Brexit news: Boris Johnson expected to scrap foreign aid department and extend hostile environment, as BBC faces backlash over role in Tory election win
Follow the latest developments from Westminster
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson has addressed his new intake of 109 new Conservative MPs after his landslide victory, and was expected to urge them to vote for his Brexit deal so the UK can leave the EU by the end of January.
Mr Johnson’s reported plans to create a new immigration system, separate from the Home Office, has experts fearing an expansion of the “hostile environment” policy. It comes as senior Tories and more than 100 charities attack the PM’s plan to axe the department delivering Britain’s foreign aid.
The prime minister has also launched a mini-reshuffle of his cabinet, with Simon Hart appointed Welsh secretary and Nicky Morgan - who stepped down as an MP at the election - handed a life peerage to enable her to continue as culture secretary.
With Labour figures jockeying over who should succeed Jeremy Corbyn, shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald accused the BBC of “playing a part” in the party’s defeat. Emily Thornberry said she is taking legal action against Caroline Flint over the claim she called Leave voters “stupid”.
Here's how we covered the day's development as they happened:
Boris Johnson could ditch promise to protect workers’ rights and environmental protections after Brexit
No 10 has fuelled fears that workers’ rights and environmental safeguards will be ditched after we leave the EU.
Downing Street suggested that Boris Johnson is no longer committed to pledges, made to MPs before the general election, to guarantee that standards will not be weakened when Britain leaves the EU.
A promise that MPs would be given a vote on whether or not to extend the transition period at the end of 2020 to avoid leaving the EU without a trade deal has also been ditched and will not be included in a key Brexit bill to be reintroduced this week.
More details here:
Ed Miliband for Labour leader in 2020?
Abby Tomlinson, the activist who started #Milifandom, an online campaign celebrating Ed Miliband, has had to explain she is not behind a campaign to bring back Ed as leader early next year.
Huw Edwards defends BBC and says ‘we deeply regret’ mistakes
The BBC’s election anchor has defend the corporation over accusations of bias from both the left and the right over coverage of the campaign. Edwards admitted that mistakes are sometimes made, “which we deeply regret”.
But in a Linkedin post he defended the public broadcaster, stating: “The most curious notion of all (prompted with great energy by the BBC’s critics on both left and right) is that these mistakes are often ‘deliberate’, carefully planned to undermine one party and boost another.”
He added: “You are supported by the best news team in the world, and you are expected to deliver a results programme that upholds the BBC’s reputation for quality and fairness.
“But you’re doing so in a world where toxic cynicism and accusations of bias (from all sides) are adding to the pressures on the entire team.”
Jarvis Cocker song wins support for Xmas No.1 after election result
A campaign has been launched to make a 2006 Jarvis Cocker song (C**** Are Still) Running the World this year’s Christmas Number One following the election result.
The campaign has caught attention thanks to a Facebook group called Fancy getting “C**** Are Still Running the World to UK Xmas No.1?”
A description of the group reads as follows: In light of so much recent election horror, let’s do this, eh? Bit of fun to focus on for the next week.”
Labour chairman claims some colleagues ‘re-writing’ their Brexit stance
Labour Party chairman Ian Lavery tweeted: “It’s massively frustrating watching people rewrite their pre election stance on Brexit.
“My view was always so simple, ignore democracy at your peril! The consequences would be grim!!”
Peter Mandelson's take on the Labour leadership contest
Former arch-Blairite Peter Mandelson has some advice for Labour
Instead of fights waged in smoke-filled rooms, the argument has got to be taken out of the party into the country. The public (not just activists) need to be engaged and persuaded to make this their fight to recreate a progressive majority to take on the Tories. Ideally they should become Labour members themselves, prepared to stand up for radical but credible policies capable of appealing to the mass of mainstream voters. Others will prefer to contribute ideas and funds to help make this happen.
You can read his full thoughts in the Voices section here.
The SNP had a very good night on Thursday, picking up some extra seats.
Here's their Westminster leader Ian Blackford meeting and embracing his new MPs.
Public trust in BBC declines over the election period
This polling will make grim reading for supporters of the BBC: trust in the Corporation's reporting is down by a net 14 per cent since the start of the election.
These changes are from October, just before the election campaign got underway in earnest.
The numbers mean that more people now distrust BBC journalists to tell the truth than trust them to do so.
The election saw criticism of the public broadcaster's reporting and claims of bias.
Tory MP Simon Hart appointed Welsh Secretary
A few ministers in the pre-election government are now longer MPs, so there are a few appointments to fill their old jobs.
The first is Simon Hart, who will be the new Welsh Secretary. He was previously a parliamentary secretary at the Cabinet Office.
We expect a few more appointments over the coming hours and days...
Culture secretary handed life peerage
Nicky Morgan has been made a peer for life and is to remain in her role as culture secretary, Downing Street has announced.
Morgan, the former MP for Loughborough, did not stand for re-election last week.
She will now become Baroness Morgan, and retain her position as secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments