Tag: News Story

STORY

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, said in an interview with the BBC that he is still hopeful of a Conservative Party victory at this week’s General Election and he suggested that he may remain as Tory leader for a period in the event of an election victory. Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, warned of complacency and warned against “waking up on Friday morning to a further five years of Tory government”. Sunak also said that he intended to remain as a Conservative MP regardless of whether he remained as Prime Minister.

STORY

Channel 4 have reported that aides to Nigel Farage, the Reform candidate for Clacton, have used racist, homophobic and sexist language, using hate speech and threatening behaviour. Nigel Farage said that was he was unaware of the hate speech and said that he was “dismayed” when evidence was presented to the candidate. He said in a statement:

“I am dismayed by the reported comments of a handful of people associated with my local campaign, particularly those who are volunteers. The appalling sentiments expressed by some in these exchanges bear no relation to my own views, those of the vast majority of our supporters or Reform UK policy. Some of the language used was reprehensible.”

Andrew Parker, who was canvassing for Farage, said:

“We’re fucking kicking all the Muslims out of the mosques and turning them into Wetherspoons.”

STORY

North Yorkshire Police have confirmed that four people have been arrested at the constituency home of Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, who tried to enter the grounds of his property. Downing Street said in a statement:

“The Prime Minister thanks the police for their swift response to keep him and his family safe. As this is a live police investigation, further queries should be direct to the relevant police force.”

STORY

The Conservative Party has suspended Laura Saunders and Craig Williams after serious allegations made against them for placing bets on the timing of the General Election. The party said in a statement:

“As a result of ongoing internal inquiries, we have concluded that we can no longer support Craig Williams or Laura Saunders as parliamentary candidates at the forthcoming general election. We have checked with the Gambling Commission that this decision does not compromise the investigation that they are conducting which is rightly independent and ongoing.”

STORY

Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, has called for Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, to suspend Laura Saunders over allegations of betting fraud and corruption. Sunak, who said that he was “incredibly angry” at the situation, has so far refused to suspend the candidate, who has yet to deny the allegations. Starmer said in a statement:

“This candidate should be suspended and it’s very telling that Rishi Sunak has not already done that. If it was one of my candidates, they’d be gone and their feet would not have touched the floor.”

STORY

Laura Saunders, the Conservative candidate for Bristol North West, has refused to deny corruption allegations made against her, with Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, saying that he is “incredibly angry”.

Speaking in the television debate, Sunak faced a campaign in turmoil as his campaign director stood down amidst allegations linked to Saunders. Speaking at a leadership debate, Sunak said:

“I was incredibly angry. incredibly angry to learn of these allegations. It’s a really serious matter. It’s right that they’re being investigated properly by the relevant law enforcement authorities, including a criminal investigation by the police. And I want to be crystal clear that if anyone has broken the rules, they should face the full force of the law. That’s what those investigations are there to do. And I hope that they do their work as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.”

STORY

The Bank of England has held interest rates at 5.25% with the 7 members of the rate-setting committee backing no change and 2 who wanted a reduction. The Bank of England said that inflation had returned to target levels and the financial markets expect a cut later in the year.

RESOURCES

Bank of England Web-Site on Interest Rates

STORY

The Downing Street betting fraud investigation has widened after the BBC has confirmed that the Gambling Commission are investigating Laura Saunders, the Conservative candidate for Bristol North West after irregular betting on the date of the General Election was uncovered. Saunders is married to Tony Lee, the Conservative Party’s Director of Campaigns, who it was confirmed has today been suspended from his role. Saunders and Lee both refused to comment on the allegations, with Downing Street saying that they were awaiting the investigation from the Gambling Commission.

STORY

The historic monument of Stonehenge has been attacked by two people who have covered some of the ancient stone structures in paint. Visitors to the site were unharmed by the pair during the attack and Wiltshire Police have confirmed that two people have been arrested on suspicion of damaging the stones. English Heritage have said that they will make a statement on the attack shortly.

STORY

Warrington Council has been unable to find an auditor to sign of its accounts, leading to the removal of a credit rating from Moody’s. The council has £1.8 billion of debt and is under questioning for its investment strategy, but the the Chief Executive of the Council, Steven Broomhead, rejected the crisis and said earlier this month:

“We haven’t been borrowing money to invest for a return. We’ve been borrowing money for regeneration. What the hell is wrong with that?”

Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, has appointed an inspection team to investigate the council, with the department stating:

“The Secretary of State decided to commission this inspection to provide him with direct, independent assurance that the council is complying with its Best Value Duty. This duty requires councils to make sure they are continuously improving the way their functions are exercised, with regard to economy, efficiency and effectiveness.”

The lead inspector is Paul Najsarek, who has held numerous senior positions at local councils, with the report expected to be submitted to the Secretary of State by the end of August 2024.