Babak Belurs

Senin, 28 Juni 2021

COVID-19: No early lifting of restrictions with 19 July still 'target date', new health secretary Sajid Javid confirms - Sky News

Coronavirus restrictions will not be lifted early on 5 July, the new health secretary has confirmed, but Sajid Javid has told MPs he sees "no reason" for COVID measures to last beyond 19 July.

In his first Commons statement since succeeding Matt Hancock, Mr Javid told MPs that while ministers have decided not to bring forward step four of England's roadmap out of COVID-19 restrictions, things are looking good for 19 July.

Live COVID updates as new health secretary faces MPs

"We see no reason to go beyond 19 July," he said.

Mr Javid said no date for easing restrictions is risk free and the UK has to "learn to live with" the virus.

"We also know that people and businesses need certainty, so we want every step to be irreversible. Make no mistake, the restrictions on our freedoms must come to an end," he continued.

"We owe it to the British people who have sacrificed so much, to restore their freedoms as quickly as we possibly can and not to wait a moment longer than we need to.

"With the numbers heading in the right direction, all while we protect more and more people each day, 19 July remains our target date.

"The prime minister has called it our 'terminus date'. For me, 19 July is not only the end of the line, but the start of an exciting new journey for our country.

"At this crucial moment in the fightback against this pandemic, we must keep our resolve and keep on our road map to freedom so that together we can beat this pandemic and build back better."

Fielding questions from MPs after delivering his opening remarks, Mr Javid said there was "clear evidence" that the vaccination programme was breaking the link between people contracting the virus and ending up in hospital or dying.

"The more evidence we see of that, the more confident that can make us that we'll put this pandemic behind us," he added.

"That's what gives me confidence about 19 July 19 and all the data that I've seen - yesterday I sat down and discussed it with the experts, some of my colleagues - it's very clear that we're heading in the right direction and I am very confident about that date, 19 July."

When he announced a delay to the original date of 21 June, Boris Johnson said a review would take place to see if action could be taken two weeks sooner.

But the government has decided to wait and stick to 19 July.

Speaking earlier today, the prime minister said there were some "encouraging signs" in the data but ministers wanted to "use the next three weeks or so really to complete as much as we can of that vaccine rollout".

Mr Johnson said another five million vaccine doses could be delivered by then.

And he reiterated his optimism about lifting restrictions on 19 July, adding: "With every day that goes by it's clearer to me and all our scientific advisers that we're very likely to be in a position on July 19 to say that really is the terminus and we can go back to life as it was before COVID as far as possible."

Also speaking earlier, Mr Javid said it is his "absolute priority" to end restrictions as soon as possible and there will be "no going back" once they are removed.

Labour's Jonathan Ashworth suggested the health secretary was being overly optimistic in his remarks, telling the Commons: "A word to the wise - I've responded to a lot of these statements these past 15 months," the shadow health secretary said.

"I remember ministers telling us there was nothing in the data to suggest 21 June wouldn't go ahead, I remember children returning to school for one day before the January lockdown, I remember 'It will all be over by Christmas', I remember 'We will send it packing in 12 weeks'."

Mr Ashworth said the UK could see 35,000 to 40,000 COVID cases a day if current trends continue, calling on Mr Javid to take action to "push infections down".

"Vaccinations will do it eventually but not in the next four weeks," he said.

Mr Javid acknowledged the scale of the task facing him, telling MPs: "There remains a big task ahead of us to restore our freedoms - freedoms that, save for the greatest of circumstances, no government should ever wish to curtail.

"So my task is to help return the economic and cultural life that makes this country so great, while of course protecting life and our NHS."

The former chancellor and home secretary has returned to government 16 months after resigning amid a row with Downing Street about sacking his advisers.

Mr Hancock resigned as health secretary on Saturday.

His departure came after he admitted breaking social distancing rules, with leaked CCTV showing him kissing aide and former lobbyist Gina Coladangelo in his departmental office.

The images, published by The Sun, were from 6 May - more than a week before the easing of social distancing rules around close contact indoors for people from separate households.

Mr Javid paid tribute to his predecessor, saying in the Commons that Mr Hancock "worked hard throughout all these testing times.

"He has achieved a great amount in the work that he did and I know he will have more to offer in public life - and I wish him the very best," he said.

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2021-06-28 17:03:45Z
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Matt Hancock affair: Camera that caught aide kiss has been disabled, as MPs are told the device was an "outlier" - Sky News

The camera that caught Matt Hancock kissing his aide has been disabled, new health secretary Sajid Javid says.

Mr Javid said the device has been "disabled by the department", adding that he does not believe ministers' offices should have cameras fitted.

It comes as a cabinet office minister told MPs the camera in Mr Hancock's office was an "outlier" and that it was not general policy for recording devices to be put in ministerial offices.

Asked about the device on Monday morning, Mr Javid said: "I haven't disabled the camera that you are talking about, but it has been disabled by the department.

"I think for security it is just common sense… I don't think, as a general rule, there should be cameras in the secretary of state's office.

"I've never known that in the other five departments that I've run and I am not really sure why there was one here.

"But I am sure there will be more to this as the whole incident is investigated."

Earlier on Monday, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told Sky News he had asked for his office to be swept for "unauthorised devices" following the recording and leaking of footage of Matt Hancock from within the Department of Health and Social Care.

"I've never seen any camera facilities. I know there is CCTV in the building for obvious security reasons, but I am sure that many of my colleagues will be asking the same question and making sure that the offices are swept just in case there are unauthorised devices in there that could be a national security breach," the justice secretary said.

"I think that is the sensible thing to do."

Quizzed on when he asked whether there are cameras in his office, Mr Buckland added: "I asked on Friday, so I expect to have those answers later today."

Ministers should have a "safe space" to work, he said.

Later in the morning, Mr Buckland revealed he had since learnt that there were no devices in his office.

But ministers have continued to face questions about the potential security threat highlighted by the recording that emerged last week.

During an urgent question in parliament, Conservative MP Peter Bone said the existence of a recording device in a ministerial office "should be of national concern" and asked what was being done to investigate if there were other such cameras elsewhere in Whitehall.

"It is totally unacceptable for private conversations between ministers, civil servants, members of parliament and members of the public to be secretly recorded", Mr Bone said.

Cabinet Office minister Julia Lopez MP agreed secret recordings would be "unacceptable", but said in the case of Mr Hancock it was a CCTV camera operated by the health department and said there were no "covert concerns at this moment".

Dr Julian Lewis, who chairs the Intelligence and Security Committee, asked whether there were "rules common to all departments as to where security cameras can be cited and where they must not be".

Julia Lopez responded by saying: "My understanding is that it is general policy that there are not cameras cited within ministers' offices.

"I think this was an outlier in that regard, and I think we will have a better understanding of why that occurred once the Department of Health's investigation is complete" she added.

During the same session in parliament Labour’s Angela Rayner raised the issue of ministers using private emails for government business, after the Sunday Times reported that Matt Hancock had regularly used a personal email account.

"What steps have been and will be taken to preserve private emails as evidence for the public inquiry into the government’s mishandling of this COVID pandemic?" Angela Rayner asked.

Julia Lopez responded by saying "a number of internal and external inquiries" had already been conducted into the matter.

Downing Street insisted Mr Hancock not use personal email addresses for government business.

The PM's official spokesman said: "Both the former health secretary and Lord Bethell understand the rules around personal email usage and only ever conducted government business through their departmental email addresses."

UK Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said she is "looking carefully at the information that has come to light".

"It is an important principle of government transparency and accountability that official records are kept of key actions and decisions," she said.

"The issue of Ministers and senior officials using private email accounts to conduct sensitive official business is a concerning one for the public and is one my office has advised on before.

"I am looking carefully at the information that has come to light over the past few days and considering what further steps may be necessary to address the concerns raised with me."

Meanwhile, Downing Street confirmed Mr Hancock personally appointed Ms Coladangelo as a non-executive director at Department of Health and Social Care.

"As far as I'm aware I believe ministers are entitled to make direct appointments and I believe that was the case in this instance," the prime minister's official spokesperson said.

The justice secretary also said there was an "understandable groundswell of concern" surrounding the situation and that Mr Hancock was "right" to resign from his post on Saturday.

The justice secretary's comments come amid the continued controversy surrounding Mr Hancock and his affair with a close friend and aide Ms Coladangelo.

Ms Coladangelo was pictured kissing Mr Hancock apparently inside the Department of Health building in May, in breach of COVID guidance at the time.

Announcing his resignation on Saturday, the former health secretary said "those who make these rules have to stick by them".

In his letter, Mr Hancock said: "The last thing I would want is for my private life to distract attention from the single-minded focus that is leading us out of this crisis.

"I want to reiterate my apology for breaking the guidance, and apologise to my family and loved ones for putting them through this. I also need (to) be with my children at this time."

Former lobbyist Ms Coladangelo - who is married to the founder of fashion brand Oliver Bonas - was initially taken on as an unpaid adviser at the department on a six-month contract in March 2020, before being made a non-executive director.

It was reported in November that Mr Hancock had failed to declare he had appointed Ms Coladangelo before giving her a £15,000-a-year role on the board.

Sky News revealed on Friday that Roberto Coladangelo works at Partnering Health Limited (PHL Group), a specialist in the provision of urgent and primary care services to NHS patients.

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2021-06-28 15:56:15Z
52781699411835

Boris Johnson tries to claim credit for removing Matt Hancock - Guardian News

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2021-06-28 14:47:47Z
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London: 70 firefighters called to 'serious' blaze near Elephant and Castle railway station - Sky News

A hundred firefighters have been called to a "serious" blaze near Elephant and Castle railway station in southeast London.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said three commercial units in railway arches were "completely alight", in addition to six cars and a telephone box.

Video footage shared on social media showed a huge plume of black smoke rising into the sky.

Police at the scene said the smoke was coming from the train station rather than the tube station. Northern Line trains are not stopping there, while Thameslink services are blocked.

LFB is asking people to "avoid the area and close all doors and windows". Fifteen fire engines have been deployed, while the station and nearby buildings have been evacuated.

Officers at the scene described it as a "major incident" and said road closures were likely to remain for several hours.

"One man is being treated on the scene by London Ambulance Service crews," LFB said.

The incident does not appear to be terror-related, Scotland Yard said. The blaze, which was first reported at 1.43pm, was described by Southwark Council as "serious".

Southwark Playhouse is offering local people a place to go.

Sara Scarpa, 25, lives in a nearby apartment building called Hurlock Heights.

"We opened the window for a sec as you could hear people shouting, and we smelt something very very strong," Ms Scarpa said.

"The smoke (was) dying down a little... we heard an explosion and now it started again."

Martin Bobrowski, a builder working opposite the station, said he was "really surprised to see it and a bit scared".

He added: "The smell was awful. It smelt like a burning electrical cable smell."

Alex Leckie, 30, assistant manager at a restaurant called Tupi, said he was told that "mechanics" were on fire.

He added: "The smoke pillar started enveloping the apartment blocks as well and we kept hearing intermittent bangs."

LFB Station Commander James Ryan, who is there, said: "There are significant road closures in place and we are asking people to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed whilst firefighters work to bring the fire under control."

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2021-06-28 14:26:15Z
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Matt Hancock affair: Camera that caught aide kiss has been disabled, says new health secretary - Sky News

The camera that caught Matt Hancock kissing his aide has been disabled, new health secretary Sajid Javid says.

Mr Javid said the device has been "disabled by the department", adding that he does not believe ministers' offices should have cameras fitted.

Asked about the device on Monday morning, Mr Javid said: "I haven't disabled the camera that you are talking about, but it has been disabled by the department.

"I think for security it is just common sense… I don't think, as a general rule, there should be cameras in the secretary of state's office.

"I've never known that in the other five departments that I've run and I am not really sure why there was one here.

"But I am sure there will be more to this as the whole incident is investigated."

"I think that is the sensible thing to do."

Quizzed on when he asked whether there are cameras in his office, Mr Buckland added: "I asked on Friday, so I expect to have those answers later today."

Ministers should have a "safe space" to work, he said.

And Conservative peer and former health secretary Lord Lansley said there should be "a whole range" of measures in place to stop ministers being bugged.

Lord Lansley told Sky News he believed there was a "regular sweep" of official offices for electronic devices.

Later in the morning, Mr Buckland revealed he had since learnt that there were no devices in his office.

Ministers will be questioned further about "security arrangements relating to ministerial offices and communications" in the Commons on Monday afternoon.

Conservative MP Peter Bone has been granted an urgent question by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle following the leak of CCTV footage which triggered the health secretary's resignation.

Mr Buckland told Sky News he is "confident" that "due process" was followed in the appointment of Gina Coladangelo to a £15,000 role on the Department of Health board.

"Everything that I understand so far leads me to believe due process was followed in the appointment of this person and any declarations that should've been made were made," he said.

"I have information that suggests due process was followed and I have no reason to doubt or dispute that."

But the justice secretary added that he was not sure when Mr Hancock and Ms Coladangelo's relationship began.

Meanwhile, Downing Street has suggested Mr Hancock personally appointed Ms Coladangelo as a non-executive director at Department of Health and Social Care.

"As far as I'm aware I believe ministers are entitled to make direct appointments and I believe that was the case in this instance," the prime minister's official spokesperson said.

The justice secretary also said there was an "understandable groundswell of concern" surrounding the situation and that Mr Hancock was "right" to resign from his post on Saturday.

And he noted that ministers should be using government emails as the former health secretary faces scrutiny for using a private account for official business.

"We should use government emails, I think that's very clear," he said.

"I think the Cabinet Office, if they're asked to look at this, they probably will be, will need to satisfy themselves that if that was the case then the material is available."

Labour has said the reported use of personal emails by Mr Hancock and health minister Lord Bethell to conduct government work should be investigated.

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner has called for the recovery of any emails relevant to a public inquiry into the pandemic response.

Downing Street insisted Mr Hancock not use personal email addresses for government business.

UK Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said she is "looking carefully at the information that has come to light".

"It is an important principle of government transparency and accountability that official records are kept of key actions and decisions," she said.

"The issue of Ministers and senior officials using private email accounts to conduct sensitive official business is a concerning one for the public and is one my office has advised on before.

"I am looking carefully at the information that has come to light over the past few days and considering what further steps may be necessary to address the concerns raised with me."

The justice secretary's comments come amid the continued controversy surrounding Mr Hancock and his affair with a close friend and aide Ms Coladangelo.

Ms Coladangelo was pictured kissing Mr Hancock apparently inside the Department of Health building in May, in breach of COVID guidance at the time.

Announcing his resignation on Saturday, the former health secretary said "those who make these rules have to stick by them".

In his letter, Mr Hancock said: "The last thing I would want is for my private life to distract attention from the single-minded focus that is leading us out of this crisis.

"I want to reiterate my apology for breaking the guidance, and apologise to my family and loved ones for putting them through this. I also need (to) be with my children at this time."

It was reported in November that Mr Hancock had failed to declare he had appointed Ms Coladangelo before giving her a £15,000-a-year role on the board.

Sky News revealed on Friday that Roberto Coladangelo works at Partnering Health Limited (PHL Group), a specialist in the provision of urgent and primary care services to NHS patients.

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Batley and Spen by-election: Labour 'egged and kicked' - BBC News

Labour activists campaigning ahead of the Batley and Spen by-election have been pelted with eggs and kicked in the head, the region's mayor has said.

Tracy Brabin said she was leafleting for Labour in Batley on Sunday, when her group was "followed, verbally abused and physically assaulted".

The West Yorkshire mayor and former Batley and Spen MP said campaigners included young people and the elderly.

West Yorkshire Police said it was investigating the incident.

Senin, 28 Juni 2021

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