Andrew Mitchell row: Police log details 'plebs' comment

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Official police records of the confrontation between the Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell and officials in Downing Street last week has been released in its entirety for the first time.

The Daily Telegraph printed a document will strengthen Mr Mitchell called the officers "Plebs", something he has not been.

It comes as the Met says, to probe how the media got hold of the records.

The Government has ordered a study on the line.

Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood, confirmed the decision on Monday to explain to Mr Mitchell had apologized and the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan Howe had said involved an officer wanted to take the matter forward.

Visibly shocked by the

Log, shortly after the incident on Wednesday, written information on Mitchell's outburst, when he was asked to use a small pedestrian gate as the main gate.

It suggests that he used several expletives, telling police, "you do not run this Government," "learn your place," and requires officials to "Tribune of the Plebs".

According to the note, the members of the public in the operation were "visibly upset" and Mitchell were arrested under the public order law, if he continued to swear.

"Mr Mitchell was then and left, saying," you have not heard of in the past, "as he cycled off," the document says.

Announcement follows Mitchell's apology on Monday, where he said he was sorry is not good enough, with respect for the police.

However, he maintained that he "does not use the words".

He said the case had become a "long and very frustrating time" at the end and he wanted to "draw a line" line.

At the same time, David Cameron has supported the Minister in the Cabinet Office and the Met have agreed not to take it forward.

But police and labour, and called for a parliamentary inquiry, even though some of the Lib-Dems were unimpressed by the Mitchell's statement.

The shadow Police Minister David Hanson said: "If the number 10 did not believe the testimony of a number of police officers, which Downing Street is very serious.

"If the Prime Minister does not have a chief whip and, Alternatively, tell the whole story, which is just as serious.

"What it is now, without doubt, (David Cameron) is a weak Prime Minister, may establish the truth about what goes on-even just a few metres away from the immediate vicinity of their own."

John Tully, Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, also stressed his concern: "clearly against Mitchell's claim is to prohibit using certain words effectively now for those police integrity.

"I think this is a very serious matter."

Welsh Secretary David Jones' Labour good relations hope

Parliamentary Information Office - Welsh Secretary David Jones' Labour good relations hope

New Conservative Welsh Secretary David Jones says he wants a "good business-like relationship" with the Labour Welsh government.

He spoke after being promoted from Wales Office junior minister by David Cameron in place of Cheryl Gillan, who returns to the back benches.

The Clwyd West MP has spoken to First Minister Carwyn Jones and said there was no need for them to be competitive.

But there are potential areas of friction between the two governments.

They include a Supreme Court challenge by the UK government to legislation passed in the assembly about local byelaws.
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“Start Quote

    I think it's important that Wales should be represented by people from Wales”

David Jones MP Welsh secretary

The Welsh government also objects to a Wales Office consultation on changing the boundaries of assembly constituencies, saying the matter should be decided in Cardiff Bay, not Westminster.

Mr Jones said he made clear to Carwyn Jones that "we in the Wales Office want to have a very good business-like working relationship with him".

"There's no need really for the Wales Office and the Welsh government to be in any sense competitive and I'm glad to say that he agreed fully with me," he told BBC Radio Wales.

The Welsh secretary said both he and Carwyn Jones were lawyers who understood that "legal action doesn't necessarily mean that you need to have personal animosity".

Carwyn Jones urged the new Welsh secretary to make good on the prime minister's promise that relations between the two administration would be characterised by respect.
'Serious business'

"We are in the serious business of delivering for the people of Wales during these extremely difficult economic times," the Welsh Labour leader said.
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“Start Quote

    I can think of no better person to take on the mantle of Wales in the Cabinet and I wish him well”

Cheryl Gillan

"Nothing should deflect either government from this important task."

David Jones's appointment appears to be a victory for Welsh Tories, who made clear they wanted the next incumbent to have a Welsh seat.

Mrs Gillan's constituency is in Buckinghamshire and she had previously threatened to resign over the proposed route of the High Speed 2 railway through her Chesham and Amersham constituency.

Asked if his Welsh seat had helped him get the appointment, Mr Jones said: "I would hope it did.

"I think it's important that Wales should be represented by people from Wales."

As a former member of the Welsh assembly and the MP for Clwyd West since 2005 he said he knew the political landscape in Wales.

He paid tribute to the "tremendous" job Mrs Gillan had done, citing a UK government commitment to electrify railways in south Wales.
'No better person'

Mrs Gillan in return gave a warm welcome to Mr Jones' appointment, saying he was "an excellent constituency MP" who had been "a great support" during her time in office and while in opposition.

"I can think of no better person to take on the mantle of Wales in the Cabinet and I wish him well," said Mrs Gillan.

"I am confident he will carry out his new responsibilities and be a strong voice for Wales, challenging the decisions made in the assembly and standing up for the people of Wales in Westminster and elsewhere."

Mr Jones' deputy at the Wales Office has not been appointed but an announcement is expected on Wednesday.

Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb, a Conservative whip, is among those thought likely to get the job.

Liberal Democrat MP Roger Williams said he always argued for his party to have a presence in the department, but "from what I hear there will be no changes in the number of ministerial posts for the Liberal Democrats and so I'm not hopeful."
Baroness Randerson

However, Mr Williams wrote on Twitter later that there was a rumour that the former Cardiff Central Lib Dem AM Jenny - now Baroness - Randerson could be appointed to the Wales Office.

He tweeted: "Hearing rumours that Baroness Jenny Randerson might be minister of state in the Wales Office. Wonderful news if true!"

The leader of the Conservatives in the assembly, Andrew RT Davies, will meet David Jones in London on Wednesday.

Meanwhile the Wales Office special adviser to Cheryl Gillan, Richard Hazlewood, has confirmed he is also leaving his post.

Source By : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-19483140

Green groups' concern over Owen Paterson record

Parliamentary Information Office - Green groups' concern over Owen Paterson record

Environmentalists have expressed fears that the reshuffle makes the government more likely to take decisions against the environment.

Former Northern Ireland secretary Owen Paterson has taken over the environment brief from Caroline Spelman.

Green groups are concerned about Mr Paterson's track record on shale gas and energy subsidies.

They also say the removal of Justine Greening could signal a U-turn on building a third runway at Heathrow.

The reshuffle is the first major restructuring since the Conservative-Lib Dem government came to power.

Ms Spelman, Conservative MP for Meriden, was made Environment Secretary when the Coalition took office in 2010.

Mr Paterson takes over a portfolio - the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) - with a £2.2bn budget.

But it was reported in Conservative Home that he wants to end all energy subsidies and fast-track exploitation of shale gas.

This would shatter any ambition for the UK of keeping to targets for renewables or greenhouse gases.

As MP for North Shropshire, he has also campaigned against plans to expand output from Welsh wind farms because of the impact of pylons on the landscape.

And he is in favour of culling badgers. But Mr Paterson was widely praised by environmentalists for his conservation-minded policy paper on fishing whilst shadow fisheries minister from 2003-2005.

The North Shropshire MP is the brother-in-law of the leading climate change sceptic Matt Ridley.

He wants to expand airport capacity, which would also threaten climate targets.

This, together with the removal of Justine Greening and Theresa Villiers from the Department for Transport, has raised fears among environmentalists.

They believe Mr Cameron is clearing the way for a Conservative U-turn on its opposition to a third runway at Heathrow before the next election.

London Mayor Boris Johnson expressed anger over the move: "There can be only one reason to move her (Ms Greening) - and that is to expand Heathrow Airport," he explained.

Zac Goldsmith, the Conservative MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, tweeted: "Greening's appointment 11 months ago indicated the PM's position on Heathrow was solid. Yielding so easily suggests panic, not principle."

But Jean Leston, senior transport policy adviser at WWF-UK, signalled a more relaxed tone: "Justine Greening has been an impressive minister, who has dared to stand up to the aviation lobby and question the need for Southeast airport expansion.

"Patrick McLoughlin's return to the Department for Transport is a welcome move and will surely continue Justine Greening's robust defence of Government and party policy on aviation."

Some groups hope Mr Paterson will be a strong champion of the countryside.

James Cooper, head of government affairs at the Woodland Trust, said: "Owen Paterson comes with strong rural credentials. He lists trees among his interests and, naturally, we welcome that.

"One of the most important issues in his in-tray is the Government response to the Independent Panel on Forestry's report on the future of England's forests. This provides an excellent early opportunity for him to be bold."

Source By : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19476970

Boris Johnson's Heathrow warning after Justine Greening's move

Parliamentary Information Office - Boris Johnson's Heathrow warning after Justine Greening's move

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, says the reshuffle shows the government wants to "ditch its promises and send yet more planes over central London".

Justine Greening, who is opposed to a third runway at Heathrow, has been replaced as transport secretary by Patrick McLoughlin.

"There can be only one reason to move her - and that is to expand Heathrow Airport," Mr Johnson said.

The idea was "mad" and he would fight it all the way, he added.

In a statement, the mayor said: "The third runway would mean more traffic, more noise, more pollution - and a serious reduction in the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people.

"We will fight this all the way. Even if a third runway was built, it would not do the job of meeting Britain's needs.

"If we are to remain Europe's premier business hub we need a new four-runway airport, preferably to the east of London, that addresses the problem of aviation capacity before it is too late, and business is driven into the arms of our European competitors.

"It is time for Patrick McLoughlin to look at all the options, including bolder solutions that would deliver massive benefits in jobs and growth.

"And it is time for the government to level with Londoners. Are they in favour of a third runway at Heathrow or not?"

Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith, an opponent of Heathrow expansion, tweeted that "Greening's appointment 11 months ago indicated the PM's position on Heathrow was solid. Yielding so easily suggests panic, not principle".

Friends of the Earth also criticised the replacement of Miss Greening, saying she had been "shunted out" and become a "victim of intense aviation lobbying over airport expansion".

Downing Street insists the Government's position is unchanged since the coalition agreement of 2010, which committed ministers to scrapping extra runway plans drawn up under Labour.

But it has launched a consultation process on future airport capacity and Chancellor George Osborne sparked speculation over a possible U-turn by saying he believed more runway capacity was needed in the south-east of England and all options should be examined.

Source By : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19475249

David Cameron's new-look cabinet to hold first meeting

Parliamentary Information Office - David Cameron's new-look cabinet to hold first meeting

David Cameron's cabinet is to meet for the first time since the prime minister carried out a major reshuffle.

Among the changes, Jeremy Hunt became health secretary and Chris Grayling was promoted to justice secretary.

The new team will also appear beside Mr Cameron as he faces his first question-and-answer session in the Commons since MPs returned from their summer break.

Meanwhile, the prime minister is continuing to finalise the appointment of junior government ministers.

Tuesday's reshuffle was the first large-scale restructuring of the coalition since it took power in 2010.

Among those moved were chief whip Patrick McLoughlin, who took over as transport secretary, and Ken Clarke, who went from justice secretary to a roaming role within government, focusing particularly on economic policy.
Commons bow

Liberal Democrat David Laws returned to government as an education minister, more than two years after quitting over his parliamentary expenses.

The reshuffle came amid criticism from many Conservative MPs that the coalition was not doing enough to restore economic growth in the face of the ongoing recession.

Some expressed delight that Mr Cameron had promoted some on the right of the party, including Mr Grayling and Mr McLoughlin.

But London Mayor Boris Johnson launched an outspoken attack over the removal of Transport Secretary Justine Greening to the international development brief.

He argued that the "only possible reason" was a planned U-turn on the Conservatives' election promise not to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport, to which Ms Greening has said she would be opposed.

Senior Liberal Democrat sources have told the BBC that they will not allow the changes in personnel to lead to a rightwards shift in policy and that they will prevent a third runway from being built.
'Strong reformers'

Altogether, there are six new figures in Mr Cameron's cabinet: Mr Grayling, Mr McLoughlin, Conservative chairman Grant Shapps, Culture Secretary Maria Miller, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers and Welsh Secretary David Jones.
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MOVING JOBS

    Jeremy Hunt to Health Secretary
    Patrick McLoughlin to Transport Secretary
    Andrew Mitchell to Chief Whip
    Andrew Lansley to leader of the House of Commons
    Justine Greening to International Development Secretary
    Owen Paterson to Environment Secretary
    Ken Clarke to Minister without Portfolio
    Baroness Warsi to Foreign Office minister
    Damian Green to police minister. Mark Harper to immigration minister
    Mark Hoban to employment minister. Michael Fallon to business minister
    Mark Prisk to housing minister. Lib Dem Norman Lamb to care services minister

    Who's who: Cameron's new cabinet

They will expect a rumbustious reception from Labour MPs when prime minister's questions - the first session since July - begins at midday.

The cabinet will meet later in the afternoon.

The changes in personnel have not affected key figures such as Chancellor George Osborne, Home Secretary Theresa May or Foreign Secretary William Hague - who will all remain in their posts.

Education Secretary Michael Gove and Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith will also stay in their jobs, with Downing Street saying it wanted these "strong reformers" to continue their work.

The BBC understands Mr Duncan Smith was offered the job of justice secretary but turned it down.

Those leaving the government in the shake-up include Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman, Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan and Commons leader Sir George Young.

Below cabinet level, Solicitor General Edward Garnier, defence minister Gerald Howarth, prisons minister Crispin Blunt and children's minister Tim Loughton have all been axed, while policing minister Nick Herbert has resigned after reportedly turning down a move to the Department for the Environment, Food and Regional Affairs.

But Paul Deighton, chief executive of the London 2012 organising committee, will be given a peerage and become a Treasury minister. Treasury minister Chloe Smith moves to the Cabinet Office.
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NEW FACES AND DEPARTURES

    Chris Grayling to Justice Secretary
    Theresa Villiers to Northern Ireland Secretary
    Maria Miller to Culture Secretary (also brief for women's' and equalities issues)
    David Jones to Welsh Secretary
    Grant Shapps to Conservative Party chairman
    Oliver Heald to Solicitor General
    Caroline Spelman, Cheryl Gillan, Sir George Young, Edward Garnier, Gerald Howarth, Crispin Blunt, Nick Herbert and Tim Loughton are all leaving office
    Lib Dem David Laws back as education minister
    Lib Dem ministers Sarah Teather, Paul Burstow and Nick Harvey are standing down

All five Liberal Democrat cabinet ministers, including Business Secretary Vince Cable, will remain in their posts.

David Laws replaces Sarah Teather, who is leaving the government - along with Lib Dem care services minister Paul Burstow and defence minister Nick Harvey.

But there are promotions for Norman Lamb and Jo Swinson, who are both close to Mr Clegg.

But Labour said there would be no change in economic policy with George Osborne remaining in place.

"This is the no-change reshuffle," said shadow Cabinet Office minister Michael Dugher.

He added: "This reshuffle isn't a fresh start - it's more of the same from an out-of-touch and failing government that stands up for the wrong people."

Other Conservative appointments so far include:

Hugo Swire - Foreign Office minister

Damian Green - policing minister

Matthew Hancock - business and education minister

Michael Fallon - business minister

Daniel Poulter - health minister

Anna Soubry - health minister

Philip Dunne - defence minister

Helen Grant - justice minister

Jeremy Wright - justice minister

Stephen Hammond - transport minister

John Hayes - education minister

Elizabeth Truss - education minister

Esther McVey - work and pensions minister

Source By : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19484126

Sir Peter Bazalgette appointed Arts Council chairman

Parliamentary Information Office - Sir Peter Bazalgette appointed Arts Council chairman

TV executive Sir Peter Bazalgette has been appointed chairman of the Arts Council England, the Department of Culture has said.

His Endemol production company is behind high-profile hits including Big Brother and Deal Or No Deal.

Sir Peter is also chair of English National Opera and president of the Royal Television Society and served as a non-executive director of Channel 4.

He will succeed Dame Liz Forgan, whose four-year tenure ends on 31 January.

The appointment, approved by Prime Minister David Cameron, was one of the last decisions taken by outgoing Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who has become health secretary in the government reshuffle.
'Amazing work'

Sir Peter is also currently a non-executive director on the board of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

He will serve a four-year term at the Arts Council, on an annual salary of £40,000, working up to two days per week.

The government-backed council promotes and funds arts across England and as part of its remit is involved in investing National Lottery money. Similar bodies take on the role in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Sir Peter said: "Sustaining our vigorous arts and cultural sector is admittedly a challenge but one I greatly look forward to."

Arts Council England chief executive Alan Davey said: "This is an excellent appointment.

"Peter is a great philanthropic contributor to the arts; an enthusiast who has done amazing work with English National Opera and has helped the Arts Council over the years to develop our digital thinking. We look forward to working with him."


Source By : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19479788

Save the Children urges action for poorest UK children

Parliamentary Information Office - Save the Children urges action for poorest UK children

The charity Save the Children, best known for helping some of the world's poorest families, has launched its first appeal to help UK children.

The charity says the UK's poorest children are bearing the brunt of the recession, with some missing out on regular hot meals or new shoes.

The campaign urges the government to focus on benefits for low-paid families and ask employers to pay a living wage.

The government said it was committed to eradicating child poverty.

Researchers for Save the Children surveyed more than 1,500 children aged eight to 16 and more than 5,000 parents, focusing on the lowest income groups.

The study draws on Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) figures which estimate that there are 3.5 million children living in poverty in the UK and predict a steep rise in the numbers in coming years.

The charity defines living in poverty as having a family income of less than £17,000 a year.

More than half the parents in poverty surveyed (61%) said they had cut back on what they ate and more than a quarter (26%) had skipped meals in the past year.

Just under a fifth (19%) said their children sometimes had to go without new shoes when they needed them.
Financial strain

Some 19% of children in poverty said they had missed out on school trips and 14% said they did not have a warm coat to wear in the winter.

The report, It Shouldn't Happen Here, also reveals the extent to which children are aware of how much financial strain their parents are under with more than half (58%) saying they thought it was getting harder for their parents to pay for everything.

Some 52% of the poorest children agreed that not having enough money made their parents unhappy or stressed and 43% 'strongly agreed' that their parents were cutting back on things for themselves such as clothes or food.

Parents on the lowest incomes agreed they were more likely to snap at their children (23%) because of money worries compared with better off parents (10%).

The report quotes last month's Department for Work and Pensions figures which showed 61% of children in poverty had working parents. It urges the government to encourage more employers to pay above the minimum wage so that workers can provide for their families.

It says the new Universal Credit system should let working parents keep more of their earnings before benefits are withdrawn and urges the government to pay 80% of childcare costs for the poorest families.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: "Despite £150bn being poured into benefits and tax credits over the last decade, the previous government's approach to tackling child poverty has failed with the UK missing its own 2010 child poverty targets.

"The government remains committed to eradicating child poverty, but we want to take a new approach by tackling the root causes including worklessness, educational failure and family breakdown.

"And our welfare reforms will improve the lives of some of the poorest families in our communities, with the Universal Credit simplifying the complex myriad of benefits and lifting 350,000 children and 550,000 adults out of poverty."

Save the Children aims to raise £500,000 from the charity appeal to help boost low income children's school careers and provide basic essentials such as cookers, furniture or toys for their families.

Are you in the UK? Does your family have an income of less than £17,000 a year? How has the recession affected you? Get in touch using the form below.


Source By : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-19478083