Rabu, 03 November 2021

Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up - BBC News

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Conservative Owen Paterson has avoided punishment for now as the government ordered its MPs to back a review of standards investigations.

The result of the vote was met with cries of "shame" from opposition MPs.

Mr Paterson was found to have misused his position as an MP to benefit two companies he worked for.

But he said the probe into his conduct had been unfair - and the government backed plans by his allies to overhaul the system.

Labour, the SNP and Lib Dems voted against the plans, along with 13 Conservative MPs, but it was carried by 18 votes after a heated Commons debate.

Responding to the result, Mr Paterson said: "All I have ever asked is to have the opportunity to make my case through a fair process.

"After two years of hell, I now have the opportunity to clear my name."

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner accused the Conservatives of being "rotten to the core" and called the move an "absolute disgrace".

She said Labour would "not be taking any part in this sham process or any corrupt committee", with the SNP and Lib Dems also saying they would boycott the overhaul.

The controversy comes after Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Kathryn Stone recommended Mr Paterson be suspended from the Commons for 30 days, following a damning report into his conduct by a committee of MPs.

The report said the former Northern Ireland secretary had breached Commons rules by lobbying government bodies about Randox and Lynn's Country Foods, which employed him as a paid consultant.

At Prime Minister's Questions, Boris Johnson said MPs found to have broken the rules should get a right of appeal, as would happen with doctors and teachers found guilty of misconduct.

But the SNP's Pete Wishart accused the government of "attempting to turn back the clock to the worst examples of 1990s Tory sleaze".

Owen Paterson
House of Commons

Ahead of the vote, the committee's Labour chairman Chris Bryant told MPs Mr Paterson had lobbied ministers "time and again, in a way that conferred a direct benefit on his paying clients".

"That is expressly forbidden. It is a corrupt practice," he added.

He said Mr Paterson had been given "every opportunity" to put his case across - and his arguments had been heard "respectfully and fairly".

2px presentational grey line
Analysis box by Laura Kuenssberg, political editor

Every MP who backed today's move can expect to have it used against them on political leaflets or Facebook campaigns.

There could be serious consequences in Parliament if the opposition parties decide to use this moment to withdraw cooperation on other committees or ways of working.

Some ministers already fear this is an episode that Downing Street may come to regret.

Owen Paterson is adamant that he did nothing wrong, and has been denied natural justice.

But with this Tory response, voters may well come to wonder, what's fair about this?

2px presentational grey line

The Commons standards committee found that the North Shropshire MP had used his parliamentary office on 16 occasions for meetings relating to his outside business interests and sent two letters relating to business interests on House of Commons-headed notepaper.

It described the MP's actions as "an egregious case of paid advocacy".

However Mr Paterson, a former Northern Ireland secretary, denied any wrongdoing, and argued his approaches had been within the rules because he was seeking to alert ministers to defects in safety regulations.

He said the investigation had "a major contributory factor" in the death of his wife, Rose, who took her own life last year.

He claimed he had been pronounced guilty "without being spoken to" and that "no proper investigation was undertaken".

On Wednesday, MPs debated whether the recommended 30-day suspension for Mr Paterson should be enforced, with allies of Mr Paterson proposing a new committee to look at how investigations are carried out.

The prime minister backed the proposed shake-up of the rules and ordered his MPs to vote for MP Andrea Leadsom's motion, ensuring it was carried.

Andrea Leadsom
Getty Images

However, 13 Conservatives voted against the amendment, while 98 had no vote recorded - either by a deliberate abstention or because they were not able to vote.

Aaron Bell - a Tory who opposed the amendment - said the proposals made it look "like we're moving the goalposts" and that any reform of the rules needed support across the Commons.

Liberal Democrat chief whip Wendy Chamberlain described the amendment as a "stitch-up", adding: "You expect in a tin-pot dictatorship, not the home of parliamentary democracy."

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2021-11-03 17:42:49Z
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Coronavirus: Boosters and masks vital to get through difficult winter, says Van-Tam - The Times

Christmas will be “problematic” unless people behave cautiously and get their booster jabs, England’s deputy chief medical officer has warned.

Jonathan Van-Tam spoke of “hard months” ahead as he said that now was “not the time to be complacent” with the country’s infection rates “running hot”.

People should wear masks in cinemas and when moving about in pubs and restaurants as part of more cautious behaviour to keep infections under control over the winter, he said.

Urging people to get their booster vaccines, Van-Tam said that the government should make it easier by telling people weeks in advance when they were about to become eligible.

The booster campaign has slipped back in the past week, with the UK daily average of 273,453 a day about

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2021-11-03 15:20:00Z
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Salisbury train crash: Driver acted impeccably, says operator - BBC News

Robin Tandy
Facebook

The driver of a train involved in a serious crash acted in an "impeccable way in a valiant attempt to keep passengers safe", the operator said.

South Western Railway (SWR) said driver Robin Tandy, 74, who was seriously injured in the collision in Salisbury, was a "deeply-respected colleague".

The SWR train ran 220 metres past a red stop signal before striking a Great Western Railway service on Sunday.

Investigators said "wheel slide" meant the train did not stop as it should.

A preliminary investigation said the Great Western Railway (GWR) service should have been protected by a red light at the junction before Fisherton Tunnel. But the SWR train went through the red after "low adhesion" caused it to slip through.

The SWR driver, who has been driving services in the area for around 50 years, did apply the brakes, investigators said. He suffered "life-changing" injuries in the crash.

Train collision in Salisbury
PA Media

SWR said in a statement that he has an "excellent professional track record" and "stayed at the controls throughout".

"We thank him for his actions and we wish him a speedy recovery as he continues to be treated in hospital," the operator added.

SWR said it hoped the early assessment by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), showing the driver reacted correctly to the signals, would help "stop speculation".

The RAIB confirmed preliminary analysis showed the driver initially applied service braking to slow the train before reaching the stop signal and that around 12 seconds after, he made an emergency brake demand.

This was followed by a second emergency brake demand made by the train protection and warning system.

Its investigation will look at the level of wheel to rail adhesion on the approach to tunnel junction and also consider how Network Rail managed the risk of wheels slipping on rails where the accident happened, it said.

Officials investigate train derailment
PA Media

South Western Railways policies towards low adhesion between the wheels and the track will also be analysed.

Meanwhile, work to remove wreckage at the scene of the crash is due to begin later.

Network Rail said it would bring in cranes to lift the wreckage, BBC South Transport Correspondent Paul Clifton said.

The SWR train was running from London to Honiton, in Devon, while the GWR service was travelling from Southampton to Cardiff when they collided at the tunnel.

Both trains had passed a Y-shaped junction, close to the entrance of the tunnel, before the collision.

Train collision in Salisbury
RAIB

Investigators said further results would be made public later in the week.

The crash has caused major disruption, with lines through the city expected to remain closed until at least the end of Monday.

Of the 92 passengers on board the two trains, 14 required hospital treatment, with most suffering minor injuries.

The Rail Delivery Group said low adhesion can be caused by "moisture on the rail mixing with the film produced by 'leaves on the line' or other contaminants, such as rust or grease."

They add the problem can be worse in autumn and that "it can also cause safety risks, such as signals passed at danger and station overruns".

Map of train crash location
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2021-11-03 12:32:28Z
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COVID-19: Professor Jonathan Van-Tam warns of 'potentially problematic' Christmas and 'hard months to come' - Sky News

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam has warned of a "potentially problematic" Christmas due to COVID-19 and said he thinks there will be "hard months to come".

England's deputy chief medical officer said the UK is at "half-time in extra time" in tackling coronavirus.

"I think the final whistle in terms of - I can't predict it - but my personal view is that we've got a few more months to run, and I think we'll be in a much calmer set of waters by spring," he told BBC Breakfast.

Hollywood star contracts virus after London premiere - latest COVID updates

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September: Winter could be 'bumpy at times'

Prof Van-Tam said too many people believe the pandemic is now over.

"I personally feel there are some hard months to come in the winter and it is not over," he said.

Asked how a Christmas lockdown can be prevented, he said: "Christmas, and indeed all of the darker winter months, are potentially going to be problematic."

More on Covid-19

He said the things that "are really going to determine this" are the success of the vaccination programmes and how careful people are, particularly in the next couple of months.

"I think a whole range of behaviours, including the use of face coverings, but generally the caution that people take or don't take in terms of interacting with each other - that is going to be a big determinant in what happens between now and the kind of darkest months of the winter," he said.

He said it was crucial for people to take up offers of booster and flu jabs.

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Chief scientist: 'Difficult winter ahead'

Prof Van-Tam said infection rates are still very high at the moment - higher than in most of Europe.

"It's of concern to scientists that we are running this hot this early in the autumn season," he added.

While he acknowledged that hospital admissions have levelled off in the last four days, he said he was worried deaths were rising and there were signs infections were starting to "penetrate" older age groups.

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Asked about Sir Jeremy Farrar's resignation from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), he said: "I think it's very clear he felt that a lot of the information that the government need to have from scientists has now been given, and he recognised the need that he had to really re-focus on his work at the Wellcome Trust."

On the subject of masks, Prof Van-Tam said they are beneficial "but they are probably most useful when used in combination with other things".

He said he did not think people should wear face coverings while seated in indoor settings that involve food or drink, but recommended them for entering, leaving and moving around venues.

He said in cinemas and theatres "you're not interacting with anyone in there other than the audience or the actors on the screen, you're not interacting with the audience, you are seated quite close together, and for most people there should be relatively little personal expense involved in wearing a face covering in those kinds of settings."

He said it would be "very socially inhibiting" to wear masks in clubs, adding: "I think if the epidemiology gets worse in the UK that on its own would not be enough in those kinds of venues."

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2021-11-03 11:56:16Z
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JVT issues new mask guidance as he says we face 'darkest months' - Nottinghamshire Live

England’s deputy chief medical officer said: “Too many people believe that this pandemic is now over.”

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam told BBC Breakfast and BBC Radio 5 Live: “I personally feel there are some hard months to come in the winter and it’s not over.

“I think a whole range of behaviours, including the use of face coverings, but generally the caution that people take or don’t take in terms of interacting with each other – that is going to be a big determinant in what happens between now and the kind of darkest months are the winter.

“The other things that are going to be really important are how people respond if they are in need of a booster, if they are in need of flu vaccine, if they are partially vaccinated, or indeed if they are unvaccinated – that will be another really important factor in terms of what happens over the next few months.”

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam told BBC Breakfast that wearing face masks is useful “but they are probably most useful when used in combination with other things”.

England’s deputy chief medical officer said that, outdoors, ventilation is the most important factor, but masks should be worn if others feel uncomfortable or if authorities ask a person to do so.

He added: “If you then went into an indoor setting, which involves food and drink, then it becomes very difficult because you don’t wear them at the table.

“You can’t take them on and off in between sips of a drink. And so really what you should do, in my view, is to wear masks when mobile, and use them as you’re entering and exiting the premises.”

He said in cinemas and theatres “you’re not interacting with anyone in there other than the audience or the actors on the screen, you’re not interacting with the audience, you are seated quite close together, and for most people there should be relatively little personal expense involved in wearing a face covering in those kinds of settings.

“And then, finally, you’ve got the kind of very high mobility, high interaction venues such as clubs and here you can see it would be very socially inhibiting to wear face masks. I think if the epidemiology gets worse in the UK that’s on its own would not be enough in those kinds of venues.”

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam urged people to get their booster jabs “as soon as possible”.

England’s deputy chief medical officer told BBC breakfast: “What we need, to be in the best position to get through this winter, is for people who are vulnerable who are eligible for boosters – that’s really the over-50s and people under 50 with high-risk conditions – we need them to get their immunity levels as high as possible so that we go into the winter with the best overall level of protection for the population and for individuals.

“So my advice is follow the JCVI advice and when you are called for your booster, if you’re eligible for it and it can be given, please have it as soon as possible.”

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2021-11-03 09:12:12Z
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Salisbury train crash: Driver acted impeccably, says operator - BBC News

Train collision in Salisbury
PA Media

The driver of a train involved in a serious crash acted in an "impeccable way in a valiant attempt to keep passengers safe", the operator said.

South Western Railway (SWR) said driver Robin Tandy, 74, who was seriously injured in the collision in Salisbury, was a "deeply-respected colleague".

The SWR train ran 220 metres past a red stop signal before striking a Great Western Railway service on Sunday.

Investigators said "wheel slide" meant the train did not stop as it should.

A preliminary investigation said the Great Western Railway (GWR) service should have been protected by a red light at the junction before Fisherton Tunnel. But the SWR train went through the red after "low adhesion" caused it to slip through.

The SWR driver, who has been driving services in the area for around 50 years, did apply the brakes, investigators said. He suffered "life-changing" injuries in the crash.

Derailed train

SWR said in a statement that he has an "excellent professional track record" and "stayed at the controls throughout".

"We thank him for his actions and we wish him a speedy recovery as he continues to be treated in hospital," the operator added.

SWR said it hoped the early assessment by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), showing the driver reacted correctly to the signals, would help "stop speculation".

The RAIB confirmed preliminary analysis showed the driver initially applied service braking to slow the train before reaching the stop signal and that around 12 seconds after, he made an emergency brake demand.

This was followed by a second emergency brake demand made by the train protection and warning system.

Its investigation will look at the level of wheel to rail adhesion on the approach to tunnel junction and also consider how Network Rail managed the risk of wheels slipping on rails where the accident happened, it said.

Officials investigate train derailment
PA Media

South Western Railways policies towards low adhesion between the wheels and the track will also be analysed.

Meanwhile, work to remove wreckage at the scene of the crash is due to begin later.

Network Rail said it would bring in cranes to lift the wreckage, BBC South Transport Correspondent Paul Clifton said.

The SWR train was running from London to Honiton, in Devon, while the GWR service was travelling from Southampton to Cardiff when they collided at the tunnel.

Both trains had passed a Y-shaped junction, close to the entrance of the tunnel, before the collision.

Train collision in Salisbury
RAIB

Investigators said further results would be made public later in the week.

The crash has caused major disruption, with lines through the city expected to remain closed until at least the end of Monday.

Of the 92 passengers on board the two trains, 14 required hospital treatment, with most suffering minor injuries.

The Rail Delivery Group said low adhesion can be caused by "moisture on the rail mixing with the film produced by 'leaves on the line' or other contaminants, such as rust or grease."

They add the problem can be worse in autumn and that "it can also cause safety risks, such as signals passed at danger and station overruns".

Map of train crash location
Presentational grey line

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2021-11-03 11:36:24Z
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Salisbury train crash: Work to remove wreckage to begin - BBC News

Train collision in Salisbury
PA Media

Work to remove wreckage at the scene of the Salisbury train crash is due to begin.

Two trains collided on Sunday after one ran through a red light because of a "wheel slide".

The South Western Railway (SWR) service hit a Great Western service at the entrance to Fisherton Tunnel.

Network Rail said it would bring in cranes to lift the wreckage, BBC South Transport Correspondent Paul Clifton said.

A preliminary investigation said the Great Western Railway (GWR) service should have been protected by a red light at the junction before the tunnel. But the SWR train went through the red after "low adhesion" caused it to slip through.

The driver of the SWR service, a 75-year-old who is believed to have suffered "life-changing" injuries, did apply the brakes, investigators say.

He has been driving services in the area for around 50 years and SWR described him as a "deeply-respected colleague" with an "excellent professional track record".

"Initial findings indicate that the driver acted in an impeccable way in a valiant attempt to keep his passengers safe, staying at the controls throughout.

"We thank him for his actions and we wish him a speedy recovery as he continues to be treated in hospital," SWR said in a statement.

Derailed train

It added that it hoped the early assessment by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), showing that the driver reacted correctly to the signals, would help "stop speculation".

The SWR train was running from London to Honiton, in Devon, while the GWR service was travelling from Southampton to Cardiff when they collided at the tunnel.

Both trains had passed a Y-shaped junction, close to the entrance of the tunnel, before the collision.

Investigators said further results would be made public later in the week.

Officials investigate train derailment
PA Media

The crash has caused major disruption, with lines through the city expected to remain closed until at least the end of Monday.

Of the 92 passengers on board the two trains, 14 required hospital treatment, with most suffering minor injuries.

The Rail Delivery Group said low adhesion can be caused by "moisture on the rail mixing with the film produced by 'leaves on the line' or other contaminants, such as rust or grease."

They add the problem can be worse in autumn and that "it can also cause safety risks, such as signals passed at danger and station overruns".

Map of train crash location
Presentational grey line

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2021-11-03 07:48:08Z
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