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3 years ago

Sturgeon did not break ministerial code in Salmond probe, independent inquiry finds

Follow all the updates from Holyrood, Westminster and beyond

Sam Hancock,Zoe Tidman,Matt Mathers
Monday 22 March 2021 16:43 EDT
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Today's daily politics briefing

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Nicola Sturgeon did not breach the ministerial code in her handling of allegations against her predecessor Alex Salmond, an independent inquiry found.

An investigation published by former public prosecutor James Hamilton on Monday afternoon cleared the first minister of breaching the code and misleading parliament in relation to meetings she had with Mr Salmond and others in 2018.

Responding to the release of the report, the first minister said she welcomed the "comprehensive, evidence-based and unequivocal" conclusions of the report, adding: "I sought at every stage in this issue to act with integrity and in the public interest."

Elsewhere, the UK announced sanctions against four Chinese officials accused of atrocities committed against Uighur Muslims, in coordinated action with the EU and US.

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab said the individuals would face an asset freeze and a travel ban – with the public and companies also expected to be barred from providing them with financial assistance.

Earlier on Monday, Boris Johnson condemned scenes from a Bristol as “absolutely unacceptable” after violence broke out in the city during a protest against the government’s proposed policing bill. Twenty officers were injured in the demonstration, which saw a police station attacked and marked police cars set on fire.

3 years ago

‘The situation in Xinjiang is beyond the pale’ - foreign office spokesperson

The government calling on the international community to send a “clear message” that China’s abuses in Xinjiang “will not go unanswered”.

The European Union has announced sanctions on four Chinese officials accused of responsibility for abuses against Uighur Muslims, with the UK reported to be considering its own independent action.

“We have been clear the situation in Xinjiang is beyond the pale,” a foreign office spokesperson said. 

“The reported abuses, which include torture, forced labour and forced sterilisation of women, are extreme and they are extensive.”

Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, will address parliament later today.

The EU imposed sanctions on four Chinese officials on Monday in a raft of measures targeting alleged human rights offenders around the world.

The sanctions involve a freeze on their assets in the EU and a ban on them traveling in the bloc:

EU slaps sanctions on 4 Chinese officials over Uyghur abuses

The European Union is imposing sanctions on four Chinese officials accused of responsibility for abuses against Uyghur Muslims

Additional reporting by agencies

Zoe Tidman22 March 2021 13:10
3 years ago

Bristol scenes ‘completely unacceptable’ - PM

Asked about the unrest on Sunday, the Boris Johnson’s official spokesperson said: “The prime minister would echo the concerns shared by the Home Secretarylast nigh

“The scenes in Bristol were completely unacceptable, and the prime minister’s thoughts are with the injured police officers.”

They added: “We’re clear that violence towards our police, who work night and day to keep us safe, will not be tolerated”.

Twenty officers were injured during protest against the government’s proposed policing bill last night, which police claimed was “hijacked by extremists”.

Andy Gregory has more on the Bristol protest:

Seven arrested after 20 police officers injured in Bristol protests

‘Many more’ will be detained, PCC says, as force to launch ‘one of the biggest appeals for wanted suspects that we’ve ever done’
Zoe Tidman22 March 2021 13:16
3 years ago

Sturgeon inquiry ‘to be released'

The independent inquiry into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the ministerial code is expected to be released on Monday, according to reports.

An investigation by James Hamilton QC has been examining whether Scotland’s first minister misled parliament.

He is also examining if she should have recorded meetings with Alex Salmond and whether she prolonged the government’s defence of a judicial review brought by her predecessor contrary to the legal advice.

It is believed the Scottish government will receive the report from Mr Hamilton on Monday, although this is yet to be confirmed by the government itself.

Press Association

Zoe Tidman22 March 2021 13:25
3 years ago

Labour MP ‘would back NHS staff in strike action over pay’

Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s shadow health secretary, has said he will back NHS staff if they take industrial action over a 1 per cent pay offer from the government.

Mr Ashworth called on health secretary Matt Hancock to withdraw the offer and sit down with staff to discuss a multi-year settlement, which he said was essential to fill a 100,000 NHS vacancy gap.

Our political editor Andrew Woodcock reports:

Labour health spokesman says he would back NHS staff in strike action over pay

NHS workers ‘dserve fair and decent pay rise’, says Jonathan Ashworth
Sam Hancock22 March 2021 13:43
3 years ago

DUP: ‘Dialogue and political discussion’ needed to resolve NI protocol

The DUP said in a statement that it is committed to the balanced upholding of all aspects of the devolution settlement. The statement reads:

“Each strand can only fully function when the others are working properly. They are all interdependent.

We have seen the erection of barriers between GB and NI on trade and the application of laws governing our country as well as blatant disrespect for the unionist identity.

We remain committed to New Decade New Approach. All of these issues must be addressed and resolved along with the NDNA commitments if we are to achieve stability for Northern Ireland.

The way forward is through dialogue and political discussion.”

Sam Hancock22 March 2021 13:53
3 years ago

Scottish government publishes draft legislation for indyref2

The Scottish government has published its draft legislation which outlines plans for a second independence referendum.

The Scottish Independence Referendum Bill stipulates the next Scottish parliament should decide the timing of any referendum.

The draft bill states the question asked should be the same as at the 2014 referendum - “Should Scotland be an independent country?”.

The proposed legislation would also extend voting eligibility to match the franchise at Scottish parliament and local government elections.

It comes as reports suggest the independent inquiry into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the ministerial code is expected to be released on Monday.

Sam Hancock22 March 2021 14:02
3 years ago

China puts sanctions on MEPs in response to Uighur criticism

China blacklisted 10 EU parliamentarians and scholars, as well as four entities, in retaliation against the bloc’s approval of sanctions over Beijing’s crackdown on the Uighur minority.

The Chinese foreign ministry said EU parliamentary figures Butikofer, Michael Gahler, Raphael Glucksmann, Ilhan Kyuchyuk and Miriam Lexmann were among those who “severely harm China’s sovereignty and interests and maliciously spread lies and disinformation”.

“The individuals concerned and their families are prohibited from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao of China,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. “They and companies and institutions associated with them are also restricted from doing business with China.”

The UK’s foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, is due to give an update on the situation to the House of Commons at 3.30pm.

Sam Hancock22 March 2021 14:16
3 years ago

Government acquires second, brand new ‘Brexit jet’ for PM

The government has acquired a second, brand new plane painted in the colours of the union flag to be used by Boris Johnson and other dignitaries for short-haul trips.

The government faced criticism last year when it emerged Boris Johnson’s primary plane, the RAF Voyager, had been repainted with the union flag at a cost to the UK taxpayer of £900,000.

A government spokesperson insisted the second aircraft, which it said had been repainted with a “Global Britain livery”, represents “value for money”. They declined to comment on the cost of the lease or new paintwork.

My colleague Tom Batchelor has this exclusive story:

Government acquires second, brand new ‘Brexit jet’ for Boris Johnson painted red, white and blue

Exclusive: Six-month-old Airbus A321 has same ‘Global Britain’ livery as RAF Voyager, which cost taxpayer £900,000 to repaint
Sam Hancock22 March 2021 14:23
3 years ago

Duke of Cambridge given new General Assembly role, No 10 says

The Duke of Cambridge has been appointed Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for 2021, Downing Street has announced.

William was given the role in 2020 but the General Assembly was cancelled last May due to the coronavirus crisis.

The appointment - the sovereign’s personal representative to the Annual General Assembly - was approved by the Queen.

(Getty)
Sam Hancock22 March 2021 14:38
3 years ago

BBC boss ‘healthily paranoid’ about broadcaster’s ‘sustainability’

Tim Davie told a government committee on Monday he has a “healthy paranoia about [the] sustainability” of the BBC’s TV licence model.

Speaking to the Public Accounts Committee on Monday, the BBC’s director-general answered questions about how the publicly funded platform can stay relevant.

Concerns were raised about how the BBC could compete with ever-growing streaming platforms such as Netflix but Mr Davie seemed to suggest this was not something anyone should focus on.

“Our role here is not to beat Netflix, we’re not going to beat them. The goal is to do something different,” he said.

“What the BBC needs to do is be distinctive.”

Mr Davie added distinct features, such as locally made dramas and its bitesize education output, made the BBC “highly distinctive” to its streaming competitors.

The committee meeting continues.

(Parliament TV)
Sam Hancock22 March 2021 14:53

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