There are perils to live reporting from inside a raucus Conference party. GB News’ Deputy Political Editor and Guido alumnus Tom Harwood was briefly consulted for his analysis from the dance floor. That’s one way to get out of an interview…
The National Crime Agency says that ex-lawyer Phil Shiner has pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud in relation to applications made in 2007 for public funding for legal action against the MoD. Shiner’s legal challenge led to a public inquiry into alleged atrocities by British Troops in Iraq in 2004…
Seven years later the inquiry concluded that claims British soldiers executed Iraqi prisoners and tortured others were completely untrue. Shiner pleaded guilty to charges related to his failure to disclose the fact that he had paid for referrals and asked a middleman to approach claimants when applying for public funding. The NCA’s International Corruption Unit chief said:
“This conviction is a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex domestic and international investigation. Shiner’s actions resulted in untold pressure and anxiety on members of the British Armed Forces, pursuing legal challenges funded through dishonest actions.”
Shiner will go on to be convicted at Southwark Crown Court in December. The end of a years-long saga…
After weeks of wrangling between the rival leadership teams a televised “leadership event” has finally been organised. GB News will host the debate between the final two candidates on October 17th.
“The two MPs will debate their ideas for Britain and the future of their party with Conservative members live on The People’s Channel.”
This is the first to be added to the books. Always room for more…
As Jenrick gains support with Tory members to get in reach of Kemi Badenoch he’s being launched on by rival candidates for some of his choicier words on the ECHR. In a video released yesterday morning Jenrick said “our special forces are killing rather than capturing terrorists because our lawyers tell us that if they’re caught the European Court will set them free.” Quite the allegation to be fair…
The leadership hopeful was questioned by Mishal Husain for four grating minutes on the Today Programme about that statement. Jenrick argued he was just repeating Ben Wallace, who complained lsat year that the ECHR prevents the SAS from conducting raids on foreign soil, but doesn’t prevent a lethal drone strike:
“When we have a threat to the UK, this lunacy of being unable to render people across borders or arrest people in countries whose police forces are unacceptable, means that we are more often than not forced into taking lethal action than actually raiding and detaining.”
Not quite the same as terrorists getting set free by lawyers. Husain pushed him on the specifics several times: “You did say our special forces are killing rather than capturing terrorists, so you think or know that’s happening now?” His rivals have jumped on the statement. Jenrick gets a conference blowup – there’s still time for Cleverly and Tugendhat…
All four candidates have been desperately trying to win over the members with all sorts of shiny merch. Tom had Tugend-TAN, Kemi had “There’s no BAD in Badenoch” mugs (whatever that means), and Cleverly had “power to the members” portable chargers. Jenrick stuck to the simple baseball cap with the words: “We Want Bobby J” written on it. If only he knew what that meant…
Turns out those fans wearing the hats are asking for a little more than they may have bargained for. Bobby J is actually slang for something else, according to Urban Dictionary:
Maybe his team should have done a little more research before making the caps the flagship merch of the campaign. Or perhaps they did…
Latest figures from the the Institute of Directors have optimism in the economic outlook falling to its lowest level since 2022. The index took a dive to -38 in September, down from -12 in August…
Confidence in firms’ prospects has also dipped while investment intentions have droppped to their lowest point since September 2020. Directors cite “concerns over likely tax increases, the cost of workers’ rights, international competitiveness,” and “broader cost pressures” in their latest dour assessment of times to come. Reeves’ budget summarised…
Meanwhile the Tories’ £3,500 business day at Conference has received poor reviews with little interest from firms and tickets getting a two-thirds discount at the last minute to egg on interest. At least they didn’t ask for their money back this time…
Speaking at his speech on how to achieve “progressive capitalism” Wes Streeting fired a dig and Andy Burnham:
“Bond markets are not bond villains and fiscal rules matter.”
