Sam Blewett
Business News
Rachel Reeves defends decision to allow unlimited bonuses for bankers
The shadow chancellor said she had heard the calls from company bosses to end the ‘chopping and changing’ seen under the Government.
By Sam Blewett
1 Feb 2024
Politics
More Britons manage to flee Gaza through the Rafah crossing
The Foreign Office said more UK nationals were able cross into Egypt on Thursday, but declined to say how many.
By Sam Blewett
2 Nov 2023
Politics
Ministers continue push for Britons to be allowed out of war-torn Gaza
Britons remain trapped in the territory as Israel continues its war on Hamas and the death toll rises further.
By Sam Blewett
2 Nov 2023
Politics
Ministers trying to secure release of more Britons as two aid workers flee Gaza
Around 200 UK citizens have registered as being in the strip with the Foreign Office.
By Sam Blewett
2 Nov 2023
Politics
Labour’s Jess Phillips says Israel’s war will end in ‘death and destruction’
The Labour frontbencher argued for ‘peaceful political solutions’ to be negotiated, contrary to Sir Keir Starmer’s position for the party.
By Sam Blewett
2 Nov 2023
Politics
'Macho' culture and sexism in No10 'damaged Covid response'
Ms MacNamara, the deputy cabinet secretary during the pandemic, says Boris Johnson let country down by not tackling 'toxic' culture
By Sam Blewett
1 Nov 2023
Politics
Lack of diversity in government led to domestic abuse deaths, official warned
Helen MacNamara said officials lacked ‘real life’ perspectives on children at state schools.
By Sam Blewett
1 Nov 2023
Politics
Johnson ‘asked Whitty and Vallance if special hair dryer could kill Covid’
Dominic Cummings, Mr Johnson’s former chief adviser, made a series of claims in his witness statement handed to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
By Sam Blewett
1 Nov 2023
Politics
Hancock had ‘nuclear levels’ of overconfidence, says ex-civil servant
Helen MacNamara, who served as deputy cabinet secretary, made the claim to the Covid inquiry
By Sam Blewett
1 Nov 2023
Politics
Covid inquiry: Johnson’s No 10 was ‘unbelievably bullish’ UK would sail through
Former senior civil servant Helen MacNamara said there was ‘laughing at the Italians’ early in the pandemic.
By Sam Blewett
1 Nov 2023
Politics
No 10 in 'chaos' as Covid hit and vulnerable 'appallingly neglected'
The inquiry also saw diary entries showing that Boris Johnson suggested he believed the pandemic was 'nature’s way of dealing with old people'
By Sam Blewett
31 Oct 2023
Politics
Johnson suggested Covid was nature dealing with elderly, inquiry hears
Former chief adviser Dominic Cummings hit out at a ‘dysfunctional system’ as the former prime minister ‘trollied’ indecisively
By Sam Blewett
31 Oct 2023
Politics
Everyone called indecisive Boris Johnson the ‘trolley’, Dominic Cummings claims
The former top aid hit out at a ‘dysfunctional’ system during the pandemic as he gave evidence to the Covid-19 inquiry.
By Sam Blewett
31 Oct 2023
Politics
Johnson suggested he ‘thought Covid was nature’s way of dealing with old people’
Former chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance hit out in his diaries about ‘quite a bonkers set of exchanges’ featuring the ex-prime minister.
By Sam Blewett
31 Oct 2023
Politics
‘Jaws mayor’ Johnson faced ‘wrong crisis’ in Covid-19, ex-adviser Cain says
Messages shown to the official inquiry showed aides including Dominic Cummings venting their frustrations.
By Sam Blewett
31 Oct 2023
Politics
Johnson didn’t think Covid was a ‘big deal’ in March 2020 – Cummings message
Former Downing Street communications director Lee Cain was appearing at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry ahead of his old ally, Dominic Cummings.
By Sam Blewett
31 Oct 2023
Politics
Tory MP sacked from Government job for urging PM to back Gaza ceasefire
Paul Bristow was asked to leave his job as a ministerial aide at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
By Sam Blewett
30 Oct 2023
Politics
Suella Braverman hits out at pro-Palestinian ‘hate marches’
The Home Secretary criticised the thousands of people protesting in support of the Palestinian people after Hamas’s attack on Israel.
By Sam Blewett
30 Oct 2023
Politics
Khan, Sarwar and Burnham pile pressure on Starmer by demanding Israel ceasefire
The Labour leader is standing by his stance of supporting Israel’s right to self defence despite the Palestinian civilians being killed.
By Sam Blewett
27 Oct 2023
Politics
Khan and Sarwar demand Israel-Hamas ceasefire, adding to pressure on Starmer
The London Mayor was joined by the Scottish Labour leader in demanding an end to the conflict.
By Sam Blewett
27 Oct 2023
Politics
Tory MP Crispin Blunt arrested on suspicion of rape
The MP for Reigate, a former minister, identified himself as the man who was also detained on suspicion of possession of controlled substances.
By Sam Blewett
27 Oct 2023