According to the prime minister, the new package will include “lethal aid” in the form of defensive weapons and non-lethal aid…reports Asian Lite News
The United Kingdom will provide Ukraine with a new package of military aid in the near future in light of the “increasingly threatening behavior from Russia,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday.
“I can announce to the House [of Commons] that in the light of the increasingly threatening behavior from Russia and in line with our previous support, the UK will shortly be providing a further package of military support Ukraine,” Johnson told the parliament.
According to the prime minister, the new package will include “lethal aid” in the form of defensive weapons and non-lethal aid. (ANI/Sputnik)
Intelligence suggests Russia intends to launch an invasion that will encircle Ukrainian capital Kyiv, said Johnson…reports Asian Lite News
Evidence suggests that Russia is planning “the biggest war in Europe since 1945”, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the BBC.
“All the signs are that the plan has already in some senses begun,” he said on Saturday from Munich where world leaders are meeting for an annual security conference.
Intelligence suggests Russia intends to launch an invasion that will encircle Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Johnson told the BBC.
“I’m afraid to say that the plan we are seeing is for something that could be really the biggest war in Europe since 1945 just in terms of sheer scale.
“People need to understand the sheer cost in human life that could entail,” he said.
The latest estimates by the US government suggests that between 169,000 and 190,000 Russian troops are now stationed along Ukraine’s border, both in Russia and neighbouring Belarus – but this figure also includes rebels in eastern Ukraine.
Johnson also indicated that the UK would bring in even more far-reaching sanctions against Russia than have been suggested before.
He said the UK and the US would stop Russian companies “trading in pounds and dollars” – a move that he said would “hit very very hard” with its impact.
Western officials have warned in recent weeks that Russia could be preparing to invade at any time, but Russia has denied the claims, saying troops are conducting military exercises in the region.
Asked whether a Russian invasion is still thought to be imminent, Johnson told the BBC: “I’m afraid that that is what the evidence points to, there’s no burnishing it.
“The fact is that all the signs are that the plan has already in some senses begun.”
The Prime Minister said US President Joe Biden had told Western leaders intelligence suggested Russian forces were not just planning on entering Ukraine from the east, via Donbas, but down from Belarus and the area surrounding Kiev, the BBC reported.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a bilateral meeting with the Presidents of the United States of America in the Oval Office in the White House, Washington DC. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street
Both the leaders agreed there remained a crucial window for diplomacy and for Russia to step back from its threats towards Ukraine, reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Joe Biden agreed in a call Monday that a “crucial window for diplomacy” remained over the crisis in Ukraine, Johnson’s office said.
The discussion, the latest among world leaders focused on the crisis in Ukraine, comes after US intelligence officials warned an invasion by Moscow into its western neighbour could be days away.
“They agreed there remained a crucial window for diplomacy and for Russia to step back from its threats towards Ukraine,” a Downing Street spokesman added of the call between the transatlantic allies.
“The leaders emphasised that any further incursion into Ukraine would result in a protracted crisis for Russia, with far reaching damage for both Russia and the world.”
They also stressed that diplomatic discussions with Russia remained “the first priority”, and welcomed talks that have already taken place between Russia and NATO allies, according to the spokesman.
“They agreed that Western allies must remain united in the face of Russian threats, including imposing a significant package of sanctions should Russian aggression escalate,” he added.
“They also reiterated the need for European countries to reduce their dependence on Russian gas, a move which, more than any other, would strike at the heart of Russia’s strategic interests.”
The White House said the two leaders “reviewed ongoing diplomatic and deterrence efforts in response to Russia’s continued military build-up on Ukraine’s borders and reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
“They discussed efforts to reinforce the defensive posture on NATO’s eastern flank and underlined the continued close coordination among Allies and partners, including on readiness to impose severe consequences on Russia should it choose further military escalation,” it added.
Russia has massed more than 100,000 troops nears its Ukrainian border and in neighbouring Belarus, where they have been doing joint exercises.
Earlier Monday, Johnson urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to step back from “the edge of a precipice”, calling the situation “very, very dangerous”.
The British leader said he had no plans to visit Moscow, but that he would be discussing the crisis with “various leaders” soon.
Meanwhile in London, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss later chaired a meeting of the government’s emergency “COBR” committee, to discuss British nationals who may end up stuck in Ukraine in the event of hostilities.
The government is urging all Britons to leave the country by commercial flights, but says it is maintaining a “core” diplomatic presence in Kyiv.
President Biden and I agreed this evening there is a crucial window for diplomacy & for Russia to step back from its threats towards Ukraine.
We are united in the face of such threats.
Further incursion into Ukraine will result in far reaching damage for Russia and the world.
“We are doing everything possible to prevent a Russian invasion in Ukraine, while also preparing for the worst,” Truss tweeted after the meeting.
The prime minister was also to receive a security briefing from intelligence chiefs.
On Tuesday, he will chair a full meeting of the Civil Contingencies Committee that is convened to handle matters of national emergency or major disruption to discuss the UK’s overall response, Downing Street said.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a virtual Cabinet meeting in 10 Downing Street. Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
Senior Conservative MPs on Friday issued a fresh warning to Johnson that he must “shape up or ship out”…reports Asiaan Lite News
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been rocked by another Downing Street resignation after a fifth aide quit as Cabinet Ministers said they believe there is a “50/50” chance that Johnson will be forced out of office, the Daily Mail reported.
Elena Narozanski, a member of the Number 10 Policy Unit, resigned on Friday, according to the Conservative Home website.
Some senior ministers believe “it feels like the end” after Thursday’s exodus amid mounting fears in Downing Street that more staff and even ministers could resign.
But the Prime Minister’s allies have insisted the shake-up is actually evidence of Johnson “taking charge”.
Senior Conservative MPs on Friday issued a fresh warning to Johnson that he must “shape up or ship out”, the Daily Mail report said.
Number 10 was in meltdown as the Prime Minister ordered a brutal clearout in a desperate attempt to shore up his troubled premiership as Rishi Sunak primed himself for a leadership bid.
Downing Street announced that the Prime Minister’s chief of staff Dan Rosenfield and private secretary Martin Reynolds will be leaving.
That announcement came after it emerged the PM’s communications chief, Jack Doyle, was also departing.
Johnson had already been hit by the shock resignation of one of his closest allies, policy chief Munira Mirza, on Thursday, the report said.
It then emerged on Friday morning that Narozanski, a former Team England boxer and former adviser to Michael Gove, had reportedly followed Mirza in quitting the policy unit.
Johnson was also publicly criticised on Thursday by the Chancellor who questioned the Prime Minister’s conduct over his explosive claim that Labour Party leader Keir Starmer had failed to prosecute Jimmy Savile.
The Chancellor also later penned an opinion piece for The Sun in which he attempted to bolster his potential leadership credentials in a thinly-veiled bid for the top job, the report said.
Prime Minister Johnson will also hold crisis talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reports Asian Lite News
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is going to visit Europe next week to discuss the escalation of tensions on the Ukrainian-Russian border, a source told Sputnik.
“The Prime Minister will continue to spearhead diplomatic efforts on the Ukraine crisis next week, with a call with President [of Russia Vladimir] Putin and a trip to the region in the coming days,” the source said.
Meanwhile, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and diplomats from France, Germany, Italy, and the UK during a phone call discussed written responses to Russia’s proposals on security guarantees and the Normandy format meeting, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in a readout on Friday.
“The participants discussed the US and NATO written responses to Russia, the Normandy format meeting held in Paris on January 26, and our ongoing commitment to diplomacy,” Price said. “They agreed on the importance of continued close coordination and unity in the face of Russia’s unprovoked military buildup on Ukraine’s borders and reaffirmed that any further military incursion into Ukraine will be met with swift, severe, and coordinated consequences.”
Participating in Thursday’s call with Sherman were French MFA Secretary-General Francois Delattre, German MFA State Secretary Andreas Michaelis, Italian MFA Secretary General Ettore Sequi, and UK Minister of State for Middle East, North Africa and North America James Cleverly On Wednesday, US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan delivered Washington’s response to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko.
Ukrainian border patrol troops guard the country’s border to Hungary. Photo: -/Ukrinform/dpa/IANS
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday that Russia is reviewing the response but stressed that the United States, in its response to Russia’s proposals on security guarantees, left the main question about non-expansion of NATO to the east unanswered.
Moscow published its security suggestions for NATO and the US in late 2021 as tensions flared high around Ukraine. It requested, in particular, guarantees that the alliance would not expand eastward. The US insists it will not allow anyone to slam NATO’s open door policy shut.
Russia-France security guarantees
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone conversation on Friday to discuss the establishment of long-term and legally binding security guarantees between Russia and the West.
Putin told Macron that Russia will carefully study the written responses from the US and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to Moscow’s draft agreements on security guarantees, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement by Kremlin.
Putin stressed that the US and NATO responses did not take into account such fundamental concerns of Russia as stopping NATO’s expansion and refraining from deploying offensive weapons near Russian borders, among others.
French President Emmanuel Macron with Russia counterpart Vladimir Putin
In addition, a key concept was also ignored in the responses, namely the “indivisibility of security” or the principle that no state should strengthen its own security at the expense of the security of others, Putin said.
When discussing the situation in Ukraine, the Russian leader emphasized the importance of Kiev’s strict compliance with the 2015 Minsk Agreements and other deals.
As France presides over the Council of the European Union in the first half of this year, Macron and Putin agreed to continue the French-Russian dialogue on the entire range of European security issues. (ANI/Sputnik/IANS)
Senior Tory backbencher William Wragg will be speaking to a Met Police detective in the House of Commons early next week, reports Asian Lite News
A senior Conservative backbencher who accused Prime Minister’s Office of trying to “blackmail” MPs seeking to oust Boris Johnson is to meet police to discuss his allegations, according to reports.
William Wragg said he will be speaking to a Met Police detective in the House of Commons early next week, after requesting a meeting with the force, the BBC reported.
The lawmaker, who wants the Prime Minister Boris Johnson to quit, said he wanted to leave any probe to “experts” rather than No 10.
He told the Daily Telegraph he would outline “several” examples of bullying and intimidation when he speaks to police.
“I stand by what I have said. No amount of gas-lighting will change that,” he said. “The offer of No 10 to investigate is kind but I shall leave it to the experts.”
Meanwhile, Downing Street said it had not seen any proof of the behaviour he alleges.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street
A No 10 spokesman said on Friday they were not investigating the allegations but would look “carefully” at any evidence presented to them, the BBC reported.
It comes as Tory whips and No 10 try to shore up support for the prime minster ahead of senior civil servant Sue Gray’s report into a series of Downing Street lockdown parties which is expected next week.
Johnson has been facing down an attempt from some Conservative MPs to oust him since he admitted attending a drinks event at No 10 during the first lockdown, although he says he believed it was a work event.
Earlier, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer had accused Johnson of breaking Covid laws with parties held in Downing Street during lockdown. He said the UK prime minister had “lied” about “industrial scale partying” in No 10.
However, Starmer told the BBC’s Sunday Morning programme he did not need to wait for the report to conclude that Johnson broke the rules.
“The facts speak for themselves, and the country has made up its mind,” he said, adding it was “blindingly obvious what’s happened”.
“I think he broke the law, I think he’s as good as admitted that he broke the law,” he added, the report said.
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer speaks at the House of Commons. (UK Parliament_Jessica Taylor)
Pressure on Johnson has been growing since he admitted he attended a gathering in the Downing Street garden on 20 May 2020, during the first Covid lockdown.
As many as 100 people were invited to “socially distanced drinks in the No 10 garden” in an email on behalf of the prime minister’s principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, the report said.
On Wednesday, Johnson told MPs he had “believed implicitly” it was a work event, but admitted: “With hindsight, I should have sent everyone back inside”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said it was “deeply regrettable that this took place at a time of national mourning”, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
Downing Street has apologised to Queen Elizabeth II for hosting two staff parties on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021, when Covid-19 rules barred indoor socialising.
“It is deeply regrettable that this took place at a time of national mourning and Number 10 has apologised to the Palace,” a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told reporters on Friday.
The gatherings took place on April 16, 2021, and continued into the early hours, The Telegraph newspaper said in an exclusive report on Thursday night.
Johnson did not attend either party as he was not in Downing Street, where he both lives and works, on April 16, the spokesperson added.
The revelation came as reports about a string of lockdown-breaching gatherings organised by Downing Street officials over the past two years have enraged the British public and threatened Johnson’s premiership, Xinhua news agency reported.
This shows just how seriously Boris Johnson has degraded the office of Prime Minister.
The Conservatives have let Britain down.
An apology isn’t the only thing the Prime Minister should be offering the palace today.
On Wednesday, the UK Prime Minister apologised for attending a Downing Street garden party on May 20, 2020, during the country’s first lockdown. He said he believed it was a work event and stayed for only 25 minutes.
“I believed implicitly that this was a work event,” he told the lawmakers, adding that he went to the garden party with the aim of thanking groups of staff before going back into his office 25 minutes later.
“With hindsight, I should have sent everyone back inside. I should have found some other way to thank them.”
Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, slammed Johnson’s “ridiculous” apology, saying the Prime Minister’s excuse that he “did not realise he was at a party” was “offensive” to the British public. Starmer urged Johnson to “do the decent thing and resign”.
In response, Johnson insisted that everyone should wait until the inquiry by Sue Gray, the senior civil servant tasked with investigating the reported party in Downing Street, has concluded before questioning further on the matter.
“I know the rage they (millions of people across Britain) feel with me and with the government I lead when they think in Downing Street itself the rules are not being properly followed by the people who make the rules.
“And though I cannot anticipate the conclusions of the current inquiry, I have learned enough to know there were things we simply did not get right and I must take responsibility,” he added. The Prime Minister’s comments came after days of outrage after new evidence about the illicit gathering emerged.
On Monday, local media ITV revealed that Johnson’s principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, had emailed an invitation to more than 100 Downing Street staffers to “socially distanced drinks in the No. 10 garden” and told guests to “bring your own booze” and “make the most of the lovely weather”.
This happened while the country was under strict coronavirus lockdown measures and such gatherings were illegal.
A snap poll from Savanta ComRes found that 66 per cent of British adults thought the Prime Minister should step down, representing a 12-point increase on a previous poll. Another poll conducted by YouGov showed that 56 per cent of respondents believe that Johnson should step down, up from 48 per cent in a similar survey on November 22, 2021.
Support from Johnson’s own Conservative Party is also waning as several members have been openly critical, with Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross saying on Tuesday that Johnson must resign if he broke the lockdown rules with the garden party.
India and the UK will seek to agree a mutually beneficial agreement supporting jobs, businesses and communities in both countries….reports Asian Lite News
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, on Thursday launched the negotiations between India and the UK for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries in the presence of British International Trade Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan.
Ahead of the launch of the FTA negotiations, British Minister Boris Johnson said: “A trade deal with India’s booming economy offers huge benefits for British businesses, workers and consumers. As we take our historic partnership with India to the next level, the UK’s independent trade policy is creating jobs, increasing wages and driving innovation across the country.”
“The UK has world-class businesses and expertise for which we can rightly be proud of, from Scotch whisky distillers to financial services and cutting-edge renewable technology. We are seizing the opportunities offered in growing economies of the Indo-Pacific to cement our place on the global stage and deliver jobs and growth at home,” Johnson said in London.
The India-UK bilateral trade relationship is part of ‘Roadmap 2030′ announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Johnson in May 2021.
India and the UK will seek to agree a mutually beneficial agreement supporting jobs, businesses and communities in both countries.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson records a Covid-19 Christmas update statement. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street
Prime Minister will urge people who are celebrating to exercise caution by taking a test, practicing good hygiene, and letting fresh air in, and to follow the COVID-19 guidance if they’re living in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has hailed success of vaccine programme and heroic public response to booster campaign in New Year’s message.
Johnson will deliver his New Year’s message today where he will celebrate the achievements of the vaccination programme over the last year with over 7 in 10 eligible adults in England boosted so far – an increase of 8 million top up jabs (45%) since the target was brought forward on 12 December.
In his New Year’s message, he will announce UK has met the target to offer the chance to get a COVID-19 booster to every eligible adult and urge those who haven’t yet been jabbed to take up the offer of a booster, or their first or second dose.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson, with their daughter Romy, hold video calls from Chequers with Doctor Laura Mount, Director of Central and West Warrington, who leads a vaccination team, followed by Tom Jones, from Rickmansworth who attends RVS Rickmansworth lunch club and cares for his wife with Dementia. Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
The Prime Minister will also reflect on the achievements of the UK throughout the past year. The UK has had the fastest economic growth in the G7, record employment levels and massive global investments in the British tech sector this year.
The Prime Minister will also urge people who are celebrating to exercise caution by taking a test, practicing good hygiene, and letting fresh air in, and to follow the COVID-19 guidance if they’re living in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
“Happy New Year. 2022 is almost upon us. And whatever the challenges that fate continues to throw in our way and whatever the anxieties we may have about the weeks and months ahead, particularly about omicron and the growing numbers in hospitals…we can say one thing with certainty – our position this December the 31st is incomparably better than last year,” Johnson will say.
“This country has the fastest economic growth in the G7. We have more people in work now than there were before the pandemic began. And if you want a sign of future growth – look at the massive global investment in British high tech. Almost £30 billion into the UK tech sector this year – twice as much tech investment as Germany, three times as much as France.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson records a Covid-19 Christmas update statement. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street
“And there is one reason – one overriding reason – why the UK has been able to maintain the most open economy and society of any major European economy. And that is because the British people have responded heroically, voluntarily, and in almost incredible numbers to the call to get vaccinated.”
“And as I speak tonight on New Year’s Eve, we’ve met our target, we’ve doubled the speed of the booster roll out. And it’s precisely because of that huge national effort that we can celebrate tonight at all. Though I must of course urge everyone to be cautious and to take a test if you are going out and to remember the importance of ventilation. Follow the rules if you are in Scotland or Wales or Northern Ireland.”
“And I want to speak directly to all those who have yet to get fully vaccinated. The people who think the disease can’t hurt them – look at the people going into hospital now, that could be you. Look at the intensive care units and the miserable, needless suffering of those who did not get their booster, that could be you.”
“So, make it your New Year’s resolution – far easier than losing weight or keeping a diary – find a walk-in centre or make an online appointment. Get that jab and do something that will make 2022 a happy New Year for us all,” he added.
Photo shows a man walking out of the COVID-19 Vaccination Centre in Westminster Abbey in London, Britain. (Photo by Ray TangXinhua)
On 30 November, the government set out its ambition to offer all eligible adults the chance to get their booster by the end of January. This target was brought forward by the Prime Minister earlier this month in response to the emerging threat of the Omicron variant in order to protect the public as quickly as possible. Some eligible people may not yet have been able to receive their booster yet due to catching COVID-19.
The vaccination programme requires the majority of people infected with COVID-19 to wait 28 days following infection before receiving a vaccine. After the 28 days have passed, people are encouraged to book their booster as soon as they can. Those eligible for a booster vaccine who have delayed making an appointment because of other acute illnesses are also encouraged to book as soon as they are fully recovered.
Simon Case’s role was put into doubt after reports a party was held in his office while London was under strict Covid-19 rules
UK’s top civil servant has stepped down from his role investigating a case into Downing Street lockdown parties while London was under strict Covid-19 restrictions, after it emerged an event was held in his own office, according to media reports.
Simon Case had been due to report on claims Covid rules were broken at events for staff last year, the BBC reported.
But his role was put into doubt after reports a party was held in his office while London was under Covid rules.
Case will be replaced by veteran civil servant Sue Gray, second permanent secretary at the communities and levelling up department.
“To ensure the ongoing investigation retains public confidence the cabinet secretary [Simon Case] has recused himself for the remainder of the process,” the BBC quoted a spokesperson for No 10 as saying.
They said Gray would “ascertain the facts and present her findings to the prime minister”.
Simon Case’s role was put into doubt after reports a party was held in his office while London was under Covid rules. Picture by Andrew Parsons No 10 Downing Street
According to BBC, a quiz was held for members of Case’s private office on 17 December 2020, and invites were sent out titled “Christmas Party!”
About 15 people were invited to the gathering at 70 Whitehall, near Downing Street, although it is understood not everyone turned up. Meanwhile, responding to the claims, a government spokesperson said the staff in the cabinet secretary’s private office took part in a virtual quiz on 17 December 2020, the BBC reported.
“A small number of them, who had been working in the office throughout the pandemic and on duty that day, took part from their desks, while the rest of the team were virtual,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying.
“The cabinet secretary played no part in the event, but walked through the team’s office on the way to his own office. No outside guests or other staff were invited or present. This lasted for an hour and drinks and snacks were bought by those attending. He also spoke briefly to staff in the office before leaving,” the spokesperson added.
Few days ago, a government adviser had resigned following a backlash over a video that showed her joking about the alleged Christmas party at Downing Street last year during lockdown.
Allegra Stratton said she has offered her resignation less than 20 hours after the video emerged.
Simon Case with Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Picture by Andy Parsons No 10 Downing Street
The video, obtained by ITV, showed Stratton, who was Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Press Secretary at that time, laughing about how to describe the alleged party during a rehearsal for a news conference.
In the footage from December last year, Stratton and other senior aides can be heard jokingly referring the party to a “business meeting” and a “cheese and wine” event.
In her statement, she said the British people had made immense sacrifices and apologised for comments that “seemed to make light of the rules”.
“I will regret those remarks for the rest of my days and offer my profound apologies to all of you for them,” she said.
But she did not mention in the statement whether the party did actually happen.
Johnson also apologised for the video in Parliament during the same week, saying that he was “furious” about the clip and was launching an investigation into whether rules had been broken.
But opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer said the Prime Minister had taken the public for fools as Downing Street has refused during the past week to confirm what happened at the alleged party on December 18 last year.
Matt Fowler, co-founder of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, accused the Prime Minister of trying to “gaslight” bereaved families.
