Sue Gray brings bad language to the heart of government
There is a hidden horror in Sue Gray’s report. It looks fine on the surface, with neatly numbered paragraphs and with findings honoured by Roman numerals. But…
The West must keep the pressure up
Boris Johnson may be finding support thin on the ground at home but in one place he was guaranteed a warm welcome yesterday: Ukraine. The Prime Minister…
Kate Clanchy removes most offensive terms from book at centre of ‘cancel culture’ row
Kate Clanchy, the author at the centre of a “cancel culture” row, has reissued her controversial book with most of the offensive terms removed. Ms Clanchy parted…
Pam & Tommy and the relentless exploitation of Pamela Anderson
It had to happen to someone. Once the technology made it possible, the internet celebrity sex tape was an inevitability, and Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee were…
Eight ways Sue Gray’s ‘partygate’ report makes things worse for Boris Johnson
The publication of more, potentially explosive photographs of Downing Street parties now hangs over Number 10. 2. The flat A gathering in Mr Johnson’s Downing Street flat…
Downing Street to confirm if Boris Johnson is given ‘partygate’ fine
Earlier in the day, Mr Raab was asked whether Mr Johnson should quit if he was fined and said: “Let’s wait and see … Allow the police…
Boris Johnson was in his Downing Street flat the night of party being investigated by police
Mr Johnson attended the event and gave a speech. The Mirror, which first reported the event before the police investigation began, said Mr Johnson was only there…
Boris Johnson’s ‘partygate’ shake-up is already unravelling as top civil servant rejects new No 10 job
There are concerns that permanent secretaries of government departments with tens of thousands of staff will be reluctant to take up the job, which oversees just a…
Nicola Sturgeon extends face mask mandate in Scottish secondary schools
Scotland’s secondary pupils are to be forced to continue wearing face masks and their exams will continue to be marked more generously this year, SNP ministers have…
Don’t blame Boris Johnson for lockdown parties he didn’t attend, says Scottish Secretary
Mr Jack also insisted Douglas Ross’s position as Scottish Tory leader was “quite secure” if Mr Johnson clings on to power, despite Mr Ross being the first…
Ben Wallace overtakes Liz Truss as most popular Cabinet minister in the eyes of Tory members
Ben Wallace has overtaken Liz Truss for the top spot as the most popular Cabinet minister among Tory members. In a monthly poll by the ConservativeHome site,…
Running No 10 like a ‘medieval court’ leaves Boris facing regicide
As he settled into his seat for the flight to Ukraine today, Boris Johnson might have allowed himself a chuckle of quiet satisfaction. He had survived the…
Sue Gray’s report has not wounded Boris Johnson fatally – but he is bleeding badly
Neither will the inference that “some of the events should not have been allowed to take place” and others “should not have been allowed to develop as…
Boris Johnson can’t go on if ‘organised circus’ needed to sustain him, warn Tory rebels
Rebels Andrew Bridgen and Sir Roger Gale, who have both submitted no confidence letters, also voiced fresh doubts about whether Mr Johnson’s Commons apology would wash with…
Boris Johnson scraps Brexit bonfire of EU red tape in favour of net zero rules
Lord Frost’s defeat in the push for a “lightly regulated” economy is likely to be seized on by Tory MPs concerned by Mr Johnson’s net zero drive….
Boris Johnson in the dock over claim that Keir Starmer failed to prosecute Jimmy Savile
Sir Keir was the director of public prosecutions between November 2008 and November 2013, but was not the reviewing lawyer for an investigation into Savile, who is…
Savers have just days to secure the best interest rates
Savers must act fast to secure the best interest rates as banks have started to pull top deals just days after launch. Several of the best-paying easy-access…
How to help your children buy a property and beat the taxman
Ever since the pandemic triggered a house price boom, first-time buyers have been competing with movers and investors over a short supply of homes for sale. Parents…
Loopholes to get your children on the property ladder – and avoid inheritance tax
Families work hard to help the next generation become homeowners and unnecessarily shelling out to the taxman can sour the milestone. In the first three instalments of…
Questor: it is time to sail away from this cruise ship operator in search of a safer harbour
After two years of strife, the 2021 full-year results show $9.1bn of cash at hand but borrowings of $33.2bn and leases of $1.3bn to give a net…
Britain’s biggest bank launches cheapest ever 10-year mortgage
Britain’s biggest bank has launched the cheapest 10-year mortgage on record, as borrowers flock to long-term deals to shield themselves from interest rate rises. Homeowners have turned…
Cost of living crisis leaves workers £2,850 worse off
Hard-pressed households will come under more pressure this year as a toxic cocktail of inflation, tax hikes and high energy prices take their toll on finances. Wages…
Investment star Terry Smith adds Google to Britain’s biggest fund
Star investor Terry Smith has bought shares in Alphabet, the owner of Google, for his £26bn Fundsmith Equity fund after shunning the search giant for more than…
National Insurance rises are only the start – even more tax meddling is on the horizon
3) Be aware of penalties There are separate penalties for late submission of a VAT return and for late payment. Both operate on a points based system….
Record number of freelancers miss tax deadline
A record two million people have failed to file and pay their taxes on time, as freelancers and landlords struggle with rising living costs. Close to one…