9.43 a.m. BST 09:43
Parliament seems to have a problem with taking drugs, said shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson. The Conservatives removed the whip from David Warburton, MP Somerton and Frome, who are believed to be facing charges of sexual harassment, cocaine use and failure to apply for a loan from Roman Joukovski, an offshore tax adviser. gold »investment visa to foreign citizens. Asked by Times Radio how big the cocaine abuse was in parliament and if she had seen it, the Labor MP said: I do not know how widespread it is. Personally, I have never seen anything like this, but it seems that there is a problem that is taking place. I think what worries me most is the ongoing issues of sexual harassment. We have an independent process now in parliament and I think that is a welcome step. I believe that it is vital that people who have concerns and grievances submit, take these complaints seriously and take action. Those who want to complain can be sure that there will be a proper process now and that action will emerge from it when the complaints are accepted.
9.31 a.m. BST 09:31
The Welsh minister said he was a “thermal advocate” of MPs who could employ their husbands after the wife of Tory MP David Wurberton – who works in his office – said she stood by him after allegations of drug and sexual harassment. Simon Hart – who also employs his wife – was asked on Times radio if MPs should be allowed to give jobs to family members. Harriet Wurberton’s position has been questioned over allegations of sexual harassment by two members of parliament, according to the Sunday Times, who said staff members had to leave his office because Warburton was handling HR. Hart said: I think this is really offensive to so many husbands and wives who do a very good job in parliament, work hard and give taxpayers real value for money. He likened the situation to family businesses and added: As for any occasion I know where a Member works closely with or pays a family member, whether in this House or in others, the relationship – the business relationship – is really productive, if not more so that taxpayers earn more. their money. than they (would) do anyway because it is a 24/7 setting. He said there was “nothing new about it” and added: Ever since I became an MP, I have been an ardent advocate of this particular situation, I continue to be so, I think it is very nonsense to suggest that something is wrong with it or to say that it does not provide value for money. I think this is proven to be untrue.
9.29 a.m. BST 09:29
The war in Ukraine has helped to “fit in the context” of the partygate epic, said Welsh secretary Simon Hart. Speaking to TalkRadio he said: Looking at how this interview started and what we see in Ukraine, it helps to incorporate all of this into my mind. And I think we are now dealing with something of such seriousness and horror that what happened maybe two years ago clearly needs to be addressed, and it should – it is a source of frustration for many more – but I’m glad that this thing is coming to an end now.
9.17 a.m. BST 09:17
Minister says it is not time for “leadership competition that imposes itself”
Nicola Slauson This is not the time for “self-righteous leadership” if Boris Johnson is fined for the partygate scandal, a minister said. It was revealed yesterday that Downing Street staff were fined by police for a party held the night before Prince Philip’s funeral, in Scotland Yard’s first decision that Covid’s laws had been violated at No. 10 in the heart of the government. The partygate scandal has been making headlines over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but the issue has been in the spotlight since police began imposing fines. Asked if the prime minister should resign if fined, Welsh Minister Simon Hart told Sky News that he believed “the world has come a long way”. He said “of course” he did not like having parties down on Downing Street during the Covid restrictions. Hart was asked if the prime minister should resign if fined in the partygate epic, but Hart told Sky News: I have 65,000 voters in West Wales, where I represent, and they are not ashamed to come forward and express their views on this and many other issues. And throughout this Downing Street party epic they said one thing very clearly, and the vast majority say they want repentance and apology, but they do not want to resign. Last week, Scotland Yard issued 20 fixed-penalty notices to people attending parties on Downing Street and Whitehall during the lockdown. Welcome to today’s political blog live. I’m Nicola Slawson and I’ll take the lead today. You can contact me on Twitter (@Nicola_Slawson) or via email ([email protected]) if you have any questions or think I’m missing something. We also have an exclusive blog about Ukraine, which you can follow here:
