Babak Belurs

Jumat, 13 Mei 2022

Downing Street parties: Political rigor mortis may be taking hold in Whitehall as day of reckoning looms - Sky News

The unknown is far scarier than the known when it comes to partygate, even on a day when the number of fines issued to people working at the heart of government for pandemic rule breaches doubles.

Number 10 must not be a comfortable place at the moment.

When the investigation began, Downing Street believed they understood the Metropolitan Police to be methodically moving through and investigating events chronologically.

Politics latest: Cabinet ministers dodge questions on 'shocking scale of law-breaking' as more fines issued

This provided some degree of certainty, an implied timescale and some over-optimistic briefing to some more credulous corners of Westminster.

This assumption has evaporated.

Insiders admit they have no clue about the Met's ways of working anymore, their approach or their timescale.

Questionnaires were still being issued last week. Interviews with witnesses are still going.

And until Whitehall does get a grip on the process, a debilitating cloud hangs over the government with cabinet ministers freely admitting Boris Johnson's future remains uncertain - for all the public bravado they display every morning with Kay Burley.

Almost as significantly for the sound functioning of Whitehall is the cloud remaining over the head of the Cabinet Secretary Simon Case.

Nominally the most important official in the land, he continues to have to field questions about his own law breaking and whether he's received a fine.

If political rigor mortis properly sets in, as is beginning to take hold, according to some senior civil servants, this will cause untold damage to the functioning of the state.

Mr Case's choice to walk into the Stoke regional cabinet meeting today via the TV cameras, an appearance which descended into a painful shuffle staring at the floor as he faced a barrage of questions about fines, will be noted by ambitious and more cautious colleagues alike across Whitehall.

Cabinet ministers and the Tory party can see this.

There is no decision to unseat the PM. There is not much of a plot. There is no obvious successor.

But there is an unease: each problem is layered on top of the last and cooler heads reject the analysis of the PM as a greased piglet who always escapes the chop.

Quite simply, the day of reckoning is yet to come. No one knows when it will be or - most importantly of all - the outcome.

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2022-05-12 20:15:57Z
1425580772

Kamis, 12 Mei 2022

Cost of living: Inflation takes toll as UK economy contracts in March - Sky News

The UK economy contracted by 0.1% in March, as surging inflation took a toll on demand to offset the boost that had been expected from the end of COVID restrictions.

The monthly figure compares to no growth in February and 0.7% growth in January, while the quarterly figure (between January and March) showed a growth of 0.8%, which was down from 1.3% in the previous three months.

Politics Hub: 'No option off the table' regarding windfall tax - live updates

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: "The UK economy recovered quickly from the worst of the pandemic and our growth in the first few months of the year was strong - faster than the US, Germany and Italy, but I know these are still anxious times.

"Our recovery is being disrupted by Putin's barbaric invasion of Ukraine and other global challenges, but we are continuing to help people where we can.

"Growth is the best way to help families in the longer-term so as well as easing immediate pressure on households and businesses, we are investing in capital, people, and ideas to boost living standards in the future."

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data was released as alarm bells ring over the country's economic prospects, with the Bank of England warning last week that a recession loomed large due to the cost of living crisis.

Families and businesses are straining under a weight of global price increases largely caused by demand outstripping supply as the COVID crisis eases and, latterly, the effects of Russia's war in Ukraine.

No let-up in inflation

Separate figures released by the ONS next week are tipped by economists to show inflation nearing a 40-year high in April, at around 8.5%.

The leap, from the March level of 7%, will be mostly a consequence of higher energy costs being passed on down the supply chain, raising the cost of doing business and ultimately the cost of everyday goods and services.

There is also one direct price shock to be reflected for the first time: the unprecedented £693 hike in the energy price cap for households that took hold on 1 April.

Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at DIY investment platform Bestinvest, said: "There is a high risk of an ongoing contraction in the coming months as the squeeze on real incomes ramps up amid the cost-of-living crisis, with inflation heading for double figures, all of which raises the spectre of stagflation (a combination of negative or stagnant economic growth and high inflation)."

Daniel Casali, chief investment strategist at Tilney Smith & Williamson, said: "Importantly for the UK economy, both labour demand and business investment intentions remain firm.

"This should at least reduce the risk of a sharp downturn in overall growth. The Bank of England expects GDP to be flat in the second quarter, though there is the potential for a modest contraction."

'There is nobody around'

For many small business owners, however, the situation is already desperate.

Barry Whitehouse, owner at Banbury-based art shop, The Artery, said: "We have just had one of our worst weeks since the previous recession. Total takings for the week didn't even cover the wages of the staff.

"Loss of footfall and empty streets makes creating a sale or greeting a customer impossible. There is nobody around.

"Online sales have fallen sharply as everyone has one eye on their energy bills to see what money is left, and there is suddenly a drop in enquiries for shop items and our classes.

"I am really worried.

"My savings have gone, and I have nothing left to keep the business afloat without sales and footfall. I will not survive many more weeks like this."

'A theatre of cruelty'

Sandra Wilson, director of Ipswich-based recruitment and HR firm Cottrell Moore, said: "The UK economy is starting to feel like a theatre of cruelty.

"Whether you're a pessimist or an optimist, the reality is the same: we are all paying out more and most of us aren't earning more.

"The economic sea is getting extremely choppy, and many people will go overboard if the government doesn't take action immediately."

'Economy headed for the slaughterhouse'

Dave Kelly, co-founder of Bristol-based butcher Ruby & White, said: "Right now, it feels like the UK economy is headed for the slaughterhouse.

"Inflation, soaring energy bills, tax, and interest rate rises are crippling households around the country. Worst of all, it feels like the government is watching on and doing nothing.

"For us, sales are still holding up for now, but we are seeing slightly more people order cheaper cuts. We're probably being helped by the fact that more people are choosing to stay in than go out."

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2022-05-12 12:22:30Z
1423474508

Levi Bellfield: Review launched into serial killer's request for prison wedding - Sky News

A review has been launched into serial killer Levi Bellfield's request for a prison wedding, a justice minister has announced.

The Ministry of Justice on Wednesday confirmed that Bellfield is engaged and has applied for permission to marry a woman while he is serving two whole-life orders for murdering schoolgirl Milly Dowler, Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange.

Probed on the matter on Sky News the following morning, Justice Minister Victoria Atkins said the situation is "absolutely appalling", adding: "I have ordered an immediate review into this."

She told Kay Burley: "Just to reassure people, I understand an application has been made that has not been decided yet and he most certainly has not yet married.

"If I may, he's got the right under Article Twelve of the European Convention and the Human Rights Act to get married or they have the right to have the application considered by prison governors.

"And I think I very much welcome the debate we're about to have about the Bill of Rights and looking at human rights for in the United Kingdom, the 21st century."

Former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told the Sun newspaper, which first reported the news, the proposed prison nuptials "beggars belief".

He added: "Milly never got to see her wedding day. It cannot be right that he gets to have his."

The Sun said he is engaged to a female visitor and got down on one knee to propose in front of prison staff at HMP Frankland in County Durham.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "An application has been received and is being considered in the usual way."

However, it is understood that Bellfield's application is still being processed and is not at any further advanced stage.

Snatched from the street

The 53-year-old killer would need the permission of the prison governor to marry at the category A men's prison.

Bellfield was given a whole-life term for murdering Ms McDonnell, 19, in 2003, murdering Ms Delagrange, 22, and attempting to murder Kate Sheedy, 18, in 2004.

He was already serving this sentence when he went on trial for killing schoolgirl Milly, who was snatched from the street walking from school to her home in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, in March 2002.

Bellfield was found guilty of abducting and killing the 13-year-old following a trial at the Old Bailey in 2011.

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2022-05-12 07:07:30Z
1424789115

Rabu, 11 Mei 2022

Maddie Thomas: Police suspect missing Bristol girl has been abducted - BBC

Police say they believe a missing 15-year-old girl has been abducted.

Madison Thomas, known as Maddie, has not been seen since she left her home in Southmead, Bristol, on 26 April, telling her family she was going to the shops.

Avon and Somerset Police began conducting house-to-house searches in the streets near her home on Tuesday.

"We are now treating this case as a child abduction," said Det Insp Laura Miller.

Maddie is a child in foster care and was last seen 15 days ago by her carers, with no confirmed sightings since.

Missing Bristol teenager Madison or Maddie

"When Maddie has previously gone missing she has been found in the company of adult men and it is mainly due to this history that we believe she is likely to currently be with someone," said Det Insp Miller.

"Maddie is a child in foster care, no-one has permission to keep her from her carers. She is vulnerable and at risk of being taken advantage of.

"We're really concerned about her safety and have a dedicated team working extremely hard to locate her."

Detective Inspector Laura Miller from Avon and Somerset Police

Det Insp Miller said the "circumstances of her disappearance are deeply worrying for us, her family and her carers".

"Maddie - if you see this please contact us if you can to let us know you're safe. Everyone is worried about you," the officer added.

It is believed Maddie could be "anywhere in the country", may have changed her hair colour or may no longer be going by her name.

Officers have carried out CCTV inquiries in the Southmead area where she was last seen.

"If you have met someone online, at a shopping centre or fast-food restaurant that looks like Maddie, please contact police," said Det Insp Miller.

Anyone who sees the missing teen, who is described as being around 5ft (1.5m) tall, with shoulder-length brown hair, is asked to call 999.

Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk

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2022-05-11 16:57:45Z
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