Boris Johnson information right now: Neil Parish vows to remain on as MP after ‘porn-watching’ claims

Minister for abroad territories Amanda Milling will journey to the British Virgin Islands (BVI) for talks after its premier Andrew Fahie was arrested on expenses linked to medicine trafficking.

Mr Fahie and Oleanvine Maynard, managing director of the BVI port authority, have been arrested on expenses of conspiring to import greater than 5kg of cocaine into the US, in addition to cash laundering, the Miami Herald reported.

Ms Maynard’s son Kadeem Maynard was additionally arrested, however not in Miami – the newspaper added.

Overseas Secretary Liz Truss mentioned: “The arrest yesterday of the premier of the British Virgin Islands on expenses associated to medicine trafficking and cash laundering is extraordinarily regarding and underlines the necessity for pressing motion.

“The (unbiased inquiry into the island’s governance) report revealed right now by the Governor reveals clearly that substantial legislative and constitutional change is required to revive the requirements of governance that the individuals of the British Virgin Islands are entitled to.

“I’ve instructed the minister for abroad territories to journey to the territory instantly to talk to the Governor and key stakeholders. We’ll then announce a transparent path ahead.

“The abroad territories are a core a part of the UK household. The UK Authorities is dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of the individuals of the British Virgin Islands.”

Sir Keir Starmer mentioned it “makes completely no distinction” whether or not deputy Angela Rayner was current when he was seen ingesting a beer throughout Covid restrictions.

In February, the Labour chief was cleared of breaking lockdown guidelines after he was filmed ingesting a beer in an workplace in April 2021.

Sir Keir mentioned that, with the native elections on 5 Could, the Tories have been “attempting to throw as a lot mud as they presumably can” on the opposition whereas PM Boris Johnson’s social gathering offers with its scandals.

Sir Keir informed the BBC: “Whether or not Angela Rayner was there or not makes completely no distinction – there was no breach of the foundations, the matter has already been regarded into.

“Stark distinction between that and the goings-on at Downing Road the place we all know there have been 50 fines issued already and an investigation nonetheless happening, so there’s completely no comparability to be made right here.

“Clearly I do perceive, with elections coming, why the Tories are attempting to throw as a lot mud as they presumably can however the challenge that I’m totally targeted on is the cost-of-living disaster, serving to individuals with their power payments and calling the federal government out for imposing much more tax on individuals in the midst of a cost-of-living disaster.”

A Tory who had the whip withdrawn over claims that he watched pornography in Parliament has vowed to remain on as MP.

Neil Parish – who was right now recognized because the accused – was suspended from the Home of Commons pending an investigation into the claims. He has referred himself for investigation by Parliamentary Requirements Commissioner Kathryn Stone.

Opposition events have known as on him to resign as MP for Tiverton and Honiton in east Devon.

However in a press release launched on his web site, the Commons surroundings committee chair mentioned he hopes to proceed together with his work as an MP at the very least till the probe ends.

Learn the complete story right here by Andrew Woodcock

Governments in Westminster and Holyrood are solely providing a “pittance” of assist to households combating the cost-of-living disaster, Sir Keir Starmer mentioned.

The Labour chief insisted there was “a lot” extra that PM Boris Johnson and FM Nicola Sturgeon could possibly be doing to assist hard-up households.

He spoke out on the price of residing disaster as he addressed enterprise leaders at a CBI Scotland occasion in Edinburgh – arguing that the “penalties of presidency inaction are hitting companies very, very laborious”.

Sir Keir mentioned: “Thousands and thousands of households are discovering life harder than ever. There’s a lot that each the UK authorities and the Scottish authorities could possibly be doing.

“There’s a lot that they need to be doing, however as an alternative they providing a mere pittance, or in some circumstances nothing in any respect.

“To many individuals are having to make the selection between heating and consuming, and that isn’t only a political phrase, that’s for actual. Youngsters are going to be chilly or hungry or each.”

Ex-Tory MP Charlie Elphicke who was jailed for sexually assaulting two ladies has informed a listening to that he was contemplating work on a constructing website to earn the cash to repay £35,000 for court docket prices.

The jobless former authorities whip – whose estranged spouse Natalie Elphicke has succeeded him as Dover MP – has been claiming advantages whereas looking for “any type of employment,” he informed the listening to at Uxbridge magistrates’ court docket right now.

The 51-year-old was launched half-way by way of his sentence final September, having been jailed for 2 years in 2020 after being discovered responsible of three counts of sexual assault following a month-long trial.

He was ordered to repay the £35,000 in prosecution prices inside a 12 months, however his request for an extension was granted in order that he may pay it again by 15 September this 12 months.

The court docket heard that the previous lawyer – who resides in a one-bedroom flat in Hammersmith and is underneath the supervision of Feltham job centre – has no financial savings or property, having spent “every little thing” on his defence.

Elphicke informed the court docket he hoped to publish books “sooner or later”. Requested by magistrates if he had thought of working at a grocery store to repay the sum, he mentioned he was contemplating that in addition to “constructing website work”.

Justice of the Peace Ian Chick mentioned he was “perturbed by the dearth of fee” to date and ordered the defendant to contribute £200 a month earlier than paying the entire quantity by the September deadline.

Neil Parish MP has had the whip withdrawn whereas an investigation takes place into claims he watched pornography on his cellphone in Parliament.

After his identification was revealed right now, it was introduced that he had reported himself to the parliament’s sleaze watchdog.

So who Mr Parish, and what does he do?

Adam Forrest has the main points

The Liberal Democrats are calling on prime minister Boris Johnson to sack Tory MP Neil Parish.

It comes after he was named and suspended right now following claims that he had watched pornography within the Commons.

Daisy Cooper, the deputy chief of the Liberal Democrats, added: “If Boris Johnson had any shred of decency left, he would inform Neil Parish to resign instantly.

“In another office this is able to rely as gross misconduct and the individual accountable would lose their job. Parliament needs to be no totally different.”

Labour is accusing the federal government of protecting up claims that Tory MP Neil Parish was watching pornography within the Commons chamber.

Thangam Debbonaire, Labour’s shadow chief of the Commons, mentioned: “The Conservatives knew for days in regards to the disgusting behaviour of one in all their MPs and tried to cowl it up.

“From the Owen Paterson scandal to their failure to behave towards their paedophile MP Imran Ahmad Khan, this can be a authorities rotting from the pinnacle down. Britain deserves higher.”

MP Neil Parish, who has had the whip eliminated over porn-watching claims within the Commons, was requested in regards to the saga earlier this week throughout an interview with GB Information.

Throughout the alternate, he denied there was a culture-wide downside in parliament, however admitted some individuals sometimes “step over the road”.

“It does should be handled, and handled significantly, and that’s what our chief whip’s workplace will do,” he informed the broadcaster, days earlier than the chief whip eliminated the whip from Mr Parish himself in relation to the allegations.