UK deputy prime minister resigns after bullying allegations

Conrad Hoyt

April 21, 05:39 AM April 21, 05:51 AM

United Kingdom Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has resigned from his position following allegations of bullying, he announced on Friday.

Raab's behavior was reviewed by an independent investigator and was prompted by eight complaints about his actions while acting as foreign secretary, Brexit secretary, and justice secretary. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak received the investigator's report on Thursday.

LIZ TRUSS WARNS US AND UK ARE HEADING IN WRONG DIRECTION ECONOMICALLY AND CULTURALLY

"I called for the inquiry and undertook to resign, if it made any finding of bullying whatsoever. I believe it is important to keep my word," Raab said in his resignation statement posted to Twitter. He added that the review dismissed all but two of the complaints against him and said those two findings are "flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government."

He reiterated his position once again in his statement, which spanned a page and a half.

"In setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent. It will encourage spurious complaints against Ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your government — and ultimately the British people," he added.

Raab had been deputy prime minister since October and also held the office under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government.

German Leopard 2 tanks and first British tanks arrive in Ukraine

Mike Brest

March 27, 05:02 PM March 27, 05:02 PM

Ukraine received its first tanks from Germany and the United Kingdom, among other tactical vehicles, officials of all three countries announced on Monday.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Facebook they had received Challengers, main battle tanks, from the U.K.; Strykers, infantry fighting vehicles, and Cougars, infantry mobility vehicles from the mine-resistant ambush-protected family, from the U.S.; and Marders, infantry fighting vehicles, from Germany.

AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL MADE ENEMIES THINKS US 'FECKLESS' FORMER CENTCOM COMMANDER SAYS

“A year ago, no one could have imagined that the support of our partners would be so strong. That the entire civilized world would reboot and eventually resist the bloody aggressor, the terrorist country of Russia,” he said. “This year, everything has changed. Ukraine has changed the world. The resilience of the Ukrainian people and the skill of our army convinced everyone that Ukraine will win.”

Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany had also delivered the much-sought-after 18 German Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine that had been promised to them.

“Our tanks, as promised, arrived on time in the hands of our Ukrainian friends," German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on social media. "I am sure that they can do something important at the front!”

Germany had initially refused to provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks, going as far as to give them up only if President Joe Biden did the same with U.S. tanks. Biden ultimately gave in, ending the stalemate when he announced a plan to provide Ukraine with 31 M1A2 Abrams tanks, though the Pentagon later decided they would provide them with M1A1 tanks because it would reduce the length of time before they would arrive in Ukraine.

By making the change, the tanks will reach Ukraine "by the fall of this year," Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters last week, while initially officials thought it could take longer.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said earlier this month that the U.S. and allies had collectively provided Ukraine with "more than nine brigades of tanks and other armored vehicles."

Traces of suspected cocaine found at former British Prime Minister Liz Truss's residence

Brady Knox

December 16, 05:16 PM December 16, 05:16 PM

Traces of a drug suspected to be cocaine were found at a residence of former United Kingdom Prime Minister Liz Truss.

The drug was discovered over the summer at Truss's former grace-and-favor home, a residence granted to leading officials during their time in office, the Guardian reported. A member of the cleaning staff claimed the substance was found after a party attended by Truss and her allies. It was apparently confirmed to be cocaine when a swab of the drug tested positive in a cocaine test. Truss fervently denies the report.

LIZ TRUSS AND THE DEATH OF THATCHERISM

"This is categorically untrue," a Truss spokesperson told the Daily Mail. "If there were evidence that this alleged activity had occurred during her use of Chevening, Ms. Truss would have expected to have been informed and for the relevant authorities to have properly investigated the matter. As it is, the Guardian have produced no evidence to support these spurious claims."

Cocaine is classified as a Class A drug in the U.K., along with heroin, crack cocaine, and other hard drugs, carrying the heaviest possible penalty for possession, according to the U.K.'s government website. Offenders could spend up to seven years in prison, pay an "unlimited" fine, or both. Production and supply of the drug carries a punishment of up to life in prison.

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The Guardian stressed that it has found no evidence that Truss used the substance or was aware of it.

Other sources told the outlet that suspected cocaine residue has been found in the aftermath of several parties held by members of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Cabinet.

Protester who egged King Charles III banned from carrying eggs in public

Misty Severi

November 11, 03:21 PM November 11, 03:22 PM

A student who allegedly pelted King Charles III and his wife Camilla, the queen consort, with eggs earlier this week has egg on his face after he was banned from carrying the dairy product in public without a receipt.

Patrick Thelwell, who was arrested after pelting the royal couple on a visit to Yorkshire on Wednesday but was released on bail, said he found the conditions of his release "amusing" and claimed he is not allowed within 500 meters of the king or allowed to carry eggs in public. However, the directive was adjusted to allow for grocery shopping, according to the Mirror.

STUDENT ARRESTED AFTER KING CHARLES GETS EGGED

Thelwell, a self-proclaimed climate activist, said he chose to throw eggs at the couple because he does not believe in "kings" or fascism and said the United Kingdom should be abolished.

"I did what I did because I don't believe in kings. I believe in the equality of all people. It's a protest against the state of this country and the descent into fascism," Thelwell told the Mirror. "I believe in democracy and solidarity with all the world's people who are suffering right now in large part because of conditions created by the British state. The United Kingdom as a whole needs to be abolished, dissolved, and its assets given as reparations to help the world and build resilience to the climate breakout that we have caused."

Neither royal was hit by the eggs.

Thelwell, who has been charged with a Section 4 public order offense, is due in court on Dec. 1.

UK prime minister: Sunak leads race, Johnson yet to declare

October 23, 01:03 PM October 23, 01:03 PM

LONDON — Former British Treasury chief Rishi Sunak was the front-runner Sunday in the Conservative Party's race to replace Liz Truss as prime minister. Sunak garnered the public support of over 100 Tory lawmakers to forge ahead of his two main rivals: former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and ex-Cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt.

But widespread uncertainty remained after British media reported that Sunak held late-night talks with Johnson on Saturday. Speculation mounted that the pair could strike a deal to unite the fractured governing party after it was left reeling from Truss's rapid downfall following Johnson's ouster.

The Conservative Party hastily ordered a contest that aims to finalize nominations Monday and install a new prime minister — its third this year — within a week.

Sunak, 42, was runner-up after Truss in this summer's Tory leadership race to replace Johnson after he was forced out by a string of ethics scandals. On Sunday, he confirmed he was running again in the latest leadership contest.

Sunak has the backing of at least 124 Conservative lawmakers, according to unofficial tallies compiled by British news organizations. That's well ahead of the 100 nominations required to qualify.

"There will be integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level of the government I lead and I will work day in and day out to get the job done," Sunak said in a statement.

Johnson, who has not yet declared if he is running, has public support from about 50 lawmakers so far, while Mordaunt had support from about 23, according to the unofficial tallies.

U.K. Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg told the BBC on Sunday that he spoke with Johnson and "clearly he's going to stand" after flying back to London Saturday from a vacation in the Dominican Republic.

Mordaunt and Johnson — if he confirms he is running — have until Monday afternoon to garner 100 nominations. If all three meet the threshold, lawmakers will vote to knock out one and then hold an indicative vote on the final two.

The party's 172,000 members would then get to decide between the two finalists in an online vote. The new leader is due to be selected by Friday.

A possible return to power for Johnson, 58, who officially quit only in early September, has deeply divided the Conservatives and alarmed many others. Supporters say he is a vote winner and has enough support from lawmakers, but many critics warn that another Johnson government would be catastrophic for the party and the country.

Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker, a former backer of Johnson and an influential politician within the Conservative Party, warned a Johnson comeback would be a "guaranteed disaster." Baker noted that Johnson still faces an investigation into whether he lied to Parliament while in office about breaking his government's own coronavirus restrictions during parties at Downing Street.

If found guilty, Johnson could be suspended as a lawmaker.

"This isn't the time for Boris and his style," Baker told Sky News on Sunday. "What we can't do is have him as prime minister in circumstances where he's bound to implode, taking down the whole government ... and we just can't do that again."

But Johnson won the backing of several senior Conservatives, including Nadhim Zahawi, another former Treasury chief.

"He was contrite and honest about his mistakes. He'd learned from those mistakes how he could run No 10 and the country better," Zahawi said.

Truss quit Thursday after a turbulent 45 days, conceding that she could not deliver on her botched tax-cutting economic package, which she was forced to abandon after it sparked fury within her party and weeks of turmoil in financial markets.

Sunak, who was Treasury chief from 2020 until this summer, steered Britain's slumping economy through the coronavirus pandemic. He quit in July in protest of Johnson's leadership.

In the summer contest to replace Johnson, Sunak called promises by Truss and other rivals to immediately slash taxes reckless "fairy tales" and argued that climbing inflation must be controlled first.

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Tory voters backed Truss over Sunak, but he was proved right when Truss's unfunded tax-cutting package triggered chaos in the markets in September.

Dozens among Britain's 357 Conservative lawmakers have not yet publicly declared whom they are backing to replace Truss.

Watch: Queen Elizabeth II's funeral at Westminister Abbey in London

Washington Examiner Staff

September 19, 03:27 AM September 19, 04:35 AM

The late Queen Elizabeth II is currently being honored by spouse and children, the Church of England, and top environment dignitaries at her funeral Monday morning.

The funeral, which envisioned to have upwards of 4 billion viewers globally, will be an elaborate service in Westminster Abbey. In addition to these watching at household, as a lot of as 750,000 individuals are considered to have traveled to London to pay their respects as her majesty was lying in state in Westminster Hall forward of the funeral. Several of those mourners have lined the streets to enjoy as her casket was transported to the church.

Practically 100 heads of condition — such as President Joe Biden, Canadian Key Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukraine’s 1st Woman Olena Zelenska, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as perfectly as the presidents of Austria, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Eire, Italy and Poland — are in attendance for the ceremony, which commenced at 6 a.m. EST (11 a.m. GMT neighborhood time).

The assistance will be led by leading Church of England leaders, together with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. Right after the Westminster ceremony, the queen's casket will be introduced to Windsor Castle for a committal company in St. George's Chapel before she is buried following to her late husband.

British isles to exchange China-backed language programs with Taiwanese instructors: Report

Jack Birle

September 18, 10:10 AM September 18, 10:10 AM

The United Kingdom is on the lookout to section out China-backed Confucius Institutes as countries crack from plans sponsored by the Communist nation.

The U.K. is on the lookout to use Taiwanese lecturers to teach Mandarin Chinese classes in area of the institutes, which have captivated criticism from Republicans for their ties to the Chinese Communist Party, for every a report from the Guardian.

Look at: Male TACKLED TO THE Floor BY Law enforcement Just after Jogging AT QUEEN ELIZABETH'S CASKET IN LONDON

The Confucius Institute, component of China's many international interference campaigns, appears to be like to advertise the CCP abroad while promising to educate Chinese language and society.

The courses have been shut down across the United States after Congress and intelligence agencies expressed their fears with the institutes.

The U.K. has provided 24 million British lbs in funding to training Mandarin Chinese by means of Confucius Institutes from 2015 to 2024, in accordance to the China Investigation Group.

The go towards closer relations with Taiwan will come as the U.K. reportedly explained to the de facto Taiwanese agent to the U.K. she was “specially invited” to indication the condolence reserve for Queen Elizabeth II structured by the government, irrespective of the place not possessing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. China is sending Vice President Wang Qishan to the queen's state funeral.

Biden strategies to show up at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral: Stories

Christian Datoc

September 09, 09:10 AM September 09, 09:18 AM

President Joe Biden programs to go to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in the coming weeks, according to studies.

The president stopped by the British Embassy in Washington Thursday evening to spend his respects and claimed previously that day that the queen "defined an period."

BIDEN Tends to make Surprise Stop by IN HONOR OF LATE QUEEN ELIZABETH II

"In a earth of constant transform, she was a steadying presence and a source of consolation and delight for generations of Britons, which include quite a few who have by no means regarded their region without the need of her. An enduring admiration for Queen Elizabeth II united people throughout the Commonwealth," the president wrote. "The 7 a long time of her historical past-creating reign bore witness to an age of unparalleled human advancement and the ahead march of human dignity."

"Queen Elizabeth II was a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy who deepened the bedrock Alliance in between the United Kingdom and the United States," he reported. "She helped make our relationship specific."

The queen died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland Thursday at the age of 96, marking her the U.K.'s longest-serving monarch. Her coffin will before long depart for the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the monarchy's formal home in Scotland, before lying in rest at St. Giles Cathedral for 24 several hours, in accordance to the BBC.

The queen will moreover lie in condition at Westminster for 4 days, allowing the general public to pay back their respects, forward of her funeral at Westminster Abbey in less than two months, although the specific date and time of her funeral have yet to be set.

Queen Elizabeth will turn into the to start with monarch to have a funeral services in the abbey given that King George II in 1760.

This is a building tale and will be up-to-date with much more details as it results in being available.

Biden speaks with environment leaders about urgent need to have for Ukraine nuclear plant inspection

Daniel Chaitin

August 21, 01:18 PM August 21, 01:18 PM

President Joe Biden spoke to the leaders of close allies about the tense condition encompassing the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine, in accordance to the White Property.

Months into Russia's comprehensive-scale invasion of Ukraine, Biden spoke with President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom, affirming "their ongoing assistance for Ukraine’s attempts to protect itself versus Russian aggression," explained a readout from the White Property press workplace on Sunday.

SEE IT: RUSSIAN FORCES Shield Navy Motor vehicles Inside UKRAINIAN NUCLEAR PLANT

"They also discussed the problem at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Ability Plant, such as the will need to keep away from military services operations in the vicinity of the plant and the importance of an IAEA pay a visit to as shortly as possible to confirm the condition of basic safety programs," the readout extra. Iran's nuclear application and security in the Center East was also mentioned, per the readout.

Issues about the nuclear energy plant have escalated in current weeks. Immediately after both Russian and Ukrainian forces accused each and every other of shelling the plant, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that these types of assaults are "suicidal."

Condition Section spokesman Ned Rate, who explained the Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company ought to be offered obtain to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant "as quickly as attainable and in a fashion that respects Ukraine's comprehensive sovereignty, to help make sure the security and security of the plant and monitoring of its nuclear product," also warned of the prospect of a Russian "fake flag" assault, the Washington Examiner's Jamie McIntyre described past 7 days.

Russia accuses Ukraine of shelling the plant and attacking it with drones, and has turned down the call to build a DMZ about the plant. “Any proposals to develop a demilitarized zone around the plant are unacceptable,” explained International Ministry spokesman Ivan Nechayev at a briefing in Moscow. “That would only make the nuclear electricity plant a lot more vulnerable.”

Nechayev blamed the U.N. for “sabotaging” a planned pay a visit to by IAEA inspectors in June, but claimed the worldwide industry experts would be going to the plant “very before long.”

Russian armed forces relying on mercenary group with minimal specifications in Ukraine

Mike Brest

July 18, 11:29 AM July 18, 11:29 AM

The Russian army has utilized an infamous mercenary group to fortify its entrance traces in Ukraine, the United Kingdom's Ministry of Protection claimed in its every day update on Monday.

The Wagner Group "has almost definitely played a central position in latest battling, which includes the seize of Popasna and Lysychansk," the company added, noting that it has sustained "hefty casualties" in the battling.

IRAN NUCLEAR Offer FACES Unsure Upcoming AS TEHRAN SELLS WEAPONS TO RUSSIA

The mercenaries have also decreased their benchmarks and started selecting convicts and "previously blacklisted folks," who receive "quite constrained education." It will possible diminish the group's upcoming operational efficiency.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the mercenary team, was named a "Hero of the Russian Federation" for the group's performance in Luhansk.

"This, at a time when a range of extremely senior Russian military commanders are becoming replaced, is probable to exacerbate grievances concerning the military and Wagner. It is also probable to impact negatively on Russian army morale," the statement added.

The Wagner Team has extended been affiliated with conflicts in unstable countries close to the globe.

The Russians' war in Ukraine is nearing the conclusion of its fifth month. The invaders had taken an operational pause, though the Institute for the Study of War explained in its Sunday update that they are "continuing a calculated return."

Russia could also shortly be relying on yet another resource of outdoors assistance: Iran.

The Biden administration divulged past Monday that Iran was arranging to offer Russia with "hundreds" of unmanned aerial autos, or UAVs, although a senior protection official informed reporters on Friday that they hadn't witnessed any on the battlefield. Countrywide safety adviser Jake Sullivan said teaching on the weapons could get started any day if it hasn't presently.

Even so, a Russian delegation has traveled to an airstrip in central Iran at minimum 2 times in the final month to examine the weapons.

"We evaluate an formal Russian delegation lately acquired a showcase of Iranian assault-capable UAVs," Sullivan instructed CNN. "We are releasing these illustrations or photos captured in June showing Iranian UAVs that the Russian governing administration delegation noticed that working day. This suggests ongoing Russian desire in acquiring Iranian assault-able UAVs."

Boris Johnson to resign: Reports

Misty Severi

July 07, 04:30 AM July 07, 05:32 AM

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is envisioned to resign on Thursday, ending an administration that has been rocked by scandal.

British media reviews that the embattled primary minister will make a statement to the region Thursday asserting his resignation as the chief of the Conservative Celebration, paving the way for Johnson to depart as prime minister in October.

Nadhim Zahawi, appointed U.K. Chancellor on Tuesday, had identified as for Johnson's resignation on Thursday, adhering to the departure of Education and learning Secretary Michelle Donelan, who was also appointed on Tuesday adhering to the resignation of her predecessor.

"Key Minister, you know in your heart what the appropriate thing to do is, and go now," Zahawi wrote in a letter posted on social media.

Johnson's departure follows a remarkable reshuffle of management this week as scores of large-position officers reported they have been resigning, which include Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, and Wellness Secretary Sajid Javid. The exodus from Johnson's Cupboard ongoing on Wednesday when Donelan and Stuart Andrew, Britain's housing minister, submitted resignations.

TWO Major MINISTERS RESIGN FROM JOHNSON ADMINISTRATION

Johnson confronted a increasing tide of calls for his resignation after No. 10 Downing Road admitted to recognizing that a top Conservative member of Parliament, Chris Pincher, had a history of alleged sexual misconduct but however elevated him to the placement of deputy chief whip. Pincher tendered his resignation from the part very last week soon after allegations surfaced that he groped two adult men throughout a boozy night time out at a club.

Johnson told reporters on Tuesday that it was a "slip-up" to boost Pincher and had insisted on Wednesday he will carry on to serve as primary minister inspite of the "hard circumstances" of the career.

Before this year, Johnson refused to resign amid the so-named Partygate scandal, through which investigations were being opened to search into whether or not Downing Road staff members broke COVID-19 protocols by throwing functions throughout the pandemic when the country was in lockdown and whether Johnson lied to Parliament about them. Johnson and Sunak have been among the these fined by London's Metropolitan Law enforcement.

Johnson confronted expanding tension to action down from users of his have Conservative Occasion, such as from Bim Afolami, a vice chairman for the get together who resigned Tuesday. Other customers of the Conservative Celebration identified as for another vote of "no self confidence" against Johnson, even going so much as to call for a alter to current legislation that condition a prime minister who survived a vote of "no assurance" is secure from a repeat vote for 12 months.

Johnson, a former mayor of London, grew to become key minister in 2019 and led the United Kingdom as a result of Brexit after a 2016 referendum resulted in the nation leaving the European Union.

Allies of Johnson praised his management for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the country's reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine but said the time experienced appear for his resignation.