Amber Rudd ‘let down by officials’ over Windrush claim
Former home secretary Amber Rudd, who resigned earlier this year over claims she made during the Windrush scandal, was not supported as she should have been in the events that led to her losing her job, a new report has concluded.
The report, by the prime minister’s adviser on ministers’ interests, says that the former home secretary lost confidence in her officials in the civil service to such an extent she prepared for a later parliamentary appearance on her own.
The report’s author Sir Alex Allan, goes on to name the then director general for immigration enforcement Hugh Ind, as having given a “less than satisfactory performance”. Mr Ind has since moved to a different civil service role.
Amber Rudd appeared on BBC’s Today Programme on Friday, where she said that the report was “fairly conclusive” and that she regretted that it was “sat on for six months”, adding that she had originally seen it at the end of May.
David Cameron rumoured to return to politics
MPs have already launched a backlash against David Cameron, after rumours published by The Sun newspaper which claim that the former prime minister is considering a return to politics.
The newspaper reported on Thursday that Cameron had told a group of friends that he wanted to return to politics, hoping for a cabinet recall after a new Tory leader succeeds Theresa May, according to an anonymous friend. The former PM reportedly added that he would like to have the role of foreign secretary.
Re-tweeting the Sun’s story on Thursday, Angela Rayner, MP for Ashton-under-Lyne, said: “Just when you thought politics couldn’t get anymore bizarre. No David please stay in retirement you caused enough damage last time.”
Just when you thought politics couldn’t get anymore bizarre. No David please stay in retirement you caused enough damage last time ? https://t.co/DHhXwWTadO
— Angela Rayner (@AngelaRayner) November 1, 2018
Yvette Cooper tweeted: “What, because it worked out so well last time? Man, you ripped up our closest international partnership. By accident. That makes you even worse than Boris Johnson.”
20 Labour MPs rebel over tax cuts
20 Labour MPs have defied the party whip in order to table an objection to the party’s stance on tax cuts, which were announced by the government in Monday’s budget.
After the Liberal Democrats forced a vote in parliament over the cuts, a total of 31 MPs voted against them, including Lisa Nandy, Alison McGovern, Lucy Powell, Gareth Snell and Yvette Cooper.
The rebellion follows a revolt by backbenchers against shadow chancellor John McDonnell’s stance on the cuts, which he said earlier this week that the party would not oppose, not reverse if they got into power.
The tax cuts announced in Monday’s budget, see the personal allowance for income tax raised to £12,500, and the higher-rate threshold raised to £50,000. Labour MPs argue that the cuts will disproportionately benefit higher earners.
Arron Banks faces criminal investigation
Leave.EU co-founder Aaron Banks and other leading Brexiteers are being investigated by the National Crime Agency over claims they committed “a number criminal offences” during the EU referendum.
Yesterday, The Electoral Commission published a report which claimed there were reasonable grounds to suspect Banks was “not the true source of the £8m reported as loans” during the 2016 referendum.
MPs have called for the Brexit process to be paused, as the National Crime Agency investigates £2.9m spent by leave campaign. Labour MP David Lammy said Brexit “must be put on hold until we know the extent of these crimes against our democracy”.
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