Political Headlines – Even more Boris, migration targets, Arron Banks and interest rates

Today’s Political Headlines include the ongoing Boris Johnson row, the CBI calling for migration targets to be scrapped, details of the deal Arron Banks was offered by Russia and the banks criticised for not passing on the interest rate rise.

Johnson faces investigation over burqa comments, but is backed by Rowan Atkinson
The Guardian reports that Boris Johnson is to face a disciplinary investigation from the Conservative Party after dozens of complaints were received about his column on the burqa for The Daily Telegraph. However, The Daily Telegraph claims that party chair Brandon Lewis has been accused of trying to ‘kneecap’ Johnson and that he earlier called for him to apologise without consulting Downing Street, while according to The Times, comedian Rowan Atkinson has lent Johnson his support.

CBI calls for migration targets to be scrapped
The BBC reports that the CBI has called for net migration targets to be axed after Brexit. Instead, a new system should be introduced that makes sure immigrants contribute positively to the economy and that schools and hospitals in areas of increased demand receive extra funding. The Home Office says it does not plan to abandon targets.

Details of deal offered to Banks by Russia revealed
In an exclusive, The Guardian has details of a deal offered to Arron Banks, the main donor to Leave.EU, by the Russian ambassador in the run-up to the EU referendum. Banks was offered what the paper calls ‘the chance of making potentially enormous profits’ as part of a deal to drive consolidation in the gold industry. Conservative MP Bob Neil, questioned why Russia offered the deal and asked what the ‘quid pro quos’ were.

Banks criticised for not passing on interest rate rise
The Times says that MPs and campaigners are angry that just one bank or building society has passed on last week’s interest rate rise in full to all its savers, despite increasing costs for mortgage holders. Nicky Morgan, Chair of the Commons Treasury Committee, said that banks had ‘a lot of work to do to rebuild trust among customers’.

Expenses watchdog stops publication of MPs’ property details
The Daily Telegraph reveals that the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, which regulates MPs’ expenses, is to cease publishing information about MPs’ properties owing to concerns about security. The only information which will now be published is whether the property is in the MPs’ constituency or London and the cost to rent.

Minister’s ousting of Parole Board chair unacceptable
The Guardian reports that a judge has ruled that it was unacceptable for Justice Secretary David Gauke to pressurise the chair of the Parole Board, Nick Hardwick, into resigning and that the board is not independent from the Government. The case was brought by a prisoner seeking a judicial review of the board’s independence.

Northamptonshire votes for ‘massive cuts’
The BBC says that Northamptonshire County Council has voted to approve ‘massive cuts’ to jobs and services as it tries to deal with a £70m funding shortfall. ‘Radical’ cuts are to be imposed on children’s services, road maintenance and waste management. Matt Golby, the council leader, described it as ‘the most challenging thing’ he has ever faced.

50% back giving the public the final say on Brexit
The Daily Mirror carries details of a poll by YouGov for the People’s Vote campaign which found that 50% believe that the final decision on leaving the EU should be taken by the public, with just 25% backing giving Parliament the final say. According to The Guardian, Labour is trying to avoid a vote on a second referendum at its conference, and is considering tabling a policy statement that would back holding a vote in exceptional circumstances.

What’s better than being backed by Rowan Atkinson? Being backed by Vuelio Political Services.