Boris Johnson news: PM under attack for 'schmoozing Tory donors while ignoring flood victims', as Sajid Javid issues public warning to leader
All the latest developments as they happened
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Boris Johnson has been attacked by Jeremy Corbyn over his week-long absence from public view, as the Labour leader accused the “part-time PM” of “schmoozing Tory party donors” instead of visiting flood-hit communities in the north and Midlands.
The row comes as Labour demanded an investigation into the true scale of homelessness across the UK after figures showed more than 28,000 people are sleeping rough in a year – five times higher than the government admits.
Elsewhere, the respected Institute for Fiscal Studies said chancellor Rishi Sunak will have to hike taxes – or entrench austerity – to pay for a “giveaway” budget, while Sajid Javid warned his successor not to go on a spending splurge.
To follow events as they unfolded, see our live coverage below
Starmer ‘best placed’ to win general election, says Khan
The mayor of London has been speaking on LBC about why he has endorsed Keir Starmer to be the next Labour leader.
“I want Labour to return to power as soon as possible. I think Keir is best placed to do that,” said Khan – insisting the “one more heave” approach of the party at December’s election would not work.
He said: “You have to compromise with the electorate. As someone who believes in democracy and winning elections, the electorate is always right.”
‘History was lost – now it’s found’: Secret passageway discovered in Commons
A secret doorway used during a 17th-century royal coronation has been discovered in the House of Commons.
The hidden walkway – thought to have been used by political luminaries such as diarist Samuel Pepys and Robert Walpole – had originally been established for Charles II’s coronation in 1660 to allow guests to process to the new king's celebratory banquet.
Historians thought it had been filled in during reconstruction work after the palace was bombed during World War II – but it was rediscovered following recent investigative work by parliament's architecture and heritage team.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “I am so proud of our staff … history was lost and now it’s found.”
Graffiti written by bricklayers who helped restore the palace following the fire in 1834 was also discovered during the works. One sentence of the graffiti reads: “This room was enclosed by Tom Porter who was very fond of Ould Ale.”
Priti Patel tells police chiefs she’s ‘unafraid’ to challenge them
Cutting crime is “non-negotiable” and there must be “no weak spots” in efforts to do so, the home secretary has told police chiefs.
Speaking at a crime conference on Wednesday, Priti Patel said she is “unequivocal” in her support for officers but added: “We need to pull out all the stops to deliver the decline in crime that people want to see.
“There must be no weak spots. These outcomes will be non-negotiable and I will be unapologetic about holding you to account.”
“Together we can lengthen the long arm of the law to ensure no criminals can escape - and, importantly, the public can have the trust in policing that you all deserve.”
Patel told the audience the police deserve “full respect” for the “incredible job” they do. But she said: “I will also be unafraid to challenge you to do more.”
At the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners summit in Westminster, Patel announced an additional £41.5m of funding for forces in 18 areas of the country worst affected by serious violence. She also launched an eight-week consultation on plans to enshrine a Police Covenant in law.
Priti Patel at the NPCC / APCC conference (PA)
Boris Johnson faces Jeremy Corbyn for PMQs amid criticism over floods response
PMQs will kick off shortly and give us a glimpse of the lesser-spotted prime minister.
Boris Johnson has faced criticism for failing to visit flood-hit communities over the past few weeks - spending all of the February recess holed up at Chevening, the government residence in Kent.
PMQs begins
Boris Johnson kicks off by paying tribute to victims of Storm Chiara and Storm Dennis and those helping with the response.
Tory Philip Dunne says the floods have caused misery in his constituency - and urges the PM to use his influence to boost spending on flood defences.
The PM says the government is investing massively in flood defences, with a pledge to commit another £4bn on flooding.
PM accused of ‘sulking in grace and favour mansion’ on flood response
Jeremy Corbyn praises those helping with the response to fight coronavirus and says he hopes there will be resources available for health services.
He goes in on flooding, asking the PM why he hasn't been to visit and quotes a Tory council leader who said the PM had turned his back on victims.
The PM says this is not true. The government has put £2.4bn in and then another £4bn has been pledged.
Corbyn says the PM has been “silent and sulking in his grace and favour mansion”. He asks when the government is going to show people it cares.
The PM says no one should underestimate the anguish flooding causes - but 200,000 households have been protected from flooding by the government.
Corbyn asks why he hasn't called Cobra and says does he not care because there “are no votes on the line”?
Johnson says Cobra is not the only committee meeting room in government and there is major work going on across government.
PM is giving 'trite answers' on flooding says Corbyn
The Labour leader says people need help, not “trite answers like that”. He asks if the PM agrees with Tory MP Philip Davies, who says the government has done little to protect people from floods.
Johnson says the government is working hard to protect people's homes.
Corbyn says the PM was keen to pose for cameras during the election but then he went AWOL. He refers to Johnson's late response to the London riots as mayor, and his late return from his Caribbean holiday during the Iran crisis.
How can the country trust a 'part time PM', he asks? Last night, Johnson was 'schmoozing Tory donors at a black tie ball' rather than helping ordinary people, Corbyn says.
Johnson says the government is busy working hard to deliver on the people's priorities.
Labour leader accuses Boris Johnson of being a 'part-time PM'
Row over Scottish immigration plans
The SNP's Ian Blackford asks why the PM rejected proposals for a Scottish visa system in its new immigration plans.
Johnson says he was not the only one - the Migration Advisory Committee - also rejected the plans. He says the UK government will ensure it is delivering for the whole of the UK. He says the SNP's plan for a 'border at Berwick' is the problem.
Blackford asks if Scottish businesses matter?
The PM says of course they do. This government will deliver a workable system for the whole of the UK, he says, and urges Blackford to get on with representing his constituents rather than trying to break up the UK.
PM says he does not share eugenicist views of former No 10 aide
SNP MP Martin Docherty-Hughes raises the views of controversial No 10 aide Andrew Sabisky, who resigned from Downing Street last week amid a storm of controversy over his past comments on eugenics, race and enforced contraception.
Docherty-Hughes movingly speaks of how his disabled brother Graham would not have survived if eugenics was allowed.
The PM, who has not publicly commented on this, said of course he does not share these views and Sabisky no longer works in No 10.
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