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As it happenedended
7 years ago

Politics today - as it happened: May refuses to criticise Poland’s slide into authoritarianism as Damian Green sacked over 'misleading statements'

All the latest updates from Westminster on Thursday - as they happened

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
Thursday 21 December 2017 04:36 EST
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Damian Green sacked as First Secretary of State amid computer porn allegations

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Theresa May travelled to Poland after sacking her closest political ally, Damian Green, who was found to have made "misleading" comments about pornography found on his parliamentary computer.

In a blow to the Prime Minister, a Whitehall inquiry revealed that the First Secretary of State had breached the ministerial code, as he had known that explicit material was found by police in 2008 - despite claiming publicly that he did not know.

On a visit to Warsaw - which came on the final day before the MPs head off for Christmas recess - Ms May failed to condemn Poland for its slide towards authoritarianism and said there should be an investigation into police leaks about Mr Green.

Meanwhile, Conservative minister Mark Garnier, who admitted asking his secretary to buy sex toys, was also cleared after a Cabinet Office investigation and will keep his job, Downing Street confirmed.

And Brexit Secretary David Davis was mocked when long-awaited documents detailing the economic impact of Brexit were published - which campaigners and MPs described as a "shoddy mess".

7 years ago

Lizzy Buchan21 December 2017 10:28
7 years ago

The Women's Equality Party thinks sacked Cabinet ministers Damian Green and Michael Fallon should both resign as MPs as well for their behaviour towards women.

Leader Sophie Walker said in a statement: "That Damian Green regrets being asked to quit, despite accepting that he breached the ministerial code, shows how many lessons he still has to learn about taking responsibility for his conduct.

"If he is not suitable to be minister because of his actions then he is not suitable to be an MP. It is bizarre that both he and Michael Fallon, who also resigned from Cabinet, think they retain legitimacy to stay on in Parliament.

"That decision should be given to their constituents, with a proper system of recall introduced so that they can decide whether these men should still be representing them."

Lizzy Buchan21 December 2017 10:36
7 years ago
Lizzy Buchan21 December 2017 10:46
7 years ago

The Brexit Committee are preparing to publish most of the secret Brexit files this morning. The documents, which have been kept under lock and key since they were released to the committee, detail the economic impact of Brexit on a range of different sectors.

Lizzy Buchan21 December 2017 10:50
7 years ago
Lizzy Buchan21 December 2017 11:13
7 years ago

Labour MP Tulip Siddiq, who has campaigned for Nazanin's release, has released this statement:

"This news is a glimmer of light at the end of a dark tunnel for my constituents Richard, Nazanin and Gabriella.

"It has given Nazanin a real boost of positive energy, and now we wait impatiently to see what happens next.

"Although we do not want to celebrate prematurely, it would be the perfect Christmas gift to see Nazanin released and back with her family where she belongs."

Lizzy Buchan21 December 2017 11:24
7 years ago

Deputy political editor Rob Merrick has been at a regular lobby briefing, where the Prime Minister's official spokesman told reporters that May was unlikely to appoint a replacement for Damian Green before Christmas.

Ms May's spokesman said: "I would not expect anything today or before recess. In terms of future roles, that’s a decision for the PM to announce in due course."

If the PM does not replace him straight away as First Secretary of State, then it gives her space to think about a wider reshuffle. Speculation has been mounting that she will shake up her top team in January, to strengthen her position.

It is also worth noting that an inquiry into whether Tory minister Mark Garnier broke the ministerial code is yet to report back. Downing Street was unable to say whether it will come back today.

Here's the story on Mr Garnier:

Lizzy Buchan21 December 2017 11:44
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Lizzy Buchan21 December 2017 11:51
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Tory MP James Cleverly announces plans for a permanent memorial to Pc Keith Palmer, who was killed in the Westminster terror attack in March

Mr Cleverly broke down in the Commons earlier this year when he paid tribute to his friend Pc Palmer, who he served with in the Army.

Pc Palmer was stabbed to death by Khalid Masood, who tried to enter the Palace of Westminster after mowing down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.

Lizzy Buchan21 December 2017 11:58
7 years ago

Brexit sectoral analyses papers have been published here by the committee, after being kept under lock and key due to commercial sensitivities.

Reaction so far has been pretty scathing.

Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said: “This is the biggest case of the dog ate my homework the world has ever seen.

“We’ve been given binders of old information, extracts from Wikipedia, and a few choice quotes, and yet nothing at all on how Brexit will hit each sector.

“Now the government’s woeful failure to prepare for Brexit has been laid bare in front of the whole country.”

Frances O'Grady, of the TUC, tweeted: "I see ministers have published their Brexit impact assessments. Looks to me like they've just printed off Wikipedia pages on bits of the economy.

"I know it's the end of term, but we can do better than this."

Lizzy Buchan21 December 2017 12:13

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