Boris Johnson news: EU warns it will not accept ‘pig in a poke Brexit deal’ as PM urges bloc to sign by ‘end of summer’
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Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson held talks with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in an attempt to revive negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal. No 10 said the prime minister urged the EU to reach an agreement “by the end of the summer”.
It came as Mr Johnson announced he would set up a commission to consider “all aspects” of racial inequality. The review will also consider wider disparities such as issues facing “working class white boys at schools”, Downing Street has said.
Labour’s shadow justice secretary David Lammy claimed the idea was “written on the back of a fag packet” and said it was time for action. Meanwhile, No 10 indicated the review of the two-metre rule may not be finished in time for the proposed reopening of pubs and restaurants on 4 July.
Government accused of ignoring experts
The government has been accused of “turning away from expert advice” after a minister suggested that scientific and medical officials were staying away from Downing Street briefings on coronavirus because they had “a huge amount of other work to do”.
Liberal Democrat acting leader Ed Davey dismissed as “risible” the explanation offered by foreign secretary Dominic Raab for his solo appearance at the daily press conference on Monday. And he warned that ministers risked “dismantling trust” in the government’s handling of Covid-19.
First ever electronic vote in Lords ends in defeat for government
Peers have defeated the Government in the first electronic vote in the history of the House of Lords, reports Press Association.
Members backed by 275 to 256, majority 19, a move aimed at securing safeguards around the extradition of international fugitives and ensure the system is not abused by countries with poor human rights records.
The historic vote came during the third reading of the Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Bill, which gives police the power to immediately arrest a person wanted for extradition without the need to secure court approval - if the request comes from a "trusted" country such as the US.
Peers were concerned that ministers would be able to abuse their power to add new selected countries, for example if they were influenced by the need to secure a trade deal with that country.
The amendment backed by peers imposes further conditions on ministers in adding to the group of selected countries.
Home Office Minister Baroness Williams of Trafford told the chamber: "I would like to note the fact that this is a historic moment. This will be the first opportunity to remotely vote in the House of Lords in history."
MPs debate plastic straw ban after three month delay
Legislation banning the distribution and sale of plastic straws, stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds in England was delayed because of coronavirus, an environment minister has said.
Rebecca Pow told MPs in the Commons: "The regulations were initially laid in March this year and set to come into force in April.
"However, in light of the unprecedented situation this country has faced due to Covid-19 they were delayed to reduce the burden being placed on industry and to avoid adding further demands on local authorities."
She added: "We were asked to delay entry into force for a short time whilst we were in the peak of this crisis. Delaying the regulations was only a temporary measure in response to this crisis.
"Our commitment to turning the tide on the widespread use of single-use plastics is as strong as ever and we seek to limit our impact on the natural environment."
No local data on new outbreaks until August
The head of the body designed to suppress new coronavirus outbreaks has said it will not be able to provide information on local clusters until August.
Dr Clare Gardiner told MPs the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) centre was already providing national level data to ministers.
But Dr Gardiner, who has been in her job less than a week, said the organisation would not be fully able to do the same on a local level until the end of the summer.
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