Priti Patel slams ‘senseless thugs’ who pelted cops with bottles at lockdown protest leaving eight inj... - The Sun

HOME Secretary Priti Patel has blasted "senseless thugs" who pelted police with bottles at an anti-lockdown and vaccine passport protest.

Eight police officers were injured and some left with bloody faces after being struck by missiles during yesterday's London rally.

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Protesters clashed with cops during an anti-lockdown rally in Hyde Park yesterdayCredit: Alamy

One police officer is pictured with a bloody headCredit: WENN

Protesters are pictured squaring up to cops in Hyde ParkCredit: WENN

Home Secretary Priti Patel has blasted 'criminal' thugs who attacked police officers yesterdayCredit: Twitter

The Home Secretary shared a series of shocking photos showing injured officersCredit: hassimage

Brave cops were pelted with missiles and left bloodied after being attacked by thugsCredit: hassimage

The images showed injured officers on the frontline during yesterday's violenceCredit: hassimage

Two officers were taken to hospital following yesterday's violenceCredit: hassimage

Two cops were taken to hospital and five people arrested after the violence in Hyde Park following a march through central London.

Demonstrators held placards reading "Do Not Comply", "We Want Our Freedom", “Covid-19 Vaccine Holocaust”, and: “No To Vaccine Passports”.

A furious Ms Patel rounded on the "criminal" thugs who attacked Met officers as she shared shocking photos of injured frontline cops.

And she vowed to double prison sentences for yobs who attack emergency service workers following yesterday's disgraceful scenes.

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Do you know the thugs who attacked police officers at yesterday's rally? Contact joe.duggan@news.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368

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Ms Patel tweeted: "Our brave police are the best of us and should not be the target of senseless violence by a criminal minority for just doing their job.

"I am getting tough on these thugs and will be doubling the sentence for assault of an emergency worker.

"I wish the officers a speedy recovery."

The Home Secretary shared a series of pictures showing bloodied officers following Saturday's rally.

THUGS CONDEMNED

In one, a distressed officer with a cut to her head is helped by colleagues after being injured.

Another picture shows an officer with his face and fluorescent yellow police bib covered in blood from a head wound.

Following Saturday's clashes, in a now-deleted tweet, Met Police Chief Supt Roy Smith said: "What sort of reasonable human being grabs a police officer's baton and then appears to punch her in the face?

"There should be widespread condemnation of this violence towards officers yesterday."

The officer is supported by his colleagues after sustaining head woundsCredit: WENN

One demonstrator was pictured letting off a blue smoke canisterCredit: WENN

Officers attempted to disperse the crowdCredit: WENN

Scenes turned ugly following a day of protestsCredit: WENN

It came as officers attempted to clear the parkCredit: WENN

An officer is seen shielding himself from objects as protesters throw bottles and cans

Footage taken at the rally showed maskless demonstrators squaring up to officers and chanting: “Shame on you”.

As the officers attempt to move the crowd on, objects are thrown into the air and one protester lets off a canister of blue smoke.

Another picture shows a cop with a bloody face being supported by two other officers.

Meanwhile, another shocking clip shows officers crouching down to shield themselves as demonstrators hurl objects at them.

A Met spokesperson said: "Eight officers were injured as they worked to disperse crowds in Hyde Park this evening.

"Missiles including bottles were thrown in small pockets of disorder. Two officers were taken to hospital.

"Thankfully, they are not believed to be seriously injured."

Protesters were out in force despite restrictions being easedCredit: WENN

Cops clashed with protesters from the 'Unite for Freedom' rallyCredit: WENN

The officers were hailed for acting 'calm and 'composed' in the face ofCredit: WENN

Protesters shouting at police in Hyde ParkCredit: WENN

It came hours after crowds marched through the streets for the 'Unite for Freedom' rally against Covid restrictions, vaccines and passports.

Signs saying "freedom is non-negotiable" were held up as people let off brightly coloured smoke flares.

And activists carried giant inflatable syringes to fight against what they call "coerced vaccinations" - with not a single face mask in sight.

Among them was ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's brother Piers, who has organised and attended several Covid hoax marches.

The mob ignored police warnings not to gather in large groups to make their way through the capital.

Cops have vowed to crack down on anti-social behaviour at hotspots over the second weekend of freedom as temperatures hit 20C.

Activist gather for a ‘Unite for Freedom’ protest in London against Covid-19 restrictionCredit: LNP

Protesters marched against Covid restrictions - despite many already being liftedCredit: Reuters

Police detain a demonstrator during the rallyCredit: Reuters

Thousands of protesters with placards march down London's Oxford StreetCredit: Rex

Police prepare to intervene the organised march through central LondonCredit: LNP

Giant inflatable syringes were carried through the streetsCredit: Reuters

Protesters let off smoke bombs during the rally in central LondonCredit: Rex

A woman holds a sign against Covid health passportsCredit: Reuters

The group are calling for 'freedom'Credit: Reuters

The protest organisers had urged participants to "make as much noise as possible" during the rally but to "avoid making a crowd".

However, they also encouraged people to "link arms if the police tried to intervene".

Their aim is to fight against all coronavirus precautions and "no new normal".

There appeared to be no social distancing during the event as thousands stood shoulder to shoulder.

A demonstrator holds a smoke flare as he stands on a man's shouldersCredit: Getty

A man wearing a costume holds a sign, as he takes part in an anti-lockdown protestCredit: Reuters

A demonstrator holds a sign among a large crowdCredit: Rex

Thousands took to the streets of LondonCredit: Reuters

An anti-vaccination and anti-lockdown protester lets off another smoke flareCredit: LNP

The Metropolitan Police said on Twitter: "We have a policing operation in central London today as a result of a number of demonstrations. 

"Anyone coming into London for a protest must make sure their gathering is lawful, with a risk assessment carried out by the organiser.

"Officers are on site and are engaging with those taking part."

The demonstrators were challenging lockdown measures, despite many already being lifted thanks to the UK's world-beating vaccination programme.

Half of Brits - more than 33.4million - have now had their life-saving Covid jab.

One man holds a sign saying 'my arms are aching'Credit: Alamy

Piers Corbyn joined the anti-lockdown mobCredit: Alamy

One woman protests against Covid passportsCredit: Alamy

Crowds have gathered for anti-lockdown protests in LondonCredit: Reuters

A woman fights against lockdown, masks and vaccinesCredit: Alamy

Pubs, restaurants and gyms reopened on April 12, along with zoos, theme parks and hairdressers.

Lockdown restrictions are set to ease further on May 17, allowing Brits to enjoy food and a pint indoors.

And it is hoped all restrictions should be lifted on June 21.

The Government is said to want Covid passports up and running by May 17, when foreign travel resumes, to allow holidaymakers to avoid quarantine.

But Britain's equalities watchdog has warned such measures could be unlawful and create a "two-tier society" which discriminates against the poor, migrants and ethnic minorities.

The controversial idea is one of the key reasons for yesterday's protest.

Not only could the "passports" help Brits go on summer holidays, but they are being proposed to allow people to attend large sporting events, workplaces and even the pub.

Ministers have already confirmed a traffic light system, which will use a three-colour guide to allow Brits to return to some countries this summer.

This will put countries on a green, amber or red list depending on the risk they pose in regard to their Covid situation abroad.

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2021-04-25 11:05:00Z
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Scottish election 2021: Sturgeon faces questions over 'hard border' - BBC News

Nicola Sturgeon says she wants to keep trade flowing across an England-Scotland border if an independent Scotland re-joined the European Union.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme, the SNP leader accepted there would have to be a border if an independent Scotland was in the EU.

But she said Scotland would try to negotiate arrangements to "keep trade flowing freely".

Opponents say a hard border with England would be "dreadful for trade".

The SNP want to hold a referendum on Scottish independence if they win a majority in the Scottish Parliament elections on 6 May.

SIGN UP FOR SCOTLAND ALERTS: Get extra updates on BBC election coverage

Ms Sturgeon was questioned on the practical details of an independent Scotland re-joining the EU.

"Of course we want to keep trade flowing across the England-Scotland border, that would be in the interests of Scotland as well and we would work to make sure that happened," she said.

"We will keep trade flowing freely, we will comply with all of the requirements of EU membership."

EU regulations set out that 30% of poultry, eggs, milk and fish, as well as 100% of live animals, need to be inspected when entering the single market.

'Up-to-date information'

Asked how she would police such a border, Ms Sturgeon said: "I am not denying what the EU regulations say. I am not denying because of the absurdity of Brexit that all sorts of issues are raised for Scotland completely against our democratic will.

"We would work as a country to make sure that for our businesses, there is no difficulties in terms of their day to day experiences in trading."

Ms Sturgeon was pressed further on whether she had modelled the impact of Scottish independence on people's incomes.

She responded: "If I was do to all of that modelling now we'd have to redo it when we were asking people to make that choice. I believe it's right to only ask people to make a choice of that magnitude on the basis of quality up to date information."

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The Scottish Liberal Democrats treasury spokeswoman Christine Jardine said it was time the SNP "came clean on whether they are planning tax rises or spending cuts".

"This week has not only exposed the SNP as desperately confused over the economics of independence but revealed that they are contemplating a hard border with England," she added.

"This would not only be dreadful for trade but throw up barriers between friends and families."

STV pool

On the election campaign trail, the Liberal Democrats have been highlighting mental health support for police officers.

Party leader Willie Rennie said the emergency services in Scotland were suffering a mental health crisis because they were working under a government that was "distracted".

SCOTLAND'S ELECTION: THE BASICS

What's happening? On 6 May, people across Scotland will vote to elect 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). The party that wins the most seats will form the government. Find out more here.

What powers do they have? MSPs pass laws on aspects of life in Scotland such as health, education and transport - and have some powers over tax and welfare benefits.

Scottish Labour it was "reckless beyond imagining" for the SNP to call for a referendum during the recovery from the pandemic, while economists warned Scotland was headed for a jobs crisis.

Commenting on Ms Sturgeon's Andrew Marr interview, the party's Scotland spokesman Ian Murray said: "Hearing the casual way with which Nicola Sturgeon dismisses those independent experts that she is so fond of quoting when they agree with her and her failure to answer any of the tough questions on separation - from effects on income to the border - is playing fast and loose with people's futures.

"Scotland deserves better than this. Scottish Labour is opposed to independence and a second referendum."

On the campaign trail in Fife, party leader Anas Sarwar said only Labour could hold the SNP to account and ensure that the next parliament was focused on the "national recovery".

PA Media

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said Ms Sturgeon's plans for a "post-referendum border" with England would be a "hammer-blow" for Scottish businesses.

"By Nicola Sturgeon's own admission, the SNP are clueless about the economic impact of independence. They've done no analysis on how many jobs it would put at risk or how much damage would be done to Scotland's economy," he said.

"She floundered and didn't have a single convincing answer to dispel the overwhelming evidence that separating Scotland from the rest of the UK would be devastating for jobs and businesses."

Meanwhile, the party has been campaigning on the need to protect Scottish jobs and the economy by reopening safely at a slightly faster pace.

The Scottish Greens have been focusing on "pointless plastics" in their campaign, with the party pledging to phase out single use "non-essential" plastics by 2025 in a move towards a "circular economy".

Speaking ahead of a litter pick on a canal in Edinburgh, Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater said: "Plastic pollution is choking our planet, and we need to act.

"The Scottish Greens will deliver a dramatic reduction in the use of single use plastics where suitable alternatives are available."

• BASICS: A really simple guide to the election
• POLICIES: Who should I vote for?
• CANDIDATES: Who can I vote for in my area?
• PODLITICAL: Updates from the campaign

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2021-04-25 12:32:35Z
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Boris Johnson 'sleaze' row with Dominic Cummings: Liz Truss dismisses claims as 'tittle-tattle' - as Labour demands inquiry - Sky News

A Cabinet minister has dismissed claims the prime minister sought to halt a Downing Street leak inquiry to protect a friend of his fiancee as "tittle-tattle".

Labour have called for an independent inquiry following a series of astonishing allegations from Boris Johnson's former chief adviser, Dominic Cummings.

Sir Keir Starmer's party will also attempt to haul a senior minister before parliament on Monday to answer an urgent question on the claims.

Image: Dominic Cummings, the PM's former chief adviser, has made allegations about Boris Johnson

In a 1,000-word blog post, Mr Cummings said:

• He was not behind the leak of WhatsApp messages between Mr Johnson and billionaire Sir James Dyson
• The prime minister suggested halting a Downing Street leak inquiry as it might have implicated a friend of his fiancee Carrie Symonds
• Mr Johnson attempted a "secret" plan to have Conservative donors to pay for the renovation of his Downing Street flat.

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Mr Cummings - who wrote the blogpost in response to claims from Number 10 "sources" that he was behind recent leaks about Mr Johnson's private conversations - also questioned the prime minister's "competence and integrity".

However, asked about Mr Cummings's claims, International Trade Secretary Liz Truss condemned the allegations as "tittle-tattle".

More from Boris Johnson

"I think this issue is a massive distraction from what we should be focussed on, which is how we are recovering from the pandemic, the vaccination programme and the work we're doing to rebuild the economy," she told Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday show.

Ms Truss stressed Mr Johnson had "met the costs of the refurbishment" of his Downing Street flat himself and had "acted completely in line with the rules".

"I have been assured that the rules have been fully complied with and I know that he has met the costs of the flat refurbishment," she said.

"I absolutely believe and trust that the prime minister has done that. What people want to know is that in line with the rules the prime minister has met the cost of this refurbishment.

"That has happened. All the costs will be declared in line with the rules."

However, Ms Truss repeatedly refused to say when Mr Johnson paid the costs, amid suggestions a Conservative donor had initially offered up a £58,000 sum.

"All the details will be given out in line with the rules," Ms Truss added. "There are certain reporting procedures and those procedures are being followed."

Meanwhile, asked about the claim that Mr Johnson tried to stop an inquiry into how plans for last November's national COVID lockdown in England were leaked before being formally announced, Ms Truss dismissed the allegation as "tittle-tattle".

"The prime minister, who I work very closely with, has consistently through this crisis acted in the best interests of the country," she said.

"These noises off are simply not helpful, they are not contributing to a positive future and they don't reflect what is actually going on in Downing Street."

Ms Truss stressed the so-called "chatty rat" leak inquiry was still "ongoing" - nearly six months after it was first launched - adding: "I hope it finds who the individual was who conducted this leak because it's very, very unhelpful when confidential is leaked from the government."

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Johnson and Cummings are 'two boys fighting'

The international trade secretary failed to answer when the prime minister would appoint a new ethics adviser, but she said the role would be filled "shortly".

The prime minister has not yet appointed a replacement for Sir Alex Allan, who quit as the independent adviser on ministerial standards November last year after Mr Johnson overruled his conclusions about Home Secretary Priti Patel's "bullying" treatment of civil servants.

More angst awaits Number 10 after Mr Cummings vowed to answer questions about the issues he raised "for as long as the MPs want" when he appears before a House of Commons committee on 26 May.

Labour's shadow home office minister Jess Phillips described the public feud between Mr Johnson and Mr Cummings as "scrapping between two very powerful men who seem more interested in who's lying about what and who's leaking what than about the substance of the issue".

"And that is whether contracts get given out by text messages, about whether tax breaks get given out by text messages or whether the prime minister uses his pals to get money to have his flat done up," she added.

"Whether I back Dominic Cummings's view or Boris Johnson's view, what we need is a proper independent inquiry where it isn't about two boys fighting, it's about taxpayers in our country."

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Ms Phillips confirmed Labour would seek to ask an urgent question in the House of Commons on Monday about the allegations surrounding Mr Johnson.

But she added there was also a need for an independent inquiry.

"This needs to be properly root and branch, not the prime minister calling up his best friends in different newspapers to have a pop at Dominic Cummings and Dominic Cummings touring round select committees or writing blogposts," Ms Phillips said.

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2021-04-25 09:33:57Z
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West Midlands Ambulance Service worker dies after object strikes windscreen during response to 999 call - Sky News

An ambulance technician has died after an object struck the vehicle's windscreen while responding to a 999 call in Herefordshire.

His crewmate, the driver, was injured in the incident and required hospital treatment before being discharged.

It happened at the junction of Moreton Road and the A49, north of Hereford at 8am on Saturday, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.

Image: The incident happened at about 8am on Saturday

"Multiple resources" were sent to the scene, including two emergency ambulance crews, paramedic officers, the Midlands Air Ambulance and two Mercia Accident Rescue Service doctors.

A spokeswoman said that "despite everyone's best efforts, nothing could be done to save our colleague, who was the front passenger".

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He was confirmed dead at the scene.

Image: The driver was discharged after being treated in hospital

"This is truly awful news, and my thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of those involved at this very difficult time," said West Midlands Ambulance Service Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh.

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"I am enormously proud of all the staff and the university students as part of their clinical placement that worked so hard and professionally to try to save our colleague. I am sorry that despite their best efforts, he could not be saved."

Anyone who saw what happened - or may have dashcam footage - is asked to contact West Mercia Police on 101, quoting incident 00101i of 24 April.

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2021-04-24 16:41:15Z
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Dominic Cummings: No 10 defends Boris Johnson after former aide's blog post - BBC News

Reuters

Downing Street has defended Boris Johnson's conduct after former top adviser Dominic Cummings questioned the PM's "competence and integrity".

Once his closest ally, Mr Cummings made a string of allegations about the PM.

The ex-aide alleged the PM had tried to quash an inquiry into leaks from No 10 and also claimed he had plans for donors to pay for renovating his flat.

No 10 said ministers had always obeyed codes of conduct and electoral law but Labour has called for an investigation.

And former Conservative cabinet minister Dominic Grieve, a long-standing critic of Mr Johnson, described the prime minister as a "vacuum of integrity".

• Sleaze accusers out of their minds, says PM
• Why ministers have two mobile phones

Mr Cummings was forced out of his Downing Street role at the end of last year, following an internal power struggle.

One government minister described Mr Cummings as "disgruntled and discredited" following his departure.

On Friday, in his first blog post since leaving his role, Mr Cummings:

• denied leaking text messages sent between Mr Johnson and businessman Sir James Dyson
• denied leaking details of the second coronavirus lockdown in England in November
• alleged Mr Johnson had considered trying to block an inquiry into the leak in case it involved a friend of his fiancee Carrie Symonds - a claim rejected by No 10
• claimed the prime minister once had a "possibly illegal" plan for donors to pay for renovations of his Downing Street flat

Mr Cummings promised to answer questions about "any" issues when he appears before a Parliamentary inquiry into the government's pandemic response on 26 May.

This is an explosive intervention from a man Boris Johnson used to count on as one of his closest allies.

And if you're tempted to roll your eyes and think it's just sour grapes from a jilted adviser, think again.

Dominic Cummings' blog is proof that he is willing to lift the lid on his time at the heart of Downing Street, regardless of how it reflects on the prime minister.

Beyond his denial of leaking text messages, he has also given his version of events relating to two potential political weak spots for Boris Johnson.

They are the questions over the financing of the renovation of the Downing Street flat and the leaking of a plan to impose a lockdown.

The level of detail shows that Mr Cummings is willing to expose others while defending himself and lay bare the inner workings of No 10.

In his blog, Mr Cummings claimed the prime minister once planned to have donors "secretly pay" for renovation of his official Downing street flat.

Like several of his recent predecessors, Mr Johnson is living in the flat above No 11 Downing Street, which is larger than the one above No 10.

He added that Mr Johnson "stopped speaking to me about the matter in 2020", as he told him the renovation plans were "unethical, foolish, possibly illegal and almost certainly broke the rules on proper disclosure of political donations if conducted in the way he intended".

Mr Cummings said he would be "happy to tell the cabinet secretary [Simon Case] or Electoral Commission" what he knew about the matter but that his knowledge is "limited".

The Electoral Commission says it is working to establish whether any of the spending on the flat needs to be examined within its own remit on political donations, and therefore needs to be reported and subsequently published.

In response to Mr Cummings's claims, a No 10 spokesperson said: "At all times, the government and ministers have acted in accordance with the appropriate codes of conduct and electoral law.

"Cabinet Office officials have been engaged and informed throughout and official advice has been followed.

"All reportable donations are transparently declared and published - either by the Electoral Commission or the House of Commons registrar, in line with the requirements set out in electoral law.

"Gifts and benefits received in a ministerial capacity are, and will continue to be, declared in transparency returns."

On Friday, the government said that "costs of wider refurbishment in this year have been met by the prime minister personally."

'Cronyistic cabal'

Shadow communities secretary Steve Reed told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We're calling for the government to publish any correspondence related to payments or donations around the refurbishment.

"We need to know what the full amount was that was spent and we need to know who paid for the work in the first place that the prime minister now proposes to reimburse."

Former attorney general Mr Grieve said the issue was "just one illustration of the chaos Mr Johnson seems to bring in his wake".

The former MP, who was expelled from the parliamentary party by Mr Johnson in 2019 after rebelling against him in a Brexit vote, also described his government as "a cronyistic cabal".

Lockdown leak

Mr Cummings also denied being the source of a leak ahead of the second coronavirus lockdown in November, which saw details of the plans for new restrictions appear in several newspapers.

In his blog, he said an inquiry at the time found that neither he nor the then-Downing Street director of communications, Lee Cain, had been responsible.

He added that the events around that inquiry "contributed to [his] decision to stick to [his] plan to leave No 10 by 18 December", which he said were "communicated to the prime minister in July".

Mr Cummings also claimed Mr Johnson had considered stopping the inquiry.

He wrote that he recalled a meeting between Mr Johnson and the cabinet secretary at the time, after an inquiry had been launched, at which the cabinet secretary allegedly said "all the evidence definitely leads to Henry Newman and others in that office".

At the time, Mr Newman was a special adviser at the Cabinet Office. He took up a role in Downing Street earlier this year.

Mr Cummings claimed that, in a conversation he had with the PM afterwards, Boris Johnson said: "If Newman is confirmed as the leaker then I will have to fire him, and this will cause me very serious problems with Carrie [Symonds - the PM's fiancee] as they're best friends… [pause] perhaps we could get the cabinet secretary to stop the leak inquiry?"

In response to Mr Cummings' claims, a Downing Street statement said: "The prime minister has never interfered in a government leak inquiry."

And a senior government official said: "The allegations against Henry Newman are entirely false. He wouldn't be working in Downing Street if he was suspected of leaking information."

Dyson row

Mr Cummings also denied leaking text messages between the prime minister and Sir James Dyson, following newspaper reports suggesting this.

He said he was "happy to meet with the cabinet secretary and for him to search my phone for Dyson messages" and "for No 10 to publish every email I received and sent July 2019-November 2020".

Mr Cummings called for an "urgent Parliamentary inquiry into the government's conduct over the Covid crisis", adding that he thought Mr Johnson had fallen "far below" the standards of "competence" the "country deserves".

The text exchange between the prime minister and the businessman occurred in March last year, after the government asked companies to help build thousands of ventilators needed for the pandemic response.

In it, the prime minister agreed to "fix" concerns the businessman had about tax bills for his Singapore-based staff if they moved to the UK to do this.

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2021-04-24 10:06:32Z
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