UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's ambitious mass testing program 'Operation Moonshot' has failed to detect over 50 per cent of coronavirus cases in a crucial trial in Manchester and Salford last month, a report claimed.&nbsp;

The 20-minute rapid test for which the Johnson administration has spent £323 m (USD 424 m) to ramp up the coronavirus testing has found only 46.7 per cent infections during the trial in Manchester and Salford last month, reports The Guardian.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-johnson-under-fire-as-new-lockdown-looms-for-england-340105">UK's Johnson under fire as new lockdown looms for England</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

This suggests that many Covid-19 carriers were wrongly told they have not contracted the disease, potentially allowing these people to spread the virus.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-johnson-declares-englands-second-stay-at-home-lockdown-339319">UK PM Johnson declares England's second stay-at-home lockdown</a>

Experts with Greater Manchester's mass testing expert group (MTEG) has raised serious concerns this week about the accuracy of the OptiGene Direct RT-Lamp tests and was not in favour of using the test kits widely as aimed in hospitals or care homes.&nbsp;

The findings came at a time when the tests will be widely carried out in a first in Liverpool on Friday.&nbsp;

On Monday, the British prime minister told MPs that the government was "rolling out testing of all NHS staff as fast as we possibly can" and its intension of carrying out rapid, regular testing for care homes, hospitals, schools and universities.

In a letter, MTEG wrote that the current data shows "low sensitivity (46.7%) of the Direct RT-Lamp platform," and said the technology has raised "significant concerns", adding that the data does not back the "investment in the large scale rollout of Direct RT-Lamp saliva testing in any of the proposed clinical settings considered (hospital staff, care staff, community settings) at this time." 
&nbsp;

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's ambitious mass testing program 'Operation Moonshot' has failed to detect over 50 per cent of coronavirus cases in a crucial trial in Manchester and Salford last month, a report claimed.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's ambitious mass testing program 'Operation Moonshot' has failed to detect over 50 per cent of coronavirus cases in a crucial trial in Manchester and Salford last month, a report claimed. The 20-minute rapid test for which the Johnson administration has spent £323 m (USD 424 m) to ramp up the coronavirus testing has found only 46.7 per cent infections during the trial in Manchester and Salford last month, reports The Guardian. Also read | UK's Johnson under fire as new lockdown looms for England This suggests that many Covid-19 carriers were wrongly told they have not contracted the disease, potentially allowing these people to spread the virus. Also read | UK PM Johnson declares England's second stay-at-home lockdown Experts with Greater Manchester's mass testing expert group (MTEG) has raised serious concerns this week about the accuracy of the OptiGene Direct RT-Lamp tests and was not in favour of using the test kits widely as aimed in hospitals or care homes. The findings came at a time when the tests will be widely carried out in a first in Liverpool on Friday. On Monday, the British prime minister told MPs that the government was "rolling out testing of all NHS staff as fast as we possibly can" and its intension of carrying out rapid, regular testing for care homes, hospitals, schools and universities. In a letter, MTEG wrote that the current data shows "low sensitivity (46.7%) of the Direct RT-Lamp platform," and said the technology has raised "significant concerns", adding that the data does not back the "investment in the large scale rollout of Direct RT-Lamp saliva testing in any of the proposed clinical settings considered (hospital staff, care staff, community settings) at this time."

UK PM Boris Johnson's ambitious mass testing program fails to detect over 50% cases in crucial trial

The United Kingdom has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Climate Ambition summit that will take place in December. The invitation was handed over by Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the UK’s Foreign Office to India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla during his London visit.&nbsp;

The summit is being hosted virtually by the UK as the COP26 President, United Nations, France in partnership with Chile was the president of COP 25 and Italy, president of COP 26. COP is Climate Change Conference and the 26th conference will take place in Glasgow, Scotland from 1st to 12th November 2021 under London's leadership.

Sir Philip Barton who is the UK’s most senior diplomat and Head of the UK Diplomatic Service after his meeting with Indian Foreign secretary said, “I am delighted to welcome Foreign Secretary Shringla to London to discuss our joint priorities. India has a special place in my heart and I know first-hand the importance of building the relationship between our two countries"

He added, "Foreign Secretary Shringla and I agreed a strengthened UK-India partnership will be a force for good in the world, in facing the big international challenges over the next decade, such as climate change and global security.”

The summit aims at long term strategies for net-zero emissions, climate finance commitments for vulnerable countries among many things. Interestingly, December 12 marks the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement.

The United Kingdom has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Climate Ambition summit that will take place in December. The invitation was handed over by Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the UK’s Foreign Office to India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla during his London visit.

The United Kingdom has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Climate Ambition summit that will take place in December. The invitation was handed over by Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the UK’s Foreign Office to India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla during his London visit. The summit is being hosted virtually by the UK as the COP26 President, United Nations, France in partnership with Chile was the president of COP 25 and Italy, president of COP 26. COP is Climate Change Conference and the 26th conference will take place in Glasgow, Scotland from 1st to 12th November 2021 under London's leadership. Sir Philip Barton who is the UK’s most senior diplomat and Head of the UK Diplomatic Service after his meeting with Indian Foreign secretary said, “I am delighted to welcome Foreign Secretary Shringla to London to discuss our joint priorities. India has a special place in my heart and I know first-hand the importance of building the relationship between our two countries" He added, "Foreign Secretary Shringla and I agreed a strengthened UK-India partnership will be a force for good in the world, in facing the big international challenges over the next decade, such as climate change and global security.” The summit aims at long term strategies for net-zero emissions, climate finance commitments for vulnerable countries among many things. Interestingly, December 12 marks the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement.

UK invites India for climate summit

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday his government would roll out new types of COVID-19 testing "on a scale never seen before" to stem the growing pandemic when a new lockdown in England expires on December&nbsp;2.

"At the expiry of this period on December 2 ... we will be rolling out across this country new types of testing on a scale never seen before," Johnson told parliament.

He also promised to support British businesses and help them bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic.

"We will do whatever it takes to back British business, because I know that when the recovery comes, and it will come, it will happen entirely thanks to the efforts of the people who are watching me now," he said in a pre-recorded video address to the Confederation of British Industry annual conference.

After persisting for weeks with local and regional restrictions,&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;announced at the weekend that a new nationwide lockdown would come into force from Thursday and end on December 2, bringing England into line with other parts of the UK and Europe.

Scientific models show that, without immediate action, the number of deaths over the winter months could double those in the first wave earlier this year, and hospitals would soon be overwhelmed,&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;told the House of Commons.

"I am truly sorry for the anguish these measures will impose, particularly for businesses that had just got back on their feet," he said.

"But it's now clear that we must do more together."

Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer accused the prime minister of a "catastrophic failure of leadership", but&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;vowed "no apologies" for resisting an earlier national lockdown, given the impact on lives, mental health and livelihoods.

"I believe it was right to try every possible option to get this virus under control at a local level," he said.

The ramped-up response came as Britain surpassed one million cases, while its number of coronavirus-related deaths is nearing 47,000, the worst toll in Europe.

The government is extending a UK-wide furlough scheme to support staff wages in shut-down businesses that was due to expire on October 31.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday his government would roll out new types of COVID-19 testing "on a scale never seen before" to stem the growing pandemic when a new lockdown in England expires on December 2.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday his government would roll out new types of COVID-19 testing "on a scale never seen before" to stem the growing pandemic when a new lockdown in England expires on December 2. "At the expiry of this period on December 2 ... we will be rolling out across this country new types of testing on a scale never seen before," Johnson told parliament. He also promised to support British businesses and help them bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic. "We will do whatever it takes to back British business, because I know that when the recovery comes, and it will come, it will happen entirely thanks to the efforts of the people who are watching me now," he said in a pre-recorded video address to the Confederation of British Industry annual conference. After persisting for weeks with local and regional restrictions, Johnson announced at the weekend that a new nationwide lockdown would come into force from Thursday and end on December 2, bringing England into line with other parts of the UK and Europe. Scientific models show that, without immediate action, the number of deaths over the winter months could double those in the first wave earlier this year, and hospitals would soon be overwhelmed, Johnson told the House of Commons. "I am truly sorry for the anguish these measures will impose, particularly for businesses that had just got back on their feet," he said. "But it's now clear that we must do more together." Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer accused the prime minister of a "catastrophic failure of leadership", but Johnson vowed "no apologies" for resisting an earlier national lockdown, given the impact on lives, mental health and livelihoods. "I believe it was right to try every possible option to get this virus under control at a local level," he said. The ramped-up response came as Britain surpassed one million cases, while its number of coronavirus-related deaths is nearing 47,000, the worst toll in Europe. The government is extending a UK-wide furlough scheme to support staff wages in shut-down businesses that was due to expire on October 31.

'Whatever it takes': Britain to roll out COVID-19 tests on scale never seen before

EU and British Brexit negotiators Monday will continue talks in Brussels and until around mid-week -- in a sign both sides are still pushing to avoid a damaging breakdown in trade in less than nine weeks.

The talks are a final bid to seal a new partnership agreement for when Britain's transition out of the European Union runs its course at the end of this year.

If the sides overcome their differences, the new deal would govern everything from trade and energy to transport and fisheries. If they fail, an estimated $900 billion of annual bilateral trade in goods and services would be damaged from January 1 by tariffs and quotas.

Sources said negotiations would continue face-to-face in Brussels on Monday following a full weekend of talks. An update on their progress and the chances of a deal was expected on Wednesday or Thursday.

EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Friday that "much remains to be done" to seal a deal.

Both sides have previously signalled their readiness to compromise on fisheries.

For now, Britain and the EU face three main scenarios -- a deal this year that salvages free trade, a tumultuous economic split, or a fudged arrangement that would settle future ties in a handful of areas but leave the rest up in the air.

EU and British Brexit negotiators Monday will continue talks in Brussels and until around mid-week -- in a sign both sides are still pushing to avoid a damaging breakdown in trade in less than nine weeks.

EU and British Brexit negotiators Monday will continue talks in Brussels and until around mid-week -- in a sign both sides are still pushing to avoid a damaging breakdown in trade in less than nine weeks. The talks are a final bid to seal a new partnership agreement for when Britain's transition out of the European Union runs its course at the end of this year. If the sides overcome their differences, the new deal would govern everything from trade and energy to transport and fisheries. If they fail, an estimated $900 billion of annual bilateral trade in goods and services would be damaged from January 1 by tariffs and quotas. Sources said negotiations would continue face-to-face in Brussels on Monday following a full weekend of talks. An update on their progress and the chances of a deal was expected on Wednesday or Thursday. EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Friday that "much remains to be done" to seal a deal. Both sides have previously signalled their readiness to compromise on fisheries. For now, Britain and the EU face three main scenarios -- a deal this year that salvages free trade, a tumultuous economic split, or a fudged arrangement that would settle future ties in a handful of areas but leave the rest up in the air.

EU, UK to try salvage trade deal in another round of Brexit talks

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a second stay-at-home lockdown across England, starting next November 5. The lockdown will run for four weeks until at least the start of December, in order to deal with the rapidly increasing coronavirus infections.

Downing Street moved to bring forward the PM's announcement, initially planned for Monday, in the wake of the leaked media reports.

Johnson, in a national address, said there was no choice but to be "humble in the face of nature" and unless tough action is taken now the peak of mortality in the country could be even greater than the first wave triggering a "medical and moral disaster".

The new England-wide measures will lapse by December 2 and, unless a further intervention in the meantime, England will revert to the current three-tier localised lockdown system.

"Now is the time to take action because there is no alternative," said Johnson.

"You must stay at home, you must only leave home for education, work if you cannot work from home, recreational exercise with one person from another household or your household, and to escape injury or harm, to shop for food and essentials or provide care for vulnerable people as a volunteer," he said, adding that this lockdown would be less "restrictive" than the first lockdown of earlier this year.

He also confirmed an extension to the furlough scheme until December, the wage support scheme for businesses which was set to end from November 1.

Non-essential shops and leisure and hospitality venues, such as restaurants, bars and pubs, will be required to close down. Takeaways will be allowed to stay open and people can only meet one person from outside their household outdoors.

Unlike the first complete lockdown in March, schools, colleges and universities will be allowed to stay open.

"I am very optimistic that this will feel better by next spring," he said, indicating no significant changes are to be expected until early 2021.

The latest lockdown plans will be tabled in Parliament next week for a debate and vote by Wednesday, for them to come in effect from Thursday.

At the Downing Street briefing, Johnson was joined by England's Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, and the government's Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance.

The devolved administrations of the United Kingdom will continue to follow their own already strict lockdown policies, calling on residents to refrain from non-essential travels to and from England.

Wales is currently in a "firebreak" lockdown which is due to be in place until November 9 and Scotland's stringent four-tier system, with Tier 4 akin to a complete shutdown, is set to come into force from Monday.

Northern Ireland, meanwhile, has been in complete lockdown since the middle of October, scheduled for a month.

Earlier on Saturday, several media reports had indicated plans for the month-long lockdown were afoot after Johnson met his most senior Cabinet colleagues on Friday to discuss the possible toughening of restrictions in light of worsening coronavirus infection rate and hospital cases.

The UK recorded another 21,915 confirmed coronavirus cases on Saturday, bringing the total since the pandemic began to 1,011,660.

Documents from the government's Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (SPI-M-O) revealed this week that England has breached its "reasonable worst-case" scenario for COVID-19 infections and hospital admissions for the winter months.

The scientists warned that the number of daily coronavirus deaths in England is in line with that scenario, but "is almost certain to exceed this within the next two weeks".

Infection rates are currently soaring across much of Europe, prompting new forms of lockdown across Germany, France and Belgium.

Just minutes after Johnson's announcement, Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced a partial lockdown for his country, with 70 percent of the population going back into lockdown.

Also on Saturday, Austria brought in a second lockdown of its own, while Greece declared a partial one. The new measures came just a day after France started its second lockdown and Belgium said it would tighten its measures.

Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, meanwhile, justified his new partial lockdown by saying it was time to act "before intensive care units buckle under the strain of lives in danger".

The new lockdown will close restaurants and other leisure activities in Athens and other major cities from Tuesday.

&nbsp;

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a second stay-at-home lockdown across England, starting next November 5. The lockdown will run for four weeks until at least the start of December, in order to deal with the rapidly increasing coronavirus infections.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a second stay-at-home lockdown across England, starting next November 5. The lockdown will run for four weeks until at least the start of December, in order to deal with the rapidly increasing coronavirus infections. Downing Street moved to bring forward the PM's announcement, initially planned for Monday, in the wake of the leaked media reports. Johnson, in a national address, said there was no choice but to be "humble in the face of nature" and unless tough action is taken now the peak of mortality in the country could be even greater than the first wave triggering a "medical and moral disaster". The new England-wide measures will lapse by December 2 and, unless a further intervention in the meantime, England will revert to the current three-tier localised lockdown system. "Now is the time to take action because there is no alternative," said Johnson. "You must stay at home, you must only leave home for education, work if you cannot work from home, recreational exercise with one person from another household or your household, and to escape injury or harm, to shop for food and essentials or provide care for vulnerable people as a volunteer," he said, adding that this lockdown would be less "restrictive" than the first lockdown of earlier this year. He also confirmed an extension to the furlough scheme until December, the wage support scheme for businesses which was set to end from November 1. Non-essential shops and leisure and hospitality venues, such as restaurants, bars and pubs, will be required to close down. Takeaways will be allowed to stay open and people can only meet one person from outside their household outdoors. Unlike the first complete lockdown in March, schools, colleges and universities will be allowed to stay open. "I am very optimistic that this will feel better by next spring," he said, indicating no significant changes are to be expected until early 2021. The latest lockdown plans will be tabled in Parliament next week for a debate and vote by Wednesday, for them to come in effect from Thursday. At the Downing Street briefing, Johnson was joined by England's Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, and the government's Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance. The devolved administrations of the United Kingdom will continue to follow their own already strict lockdown policies, calling on residents to refrain from non-essential travels to and from England. Wales is currently in a "firebreak" lockdown which is due to be in place until November 9 and Scotland's stringent four-tier system, with Tier 4 akin to a complete shutdown, is set to come into force from Monday. Northern Ireland, meanwhile, has been in complete lockdown since the middle of October, scheduled for a month. Earlier on Saturday, several media reports had indicated plans for the month-long lockdown were afoot after Johnson met his most senior Cabinet colleagues on Friday to discuss the possible toughening of restrictions in light of worsening coronavirus infection rate and hospital cases. The UK recorded another 21,915 confirmed coronavirus cases on Saturday, bringing the total since the pandemic began to 1,011,660. Documents from the government's Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (SPI-M-O) revealed this week that England has breached its "reasonable worst-case" scenario for COVID-19 infections and hospital admissions for the winter months. The scientists warned that the number of daily coronavirus deaths in England is in line with that scenario, but "is almost certain to exceed this within the next two weeks". Infection rates are currently soaring across much of Europe, prompting new forms of lockdown across Germany, France and Belgium. Just minutes after Johnson's announcement, Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced a partial lockdown for his country, with 70 percent of the population going back into lockdown. Also on Saturday, Austria brought in a second lockdown of its own, while Greece declared a partial one. The new measures came just a day after France started its second lockdown and Belgium said it would tighten its measures. Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, meanwhile, justified his new partial lockdown by saying it was time to act "before intensive care units buckle under the strain of lives in danger". The new lockdown will close restaurants and other leisure activities in Athens and other major cities from Tuesday.

UK PM Johnson declares England's second stay-at-home lockdown

With an increase in the coronavirus cases in the country, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom chaired a meeting with his top officials to discuss the possibility of a stricter lockdown in the country.

While the meeting has not been made official, Whitehall sources have confirmed that the PM Boris Johnson met with his most senior cabinet colleagues on Friday and discussed the worsening coronavirus infection rates and hospital attendance. As per the local reports, who have quoted Whitehall sources,&nbsp;Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Health Secretary Matt Hancock, Chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove were also present in this closed-door meeting.&nbsp;

The meeting happened almost after a week of Johnson's implementation of a tiered system of lockdown, which attracted criticism from the locals and the health experts of the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-registers-94000-coronavirus-cases-in-24-hours-tally-passes-9m-339148?UTM_SRC=breakingnews">Also read|&nbsp;US registers 94,000 coronavirus cases in 24 hours; tally passes 9M</a>

As per the reports, a new lockdown may come in place from Wednesday and might stay in place till December 01 at least. Johnson is expected to hold a press conference on Monday to announce the new lockdown and safety guidelines, under which all businesses and travel will be shut, except for educational institutions and essential workplaces

As of now, the UK is following a tiered system of lockdown in which areas have been divided into tier 1, 2 and 3 (with tier 3 being the highest infected regions). In the highest infected areas, all restaurants, pubs, bars and nightclubs have been closed temporarily, and residents are not allowed to visit or stay at their friend's, relative's or partner's house, The system attracted a lot of criticism with many labelling it as an inefficient system of containing the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Local reports stated that the ministry is also contemplating introducing a 'tier-4' which would be the highest. However, several Johnson aides are encouraging a nationwide lockdown instead.

The United Kingdom on Friday reported 24,405 new cases of COVID-19 and a further 274 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to government data. It has now recorded more than 20,000 new coronavirus cases a day on average over the last week.

With an increase in the coronavirus cases in the country, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom chaired a meeting with his top officials to discuss the possibility of a stricter lockdown in the country.

With an increase in the coronavirus cases in the country, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom chaired a meeting with his top officials to discuss the possibility of a stricter lockdown in the country. While the meeting has not been made official, Whitehall sources have confirmed that the PM Boris Johnson met with his most senior cabinet colleagues on Friday and discussed the worsening coronavirus infection rates and hospital attendance. As per the local reports, who have quoted Whitehall sources, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Health Secretary Matt Hancock, Chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove were also present in this closed-door meeting. The meeting happened almost after a week of Johnson's implementation of a tiered system of lockdown, which attracted criticism from the locals and the health experts of the country. Also read| US registers 94,000 coronavirus cases in 24 hours; tally passes 9M As per the reports, a new lockdown may come in place from Wednesday and might stay in place till December 01 at least. Johnson is expected to hold a press conference on Monday to announce the new lockdown and safety guidelines, under which all businesses and travel will be shut, except for educational institutions and essential workplaces As of now, the UK is following a tiered system of lockdown in which areas have been divided into tier 1, 2 and 3 (with tier 3 being the highest infected regions). In the highest infected areas, all restaurants, pubs, bars and nightclubs have been closed temporarily, and residents are not allowed to visit or stay at their friend's, relative's or partner's house, The system attracted a lot of criticism with many labelling it as an inefficient system of containing the spread of the deadly coronavirus. Local reports stated that the ministry is also contemplating introducing a 'tier-4' which would be the highest. However, several Johnson aides are encouraging a nationwide lockdown instead. The United Kingdom on Friday reported 24,405 new cases of COVID-19 and a further 274 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to government data. It has now recorded more than 20,000 new coronavirus cases a day on average over the last week.

Boris Johnson contemplates another lockdown in UK

Britain's main opposition Labour party on Friday urged shocked members to stand united against anti-Semitism, appealing against a renewal of internecine "civil war" following the suspension of its left-wing former leader&nbsp;Jeremy&nbsp;Corbyn.

Corbyn was exiled after he downplayed a report that detailed serious failings in the party's handling of persistent anti-Semitism complaints during his 2015-2019 leadership.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/jeremy-corbyn-suspended-from-labour-party-over-response-to-anti-semitism-allegations-339076/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said it had found evidence of failure to adequately train people investigating alleged anti-Semitism, political interference in the processing of complaints, and harassment of individuals.

New leader Keir Starmer, calling the report a "day of shame" for Labour, said he was "deeply disappointed" in Corbyn for blaming party critics as well as the media for exaggerating the scale of anti-Semitism.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pro-european-centrist-keir-starmer-elected-new-uk-labour-leader-290578">Pro-European centrist Keir Starmer elected new UK Labour leader</a>

Starmer has won strong backing from Jewish groups which, in evidence to the EHRC, detailed a deluge of anti-Semitic abuse online and in party meetings during Corbyn's leadership, including death threats at the hands of left-wingers.

Jewish Labour Movement chair Mike Katz said the decision to suspend Corbyn was "brave and correct", vowing to work with Starmer "and put this shameful period behind us".

But Starmer acknowledged&nbsp;that the suspension had overwhelmed his efforts to "recognise the hurt, draw a line and move on", even as he wages increasingly effective attacks on the Conservative government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservatives are trying to exploit Labour's divisions, noting Starmer had continued to serve in Corbyn's shadow cabinet when anti-Semitic incidents were on the rise.

Veteran socialist Corbyn vowed to fight the suspension and his supporters are mobilising, with the radical group Momentum planning an online rally later Friday against Starmer's "naked attack on the left".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I will strongly contest the political intervention to suspend me. 
 
I’ve made absolutely clear those who deny there has been an antisemitism problem in the Labour Party are wrong. 
 
I will continue to support a zero tolerance policy towards all forms of racism.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeremycorbyn/status/1321812345857941511?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Corbyn ally Len McCluskey, the head of the Unite union, one of Labour's biggest financial backers, said the suspension would "create chaos within the party and in doing so compromise Labour's chances of a general election victory".

'Utter disgrace'&nbsp;

However, voters turned against Corbyn in droves at the last election in December, with Johnson profiting from Labour infighting over Brexit.

Snap polls meanwhile suggested strong public backing for the moderate Starmer's confrontation with his more radical predecessor and attempts to bury the recent past.&nbsp;

"I don't want a split in the Labour party. I stood as the leader of the Labour party on the basis that I would unite the party, but also that I would tackle anti-Semitism," Starmer&nbsp;told Sky News.

"Both of those can be done. There's no reason for a civil war in our party."

Corbyn was propelled from the backbenches to become Labour leader in 2015 after decades of socialist activism, including for Palestinian causes.&nbsp;

Among his supporters, criticism of Israel veered often into anti-Jewish tropes and conspiracies.&nbsp;

The EHRC found damning instances where Corbyn's leadership team underplayed, belittled or ignored complaints by Jewish members, and sometimes actively interfered to support favoured allies.

The charge of political interference means Starmer must tread a fine line between condemning his predecessor's actions and allowing internal party procedures to play out, now that Corbyn is under investigation.

"The leader of the Labour party should now not comment any further, let the process take its course," Starmer said while stressing he opposed "purging" anyone.

Some are showing no such reticence in calling for Corbyn's outright expulsion from Labour.

"A political party founded on the principles of equality and justice, with a proud record of fighting racism, has now been found guilty of breaking the law in its treatment of Jewish people," former Labour MP Ian Austin wrote in the Daily Telegraph.

"What a complete and utter disgrace," said Austin, whose father's family was wiped out in the Holocaust and who urged his constituents to vote for the Conservatives last December.

Britain's main opposition Labour party on Friday urged shocked members to stand united against anti-Semitism, appealing against a renewal of internecine "civil war" following the suspension of its left-wing former leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Britain's main opposition Labour party on Friday urged shocked members to stand united against anti-Semitism, appealing against a renewal of internecine "civil war" following the suspension of its left-wing former leader Jeremy Corbyn. Corbyn was exiled after he downplayed a report that detailed serious failings in the party's handling of persistent anti-Semitism complaints during his 2015-2019 leadership. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said it had found evidence of failure to adequately train people investigating alleged anti-Semitism, political interference in the processing of complaints, and harassment of individuals. New leader Keir Starmer, calling the report a "day of shame" for Labour, said he was "deeply disappointed" in Corbyn for blaming party critics as well as the media for exaggerating the scale of anti-Semitism. Also read: Pro-European centrist Keir Starmer elected new UK Labour leader Starmer has won strong backing from Jewish groups which, in evidence to the EHRC, detailed a deluge of anti-Semitic abuse online and in party meetings during Corbyn's leadership, including death threats at the hands of left-wingers. Jewish Labour Movement chair Mike Katz said the decision to suspend Corbyn was "brave and correct", vowing to work with Starmer "and put this shameful period behind us". But Starmer acknowledged that the suspension had overwhelmed his efforts to "recognise the hurt, draw a line and move on", even as he wages increasingly effective attacks on the Conservative government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservatives are trying to exploit Labour's divisions, noting Starmer had continued to serve in Corbyn's shadow cabinet when anti-Semitic incidents were on the rise. Veteran socialist Corbyn vowed to fight the suspension and his supporters are mobilising, with the radical group Momentum planning an online rally later Friday against Starmer's "naked attack on the left". I will strongly contest the political intervention to suspend me. I’ve made absolutely clear those who deny there has been an antisemitism problem in the Labour Party are wrong. I will continue to support a zero tolerance policy towards all forms of racism. — Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) October 29, 2020 × Corbyn ally Len McCluskey, the head of the Unite union, one of Labour's biggest financial backers, said the suspension would "create chaos within the party and in doing so compromise Labour's chances of a general election victory". 'Utter disgrace' However, voters turned against Corbyn in droves at the last election in December, with Johnson profiting from Labour infighting over Brexit. Snap polls meanwhile suggested strong public backing for the moderate Starmer's confrontation with his more radical predecessor and attempts to bury the recent past. "I don't want a split in the Labour party. I stood as the leader of the Labour party on the basis that I would unite the party, but also that I would tackle anti-Semitism," Starmer told Sky News. "Both of those can be done. There's no reason for a civil war in our party." Corbyn was propelled from the backbenches to become Labour leader in 2015 after decades of socialist activism, including for Palestinian causes. Among his supporters, criticism of Israel veered often into anti-Jewish tropes and conspiracies. The EHRC found damning instances where Corbyn's leadership team underplayed, belittled or ignored complaints by Jewish members, and sometimes actively interfered to support favoured allies. The charge of political interference means Starmer must tread a fine line between condemning his predecessor's actions and allowing internal party procedures to play out, now that Corbyn is under investigation. "The leader of the Labour party should now not comment any further, let the process take its course," Starmer said while stressing he opposed "purging" anyone. Some are showing no such reticence in calling for Corbyn's outright expulsion from Labour. "A political party founded on the principles of equality and justice, with a proud record of fighting racism, has now been found guilty of breaking the law in its treatment of Jewish people," former Labour MP Ian Austin wrote in the Daily Telegraph. "What a complete and utter disgrace," said Austin, whose father's family was wiped out in the Holocaust and who urged his constituents to vote for the Conservatives last December.

Britain's opposition party warns against 'civil war' after Corbyn suspension

In a plan to step up UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's "Operation Moonshot", &nbsp;a report claimed the region's planning to test up to 10 per cent of England's population every week.

In a letter accessed by the Guardian, UK's National Health Services (NHS) said it is embarking on an "important new front in our fight against coronavirus" and asked all public health directors to sign up to procure rapid Covid-19 test kits for testing up to a tenth of their population every week to contain outbreaks and restore freedoms.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anthony-fauci-lauds-australias-covid-19-response-says-people-ridiculed-in-us-for-wearing-masks-338731">Anthony Fauci lauds Australia's Covid-19 response, says people 'ridiculed' in US for wearing masks</a>

If the plan gets implemented successfully, it would result in about 5 million tests each week, which is significantly more than nearly 300,000 PCR daily tests that are carried out.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-antibodies-among-recovered-patients-drop-rapidly-british-scientists-find-338622">Coronavirus antibodies among recovered patients drop rapidly, British scientists find</a>

Saliva tests, known as lateral flow tests, will contribute to this boost in testing as they are known to give results faster than PCR tests, which in many cases are taking longer than 48 hours to process.&nbsp;

These tests will target asymptomatic people to "protect those at higher risk, find the virus, break transmission and enable wider social and economic activity," NHS test and trace informed public health directors.

A few weeks ago, the British PM said the saliva tests would become "to help control localised outbreaks".&nbsp;

Matt Hancock, the health secretary, told parliament a week ago the government had purchased "many millions" of saliva test kits produced by the company Innova.&nbsp;

Alex Cooper, director of rapid testing at NHS test and trace, wrote in the leaked letter: "Each director of public health will be eligible to receive on a weekly basis the number of tests equivalent to 10% of their population."

In a plan to step up UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's "Operation Moonshot", a report claimed the region's planning to test up to 10 per cent of England's population every week.

In a plan to step up UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's "Operation Moonshot", a report claimed the region's planning to test up to 10 per cent of England's population every week. In a letter accessed by the Guardian, UK's National Health Services (NHS) said it is embarking on an "important new front in our fight against coronavirus" and asked all public health directors to sign up to procure rapid Covid-19 test kits for testing up to a tenth of their population every week to contain outbreaks and restore freedoms. Also read | Anthony Fauci lauds Australia's Covid-19 response, says people 'ridiculed' in US for wearing masks If the plan gets implemented successfully, it would result in about 5 million tests each week, which is significantly more than nearly 300,000 PCR daily tests that are carried out. Also read | Coronavirus antibodies among recovered patients drop rapidly, British scientists find Saliva tests, known as lateral flow tests, will contribute to this boost in testing as they are known to give results faster than PCR tests, which in many cases are taking longer than 48 hours to process. These tests will target asymptomatic people to "protect those at higher risk, find the virus, break transmission and enable wider social and economic activity," NHS test and trace informed public health directors. A few weeks ago, the British PM said the saliva tests would become "to help control localised outbreaks". Matt Hancock, the health secretary, told parliament a week ago the government had purchased "many millions" of saliva test kits produced by the company Innova. Alex Cooper, director of rapid testing at NHS test and trace, wrote in the leaked letter: "Each director of public health will be eligible to receive on a weekly basis the number of tests equivalent to 10% of their population."

England could test 10% of their population every week: Report

Britain and the United States have been living under the same political weather vane for the past four years, so it is fitting that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is borrowing one of the White House’s most familiar daily rituals, the televised press briefing, for No 10 Downing St.

The fact that Johnson is doing so at a time when the Trump White House’s briefings have become a grim spectacle of patently erroneous claims and base-pleasing antagonism toward the news media is not lost on critics in Britain.

Some worry that a milder version of that cage match could take root in Downing Street. Even if it does not, they warn that a mix of hungry reporters, a close-to-the-vest press secretary and TV cameras will blow up a system that has operated comfortably for decades in a more collegial style. Until now, the prime minister’s spokesman has quietly briefed a designated circle of journalists without being identified by name.

Creative destruction is perhaps what Johnson and his communications aides are after. Televised briefings could be a way to get their message directly to the public, unfiltered by a political press corps that has become increasingly critical of Downing Street over its erratic handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Johnson has recruited a well-connected former political journalist, Allegra Stratton, who most recently headed communications for the chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak. When she takes the podium next month, Stratton, 39, will instantly become one of the government’s most visible officials. Some worry that it is the equivalent of putting a big red target on her back.

“Quite frankly, she’s being sold a pup,” said Bernard Ingham, who served as Margaret Thatcher’s press secretary during her 11 years as prime minister, using a British expression meaning to be tricked into accepting a raw deal. “Look at the background against which she is starting.”

There is little good news for Johnson’s press secretary to promote these days. The virus has hit Britain harder than any other major European country, economically and epidemiologically. The prime minister’s lockdowns are stirring up rebellions from northern mayors and members of his own Conservative Party. Brexit negotiations with the European Union are bumpy and rife with reversals.

“It will deflect criticism from Johnson and his key aides to the press spokeswoman,” said Michael White, a former political editor at The Guardian, who once worked with Stratton. “She is a smart, tough woman, but it’s going to be very difficult for her. It’s a 24/7 job.”

White, who was a Washington correspondent in the 1980s, recalled useful off-camera briefings that President Ronald Reagan’s spokesman, Larry Speakes, held with reporters. Even if those sessions were at times adversarial, they were worlds away from the acrid encounters that reporters now have with President Donald Trump’s current press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany.

“I’m rather afraid that No. 10 wants to use the Trump model and not the Reagan model,” White said. “Using the briefing as a bully pulpit to go directly to the voters, believing that the problem is not their performance but the press.”

Stratton did not reply to a request for an interview, and a Downing Street spokesman declined to discuss her new assignment.

Some critics object to televised briefings on constitutional grounds: They say they may subvert the role of Parliament, where the prime minister and members of his Cabinet are expected to account for government policies. Johnson, who suspended Parliament last year at the height of the debate over Brexit, has come under fire more recently for imposing virus-related restrictions without consulting the House of Commons.

“The PM’s word should always be stronger than that of a spokesman, and in our system that means Parliament,” said Alastair Campbell, who served as spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair and is an outspoken critic of the current prime minister. “Johnson is basically still a journalist masquerading as a prime minister, so he always thinks another media fix is the answer.”

Before entering politics, Johnson was the Brussels correspondent for The Daily Telegraph and later the editor of The Spectator, a right-leaning weekly magazine that has close ties to the Conservative Party.

In the incestuous tradition of British politics and media, The Spectator has even closer ties to Stratton. She is married to James Forsyth, a political reporter and editor for the magazine who writes knowing, if anonymously sourced, columns about the machinations inside Downing Street.

Adding to the politics as one large cocktail party vibe, Sunak, the government’s No. 2 official who has recently emerged as something of a rival to Johnson within the party, served as Forsyth’s best man at his marriage to Stratton (they were schoolmates).

This web of social ties further complicates Stratton’s task.

“I don’t do spin,” Stratton once said to The Telegraph, an assertion backed up by her former colleagues.

Johnson’s aides hope to build on the success of the coronavirus briefings that the prime minister and his scientific advisers conducted every day as the virus first swept through the country last spring.

Unlike the freewheeling, often fractious, briefings that Trump gave at the White House during the early days of the pandemic, the Downing Street sessions were laden with a sense of national crisis. Reporters asked earnest questions, and the officials offered equally earnest answers. The drama proved a ratings bonanza.

But the ratings waned, and Downing Street stopped holding the sessions regularly. Now, with British solidarity giving way to angry divisions over the government’s lockdown policies, the cordial tone of those briefings would most likely be replaced by the cut-and-thrust of everyday political coverage.

Introducing cameras, former White House press secretaries said, only intensifies that dynamic. Too often, they said, briefings become platforms for showboating rather than well-intentioned efforts to extract or convey information.

“If the press secretary is strong, articulate and fast on her feet, she can represent the PM well,” said Ari Fleischer, who was press secretary to George W. Bush. “But still, it will likely become a TV show that debases everyone.”

There is a reason that Downing Street press secretaries have long been wary of too much visibility. In Ingham’s time, reporters were forced to attribute information from him to a “person close to the prime minister,” a restriction that led papers to briefly boycott Downing Street briefings.

Under Campbell, reporters were allowed to attribute information to the “prime minister’s official spokesman,” but not to Campbell by name — a requirement that still holds in Downing Street today.

Mike McCurry, who as Bill Clinton’s press secretary first allowed live television coverage of White House briefings in 1995, recalled Campbell quizzing him about the merits of the White House approach early in Blair’s tenure as prime minister. But Campbell said he never considered allowing cameras because he believed they would undermine the minister's briefings to Parliament.

McCurry said he now regretted bringing in cameras. Regardless, he said he hoped Johnson’s experiment would be a success.

“The British press is vigorous, and I’m sure the sessions with Stratton will be boisterous,” McCurry said. “But the guiding principle should be: ‘The public has a right to know. The government has an obligation to tell.’ ”

Britain and the United States have been living under the same political weather vane for the past four years, so it is fitting that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is borrowing one of the White House’s most familiar daily rituals, the televised press briefing, for No 10 Downing St.

Britain and the United States have been living under the same political weather vane for the past four years, so it is fitting that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is borrowing one of the White House’s most familiar daily rituals, the televised press briefing, for No 10 Downing St. The fact that Johnson is doing so at a time when the Trump White House’s briefings have become a grim spectacle of patently erroneous claims and base-pleasing antagonism toward the news media is not lost on critics in Britain. Some worry that a milder version of that cage match could take root in Downing Street. Even if it does not, they warn that a mix of hungry reporters, a close-to-the-vest press secretary and TV cameras will blow up a system that has operated comfortably for decades in a more collegial style. Until now, the prime minister’s spokesman has quietly briefed a designated circle of journalists without being identified by name. Creative destruction is perhaps what Johnson and his communications aides are after. Televised briefings could be a way to get their message directly to the public, unfiltered by a political press corps that has become increasingly critical of Downing Street over its erratic handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Johnson has recruited a well-connected former political journalist, Allegra Stratton, who most recently headed communications for the chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak. When she takes the podium next month, Stratton, 39, will instantly become one of the government’s most visible officials. Some worry that it is the equivalent of putting a big red target on her back. “Quite frankly, she’s being sold a pup,” said Bernard Ingham, who served as Margaret Thatcher’s press secretary during her 11 years as prime minister, using a British expression meaning to be tricked into accepting a raw deal. “Look at the background against which she is starting.” There is little good news for Johnson’s press secretary to promote these days. The virus has hit Britain harder than any other major European country, economically and epidemiologically. The prime minister’s lockdowns are stirring up rebellions from northern mayors and members of his own Conservative Party. Brexit negotiations with the European Union are bumpy and rife with reversals. “It will deflect criticism from Johnson and his key aides to the press spokeswoman,” said Michael White, a former political editor at The Guardian, who once worked with Stratton. “She is a smart, tough woman, but it’s going to be very difficult for her. It’s a 24/7 job.” White, who was a Washington correspondent in the 1980s, recalled useful off-camera briefings that President Ronald Reagan’s spokesman, Larry Speakes, held with reporters. Even if those sessions were at times adversarial, they were worlds away from the acrid encounters that reporters now have with President Donald Trump’s current press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany. “I’m rather afraid that No. 10 wants to use the Trump model and not the Reagan model,” White said. “Using the briefing as a bully pulpit to go directly to the voters, believing that the problem is not their performance but the press.” Stratton did not reply to a request for an interview, and a Downing Street spokesman declined to discuss her new assignment. Some critics object to televised briefings on constitutional grounds: They say they may subvert the role of Parliament, where the prime minister and members of his Cabinet are expected to account for government policies. Johnson, who suspended Parliament last year at the height of the debate over Brexit, has come under fire more recently for imposing virus-related restrictions without consulting the House of Commons. “The PM’s word should always be stronger than that of a spokesman, and in our system that means Parliament,” said Alastair Campbell, who served as spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair and is an outspoken critic of the current prime minister. “Johnson is basically still a journalist masquerading as a prime minister, so he always thinks another media fix is the answer.” Before entering politics, Johnson was the Brussels correspondent for The Daily Telegraph and later the editor of The Spectator, a right-leaning weekly magazine that has close ties to the Conservative Party. In the incestuous tradition of British politics and media, The Spectator has even closer ties to Stratton. She is married to James Forsyth, a political reporter and editor for the magazine who writes knowing, if anonymously sourced, columns about the machinations inside Downing Street. Adding to the politics as one large cocktail party vibe, Sunak, the government’s No. 2 official who has recently emerged as something of a rival to Johnson within the party, served as Forsyth’s best man at his marriage to Stratton (they were schoolmates). This web of social ties further complicates Stratton’s task. “I don’t do spin,” Stratton once said to The Telegraph, an assertion backed up by her former colleagues. Johnson’s aides hope to build on the success of the coronavirus briefings that the prime minister and his scientific advisers conducted every day as the virus first swept through the country last spring. Unlike the freewheeling, often fractious, briefings that Trump gave at the White House during the early days of the pandemic, the Downing Street sessions were laden with a sense of national crisis. Reporters asked earnest questions, and the officials offered equally earnest answers. The drama proved a ratings bonanza. But the ratings waned, and Downing Street stopped holding the sessions regularly. Now, with British solidarity giving way to angry divisions over the government’s lockdown policies, the cordial tone of those briefings would most likely be replaced by the cut-and-thrust of everyday political coverage. Introducing cameras, former White House press secretaries said, only intensifies that dynamic. Too often, they said, briefings become platforms for showboating rather than well-intentioned efforts to extract or convey information. “If the press secretary is strong, articulate and fast on her feet, she can represent the PM well,” said Ari Fleischer, who was press secretary to George W. Bush. “But still, it will likely become a TV show that debases everyone.” There is a reason that Downing Street press secretaries have long been wary of too much visibility. In Ingham’s time, reporters were forced to attribute information from him to a “person close to the prime minister,” a restriction that led papers to briefly boycott Downing Street briefings. Under Campbell, reporters were allowed to attribute information to the “prime minister’s official spokesman,” but not to Campbell by name — a requirement that still holds in Downing Street today. Mike McCurry, who as Bill Clinton’s press secretary first allowed live television coverage of White House briefings in 1995, recalled Campbell quizzing him about the merits of the White House approach early in Blair’s tenure as prime minister. But Campbell said he never considered allowing cameras because he believed they would undermine the minister's briefings to Parliament. McCurry said he now regretted bringing in cameras. Regardless, he said he hoped Johnson’s experiment would be a success. “The British press is vigorous, and I’m sure the sessions with Stratton will be boisterous,” McCurry said. “But the guiding principle should be: ‘The public has a right to know. The government has an obligation to tell.’ ”

Cage match or PR opportunity? Boris Johnson bets on live press briefings

The political bromance between Boris Johnson and Donald Trump leaves Britain and its transatlantic "special relationship" exposed if Joe Biden wins next week, just as the country needs all the friends it can get.

The UK is divorcing the European Union and looking to revitalise partnerships elsewhere,&nbsp;but has managed to antagonise President Trump's Democratic opponent over its Brexit plans for Northern Ireland.

French President Emmanuel Macron has at times also strived to keep Trump close. But the British prime minister is more closely associated with his fellow convention-shredding populist in Washington.

"There is a lot of frantic repositioning going on at the moment here in London by this administration in Britain," former Conservative finance minister George Osborne told CNN on Sunday.

"But I don't think Joe Biden will feel particularly warmly toward this British government, and they're going to have to work very hard to change that," he said.

Last December, as Johnson closed in on a general election victory, Biden showed his disdain in describing the Conservative politician as a "physical and emotional clone" of Trump.&nbsp;

The president has himself praised Johnson as "Britain('s) Trump", and the prime minister's own long trail of provocative comments has come back to haunt him.&nbsp;

Biden was vice president to Barack Obama when Johnson, in 2016, wrote that Obama was anti-UK owing to his "part-Kenyan" heritage and "ancestral dislike of the British Empire".

- Trump with better hair? -

That remark was highlighted recently on Twitter by Obama's deputy national security advisor, Ben Rhodes, who sees Johnson as Trump "with better hair" and a higher IQ. Many veterans of the Obama administration are likely to populate a Biden White House.

If elected, it will be up to Biden and his team to decide whether "to litigate and punish the past or focus on the future", according to Heather Conley, director of the Europe programme at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

"I am comforted that populists are chameleons: they take on the hue of the political moment. I trust should vice president Biden win, Mr Johnson's hue will change dramatically," she told AFP.

Trump's relationship with previous British prime minister Theresa May was awful. But he was effusive about the New York-born Johnson when the "tough" and "smart" former foreign secretary replaced her last year.&nbsp;

Johnson in turn has lauded Trump's "many, many good qualities", in marked contrast to the arm's-length mistrust displayed by others such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Yet Britain, next year's president of the G7, remains far more aligned with France and Germany -- as well as Biden -- on climate change, Iran, Russia and collective defence under the NATO umbrella.

A post-Brexit US-UK trade deal is still a work in progress under Trump, who characteristically is said to be driving a hard bargain after slapping tariffs on Scottish whisky amid a wider spat with the EU.

- Voting for Reagan -

Conley said that Biden, as a "dedicated transatlanticist", was likely to resolve Trump's trade row with the EU and Britain, as part of a wider fence-mending policy if elected.

"But certainly issues related to Brexit are going to be addressed much differently in a Biden administration than the Brexit enthusiasm of the Trump administration -- and even that hasn't been easy going," the expert added.

The US-UK trade negotiation has been attracting close attention from Democrats, since Johnson in September introduced legislation that unilaterally strips Brussels of a role in regulating future trade between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland.

Biden, who speaks passionately of his Irish roots, warned that the trade deal would be dead on arrival if Britain, via its Brexit policy, undermines Northern Ireland's Good Friday peace agreement.

In public, the British government refuses to take sides in the November 3 US election. But some Conservatives are showing no such reserve.

In 1992, Johnson's former finance minister Sajid Javid moved to New York to work as a banker. Writing in the Daily Telegraph last week, he reflected on hearing Ronald Reagan's final speech to the Republican convention that summer.

The former president appealed to "your best hopes, not your worst fears", Javid said.

"Only one of the candidates can credibly say the same. Britain is better off with Biden."

The political bromance between Boris Johnson and Donald Trump leaves Britain and its transatlantic "special relationship" exposed if Joe Biden wins next week, just as the country needs all the friends it can get.

The political bromance between Boris Johnson and Donald Trump leaves Britain and its transatlantic "special relationship" exposed if Joe Biden wins next week, just as the country needs all the friends it can get. The UK is divorcing the European Union and looking to revitalise partnerships elsewhere, but has managed to antagonise President Trump's Democratic opponent over its Brexit plans for Northern Ireland. French President Emmanuel Macron has at times also strived to keep Trump close. But the British prime minister is more closely associated with his fellow convention-shredding populist in Washington. "There is a lot of frantic repositioning going on at the moment here in London by this administration in Britain," former Conservative finance minister George Osborne told CNN on Sunday. "But I don't think Joe Biden will feel particularly warmly toward this British government, and they're going to have to work very hard to change that," he said. Last December, as Johnson closed in on a general election victory, Biden showed his disdain in describing the Conservative politician as a "physical and emotional clone" of Trump. The president has himself praised Johnson as "Britain('s) Trump", and the prime minister's own long trail of provocative comments has come back to haunt him. Biden was vice president to Barack Obama when Johnson, in 2016, wrote that Obama was anti-UK owing to his "part-Kenyan" heritage and "ancestral dislike of the British Empire". - Trump with better hair? - That remark was highlighted recently on Twitter by Obama's deputy national security advisor, Ben Rhodes, who sees Johnson as Trump "with better hair" and a higher IQ. Many veterans of the Obama administration are likely to populate a Biden White House. If elected, it will be up to Biden and his team to decide whether "to litigate and punish the past or focus on the future", according to Heather Conley, director of the Europe programme at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "I am comforted that populists are chameleons: they take on the hue of the political moment. I trust should vice president Biden win, Mr Johnson's hue will change dramatically," she told AFP. Trump's relationship with previous British prime minister Theresa May was awful. But he was effusive about the New York-born Johnson when the "tough" and "smart" former foreign secretary replaced her last year. Johnson in turn has lauded Trump's "many, many good qualities", in marked contrast to the arm's-length mistrust displayed by others such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Yet Britain, next year's president of the G7, remains far more aligned with France and Germany -- as well as Biden -- on climate change, Iran, Russia and collective defence under the NATO umbrella. A post-Brexit US-UK trade deal is still a work in progress under Trump, who characteristically is said to be driving a hard bargain after slapping tariffs on Scottish whisky amid a wider spat with the EU. - Voting for Reagan - Conley said that Biden, as a "dedicated transatlanticist", was likely to resolve Trump's trade row with the EU and Britain, as part of a wider fence-mending policy if elected. "But certainly issues related to Brexit are going to be addressed much differently in a Biden administration than the Brexit enthusiasm of the Trump administration -- and even that hasn't been easy going," the expert added. The US-UK trade negotiation has been attracting close attention from Democrats, since Johnson in September introduced legislation that unilaterally strips Brussels of a role in regulating future trade between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland. Biden, who speaks passionately of his Irish roots, warned that the trade deal would be dead on arrival if Britain, via its Brexit policy, undermines Northern Ireland's Good Friday peace agreement. In public, the British government refuses to take sides in the November 3 US election. But some Conservatives are showing no such reserve. In 1992, Johnson's former finance minister Sajid Javid moved to New York to work as a banker. Writing in the Daily Telegraph last week, he reflected on hearing Ronald Reagan's final speech to the Republican convention that summer. The former president appealed to "your best hopes, not your worst fears", Javid said. "Only one of the candidates can credibly say the same. Britain is better off with Biden."

Biden no lover of UK's 'Trump clone' Johnson

A pub in the United Kingdom has banned the&nbsp;UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak for life as retaliation for voting against free school meals for children of the country.

The Mill pub and its connected Il Mulino restaurant at Stokesley in North Yorkshire took to social media platform Facebook to express their sadness and anger towards Sunak's decision.

"The Government voted against extending free school meals. This is disgusting! What’s worse Matt Vickers MP Simon Clarke MP &amp; Jacob Young - MP for Redcar &amp; Cleveland &nbsp;Rishi Sunak all voted against the scheme. DISGUSTING! ," the post read.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/themillstokesley/posts/1847902098723509" data-show-text="true" data-width="">
<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/themillstokesley/posts/1847902098723509" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
Don’t usually do politics but here goes.... I have never known a Government which is consistently the wrong end of...
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/themillstokesley/">The Mill</a> on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/themillstokesley/posts/1847902098723509">Friday, October 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

He further announced a ban on the four politicians saying, "All 4 are now barred from The Mill &amp; Il Mulino for life. I don’t want their business."

The statement came after Rishi Sunak voted against&nbsp;extending the government's temporary free meals for schoolchildren as part of a campaign led by England team footballer Marcus Rashford — a decision that was highly criticised across the country.

"Shame on our government, this is so wrong!," the post reads.

Mill's Facebook post has been shared more than 11,000 times (and counting) with more than 530 comments supporting the team's decision.

To add on to the movement, the owner also announced that he will be delivering at least 100 freshly cooked hot meals to three food banks to help locals amid a pandemic.

"Tuesday, Wednesday &amp; Thursday next week I will deliver 100 freshly cooked healthy meals to 3 separate food banks in the Middlesbrough area," the post read.

He also criticised the government for mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic that has claimed thousands of lives in the country, pushing the UK into a second lockdown.

"I have never known a Government which is consistently the wrong end of every argument.&nbsp;Forget the poor handling of Covid for a minute and concentrate on what happend yesterday," he said.

He also attached a copy The Mill's subsidised menu from the&nbsp;House of Commons saying, "You know who is subsiding it? YOU!"

A pub in the United Kingdom has banned the UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak for life as retaliation for voting against free school meals for children of the country. The Mill pub and its connected Il Mulino restaurant at Stokesley in North Yorkshire took to social media platform Facebook to express their sadness and anger towards Sunak's decision.

A pub in the United Kingdom has banned the UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak for life as retaliation for voting against free school meals for children of the country. The Mill pub and its connected Il Mulino restaurant at Stokesley in North Yorkshire took to social media platform Facebook to express their sadness and anger towards Sunak's decision. "The Government voted against extending free school meals. This is disgusting! What’s worse Matt Vickers MP Simon Clarke MP & Jacob Young - MP for Redcar & Cleveland Rishi Sunak all voted against the scheme. DISGUSTING! ," the post read. Don’t usually do politics but here goes.... I have never known a Government which is consistently the wrong end of... Posted by The Mill on Friday, October 23, 2020 × He further announced a ban on the four politicians saying, "All 4 are now barred from The Mill & Il Mulino for life. I don’t want their business." The statement came after Rishi Sunak voted against extending the government's temporary free meals for schoolchildren as part of a campaign led by England team footballer Marcus Rashford — a decision that was highly criticised across the country. "Shame on our government, this is so wrong!," the post reads. Mill's Facebook post has been shared more than 11,000 times (and counting) with more than 530 comments supporting the team's decision. To add on to the movement, the owner also announced that he will be delivering at least 100 freshly cooked hot meals to three food banks to help locals amid a pandemic. "Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday next week I will deliver 100 freshly cooked healthy meals to 3 separate food banks in the Middlesbrough area," the post read. He also criticised the government for mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic that has claimed thousands of lives in the country, pushing the UK into a second lockdown. "I have never known a Government which is consistently the wrong end of every argument. Forget the poor handling of Covid for a minute and concentrate on what happend yesterday," he said. He also attached a copy The Mill's subsidised menu from the House of Commons saying, "You know who is subsiding it? YOU!"

UK pub bans Rishi Sunak for life after he voted against free school meals

Britain and Japan are set to sign a trade deal on Friday at a ceremony in Tokyo, marking London's first major post-Brexit agreement as it holds an intense round of negotiations with the European Union.

The deal covers sectors from food to textiles and tech and largely replicates the existing EU-Japan arrangement, which will no longer apply to Britain at the end of this year.

The British government has touted it as a chance to boost trade between the two countries by £15.2 billion ($19.5 billion, 16.5 billion euros).&nbsp;

It is due to take effect on January 1 -- the end of a transition period in which London and Brussels are trying to thrash out the terms of their new relationship.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-seals-temporary-brexit-trade-deal-with-efta-nations-337136">Also read:&nbsp;UK seals temporary Brexit trade deal with EFTA nations</a>

Britain and the European Union resumed their fraught talks on Thursday after the UK ended a week of threats to abandon the long-running negotiations.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier arrived in London with negotiators vowing to work around the clock to salvage a trade deal and avert potential economic chaos at the end of the year -- although key sticking points still remain.

Britain's International Trade Minister Liz Truss is in Tokyo to sign the deal with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, after it was agreed in principle by the pair last month during a video call.

Truss said in a statement that Friday's signing was "a landmark moment for Britain" that "strengthens ties with a like-minded democracy, key ally and major investor".

"It secures major wins that would be impossible as part of the EU and brings together two of the world's most technologically advanced nations," her ministry added in a statement.

The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement has been trumpeted by London as a sign to Brexit opponents that agreements can be struck elsewhere.

Japan's parliament will still need to ratify the deal by the end of the year for it to come into effect.

UK-Japanese trade was worth more than £30 billion last year, according to the British government, and their agreement has a particular focus on the food and drink, finance and tech sectors.

Britain formally left the EU in January this year, following a 2016 seismic referendum that saw voters opt to end five decades of European integration.

But under the terms of its divorce, the country will only be free of EU structures from 2021.

Britain and Japan are set to sign a trade deal on Friday at a ceremony in Tokyo, marking London's first major post-Brexit agreement as it holds an intense round of negotiations with the European Union.

Britain and Japan are set to sign a trade deal on Friday at a ceremony in Tokyo, marking London's first major post-Brexit agreement as it holds an intense round of negotiations with the European Union. The deal covers sectors from food to textiles and tech and largely replicates the existing EU-Japan arrangement, which will no longer apply to Britain at the end of this year. The British government has touted it as a chance to boost trade between the two countries by £15.2 billion ($19.5 billion, 16.5 billion euros). It is due to take effect on January 1 -- the end of a transition period in which London and Brussels are trying to thrash out the terms of their new relationship. Also read: UK seals temporary Brexit trade deal with EFTA nations Britain and the European Union resumed their fraught talks on Thursday after the UK ended a week of threats to abandon the long-running negotiations. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier arrived in London with negotiators vowing to work around the clock to salvage a trade deal and avert potential economic chaos at the end of the year -- although key sticking points still remain. Britain's International Trade Minister Liz Truss is in Tokyo to sign the deal with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, after it was agreed in principle by the pair last month during a video call. Truss said in a statement that Friday's signing was "a landmark moment for Britain" that "strengthens ties with a like-minded democracy, key ally and major investor". "It secures major wins that would be impossible as part of the EU and brings together two of the world's most technologically advanced nations," her ministry added in a statement. The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement has been trumpeted by London as a sign to Brexit opponents that agreements can be struck elsewhere. Japan's parliament will still need to ratify the deal by the end of the year for it to come into effect. UK-Japanese trade was worth more than £30 billion last year, according to the British government, and their agreement has a particular focus on the food and drink, finance and tech sectors. Britain formally left the EU in January this year, following a 2016 seismic referendum that saw voters opt to end five decades of European integration. But under the terms of its divorce, the country will only be free of EU structures from 2021.

Britain inks post-Brexit trade deal with Japan

The upper chamber of Britain's parliament on Tuesday rejected the&nbsp;‘law-breaking’ Internal Market Bill and&nbsp;inflicted a symbolic defeat on the government over&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;legislation.

It comes after UK altered provisions in the bill after it had become a point of contention with the European Union and had thus, soured relations between the two.

The government's internal market bill is designed to regulate trade among the country's four constituent nations:&nbsp;England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland,&nbsp;after&nbsp;Brexit.&nbsp;

But it unilaterally rewrites the divorce treaty Britain struck with the European Union last year, sparking legal action from the 27-nation bloc.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-change-provisions-in-internal-market-bill-to-bind-brexit-treaty-336313">UK to change provisions in Internal Market Bill to bind Brexit treaty</a>

The bill has already passed the more powerful House of Commons but in the House of Lords, peers including Anglican archbishops voted by a majority of 226 to express their "regret" over its treaty-breaching provisions.

While the vote did not alter the bill's language, it sets the stage for detailed scrutiny by the lords in the coming weeks. Many want to strip out those elements, triggering a legislative tussle with the Commons before the bill can become law.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/after-boris-johnson-whines-about-his-low-salary-here-is-how-much-world-leaders-earn-336618">After Boris Johnson whines about his low salary, here is how much world leaders earn</a>

Michael Howard, a former leader of the ruling Conservatives and prominent Brexiteer, was among the dissident peers who voted for the motion against the government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

"I want the United Kingdom to be an independent and sovereign state," Howard said during the debate.

"But I want it to be an independent sovereign state that holds its head up high in the world, that keeps its word, that upholds the rule of law, that honours its treaty obligations."

'Safety net'

While Boris Johnson believed that the previous provisions in the bill&nbsp;a "safety net" against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland, the proposed law had&nbsp;infuriated the Europeans who had&nbsp;launched a legal case against the country.

'Terrible call'

The government argues the law is needed to prevent the UK's internal market fragmenting once the country is free of EU rules in 2021, in particular regarding Northern Ireland.&nbsp;

But the territory, which has a troubled history, is meant to enjoy a special post-Brexit&nbsp;status in consultation with Brussels because it shares a border with EU member Ireland, and the bloc has initiated legal action over the bill.

Tuesday's vote came with Britain and the EU also locked in a standoff over protracted talks about their future trading relationship from next year, and the threat of a "no deal" separation is looming larger.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier again urged Britain to use the little time that remains to clinch a trade deal, but London is still refusing to restart talks until Brussels promises to make concessions.

Meanwhile British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a call with around 250 business leaders urging them to prepare adequately for the transition period's end on December 31.

"It is vital that everybody on this call takes seriously the need to get ready, because whatever happens... change is going to happen," he told them, according to his office.

Johnson reportedly told the leaders the coronavirus crisis had created "too much apathy in business" to get ready for life outside the EU in what was described as a lecture by one participant.

The upper chamber of Britain's parliament on Tuesday rejected the ‘law-breaking’ Internal Market Bill and inflicted a symbolic defeat on the government over Brexit legislation.

The upper chamber of Britain's parliament on Tuesday rejected the ‘law-breaking’ Internal Market Bill and inflicted a symbolic defeat on the government over Brexit legislation. It comes after UK altered provisions in the bill after it had become a point of contention with the European Union and had thus, soured relations between the two. The government's internal market bill is designed to regulate trade among the country's four constituent nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, after Brexit. But it unilaterally rewrites the divorce treaty Britain struck with the European Union last year, sparking legal action from the 27-nation bloc. Also read: UK to change provisions in Internal Market Bill to bind Brexit treaty The bill has already passed the more powerful House of Commons but in the House of Lords, peers including Anglican archbishops voted by a majority of 226 to express their "regret" over its treaty-breaching provisions. While the vote did not alter the bill's language, it sets the stage for detailed scrutiny by the lords in the coming weeks. Many want to strip out those elements, triggering a legislative tussle with the Commons before the bill can become law. Also see: After Boris Johnson whines about his low salary, here is how much world leaders earn Michael Howard, a former leader of the ruling Conservatives and prominent Brexiteer, was among the dissident peers who voted for the motion against the government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson. "I want the United Kingdom to be an independent and sovereign state," Howard said during the debate. "But I want it to be an independent sovereign state that holds its head up high in the world, that keeps its word, that upholds the rule of law, that honours its treaty obligations." 'Safety net' While Boris Johnson believed that the previous provisions in the bill a "safety net" against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland, the proposed law had infuriated the Europeans who had launched a legal case against the country. 'Terrible call' The government argues the law is needed to prevent the UK's internal market fragmenting once the country is free of EU rules in 2021, in particular regarding Northern Ireland. But the territory, which has a troubled history, is meant to enjoy a special post-Brexit status in consultation with Brussels because it shares a border with EU member Ireland, and the bloc has initiated legal action over the bill. Tuesday's vote came with Britain and the EU also locked in a standoff over protracted talks about their future trading relationship from next year, and the threat of a "no deal" separation is looming larger. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier again urged Britain to use the little time that remains to clinch a trade deal, but London is still refusing to restart talks until Brussels promises to make concessions. Meanwhile British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a call with around 250 business leaders urging them to prepare adequately for the transition period's end on December 31. "It is vital that everybody on this call takes seriously the need to get ready, because whatever happens... change is going to happen," he told them, according to his office. Johnson reportedly told the leaders the coronavirus crisis had created "too much apathy in business" to get ready for life outside the EU in what was described as a lecture by one participant.

UK House of Lords rejects Brexit bill; big blow to Boris Johnson’s government

Strange things are happening these days across the world. And Britain is no exception to this global trend.

Many people must have been surprised when British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would resign from the position as he is not happy with his pay package. After the surprise came various reactions from different people -- some concurred, and some disagreed.

Perhaps, one may not have heard any other prime minister or president of any country in the world express such views. Nobody would weigh the position of the head of the state against their salary.

One can understand if a professional at any level would want to quit a job and change to a new one. A professional mostly works for his/her own satisfaction and to meet personal and family interests. If the duty benefits the country or the society, it is incidental.

But this cannot be true for a politician, who is supposed to be one of the lawmakers in the country, and is supposed to serve the country -- even by sacrificing his interests.

No politician contests in any election, stating that he wants to earn money. And people only vote for those who can serve the nation selflessly.

Every politician -- and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is not an exception to this -- has made promises of serving the country and seeking positions of power to serve the national cause. Certainly, at every opportunity, Johnson would have said the same.

While people vote for a politician assuming he would serve the country as promised, it would be dishonest if a politician would get elected and then occupy position in the government and then complain that his salary is inadequate. If he makes such a complaint, he would be accused of concealing his real intentions.

With this bizarre complaint, Boris Johnson has not set a praiseworthy standard for British prime ministers. This is particularly surprising, because it pertains to the Great Britain.

The British Parliament has been the model for many other parliamentary systems, and its Acts have inspired the legislations of other countries.

It's still not clear what his countrymen think of this surprising move. And I am sure even Johnson does not care much. Because had he cared, he would not have made such a statement.

Let's see what happens next.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Strange things are happening these days across the world. And Britain is no exception to this global trend. Many people must have been surprised when British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would resign from the position as he is not happy with his pay package.

Strange things are happening these days across the world. And Britain is no exception to this global trend. Many people must have been surprised when British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would resign from the position as he is not happy with his pay package. After the surprise came various reactions from different people -- some concurred, and some disagreed. Perhaps, one may not have heard any other prime minister or president of any country in the world express such views. Nobody would weigh the position of the head of the state against their salary. One can understand if a professional at any level would want to quit a job and change to a new one. A professional mostly works for his/her own satisfaction and to meet personal and family interests. If the duty benefits the country or the society, it is incidental. But this cannot be true for a politician, who is supposed to be one of the lawmakers in the country, and is supposed to serve the country -- even by sacrificing his interests. No politician contests in any election, stating that he wants to earn money. And people only vote for those who can serve the nation selflessly. Every politician -- and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is not an exception to this -- has made promises of serving the country and seeking positions of power to serve the national cause. Certainly, at every opportunity, Johnson would have said the same. While people vote for a politician assuming he would serve the country as promised, it would be dishonest if a politician would get elected and then occupy position in the government and then complain that his salary is inadequate. If he makes such a complaint, he would be accused of concealing his real intentions. With this bizarre complaint, Boris Johnson has not set a praiseworthy standard for British prime ministers. This is particularly surprising, because it pertains to the Great Britain. The British Parliament has been the model for many other parliamentary systems, and its Acts have inspired the legislations of other countries. It's still not clear what his countrymen think of this surprising move. And I am sure even Johnson does not care much. Because had he cared, he would not have made such a statement. Let's see what happens next. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Is British prime minister's 'greed' for bigger pay package appropriate?

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is allegedly&nbsp;mulling to resign after six&nbsp;months due to low salary.

According to British daily tabloid '<a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/boris-johnson-plans-resign-next-22863780">The Daily Mirror</a>', Johnson earns approximately&nbsp;$1,95,000, that is,&nbsp;£1,50,400 and he plans on resigning to leave office as soon as he gets Brexit done and navigating his country through the coronavirus pandemic.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-is-boris-johnson-unhappy-with-his-salary-336534/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The United Kingdom&nbsp;trying to forge a rudimentary free trade agreement with the European Union before the end of the year.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-change-provisions-in-internal-market-bill-to-bind-brexit-treaty-336313" hreflang="en">UK to change provisions in Internal Market Bill to bind Brexit treaty</a>

Some&nbsp;unnamed Tory MPs believe that the prime minister finds his salary underwhelming even in comparison to his previous occupation.

The article also suggest that&nbsp;Johnson believes that he cannot get past his predecessor Theressa May who resigned after the Brexit treaty got rejected.

Johnson is apparently jealous of May who has earned&nbsp;£1 million ($11,75,695)&nbsp;on the lecture circuit since quitting as the prime minister&nbsp;last year. He believes he can&nbsp;pull in at least double that.

He had earned $206885 in just two lectures&nbsp;two speeches in one month shortly before he became prime minister.

Previously, Johnson had a steady income of $30,000 per month and $355584 annually as a Daily Telegraph columnist.

He needs to pay ex-wife Marina Wheeler a significant part of his income as alimony and his 7-year-old son Wilfred still needs financial support.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is allegedly mulling to resign after six months due to low salary. According to British daily tabloid 'The Daily Mirror', Johnson earns approximately $1,95,000, that is, £1,50,400 and he plans on resigning to leave office as soon as he gets Brexit done and navigating his country through the coronavirus pandemic.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is allegedly mulling to resign after six months due to low salary. According to British daily tabloid 'The Daily Mirror', Johnson earns approximately $1,95,000, that is, £1,50,400 and he plans on resigning to leave office as soon as he gets Brexit done and navigating his country through the coronavirus pandemic. The United Kingdom trying to forge a rudimentary free trade agreement with the European Union before the end of the year. Also read: UK to change provisions in Internal Market Bill to bind Brexit treaty Some unnamed Tory MPs believe that the prime minister finds his salary underwhelming even in comparison to his previous occupation. The article also suggest that Johnson believes that he cannot get past his predecessor Theressa May who resigned after the Brexit treaty got rejected. Johnson is apparently jealous of May who has earned £1 million ($11,75,695) on the lecture circuit since quitting as the prime minister last year. He believes he can pull in at least double that. He had earned $206885 in just two lectures two speeches in one month shortly before he became prime minister. Previously, Johnson had a steady income of $30,000 per month and $355584 annually as a Daily Telegraph columnist. He needs to pay ex-wife Marina Wheeler a significant part of his income as alimony and his 7-year-old son Wilfred still needs financial support.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson mulling resignation due to low salary

A report by a British newspaper claims UK PM Boris Johnson plans to resign, as he is unhappy with his salary. How does Johnson's salary of close to $196,000/year stack up against other world leaders? WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Is Boris Johnson Unhappy with his salary?

According to British daily tabloid 'The Daily Mirror', Johnson earns approximately $1,95,000, that is, £1,50,400 and he plans on resigning to leave office as soon as he gets Brexit done and navigating his country through the coronavirus pandemic.

A US tech entrepreneur has told a newspaper she had an affair with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson when he was mayor of London. The woman has been at the centre of allegations of misconduct involving the latter.

The Daily Mail reported on Saturday that Jennifer Arcuri, when asked if she had an affair with Johnson, said: "I think that goes without saying. It's pretty much out there."

Arcuri further said Johnson bombarded her with "avalanches of passion". She was married to second wife Marina Wheeler at the time.

In the multiple interviews Arcuri gave after the allegations came to light, she said she and Johnson had enjoyed a "very special relationship", though she repeatedly refused to say whether they had had an affair.

The Daily Mail interview hence comes as an affirmation to the theories.

Johnson was London mayor from 2008 to 2016. He became prime minister last year. 
Downing Street had no immediate comment.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation in September 2019 following a newspaper report that Johnson, when mayor of London, had failed to disclose his personal links to Arcuri, who received thousands of pounds in public funding and places on official trade trips.

Johnson denied any wrongdoing, saying everything was done with full propriety and that there was no interest to declare. In May the IOPC said he would not face criminal action.

The matter was referred to the watchdog because Johnson was head of the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime, a role equivalent to a police commissioner, during his term as mayor.

A US tech entrepreneur has told a newspaper she had an affair with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson when he was mayor of London. The woman has been at the centre of allegations of misconduct involving the latter.

A US tech entrepreneur has told a newspaper she had an affair with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson when he was mayor of London. The woman has been at the centre of allegations of misconduct involving the latter. The Daily Mail reported on Saturday that Jennifer Arcuri, when asked if she had an affair with Johnson, said: "I think that goes without saying. It's pretty much out there." Arcuri further said Johnson bombarded her with "avalanches of passion". She was married to second wife Marina Wheeler at the time. In the multiple interviews Arcuri gave after the allegations came to light, she said she and Johnson had enjoyed a "very special relationship", though she repeatedly refused to say whether they had had an affair. The Daily Mail interview hence comes as an affirmation to the theories. Johnson was London mayor from 2008 to 2016. He became prime minister last year. Downing Street had no immediate comment. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation in September 2019 following a newspaper report that Johnson, when mayor of London, had failed to disclose his personal links to Arcuri, who received thousands of pounds in public funding and places on official trade trips. Johnson denied any wrongdoing, saying everything was done with full propriety and that there was no interest to declare. In May the IOPC said he would not face criminal action. The matter was referred to the watchdog because Johnson was head of the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime, a role equivalent to a police commissioner, during his term as mayor.

US businesswoman says she did have an affair with UK PM Johnson

EU leaders have called for post-Brexit trade talks to continue beyond the end of the week - the deadline suggested by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

EU-UK trade deal post-Brexit: EU leaders stress unity of 27-nation bloc

LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reached a moment of truth on the two issues that have dominated Britain this year: the pandemic and Brexit negotiations with the European Union. But he is still playing for time — a strategy that could put lives or livelihoods at risk if he waits too long.

On Thursday, Johnson inched closer to imposing a second lockdown on the country, moving London to a higher level of restrictions and signaling that he wanted to move Manchester to the highest level, joining Liverpool. But he stuck to his claim that the best way to curb the virus was through targeted responses, not the two-week nationwide lockdown pushed by the opposition Labour Party and his own scientific advisers.

The prime minister also seemed ready to string out trade talks with Brussels, letting a self-imposed deadline pass on Thursday without a deal. While Johnson could torpedo the negotiations on Friday, after a two-day summit meeting of EU leaders, analysts said the British government still appeared eager to strike an agreement by the legal deadline of Dec. 31.

For Johnson, Brexit and the virus are linked: the economic turmoil unleashed by the pandemic has raised the pressure on him to avoid the self-inflicted disruption of a ruptured negotiation with the EU, and the damaging prospect of beginning the new year without a trade agreement in place.

Yet his reluctance to move decisively on either of them, analysts say, risks making both worse.

Dragging out the talks with Brussels could put Britain in a bind if the two sides hit an impasse as the clock runs out. Putting off a short lockdown — which experts have dubbed a “circuit breaker” — could vitiate its effectiveness in curbing the virus’ spread and necessitate a longer lockdown later, according to medical experts.

“If you’re going to do it, do it early, fast and hard,” said Devi Sridhar, chair of the global public health program at the University of Edinburgh. “The longer they delay, the less likely a two-week circuit breaker will work.”

Scientists have proposed that the government schedule the temporary lockdown for the last week of October and first week of November, when schools are closed for midterm break, to make it less disruptive. But some experts questioned whether that would leave enough time to prepare the public for the restrictions.

Britain has missed its chance at earlier action on a midterm lockdown that might have stemmed the latest surge, but it could still be valuable in slowing the spread, said Graham Medley, professor of infectious disease modeling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who advises the government. “We haven’t missed the boat of it epidemiologically as a strategy,” he said.

Britain has recorded about 16,000 new coronavirus cases per day, on average, over the past week — the most since the pandemic began, and a tenfold increase in just six weeks. Nearly 800 people were admitted to hospitals on Thursday, and 563 patients were on ventilators, raising fears that intensive care units will soon be overwhelmed.

The figures have climbed sharply despite an array of new restrictions adopted after government scientists warned last month that without further action, the caseload could reach 50,000 a day by this point.

While the outbreak has been worst in the north and west of England, there are signs that it is spreading across the country. The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, pressed the government to raise the city’s status to a high alert level, which prohibits indoor socializing by people from different households, as of Saturday.

But other mayors lashed out against the restrictions. Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, rejected the move to elevate his city to the highest-risk tier, which involves closing pubs and gyms. Burnham, who like Khan is a member of the Labour Party, demanded that the government provide more financial aid to pubs and other businesses that he said would be devastated by the lockdown.

“We will not cave into all the pressure that is being applied to us,” the mayor said in an angry video posted on Twitter. “We will not let them be leveled down by this government through this pandemic.”

For weeks now, Johnson has balanced calls from his scientific advisers for tighter measures with warnings from members of his Conservative Party that a lockdown or similarly draconian measures would wreck the economy.

The political consensus that once characterized Britain’s response to the pandemic has now fractured in both parties, however. The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, threw his weight behind a temporary lockdown, while Johnson remains at odds not only with members of his party but also with some in his Cabinet: the popular chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, is resisting the push for a lockdown.

“We are effectively burning the furniture to keep warm now,” said Steve Baker, a Conservative lawmaker and one of the leaders of a campaign for Parliament to have a greater say over coronavirus rules. “If we have to continue like that for another three to six months until there is a vaccine, that poses grave risks to the economy.”

Adding to the pressure on Johnson, public-opinion surveys show clear support in the British public for stricter measures, up to and including a “circuit breaker” — though Britons are split about a lengthier lockdown.

By embracing the idea, analysts said, Starmer had effectively boxed in Johnson.

“If the prime minister moves toward a national lockdown, that will look like he’s changed his mind and moved toward Keir Starmer,” said Keiran Pedley, director of politics at Ipsos/MORI, a polling company. “If he doesn’t, then Labour will presumably say in response to any bad news, ‘You should have listened to us.’ From a political situation, Keir Starmer doesn’t face much risk.”

However treacherous the political landscape for Johnson, the Labour Party’s call for a lockdown might actually strengthen the prime minister’s hand with his own party in the short term. Johnson’s Conservative critics, some observers say, may realize that with public opinion and the opposition running against them, they cannot hope for more than the prime minister’s efforts to seek a middle ground.

“It is dawning on them that this is as good as you are going to get,” said David Gauke, a Conservative former lawmaker who fell out with Johnson over Brexit. “No prime minister is going to be more libertarian than Boris Johnson in this particular set of circumstances.”

This time last year, Johnson faced down resistance by Baker and his hard-line allies on Brexit. He did it by talking tough with Brussels and then cutting a deal that he presented as a triumph — a playbook he appears to be trying to use again.

Johnson’s aides insist a trade agreement is within reach if talks can be intensified on the key issues: fishing quotas and state aid to industry. But the longer they drag on, the greater the uncertainty for British exporters — and the greater the leverage for Brussels.

LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reached a moment of truth on the two issues that have dominated Britain this year: the pandemic and Brexit negotiations with the European Union.

LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reached a moment of truth on the two issues that have dominated Britain this year: the pandemic and Brexit negotiations with the European Union. But he is still playing for time — a strategy that could put lives or livelihoods at risk if he waits too long. On Thursday, Johnson inched closer to imposing a second lockdown on the country, moving London to a higher level of restrictions and signaling that he wanted to move Manchester to the highest level, joining Liverpool. But he stuck to his claim that the best way to curb the virus was through targeted responses, not the two-week nationwide lockdown pushed by the opposition Labour Party and his own scientific advisers. The prime minister also seemed ready to string out trade talks with Brussels, letting a self-imposed deadline pass on Thursday without a deal. While Johnson could torpedo the negotiations on Friday, after a two-day summit meeting of EU leaders, analysts said the British government still appeared eager to strike an agreement by the legal deadline of Dec. 31. For Johnson, Brexit and the virus are linked: the economic turmoil unleashed by the pandemic has raised the pressure on him to avoid the self-inflicted disruption of a ruptured negotiation with the EU, and the damaging prospect of beginning the new year without a trade agreement in place. Yet his reluctance to move decisively on either of them, analysts say, risks making both worse. Dragging out the talks with Brussels could put Britain in a bind if the two sides hit an impasse as the clock runs out. Putting off a short lockdown — which experts have dubbed a “circuit breaker” — could vitiate its effectiveness in curbing the virus’ spread and necessitate a longer lockdown later, according to medical experts. “If you’re going to do it, do it early, fast and hard,” said Devi Sridhar, chair of the global public health program at the University of Edinburgh. “The longer they delay, the less likely a two-week circuit breaker will work.” Scientists have proposed that the government schedule the temporary lockdown for the last week of October and first week of November, when schools are closed for midterm break, to make it less disruptive. But some experts questioned whether that would leave enough time to prepare the public for the restrictions. Britain has missed its chance at earlier action on a midterm lockdown that might have stemmed the latest surge, but it could still be valuable in slowing the spread, said Graham Medley, professor of infectious disease modeling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who advises the government. “We haven’t missed the boat of it epidemiologically as a strategy,” he said. Britain has recorded about 16,000 new coronavirus cases per day, on average, over the past week — the most since the pandemic began, and a tenfold increase in just six weeks. Nearly 800 people were admitted to hospitals on Thursday, and 563 patients were on ventilators, raising fears that intensive care units will soon be overwhelmed. The figures have climbed sharply despite an array of new restrictions adopted after government scientists warned last month that without further action, the caseload could reach 50,000 a day by this point. While the outbreak has been worst in the north and west of England, there are signs that it is spreading across the country. The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, pressed the government to raise the city’s status to a high alert level, which prohibits indoor socializing by people from different households, as of Saturday. But other mayors lashed out against the restrictions. Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, rejected the move to elevate his city to the highest-risk tier, which involves closing pubs and gyms. Burnham, who like Khan is a member of the Labour Party, demanded that the government provide more financial aid to pubs and other businesses that he said would be devastated by the lockdown. “We will not cave into all the pressure that is being applied to us,” the mayor said in an angry video posted on Twitter. “We will not let them be leveled down by this government through this pandemic.” For weeks now, Johnson has balanced calls from his scientific advisers for tighter measures with warnings from members of his Conservative Party that a lockdown or similarly draconian measures would wreck the economy. The political consensus that once characterized Britain’s response to the pandemic has now fractured in both parties, however. The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, threw his weight behind a temporary lockdown, while Johnson remains at odds not only with members of his party but also with some in his Cabinet: the popular chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, is resisting the push for a lockdown. “We are effectively burning the furniture to keep warm now,” said Steve Baker, a Conservative lawmaker and one of the leaders of a campaign for Parliament to have a greater say over coronavirus rules. “If we have to continue like that for another three to six months until there is a vaccine, that poses grave risks to the economy.” Adding to the pressure on Johnson, public-opinion surveys show clear support in the British public for stricter measures, up to and including a “circuit breaker” — though Britons are split about a lengthier lockdown. By embracing the idea, analysts said, Starmer had effectively boxed in Johnson. “If the prime minister moves toward a national lockdown, that will look like he’s changed his mind and moved toward Keir Starmer,” said Keiran Pedley, director of politics at Ipsos/MORI, a polling company. “If he doesn’t, then Labour will presumably say in response to any bad news, ‘You should have listened to us.’ From a political situation, Keir Starmer doesn’t face much risk.” However treacherous the political landscape for Johnson, the Labour Party’s call for a lockdown might actually strengthen the prime minister’s hand with his own party in the short term. Johnson’s Conservative critics, some observers say, may realize that with public opinion and the opposition running against them, they cannot hope for more than the prime minister’s efforts to seek a middle ground. “It is dawning on them that this is as good as you are going to get,” said David Gauke, a Conservative former lawmaker who fell out with Johnson over Brexit. “No prime minister is going to be more libertarian than Boris Johnson in this particular set of circumstances.” This time last year, Johnson faced down resistance by Baker and his hard-line allies on Brexit. He did it by talking tough with Brussels and then cutting a deal that he presented as a triumph — a playbook he appears to be trying to use again. Johnson’s aides insist a trade agreement is within reach if talks can be intensified on the key issues: fishing quotas and state aid to industry. But the longer they drag on, the greater the uncertainty for British exporters — and the greater the leverage for Brussels.

As virus surges and Brexit bears down, Boris Johnson stalls for time

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will on Monday impose a tiered system of further restrictions on parts of England as the COVID-19 outbreak accelerates, though anger is rising at the cost of the stringent curtailment of freedoms.

UK PM Boris Johnson to unveil three-tier lockdown plan

The European Union’s chief negotiator on Tuesday claimed that the bloc’s unity on Brexit remains strong, and the member countries are working together to ensure a fair deal, which will define the route of EU’s relationship with the United Kingdom in the future.

"Strong EU unity confirmed ahead of European Council," Michel Barnier tweeted after a European Affairs ministers briefing in Luxembourg. "The EU will continue to work for a fair deal in the coming days and weeks”, Barnier added.

On October 9, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that&nbsp;Brexit negotiations with the European Union had made progress in some areas.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/british-prime-minister-boris-johnson-says-progress-in-brexit-talks-with-eu-334002" hreflang="en">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says progress in Brexit talks with EU</a>

The two sides say they are inching towards a deal that would govern around $900 billion in trade after December&nbsp;31,&nbsp;when the current transitional arrangements end, though sticking points remain on fishing, level playing field issues and governance.

Britain's Brexit supremo, Michael Gove, said on Monday&nbsp;that the clauses of the Internal Market Bill that undercut the Withdrawal Treaty would remain, despite a demand from the European Union that London scrap them.

The British government unveiled an "Internal Markets Bill" last month which is&nbsp;now winding its way through parliament and would override parts of the Brexit treaty that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck with the European Union last year.

Johnson argues it will provide a "safety net" against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland,&nbsp;although his government has admitted that in overwriting a treaty it breaks international law.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/uk-pm-johnson-optimistic-over-brexit-deal-ahead-of-talks-with-eu-chief-332232" hreflang="en">UK PM Johnson 'optimistic' over Brexit deal ahead of talks with EU chief</a>

The proposed law has infuriated EU members, who had demanded that it be withdrawn or amended before a deadline of Wednesday this week,&nbsp;but, after his meeting in Brussels with Sefcovic, Gove insisted it would not be changed.

Both London and Brussels say a deal on a free trade agreement must be struck by mid-October to allow time for it to be ratified before coming into force from January 1 next year.

Failure to do so would see trade conducted on World Trade Organization rules, with higher tariffs and quotas and almost certain economic chaos for Britain and Europe.

The European Union’s chief negotiator on Tuesday claimed that the bloc’s unity on Brexit remains strong, and the member countries are working together to ensure a fair deal, which will define the route of EU’s relationship with the United Kingdom in the future.

The European Union’s chief negotiator on Tuesday claimed that the bloc’s unity on Brexit remains strong, and the member countries are working together to ensure a fair deal, which will define the route of EU’s relationship with the United Kingdom in the future. "Strong EU unity confirmed ahead of European Council," Michel Barnier tweeted after a European Affairs ministers briefing in Luxembourg. "The EU will continue to work for a fair deal in the coming days and weeks”, Barnier added. On October 9, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Brexit negotiations with the European Union had made progress in some areas. Also read: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says progress in Brexit talks with EU The two sides say they are inching towards a deal that would govern around $900 billion in trade after December 31, when the current transitional arrangements end, though sticking points remain on fishing, level playing field issues and governance. Britain's Brexit supremo, Michael Gove, said on Monday that the clauses of the Internal Market Bill that undercut the Withdrawal Treaty would remain, despite a demand from the European Union that London scrap them. The British government unveiled an "Internal Markets Bill" last month which is now winding its way through parliament and would override parts of the Brexit treaty that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck with the European Union last year. Johnson argues it will provide a "safety net" against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland, although his government has admitted that in overwriting a treaty it breaks international law. Also read: UK PM Johnson 'optimistic' over Brexit deal ahead of talks with EU chief The proposed law has infuriated EU members, who had demanded that it be withdrawn or amended before a deadline of Wednesday this week, but, after his meeting in Brussels with Sefcovic, Gove insisted it would not be changed. Both London and Brussels say a deal on a free trade agreement must be struck by mid-October to allow time for it to be ratified before coming into force from January 1 next year. Failure to do so would see trade conducted on World Trade Organization rules, with higher tariffs and quotas and almost certain economic chaos for Britain and Europe.

EU unity on getting a fair Brexit deal strong, says chief negotiator Barnier

With coronavirus cases skyrocketing in Britain again, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the House of Commons about a three-tier lockdown plan to focus on areas where the potentially deadly virus is spreading.

Boris Johnson announces 3-tier lockdown plan in Britain

UK PM Boris Johnson to impose further COVID-19 restrictions

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday that&nbsp;Brexit negotiations with the European Union this week have made progress in some areas.

The two sides say they are inching towards a deal that would govern around $900 billion in trade after December&nbsp;31,&nbsp;when the current transitional arrangements end, though sticking points remain on fishing, level playing field issues and governance.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-provisions-to-stay-in-internal-market-bill-as-uk-shows-no-indication-of-withdrawal-330985">Brexit provisions to stay in Internal Market Bill as UK shows 'no indication' of withdrawal</a>

Britain's Brexit supremo, Michael Gove, said on Monday&nbsp;that the clauses of the Internal Market Bill that undercut the Withdrawal Treaty would remain, despite a demand from the European Union that London scrap them.

The British government unveiled an "Internal Markets Bill" last month which is&nbsp;now winding its way through parliament and would override parts of the Brexit treaty that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck with the European Union last year.

Johnson argues it will provide a "safety net" against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland,&nbsp;although his government has admitted that in overwriting a treaty it breaks international law.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-us-uk-trade-deal-if-brexit-risks-northern-irish-peace-deal-biden-to-johnson-328182">No US-UK trade deal if Brexit risks Northern Irish peace deal: Biden to Johnson</a>

The proposed law has infuriated the Europeans, who had demanded that it be withdrawn or amended before a deadline of Wednesday this week,&nbsp;but, after his meeting in Brussels with Sefcovic, Gove insisted it would not be changed.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Both London and Brussels say a deal on a free trade agreement must be struck by mid-October to allow time for it to be ratified before coming into force from January 1 next year.

Failure to do so would see trade conducted on World Trade Organization rules, with higher tariffs and quotas and almost certain economic chaos for Britain and Europe.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday that Brexit negotiations with the European Union this week have made progress in some areas. The two sides say they are inching towards a deal that would govern around $900 billion in trade after December 31, when the current transitional arrangements end, though sticking points remain on fishing, level playing field issues and governance.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday that Brexit negotiations with the European Union this week have made progress in some areas. The two sides say they are inching towards a deal that would govern around $900 billion in trade after December 31, when the current transitional arrangements end, though sticking points remain on fishing, level playing field issues and governance. Also read: Brexit provisions to stay in Internal Market Bill as UK shows 'no indication' of withdrawal Britain's Brexit supremo, Michael Gove, said on Monday that the clauses of the Internal Market Bill that undercut the Withdrawal Treaty would remain, despite a demand from the European Union that London scrap them. The British government unveiled an "Internal Markets Bill" last month which is now winding its way through parliament and would override parts of the Brexit treaty that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck with the European Union last year. Johnson argues it will provide a "safety net" against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland, although his government has admitted that in overwriting a treaty it breaks international law. Also read: No US-UK trade deal if Brexit risks Northern Irish peace deal: Biden to Johnson The proposed law has infuriated the Europeans, who had demanded that it be withdrawn or amended before a deadline of Wednesday this week, but, after his meeting in Brussels with Sefcovic, Gove insisted it would not be changed. Both London and Brussels say a deal on a free trade agreement must be struck by mid-October to allow time for it to be ratified before coming into force from January 1 next year. Failure to do so would see trade conducted on World Trade Organization rules, with higher tariffs and quotas and almost certain economic chaos for Britain and Europe.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says progress in Brexit talks with EU

The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday vowed his support to&nbsp;Kiev's sovereignty&nbsp;"in the face of Russia's destabilising behaviour" and countering its&nbsp;"malign influence".

Britain and Ukraine have clinched a "strategic partnership agreement"&nbsp;that includes a free trade deal covering goods, services, and tariffs and quotas.

The deal was signed in Downing Street as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky makes a two-day visit to the UK.&nbsp;

It will replace key elements of an existing partnership agreement between&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;and the European Union, as London looks to its post-Brexit future in 2021.

Britain formally left the bloc in January but has remained bound by most of its rules until the end of the year under the terms of its divorce.&nbsp;

"The two leaders discussed the importance of working together to counter Russia's malign influence, both in Ukraine and in the wider region," a Downing Street spokesman said.

"They also expressed their shared concern about the situation in Belarus. The prime minister outlined the steps the UK has taken in response to human rights abuses in the country, including the imposition of sanctions."

"The UK is&nbsp;Ukraine's most fervent supporter," Johnson said in a statement ahead of the signing.&nbsp;

"We are utterly committed to upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of&nbsp;Ukraine," he added, calling the new agreement "the next chapter" in the countries' relationship.&nbsp;

The new deal with Kiev includes a comprehensive preferential free trade agreement covering goods, services, and tariffs and quotas, his office said.

It also details commitments to cooperate on peaceful conflict resolution, defence and security, climate change and human rights.&nbsp;

Russia in 2014 annexed Crimea from&nbsp;Ukraine, a move that also prompted the outbreak of a Moscow-backed separatist conflict in the country's east.

London said it is "a staunch defender of&nbsp;Ukraine's right to self-determination" and noted British troops had trained over 18,000 members of&nbsp;Ukraine's armed forces since 2015.

The UK will also soon lead a multi-national "maritime training initiative" for the Ukrainian Navy, according to Downing Street.

The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday vowed his support to Kiev's sovereignty "in the face of Russia's destabilising behaviour" and countering its "malign influence".

The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday vowed his support to Kiev's sovereignty "in the face of Russia's destabilising behaviour" and countering its "malign influence". Britain and Ukraine have clinched a "strategic partnership agreement" that includes a free trade deal covering goods, services, and tariffs and quotas. The deal was signed in Downing Street as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky makes a two-day visit to the UK. It will replace key elements of an existing partnership agreement between Ukraine and the European Union, as London looks to its post-Brexit future in 2021. Britain formally left the bloc in January but has remained bound by most of its rules until the end of the year under the terms of its divorce. "The two leaders discussed the importance of working together to counter Russia's malign influence, both in Ukraine and in the wider region," a Downing Street spokesman said. "They also expressed their shared concern about the situation in Belarus. The prime minister outlined the steps the UK has taken in response to human rights abuses in the country, including the imposition of sanctions." "The UK is Ukraine's most fervent supporter," Johnson said in a statement ahead of the signing. "We are utterly committed to upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," he added, calling the new agreement "the next chapter" in the countries' relationship. The new deal with Kiev includes a comprehensive preferential free trade agreement covering goods, services, and tariffs and quotas, his office said. It also details commitments to cooperate on peaceful conflict resolution, defence and security, climate change and human rights. Russia in 2014 annexed Crimea from Ukraine, a move that also prompted the outbreak of a Moscow-backed separatist conflict in the country's east. London said it is "a staunch defender of Ukraine's right to self-determination" and noted British troops had trained over 18,000 members of Ukraine's armed forces since 2015. The UK will also soon lead a multi-national "maritime training initiative" for the Ukrainian Navy, according to Downing Street.

UK pledges Ukraine support to counter Russia's 'malign influence'

The leaders of the two of the richest countries of the world — the United States and the United Kingdom — have experienced the novel coronavirus first-hand.

Today, the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the US President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;discussed their personal experiences over a phone call, as tweeted by&nbsp;Trump.

Just spoke with Prime Minister&nbsp;@BorisJohnson&nbsp;of the United Kingdom. Very thankful for his friendship and support as I recovered from the China Virus.,"&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Just spoke with Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BorisJohnson</a> of the United Kingdom. Very thankful for his friendship and support as I recovered from the China Virus. I am looking forward to working with him for many years to come, a great guy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1313959178931666944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

He also used this call as an opportunity to promote his re-election campaign for the upcoming&nbsp;US elections.&nbsp;In a blanket statement he added, "I am looking forward to working with him for many years to come, a great guy!" through he Trump&nbsp;was able to hint that he would be the person in the White House for the next Presidential term too.

Trump, however, is trailing behind his Democratic rival&nbsp;Joe Biden&nbsp;in the initial polls that have been conducted till now.

Johnson and Trump&nbsp;underwent treatment for the novel coronavirus, but both of them approached the disease in different ways. While Johnson admitted to being in the Intensive Care Unit for three days and did not shy away from openly admitting that his recovery from the virus was a disease,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;has repteadly tried to out on a brave face and claims he is "doing great" since the day he has tested positive.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The leaders of the two of the richest countries of the world — the United States and the United Kingdom — have experienced the novel coronavirus first-hand. Today, the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the US President Donald Trump discussed their personal experiences over a phone call, as tweeted by Trump.

The leaders of the two of the richest countries of the world — the United States and the United Kingdom — have experienced the novel coronavirus first-hand. Today, the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the US President Donald Trump discussed their personal experiences over a phone call, as tweeted by Trump. Just spoke with Prime Minister @BorisJohnson of the United Kingdom. Very thankful for his friendship and support as I recovered from the China Virus.," Trump tweeted. Just spoke with Prime Minister @BorisJohnson of the United Kingdom. Very thankful for his friendship and support as I recovered from the China Virus. I am looking forward to working with him for many years to come, a great guy! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2020 × He also used this call as an opportunity to promote his re-election campaign for the upcoming US elections. In a blanket statement he added, "I am looking forward to working with him for many years to come, a great guy!" through he Trump was able to hint that he would be the person in the White House for the next Presidential term too. Trump, however, is trailing behind his Democratic rival Joe Biden in the initial polls that have been conducted till now. Johnson and Trump underwent treatment for the novel coronavirus, but both of them approached the disease in different ways. While Johnson admitted to being in the Intensive Care Unit for three days and did not shy away from openly admitting that his recovery from the virus was a disease, Trump has repteadly tried to out on a brave face and claims he is "doing great" since the day he has tested positive.

Trump and Johnson discuss experiences with coronavirus over phone call

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that COVID-19 infections were rising in London and elsewhere, but that his government's approach to controlling the spread of the virus was still the right one.

"The local and regional approach combined with the national measures remains correct," Johnson told parliament, when asked why infections continued to rise in areas where local lockdown measures have been put in place.

Analysis presented in parliament by the opposition Labour Party showed that infection rates had risen in 19 out of 20 areas in England that are subject to additional lockdown measures.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/boris-johnson-warns-bumpy-covid-winter-mulling-three-tier-lockdown-332606" hreflang="en">Boris Johnson warns bumpy COVID winter; mulling 'three-tier lockdown'</a>

Johnson's strategy over the summer, when new nationwide infections were in the low hundreds per day, was to try to shut down localised outbreaks while reopening the wider economy. On Tuesday, Britain reported more than 15,000 new infections.

The analysis showed that in Wigan, northwest England, the infection rate, measured as the number of confirmed cases per 100,000 population, had risen by 3,653% since a local lockdown was first imposed on July 30, increasing to 225 from 6.

Increases in the other areas were between 13% and 2,241%, Labour's data showed.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that COVID-19 infections were rising in London and elsewhere, but that his government's approach to controlling the spread of the virus was still the right one.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that COVID-19 infections were rising in London and elsewhere, but that his government's approach to controlling the spread of the virus was still the right one. "The local and regional approach combined with the national measures remains correct," Johnson told parliament, when asked why infections continued to rise in areas where local lockdown measures have been put in place. Analysis presented in parliament by the opposition Labour Party showed that infection rates had risen in 19 out of 20 areas in England that are subject to additional lockdown measures. Also read: Boris Johnson warns bumpy COVID winter; mulling 'three-tier lockdown' Johnson's strategy over the summer, when new nationwide infections were in the low hundreds per day, was to try to shut down localised outbreaks while reopening the wider economy. On Tuesday, Britain reported more than 15,000 new infections. The analysis showed that in Wigan, northwest England, the infection rate, measured as the number of confirmed cases per 100,000 population, had risen by 3,653% since a local lockdown was first imposed on July 30, increasing to 225 from 6. Increases in the other areas were between 13% and 2,241%, Labour's data showed.

UK PM Johnson says COVID cases rising but lockdown approach correct

UK government might have plans to impose the stricter 'red alert' lockdowns under the proposed ‘three-tier system’ that seeks to ban all outdoor social gatherings

UK planning strict 'three-tier' lockdown to curb COVID-19 spread

British Prime Minister&nbsp;Boris&nbsp;Johnson has said he expects&nbsp;the next few months of the COVID-19 pandemic to be bumpy.

According to British media,&nbsp;Johnson is planning a three-tier lockdown ''traffic light'' lockdown system for the United Kingdom. It will contain an Alert Level One which will include the pubs and bars.

The tough new measures were outlined in a document leaked by The Guardian, were parallel to the complete lockdown measures in March.

<img alt="UK" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="99ffafc8-8d5c-4138-9e0b-315ab391dfd8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/33976606-8804313-image-a-2_1601842973742.jpg" />&nbsp;

In picture: The three-tier 'traffic light' lockdown system

It comes as Britain recorded nearly 23,000 more new cases of the novel virus on Sunday.&nbsp;The total number of COVID-19 infections in the country stands at just over 480,000, with more than 2,400 patients in hospital.

In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation,Johnson&nbsp;said he knew many people were furious with him over perceived inconsistencies and confusion surrounding the local measures, but he was seeking to strike a balance between public health and the wider needs of society and the economy.

"In these areas, and I appreciate the fatigue that people are experiencing, but we have to work together, follow the guidance and get the virus down whilst keeping the economy moving, that's the balance we're trying to find," he said in an interview.

"I know people are furious at me and they're furious at the government, but I've got to tell you, in all candour, it's going to continue to be bumpy through to Christmas, it may even be bumpy beyond, but this is the only way to do it."

Johnson&nbsp;had to correct himself on social media on Tuesday after getting his facts wrong while answering a question about social distancing rules that apply to a large swathe of England.

During his Sunday interview,&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;denied a suggestion that the local restrictions were not working given infection rates were still rising in the affected areas and there was no end in sight to the measures.

"I'm afraid it's simply too early to say," he said, adding that the advice to the government was that it was necessary to wait and see if the R number, the reproduction rate of the virus, started to come down.

Striking a more optimistic note,&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;said he expected the scientific equation to change over the coming months with progress on testing and on vaccines, which would enable the government to take a different approach.

"If you talk to the scientists, they're all virtually unanimous that by the spring things will be radically different and we'll be in a different world, that is the normal cycle of a pandemic like this," he said.

Asked about past promises and forecasts he had made that had not been matched by reality, such as his prediction that Britain's test-and-trace system would be "world-beating",&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;defended his rhetoric.

"This is a pandemic in which people need to understand that there is hope," he said. "We will get through this very well."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he expects the next few months of the COVID-19 pandemic to be bumpy. According to British media, Johnson is planning a three-tier lockdown ''traffic light'' lockdown system for the United Kingdom.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he expects the next few months of the COVID-19 pandemic to be bumpy. According to British media, Johnson is planning a three-tier lockdown ''traffic light'' lockdown system for the United Kingdom. It will contain an Alert Level One which will include the pubs and bars. The tough new measures were outlined in a document leaked by The Guardian, were parallel to the complete lockdown measures in March. In picture: The three-tier 'traffic light' lockdown system It comes as Britain recorded nearly 23,000 more new cases of the novel virus on Sunday. The total number of COVID-19 infections in the country stands at just over 480,000, with more than 2,400 patients in hospital. In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation,Johnson said he knew many people were furious with him over perceived inconsistencies and confusion surrounding the local measures, but he was seeking to strike a balance between public health and the wider needs of society and the economy. "In these areas, and I appreciate the fatigue that people are experiencing, but we have to work together, follow the guidance and get the virus down whilst keeping the economy moving, that's the balance we're trying to find," he said in an interview. "I know people are furious at me and they're furious at the government, but I've got to tell you, in all candour, it's going to continue to be bumpy through to Christmas, it may even be bumpy beyond, but this is the only way to do it." Johnson had to correct himself on social media on Tuesday after getting his facts wrong while answering a question about social distancing rules that apply to a large swathe of England. During his Sunday interview, Johnson denied a suggestion that the local restrictions were not working given infection rates were still rising in the affected areas and there was no end in sight to the measures. "I'm afraid it's simply too early to say," he said, adding that the advice to the government was that it was necessary to wait and see if the R number, the reproduction rate of the virus, started to come down. Striking a more optimistic note, Johnson said he expected the scientific equation to change over the coming months with progress on testing and on vaccines, which would enable the government to take a different approach. "If you talk to the scientists, they're all virtually unanimous that by the spring things will be radically different and we'll be in a different world, that is the normal cycle of a pandemic like this," he said. Asked about past promises and forecasts he had made that had not been matched by reality, such as his prediction that Britain's test-and-trace system would be "world-beating", Johnson defended his rhetoric. "This is a pandemic in which people need to understand that there is hope," he said. "We will get through this very well."

Boris Johnson warns bumpy COVID winter; mulling 'three-tier lockdown'

As the deadline for the Brexit deal approaches British PM Boris Johnson has expressed his optimism that the deal will come through. Watch report.

The Brexit Deal: Will Britain crash out of single market with no deal

boris-johnson

Boris Johnson, News on Boris Johnson, stories on Boris Johnson, articles on Boris Johnson, Boris Johnson stories at Wion, Boris Johnson news, Boris Johnson latest news

boris johnson

UK PM Boris Johnson's ambitious mass testing program fails to detect over 50% cases in crucial trial

UK invites India for climate summit

'Whatever it takes': Britain to roll out COVID-19 tests on scale never seen before

EU, UK to try salvage trade deal in another round of Brexit talks

UK PM Johnson declares England's second stay-at-home lockdown

Boris Johnson contemplates another lockdown in UK

Britain's opposition party warns against 'civil war' after Corbyn suspension

England could test 10% of their population every week: Report

Cage match or PR opportunity? Boris Johnson bets on live press briefings

Biden no lover of UK's 'Trump clone' Johnson

UK pub bans Rishi Sunak for life after he voted against free school meals

Britain inks post-Brexit trade deal with Japan

UK House of Lords rejects Brexit bill; big blow to Boris Johnson’s government

Is British prime minister's 'greed' for bigger pay package appropriate?

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson mulling resignation due to low salary

Gravitas: Is Boris Johnson Unhappy with his salary?

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson mulling resignation due to low salary

US businesswoman says she did have an affair with UK PM Johnson

EU-UK trade deal post-Brexit: EU leaders stress unity of 27-nation bloc

As virus surges and Brexit bears down, Boris Johnson stalls for time

UK PM Boris Johnson to unveil three-tier lockdown plan

EU unity on getting a fair Brexit deal strong, says chief negotiator Barnier

Boris Johnson announces 3-tier lockdown plan in Britain

UK PM Boris Johnson to impose further COVID-19 restrictions

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says progress in Brexit talks with EU

UK pledges Ukraine support to counter Russia's 'malign influence'