Ava Evans

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Ava Santina is JOE.co.uk’s political correspondent. She covers Westminster and trade unions for PoliticsJOE.

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  • UK troops won’t fight Russia in Ukraine under any circumstances, Boris Johnson says

    UK troops won’t fight Russia in Ukraine under any circumstances, Boris Johnson says

    The PM spoke out as the conflict reached its sixth day The Prime Minister has ruled out dispatching British troops to battle the Russians in Ukraine, as the conflict entered its sixth day. Speaking at a military base in Estonia, Boris Johnson said: “I want to be crystal clear. We will not fight Russian forces in Ukraine. […]

    4 years ago

  • Boris Johnson says Putin’s ‘barbaric’ war in Ukraine is ‘worse than our predictions’

    Boris Johnson says Putin’s ‘barbaric’ war in Ukraine is ‘worse than our predictions’

    But the PM said Putin had ‘fatally underestimated’ Ukraine’s resolve The war in Ukraine is “worse than our predictions”, Boris Johnson admitted Tuesday, as he paid tribute to the “astonishing” resistance put up by the Ukrainian people in the face of Russia’s relentless attack. Speaking at a press conference in Warsaw, the prime minister accused […]

    4 years ago

  • Priti Patel’s Nationality and Borders bill would criminalise people fleeing Ukraine

    Priti Patel’s Nationality and Borders bill would criminalise people fleeing Ukraine

    Ukrainians arriving in the UK without a visa would be classed as criminals Ahead of a crucial vote on Monday, Lord Blunkett has called on the government to withdraw a controversial clause that would count Ukranians who arrived without a visa as “illegals”. In its current form, Priti Patel’s Border’s Bill would treat Ukrainians seeking […]

    4 years ago

  • Seize London properties from Putin allies, Sadiq Khan demands

    Seize London properties from Putin allies, Sadiq Khan demands

    The Mayor of London wants more council houses and less oligarchs Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has set out plans to oust oligarchs from London’s housing market. In a radical new set of measures, Khan has proposed seizing properties, increasing the “empty homes tax” and ramping up capital gains, in a bid to rid London […]

    4 years ago

  • Ukraine invasion: Everything we know so far and what it means for the UK

    Ukraine invasion: Everything we know so far and what it means for the UK

    The conflict world leaders were desperate to advert has began Russia has begun a multi-pronged offensive in Ukraine, ending hope the invasion could be prevented and sending panic across the globe. Could the UK soon be at war with Russia? Here’s what we know so far. Putin invaded Ukraine in the early hours of this […]

    4 years ago

  • Boris Johnson confirms all remaining covid restrictions will be scrapped on Thursday

    Boris Johnson confirms all remaining covid restrictions will be scrapped on Thursday

    From Thursday all rules will end Boris Johnson has confirmed that all remaining covid restrictions are to be scrapped. Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, the Prime Minister said from Thursday the legal requirement to self-isolate after a positive test will end, and free symptomatic and asymptomatic testing will end from 1 April. […]

    4 years ago

  • Fourth covid jab in spring for over-75s and vulnerable adults

    Fourth covid jab in spring for over-75s and vulnerable adults

    Adults who received their covid jab in October may have waning immunity from the virus Vulnerable people and those aged 75 and over will be offered a fourth covid jab, the Health Secretary announced on Monday. The rollout is expected to begin this Spring, following a recommendation by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation […]

    4 years ago

  • Police should ‘shoot terrorists first and ask questions later,’ says Angela Rayner

    Police should ‘shoot terrorists first and ask questions later,’ says Angela Rayner

    The Labour deputy leader has outlined a ‘hardline’ approach to crime Angela Rayner believes Britain’s terror police should “shoot first” and “ask questions second”. Her comments come after Labour pledged to put the fight against crime at the heart of its campaign for May’s local elections. Speaking on Matt Forde’s Political Party podcast, Labour’s deputy leader […]

    4 years ago

  • Brexit: Research proves leaving EU has harmed business

    Brexit: Research proves leaving EU has harmed business

    Majority of businesses say Brexit has harmed revenue UK exporters to the EU have been knocked by Brexit and businesses have faced higher costs, more paperwork and border delays since Britain’s withdrawal, new research shows. The survey, carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce, found 71 per cent of businesses felt the EU trade […]

    4 years ago

  • Children aged 5-11 in England to be offered covid vaccine, Sajid Javid confirms

    Children aged 5-11 in England to be offered covid vaccine, Sajid Javid confirms

    Children as young as five will be eligible for the vaccine from April All children aged five to 11 in England will be offered a covid vaccine, the health secretary has confirmed. Sajid Javid on Wednesday accepted the recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) for younger children to be offered the Covid […]

    4 years ago

  • Matt Hancock broke the rules over Dido Harding appointment, high court rules

    Matt Hancock broke the rules over Dido Harding appointment, high court rules

    Matt Hancock wasn’t acting above board Former health secretary Matt Hancock broke the rules over appointments of Test and Trace chiefs Dido Harding and Mike Coupe. A High Court has ruled the selections broke public sector equality when the two were appointed to senior posts in the covid response. It means the Runnymede Trust successfully […]

    4 years ago

  • Ukraine invasion: Boris Johnson claims Russia could strike within ‘next 48 hours’

    Ukraine invasion: Boris Johnson claims Russia could strike within ‘next 48 hours’

    The world is on ‘the edge of a precipice’ the Prime Minister said Boris Johnson has said the situation in Ukraine is “very, very dangerous” and urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to step back from “the edge of a precipice”. The prime minister said the evidence was “pretty clear” that Russia was planning an invasion, warning […]

    4 years ago

  • Porn sites in UK will have to check ages under new legislation

    Porn sites in UK will have to check ages under new legislation

    The Government says it is too easy for children to access pornography Pornography websites will be legally required to carry out age verification checks under new online safety rules, the government has announced. Ministers say it is “too easy” for children to access online pornography, and will introduce plans for British users to provide data […]

    4 years ago

  • Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle links attack on Keir Starmer to Prime Minister

    Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle links attack on Keir Starmer to Prime Minister

    ‘Our words have consequences’ Speaker of the House Sir Lindsay Hoyle has linked an attack on Sir Keir Starmer, to a slur made by Boris Johnson last week concerning the investigation into Jimmy Saville. In a statement, Sir Lindsay deplored the “disgraceful behaviour” directed toward the Labour leader on Monday evening. He described it as […]

    4 years ago

  • Angry protestors chase Sir Keir Starmer into police car

    Angry protestors chase Sir Keir Starmer into police car

    The Labour leader was mobbed on London’s Embankment Sir Keir Starmer was rescued from angry demonstrators by police on Monday evening, after swarms of protestors surrounded him in Central London. Footage shows the Labour leader being led into a police car outside Portcullis House, next to the Houses of Parliament. Protestors could be heard chanting […]

    4 years ago

  • Captain Tom foundation has spent more than 10% of donations on consultants

    Captain Tom foundation has spent more than 10% of donations on consultants

    One tenth of money raised was spent on fundraising consultancy fees alone The Captain Tom Moore foundation, set up in honour of the late centenarian, has spent more on administrative costs than charitable donations, an audit has revealed. Set up in May 2020, the foundation pledged to support four charities chosen by Captain Tom and […]

    4 years ago

  • Kirstie Allsopp suggests young people prefer to rent than own a home

    Kirstie Allsopp suggests young people prefer to rent than own a home

    ‘I was brought up to believe owning your own home was the be-all and end-all’ Kirstie Allsopp has suggested young people prefer renting to owning their own home, with property ownership not being the priority it once was. The TV presenter’s comments follow backlash over a viral Sunday Times interview in which the Location Location […]

    4 years ago

  • Boycott Jimmy Carr over Netflix Holocaust joke, says Sajid Javid

    Boycott Jimmy Carr over Netflix Holocaust joke, says Sajid Javid

    Jimmy Carr has been heavily criticised for jokes made about the traveller community Sajid Javid has encouraged people to boycott Jimmy Carr over his “horrid” joke about the Roma people. “I think we all have a right to react to that,” the health secretary said Monday on Times Radio, “And one of the best ways […]

    4 years ago

  • Four false claims made by Boris Johnson during Prime Minister’s Questions

    Four false claims made by Boris Johnson during Prime Minister’s Questions

    Why tell the truth when a lie will make you look so much better? Boris Johnson has once again made a series of debatable claims during Wednesday’s session of Prime Minister’s Questions. The Prime Minister reeled off the following claims during his weekly exchange with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Here’s the truth of it. […]

    4 years ago

  • Speaker rebukes Boris Johnson for parroting far-right conspiracy theory

    Speaker rebukes Boris Johnson for parroting far-right conspiracy theory

    ‘Such allegations should not be made lightly’ Speaker of the House Sir Lindsay Hoyle has said he’s “far from happy” with comments made by Boris Johnson in the commons on Monday afternoon. Following a statement on the Sue Gray report, the prime minister accused Sir Keir Starmer of “failing to prosecute Jimmy Savile” while he serving […]

    4 years ago

  • Did Keir Starmer hinder the Jimmy Saville investigation?

    Did Keir Starmer hinder the Jimmy Saville investigation?

    ‘A ridiculous slur peddled by right-wing trolls’ The Prime Minister has been described as “dangerous” by his own MPs after claiming Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was responsible for failing to prosecute disgraced TV and radio presenter Jimmy Savile. Starmer was Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) when allegations were first passed to the Crown Prosecution […]

    4 years ago

  • SNP’s Ian Blackford thrown out of the commons after branding Boris Johnson a liar

    SNP’s Ian Blackford thrown out of the commons after branding Boris Johnson a liar

    SNP’s Westminster leader marched out by man with a sword The leader of the SNP’s Westminster group was removed from the house of commons, after accusing Prime Minister Boris Johnson of misleading parliament over Downing Street parties. Ian Blackford refused several times to withdraw his comments during a heated exchange with speaker Lindsay Hoyle. He […]

    4 years ago

  • Scotland Yard handed more than 300 photographs of Downing Street parties

    Scotland Yard handed more than 300 photographs of Downing Street parties

    The Met were handed ‘reams’ of photographic evidence Scotland Yard were handed more than 300 photographs as part of their investigation into Downing Street parties. Met Commander Catherine Roper told The Telegraph “We had a bundle of material provided to us just Friday which is well over 500 pieces of paper, about a ream and a […]

    4 years ago

  • Boris Johnson tells Commons he will not stand down

    Boris Johnson tells Commons he will not stand down

    The Prime Minister will not stand down following Sue Gray report Boris Johnson has delivered a statement to the House of Commons in which he has confirmed he will not be standing down. He apologised and promised to “improve the No.10 operation” in line with Sue Gray’s findings. He said: “I get it and I […]

    4 years ago

  • Sue Gray report confirms police are investigating party Boris Johnson previously denied

    Sue Gray report confirms police are investigating party Boris Johnson previously denied

    The prime minister is under active criminal investigation for a party he denies even happened Sue Gray’s report into alleged Downing Street parties has confirmed the Metropolitan police are investigating a suspected party that was apparently held in Downing Street on the December 18 2020. The prime minister has previously denied all knowledge of any […]

    4 years ago

  • Sue Gray slams ‘excessive alcohol consumption’ in Downing Street

    Sue Gray slams ‘excessive alcohol consumption’ in Downing Street

    Senior civil servant condemns ‘not appropriate’ level of alcohol consumption The long-awaited report into the Downing Street lockdown parties has identified “excessive consumption” of alcohol as one of the document’s key findings. This “excessive consumption of alcohol” at the heart of government was described as “not appropriate in a professional workplace at any time.” It’s […]

    4 years ago

  • Sue Gray report into Downing Street parties is published

    Sue Gray report into Downing Street parties is published

    Sue Gray has published her initial findings into the Downing Street lockdown parties Civil servant Sue Gray has published her initial findings into her investigation into Downing Street lockdown parties. Gray has identified a “serious failure to observe high standards” at No 10 and “failures of leadership”. “Against the backdrop of the pandemic, when the […]

    4 years ago

  • Sue Gray update has been delivered to Number 10

    Sue Gray update has been delivered to Number 10

    The prime minister is in receipt of the Sue Gray report Boris Johnson has received part of the long-awaited report into lockdown parties in Downing Street and Whitehall. The findings should be made public within a few hours, with a statement in the commons from the prime minister expected to follow. It’s understood the report […]

    4 years ago

  • Mandatory covid jabs for health workers could be scrapped amid staffing fears

    Mandatory covid jabs for health workers could be scrapped amid staffing fears

    A government U-turn is expected this week Plans to mandate covid vaccinations for all NHS and social care workers could be scrapped amid warnings of potentially crippling staff shortages. Speaking to Sky News on Monday morning, government minister Simon Clarke said ministers were considering ending the requirement because the omicron covid variant is milder than […]

    4 years ago

  • Cressida Dick: All the times the Met Police boss got it wrong

    Cressida Dick: All the times the Met Police boss got it wrong

    After a few tough years, the Met Commissioner is stepping down Dame Cressida Dick is leaving her role as head of the Met Police after presiding over a litany of scandals. Last week, the Mayor of London had put the Metropolitan Commissioner “on notice” after the police watchdog published messages sent by officers that showed […]

    4 years ago

  • Former chief prosecutor brands Met decision to limit Sue Gray report ‘absolute nonsense’

    Former chief prosecutor brands Met decision to limit Sue Gray report ‘absolute nonsense’

    The Met wants Sue Gray to publish ‘minimal reference’ to events The Met Police’s decision to limit the scope of Sue Gray’s eagerly-awaited report into Downing Street parties has been branded “absolute nonsense” by a former chief prosecutor. The forces’ directive to publish “minimal reference” to events currently being investigated means some of the more controversial […]

    4 years ago

  • Boris Johnson outdoes himself with the most ridiculous denial he’s ever made

    Boris Johnson outdoes himself with the most ridiculous denial he’s ever made

    Prime Minister denies doing thing he did – again! Boris Johnson has categorically denied reports he authorised the evacuation of animals from Afghanistan during the fall of Kabul, despite a leaked email published by a select committee proving he did. And he did so rather spectacularly, calling the claims “total rhubarb”. On Wednesday, a whistleblower […]

    4 years ago

  • Liz Truss spent £500,000 of taxpayers’ money on a private flight to Australia

    Liz Truss spent £500,000 of taxpayers’ money on a private flight to Australia

    Business class wasn’t good enough for the foreign secretary Foreign Secretary Liz Truss charged an astonishing half-a-million pounds to the taxpayer, flying by private jet to Australia, according to reports. Rather than travel on one of the scheduled flights available on the same itinerary, Truss insisted on flying on the private government Airbus A321 at […]

    4 years ago

  • Met probe could be good news for PM as Sue Gray report delayed

    Met probe could be good news for PM as Sue Gray report delayed

    Long-awaited report into Downing Street parties will not be published this week Sue Gray will not publish her inquiry into No 10 lockdown breaches until the Met police have concluded their investigation, reports on Tuesday suggested. The revelation came minutes after commissioner Cressida Dick confirmed that the Met has launched an investigation into parties held at […]

    4 years ago

  • Downing Street parties: Cressida Dick confirms Met will investigate No 10 lockdown events

    Downing Street parties: Cressida Dick confirms Met will investigate No 10 lockdown events

    Met Police chief confirms an investigation into Downing Street Parties The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into parties held at Downing Street during covid lockdowns. Commissioner Cressida Dick made the announcement on Tuesday, saying: “We police without fear or favour. I absolutely understand there is deep public concern. “I can confirm Met is investigating a […]

    4 years ago

  • Rory Stewart says it is ‘disturbing’ people voted for Boris Johnson in blistering attack on PM

    Rory Stewart says it is ‘disturbing’ people voted for Boris Johnson in blistering attack on PM

    The former Cabinet minister said Johnson is ‘manifestly unsuitable’ for the job of prime minister Boris Johnson was “manifestly unsuitable to be prime minister from the beginning”, Rory Stewart has said, and ‘Patygate’ should be the “last nail in the coffin” of his leadership. The former Conservative MP,  who was defeated by Johnson for the Conservative […]

    4 years ago

  • Sue Gray finds email showing staff knew Downing Street parties breached lockdown guidance

    Sue Gray finds email showing staff knew Downing Street parties breached lockdown guidance

    Civil Servant finds damning evidence staff were aware May 20 gathering broke covid rules An email confirming Boris Johnson‘s principal private secretary was warned against holding a lockdown-breaching party in Number 10 has been found, according to reports. The email addressed to Martin Reynolds, and seen by ITV’s Robert Peston, said the party “should be […]

    4 years ago

  • Tory MP dismisses party blackmail claims – by confirming culture of intimidation and threats

    Tory MP dismisses party blackmail claims – by confirming culture of intimidation and threats

    Michael Fabricant confirms ‘culture of threats’ in Westminster A Tory MP has confirmed reports of threatening behaviour in parliament in an attempt to seemingly downplay claims that MPs are being “blackmailed” into not challenging the prime minister. Michael Fabricant, a staunch supporter of Boris Johnson’s leadership, spoke out on Thursday in response to a statement […]

    4 years ago

  • Tory MP accuses No 10 of blackmail against colleagues and urges victims to go to police

    Tory MP accuses No 10 of blackmail against colleagues and urges victims to go to police

    William Wragg has accused the government of “intimidation” Senior Tory William Wragg has accused the government of attempting to “blackmail” members of parliament out of submitting letters of no-confidence in Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Wragg, who is the chairman of the Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, said Members of Parliament were being threatened […]

    4 years ago

  • Five False claims made by Boris Johnson during Prime Minister’s Questions

    Five False claims made by Boris Johnson during Prime Minister’s Questions

    Amid mounting pressure to resign, the Prime Minister inflated a few untruths Boris Johnson was under attack from all sides of the House of Commons at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, and used a much-practiced manoeuvre to deflect blame. He made stuff up. Facing the prospect of a no-confidence vote, the PM made a series […]

    4 years ago

  • Senior Tory David Davis tells Boris Johnson ‘in the name of God, go’ in fiery PMQs showdown

    Senior Tory David Davis tells Boris Johnson ‘in the name of God, go’ in fiery PMQs showdown

    Davis said Johnson had failed to take responsibility for breaching lockdown restrictions Tory grandee David Davis has demanded Boris Johnson’s resignation in a spectacular showdown at Prime Minister’s Questions. In a blistering takedown of the Tory leader, the former Brexit secretary said: “I expect my leaders to shoulder the responsibility for the actions they take. […]

    4 years ago