An attempt by the Tories to prevent a Labor MP from investigating whether Boris Johnson misled parliament over Partygate failed. Harriet Harman has been confirmed as the leader of a Commons investigation into a Covid Law violation party on Downing Street during the lockdown. The prime minister will not face the commission until the autumn, as it was revealed as the investigation officially started on Wednesday afternoon. Earlier, Dominique Raab ruled out the possibility of women having the right to abortion by law, as he supported Boris Johnson in his questions to the Prime Minister. Mr Raab, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice, said the legality of abortion in the UK had been settled when he was asked to support an amendment on the issue in the proposed Declaration of Rights. He was accompanying the prime minister, who is attending a NATO summit in Madrid.
Basic points
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John Rentoul: Angela Rayner was the serious politician in the face of a blinking Dominic Raab
If you want politics as entertainment, the Angela vs. Dominic show was an improvement on the prime minister’s usual questions, although the secret of good comedy is ruthless editing, and both sides could have done it with a good editor, writes John Rentoul. Emily Atkinson June 29, 2022 5:16 PM 1656518178
Putin “turned out to be completely wrong” about NATO’s power as prime minister
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Vladimir Putin had proved “completely wrong” about the strength of the NATO alliance, which is to be extended to include Sweden and Finland, after ending decades of neutrality over concerns about Russia. Mr Johnson met with the leaders of the two Nordic countries to congratulate them on the fact that they are one step closer to joining NATO, after Turkey withdrew its objections. He said: “The first lesson from today is that if Vladimir Putin hoped to get less NATO on his western front as a result of his unprovoked, illegal invasion of Ukraine, it has turned out to be completely wrong, he gets more NATO. ” Emily Atkinson June 29, 2022 4:56 p.m. 1656517808
Watch: Dominic Raab refuses to add women’s right to choose abortion in Declaration of Rights
Dominic Raab refuses to add women’s right to choose abortion in Declaration of Rights Emily Atkinson June 29, 2022 4:50 PM 1656516396
The images capture Queen Elizabeth II receiving First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during an audience at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh as part of her traditional trip to Scotland for Holyrood Week. (PA) (POOL / AFP via Getty Images) Emily Atkinson June 29, 2022 4:26 PM 1656514818
Secretary attacks Khan over Met – but most special forces have Tories PCC
The British Police Secretary claimed that Sadiq Khan should “share the responsibility” for the slip of the Metropolitan Police in special measures. Kit Malthouse suggested that, as police and crime commissioner (PCC) for the force, the mayor of London should “consider his position”. But four of the six police forces currently on special measures have conservative PCCs. Indepedent Home Affairs editor Lizzie Dearden says: Emily Atkinson June 29, 2022 4:00 p.m. 1656513913
Scandinavian NATO invitations a “big step forward” – Prime Minister
Boris Johnson described the invitation given to two Nordic countries to join NATO as a “big step forward” for the military alliance, says No. 10. After meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto at the NATO summit in Madrid, a Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister reiterated his firm support for Sweden and Finland’s NATO aspirations. “He described their accession as a major step forward for NATO and welcomed the progress made since his visits to Sweden and Finland last month. “The accession of two more democracies for peace will permanently strengthen our defense alliance, helping to keep us all safe,” he said. “The Prime Minister informed about his recent visit to Kyiv. The leaders discussed the need to oppose Russian threats and intimidation in all its forms. “This includes ensuring that the people of Ukraine have the tools they need to turn the tide in Putin’s futile war of aggression – they agreed that (Vladimir) Putin offers Ukraine no other choice.” Emily Atkinson June 29, 2022 3:45 p.m. 1656513008
Downing Street staff say they can testify anonymously in inquiry into PM’s “lies”
No 10 staff have been informed that they will be able to submit evidence anonymously to the committee investigating whether Boris Johnson lied to the Commons about Partygate. Subject to the fact that the chair of the Privileges Committee, Harriet Harman, could identify individuals in discussions with committee staff, the committee decided that it would be willing to receive written or oral information from individuals who wished to remain anonymous. Deputies had until July 29 to provide witnesses and evidence, saying they could be submitted to the commission’s website. Emily Atkinson June 29, 2022 3:30 p.m. 1656511333
Harriet Harman to lead inquiry into PMg’s misleading parliament at Partygate
Labor MP Harriet Harman was chosen to lead the Commons inquiry into whether Boris Johnson lied to parliament about Partygate. The Privileges Committee appealed to witnesses to provide evidence of the Prime Minister’s knowledge of No 10 concentration camps. Ms. Harman, a former incumbent Labor leader, was unanimously elected chairman of the committee, which will be advised by Sir Ernest Ryder, a former chief justice. Political writer Andrew Woodcock will have more on this story as he comes: Matt Mathers June 29, 2022 3:02 PM 1656510360
16% of the public still believe that Brexit is going well, according to a poll
A full 16 per cent of the British public still believe Brexit is going well, according to a new poll. A new poll by YouGov pollsters found that a significant majority of people, 54 per cent, believe Britain’s exit from the EU is going badly, with 20 per cent saying neither. A political correspondent, Jon Stone, states: Matt Mathers June 29, 2022 2:46 PM 1656508515
More than half of the voters support the Brexit NI protocol
A majority of voters in Northern Ireland support the Brexit protocol, according to a new poll. About 55 per cent said they considered the new trade arrangements to be appropriate for managing the impact of staying outside the EU. Meanwhile, about 53 per cent said overall trade arrangements are ‘good for Northern Ireland. 38 percent and 37 percent of respondents respectively have the opposite view, according to a survey by Lucid Talk and Queens University Belfast. Matt Mathers June 29, 2022 2:15 p.m.
