Uk Independent
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:56:46 GMTUK weather – live: Storm Barra to bring snow, rain and 80mph winds amid ‘risk to life’ warning
Follow the latest updates
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:46:32 GMTPolice release new images of men over antisemitic abuse at Hannukah party bus
Around 40 young Jewish people were celebrating Hanukkah on a bus in central London when a group of men swore at them and made obscene gestures.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:46:28 GMTBrexit: Commentator John Rentoul to host ‘ask me anything’ on Anglo-French relations
The Independent’s chief political commentator will be taking your questions on Brexit during a dedicated hour and will be looking at the Northern Ireland protocol latest and the state of relations between France and the UK
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:44:34 GMTOmicron cases in UK soon expected to exceed those in red list nations – expert
Professor Tim Spector commented as new travel restrictions came into force.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:40:51 GMTBoris Johnson news - live: PM urges Russia to cool Ukraine tensions as Raab rejects Afghan chaos claims
Follow below for the latest politics updates from Westminster and elsewhere
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:38:53 GMTRaab insists animals were not prioritised over people in Afghanistan evacuation
A Foreign Office whistleblower told MPs ‘British soldiers were put at risk’ to evacuate animals from Paul ‘Pen’ Farthing’s Nowzad shelter.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:33:16 GMTVeteran Labour MP Harriet Harman to stand down at next election
Harriet Harman entered the House of Commons in 1982 and was twice Labour leader in acting capacity
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:31:20 GMTCost of Christmas dinner for four rises by 3.4% as inflation soars
Kantar said the average cost of a turkey meal for four has risen to £27.48.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:25:09 GMTWarnings ignored in broken system, say grandparents of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes
The six-year-old’s father and stepmother have been branded “depraved, sadistic, torturous, evil, calculating people”.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:13:43 GMTOmicron location closures should be expected ahead of Christmas, says Leitch
Closures would not be restricted to schools, the national clinical director said, with health officials being ‘more cautious’ with the new variant.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:10:53 GMTElderly passenger dies two weeks after A9 crash
The accident on November 19 also claimed the life of his 86-year-old wife, who was driving the car.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:10:22 GMTStorm Barra: Severe weather warnings in place as UK braced for 80mph winds
‘Small chance’ of risk to life, warns Met Office
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:00:00 GMTBritish Museum exhibition to explore mysteries of Stonehenge
A key feature of the exhibition next year will be an ancient wooden monument – dubbed Seahenge – that emerged on a Norfolk beach.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 08:51:05 GMTPedestrian guilty of murdering driver who braked to avoid him
Alexander Layton stabbed motorist James Stokoe to death in his BMW with his young son in the back seat.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 08:49:19 GMTDominic Raab rejects claims of chaotic Afghan evacuation from ‘junior desk officer’ and insists it was success
Ex-foreign secretary hails ‘heroic effort’ – but does not deny only 5 per cent of people requesting help got out
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 08:48:53 GMTBusiness secretary accused of ‘running away’ from Commons as thousands face 11th night without power
PM has now promised power will be restored to homes in the North East by Tuesday ‘at the latest’
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 07:57:17 GMTTaxpayers could face bigger bills after waste management merger, CMA warns
The UK competition watchdog said the Veolia and Suez deal could lead to a loss of competition in the supply of key waste and recycling services.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 07:36:58 GMTAverage UK house price ‘increased by £1,691 per month during pandemic’
Property values hit a new record high of £272,992 on average in November, Halifax said.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 07:28:30 GMT‘Very unwise for No 10 to lie’ about lockdown Christmas party, says Dominic Cummings
The prime minister’s former chief adviser also accused lobby journalists of ‘trying to bury’ the story
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 07:10:34 GMTWarnings about Arthur Labinjo-Hughes ignored, says grandfather
Peter Halcrow, Arthur’s maternal grandfather, said warnings had been issued by the little boy’s other grandparents.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 06:57:15 GMTWhistleblower lifts lid on failures which ‘betrayed’ Afghans who helped UK
In the evidence, the Foreign Office official said then Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had not grasped the situation.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 06:15:59 GMTMaxwell ‘gave schoolgirl outfit to British teenager before Epstein sex acts’
The alleged victim told the court she met Epstein and Maxwell at the age of 17.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 05:24:38 GMTMatt Hancock to call for dyslexia screening for all primary school children
Mr Hancock was not diagnosed with dyslexia until after he went to Oxford University.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 03:20:08 GMTGrenfell inquiry: Lawyer says David Cameron must explain why he ‘ridiculed’ health and safety
Michael Mansfield says former PM ‘relegated citizens to effectively a bonfire’
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 02:45:49 GMTMolecule in fish ‘plays role in protecting and improving cognitive function’
Researchers argue that the findings have implications for dietary interventions in humans that target the gut-brain connection.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 02:45:07 GMTIreland braces itself for Storm Barra as significant disruption expected
Met Eireann has warned that disruption to travel and the power supply are likely, along with coastal flooding.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 01:58:09 GMTWhat the papers say – December 7
Several front pages feature a whistleblower’s claims that the UK government failed Afghans after the Taliban swept to power.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 00:48:21 GMTPeople face being wrongly deported to dangerous countries under government’s court plan, MPs warn
Parliament’s coss-party human rights committee criticises plans to restrict judicial review
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 00:35:23 GMTGovernment’s plan to cut crime with prisons drugs crackdown branded ‘simplistic and short-sighted’
Boris Johnson says renewed drive to keep drugs out of jails will ‘tackle scourge of reoffending’ – but campaigners say he is in danger of addressing the ‘symptoms of broken prison system, not its causes’
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 00:32:39 GMTMisogyny should not be made a hate crime, official review finds
Campaigners say women are being let down by criminal justice system because they ‘do not fit their tick boxes’
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 00:02:34 GMTNew rules for travellers aim to slow down transmission of Omicron
The Health Secretary acknowledged the changes would cause disruption.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 00:01:30 GMTStorm Barra to batter UK with disruptive winds, heavy rain and snow
It comes as communities continue to deal with the fallout of Storm Arwen, with some homes still without power.
Tue, 07 Dec 2021 00:01:00 GMTRape victims say they are ‘belittled’ as number of withdrawn reports rises
The London Rape Review has found that just 1% of people who reported a rape in the city saw their case reach trial.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 23:51:17 GMTEpstein ‘wired more than 30 million dollars to Maxwell over eight years’
Documents revealed the British socialite spent 7.4 million dollars on a green helicopter.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 23:26:13 GMTBrother demands US lives up to duty of care for Ghislaine Maxwell
Kevin Maxwell was speaking outside a Federal court in the Southern District of New York on Monday.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 23:10:46 GMTUK will use ‘all economic and diplomatic tools’ if Putin invades Ukraine
The Prime Minister agreed his position with leaders from across Europe and the US.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 21:54:46 GMTMan drove at 122mph after going to Wales for a haircut during lockdown
Robert White has been disqualified from driving after being caught speeding while under the influence of drugs.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 21:40:42 GMTShoppers could see empty shelves this Christmas as Tesco workers go on strike
Scotland’s shoppers could see empty shelves this Christmas as they announce they are to go on strike in an argument over pay.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 21:12:21 GMTAs few as one in 10 Covid infections checked for omicron, as ‘community transmission’ confirmed
Sajid Javid admits gap in sequencing, which means 336 confirmed omicron cases likely to be big underestimation
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 21:01:53 GMTMet Police officers who shared photos of murdered sisters on WhatsApp jailed
Deniz Jaffer and Jamie Lewis jailed for two years and nine months each for ‘appalling and inexplicable’ actions
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 20:55:38 GMTIreland braces for Storm Barra as people urged to stay safe
Gardai have urged against all unnecessary travel in some areas as winds of over 130km per hour are expected.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 20:44:24 GMTHomes cut off by Storm Arwen to be reconnected by tomorrow, PM says
Boris Johnson said he had spoken to the boss of Northern Powergrid on Monday.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 20:38:28 GMTMusic teacher who groomed teenage girls into sexual relationships jailed for 17 years
‘Sexual predator’ abused his position as a teacher and violated schoolgirls as young as 13
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 20:25:16 GMTFirebomb thrown property in latest arson attack in Scottish town
An item on fire was thrown towards a property in Strathaven’s Common Green at about 8.15pm on December 2, Police Scotland said on Monday.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 19:57:41 GMTArthur Labinjo-Hughes: Killers should get whole-life sentences says policing minister
‘I was surprised that they didn’t,’ Kit Malthouse has said
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 19:18:29 GMTMLAs vote against proposed ban on hunting with dogs in Northern Ireland
The region remains the only part of the UK where hunting wild mammals with dogs is still permitted.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 19:14:59 GMTTesco confident it can ‘deliver Christmas’ despite industrial action by unions
Usdaw said the dispute involves 5,000 members at several warehouses across the country.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 19:10:54 GMTUnion loses court fight against Boris Johnson over Priti Patel bullying probe
Prime minister overruled his former independent adviser after internal investigation last year
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 19:10:36 GMTAnger over ambulances may offer key to surprise by-election win, Liberal Democrats claim
Exclusive: Party claims internal polling offers hope of ‘earthquake’ in North Shropshire
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 19:08:21 GMTOpposition question over alleged No 10 party not serious, says Javid
It has been reported that two events took place in No 10 last year in the run-up to the festive season.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 19:04:26 GMTMinisters urged to stop jailing of pregnant women under amendment to policing bill
Exclusive: One ex-prisoner tells The Independent she was forced to sleep on top bunk of bed in double room
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 19:02:55 GMTGovernment courts plan would be ‘tyranny’ and end of democracy, says former attorney general
But a Downing Street spokesperson has downplayed the reports of new powers for ministers
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 19:00:59 GMTWho are the Reclaim Party and what do they stand for?
Conservative councillor Anthony Allen defects to Laurence Fox’s populist ‘anti-woke’ collective ahead of North Shropshire by-election
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 18:55:33 GMTCo Fermanagh community ‘rocked’ by multiple stabbings
Two 18-year-old men and another man aged 20 were taken to hospital for stab wounds.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 18:54:20 GMTSainsbury’s asks staff to delay Christmas parties over omicron concerns
The supermarket says it wants to protect staff and customers – and ‘avoid increased absence’ at the busiest time of the year
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 18:49:10 GMTHarvie comments on oil drilling were disgraceful, Jack claims
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said developing Cambo would be better than importing oil and gas from abroad.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 18:45:42 GMTFormer oil wells could be turned into CO2 burial test sites
New initiative aims to prove carbon capture and storage can work towards net zero
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 18:38:48 GMTTesco ‘confident’ it can fulfil orders as workers launch pre-Christmas strike
Unite said more than 1,000 of its members at four depots will take industrial action.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 20:04:11 GMTWounded veteran completes London to Belfast fundraiser walk
Robert Maxwell from Co Down is raising money for other veterans and the health service.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 18:07:41 GMTNew contract rules unveiled by government after fury over Covid ‘VIP lane’ scandal
Cabinet Office promises more ‘transparency’ following cronyism claims
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 17:49:12 GMTRoyal family to watch Ellie Goulding star in Kate’s Christmas Eve carol concert
Kate’s festive community event will be recorded on Wednesday and broadcast on ITV on December 24.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 17:47:47 GMT‘Throw away the key’ of couple behind Arthur Labinjo-Hughes’s death, MPs hear
Tributes were paid to Arthur in the Commons as it was confirmed that two reviews would take place into his death and child protection services.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 17:45:24 GMTGary Neville writes to local Tory MP asking for answers over No 10 Christmas party
Former England footballer urges Mark Logan MP to ‘speak out against wrongdoing’
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 17:37:52 GMTTaoiseach and Tanaiste mark 100th anniversary of signing of Anglo-Irish Treaty
The document was signed in 10 Downing Street on December 6, 1921.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 17:33:41 GMTHow do the new travel rules affect me?
Changes to the testing and quarantine rules are being introduced.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 17:30:28 GMTLatest Covid-19 case rates for UK local authority areas
Nearly three-quarters of local areas (72%) have recorded a week-on-week rise in rates.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 17:27:02 GMTNo plans for early school closures ahead of Christmas, Education Minister insists
Michelle McIlveen said it was vital that classroom time was maximised.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 17:10:51 GMTGovernment to invest £780m in drug treatment to fight ‘cycle of crime’
Money will help develop ‘world-leading’ system to support recovery of those dependent on drugs, ministers say.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 17:08:20 GMTLine of Duty creator Jed Mercurio takes swipe at Boris Johnson in police uniform
‘We’re looking for a character with at least one redeeming moral principle,’ says leading screenwriter
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 17:07:05 GMTCyber attack hits Spar stores forcing some to close
The convenience store chain said more than 300 sites have been affected and are unable to process card transactions.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 17:04:49 GMTScottish Secretary was not at Downing Street party
The Prime Minister has come in for criticism over reports of a gathering in Downing Street last December.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 16:58:45 GMTInquiry announced into deaths of pair who crashed off M9 without being found
Crown Counsel has formally instructed a fatal accident inquiry should be launched into the deaths of Lamara Bell and John Yuill.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 16:47:29 GMTWembley murders officers jailed over ‘shameful’ WhatsApp images
Deniz Jaffer and Jamie Lewis took photos of the scene they were assigned to guard after sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman were found dead.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 16:46:47 GMT‘Completely unacceptable’ that thousands of homes face 11th night without power
Energy minister Greg Hands responded to an urgent question in the Commons on Storm Arwen’s power outages.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 16:33:32 GMTDanish golfer Thorbjorn Olesen sexually assaulted woman on BA flight, court told
He denies sexual assault, assault by beating and being drunk on an aircraft.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 16:04:54 GMTSkill Up Step Up: The remarkable story of Devonte, from school dropout to the O2
‘My story shows that however bad your past, with the right help, you can turn your life around,’ says 19-year-old
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 16:01:11 GMTStormont Assembly debate on Covid certification ‘absolutely should happen’
DUP MLA Christopher Stalford said MLAs must have the opportunity to debate the requirement for Covid certification to enter some hospitality venues.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 15:58:37 GMTStormont’s ‘Holiday at Home’ stimulus voucher scheme scrapped
Under the ill-fated initiative, households would have been eligible to a discount of up to £100 on a two-night stay at local tourism providers.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 15:48:24 GMTArthur Labinjo-Hughes: Couple guilty of killing six-year-old boy who was ‘cruelly abused’ before death
‘There was an opportunity to save him and it wasn’t taken,’ says grandmother
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 15:39:50 GMTMolly Russell coroner challenges social media firms to help make internet safer
Coroner Andrew Walker was speaking at a pre-inquest review ahead of a week-long hearing into the circumstances of the 14-year-old’s death.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 15:39:24 GMTTory councillor defects to Reform UK ahead of North Shropshire by-election
The councillor said he felt the Tory candidate should have been local.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 15:35:06 GMTReview ordered after woman’s body lays in mortuary for six weeks
Charlene McGregor, 41, was being treated for a cyst when she died at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 15:33:56 GMTBride’s parents will lose thousands due to Nigeria’s ‘unjust’ move to red list
Comfort Nsek, who is set to marry in Nigeria this month, said her wedding ‘will not be the same’ as a result of the new travel restrictions.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 15:31:58 GMTSkill Up Step Up: Help us put young people on to the job ladder
Our Christmas appeal asks readers and businesses to help give jobless youths a chance – and offers them key training for the world of work
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 15:27:23 GMTOmicron: Masks and travel tests will be kept into New Year without MPs’ vote if necessary
Curbs in England can be extended – or beefed up – after Commons recess starts next week, No 10 says
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 15:20:54 GMTPrimary school in Renfrewshire shut after suspected Omicron outbreak
The school told parents it had closed for a week ‘due to reduced teaching and support staff’ after a suspected outbreak of the coronavirus variant.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 15:06:58 GMTProposed ban on hunting with dogs in Northern Ireland divides opinion at Stormont
The region remains the only part of the UK where hunting wild mammals with dogs is still permitted.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 15:04:03 GMTReports of bid to curtail court review powers not accurate, suggests No 10
Downing Street said its reforms were about defending the judiciary.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 14:39:02 GMTElections Bill is ‘a threat’ to Electoral Commission independence, says chairman
Commission chair John Pullinger said reforms would make it ‘harder to demonstrate independence and for the public to be confident of independence’.
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 14:35:27 GMTKilted Scot and his dog’s 5,000-mile trek across Canada raises £40,000
Michael Yellowlees and his Alaskan husky Luna raised funds for a Highland rewilding charity.