“He wrote: “The estimated number of ISIL fighters killed as a result of UK strikes from September 2014 to 31 August 2015 is around 330. This figure is highly approximate, not least given the absence of UK ground troops in a position to observe the effects of strike activity. We do not believe there have been any civilian casualties as a result of UK strike activity. Any overall estimates would be a matter for the coalition.” – Daily Express
“The refugees will come from camps in countries on Syria’s border and will count towards the 20,000 which the UK has agreed to take over the next four and a half years. Mrs May said the Government was ‘working at speed’ to plan for even more arrivals in the coming weeks.” – Daily Mail
“Philip Hammond last week rejected a suggestion from MPs that just 54 moderate fighters finished an American-led scheme backed by Britain, insisting that the true figure was “in the thousands”. However, in a letter “clarifying” remarks made during a hearing of the foreign affairs select committee, his principal private secretary confirmed that 54 was, in fact, the correct number.” – The Times (£)
“The unit named and shamed the worst offenders – Queen Mary, King’s College, SOAS (the School of Oriental and African Studies) and Kingston – all universities in London. Security officials also have concerns about the number of young people being radicalised and travelling to join Islamic State jihadis.” The Government has urged the National Union of Students to drop its opposition to the anti-radicalisation strategy, which critics have claimed will create a culture of suspicion at academic institutions and could restrict freedom of speech. – Daily Mail
“And asked if this made a devolution deal impossible, he replied: “The leadership has not been as fleet of foot as I think is needed for the scale of the opportunity, not just for the city of Birmingham but for the West Midlands.” Mr Clark also suggested the Government would consider taking over Birmingham City Council if it failed to improve.” – Birmingham Post
“The BBC should ensure that people are able to use the iPlayer when they travel abroad, the Culture Secretary has said.John Whittingdale called on the BBC and other online services such as Netflix and ITV Player to ensure that viewers who have legitimately paid for their content are able to access it when they are out of the country.” – Daily Telegraph
“The business secretary admitted the export market remained a “challenge” and said he was taking a “fresh look” at UKTI, whose staff were invited on Wednesday to apply for a voluntary “exit scheme”. Mr Javid, who is also leading the government’s new export task force, is significantly redistributing the work of UKTI as sectoral exports are reassigned to individual government departments.” – Financial Times
“After the mayor was asked about the introduction of electric vehicles in London, he said: “Can I just say to all the luddites in the room who don’t want to see new technology . . .” He was then drowned out by shouting from the gallery and the meeting was suspended. One protester appeared to throw paper towards assembly members in the chamber as Mr Johnson rose to leave.” – The Times (£)
> Today: ToryDiary – Boff is the star of this selection show. But we should choose to win. And that means Zac Goldsmith as Mayoral candidate.
“Asked if he could see a situation in which Labour campaigned for a British exit from the European Union if the prime minister negotiated a bad deal, Corbyn said in a BBC interview: “No, I don’t see that position because I think we are going to be working with trade unions and social groups all across Europe as well as social groups in this country.” – The Guardian
> Yesterday: The Conservatives should not deploy money or manpower either way in the EU Referendum campaign
Other Corbyn news
> Today: Daniel Hannan MEP – Corbyn was the only moderate among the Labour leadership candidates – on the EU
“His new approach to PMQs, to read out questions sent in by supporters and members of the public, was fine – but only fine. Fine in the sense of plain porridge, or a grey day on which it neither rains, blows nor shines. Fine because he survived intact, while Cameron was given a safe platform to talk about how well the government is doing. There was no sign of real scrutiny in the proceedings.” – The Guardian
> Yesterday – Andrew Gimson’s PMQ’s sketch: Corbyn dared to be serious, sincere, worthy, wordy, puritanical and dull
“I realise now what I should have known years ago. The causes I most care about — secularism, freedom of speech, universal human rights — are not their causes. Whatever they pretend, when the crunch comes, they will always put sectarian unity first, and find reasons to be elsewhere. So, for what it is worth, this is my resignation letter from the left. I have no idea who I should send it to or if there are forms to fill in. But I do know this: like so many before me, I can claim constructive dismissal.” – The Spectator
> Today:
> Yesterday:
“On the one-year anniversary of “the Vow” to give the Scottish Parliament more powers, the finance secretary received cross-party support for his demand to “strengthen” the measures in the Scotland Bill to reflect the original Smith Commission plans…But, at Westminster, David Cameron challenged the SNP to set out how the plans for enhanced devolution fall short of the Vow and accused the Nationalists of “bluster” over the issue.” – Scotsman
“Nobody believes more passionately than the Mail that child abuse is a vile crime, whose victims must never be ignored. But today, this paper reveals that Scotland Yard’s inquiry is under review, amid ‘grave doubts’ about Nick’s testimony.” – Daily Mail Editorial