Boris Johnson news – live: Only 15% of people believe PM fully ‘got Brexit done’, poll finds as Trump ‘livid over Huawei decision’

Former SNP activist claims Mackay sent dozens of unwanted messages – and asked for ‘naughty pics’ 

More allegations about the MSP Derek Mackay. An ex-SNP activist has alleged that former Scottish finance secretary sent him dozens of unwanted messages over a period of four years.

Shaun Cameron, 25, has told the Daily Record that Mackay contacted him on Facebook after meeting him at an SNP event when he was 21, and said some of the messages he received from the politician were “quite suggestive”.

Cameron, who is straight, alleges that in January 2017 Mackay asked “Are these conversations just between us?” and, when the younger man said yes, invited him to stay over in Edinburgh.

In September that year Mackay allegedly asked “Got any naughty pics?”

Meanwhile, the deputy first minister John Swinney defended the Scottish government’s response to the allegations that appeared in The Scottish Sun on Thursday.

Appearing on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland show, Swinney was asked about the government putting up “hurdles to try and stop the story” and asking to be told the boy’s name.

He said: “The government became aware of these allegations at about 6pm on Wednesday night and because of the significance of what was being put to us, we simply asked for information to give us the veracity and the substance of the points that were being put to us.

“We saw nothing in writing until we saw the first edition of The Sun later on Wednesday evening, so we were simply asking for the detail we would ask for in any situation where allegations are being put to us.”

MSP and former SNP finance secretary (Derek Mackay)

Women get more scrutiny over appearance than men, says Rebecca Long-Bailey

The Labour leadership candidate was on BBC Breakfast earlier and was asked about the online flak received by Tracy Brabin for her over-the-shoulder dress.

“After this morning there will be comments about what I’ve wore,” said Long-Bailey. “Some people tend to talk about my eyebrows – because I’ve got quite expressive eyebrows. And women tend to get that scrutiny far more than men.

“It’s routine for women in politics and in public life unfortunately … I don’t read it, I’m not bothered about it – but it’s not acceptable.”

Asked about how her ideas differed those put forward under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, Long-Bailey said she would “add to our portfolio of policies”.

PM appoints UK’s first ever female ambassador to Washington

Boris Johnson has announced Sir Kim Darroch successor as the UK’s ambassador in Washington.

Dame Karen Pierce – currently ambassador to the United Nations – will become the country’s first ever female ambassador to the US.

  Downing Street described Pierce as “one of the UK’s most experienced senior diplomats”.

A spokesperson said: “The prime minister is clear that she is an outstanding and accomplished diplomat and he is delighted that she will be representing us in Washington.”

Dame Karen will take up her post once her appointment has been formally agreed by Washington.

Dame Karen Pierce with UN deputy general secretary Amina J. Mohammed (Getty)

UK sending ‘outstanding diplomat’ to US, says Dominic Raab

Reacting to appointment of Dame Karen Pierce as Britain’s new Washington envoy, the foreign secretary said: “We’re proud to be sending to Washington such an outstanding diplomat, and I warmly congratulate her on her appointment.”

‘British politics is more corrupt than many like to think’

More reaction to the possible peerage for billionaire Tory donor and Brexit-backer Peter Cruddas.

Boris Johnson is understood to have nominated the former Tory party treasurer – despite the fact he quit the role in 2012 after cash-for-access allegations (it was alleged by The Sunday Times he had offered access to the-PM David Cameron).

Labour peer Andrew Adonis said: “Johnson is packing the Lords with Tories”, while columnist Ian Birrell commented: “British politics is more corrupt than many like to think.”

PM chats with Rebekah Brooks – and surprises his dad by turning up at awards

Boris Johnson was joined by celebrities and members of the armed forces at The Sun’s awards ceremony recognising the contributions of the British military last night.

His father Stanley Johnson said he was “delighted” that his son would be joining him at the event, after initially having “no idea” that the PM would be attending.

Johnson was also spotted speaking to News UK chief executive Rebekah Brooks.

Rebekah Brooks and Boris Johnson (PA)

New ambassador to US will ‘drive forward’ special relationship, says PM

Boris Johnson said Dame Karen Pierce was “an outstanding and accomplished diplomat” and said she would “drive forward our hugely important relationship with the United States at this time”.

Her appointment comes amid reports that the president was “apoplectic” at Johnson’s decision last week to give Huawei a role in building the UK's 5G network.

The Financial Times reported that British officials were taken aback by the force of Trump’s language when the Prime Minister telephoned to explain the move.

No 10 declines to comment on claims on angry phone call between PM and Trump

Asked whether the new US ambassador’s first job would be to smooth relations with the White House following Donald Trump’s reportedly “apoplectic” response to Mr Johnson’s decision to allow Huawei a role in the UK’s 5G network, a No 10 spokesman said: “The UK has an excellent relationship with the US and I think Dame Karen’s ability as a diplomat is proven by her career.”

The spokesman declined to comment on reports that Trump slammed down the phone on his conversation with Johnson, instead referring reporters to Downing Street’s official account of the call, which made no mention of any disagreement.

Everything you need to know about the election in Ireland

Ireland heads to the polls at the weekend for what looks like a fascinating election. The Independent's Ben Kelly has all the details on what to look out for - and is running our liveblog here.

Tory MP gives thumbs-up to French conspiracy theorists

A Conservative MP has endorsed a conspiracist group on the fringes of French politics.

Andrea Jenkyns approvingly shared an article in The Daily Express celebrating the Union Populaire Républicaine’s campaign for France to leave the EU, and asked “Is Frexit next?” before posting a thumbs-up emoji. 

The Union Populaire Républicaine is a hard-right outfit founded in 2007 by conspiracy theorist politician François Asselineau. He has claimed that the hand of the CIA can be seen in the founding of the common market and that its founding fathers like Robert Schuman were likely CIA agents.

It follows criticism of another Tory MP, Daniel Kawczynski, for speaking at a conference of far-right parties in Rome earlier this week.

Our Europe correspondent Jon Stone has the details: