-07-08 15:11:15Z
52780906676388

Chancellor gives diners 50% off on eating out - BBC News

Diners will get a 50% discount off their restaurant bill during August under government plans to bolster the embattled hospitality sector.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled the "eat out to help out" discount as part of a series of measures to restart the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The deal means people can get up to £10 off per head if they eat out between Monday and Wednesday.

Mr Sunak also said VAT on hospitality and tourism would drop to 5%.

The reduction, from 20%, will be in place for the next six months.

As he announced the discount, the chancellor said the UK was facing a "unique moment" because of Covid-19, adding: "We need to be creative."

Pubs and restaurants reopened on Saturday after more than three months in lockdown, with safety measures in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Mr Sunak sought to reassure the public that it was safe to dine out. "I know people are cautious about going out. But we wouldn't have lifted the restrictions if we didn't think we could do so, safely," he said.

The discount will not apply to alcohol, but to food and soft drinks up to £10 per person.

The Treasury said the 50% discount can be used unlimited times during August and applies to participating restaurants, cafés, and pubs across the UK.

Mr Sunak said the plan was aimed at getting "customers back into restaurants, cafes and pubs" and protecting "the 1.8 million people who work in them".

Businesses that want to take part in the scheme will have to register through a website that opens on Monday 13 July.

Mr Sunak said: "Each week in August, businesses can then claim the money back, with the funds in their bank account within five working days."

He added that the cut in VAT, from 20% to 5%, would apply to "eat-in or hot takeaway food from restaurants, cafes and pubs; accommodation in hotels, B&Bs, campsites and caravan sites [and] attractions like cinemas, theme parks and zoos".

The lower tax rate will be implemented next Wednesday, 15 July, and will remain in place until 12 January 2021.

Caroline Roylance, owner of The George pub at Fordingbridge, Hampshire, said she would be applying for the "eat out to help out" scheme.

The pub reopened on Wednesday after being closed since 23 March, when the coronavirus lockdown was implemented.

She said the discount and the VAT cut "will help us make it through the next few months, because trade is unlikely to return to pre-Covid levels for some time".

"Saying that, it's been surprisingly busy today, which is encouraging, but it's still not July busy," said Ms Roylance.

'Challenges ahead'

UK Hospitality, the trade body which represents the industry, "warmly" welcomed the moves, as well as Mr Sunak's plans to stem unemployment through schemes such as creating thousands of job placements for young people.

However, UK Hospitality's chief executive, Kate Nicholls, said: "This doesn't mean we are out of the woods and there are still significant challenges ahead.

"The biggest of these is the spectre of rent liabilities, which many businesses are still facing from their closure period. We are going to need government support on this before too long."

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiLGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL2J1c2luZXNzLTUzMzM3MTcw0gEwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL2J1c2luZXNzLTUzMzM3MTcw?oc=5

2020-07-08 14:26:15Z
52780898176939

Coronavirus: What the chancellor's summer statement means for you - BBC News

Coronavirus has dealt a blow to incomes, job prospects and our future prosperity.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has delivered a summer statement, outlining his ambitions for a recovery from the economic harm done by the virus.

This is how it might affect your finances.

Jobs and wages

Policies announced by the chancellor on homes, tax and insulation are, in many ways, dwarfed by the prospects for people's jobs.

Wages remain key for the health of an individual's finances.

Mr Sunak announced various schemes to give incentives to employers to bring furloughed employees back to work, to encourage them to employ young workers, and to improve skills training.

Eating out and going out

The sales tax - VAT - included in the cost of food, accommodation and attractions will be cut until mid-January from 20% to 5%

The temporary cut should see prices fall when eating out or going out, which should help those whose income has been affected by the virus.

However, it is not clear how much benefit consumers will see.

For example, lots of people are staying away from holidays and attractions at the moment, worried about the virus and their ability to spend money. There is also a question over whether there is the capacity to let them in, given social distancing.

Another point of debate is whether these businesses will pass on the VAT cut in the form of lower prices.

Many in the sector will consider this an opportunity to shore up the finances of their ailing businesses. This means they may, in effect, keep the extra money by not cutting their prices.

The chancellor said that there will be discounts of up to £10 per head for anyone eating out at participating restaurants from Mondays to Wednesdays in the month of August.

Diners who often make use of money off vouchers may find this mirrors their normal discount.

Upfront costs when buying a home

Until now, in England and Northern Ireland, stamp duty has been paid on land or property sold for £125,000 or more. There are different rates and systems in Scotland and Wales.

Buyers usually pay their duty based on the price on the day the sale is completed, and they have to give the money to HM Revenue and Customs within 14 days. Now, the chancellor has said this threshold in England and Northern Ireland will increase - with immediate effect - to £500,000 until 31 March.

He said that, on average, people buying a home would save £4,500. Current homeowners moving on could see a saving of up to £14,999.

The housing market, as with the rest of the economy, has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. The lockdown meant activity slowed sharply, with sales at half the levels of a year earlier.

The idea is that housing chains will get moving again, as people make the most of the stamp duty holiday. That would be good for everyone on that chain, and for the UK economy as a whole (of which the housing sector is a key part).

Yet, back in 2012, the then-chancellor George Osborne said a stamp duty holiday had been ineffective in helping people to buy a home when he cancelled a similar scheme.

There is also a limit on how much first-time buyers would benefit from this.

Some 16% of sales in England were not liable for stamp duty, even before now. Many would be first-time buyers.

Before the chancellor's announcement, first-time buyers paid no tax on properties up to £300,000 and 5% on any portion between £300,000 and £500,000. So the new stamp duty holiday would not benefit many of those young, new buyers directly.

Those buying homes for more than £500,000, or second homes, will still have to pay stamp duty, but their total bill will be lower as a result of these changes.

Home improvements

Mr Sunak will not pay to paint the kitchen, but there will be help with the cost of insulating your home, including double glazing, in England.

In the scheme, which will start in September, the government will pay at least two-thirds of the cost of home improvements that save energy. This will be paid as a voucher when the work is approved.

For example, a homeowner of a semi-detached or end-of-terrace house could install cavity wall and floor insulation for about £4,000 - the homeowner would pay £1,320 while the government would contribute £2,680.

Low-income households could receive a bigger contribution.

The move was announced in the build-up to the speech, and will allow landlords to benefit, which could eventually see tenants' gas and electricity bills look better than they would otherwise have done.

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiLGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL2J1c2luZXNzLTUzMzM0MDgz0gEwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL2J1c2luZXNzLTUzMzM0MDgz?oc=5

2020-07-08 12:55:02Z
52780898176939

Chancellor Rishi Sunak cuts VAT in emergency plan to save jobs - BBC News

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is to cut VAT for hospitality and tourism as part of a package to prevent mass unemployment as the economy is hit by coronavirus.

The government will also pay firms a £1,000 bonus for every staff member kept on for three months when the furlough scheme ends in October.

And he announced a scheme to give 50% off to people dining out in August.

Mr Sunak warned "hardship lies ahead", but vowed no-one will be left "without hope," in a statement to MPs.

He rejected calls to extend the furlough scheme beyond October, saying it would give people "false hope" that they will have a job to return to.

But he said he would "never accept unemployment as an inevitable outcome" of the pandemic.

Cut to 5%

The "job retention bonus" could cost as much as £9bn if every furloughed worker is covered, he said in his statement.

"If you're an employer and you bring back someone who was furloughed - and continuously employ them through to January - we'll pay you a £1,000 bonus per employee.

"It's vital people aren't just returning for the sake of it - they need to be doing decent work.

"So for businesses to get the bonus, the employee must be paid at least £520 on average, in each month from November to the end of January - the equivalent of the lower earnings limit in National Insurance."

He told MPs he will cut VAT on food, accommodation and attractions from 20% to 5% ,from next Wednesday.

This cut will apply to eat-in or hot takeaway food from restaurants, cafes and pubs, accommodation in hotels, B&Bs, campsites and caravan sites, attractions like cinemas, theme parks and zoos.

Rishi Sunak said this "£4bn catalyst" would help protect "over 2.4 million jobs".

Mr Sunak also announced an "Eat Out to Help Out" discount, which he said would help protect 1.8 million jobs.

Meals eaten at any participating business, Monday to Wednesday, will be 50% off in August, up to a maximum discount of £10 per head for everyone, including children.

Businesses will need to register, and can do so through a website, open next Monday and apply in the month of August, the chancellor said in his statement.

Stamp duty holiday

The chancellor also announced a £2bn "kickstart scheme" to create more jobs for young people.

The fund will subsidise six-month work placements for people on Universal Credit aged between 16 and 24, who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

Mr Sunak also announced a temporary stamp duty holiday to stimulate the property market.

This would exempt the first £500,000 of all property sales from the tax.

The chancellor outlined a number of other measures in the build-up to his statement, including:

Details of how the package will be paid for - through borrowing and possible tax rises - are likely to be unveiled in the chancellor's Autumn Budget.

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiL2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTUzMjY4NTk00gEzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTUzMjY4NTk0?oc=5

2020-07-08 12:45:00Z
52780898176939