UK politics news: Government 'did not want to know' about evidence of Russian interference in Brexit vote as long-awaited report released

Moscow 'meddled in 2019 election and Scottish referendum'

Moscow tried to manipulate the last general election and the Scottish independence referendum 5 years prior – but there is no evidence it worked to steer the EU referendum, the Russia report is expected to say, according to reports, writes Vincent Wood.

The Intelligence and Security Committee’s long-awaited report on Russian interference in British democracy had been completed in early 2019, according to former MP Dominic Grieve, who was among the figures to draft it.

However, the release of the paper was ultimately delayed by intelligence service clearance and the general election, despite calls for it to be shared with the public amid claims it contained relevant information for those heading to the ballot box.

War of words with Beijing hots up

The UK will "bear the consequences" of suspending its extradition treaty with Hong Kong, China has warned.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in London said Beijing had expressed its concerns over the UK interfering in Hong Kong matters "which are internal affairs of China".

The spokesman said: "Now the UK side has gone even further down the wrong road in disregard of China's solemn position and repeated representations.

"It once again contravened international law and the basic norms governing international relations and blatantly interfered in China's internal affairs in an attempt to disrupt the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong SAR and undermine the city's prosperity and stability.

"The UK will bear the consequences if it insists on going down the wrong road."

The statement came as Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, prepared to meet Boris Johnson and Dominic Raab on Tuesday.

Mr Pompeo and his boss, Donald Trump, have reason to be please with their UK counterparts this week, after Huawei was booted out of Britain's 5G infrastructure following a massive American lobby campaign - and punishing sanctions on the Chinese company.

Mr Pompeo wrote on Twitter: "Great to be back in London to reaffirm the special relationship we share with our closest ally."

New sanctions proposed for MPs who break rules

A Commons committee has recommended new punishments for MPs who break rules governing their conduct.

These may include sending MPs on compulsory anger management or "inclusion and diversity" courses, banning them from official visits, or removing them from a select committee.

The Commons Committee on Standards is seeking to address a lack of "intermediate sanctions" between existing powers calling for an apology or suspending an MP.

Chris Bryant, the chair, said: "We want to ensure that the system is fair, professional and proportionate and that it rewards best practice.

"For too long the only sanctions available against MPs have been a slap on the wrist or suspension from the House."

Inflation-busting pay rises for teachers and doctors

Nearly 900,000 public sector workers are to receive a pay rise, chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced, after months of political pressure to reward key workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, writes Andy Gregory.

Doctors, dentists, teachers, police officers and soldiers are among those who will see extra money in their wage packets, as the government chooses to honour the recommendations of independent pay review bodies.

Teachers and doctors will see the largest above-inflation increases, at 3.1 per cent and 2.8 per cent respectively, according to the Treasury. But NHS staff in other roles were left out of the announcement.

Extensions to homes could be fast-tracked

Home extensions of up to two storeys could be fast-tracked as part of new planning rules that will be put before MPs on Tuesday.

The new laws, which include changes to the planning process for knocking down former shops, are designed to speed up the building of new homes, said Robert Jenrick, the housing secretary.

Mr Jenrick is a fan of fast-tracked planning approvals.

Due to come into effect by September, the change will mean full planning applications will not be required to demolish and rebuild unused buildings as homes, allowing commercial and retail properties to be quickly repurposed, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Homeowners will also be able to add up to two additional storeys to their home, to create new homes or more living space for growing families, through a fast track approval process - although there will be a requirement to "carefully consider the impact on neighbours and the appearance of the extension", said the department.

Pubs, libraries, village shops and other buildings deemed essential to communities by ministers will not be covered by the loosening of the restrictions.

Pompeo returns to London

Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state, is to meet Boris Johnson and Dominic Raab in London today.

The Trump administration is likely pleased with its transatlantic ally at the moment, given the tough line Mr Johnson has taken on China and, in particular, Huawei.

Tory backbenchers defeated in attempt to put post-Brexit trade deals through parliament

MPs have defeated an attempt by Tory backbenchers to ensure parliament has a vote on any post-Brexit trade deals.

An amendment to the Trade Bill currently going through the Commons would have given MPs and peers a say on any new agreement signed by the government.

Jonathan Djanogly, the Conservative MP who led the rebellion, had argued that the US congress approves similar deals. He accused the government of taking a position of “less scrutiny than we did as a member of the EU” – because EU trade deals are subject to a vote in the European Parliament.

Although his amendment was supported by Labour and the Liberal Democrats it failed to attract enough Tory rebels to pass.

Millions could miss out on justice

Millions could be deprived of access to justice as financial and social issues born out of the Covid-19 pandemic highlight a growing gap in legal aid funding, a national legal charity has warned, writes May Bulman.

A report by the Law Centres Network finds that a large proportion of the public will be left without “vital” assistance to protect their home, job or benefits during the crisis without also pushing themselves and their families into poverty, because they fall into what is known as the “justice gap”.

Donations from wealthy Russians ‘legal’, says Tory minister

Policing minister Kit Malthouse said he does not know if Russia meddled in the Scottish independence referendum or Brexit vote.

Asked on BBC Breakfast why it has taken so long for the report to be published, he said there has been a general election, adding: “This report is the property of the committee itself and they make a decision about its publication. The fact that the committee took a little time to get going after the general election probably delayed it too.”

Asked if he thinks Russia tried to influence the Scottish and EU referendums, he said: “I don’t know. I haven’t read the report. I’ll have to wait and see what they have to say.”

Malthouse was asked if he feels “uncomfortable” that some of the money received by the Conservative Party every year comes from Russian business people.

He said all donations to the party are received in accordance with the law, adding: “All our donations are, as all the parties are, declared publicly for people to examine and see for themselves.”

Malthouse said: “There are lots of people who donate to political parties of all colours, who have a background outside of the UK. We don’t discriminate on the basis of their race or their immigration origin. The law is the law and we comply with that.”

EU leaders strike ‘extraordinary’ £677bn recovery deal

It was a long, gruelling journey, but EU leaders have finally arrived at an agreement on a £677bn coronavirus recovery fund.

The 27 leaders reportedly bumped elbows and made jokes as they approved the huge, unprecedented package of grants and loans. Perhaps it was delirium after several days of little sleep. A consensus was reached early this morning on a package loans and grants to the countries hit hardest by the virus.

“An extraordinary situation demands extraordinary efforts,” said the German chancellor Angela Merkel, while French president Emmanuel Macron added: “There is no such thing as a perfect world, but we have made progress.”