Boris Johnson news – live: No 10 fails to deny PM discussed two top jobs for Carrie
Latest claim follows reports prime minister tried to hire Carrie as his chief of staff when he was foreign secretary in 2018
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Downing Street has not refuted claims that Boris Johnson spoke with aides about getting wife Carrie Johnson two top jobs while prime minister.
Mr Johnson discussed environmental roles for his wife in autumn 2020, either for the Cop26 summit or with the Royal Family, sources told the Daily Mirror.
The latest claim follows reports Mr Johnson tried to hire her as his chief of staff when he was foreign secretary in 2018.
The PM allegedly went on to suggest securing her a role as green ambassador in the run-up to Cop26 or as communications director for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Earthshot Prize.
Downing Street said he had never recommended Ms Johnson for a government role, but stopped short of denying that he considered or discussed the move.
The PMs’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has never recommended Mrs Johnson for a government role, or one as part of the Earthshot Prize.
“Beyond that I wouldn’t get into any conversations the Prime Minister may or may not have had in private.”
‘Carriegate’ is just another Johnson scandal – and not even the most interesting of the bunch
Carriegate: No 10 admits pressuring The Times to drop Carrie Johnson story
Boris Johnson ‘feeling well’ and due to take meetings after minor operation
Will Boris Johnson keep the dispute over the Northern Ireland protocol going until the next general election?
Unions and ministers in blame game as travellers hit by worst rail strikes since 1980
Rail unions have accused the government of “actively preventing” the resolution of a dispute which will see millions of passengers’ journeys disrupted from Tuesday in the most significant strikes to hit the network since the 1980s.
The RMT union pulled the plug on last-ditch talks with employers on Monday, blaming ministers for preventing Network Rail and the train operating companies from negotiating freely on pay, jobs and conditions.
But Grant Shapps’ Department for Transport dismissed the claim as “absolutely not true”, insisting that a £2bn shortfall in resources for the national network which the RMT attributed to government cuts was in fact the result of reduced passenger numbers following Covid.
Unions and ministers in blame game as travellers face worst rail strikes since 1980s
Just one train in five expected to run during three days of industrial action over pay, jobs and conditions
What do Gareth Southgate and Keir Starmer have in common? Quite a lot, actually
England football fans say they want to win games and Labour supporters say they want to win seats, but, asks Marie Le Conte, do they really want that at any cost?
Gareth Southgate and Keir Starmer have one thing in common | Marie Le Conte
England football fans say they want to win games and Labour supporters say they want to win seats, but, asks Marie Le Conte, do they really want that at any cost?
Treasury minister Simon Clarke challenged over rail staff earning £28k a year
‘Total policy failure’: Government less than half way to hitting annual tree planting target
The government has been accused of overseeing a “total economic and environmental policy failure” on tree planting, with current rates not even halfway to hitting targets set in 2019.
Boris Johnson said the government would plant 30,000 hectares (75,000 acres) of new woodland in Britain every year by 2024. But with a year and a half to go, official figures reveal planting is still below 14,000 hectares for the year to 31 March 2022.
The Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor), which represents more than 1,500 forestry and wood businesses around the UK, said that the “woeful” rate of progress meant there was now “zero chance” of reaching the targets.
Harry Cockburn reports.
UK forestry industry accuses government of ‘total policy failure’ on tree planting
‘Zero chance’ Boris Johnson’s administration will hit own targets, warns trade body
Rail strikes will cause 'chaos and misery' for millions, Grant Shapps says
Will Boris Johnson keep the dispute over the Northern Ireland protocol going until the next general election?
If the prime minister does decide to call an election next May, a promise to ditch the protocol checks could form part of a manifesto pitch, writes Adam Forrest.
Analysis: Will Johnson keep the NI protocol row going until the next election?
If the prime minister does decide to call an election next May, a promise to ditch the protocol checks could form part of a manifesto pitch, writes Adam Forrest
Army orgies ‘fairly common’ amid ‘slut-shaming’ culture of women, whistleblower says
A whistleblower has said orgies in the army are fairly common as she warned the recent incident at Merlville Baracks points to a wider culture of misogyny in the armed forces which views women as “lesser beings”.
Speaking exclusively to The Independent , the woman, who previously worked in recruitment for the British Army, said the institution often felt like a throwback to the 1950s.
It comes after a group of paratroopers were put under military police investigation after footage surfaced of them having an orgy with a civilian woman at Merville Barracks - a military base in Colchester.
Maya Oppenheim reports.
Army orgies ‘fairly common’ amid ‘slut-shaming’ culture of women, whistleblower says
Exclusive: ‘I find raising children in this environment very scary,’ says woman living on military estate
ICYMI: Treasury minister Simon Clarke says Brexit is not to blame for airport chaos
Government refuses to rule out another Rwanda deportation flight
The government did not rule out trying to send another deportation flight to Rwanda before the outcome of a full High Court review of the policy.
A Home Office minister was asked by the SNP’s home affairs spokesman to confirm Priti Patel will not be “gambling on another utterly reckless, degrading and expensive attempt at these removals” before the judicial review is heard.
Tom Pursglove told Stuart C McDonald “we do not comment on what are ongoing legal proceedings”.
He then noted “every day that this new partnership is not in operation is a day that people continue to risk their lives in the Channel”.
The first deportation flight to Rwanda was supposed to take place last week, but was blocked at the last minute after a late intervention by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). A full judicial review of the policy is expected to take place in July.
However, it is not clear whether the Home Office will attempt to send another flight to Rwanda before then.
Mr McDonald said: “The full hearing on whether the Home Secretary’s policy in Rwanda is lawful will take place, as the minister has said, in July.
“So, surely if she has one iota of respect for UNHCR, and the importance of the Refugee Convention, she will confirm now that she will wait for the outcome of that hearing, instead of gambling on another utterly reckless, degrading and expensive attempt at these removals?”
Mr Pursglove replied: “The honourable gentleman will recognise that of course, we do not comment on what are ongoing legal proceedings, but what I would say to him is this, and we have had this debate many times, but every day that this new partnership is not in operation is a day that people continue to risk their lives in the Channel.
“That is not acceptable. It’s not sustainable.”
PA
Labour to force Commons vote on new ethics watchdog after Lord Geidt’s exit
Parliament is set to vote on a Labour plan to grant MPs on a cross-party select committee new powers to hold Boris Johnson and his ministers to account following the exit of his ethics adviser.
Lord Geidt quit last week as the independent adviser on ministers’ interests – saying the PM had put him in an “impossible and odious position”.
Mr Johnson is considering not replacing his ethics watchdog, with No 10 saying there would be a review into how best manage the “vitally important” function and admitting the position could be abolished.
Adam Forrest reports.
Labour to force vote on new ethics watchdog after Lord Geidt exit
Keir Starmer’s party wants cross-party group of MPs to appoint adviser who can probe rule breaches
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments