May expected to announce departure date
Theresa May is expected to announce her resignation date today, according to sources within the Conservative party.
The prime minister is expected to set out a timetable for her departure at a meeting with Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the influential 1922 committee of Tory backbenchers.
If May does not set a date for her departure on Friday and tries to cling to power, the 1922 Committee has said it will open a sealed envelope containing the results of a ballot on whether to hold an early vote of no confidence – demonstrating her lack of support within the party.
Many of the prime minister’s allies now believe she will step down as leader by 10 June, allowing for a leadership contest to produce a new leader in time for the summer recess.
Speaking on Thursday, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the committee’s treasurer, said: “I want her to give a timetable for when she will go. I think this blank denial from No 10 today may be a smokescreen because she does not want to influence the outcome of the European elections. Maybe she will still quit tomorrow.”
The prime minister has faced renewed pressure to resign from her position after her ‘new’ Brexit deal was rejected yet again by MPs on all sides this week.
Legal team lays out case to prosecute Johnson for ‘lying during EU referendum’
Boris Johnson lied and engaged in criminal conduct during the 2016 EU referendum campaign, Westminster magistrates court has been told.
A legal team assembled by Marcus J Ball, who led a crowdfunding campaign aimed at raising funds to prosecute Johnson for misleading claims such as the now infamous £350m a week Brussels payments, has now made their case in front of a judge.
The judge, Margot Coleman, will make a ruling next Wednesday on whether or not Johnson should appear in court. Speaking after the hearing, Coleman said she had been given a great deal to reflect on.
Speaking to Magistrates court, Lewis Power QC said: “It matters not whether you are Labour, Conservative or Liberal Democrat … or whether you are a leaver or a remainer,”
“Democracy demands responsible and honest leadership of those in public office. The conduct of the proposed defendant, Boris Johnson, was both irresponsible and dishonest. It was, we say, criminal.”
European elections voters boost Brexit party
Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party is expected to see a boost in support with many MEPs elected to the European Parliament, as disaffected voters headed to the polls yesterday.
Thousands of voters across the UK angry at the government’s failure to deliver Brexit are expected to have voted for the leading Eurosceptic party, with voters from the Conservative party in particular expected to have switched sides for the vote.
The Brexit party saw donations from over 100,000 people in the run up to the vote, with the party also leading polls for the European elections, and the Tories on course for a historic low.
What the Papers Say
The Times
The Times 24/5/2019
Donald and Melania Trump will meet the Queen for a state visit next month with his sons and daughters, and their partners. He will stay at the US ambassador’s residence. Photo : Fred Watkins/ABC via Getty Images#thetimes #tomorrowspaperstoday @thetimes pic.twitter.com/pRZwAB71xM— The Times Pictures (@TimesPictures) May 23, 2019
The Guardian
Guardian front page, Friday 24 May 2019: Tory leadership race heats up as May prepares to name exit date pic.twitter.com/ATMyg8YPYT
— The Guardian (@guardian) May 23, 2019
The Telegraph
The front page of tomorrow’s Daily Telegraph: ‘Hunt throws down the gauntlet’ #tomorrowspaperstodayhttps://t.co/3Qh5hDv1Ac pic.twitter.com/vqWS0w1atL
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) May 23, 2019
Daily Mail
Friday’s @DailyMailUK #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/gG8VQEZuTx
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) May 23, 2019
Daily Express
Tomorrow’s @Daily_Express #FrontPage
– The day you voted for #Brexit AGAIN
– Amazing life of Tiger Who Came to Tea author as #JudithKerr dies aged 95
– One in three of us will work past 70
– Mummy, please take us back to your garden – Royal exclusive #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/7cSlhg1G5A
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) May 23, 2019
