Babak Belurs

Selasa, 14 September 2021

China's ambassador to UK Zheng Zeguang banned from parliament ahead of talk - Sky News

China's ambassador to the UK has been banned from parliament after a scheduled visit provoked anger among MPs and peers that have been sanctioned by Beijing.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who took the decision in conjunction with his Lords counterpart Lord McFall, said it would not be "appropriate" for Zheng Zeguang to enter the estate for a talk on Wednesday while seven parliamentarians remain subject to sanctions.

"I do not feel it's appropriate for the ambassador for China to meet on the Commons estate and in our place of work when his country has imposed sanctions against some of our members," Sir Lindsay said.

He added: "If those sanctions were lifted, then of course this would not be an issue.

"I am not saying the meeting cannot go ahead - I am just saying it cannot take place here while those sanctions remain in place."

A spokeswoman for Lord McFall confirmed that the speakers of both houses "are in agreement that this particular APPG China meeting should take place elsewhere considering the current sanctions against members".

A number of the sanctioned parliamentarians said in a joint statement that they welcomed the decision.

Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, crossbencher Lord Alton, Labour's Baroness Kennedy and Tory MPs Tim Loughton and Nusrat Ghani, said allowing the ambassador into parliament would have been an "insult".

"We the sanctioned welcome the strong principled stand made by the Speaker and Lord Speaker in standing up for freedom of speech in the mother of parliaments by supporting those parliamentarians who have been sanctioned by China," they said.

But Richard Graham, the Conservative MP who chairs the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on China and organised the talk, expressed his "regret" at the development.

"I regret this long arranged event has now been postponed because the best way to discuss issues is to engage," he said.

"This decision is of course the Speaker's prerogative and we will make new arrangements."

And the Chinese embassy said it was a "despicable and cowardly" move that will harm British interests.

A spokesman said: "The despicable and cowardly action of certain individuals of the UK parliament to obstruct normal exchanges and cooperation between China and the UK for personal political gains is against the wishes and harmful to the interests of the peoples of both countries."

China introduced sanctions on seven parliamentarians back in March, all of whom have been vocal critics of Beijing and have spoken out against the treatment of the Uighur people in Xinjiang.

Beijing's move came shortly after Britain, the US, Canada and the European Union imposed sanctions on Chinese officials deemed to be responsible for human rights abuses in the territory.

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2021-09-14 21:40:50Z
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Nicholas Burton: Family of killer's victim stunned by release claim - BBC News

A MP's claim that a killer who was described by a psychiatrist as one of most dangerous men she had encountered could be eligible for release next year has left his victim's family "stunned".

Nicholas Burton was convicted of Rachel McGrath's murder in Stockport in 1997.

Plaid Cymru's Liz Saville Roberts said Ms McGrath's parents had been told Burton "would walk free next year".

The Ministry of Justice said while he would have served his minimum term, his release was "by no means certain".

Speaking during Burton's trial in 1998, Mr Justice Morland told Liverpool Crown Court that a psychiatrist had described him as one of the most dangerous men she had ever come across in her career.

Ms McGrath's brother Michael said Burton was "given three life sentences by Mr Justice Morland, who made a recommendation to the home secretary at the time that he should never be released".

"Here we are, 23 years later stunned to find out that he is due to be released next year," he said.

'Incalculable injury'

Mr McGrath compared the case to that of double child killer Colin Pitchfork, whose release from prison earlier in September provoked a national outcry.

"We simply don't know how this situation has occurred, especially in light of the very clear recommendations given by the trial judge," he said.

"The situation is outrageous and has echoes of the recent Colin Pitchfork case."

Speaking in the House of Commons earlier, the MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd said Mr McGrath was "battling for justice for his family".

She said Ms McGrath's "elderly parents were recently told that Burton would walk free next year".

She told Justice Minister Alex Chalk that the family "haven't even been able to make a victim statement and believe the correct procedure has not been followed".

Mr Chalk thanked Ms Saville Roberts for raising the "extremely sensitive, distressing and, frankly, appalling" case and said he would be "delighted to meet" the family.

Mr McGrath said the family welcomed the offer to meet, but added that "this latest twist has merely added insult to incalculable injury".

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said Burton's release "can only be directed by the Parole Board after he has served the minimum 25 year term which ends next year".

"Even at that stage, it is by no means certain that they will do so," he added.

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Health Secretary Sajid Javid fires a warning shot at GPs who are still not offering face-to-face appointments as he hints at crackdown

MPs expressed concerns over GPs still not offering face-to-face appointments
Sajid Javid said more GPs should now return to offering face-to-face access
He hinted at potential crackdown as he said he 'intends to do a lot more about it'

By Jack Maidment, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline

Published: 15:36 BST, 14 September 2021 | Updated: 17:00 BST, 14 September 2021

Sajid Javid today fired a warning shot at GPs who are still not offering more face-to-face appointments as he hinted at a potential crackdown.

The Health Secretary said 'everyone can understand' why GPs 'couldn't provide access in the normal way' during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

But he said 'we are way past that now' and doctors should be following society in going back to something close to 'completely normal' life.

He said that 'more GPs should be offering face-to-face access' and 'we intend to do a lot more about it'.

Sajid Javid today fired a warning shot at GPs who are yet to return to offering more face-to-face appointments

The Health Secretary said 'everyone can understand' why GPs 'couldn't provide access in the normal way' during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic but he said 'we are way past that now'

Virtual appointments were heavily encouraged throughout the Covid crisis in an attempt to keep social mixing low and hospitals virus-free.

But trusts have continued to incentivise the practice, with GPs being offered bonuses to keep in person attendances low.

There are fears that some people, particularly the elderly, are being left behind.

Recent data from NHS Digital showed 57.2 per cent of appointments in July were conducted face-to-face.

That is higher than the low of 46.8 per cent last April, as the first Covid wave swept across the UK, but much lower than the 80 per cent pre-pandemic figure.

The issue was raised with Mr Javid in the House of Commons this afternoon as he set out the Government's coronavirus winter plan.

Conservative MP Dean Russell highlighted concerns over some GP surgeries in his Watford constituency 'still not opening their doors' to see patients.

He asked the Health Secretary: 'Does he agree with me that we should encourage those GP surgeries to start opening up to help with the backlog and help see people face-to-face?'

Mr Javid replied: 'Yes, I agree with [Mr Russell]. He's right to raise this.

'I think everyone can understand why during the height of the pandemic that GPs couldn't provide access in the normal way.

The number of GP appointments taking place face-to-face dropped dramatically at the beginning of the pandemic, as virtual appointments were encouraged in an attempt to keep social mixing low and hospitals virus-free

Figures from June show a record 5.45million people are on the NHS waiting list for hospital treatment, with around 6 per cent of those individuals waiting for more than one year

'But we are way past that now, life is starting to return almost back to completely normal and as that is happening it should be happening in our GP surgeries too, and more GPs should be offering face-to-face access. We intend to do a lot more about it.'

The British Medical Association trade union reacted with fury to Mr Javid's remarks.

Dr Richard Vautrey, chairman of the BMA GP committee, said: 'These comments show how far removed the Secretary of State is from the reality of what is happening in GP practices.'

He added: 'Life is absolutely not back to normal – the number of Covid related deaths and people in hospital continue to rise and there are now just 0.46 GPs per 1000 patients in England, down from 0.52 in 2015.

'To suggest a return to a pre-pandemic way of working is as impractical as it is unworkable for GPs.'

Mr Javid had urged GP surgeries earlier this month to return to more face-to-face appointments.

He told The Telegraph: 'Whilst telephone and remote consultations can be more flexible and convenient, they're not right for everyone.

'I fully support the need for surgeries to provide face-to-face appointments alongside telephone and online appointments.'

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2021-09-14 14:36:25Z
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Covid winter plan REVEALED: Mandatory face masks and work from home order could return to stave off more... - The Sun

MASKS, working from home and even vaccine passports could return under the Government's Winter Covid Plan, Boris Johnson warned today.

The PM unveiled a "toolbox" of tough contingency measures that could be imposed at short notice to wrestle down a fresh spike.

Boris Johnson speaking at the press conference this afternoonCredit: Getty

Speaking at a Downing Street briefing he was bullish that his plan "will give us the confidence we don't need to go back to the lockdowns of the past".

But gloomy top docs warned of a winter surge as pupils return to schools and the NHS grapples with its usual seasonal strain.

Prof Chris Whitty warned: "Winter is coming, and people should still take this seriously."

Sir Patrick Vallance added that any sign of a Covid resurgence would have to be tackled hard and fast.

In key Covid developments:

The Government unveiled a five-point Plan A that centred on jabs, testing and border controls
Restrictions could be used to crack down on worrying new variants, Prof Whitty said
Vaccine passports could still be used for indoor settings like nightclubs and pubs
Over-50s and the most vulnerable will be given a booster shot starting this autumn
Prof Whitty said anti-vaxxers such as Nikki Minaj spreading misinformation "should be ashamed"

PLAN A

Mr Johnson said Britain's jabs rollout had put the country on a strong footing to weather the colder months.

The PM said: "The result of this vaccination campaign is we have one of the most free societies and one of the most open economies in Europe.

"That's why we're now sticking with our strategy. In essence, we're going to keep going."

Earlier Health Secretary Sajid Javid laid out the Government's five-pronged Plan A to keep the virus at bay as the NHS enters its seasonal surge.

It includes a vaccine booster blitz, test and trace, pumping £5billion into the NHS for the next six months, a flu jab campaign and keeping robust border controls.

PLAN B

But in the Commons he also outlined a contingency plan for a slate of tighter curbs in case infections rise steeply.

He told MPs: "We have seen how quickly this virus can adapt and change so we have prepared a Plan B of contingency measures that we can call upon only if they are needed and supported by the data to prevent unsustainable pressure on the NHS."

They include legally mandating face masks in crowded settings, stressing the need for caution and ordering people to work from home.

While hated vaccine passports will be shelved for now - Mr Javid warned they could be suddenly introduced with a week's notice.

Covid certification would then be required for all nightclubs, any indoor venue with more than 500 people, any outdoor settings with more than 1,000 people.

Mr Johnson said the Plan B has "a number of different shots in the locker".

He said: "You wouldn't necessarily play them all at once, far from it, you would want to do things in a graduated way."

"We're now in a situation when because so many of the population have some degree of immunity, smaller changes in the way we're asking people to behave can have a bigger impact."

Doomster scientists are worried the NHS could be swamped with a Covid surge in the colder months as well as the usual seasonal flu outbreak.

Prof Whitty said: "We have not faced a winter with the Delta variant.

"So it is possible that the combination of winter events plus the Delta variant, which is highly transmissible, could lead to a situation where, on basis of the data, ministers decide that they wanted to trigger all or some of the Plan B."

Deputy chief medical officer Prof Jonathan Van Tam today warned this winter could be "bumpy".

Outlining a perfect storm, Mr Javid said: "We must be vigilant as autumn and winter have favourable conditions for Covid-19 and other seasonal viruses.

"Children have returned to school, more people are returning to work.

"The changing weather means that there will be more people perhaps spending time indoors, and there's likely to be a lot of non-Covid demand on the NHS including flu or norovirus."

There is also concern that vaccine effectiveness against the Delta variant may be fading for older people who got jabbed at the start of the year.

Lockdown-hating Tory MPs were angry with the possibility of tighter measures returning in the coming months.

Former minister Sir Desmond Swayne erupted with a howl of anguish as Mr Javid warned that legal face coverings may be reimposed.

Ex-Cabinet Minister Esther McVey railed against "hugely damaging lockdowns and restrictions".

A Tory rebellion is mounting against the PM's wish to keep his emergency Covid powers - that allows him to plunge the country into lockdown.

BOOST FOR BRITAIN

Boffins from the JCVI held a separate press conference this morning fleshing out the details for the booster campaign.

Over-70s and the most vulnerable are expected to be jabbed first before descending in age order.

🔵 Read ourcoronavirus live blog for the latest updates

Last night the PM rolled the pitch to warn we'll still be living with Covid for the foreseeable future.

He said: "The pandemic is far from over, but thanks to our phenomenal vaccine programme, new treatments and testing we are able to live with the virus without significant restrictions on our freedoms.

"Today I will set out a clear plan for the autumn and winter, when the virus has a natural advantage, to protect the gains we have made."

Deputy chief medical officer Prof Jonathan Van Tam warned of a "bumpy" winter earlierCredit: Reuters

The PM chairs his weekly Cabinet meeting in No10Credit: Universal News & Sport

Pricey holiday tests likely to be scrapped as most of the UK now double jabbed, says vaccine minister

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2021-09-14 11:41:00Z
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Over-50s and care workers among those to be offered booster COVID jabs - Sky News

Booster COVID jabs will be offered to people aged 50 and over, those in care homes, and frontline health and social care workers, the government has announced.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said there was a preference for mRNA vaccines based on trial outcomes, with a first choice for a booster being the Pfizer vaccine, or alternatively, a half-dose of a Moderna jab as it works just as well.

Those who are unable to have an mRNA vaccine due to allergies should have an AstraZeneca vaccine booster.

A third dose should not be given until six months after a person has received a second shot, the committee added.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid told the Commons on Tuesday: "I can confirm I've accepted the JCVI's advice and the NHS is preparing to offer booster doses from next week."

He said eligible people will be contacted by the NHS to come for their booster.

England's deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said the boosters will take place at mass vaccination centres and GP surgeries.

JCVI Chair Professor Wei Shen Lim told a press conference: "Getting a dose too early may mean they do not need it as they still have a high level of protection, and as we've seen with the gap between the first and second dose, you don't want to have it too early."

He said a recurrent booster every six months may not be needed but it is too early to say.

Prof Lim added that the booster advice is just for this winter and younger people may not need a booster, but the JCVI will advise on that at a later date.

He said the booster programme does not mean people should not get their first and second COVID vaccines if they have not already.

The consultant respiratory physician also said people should still have a flu vaccine and can have the booster and flu jab at the same time - although this may not be practically possible for vaccine centres.

Prof Van-Tam said a jab that combines both vaccines could be developed in future.

He added there is no preference for Pfizer or Moderna but there are more Pfizer jabs available.

"Having seen the data and sat in on the JCVI meetings, I would be perfectly content, as a 57-year-old and a healthcare worker, to be offered either the Pfizer or Moderna," he said.

Prof Van-Tam warned of a "bumpy" winter ahead despite the vaccines having been "incredibly successful" and had so far prevented an estimated 24 million COVID-19 cases and 112,000 deaths.

"But we also know that this pandemic is still active. We are not past the pandemic, we are in an active phase still," he said.

"We know that this winter could quite possibly be bumpy at times and we know that other respiratory viruses such as flu and RSV are highly likely to make their returns."

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2021-09-14 11:15:00Z
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Notting Hill crash: Three dead after car smashes into residential block in west London - Sky News

Three people have died after a car crashed into a residential block in Notting Hill, west London.

The incident happened in Great Western Road in the early hours of this morning, the Metropolitan Police said.

Emergency services were called to the site of the crash around 4.50am and found the vehicle on fire.

The flames were extinguished but three people were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police officers are working to identify the deceased and inform their families.

Detectives from the Serious Collision Unit have asked for any witnesses or those with dashcam footage to come forward.

It is thought that no other cars were involved in the crash and several residents were evacuated from the building as a precaution.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Firefighters were called to reports a car had collided with a sheltered accommodation block. The vehicle was alight when crews arrived.

"Crews tackled the fire and led nine people to safety from the block via an internal staircase.

"Three people in the vehicle were sadly pronounced dead at the scene."

Police officers have set up a cordon blocking off either side of Great Western Road.

Six officers are on the scene to redirect pedestrians and traffic. The cordon at the junction of Harrow Road and Great Western Road is expected to be in place for several hours.

Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting the reference CAD 917/14 Sept.

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2021-09-14 08:37:30Z
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Babak Belurs

Selasa, 14 September 2021

China's ambassador to UK Zheng Zeguang banned from parliament ahead of talk - Sky News

Nicholas Burton: Family of killer's victim stunned by release claim - BBC News

'Incalculable injury'

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COVID-19: UK records 26,628 new cases and 185 more coronavirus-related deaths, daily figures show - Sky News

Sajid Javid warns GPs over face-to-face appointments - Daily Mail

Health Secretary Sajid Javid fires a warning shot at GPs who are still not offering face-to-face appointments as he hints at crackdown

Covid winter plan REVEALED: Mandatory face masks and work from home order could return to stave off more... - The Sun

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Over-50s and care workers among those to be offered booster COVID jabs - Sky News

Notting Hill crash: Three dead after car smashes into residential block in west London - Sky News

Selasa, 14 September 2021

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