British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing a drip feed of pressure to resign over the “partygate” controversy as more Conservative MPs write letters of no confidence.
He is also under fire from the opposition Labour Party, which is angry at Mr Johnson’s move to change — they say weaken — the rules on when ministers must resign.
Mr Johnson is facing an inquiry by the Commons Privileges Committee into whether he misled Parliament over partygate. The scandal comprise a series of allegations that a number parties took place across No 10 Downing Street and other government buildings during the Covid-19 pandemic, when public health restrictions prohibited most gatherings.
Labour wants a vote in the House of Commons on the changes to the Ministerial Code, which would mean other sanctions become available for MPs who break the rules. These include “some form of public apology, remedial action or removal of ministerial salary for a period”.
Labour Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds said as long as Mr Johnson is in power, “working people are paying the price” for a government "in chaos”.
Asked about the report on No 10 parties by senior civil servant Sue Gray, she told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme that Mr Johnson's response "has been to try to actually change the rules that he will then be judged by because he’s seeking to water down the ministerial code".
On Sunday, the government denied newspaper reports that pressure had been put on Sue Gray, the senior civil servant chosen to investigate the partygate allegations, in a failed effort to remove certain details and names.
Discontent in the Conservative ranks is growing because MPs fear they may lose their seats over fallout, said David Davis, a former Cabinet minister and critic of Mr Johnson.
Two more Tory MPs have joined the list of MPs known to have handed in letters of no confidence in the prime minister.
Former health minister Steve Brine and Anne Marie Morris are the latest MPs to write letters.
A former Conservative Party chairman said on Sunday that he did not think Mr Johnson would face a no-confidence vote, despite a steady stream of MPs calling for one.
“I don’t think he will, actually," said the Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis.
“I don’t think it is in the interests of the country, I don’t think it is in the interests of the Conservative Party."
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tories, will be obliged to order a no-confidence vote if he receives 54 letters demanding one.
More than 20 MPs have publicly stated that they no longer support Mr Johnson, but more may have written letters given that the process is secret.
The prime minister's changes to the Ministerial Code mean that ministers would not automatically lose their jobs if they break the rules, as has traditionally been the case.
A government policy statement said it was “disproportionate” to expect ministers to resign or face the sack for “minor” violations of the code.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer plans to force a debate on the changes. He has asked MPs to enshrine the commitment that ministers who commit serious breaches of the code must resign.
Deputy leader Angela Rayner said the prime minister's new foreword to the code had removed “all references to integrity, objectivity, accountability, transparency, honesty and leadership in the public interest”.
Mr Johnson faces an inquiry by the Commons Privileges Committee into whether he misled Parliament with his regular reassurances that coronavirus rules were upheld at No 10 during England's lockdowns.
Claims in The Sunday Times that details of an alleged Downing Street flat party were removed from Ms Gray's investigation into coronavirus rule-breaking have been denied by No 10 sources.
“It is untrue that anyone on the political side saw anything in advance or sought to influence it,” one told the UK Press Association news agency.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Barings Bank
Barings, one of Britain’s oldest investment banks, was
founded in 1762 and operated for 233 years before it went bust after a trading
scandal.
Barings Bank collapsed in February 1995 following colossal
losses caused by rogue trader Nick Lesson.
Leeson gambled more than $1 billion in speculative trades,
wiping out the venerable merchant bank’s cash reserves.
Naga
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Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
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if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
RESULT
Valencia 3
Kevin Gameiro 21', 51'
Ferran Torres 67'
Atlanta 4
Josip Llicic 3' (P), 43' (P), 71', 82'
23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees
Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Understand What Black Is
The Last Poets
(Studio Rockers)
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
Company%20profile
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