Today’s daily politics briefing
Boris Johnson’s comments about women wearing the burqa gave the impression that the Tories were “insensitive to Muslim communities”, a review into Islamophobia in the party has found.
Several witnesses told the independent investigation that Mr Johnson’s comments comparing women wearing the burqa with bank robbers and letterboxes were “discriminatory and unacceptable”.
The inquiry criticised the Conservatives for failing to investigate racism, with two-thirds of complaints relating to anti-Muslim discrimination. “Anti-Muslim sentiment remains a problem within the party,” the report’s conclusions said.
EU chiefs have ‘tin ear’ over protocol, says outgoing DUP leader
Outgoing DUP leader and first minister Arlene Foster has accused the EU of having a “tin ear” to concerns about the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Foster was speaking after European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the protocol needs to be implemented.
Responding to those remarks, Foster said: “I think it is hugely disappointing, in spite of everything that has happened, the fact that we are talking about cancer drugs being prevented from coming into Northern Ireland.
“The fact that there are more checks from Great Britain into Northern Ireland than there are in Rotterdam; that still the European Union and the European Commission have had a tin ear to the concerns and the absolutely genuine concerns of the people in Northern Ireland.”
Adam Forrest25 May 2021 14:24
Durham county council run by non-Labour administration for first time as rival parties agree to share power
A partnership agreement has been reached by non-Labour councillors to run Durham County Council for the first time in 100 years.
The so-called Joint Administration made up of independents, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and a Green has been arranged to take over at the council’s annual meeting on Wednesday.
Labour was the largest party following the local elections, with 53 of 126 councillors, but lost overall control of the authority and a cross-party alliance will now take over.
Samuel Osborne25 May 2021 14:07
Prime minister ‘does not hold’ racist views, spokesperson says
Boris Johnson “does not hold” racist views, the prime minister’s official spokesman said following the publication of Sarwan Singh’s report into the Tory party.
“You will be aware that the prime minister has apologised for any offence taken from his past writings and made clear that he will not use some of that offending language now he is prime minister,” the spokesman said.
Asked why Mr Johnson would not apologise for his comments about burka-wearing women looking like letterboxes or bank robbers, the spokesman said: “You have got the PM’s words.”
Pressed on whether Mr Johnson was concerned people might think he holds racist views, the spokesman said: “The PM does not hold any such views. He has apologised for any offence taken and would not use some of that offending language as prime minister.”
Samuel Osborne25 May 2021 13:51
Boris Johnson gave bizarre Shakespeare speech as Covid pandemic loomed, fuelling suspicions he was writing book
Boris Johnson gave the public a bizarre two-minute monologue on the wonders of Shakespeare as the Covid threat loomed last year – fuelling claims that he was focused on writing a book, deputy political editor Rob Merrick reports.
Dominic Cummings is expected to make the accusation – strongly denied by No 10 – that the prime minister skipped crucial meetings because of a money-spinning deadline with a publisher, when he speaks to MPs on Wednesday.
Samuel Osborne25 May 2021 13:32
Labour attacks ‘local lockdowns by stealth’
Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth has branded the updated guidance asking people not to travel in or out of eight Covid variant hotspots “local lockdowns by stealth”.
The shadow health called on the government to “withdraw this guidance now”. He also attacked Matt Hancock for failing to turn up to answer an urgent question on the issue.
“Can the minister understand how upsetting it is, can he understand how insulting it is … Local lockdowns by stealth, by the back door and the secretary of state doesn’t even have the courtesy to come and tell us.”
The new guidance for eight Indian variant hotspot areas are not “statutory restrictions”, a Downing Street spokesperson has said – stressing it was for individuals to make a judgment on how to behave.
Adam Forrest25 May 2021 13:13
Islamophobia ‘deep and embedded issue’ for party, says Tory peer
Tory peer Baroness Warsi has responded to the Singh investigation into Islamophobia and wider racism in the party
“Each section reveals a deep and embedded issue of a party at best unable and at worst unwilling to deal with the issue of racism,” she tweeted.
Baroness Warsi highlighted the fact the report said “there is evidence of anti-Muslim sentiment at local association and individual level”. She also said it showed the victimisation of complainants, who have been portrayed as “troublemakers” for speaking out.
Adam Forrest25 May 2021 12:59
Tory MP must ‘resign immediately,’ says Labour
Labour is calling for Rob Roberts to step down as Tory MP for Delyn after a Commons watchdog found “significant” breaches of parliament’s policy on sexual misconduct.
“The fact that such serious abuse doesn’t automatically result in the recall of an MP is absurd and unjust and the Labour Party will support legislation to rectify that injustice,” said Angela Rayner.
The deputy Labour leader added: “He should not be in his role for another single day more.”
Adam Forrest25 May 2021 12:33
Tory MP’s potential suspension won’t trigger recall petition
Tory MP Rob Roberts’ six-week suspension for “significant” breaches of parliament’s policy on sexual misconduct – if approved by MPs – would not trigger a recall petition. So there won’t be a by-election in his Delyn seat.
Recall rules allows for a recall only in the case of a suspension by the Commons Standards Committee and not the Independent Expert Panel (IEP), according to Politico.
Adam Forrest25 May 2021 12:25
‘Bonkers that this is news’
Plenty of chat on social media about the sensational news that Boris Johnson will cover the costs of his own wedding next year.
The prime minister will pay for the shindig *even* if he chooses his official country house Chequers as the venue.
“It is absolutely bonkers that this fact is news,” says Labour’s David Lammy. “Will Boris Johnson be a big boy and get dressed without the assistance of the British tax payer as well?”
Adam Forrest25 May 2021 12:05
I wouldn’t have made burqa remark as PM, says Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson issued a qualified apology for offence caused by his past remarks about Muslim women who wear the burqa, in comments made to the critical report into his party’s handling of Islamophobia complaints.
“I do know that offence has been taken at things I’ve said, that people expect a person in my position to get things right, but in journalism you need to use language freely. I am obviously sorry for any offence taken,” the report quoted Johnson as saying.
“Would I use some of the offending language from my past writings today? Now that I am prime minister, I would not.”
Adam Forrest25 May 2021 11:44