Six questions for Rudd over illegal immigrants, and claims that she wants a new liberal system
“The documents outline plans to create a “labour mobility partnership” with Brussels in which EU migrants would be given preferential access to benefits, healthcare and the UK jobs market — undermining claims that free movement would end when Britain leaves the EU. Details of the plans emerged with Rudd’s career hanging in the balance after she misled parliament about Home Office immigration removal targets. The leaked document, drawn up by Rudd’s team and officials in the Cabinet Office, was presented to Theresa May’s Brexit war cabinet last month.” – Sunday Times
- She feels “hung out to dry by May” – Mail on Sunday
- Khan says she should quit – Observer
- Lewis knew a Jamaican grandmother was wrongly held at an immigration centre – Sun on Sunday
- Javid says his family could have been unfairly targeted in the scandal – Sunday Telegraph
- Nokes “is being investigated by the Conservatives over planning and council tax claims” – Sunday Times
- Cable drags Meghan Markle’s name into Windrush row – Mail on Sunday
- Robots understand May, don’t understand Bercow claim – Sunday Times
Sunday Times: She must get a grip or get out
“Ms Rudd’s defence — that she had not read a June 2017 memo she was copied into which referred specifically to “a target of achieving 12,800 enforced returns in 2017-18” — looks wobbly. There is something wrong with a department that did not warn its cabinet minister she was wading into deep trouble with her repeated insistences. Even if she had not read the memo it is also odd that this policy was not drawn to her attention by junior ministers, including the then immigration minister Brandon Lewis and special advisers.” – Sunday Times
- Her position is surprisingly strong; she could still be Prime Minister – John Rentoul, Independent on Sunday
- Rudd and Thornberry; useless, both – Nick Cohen, Observer
- We are all guilty over Windrush – Dan Hodges, Mail on Sunday
> Today: ToryDiary – Rudd fastens the hatches as Davis stalks the deck
Davis “told Barwell: sack Robbins”
“Sources told The Mail on Sunday that Mr Davis had rung No 10 Chief of Staff Gavin Barwell to call for the dismissal of Brexit adviser Olly Robbins, who is trying to drive through plans for a controversial new customs ‘partnership’ with Brussels. Friends of Mr Davis say that he is growing increasingly frustrated at being ‘squeezed out’ of crunch Brexit discussions by Mr Robbins, with Mrs May increasingly dismissing Mr Davis’s advice on how to handle the EU negotiations in favour of suggestions from her adviser.” – Mail on Sunday
- Friends of Davis say he won’t resign – Sunday Times
- May digging in on customs partnership – Sunday Express
- Robbins must go – Richard Tice and John Longworth, Sunday Times
- Latest Lords EU Withdrawal Bill anti-Brexit amendments – Sunday Express
- Remainer bombard-your-MP-with-phone-calls guide – Sun on Sunday
- EU and UK preparing No Deal emergency provisions – Sunday Express
Green to fellow former Remainers: don’t bring May down and risk a Corbyn Government over the Customs Union
“I would urge those who share my broad views on Britain and the EU to start contributing to the debate in more practical terms. Britain can thrive in the post-Brexit era, but maintaining close links with our neighbours will make a significant contribution to national success. What would undoubtedly be a national disaster would be any political action which made it more likely that a hard-Left Corbyn Government came to power. That would not just wreck our economy, but, looking at the way dissident Labour MPs are being hounded and abused, damage our whole democracy.” – Mail on Sunday
- Crunch time for May – Andrew Rawnsley, Observer
Local elections week. Labour pushes in London. More colourful candidates. More anti-semitism.
“Time on the campaign trail suggests the wind is driving hard into Labour’s sails ahead of polling day. Yet there is a nervousness. Fear of falling just short is competing in the minds of party activists with excitement at the prospect of winning. What could be a great night in Wandsworth and other urban areas could just as easily turn into one of deflation and dejection. An opinion poll on Friday suggested Labour would gain a large number of seats on Thursday – but still fall short of taking the two great London prizes of Wandsworth and Westminster.” – Observer
- Local elections: Labour candidates online vitriol against May, Rees-Mogg, Tories and Labour moderates – Sunday Times
- Anti-semitic tweet candidate resigns – Sun on Sunday
- Other candidates’ criminal records – Sunday Telegraph
- General election: Russia tried to swing it for Corbyn claim – Sunday Times
- Wadsworth claims Corbyn support – Sun on Sunday
- Corbyn’s Facebook page is still stuffed with anti-semitic posts – Mail on Sunday
- Corbyn ignored anti-semitism warning – Sunday Times
- Why I decided to stand down last year – Carwyn Jones, Sunday Times
- Get ready for a London v the rest local elections result on Thursday – Adam Boulton, Sunday Times
Scottish Tories turn heat up on Scottish Health Secretary
“This week the Health Secretary will be told she is on her “final warning” when the Scottish Conservatives demand urgent action to sort out the problems facing the NHS. Robison is already facing calls for her resignation from Labour and the Lib Dems with talks taking place behind the scenes between the parties over whether she should face a no confidence motion. With her fate now in the hands of the Scottish Conservatives and Greens, the Health Secretary faces a crucial week at Holyrood.” – Scotland on Sunday
New system for handling bullying and abuse claims against MPs outlined. Is it a kangaroo court?
“Politicians would be sanctioned if on the “balance of probabilities” the incident occurred. An alleged victim will be able to use the system even if they don’t want to go to the police or if prosecutors don’t proceed with the case. Witness statements from any alleged victim and colleagues would be used in the case against the accused politician. All parties would be kept anonymous with the MP’s identity only being revealed at the conclusion if found in breach of rules. MPs could be suspended from the Commons or face being losing their job under plans being drawn up.” – Sun on Sunday
- Claims against Elphicke and against the Whips latest – Mail on Sunday
- The handling of the case has been deeply unfair to all concerned – Sarah Baxter, Sunday Times
- Woodcock “inappropriate texts” claim; there’s a Labour “disciplinary hearing” – Sun on Sunday
- Janner’s son prepares legal action against “Nick”, accused of inventing false claims against Heath and others – Sunday Times
Jong-Un says foreign observers will watch the dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear test site
“Concluding the summit, the leaders agreed on a commitment to sign a peace treaty to formally end the Korean War by the end of the year and to achieve the complete denuclearisation of the peninsula. The North Korean leader also expressed optimism about his anticipated meeting with Donald Trump, saying the US president will learn he’s “not a person” to fire missiles toward the United States…North Korea this month announced it has suspended all tests of nuclear devices and intercontinental ballistic missiles and plans to close its nuclear testing ground. Kim reacted to skepticism that the North would only be closing down the northernmost test tunnel at the site in Punggye-ri, which some analysts say became too unstable to conduct further underground detonations following the country’s sixth and most powerful nuclear test in September.” – Sunday Telegraph
- Peace in our time? Not very likely – Janet Daley, Sunday Telegraph
- Trump renews attack on “lousy” and “horrible” new London U.S Embassy location – Mail on Sunday
- He deserves a proper welcome in Britain – Sunday Telegraph Editorial
- Putin fears the glare of exposure – John Penrose, Sunday Telegraph
Dominic Lawson: A lesson from the tragic tale of Alfie Evans. The state doesn’t protect the rights of parents. No wonder we disgust the Poles and Italians.
“That truth is about to be put before the courts in another case, in which my wife is involved. With two other mothers whose adult children, like our younger daughter, have what nowadays is called “learning difficulties”, she is bringing a test case before the Court of Protection. As the law stands, the parents of such adults, whether in residential care or not, have no right to a decisive role in how their children are treated. The carers would be obliged to give the parents such a right if the mother or father were appointed by the courts to be their adult child’s welfare deputy. But the current code stipulates that this can be agreed by courts only “in the most difficult cases”.” – Sunday Times
> Yesterday: ToryDiary – Look wider than the tragic tale of Alfie Evans. And ask if the balance of power is right between families and the state.