Babak Belurs

Minggu, 30 Oktober 2022

Major search operation in Belfast Lough continues into Sunday morning - latest updates - Belfast Live

A major search and rescue mission was launched in the Belfast Lough area late on Saturday night. Multiple emergency services are still at the scene through the night and into Sunday morning.

It comes amid unconfirmed reports that a person has fallen overboard from a Stena Line ferry. On social media, the Lagan Search & Rescue team confirmed in a post at around 10.30pm that it was on a callout.

Online Boat and aircraft trackers show that an RNLI lifeboat, a Pilot Boat, the Lagan Search and Rescue vessel and harbour police boat appear to be searching an area close to Green Island. A Rescue 199 helicopter from Prestwick in Scotland also appears to be involved in the operation.

In a short statement issued shortly before 2am on Sunday morning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said: "Police and other emergency services are currently involved in an ongoing search of the Belfast Lough area. There are no further details at this time and we are asking members of the public to avoid the area."

We'll bring you more details as we get them in the blog below.

Sabtu, 29 Oktober 2022

Labour puts pressure on Rishi Sunak to 'come clean over Suella Braverman reappointment' - Sky News

Labour is urging the government to publish its assessments of Suella Braverman's security breach following her controversial reappointment as home secretary just six days after she was forced out.

New Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under growing pressure over reinstating Ms Braverman as home secretary after a former party chair claimed she had committed "multiple breaches" of the ministerial code.

He has so far resisted demands to launch an inquiry after she shared a sensitive document with a Tory backbencher from a personal email without permission.

Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have raised "national security" concerns over the breach, as well as called for a Cabinet Office probe.

Politics hub: Sunak responds to criticism over 'massive failure of leadership'

Labour will try to push ministers to share risk assessments of this and other alleged leaks, as well as the information given to Mr Sunak before he reinstalled her at the Home Office, with a "humble address" motion in Parliament.

Ms Braverman has so far refused to appear before MPs to explain the circumstances surrounding what happened.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman cannot keep running away from these questions. It is far too serious for that, and raises serious doubts about the prime minister's judgment.

"People need to know they can trust the Home Secretary with highly sensitive information and our national security. Rishi Sunak's decision to reappoint Suella Braverman was deeply irresponsible.

"Labour will use every parliamentary mechanism open to force government to come clean over her reappointment, to get answers and to require detailed documents to be released to the Intelligence & Security Committee."

Ms Braverman resigned from her post just over a week ago after using her personal email address to forward sensitive government documents, breaking the rules that ministers have to abide by.

But the new prime minister put her back into the Home Office on Tuesday, and stood by the decision after being pressed on it in the Commons on Wednesday.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called for the home secretary to be sacked and accused Mr Sunak of brokering a "grubby deal trading security for support" in the Tory leadership contest, which he won after receiving Ms Braverman's backing.

But Mr Sunak has insisted the home secretary has "learned from her mistake" and that he does not regret his decision to reappoint her - despite some Conservative MPs adding their voices to the backlash.

Conservative MP Caroline Nokes said there were "big questions hanging over this whole issue" and backed opposition calls for an inquiry, while former Tory chairman Sir Jake Berry described the breach as "really serious".

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy called for a full investigation into Ms Braverman's actions and for her to be sacked, telling Sky News: "The home secretary is the most serious job you could have in our state.

"This is a person who makes judgements about terrorism and counter-terrorism, who makes judgements about very, very serious offenders, whether they should be allowed out of prison, and for that reason, it's someone who, I'm afraid, judgement is critically important.

"I'm afraid this is a lapse of judgement that, quite rightly, she was sacked for. The question is, why was she brought back?"

Dubbed "Leaky Sue", Ms Braverman was reportedly previously investigated by government officials after the leaking of a story involving the security services.

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2022-10-30 00:18:21Z
1626356485

PM should come clean over Suella Braverman breach - Labour - BBC

By Andre Rhoden-Paul

BBC News

Labour is demanding Rishi Sunak "comes clean" and releases assessments of Suella Braverman's security breach.

Last week Ms Braverman resigned as home secretary under Liz Truss after breaching the ministerial code by sending an official document from a personal email account. On Wednesday she was re-appointed by Rishi Sunak.

Her re-appointment has drawn criticism.

Labour's Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said her party will try to "force the government to come clean".

A number of sources have disputed Ms Braverman's account of events.

So far new Prime Minister Mr Sunak has resisted demands to launch an inquiry into Ms Braverman's security breach, despite Labour and the Liberal Democrats raising "national security" concerns and calling for a Cabinet Office probe.

Ms Braverman has also refused to appear before MPs to explain what happened.

Labour wants ministers to share risk assessments of this and other alleged leaks, as well as the information given to the prime minister before he put her back in the Home Office.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said Ms Braverman's appointment "raises serious doubts" about the prime minister's judgement and that the pair could not continue to hide from questions.

She continued: "People need to know they can trust the home secretary with highly sensitive information and our national security.

"Rishi Sunak's decision to reappoint Suella Braverman was deeply irresponsible.

Sources dispute events

BBC News has spoken to several people with knowledge of the events surrounding Ms Braverman's resignation.

A number of them dispute Ms Braverman's claim to have reported her mistake to the cabinet secretary - the head of the civil service - as soon as she realised.

When confronted about her transgression she attempted to play down and explain away what had happened, sources suggested.

Ms Braverman had emailed a draft written ministerial statement on immigration policy to her close political ally, Conservative MP Sir John Hayes, using her personal email instead of her official government account.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer demanded the home secretary was fired, accusing Mr Sunak of brokering a "grubby deal trading security for support" in the Conservative leadership contest.

But the prime minister insisted Ms Braverman had "learned from her mistake" and that he does not regret the appointment despite some Tory MPs adding also expressing concern.

Backbench MP Caroline Nokes backed opposition calls for an inquiry and former Tory chairman Sir Jake Berry described the breach as "really serious".

FROM DEATH ROW TO A QUAINT VILLAGE: Inside Man starring Stanley Tucci and David Tennant
SNOWFLAKE: Stewart Lee takes on cancel culture

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2022-10-29 23:08:36Z
1626356485

When do the clocks go back? Big Ben prepares for first change in five years - BBC

Lindsay Hoyle poses in front of the clock known as Big Ben

By Jasmine Andersson

BBC News

The UK's most famous clock will be put back to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) this weekend for the first time since 2017.

The Great Clock of Westminster, widely but unofficially known as Big Ben, will be changed by parliamentary mechanics in the early hours of Sunday.

It has been largely silent for five years, after it was dismantled and repaired in a renovation project.

Clocks across the UK will go back an hour at 02:00 on Sunday, offering many people an extra 60 minutes in bed.

If you were expecting a spectacle of Big Ben's hands being wound back, you will be disappointed.

That is not going to happen - instead, it will be manually paused, with lights on the four clock faces turned off at 22:00 on Saturday.

The clock will be stopped and restarted at midnight. The lights will then come back on at 02:00, when the correct time will be displayed.

"This is so people looking up do not wonder why the hands are going round and get confused," said clock mechanic Alex Jeffrey.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said the time change would "herald a new beginning" for the iconic London landmark.

He hailed the team behind the scenes, which will work for 24 hours to ensure all 2,000 timepieces across Parliament are changed in time.

While most of us are tucked up in bed, they will be "clocking up eight miles [13km] changing our parliamentary clocks," Sir Lindsay said.

When do the clocks go back?

This autumn, the clocks go back by one hour at 02:00 on Sunday 30 October.

The clocks are moving from British Summer Time (BST) - also known as Daylight Saving Time (DST) or GMT+1 - to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Why do the clocks change?

Well, according to BBC Bitesize, "during World War One, the German army turned the clocks forward as a way of conserving energy. Many (but not all) European governments followed suit shortly afterwards - including the UK."

The overhaul project - which saw the Big Ben bell silenced for all but a select number of occasions over the past five years - was ordered to restore, repair and conserve parts of the clock and tower damaged by pollution, asbestos and natural wear and tear.

The Elizabeth Tower that houses the clock was finally free of its scaffolding in April this year. At that point the clock hands were restored, so Londoners and visitors alike could once again look up to check the time.

The work was due to be completed in 2021, but its finish was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Members of the public will be able to visit Big Ben from next year.

A delighted Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle beside the Big Ben bell

Around the BBC

Why do we turn the clocks back?

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2022-10-29 02:27:23Z
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Jumat, 28 Oktober 2022

Rishi Sunak will deny King Charles his trip to Cop27 in Egypt - The Times

Rishi Sunak is upholding Liz Truss’s decision to stop the King attending the Cop 27 climate conference, even though he is “champing at the bit” to go.

The prime minister faces criticism over his own decision to skip the event and has been under pressure to allow the King to attend instead.

Charles is believed to be disappointed by the advice from No 10 that he should miss the event, which starts in Egypt next weekend, with allies suggesting that Sunak should let him go to prove Britain’s environmental commitment. However, the King will not force the issue after Downing Street made clear yesterday that Sunak would not reopen any debate about it.

Thérèse Coffey, the environment secretary, said that it was up to Charles

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2022-10-28 20:00:00Z
1623016927

Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron vow to co-operate on Channel crossings - No 10 - BBC

By Jessica Parker

BBC Brussels correspondent

The UK and France have pledged to boost co-operation to tackle migrant crossings in the English Channel, Downing Street has said.

Rishi Sunak held his first call, since becoming prime minister, with President Emmanuel Macron on Friday.

No 10 said the two men expressed a commitment to "deepening" their work to deter the "deadly journeys."

A statement from the Elysée Palace after the call made no specific mention of migrant boats.

There have already been promises to deepen co-operation earlier in October, after then-Prime Minister Liz Truss met with Mr Macron in Prague earlier this month.

The pair pledged an "ambitious package of measures" to be announced this autumn.

Downing Street has refused to give details on any future plans or when an announcement will be made.

But Mr Sunak is said to have "stressed the importance for both nations to make the Channel route completely unviable for people traffickers".

In 2021, the UK agreed to pay France £54m to boost patrols along France's northern coast.

A report, in The Times, says Mr Sunak wants to close a new deal with France, including targets for how many boats are stopped.

It has been claimed that the French "pulled the plug" on a draft agreement back in the summer, after Liz Truss said the "jury's out" on whether Emmanuel Macron was a friend or foe.

The Elysée has previously declined to comment while Ms Truss and Mr Macron appeared to patch things up after their October meeting in Prague.

The new prime minister chose on Friday to strike a markedly warm tone towards the French president.

Following their phone call, No 10 emphasized areas of co-operation - including climate change, defence, the war in Ukraine and energy.

According to Downing Street, Mr Sunak "stressed the importance he places on the UK's relationship with France - our neighbour and ally".

The Elysée said Mr Macron spoke of his willingness to deepen ties in defence and energy.

The UK and France have clashed in recent years over post-Brexit fishing rights, the AUKUS security pact and migration.

In November 2021, 27 people died in the worst-recorded migrant tragedy in the Channel.

But the UK was disinvited from a ministerial meeting on the issue after Mr Macron accused Boris Johnson - prime minister at the time - of not being serious.

There is speculation that Mr Sunak may forge a more positive relationship with the French president than his two predecessors.

They are close in age, often seen as "slick" in appearance and worked in banking before turning to politics.

"I think in terms of style, they're quite compatible," says Lord Ricketts, who previously served as the UK's ambassador to France.

However the cross-bench peer notes that in substance, they're a long way apart on certain issues.

Mr Sunak was a Brexit supporter in 2016 while Emmanuel Macron is passionately pro-European.

The new prime minister has also signalled he intends to push ahead with certain policies, strongly disliked by the Elysée.

They include sending asylum seekers to Rwanda and pursuing legislation that could allow ministers to override parts of the post-Brexit deal for Northern Ireland.

"But at least there'll be a more serious dialogue than there ever was under Boris Johnson, provided Rishi Sunak can stay away from using France as political football," says Lord Ricketts.

In August, before leaving Downing Street, Boris Johnson said Emmanuel Macron was a "très bon buddy" and described the UK-France relationship as one of "huge importance."

A France-UK summit will go ahead next year.

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2022-10-28 15:29:06Z
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NI election looms as devolved government deadline passes - BBC

Someone placing their vote in a ballot box

Northern Ireland is on course for an assembly election after politicians missed the deadline set by Westminster for restoring devolved government.

Chris Heaton-Harris, the Northern Ireland secretary, now must call an election to be held within 12 weeks.

He has pledged to do that on Friday, rather than try to delay it or avoid it with fresh legislation at Westminster.

The most likely date is 15 December, although a date for a poll does not have to be set immediately.

Mr Heaton-Harris is expected to lay out his plan later on Friday.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is blocking the restoration of power-sharing in its protest against the post-Brexit trading arrangements called the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Unionist politicians argue that the protocol undermines Northern Ireland's position in the UK.

It keeps Northern Ireland aligned with some EU trade rules to ensure goods can move freely across the Irish land border.

Analysis: Campaign trail leads to Christmas

by Darran Marshall, BBC News NI political correspondent

Chris Heaton-Harris had repeatedly pledged to call an election if the devolved institutions were not reformed.

We can expect him to move quickly. A formal announcement may come as early as lunch time on Friday.

Politicians at Stormont had argued that a new election would not solve the impasse over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

But they are now resigned to the fact they'll be hitting the campaign trail before Christmas.

As it stands, it is far from clear that the power-sharing government will return on the other side of an election.

The DUP withdrew from the Northern Ireland Executive in February, with ministers remaining in post but with only limited powers.

The executive is made up of ministers from the largest parties under a power-sharing arrangement and is designed to ensure unionists and nationalists govern together.

On Thursday, politicians failed in last-ditch efforts to restore devolved government ahead of the deadline.

Assembly members met at Stormont as Sinn Féin, which won the largest number of seats in the last assembly election in May, called for the DUP to end its protest.

What happens next?

With the deadline passed, the Northern Ireland secretary must call an election "as soon as is practicable" - to be held within 12 weeks.

Chris Heaton-Harris, who has been in office since 6 September, has consistently said he will call one after the deadline passes.

Stormont's caretaker ministers were removed from office as of midnight and senior civil servants are now in charge.

The assembly - which has been meeting only for special recalls since May's election - has also been dissolved.

As the DUP has said it will continue its protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol, the election is unlikely in itself to break the stalemate.

So Northern Ireland could be set for further cycles of negotiations, up to 24 weeks, and future elections until a resolution is found or the law is changed.

But the DUP denounced the assembly meeting as a "flawed and failed attempt" to restore power-sharing.

The meeting failed to elect an assembly speaker, or the first and deputy first ministers, so no government could be formed.

It is the fourth time the assembly has met and failed to elect a speaker since May's election.

Two couples speak to each other outside a Stormont assembly election polling station at a primary school

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had urged the DUP to return to Stormont.

His official spokesman said: "The people of Northern Ireland deserve a fully functioning and locally-elected executive which can respond to the issues facing the communities there."

Irish Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar described the situation as regrettable, urging all parties, particularly the DUP, to "honour their mandate".

How have politicians reacted since the deadline?

On Friday morning Sir Jeffrey defended his party's position and said "nothing has moved forward in solving the protocol" since the last assembly election.

"We've had three prime ministers, we've had the government changed often and we haven't seen the progress that is needed.

"We need a further period now to sort this out, get a solution on the protocol... and that will see the institutions restored immediately."

An electoral officer opens a ballot box at a Stormont election count centre in Belfast

Sinn Féin assembly member Conor Murphy said the the DUP would represent a "minority view" after an election.

"The majority of people, the majority of parties, the majority of MLAs elected want the institutions to work," said the former finance minister.

Eóin Tennyson of the Alliance Party said reform of Stormont was needed to prevent "stop-start devolution".

"Jeffrey Donaldson is claiming that he is somehow influencing the UK government or the EU - he's not," said the assembly member.

"He's simply punishing people in communities here."

Ulster Unionist Steve Aiken said there was a need for an functioning executive due to "all the difficulties we have coming up", including the cost-of-living crisis.

SDLP assembly member Matthew O'Toole said the lack of government was "testing" the patience of the public.

"People in this place are completely bored and disgusted with politicking, particularly from the DUP," he said.

He described the prospect of another election as a "terrible idea".

Do you live or own a business in Northern Ireland? How would an election affect you? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk

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Minggu, 30 Oktober 2022

Sabtu, 29 Oktober 2022

More on Suella Braverman

Related Topics:

Sources dispute events

When do the clocks go back?

Why do the clocks change?

Around the BBC

Jumat, 28 Oktober 2022

Analysis: Campaign trail leads to Christmas

What happens next?

How have politicians reacted since the deadline?

Read more: Stormont crisis explained