Boris Johnson news – live: Protests on Orkney as PM makes case for union and Nicola Sturgeon accuses him of politicising pandemic

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Coronavirus crisis highlights benefits of Union, Boris Johnson says

Boris Johnson has spoken about the merits of the union while downplaying calls for Scottish independence on a visit to Scotland on Thursday.

After the prime minister implied that Scotland's coronavirus response benefited from being part of the UK, Nicola Sturgeon accused of him politicising the pandemic, adding that leaders should not use the crisis as "some kind of political campaigning tool".

Earlier on Thursday, Ms Sturgeon remained firm on her stance about independence, tweeting that the country's future is currently being "decided by politicians we didn't vote for, taking us down a path we haven't chosen".

Key Points

• Sturgeon accuses PM of politicising pandemic
• EU says no-deal likely due to UK's refusal to budge
• Johnson downplays calls for Scottish independence 
• PM in 'panic mode' over state of the union
• Sturgeon firm on Scotland's right to decide its future 

[23 July 2020 15:57 · Rory Sullivan]

People exempt from wearing face masks fear abuse, government warned  

The government has been told that it needs to do more to protect people that are exempt from wearing face coverings, the day before additional rules are introduced. 

Face masks will become mandatory in shops in England on Friday, with exemptions for those who have physical or mental illnesses or disabilities.

Fazilet Hadi, a policy manager at Disability Rights UK, said the government should raise awareness of the exemptions, after hearing stories of people being unfairly confronted on public transport. 

"I'd love to see Government advertising... I'm sure I'm not going to. People really shouldn't be confronting other people," Ms Hadi added. 

[23 July 2020 16:17 · Rory Sullivan]

Minister 'outraged' by threat of further US tariffs 

International trade secretary Liz Truss has said she is "outraged" by US plans to impose additional tariffs on British industry.

Ms Truss told a House of Lords committee: "We are certainly not going to accept the US hitting British industries like gin with additional tariffs."

She added that she would give US trade representative Robert Lighthizer a bottle of gin to show "what the Americans could be missing out on" if the extra duties were brought against the UK.

The US has already brought tariffs on products such as Scotch whisky in a dispute over the subsidies the plane manufacturer Airbus receives from Europe. 

[23 July 2020 16:38 · Conrad Duncan]

UK raises concerns over Russia testing anti-satellite weapon

The head of the UK’s Space Directorate has raised concerns over Russia’s testing of an anti-satellite weapon. 

Air Vice Marshall Harvey Smyth said in a statement:

“We are concerned by the manner in which Russia tested one of its satellites by launching a projectile with the characteristics of a weapon.  “Actions of this kind threaten the peaceful use of space and risk causing debris that could pose a threat to satellites and the space systems on which the world depends. “We call on Russia to avoid any further such testing.”

[23 July 2020 16:55 · Conrad Duncan]

Manufacturing jobs under threat due to poorly-targeted support, Labour warns

Labour has warned jobs are being put at risk because of poorly-targeted support by the government during the coronavirus crisis.

The party accused Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, of turning his summer economic statement into a “missed opportunity” to protect manufacturing jobs.

“The threat to manufacturing jobs is another example of the government poorly targeting support, leaving thousands of jobs and even whole industries exposed,” Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said.

“We are a week out from the winding down of the furlough scheme - the government needs to urgently abandon its one-size-fits-all approach and target support where it is most needed.”

Sir Keir added: “The UK is home to world-leading, innovative companies which will be crucial to helping our economy recover.

“But hard-hit sectors like manufacturing need more targeted support to stem the tide of job losses and protect people's livelihoods.”

His comments came after Labour said its analysis of industry data suggested that in the week after Mr Sunak's summer statement, there were 16,000 more planned redundancies in manufacturing than when it was delivered.

Labour said Make UK found 53 per cent of manufacturers reported redundancy plans in the period after the statement, up from 41 per cent at the end of June.

[23 July 2020 17:07 · Conrad Duncan]

No-deal looms large as EU and UK insist other side must blink to save talks

The threat of a no-deal Brexit now looms larger than ever after both the EU and UK said an agreement was “unlikely” in the coming months.

Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, sent a warning on Thursday that attempts to pressure Brussels with “ultimatums or threat” would fail.

Our deputy political editor, Rob Merrick, has the full story below:

[23 July 2020 17:25 · Conrad Duncan]

New rules on face coverings in shops could put workers at risk, unions warn

Union leaders have raised concerns that the new rules on wearing face coverings in shops could put workers' safety at risk.

Paddy Lillis, general-secretary of shop workers' union Usdaw, said he supported the mandatory wearing of masks in shops, but called for “clear and detailed” guidance from the government.

“Usdaw is urging employers to stay with the established two-metre social distancing, using screens at tills and limiting the number of shoppers in store at any one time,” Mr Lillis said.

He added: "We welcome the indication that shop workers will not be expected to enforce the wearing of face coverings. They are already dealing with more abuse than normal and this could be another flashpoint.

"There must also be clarity on age identification procedures, under the Think-25 policy, when a customer is wearing a face covering."

Mr Lillis said there should be a public information campaign to explain the correct use of face coverings.

Frances O'Grady, general-secretary of the Trades Union Congress, told the PA news agency: “Abuse of shop staff is never acceptable, but verbal and physical abuse rose during the pandemic and the new rules requiring shoppers to wear masks may further risk staff safety.”

Ms O’Grady added: “Shop staff are not required to police the wearing of face masks - employers must make this clear, and every employer must publish a risk assessment that sets out how they will safeguard staff from abusive customers and those who refuse to wear masks.”

[23 July 2020 17:45 · Conrad Duncan]

Raab should summon China’s ambassador to UK over BNO passports row, Labour says

Labour has called on the foreign secretary to summon China’s ambassador to the UK after a Beijing spokesperson said China might stop recognising British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders.

Dominic Raab announced on Wednesday that from January new rules will allow Hongkongers who possess a BNO passport to live and work in the UK with a pathway to citizenship.

In response, China's foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Beijing would consider stopping its recognition of BNO passports altogether.

Lisa Nandy, Labour’s shadow foreign secretary, has said she wants to see Mr Raab “standing up for BNO passport holders”.

“The government must not waver in its commitment to Hong Kong and the millions potentially at risk of being targeted by new national security legislation,” Ms Nandy said.

"Unlike the foreign secretary who says there is 'little the UK can do', Labour wants to see the government standing up for BNO passport holders in Hong Kong and demanding a guarantee from China that their travel not be restricted on illegitimate grounds.”

She added: “The foreign secretary must summon the Chinese ambassador without delay to reiterate the UK's commitment to the people of Hong Kong and demand assurances that the validity of British passports will be upheld.”

Hong Kong residents were able to register for a BNO passport before the handover of the territory to China in 1997, but this did not grant them the automatic right to live or work in the UK.

About three million people are thought to be eligible for BNO status and there are around 366,000 passports in circulation.

[23 July 2020 17:59 · Conrad Duncan]

Our Whitehall editor, Kate Devlin, has more details below on the UK government’s objection to potential further US trade tariffs on British products:

[23 July 2020 18:26 · Conrad Duncan]

Opinion: ‘Boris Johnson's first year in Number 10 has been worse than the wildest of nightmares’

Our political sketch writer, Tom Peck, has given his take on Boris Johnson’s tumultuous first year in office.

Tom writes:

“The standard way to summarise a year of life under a political leader is to seek to find the microcosmic moment that most defines it.  “But even a gentle trawl through the records yields an embarrassment of riches. What sums the man up most is just how easy he is to sum up.”

You can find his full piece below:

[23 July 2020 18:49 · Conrad Duncan]

Trade association criticises short notice of new guidance on face coverings

The trade association UKHospitality has criticised the short notice given by the government on its new guidance for wearing face coverings in shops.

The guidance was published on Thursday, just one day before it is set to come into effect.

“Venues have made a huge effort to get themselves open to customers and ensure that premises are safe for staff and customers,” Kate Nicholls, UKHospitality’s chief executive, said.

“That has been reflected in the guidance which makes the bulk of hospitality exempt from the mandatory wearing of masks.

"Unfortunately, the announcement lacked clarity around many issues affecting outlets offering both takeaway and on-premises dining. 

“Furthermore, with the announcement at around 2.30pm the day before the measures come into effect, it left those venues a very short time to properly brief staff, prepare signage and take steps to encourage compliance.”