British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and&nbsp;his arch-rival, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn vied for votes during their first head-to-head TV debate, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-conservative-election-candidates-pledge-to-back-my-brexit-deal-uk-pm-boris-johnson-262644">as Brexit looms</a>.

The prime-time event was&nbsp;held in Manchester and broadcast on ITV.

Johnson, who took over as the leader of the ruling Conservatives in July, relentlessly tried to keep the focus on his plan to finally take the country out of the European Union, reiterating his campaign mantra to "get Brexit done".

"We certainly will come out on January the 31st as we have a deal that is oven-ready," he said, also vowing to complete a future trading relationship with the bloc by 2021.

In the hour-long debate,&nbsp;Corbyn&nbsp;said his rival's timetable was unrealistic and that Johnson was poised to sell out Britain's cherished National Health Service (NHS) in a future trade deal with the United States.&nbsp;

The veteran socialist accused Johnson of holding "a series of secret meetings with the United States in which they were proposing to open up our NHS markets... to American companies".

"You're going to sell our national health service out to the United States and big pharma,"&nbsp;Corbyn&nbsp;said, waving redacted documents he said were accessed under freedom of information laws that detail preliminary UK-US negotiations.

Johnson responded that the accusations were "an absolute invention".&nbsp;

"The single biggest threat to our economy and our ability to fund the NHS is our failure <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-transition-period-will-not-be-extended-united-kingdom-pm-johnson-262314">to get Brexit done</a>," he said.&nbsp;

The debate was the first time voters had seen only the leaders of Britain's two main parties, which have held power since 1922, face off on TV.

Other smaller parties were excluded this time,&nbsp;a format that was unsuccessfully challenged in court.

Johnson has held a double-digit lead over Labour in opinion polls for weeks, making it his contest to lose.

Corbyn&nbsp;is seeking to repeat the success of the last election in 2017, when he came from a similar position to deny the Tories an outright win with promises to end austerity and deliver change "for the many, not the few".

The two leaders answered questions submitted by viewers in front of a live audience, with topics ranging from trust in politicians to the future of Scotland, as well as the British monarchy.

But the discussion repeatedly returned to Brexit,&nbsp;the defining issue that has paralysed British politics since the 2016 referendum.&nbsp;

Corbyn&nbsp;vowed to renegotiate Johnson's deal and hold another referendum, appealing to around half of Britons who still oppose the result of the 2016 Brexit vote.

Watch: Britain set for December 12 election

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/britain-set-for-dec-12-election-to-break-the-brexit-deadlock-258891/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

But the Labour leader has yet to say how he would campaign in that referendum,&nbsp;drawing ridicule from Johnson.

"Are you going to campaign for Leave or Remain?", the Conservative leader asked&nbsp;Corbyn, who refused to commit.

Corbyn's party is promising a swathe of nationalisations and huge investment in public services.

"I believe in investing massively in our public services," Corbyn&nbsp;vowed. "I think this election is a turning point in the way we're going to manage our economy."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/prime-minister-johnson-to-declare-britain-can-end-the-groundhoggery-of-brexit-261755">Johnson countered with warnings</a> that Labour would cripple the economy, although he has also promised more money for hospitals, schools and police, as well as infrastructure including broadband.

"What would be more ruinous for the NHS than a crackpot plan for a four-day week," he said, referring to Labour's plan to transition to remove one working day from the week within a decade.

The Tory and Labour leaders will take part in several more debates involving the smaller parties, before another final head-to-head encounter on the BBC on December 66,&nbsp;less than a week before election day.

(With inputs from AFP)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his arch-rival, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn vied for votes during their first head-to-head TV debate, as Brexit looms. The prime-time event was held in Manchester and broadcast on ITV.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his arch-rival, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn vied for votes during their first head-to-head TV debate, as Brexit looms. The prime-time event was held in Manchester and broadcast on ITV. Johnson, who took over as the leader of the ruling Conservatives in July, relentlessly tried to keep the focus on his plan to finally take the country out of the European Union, reiterating his campaign mantra to "get Brexit done". "We certainly will come out on January the 31st as we have a deal that is oven-ready," he said, also vowing to complete a future trading relationship with the bloc by 2021. In the hour-long debate, Corbyn said his rival's timetable was unrealistic and that Johnson was poised to sell out Britain's cherished National Health Service (NHS) in a future trade deal with the United States. The veteran socialist accused Johnson of holding "a series of secret meetings with the United States in which they were proposing to open up our NHS markets... to American companies". "You're going to sell our national health service out to the United States and big pharma," Corbyn said, waving redacted documents he said were accessed under freedom of information laws that detail preliminary UK-US negotiations. Johnson responded that the accusations were "an absolute invention". "The single biggest threat to our economy and our ability to fund the NHS is our failure to get Brexit done," he said. The debate was the first time voters had seen only the leaders of Britain's two main parties, which have held power since 1922, face off on TV. Other smaller parties were excluded this time, a format that was unsuccessfully challenged in court. Johnson has held a double-digit lead over Labour in opinion polls for weeks, making it his contest to lose. Corbyn is seeking to repeat the success of the last election in 2017, when he came from a similar position to deny the Tories an outright win with promises to end austerity and deliver change "for the many, not the few". The two leaders answered questions submitted by viewers in front of a live audience, with topics ranging from trust in politicians to the future of Scotland, as well as the British monarchy. But the discussion repeatedly returned to Brexit, the defining issue that has paralysed British politics since the 2016 referendum. Corbyn vowed to renegotiate Johnson's deal and hold another referendum, appealing to around half of Britons who still oppose the result of the 2016 Brexit vote. Watch: Britain set for December 12 election But the Labour leader has yet to say how he would campaign in that referendum, drawing ridicule from Johnson. "Are you going to campaign for Leave or Remain?", the Conservative leader asked Corbyn, who refused to commit. Corbyn's party is promising a swathe of nationalisations and huge investment in public services. "I believe in investing massively in our public services," Corbyn vowed. "I think this election is a turning point in the way we're going to manage our economy." Johnson countered with warnings that Labour would cripple the economy, although he has also promised more money for hospitals, schools and police, as well as infrastructure including broadband. "What would be more ruinous for the NHS than a crackpot plan for a four-day week," he said, referring to Labour's plan to transition to remove one working day from the week within a decade. The Tory and Labour leaders will take part in several more debates involving the smaller parties, before another final head-to-head encounter on the BBC on December 66, less than a week before election day. (With inputs from AFP)

British PM Johnson and Labour leader Corbyn battle it out on first televised debate

So. the United Kingdom goes to polls on December 12, how is it different from elections held across the world. Let's break it out for you. Watch this video to understand the political system of the United Kingdom.

United Kingdom's political system explained

U.S. businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri told a British television programme that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has cast her aside like 'some gremlin', since she became the centre of a series of newspaper allegations over Johnson's conduct while he was mayor of London.

U.S. businesswoman: 'UK PM Johnson cast me aside like a one night stand'

Britain's Boris Johnson and&nbsp;Labour&nbsp;leader&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-presses-election-rival-jeremy-corbyn-to-explain-brexit-stance-260104">Jeremy Corbyn</a> go head-to-head Tuesday in their&nbsp;first&nbsp;TV&nbsp;debate&nbsp;of the&nbsp;election&nbsp;campaign, facing scrutiny over their plans for Brexit and more public spending.

Johnson, who took over as the&nbsp;leader&nbsp;of the governing Conservatives in July, has held a double-digit lead over&nbsp;Labour&nbsp;in opinion polls for weeks, making the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-set-for-third-election-in-four-years-to-try-to-break-brexit-gridlock-258692">December 12&nbsp;election</a>&nbsp;his to lose.

Corbyn meanwhile is seeking to repeat the success of the last campaign in 2017, when his promise to end austerity and deliver change "for the many, not the few" fired up voters and denied the Tories an outright win.

The two men have sparred only a handful of times in parliament, making the prime-time&nbsp;debate, broadcast on ITV television at 8:00&nbsp;pm&nbsp;(2000 GMT), a rare opportunity to see how they engage up close.

Both sides will also be hoping the hour-long clash could put the boosters on what has so far been a slow-burning&nbsp;election&nbsp;campaign.

Johnson fired the starting gun with a letter to Corbyn overnight questioning his plans for Britain's looming departure from the European Union.

The Conservatives are campaigning on a pledge to "get Brexit done", promising to end years of political disagreements and several delays by leaving the EU on January 31.

Corbyn has promised to renegotiate Johnson's exit deal and hold another referendum, appealing to around half of voters who still oppose the shock result of the&nbsp;first&nbsp;2016&nbsp;vote&nbsp;for Brexit.

But the&nbsp;Labour&nbsp;leader&nbsp;has yet to say how he would campaign in that&nbsp;vote, and Johnson warned in his letter that he offered only more "dither and delay".

Corbyn meanwhile has sought to shift attention to the impact of a decade of Conservative spending cuts, promising a swathe of nationalisations and huge investment in public services.

Labour&nbsp;has attacked the wealthy elites, and sought to link them to Johnson's Tories.

The party claimed Tuesday that 48 of Britain's 151 billionaires have donated more than £50 million to the Tories since 2005,&nbsp;10 of them giving money since Johnson became&nbsp;leader.

Finance spokesman John McDonnell said that having that much money was "obscene", adding: "We know whose side Boris Johnson is on,&nbsp;the billionaires, the bankers and big business."

Johnson warns that&nbsp;Labour&nbsp;would cripple the economy,&nbsp;although he also has his own big spending plans, with more money for hospitals, schools and police, as well as infrastructure including broadband.

The two leaders will answer questions submitted by viewers in front of a live audience, a format that had been challenged by smaller parties.

The Scottish National Party and the Liberal Democrats went to court to protest their exclusion from the&nbsp;debate, but the High Court rejected their case on Monday.

Although the next prime minister is almost certainly going to be either Johnson or Corbyn, the role of smaller parties could be crucial.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnsons-election-campaign-launch-marred-by-gaffe-resignation-doctored-video-260463">The Conservatives</a> failed to win a majority of MPs in 2017, forcing them to agree an alliance with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

Their arrangement collapsed over rows over Brexit, leaving Johnson without the support he needed to get his EU exit deal ratified by parliament.

This time, he has faced a challenge from Nigel Farage's hardline Brexit Party, although it has agreed not to field candidates in Tory-held seats.

Labour&nbsp;meanwhile is languishing so far behind the Conservatives that polling expert John Curtice, from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, has suggested it has almost zero chance of winning a majority.

But he noted Corbyn could still take power at the head of a loose coalition involving the SNP and Lib Dems, both of whom strongly oppose Brexit.

Britain's Boris Johnson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn go head-to-head Tuesday in their first TV debate of the election campaign, facing scrutiny over their plans for Brexit and more public spending.

Britain's Boris Johnson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn go head-to-head Tuesday in their first TV debate of the election campaign, facing scrutiny over their plans for Brexit and more public spending. Johnson, who took over as the leader of the governing Conservatives in July, has held a double-digit lead over Labour in opinion polls for weeks, making the December 12 election his to lose. Corbyn meanwhile is seeking to repeat the success of the last campaign in 2017, when his promise to end austerity and deliver change "for the many, not the few" fired up voters and denied the Tories an outright win. The two men have sparred only a handful of times in parliament, making the prime-time debate, broadcast on ITV television at 8:00 pm (2000 GMT), a rare opportunity to see how they engage up close. Both sides will also be hoping the hour-long clash could put the boosters on what has so far been a slow-burning election campaign. Johnson fired the starting gun with a letter to Corbyn overnight questioning his plans for Britain's looming departure from the European Union. The Conservatives are campaigning on a pledge to "get Brexit done", promising to end years of political disagreements and several delays by leaving the EU on January 31. Corbyn has promised to renegotiate Johnson's exit deal and hold another referendum, appealing to around half of voters who still oppose the shock result of the first 2016 vote for Brexit. But the Labour leader has yet to say how he would campaign in that vote, and Johnson warned in his letter that he offered only more "dither and delay". Corbyn meanwhile has sought to shift attention to the impact of a decade of Conservative spending cuts, promising a swathe of nationalisations and huge investment in public services. Labour has attacked the wealthy elites, and sought to link them to Johnson's Tories. The party claimed Tuesday that 48 of Britain's 151 billionaires have donated more than £50 million to the Tories since 2005, 10 of them giving money since Johnson became leader. Finance spokesman John McDonnell said that having that much money was "obscene", adding: "We know whose side Boris Johnson is on, the billionaires, the bankers and big business." Johnson warns that Labour would cripple the economy, although he also has his own big spending plans, with more money for hospitals, schools and police, as well as infrastructure including broadband. The two leaders will answer questions submitted by viewers in front of a live audience, a format that had been challenged by smaller parties. The Scottish National Party and the Liberal Democrats went to court to protest their exclusion from the debate, but the High Court rejected their case on Monday. Although the next prime minister is almost certainly going to be either Johnson or Corbyn, the role of smaller parties could be crucial. The Conservatives failed to win a majority of MPs in 2017, forcing them to agree an alliance with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Their arrangement collapsed over rows over Brexit, leaving Johnson without the support he needed to get his EU exit deal ratified by parliament. This time, he has faced a challenge from Nigel Farage's hardline Brexit Party, although it has agreed not to field candidates in Tory-held seats. Labour meanwhile is languishing so far behind the Conservatives that polling expert John Curtice, from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, has suggested it has almost zero chance of winning a majority. But he noted Corbyn could still take power at the head of a loose coalition involving the SNP and Lib Dems, both of whom strongly oppose Brexit.

UK PM Boris Johnson, Labour leader face off in first election debate

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson refused on Monday to get dragged into a scandal surrounding Prince Andrew, who has faced a backlash after an interview in which he denied having sex with a teenage girl and spoke of his relationship with US financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew, Queen Elizabeth's second son, said in the interview aired on Saturday that he could not have had sex with a teenage girl at a socialite's London home because he returned to his house after a children's party on the night in question and has no recollection of ever meeting her.

Andrew's comments to the BBC drew scorn in the British media, which said his explanations were unsatisfactory while lawyers for Epstein's victims said the prince showed little sympathy for those abused.

Asked whether he shared "the nation's incredulity" about Andrew's account of his behaviour and what he would advise the queen to do, Johnson said: "I won't get dragged into commentary about matters concerning the royal family."

Earlier, Johnson was asked by a reporter whether he would encourage Andrew to cooperate with US authorities over Epstein's actions. Johnson replied: "Nice try."

In the interview, Andrew was at times rambling and contradictory.

He said Epstein's behaviour had been "unbecoming", but he did not regret their friendship because of the opportunities it gave him to meet business people. Epstein killed himself in August while being held on sex-trafficking charges.

One of Epstein's accusers, Virginia Giuffre, has said she was forced to have sex with Andrew in London, New York and on a private Caribbean island between 1999 and 2002, when she says Epstein kept her as a "sex slave".

During the hour-long interview, Andrew gave various reasons why her account of meeting him sweating and dancing almost two decades ago at a London nightclub before having sex with him could not be true.

These included that he suffered from a medical condition that stopped him perspiring, that he "never really partied" and he avoided "public displays of affection".

Yet British media published pictures of Andrew at a host of parties in the company of different women, some showing him displaying affection and clearly perspiring.

Two days after it aired, the interview was still front-page news for British newspapers, which described it as a "car crash" that raised questions about Andrew's future.

"Prince Andrew has brought shame on the UK and continues to disgrace himself as he shows no remorse or insight into what he has done," said Graham Smith, head of the anti-monarchist group Republic.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson refused on Monday to get dragged into a scandal surrounding Prince Andrew, who has faced a backlash after an interview in which he denied having sex with a teenage girl and spoke of his relationship with US financier Jeffrey Epstein.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson refused on Monday to get dragged into a scandal surrounding Prince Andrew, who has faced a backlash after an interview in which he denied having sex with a teenage girl and spoke of his relationship with US financier Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew, Queen Elizabeth's second son, said in the interview aired on Saturday that he could not have had sex with a teenage girl at a socialite's London home because he returned to his house after a children's party on the night in question and has no recollection of ever meeting her. Andrew's comments to the BBC drew scorn in the British media, which said his explanations were unsatisfactory while lawyers for Epstein's victims said the prince showed little sympathy for those abused. Asked whether he shared "the nation's incredulity" about Andrew's account of his behaviour and what he would advise the queen to do, Johnson said: "I won't get dragged into commentary about matters concerning the royal family." Earlier, Johnson was asked by a reporter whether he would encourage Andrew to cooperate with US authorities over Epstein's actions. Johnson replied: "Nice try." In the interview, Andrew was at times rambling and contradictory. He said Epstein's behaviour had been "unbecoming", but he did not regret their friendship because of the opportunities it gave him to meet business people. Epstein killed himself in August while being held on sex-trafficking charges. One of Epstein's accusers, Virginia Giuffre, has said she was forced to have sex with Andrew in London, New York and on a private Caribbean island between 1999 and 2002, when she says Epstein kept her as a "sex slave". During the hour-long interview, Andrew gave various reasons why her account of meeting him sweating and dancing almost two decades ago at a London nightclub before having sex with him could not be true. These included that he suffered from a medical condition that stopped him perspiring, that he "never really partied" and he avoided "public displays of affection". Yet British media published pictures of Andrew at a host of parties in the company of different women, some showing him displaying affection and clearly perspiring. Two days after it aired, the interview was still front-page news for British newspapers, which described it as a "car crash" that raised questions about Andrew's future. "Prince Andrew has brought shame on the UK and continues to disgrace himself as he shows no remorse or insight into what he has done," said Graham Smith, head of the anti-monarchist group Republic.

British PM Boris Johnson steers clear of Prince Andrew scandal

British Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-goes-head-to-head-with-buckethead-and-binface-in-uk-vote-262460">Boris Johnson</a> has said that all Conservative Party candidates in the December&nbsp;12 election have pledged to back his Brexit deal, opening the door to getting the agreement passed through parliament if the party were to win a majority.

"All 635 Conservative candidates standing at this election,&nbsp;every single one of them,&nbsp;has pledged to me that if elected they will vote in Parliament to pass my Brexit deal so we can end the uncertainty and finally leave the EU," Johnson told the Telegraph newspaper in an interview published late on Saturday.

"I am offering a pact with the people: if you vote Conservative you can be 100 per cent&nbsp;sure a majority Conservative government will unblock Parliament and get Brexit done."

Johnson struck a last-minute Brexit deal with the European Union last month, as the bloc granted the third delay to the divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29. Voters in the 2016 referendum narrowly voted in favour of leaving the EU.

Commenting separately on his tax policy, the prime minister told the newspaper that tax cuts can boost the economy, but added that he is delaying plans to increase the 40 per cent&nbsp;tax rate threshold, stating that the aim is to first "lift the burden" for low-income groups.

"We do want to reduce the burden of taxation," Johnson said. "That's very much our ambition, but we won't do that until we have done more to lift the burden particularly on people on low incomes."

Opinion polls published on Saturday showed that Johnson's Conservatives have the highest level of support since 2017, with the party leading opposition Labour by 10-17 percentage points in four polls.

However, analysts have warned that Brexit, which has divided parties and their voters, could make the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-transition-period-will-not-be-extended-united-kingdom-pm-johnson-262314">result of the coming vote</a> highly unpredictable.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that all Conservative Party candidates in the December 12 election have pledged to back his Brexit deal, opening the door to getting the agreement passed through parliament if the party were to win a majority.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that all Conservative Party candidates in the December 12 election have pledged to back his Brexit deal, opening the door to getting the agreement passed through parliament if the party were to win a majority. "All 635 Conservative candidates standing at this election, every single one of them, has pledged to me that if elected they will vote in Parliament to pass my Brexit deal so we can end the uncertainty and finally leave the EU," Johnson told the Telegraph newspaper in an interview published late on Saturday. "I am offering a pact with the people: if you vote Conservative you can be 100 per cent sure a majority Conservative government will unblock Parliament and get Brexit done." Johnson struck a last-minute Brexit deal with the European Union last month, as the bloc granted the third delay to the divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29. Voters in the 2016 referendum narrowly voted in favour of leaving the EU. Commenting separately on his tax policy, the prime minister told the newspaper that tax cuts can boost the economy, but added that he is delaying plans to increase the 40 per cent tax rate threshold, stating that the aim is to first "lift the burden" for low-income groups. "We do want to reduce the burden of taxation," Johnson said. "That's very much our ambition, but we won't do that until we have done more to lift the burden particularly on people on low incomes." Opinion polls published on Saturday showed that Johnson's Conservatives have the highest level of support since 2017, with the party leading opposition Labour by 10-17 percentage points in four polls. However, analysts have warned that Brexit, which has divided parties and their voters, could make the result of the coming vote highly unpredictable.

All Conservative election candidates pledge to back my Brexit deal: UK PM Boris Johnson

A US businesswoman at the centre of a series of newspaper allegations over British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's conduct, while he was mayor of London, has said he has cast her aside like "some gremlin" since the furore surfaced.

The Sunday Times reported in September that when Johnson was mayor he failed to declare close personal links to Jennifer Arcuri, who received thousands of pounds in public business funding and places on official trade trips.

Johnson has said everything was done with full propriety and that there was no interest to declare, and a government audit report last month ruled a decision to award a 100,000 pound ($127,960) grant to a company run by Arcuri was appropriate.

In an interview for an ITV documentary due to air later on Sunday, Arcuri said she had tried to contact Johnson many times since the newspaper reports but he would not speak to her.

"I’ve been nothing but loyal, faithful, supportive, and a true confidante of yours. I’ve kept your secrets, and I’ve been your friend," she said when asked what her message to him would be, according to a transcript of the programme.

"I don’t understand why you’ve blocked me and ignored me as if I was some fleeting one night stand or some girl that you picked up at a bar because I wasn’t and you know that. And I’m terribly heartbroken by the way that you have cast me aside like I am some gremlin."

Arcuri has repeatedly refused to answer questions about whether she had an intimate relationship with Johnson, who is currently campaigning ahead of a national election on Dec. 12.

"I've called him electrifying. I find that there is a certain magnetic energy around him ... that was very appealing," she told the ITV programme. "It’s really no-one’s business if we were in a relationship or not."

The Greater London Authority (GLA) has referred Johnson to Britain's police watchdog for potential investigation over allegations of misconduct involving Arcuri.

Arcuri said the media interest had caused nothing but "utter chaos, destruction and sheer disappointment", and that she had been the collateral damage.

"I mean the prime minister hasn’t been affected. He puts his head in the sand and looks the other way," she said.

"When I expressed the interest to want to speak to him, I was told there are bigger things at stake and I was brushed off ... I felt so disgusted and humiliated."

A US businesswoman at the centre of a series of newspaper allegations over British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's conduct, while he was mayor of London, has said he has cast her aside like "some gremlin" since the furore surfaced.

A US businesswoman at the centre of a series of newspaper allegations over British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's conduct, while he was mayor of London, has said he has cast her aside like "some gremlin" since the furore surfaced. The Sunday Times reported in September that when Johnson was mayor he failed to declare close personal links to Jennifer Arcuri, who received thousands of pounds in public business funding and places on official trade trips. Johnson has said everything was done with full propriety and that there was no interest to declare, and a government audit report last month ruled a decision to award a 100,000 pound ($127,960) grant to a company run by Arcuri was appropriate. In an interview for an ITV documentary due to air later on Sunday, Arcuri said she had tried to contact Johnson many times since the newspaper reports but he would not speak to her. "I’ve been nothing but loyal, faithful, supportive, and a true confidante of yours. I’ve kept your secrets, and I’ve been your friend," she said when asked what her message to him would be, according to a transcript of the programme. "I don’t understand why you’ve blocked me and ignored me as if I was some fleeting one night stand or some girl that you picked up at a bar because I wasn’t and you know that. And I’m terribly heartbroken by the way that you have cast me aside like I am some gremlin." Arcuri has repeatedly refused to answer questions about whether she had an intimate relationship with Johnson, who is currently campaigning ahead of a national election on Dec. 12. "I've called him electrifying. I find that there is a certain magnetic energy around him ... that was very appealing," she told the ITV programme. "It’s really no-one’s business if we were in a relationship or not." The Greater London Authority (GLA) has referred Johnson to Britain's police watchdog for potential investigation over allegations of misconduct involving Arcuri. Arcuri said the media interest had caused nothing but "utter chaos, destruction and sheer disappointment", and that she had been the collateral damage. "I mean the prime minister hasn’t been affected. He puts his head in the sand and looks the other way," she said. "When I expressed the interest to want to speak to him, I was told there are bigger things at stake and I was brushed off ... I felt so disgusted and humiliated."

I've kept your secrets, you've cast me aside: US businesswoman tells UK PM Johnson

British police said Saturday specialist officers are assessing allegations of electoral fraud ahead of next month's vote, following accusations the ruling Conservatives tried to bribe Brexit Party candidates to stand down.

London's Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) said it had received "two allegations of electoral fraud and malpractice in relation to the 2019 general election", without providing further details.

"Both allegations are currently being assessed," it said in a statement, noting its special enquiry team is responsible for investigating such cases.

The Met added it will not be providing further comment on individual cases.

Arch eurosceptic Nigel Farage, who founded the Brexit Party earlier this year, has accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Tories of "corruption of the worst level" by offering his candidates jobs and peerages to withdraw from the December 12 election.

Farage has alleged figures in Downing Street, including Johnson's chief adviser Edward Lister, called as many as eight candidates to discuss the incentives to quit the race.

Ann Widdecombe, a Brexit Party candidate in a seat in southwest England, said she was offered a role in the government's post-election Brexit negotiating team if she withdrew.

The prime minister has denied any peerages have been offered, while cabinet colleague Michael Gove told BBC Radio on Saturday that he was "not aware" of any such offers.

"I can't imagine for a second that this is true," he said of Widdecombe's accusation.

The police investigation comes after Charles Falconer, a House of Lords peer from the main opposition Labour Party, wrote to Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick and public prosecutors urging them to examine the allegations.

The Brexit Party are standing in 275 of Britain's 650 parliamentary constituencies in next month's poll.

It unilaterally withdrew from 317 seats the Conservatives won in the last election in 2017, amid fears of splitting the eurosceptic vote and allowing pro-European parties to get a working majority.

But Farage has refused to stand down in other key battleground seats, despite calls to do so from pro-Brexit public figures.

He argues his party has a better chance of winning constituencies traditionally held by Labour than the Conservatives.

British police said Saturday specialist officers are assessing allegations of electoral fraud ahead of next month's vote, following accusations the ruling Conservatives tried to bribe Brexit Party candidates to stand down.

British police said Saturday specialist officers are assessing allegations of electoral fraud ahead of next month's vote, following accusations the ruling Conservatives tried to bribe Brexit Party candidates to stand down. London's Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) said it had received "two allegations of electoral fraud and malpractice in relation to the 2019 general election", without providing further details. "Both allegations are currently being assessed," it said in a statement, noting its special enquiry team is responsible for investigating such cases. The Met added it will not be providing further comment on individual cases. Arch eurosceptic Nigel Farage, who founded the Brexit Party earlier this year, has accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Tories of "corruption of the worst level" by offering his candidates jobs and peerages to withdraw from the December 12 election. Farage has alleged figures in Downing Street, including Johnson's chief adviser Edward Lister, called as many as eight candidates to discuss the incentives to quit the race. Ann Widdecombe, a Brexit Party candidate in a seat in southwest England, said she was offered a role in the government's post-election Brexit negotiating team if she withdrew. The prime minister has denied any peerages have been offered, while cabinet colleague Michael Gove told BBC Radio on Saturday that he was "not aware" of any such offers. "I can't imagine for a second that this is true," he said of Widdecombe's accusation. The police investigation comes after Charles Falconer, a House of Lords peer from the main opposition Labour Party, wrote to Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick and public prosecutors urging them to examine the allegations. The Brexit Party are standing in 275 of Britain's 650 parliamentary constituencies in next month's poll. It unilaterally withdrew from 317 seats the Conservatives won in the last election in 2017, amid fears of splitting the eurosceptic vote and allowing pro-European parties to get a working majority. But Farage has refused to stand down in other key battleground seats, despite calls to do so from pro-Brexit public figures. He argues his party has a better chance of winning constituencies traditionally held by Labour than the Conservatives.

UK police probing election fraud allegations

US President Donald Trump will visit Britain for NATO's 70th-anniversary summit next month, the White House said Friday, in a trip that falls days before the country votes in a general election.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is seeking to retain power in the December 12 election that has been dominated by Brexit -- a contentious subject for which Trump has voiced strong support.

The president backs a "no-deal" Brexit, and he has already roiled the election campaign by suggesting last month that the terms of Johnson's current EU divorce deal mean that London could struggle to continue trade with the US.

The White House said in a statement that Trump and First Lady Melania would visit Britain from December 2 to 4, attending both the NATO gathering and a reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II.

NATO leaders face a difficult summit after French President Emmanuel Macron said the bloc was undergoing "brain death" -- prompting a fierce response from German Chancellor Angela Merkel and others.

Macron's comments to The Economist magazine caused much controversy, with Merkel saying his comments were "drastic" and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisting NATO was "important, critical."

bgs/to

US President Donald Trump will visit Britain for NATO's 70th-anniversary summit next month, the White House said Friday, in a trip that falls days before the country votes in a general election.

US President Donald Trump will visit Britain for NATO's 70th-anniversary summit next month, the White House said Friday, in a trip that falls days before the country votes in a general election. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is seeking to retain power in the December 12 election that has been dominated by Brexit -- a contentious subject for which Trump has voiced strong support. The president backs a "no-deal" Brexit, and he has already roiled the election campaign by suggesting last month that the terms of Johnson's current EU divorce deal mean that London could struggle to continue trade with the US. The White House said in a statement that Trump and First Lady Melania would visit Britain from December 2 to 4, attending both the NATO gathering and a reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II. NATO leaders face a difficult summit after French President Emmanuel Macron said the bloc was undergoing "brain death" -- prompting a fierce response from German Chancellor Angela Merkel and others. Macron's comments to The Economist magazine caused much controversy, with Merkel saying his comments were "drastic" and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisting NATO was "important, critical." bgs/to

Trump to attend NATO summit in London, days before UK vote

When Britain goes to the polls on December 12, all eyes will be on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to see if he can secure a parliamentary majority to help push through his Brexit deal.

But also being played out in Johnson's constituency is a battle for supremacy between two very similar-looking intergalactic space lords.

Lord Buckethead -- who bills himself as "mankind's greatest hope for survival" and "a low-budget Darth Vader with a heart" -- is a familiar figure on the British political scene, having stood against prime ministers since 1987.

In 2017, he came seventh in the constituency of former PM Theresa May and gained worlwide fans when he celebrated his 249 votes by "dabbing" on stage.

This time he faces a new challenger -- Count Binface, who wears what appears to be biker leathers but whose head is covered by a grey receptacle rather than a black one.

The official candidate list for the Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency, published on Thursday, has Binface as an independent and Buckethead representing the Official Monster Raving Loony Party.

In a twist, it appears that Binface is actually the man who stood as Buckethead in 2017.

Politico said on Friday that comedian Jon Harvey was forced to abandon the role because of a copyright issue with the character's US creator.

On Twitter, Count Binface took the fight to his opponent, coming out against Brexit -- "a shitshow" he said -- and as a fan of teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg.

He also argued his rebranding was very much in vogue, with politicians switching sides over Brexit since the divisive referendum in 2016.

"At a time when political precedent is being broken all over the place, I find myself effectively standing against not just (current) Prime Minister Boris Johnson but also myself," he wrote.

The current Buckethead has been endorsed by its US creator as a Raving Loony candidate, according to Politico.

The Raving Loonies -- motto "Vote for Insanity. You know it makes sense!" -- have been a fixture of British elections since the 1980s and once had a cat as their co-leader.

Johnson is looking to defend a slim majority of just over 5,000 and is expected to face a strong challenge from Labour's Ali Milani, a 25-year-old Iranian immigrant.

The Liberal Democrats, Greens and UKIP are also fielding candidates. Five other independents include a man dressed in an Elmo costume and Yace Yogenstein "Interplanetary Time Lord".

It is not known what Yace Yogenstein wears on his head.

When Britain goes to the polls on December 12, all eyes will be on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to see if he can secure a parliamentary majority to help push through his Brexit deal.

When Britain goes to the polls on December 12, all eyes will be on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to see if he can secure a parliamentary majority to help push through his Brexit deal. But also being played out in Johnson's constituency is a battle for supremacy between two very similar-looking intergalactic space lords. Lord Buckethead -- who bills himself as "mankind's greatest hope for survival" and "a low-budget Darth Vader with a heart" -- is a familiar figure on the British political scene, having stood against prime ministers since 1987. In 2017, he came seventh in the constituency of former PM Theresa May and gained worlwide fans when he celebrated his 249 votes by "dabbing" on stage. This time he faces a new challenger -- Count Binface, who wears what appears to be biker leathers but whose head is covered by a grey receptacle rather than a black one. The official candidate list for the Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency, published on Thursday, has Binface as an independent and Buckethead representing the Official Monster Raving Loony Party. In a twist, it appears that Binface is actually the man who stood as Buckethead in 2017. Politico said on Friday that comedian Jon Harvey was forced to abandon the role because of a copyright issue with the character's US creator. On Twitter, Count Binface took the fight to his opponent, coming out against Brexit -- "a shitshow" he said -- and as a fan of teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg. He also argued his rebranding was very much in vogue, with politicians switching sides over Brexit since the divisive referendum in 2016. "At a time when political precedent is being broken all over the place, I find myself effectively standing against not just (current) Prime Minister Boris Johnson but also myself," he wrote. The current Buckethead has been endorsed by its US creator as a Raving Loony candidate, according to Politico. The Raving Loonies -- motto "Vote for Insanity. You know it makes sense!" -- have been a fixture of British elections since the 1980s and once had a cat as their co-leader. Johnson is looking to defend a slim majority of just over 5,000 and is expected to face a strong challenge from Labour's Ali Milani, a 25-year-old Iranian immigrant. The Liberal Democrats, Greens and UKIP are also fielding candidates. Five other independents include a man dressed in an Elmo costume and Yace Yogenstein "Interplanetary Time Lord". It is not known what Yace Yogenstein wears on his head.

Boris Johnson goes head-to-head with Buckethead and Binface in UK vote

Britain's main opposition Labour party on Friday promised free, fast broadband internet for everyone, in the most eye-catching of a series of big spending pledges ahead of next month's election.

Labour said it would bring the parts of telecoms giant BT that deal with broadband into public ownership, as part of a sweeping programme of nationalisations.

"The internet has become such a central part of our lives. It opens up opportunities for work, creativity, entertainment and friendship," said Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

"What was once a luxury is now an essential utility."

"That's why full-fibre broadband must be a public service, bringing communities together, with equal access, in an inclusive and connected society."

Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously promised to deliver high-speed broadband to all households by 2025 via the private sector.

He condemned Labour's plan as "slightly fantastical" saying it would cost "many tens of billions" of taxpayers' money.

Lobby group TechUK said the move was "fundamentally misguided" and would spell "disaster" for the telecoms industry and the fast-growing digital sector.

"Renationalisation would immediately halt the investment being driven not just by BT but the growing number of new and innovative companies that compete with BT," said chief executive Julian David.

But Labour's finance chief, John McDonnell, accused BT of diverting billions of pounds of profits to shareholders since it was privatised in 1984, saying his plan would lead to long-term investment.

Very ambitious

Labour proposes to privatise BT's Openreach, which runs almost all of Britain's existing digital network, and other elements of the firm to create a new public entity, British Broadband.

But BT, whose shares fell 3.7 per cent on the news before rebounding, warned that Labour had underestimated the cost of its proposal of full, free coverage by 2030.

Labour foresees a one-off cost to establish the network of £20.3 billion (23.7 billion euros, $26.1 billion), part of a previously announced £250 billion fund.

The cost of privatising the relevant parts of BT would be set by parliament and paid for by swapping bonds for shares, Labour said.

Meanwhile, it said a new tax on global digital companies such as Amazon, Facebook and Google would "more than" cover annual maintenance costs of around £230 million.

But BT chief executive Philip Jansen said Labour's goal was "very, very ambitious", telling the BBC that building the network alone could cost £30 to 40 billion.&nbsp;

There would be further costs associated with staff pensions, while Openreach currently has a revenue of £5 billion a year, he said.

Johnson has already committed £5 billion to boost coverage and 5G networks in the hardest to reach areas.

Boosting productivity

The pledge is the most radical so far in the campaign for the December 12 election, which has been dominated by Britain's looming exit from the EU but also by promises to end a decade of austerity measures.

Labour wants to nationalise the water, railways and mail delivery companies, and invest hundreds of billions of pounds in infrastructure and public services.

Johnson's Conservatives, who were responsible for the belt-tightening measures since 2010, have also promised big investments but not on the same scale.

Improving broadband coverage and speeds has become a priority for both parties in a bid to improve productivity, particularly in rural areas.

Only eight per cent of UK premises are connected to full-fibre broadband, compared to 97 per cent in Japan and 98 per cent in South Korea, Labour says.

It claims that by allowing fast, the comprehensive network could boost productivity by £59 billion by 2025.

Britain's main opposition Labour party on Friday promised free, fast broadband internet for everyone, in the most eye-catching of a series of big spending pledges ahead of next month's election.

Britain's main opposition Labour party on Friday promised free, fast broadband internet for everyone, in the most eye-catching of a series of big spending pledges ahead of next month's election. Labour said it would bring the parts of telecoms giant BT that deal with broadband into public ownership, as part of a sweeping programme of nationalisations. "The internet has become such a central part of our lives. It opens up opportunities for work, creativity, entertainment and friendship," said Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. "What was once a luxury is now an essential utility." "That's why full-fibre broadband must be a public service, bringing communities together, with equal access, in an inclusive and connected society." Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously promised to deliver high-speed broadband to all households by 2025 via the private sector. He condemned Labour's plan as "slightly fantastical" saying it would cost "many tens of billions" of taxpayers' money. Lobby group TechUK said the move was "fundamentally misguided" and would spell "disaster" for the telecoms industry and the fast-growing digital sector. "Renationalisation would immediately halt the investment being driven not just by BT but the growing number of new and innovative companies that compete with BT," said chief executive Julian David. But Labour's finance chief, John McDonnell, accused BT of diverting billions of pounds of profits to shareholders since it was privatised in 1984, saying his plan would lead to long-term investment. Very ambitious Labour proposes to privatise BT's Openreach, which runs almost all of Britain's existing digital network, and other elements of the firm to create a new public entity, British Broadband. But BT, whose shares fell 3.7 per cent on the news before rebounding, warned that Labour had underestimated the cost of its proposal of full, free coverage by 2030. Labour foresees a one-off cost to establish the network of £20.3 billion (23.7 billion euros, $26.1 billion), part of a previously announced £250 billion fund. The cost of privatising the relevant parts of BT would be set by parliament and paid for by swapping bonds for shares, Labour said. Meanwhile, it said a new tax on global digital companies such as Amazon, Facebook and Google would "more than" cover annual maintenance costs of around £230 million. But BT chief executive Philip Jansen said Labour's goal was "very, very ambitious", telling the BBC that building the network alone could cost £30 to 40 billion. There would be further costs associated with staff pensions, while Openreach currently has a revenue of £5 billion a year, he said. Johnson has already committed £5 billion to boost coverage and 5G networks in the hardest to reach areas. Boosting productivity The pledge is the most radical so far in the campaign for the December 12 election, which has been dominated by Britain's looming exit from the EU but also by promises to end a decade of austerity measures. Labour wants to nationalise the water, railways and mail delivery companies, and invest hundreds of billions of pounds in infrastructure and public services. Johnson's Conservatives, who were responsible for the belt-tightening measures since 2010, have also promised big investments but not on the same scale. Improving broadband coverage and speeds has become a priority for both parties in a bid to improve productivity, particularly in rural areas. Only eight per cent of UK premises are connected to full-fibre broadband, compared to 97 per cent in Japan and 98 per cent in South Korea, Labour says. It claims that by allowing fast, the comprehensive network could boost productivity by £59 billion by 2025.

In election pledge, UK Labour promises free broadband for all

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-to-become-second-rate-in-the-world-after-brexit-donald-tusk-261980">Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> said Britain&nbsp;will "absolutely guarantee" that his government will not extend the Brexit transition period before the end of year.

"I don't want an extension," Johnson told the BBC. "If we can get a working majority, all we need is 9 more seats, then can absolutely guarantee" not seeking an extension.

Britons will <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-set-for-third-election-in-four-years-to-try-to-break-brexit-gridlock-258692">vote on December&nbsp;12</a> after parliament agreed to an early election, seeking to end three years of deep disagreement over Brexit that has sapped investors' faith in the stability of the world's fifth-largest economy and damaged Britain's international standing.

"The UK is admired and respected around the world but people are baffled by our debate on Brexit and they cannot understand how this great country can squander so much time and energy on this question and how we can be so hesitant about our future," Johnson will say at an electric vehicle manufacturer in the West Midlands, according to prepared remarks.

"If we can get a working majority we can get parliament working for you, we can get out of the rut. We can end the groundhoggery of Brexit," Johnson said in an apparent reference to the 1993 movie Groundhog Day in which a TV weatherman finds himself reliving the same day over and over again.

Johnson, 55, hopes to win a majority to push through the last-minute Brexit deal he struck with the European Union last month after the bloc granted the third delay to the divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29. Most voters who took part in a June 2016 referendum voted in favour of the UK leaving the EU.

The first December election in Britain since 1923 will be one of the hardest to forecast in years. Brexit has scrambled voters' traditional loyalties and is giving smaller rivals a chance to challenge the two biggest parties, Johnson's Conservative Party and the left-of-centre Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn.

Opinion polls show the Conservatives are well ahead of Labour, but analysts caution the overshadowing issue of Brexit, which has divided both major parties and their voters, could confound conventional calculations.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Britain will "absolutely guarantee" that his government will not extend the Brexit transition period before the end of year. "I don't want an extension," Johnson told the BBC.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Britain will "absolutely guarantee" that his government will not extend the Brexit transition period before the end of year. "I don't want an extension," Johnson told the BBC. "If we can get a working majority, all we need is 9 more seats, then can absolutely guarantee" not seeking an extension. Britons will vote on December 12 after parliament agreed to an early election, seeking to end three years of deep disagreement over Brexit that has sapped investors' faith in the stability of the world's fifth-largest economy and damaged Britain's international standing. "The UK is admired and respected around the world but people are baffled by our debate on Brexit and they cannot understand how this great country can squander so much time and energy on this question and how we can be so hesitant about our future," Johnson will say at an electric vehicle manufacturer in the West Midlands, according to prepared remarks. "If we can get a working majority we can get parliament working for you, we can get out of the rut. We can end the groundhoggery of Brexit," Johnson said in an apparent reference to the 1993 movie Groundhog Day in which a TV weatherman finds himself reliving the same day over and over again. Johnson, 55, hopes to win a majority to push through the last-minute Brexit deal he struck with the European Union last month after the bloc granted the third delay to the divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29. Most voters who took part in a June 2016 referendum voted in favour of the UK leaving the EU. The first December election in Britain since 1923 will be one of the hardest to forecast in years. Brexit has scrambled voters' traditional loyalties and is giving smaller rivals a chance to challenge the two biggest parties, Johnson's Conservative Party and the left-of-centre Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn. Opinion polls show the Conservatives are well ahead of Labour, but analysts caution the overshadowing issue of Brexit, which has divided both major parties and their voters, could confound conventional calculations.

Brexit transition period will not be extended: United Kingdom PM Johnson

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will on Wednesday declare that the UK can "end the groundhoggery of Brexit" if he wins next month's election, saying the rest of the world was wondering why so much time has been spent agonising over whether to leave the European Union.

Britons will <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-set-for-third-election-in-four-years-to-try-to-break-brexit-gridlock-258692">vote on December&nbsp;12</a> after parliament agreed to an early election, seeking to end three years of deep disagreement over Brexit that has sapped investors' faith in the stability of the world's fifth-largest economy and damaged Britain's international standing.

"The UK is admired and respected around the world but people are baffled by our debate on Brexit and they cannot understand how this great country can squander so much time and energy on this question and how we can be so hesitant about our future," Johnson will say at an electric vehicle manufacturer in the West Midlands, according to prepared remarks.

"If we can get a working majority we can get parliament working for you, we can get out of the rut. We can end the groundhoggery of Brexit," Johnson said in an apparent reference to the 1993 movie Groundhog Day in which a TV weatherman finds himself reliving the same day over and over again.

Johnson, 55, hopes to win a majority to push through the last-minute Brexit deal he struck with the European Union last month after the bloc granted the third delay to the divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29. Most voters who took part in a June 2016 referendum voted in favour of the UK leaving the EU.

The first December election in Britain since 1923 will be one of the hardest to forecast in years. Brexit has scrambled voters' traditional loyalties and is giving smaller rivals a chance to challenge the two biggest parties, Johnson's Conservative Party and the left-of-centre Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn.

Opinion polls show the Conservatives are well ahead of Labour, but analysts caution the overshadowing issue of Brexit, which has divided both major parties and their voters, could confound conventional calculations.

Johnson will urge voters to back the Conservatives and say that if Labour is elected, they face the prospect of two more referendums, one on Britain's membership of the EU, and another on Scottish independence, which risks ripping apart the United Kingdom.

"We face a historic choice. At this election, the country can either move forwards with policies that will deliver years of growth and prosperity, or it can disappear into an intellectual cul-de-sac of far-left Corbynism," Johnson will say.

"We can honour the wishes of the people, or else we can waste more time."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will on Wednesday declare that the UK can "end the groundhoggery of Brexit" if he wins next month's election, saying the rest of the world was wondering why so much time has been spent agonising over whether to leave the European Union.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will on Wednesday declare that the UK can "end the groundhoggery of Brexit" if he wins next month's election, saying the rest of the world was wondering why so much time has been spent agonising over whether to leave the European Union. Britons will vote on December 12 after parliament agreed to an early election, seeking to end three years of deep disagreement over Brexit that has sapped investors' faith in the stability of the world's fifth-largest economy and damaged Britain's international standing. "The UK is admired and respected around the world but people are baffled by our debate on Brexit and they cannot understand how this great country can squander so much time and energy on this question and how we can be so hesitant about our future," Johnson will say at an electric vehicle manufacturer in the West Midlands, according to prepared remarks. "If we can get a working majority we can get parliament working for you, we can get out of the rut. We can end the groundhoggery of Brexit," Johnson said in an apparent reference to the 1993 movie Groundhog Day in which a TV weatherman finds himself reliving the same day over and over again. Johnson, 55, hopes to win a majority to push through the last-minute Brexit deal he struck with the European Union last month after the bloc granted the third delay to the divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29. Most voters who took part in a June 2016 referendum voted in favour of the UK leaving the EU. The first December election in Britain since 1923 will be one of the hardest to forecast in years. Brexit has scrambled voters' traditional loyalties and is giving smaller rivals a chance to challenge the two biggest parties, Johnson's Conservative Party and the left-of-centre Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn. Opinion polls show the Conservatives are well ahead of Labour, but analysts caution the overshadowing issue of Brexit, which has divided both major parties and their voters, could confound conventional calculations. Johnson will urge voters to back the Conservatives and say that if Labour is elected, they face the prospect of two more referendums, one on Britain's membership of the EU, and another on Scottish independence, which risks ripping apart the United Kingdom. "We face a historic choice. At this election, the country can either move forwards with policies that will deliver years of growth and prosperity, or it can disappear into an intellectual cul-de-sac of far-left Corbynism," Johnson will say. "We can honour the wishes of the people, or else we can waste more time."

Boris Johnson to declare Britain can end 'the groundhoggery of Brexit'

Britain is threatening to deport European Union citizens if they fail to apply on time for a new immigration status after Brexit and will only grant leniency in exceptional circumstances, according to people briefed on the plans.

In previously unreported guidelines, the government has drafted a narrow list of exemptions, such as those with a physical or mental incapacity, or children whose parents fail to apply on their behalf, the people said.

The government is introducing the biggest shake-up of Britain's border controls in decades, ending the priority given to EU migrants over those from other countries. Most EU citizens will need some form of prior permission from the government to remain in Britain.

The government has often been accused of failing to establish who is living in Britain legally or illegally. In what became known last year as the Windrush scandal, thousands of Caribbean migrants were wrongly denied basic rights. Some lost jobs, others were wrongly deported.

Government figures show just over half of the estimated 3.5 million European Union citizens living in Britain have received the new legal status ahead of the December&nbsp;31, 2020 deadline.

Immigration lawyers say they were invited to the Home Office a few months ago to read the government's draft immigration guidelines, which had a section on what will happen to EU nationals who fail to apply on time. The government has not said when it will publish the information.

A general election is being held on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-set-for-third-election-in-four-years-to-try-to-break-brexit-gridlock-258692">December&nbsp;12</a> and if the Conservative government loses, the proposals could be changed.

"We are looking at a fairly high threshold, saying 'I forgot' won’t be good enough," one of the lawyers said. "If someone fails to apply before the deadline they will have no lawful residence. Then the process to deport them will kick in."

The Home Office said in a statement individuals who miss the deadline through no fault of their own will still be able to apply for lawful status.

Until now the government has said officials will do everything they can to grant EU nationals the right to remain and steered away from focusing on what would happen to those who fail to apply on time.

Campaign groups fear that many EU citizens lawfully in the country could fall through the net and plans to have all EU nationals registered by the end of December next year are too ambitious.

A study in March said that most historic take-up rates for large-population registrations ran from less than 20 per cent&nbsp;in the UK to 43 per centr&nbsp;in the United States and 77 per cent&nbsp;in Spain. The only scheme that came near to a 100 per cent&nbsp;take-up was an ID card system in India.

Maike Bohn, who works for the 3million group, which supports the rights of EU citizens, says the most vulnerable in society such as the elderly, those not in regular employment and victims of domestic violence may fail to apply.

"We are massively concerned about this. It’s our biggest worry," she said. "I meet people on almost daily basis who are aware of the scheme, but think they don't need to apply."

The application process in Britain has come under fire, with people who have lived in the country for decades saying they face an inflexible bureaucratic system.

Even if the application scheme in Britain achieved 95 per cent success, about 175,000 people would be left out.

After the deadline, EU nationals who have failed to apply face being gradually transformed from legal residents into undocumented migrants, and the government has been explicit about the threat of deportation.

The Home Office has said EU nationals who fail to apply on time "will be liable to enforcement action, detention and removal as an immigration offender".

Other migrants say their difficulties with the British immigration system are a warning to EU nationals.

Hari Babu, an Indian migrant, said he faces deportation because his accountant made a mistake on a tax return and he is being punished under a law designed, in part, to deal with people who are a threat to national security.

For the past three and a half years, the government has held Babu's passport, preventing him from working or visiting his grandmother in India.

The Home Office said applications were considered on their merits and indefinite leave to remain would be refused if false representations were made or false documents or information submitted.

Babu moved to Britain in 2007 to study for a masters degree and then had a variety of jobs, including as a recruitment manager at the upmarket clothing company Thomas Pink.

But when he applied for permanent residency the government said he had underpaid about 1,000 pounds in tax. Babu said it was an error by his accountant and when rectified there was no additional tax to pay.

"I have been depressed and barely slept for last three years," he said. "I have no doubt people from the EU will face similar problems."

Britain is threatening to deport European Union citizens if they fail to apply on time for a new immigration status after Brexit and will only grant leniency in exceptional circumstances, according to people briefed on the plans.

Britain is threatening to deport European Union citizens if they fail to apply on time for a new immigration status after Brexit and will only grant leniency in exceptional circumstances, according to people briefed on the plans. In previously unreported guidelines, the government has drafted a narrow list of exemptions, such as those with a physical or mental incapacity, or children whose parents fail to apply on their behalf, the people said. The government is introducing the biggest shake-up of Britain's border controls in decades, ending the priority given to EU migrants over those from other countries. Most EU citizens will need some form of prior permission from the government to remain in Britain. The government has often been accused of failing to establish who is living in Britain legally or illegally. In what became known last year as the Windrush scandal, thousands of Caribbean migrants were wrongly denied basic rights. Some lost jobs, others were wrongly deported. Government figures show just over half of the estimated 3.5 million European Union citizens living in Britain have received the new legal status ahead of the December 31, 2020 deadline. Immigration lawyers say they were invited to the Home Office a few months ago to read the government's draft immigration guidelines, which had a section on what will happen to EU nationals who fail to apply on time. The government has not said when it will publish the information. A general election is being held on December 12 and if the Conservative government loses, the proposals could be changed. "We are looking at a fairly high threshold, saying 'I forgot' won’t be good enough," one of the lawyers said. "If someone fails to apply before the deadline they will have no lawful residence. Then the process to deport them will kick in." The Home Office said in a statement individuals who miss the deadline through no fault of their own will still be able to apply for lawful status. Until now the government has said officials will do everything they can to grant EU nationals the right to remain and steered away from focusing on what would happen to those who fail to apply on time. Campaign groups fear that many EU citizens lawfully in the country could fall through the net and plans to have all EU nationals registered by the end of December next year are too ambitious. A study in March said that most historic take-up rates for large-population registrations ran from less than 20 per cent in the UK to 43 per centr in the United States and 77 per cent in Spain. The only scheme that came near to a 100 per cent take-up was an ID card system in India. Maike Bohn, who works for the 3million group, which supports the rights of EU citizens, says the most vulnerable in society such as the elderly, those not in regular employment and victims of domestic violence may fail to apply. "We are massively concerned about this. It’s our biggest worry," she said. "I meet people on almost daily basis who are aware of the scheme, but think they don't need to apply." The application process in Britain has come under fire, with people who have lived in the country for decades saying they face an inflexible bureaucratic system. Even if the application scheme in Britain achieved 95 per cent success, about 175,000 people would be left out. After the deadline, EU nationals who have failed to apply face being gradually transformed from legal residents into undocumented migrants, and the government has been explicit about the threat of deportation. The Home Office has said EU nationals who fail to apply on time "will be liable to enforcement action, detention and removal as an immigration offender". Other migrants say their difficulties with the British immigration system are a warning to EU nationals. Hari Babu, an Indian migrant, said he faces deportation because his accountant made a mistake on a tax return and he is being punished under a law designed, in part, to deal with people who are a threat to national security. For the past three and a half years, the government has held Babu's passport, preventing him from working or visiting his grandmother in India. The Home Office said applications were considered on their merits and indefinite leave to remain would be refused if false representations were made or false documents or information submitted. Babu moved to Britain in 2007 to study for a masters degree and then had a variety of jobs, including as a recruitment manager at the upmarket clothing company Thomas Pink. But when he applied for permanent residency the government said he had underpaid about 1,000 pounds in tax. Babu said it was an error by his accountant and when rectified there was no additional tax to pay. "I have been depressed and barely slept for last three years," he said. "I have no doubt people from the EU will face similar problems."

Britain threatens to deport European Union citizens failing to comply residency deadline

Britain will lose influence in international affairs and become a "second-rate player" after it leaves the European Union, European Council President Donald Tusk said on Wednesday.

Backers of Britain's 2016 vote to exit the EU, the world's largest trading bloc, say that the country - the world's fifth-largest economy - will achieve a new global status unshackled from EU rules and closer to the United States.

Tusk said only a united Europe could confront an assertive China and play an effective global role.

"I have heard repeatedly from Brexiteers that they wanted to leave the European Union to make the United Kingdom global again, believing that only alone, it can truly be great...," Tusk said in a speech at the College of Europe in the Belgian city of Bruges.

"But the reality is exactly the opposite. Only as part of a united Europe can the UK play a global role, only together can we confront, without any complexes, the greatest powers of this world. And the world knows it," said Tusk, who has chaired EU summits for the past five years and been an influential voice in European politics.

"I have heard the same in India, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and South Africa - that after its departure, the UK will become an outsider, a second-rate player."

Tusk has repeatedly voiced a wish for Britain to change its mind and stay in the EU. The former Polish prime minister will step down from his post on December&nbsp;1, handing over to former Belgian prime minister Charles Michel

Britain is set to leave the bloc on January&nbsp;31, 2020, if British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wins a majority in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-set-for-third-election-in-four-years-to-try-to-break-brexit-gridlock-258692">next month's election</a> and thereby secures parliamentary ratification of his EU withdrawal deal.

London remains a powerful financial centre and Britain has long been the United States' closest military ally.

But Britain's status as an influential power in the EU has also given it clout to diverge from Washington when it disagrees - something it has frequently done since US&nbsp;President Donald Trump came to office.

Many Western diplomats believe Britain after Brexit must be careful not alienate itself from other friendly countries who have a more multilateral approach to world politics than Trump.

"'Why are they doing this?' – I was asked this regretful question everywhere I went,", Tusk said. "One of my English friends is probably right when he says with melancholy that Brexit is the real end of the British Empire."

Britain will lose influence in international affairs and become a "second-rate player" after it leaves the European Union, European Council President Donald Tusk said on Wednesday.

Britain will lose influence in international affairs and become a "second-rate player" after it leaves the European Union, European Council President Donald Tusk said on Wednesday. Backers of Britain's 2016 vote to exit the EU, the world's largest trading bloc, say that the country - the world's fifth-largest economy - will achieve a new global status unshackled from EU rules and closer to the United States. Tusk said only a united Europe could confront an assertive China and play an effective global role. "I have heard repeatedly from Brexiteers that they wanted to leave the European Union to make the United Kingdom global again, believing that only alone, it can truly be great...," Tusk said in a speech at the College of Europe in the Belgian city of Bruges. "But the reality is exactly the opposite. Only as part of a united Europe can the UK play a global role, only together can we confront, without any complexes, the greatest powers of this world. And the world knows it," said Tusk, who has chaired EU summits for the past five years and been an influential voice in European politics. "I have heard the same in India, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and South Africa - that after its departure, the UK will become an outsider, a second-rate player." Tusk has repeatedly voiced a wish for Britain to change its mind and stay in the EU. The former Polish prime minister will step down from his post on December 1, handing over to former Belgian prime minister Charles Michel Britain is set to leave the bloc on January 31, 2020, if British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wins a majority in next month's election and thereby secures parliamentary ratification of his EU withdrawal deal. London remains a powerful financial centre and Britain has long been the United States' closest military ally. But Britain's status as an influential power in the EU has also given it clout to diverge from Washington when it disagrees - something it has frequently done since US President Donald Trump came to office. Many Western diplomats believe Britain after Brexit must be careful not alienate itself from other friendly countries who have a more multilateral approach to world politics than Trump. "'Why are they doing this?' – I was asked this regretful question everywhere I went,", Tusk said. "One of my English friends is probably right when he says with melancholy that Brexit is the real end of the British Empire."

Britain to become 'second rate' in the world after Brexit: European Union President Donald Tusk

Hackers hit Britain's two main political parties with back-to-back cyberattacks on Tuesday, sources told Reuters, attempting to force political websites offline with a flood of malicious traffic just weeks ahead of a national election.

The attacks come after Britain's security agencies have warned that Russia and other countries may attempt to disrupt the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-set-for-third-election-in-four-years-to-try-to-break-brexit-gridlock-258692">December&nbsp;12 vote</a> with cyberattacks or divisive political messages on social media, a charge Moscow denies.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-labour-party-targeted-in-large-scale-cyber-attack-261584">opposition Labour Party</a> said on Tuesday morning it had "experienced a sophisticated and large-scale cyberattack on Labour digital platforms," but that the attack was repelled and no data was compromised.

Just hours later, the party's website and other online services came under a second digital bombardment, followed by a third attack on the website of the governing Conservative Party shortly before 1600 GMT, according to two people with knowledge of the matter and documents seen by Reuters.

The sources said there was currently nothing to link the attacks on either party to a foreign state.

One of sources said the attack on the Conservatives was larger and appeared to be conducted by different hackers, but did not take down any party websites.

Asked about the second attack, a Labour spokesman said: "We have ongoing security processes in place to protect our platforms, so users may be experiencing some differences. We are dealing with this quickly and efficiently."

A Conservative Party spokeswoman had no immediate comment and said she was unaware of the attack.

Britain goes to the polls on December&nbsp;12 in an election called by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to try to break the Brexit deadlock in parliament more than three years since the country voted to leave the European Union.

The country's National Cyber Security Centre, part of the GCHQ signals intelligence agency, said the first attack on Labour was a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack - a technique used by hackers to take down websites by overwhelming them with traffic.

The sources said the same technique had been used in the subsequent attacks against Labour and the Conservatives.

"DDoS attacks are a common form of attack used by a very wide range of attackers. Mitigation techniques are available and worked in this case," a NCSC spokesman said.

The nature of such attacks often makes it difficult to attribute responsibility to any particular group, he said.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the first attack on his party was successfully repelled by the party's defence systems when the digital assault began on Monday.

"But if this is a sign of things to come in this election, I feel very nervous about it all," he said. "Because a cyberattack against a political party in an election is suspicious and something one is very worried about."

Hackers hit Britain's two main political parties with back-to-back cyberattacks on Tuesday, sources told Reuters, attempting to force political websites offline with a flood of malicious traffic just weeks ahead of a national election.

Hackers hit Britain's two main political parties with back-to-back cyberattacks on Tuesday, sources told Reuters, attempting to force political websites offline with a flood of malicious traffic just weeks ahead of a national election. The attacks come after Britain's security agencies have warned that Russia and other countries may attempt to disrupt the December 12 vote with cyberattacks or divisive political messages on social media, a charge Moscow denies. The opposition Labour Party said on Tuesday morning it had "experienced a sophisticated and large-scale cyberattack on Labour digital platforms," but that the attack was repelled and no data was compromised. Just hours later, the party's website and other online services came under a second digital bombardment, followed by a third attack on the website of the governing Conservative Party shortly before 1600 GMT, according to two people with knowledge of the matter and documents seen by Reuters. The sources said there was currently nothing to link the attacks on either party to a foreign state. One of sources said the attack on the Conservatives was larger and appeared to be conducted by different hackers, but did not take down any party websites. Asked about the second attack, a Labour spokesman said: "We have ongoing security processes in place to protect our platforms, so users may be experiencing some differences. We are dealing with this quickly and efficiently." A Conservative Party spokeswoman had no immediate comment and said she was unaware of the attack. Britain goes to the polls on December 12 in an election called by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to try to break the Brexit deadlock in parliament more than three years since the country voted to leave the European Union. The country's National Cyber Security Centre, part of the GCHQ signals intelligence agency, said the first attack on Labour was a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack - a technique used by hackers to take down websites by overwhelming them with traffic. The sources said the same technique had been used in the subsequent attacks against Labour and the Conservatives. "DDoS attacks are a common form of attack used by a very wide range of attackers. Mitigation techniques are available and worked in this case," a NCSC spokesman said. The nature of such attacks often makes it difficult to attribute responsibility to any particular group, he said. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the first attack on his party was successfully repelled by the party's defence systems when the digital assault began on Monday. "But if this is a sign of things to come in this election, I feel very nervous about it all," he said. "Because a cyberattack against a political party in an election is suspicious and something one is very worried about."

Hackers hit UK political parties with cyber attacks

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday that she expected Britain's parliament to approve British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's divorce deal with the European Union.

The United Kingdom voted by 52 per cent-48 per cent&nbsp;in 2016 to quit the EU, albeit without deciding how it would be done. Parliament, however, has been deadlocked since a 2017 snap election over how, when and even whether to leave.

Johnson, who had promised to deliver Brexit on October&nbsp;31 "do or die", demanded a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-set-for-third-election-in-four-years-to-try-to-break-brexit-gridlock-258692">December&nbsp;12 election</a> after parliament - where he has no majority - frustrated his attempts to ratify the last-minute divorce deal he struck with the EU in October.

"I give this treaty a very, very big chance of being agreed to in Britain too and that would be good for all of us," Merkel told a business event in Berlin.

Johnson on Monday won the most significant boost of the election campaign to date when Nigel Farage's Brexit Party pulled out of 317 Conservative-held seats in a bid to prevent opponents of Brexit controlling the next parliament.

The move dramatically increases the chances that Johnson will stay as prime minister before finally delivering on the 2016 referendum result to take Britain out of the European Union.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday that she expected Britain's parliament to approve British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's divorce deal with the European Union.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday that she expected Britain's parliament to approve British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's divorce deal with the European Union. The United Kingdom voted by 52 per cent-48 per cent in 2016 to quit the EU, albeit without deciding how it would be done. Parliament, however, has been deadlocked since a 2017 snap election over how, when and even whether to leave. Johnson, who had promised to deliver Brexit on October 31 "do or die", demanded a December 12 election after parliament - where he has no majority - frustrated his attempts to ratify the last-minute divorce deal he struck with the EU in October. "I give this treaty a very, very big chance of being agreed to in Britain too and that would be good for all of us," Merkel told a business event in Berlin. Johnson on Monday won the most significant boost of the election campaign to date when Nigel Farage's Brexit Party pulled out of 317 Conservative-held seats in a bid to prevent opponents of Brexit controlling the next parliament. The move dramatically increases the chances that Johnson will stay as prime minister before finally delivering on the 2016 referendum result to take Britain out of the European Union.

Think British parliament will approve Brexit deal: Germany's Merkel

Britain's opposition Labour Party said on Tuesday it was subject to a large-scale cyberattack on its digital platforms but that it was confident no data breach occurred just weeks before a national election.

A spokesman for the party said Labour had reported the attack to the National Cyber Security Centre and that while the attack had "slowed down some of our campaign activities", they had been restored earlier on Tuesday.

Britain's security services have warned about the risk of cyber-attacks by Russia and other countries, including during elections, when both the country's main parties launch online campaigns to target their messages to the voting public.

"We have experienced a sophisticated and large scale cyber attack on Labour digital platforms," the spokesman said in a statement.

"We took swift action and these attempts failed due to our robust security systems. The integrity of all our platforms was maintained and we are confident that no data breach occurred."

Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre, part of the country's GCHQ signals intelligence agency, was not immediately available for comment.

Britain goes to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-set-for-third-election-in-four-years-to-try-to-break-brexit-gridlock-258692">polls on December&nbsp;12</a> in an election called by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to try to break the Brexit deadlock in parliament, more than three years since the country voted to leave the European Union.

Britain's opposition Labour Party said on Tuesday it was subject to a large-scale cyberattack on its digital platforms but that it was confident no data breach occurred just weeks before a national election.

Britain's opposition Labour Party said on Tuesday it was subject to a large-scale cyberattack on its digital platforms but that it was confident no data breach occurred just weeks before a national election. A spokesman for the party said Labour had reported the attack to the National Cyber Security Centre and that while the attack had "slowed down some of our campaign activities", they had been restored earlier on Tuesday. Britain's security services have warned about the risk of cyber-attacks by Russia and other countries, including during elections, when both the country's main parties launch online campaigns to target their messages to the voting public. "We have experienced a sophisticated and large scale cyber attack on Labour digital platforms," the spokesman said in a statement. "We took swift action and these attempts failed due to our robust security systems. The integrity of all our platforms was maintained and we are confident that no data breach occurred." Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre, part of the country's GCHQ signals intelligence agency, was not immediately available for comment. Britain goes to the polls on December 12 in an election called by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to try to break the Brexit deadlock in parliament, more than three years since the country voted to leave the European Union.

UK Labour Party targeted in large-scale cyber attack

Hillary Clinton said Tuesday it was "shameful" that the British government had not published a delayed parliamentary report into possible Russian interference in British politics ahead of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-set-for-third-election-in-four-years-to-try-to-break-brexit-gridlock-258692">December elections</a>.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government has previously rejected claims it was suppressing&nbsp;the report to avoid a scandal ahead of next month's snap poll.

"Every person who votes in this country deserves to see that report before your election happens," the defeated US presidential candidate told BBC Radio 4 during a book tour.

Clinton said there was "no doubt" that Russia is "determined to try to shape the politics of western democracies".

"Not to our benefit, but to theirs," said the Democrat, who lost the 2016 US election to President Donald Trump in a race that US intelligence chiefs have said was marred by Russian interference.&nbsp;

"I find it inexplicable that your government will not release a government report about Russian influence. Inexplicable and shameful," she told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Britain's parliament was previously told a report by the Intelligence and Security Committee was sent to the prime minister for approval on October 17.

The probe into suspected Russian covert actions in Britain's democratic process reportedly includes examining whether Moscow tried to interfere with the 2016 Brexit vote and the 2017 general election.&nbsp;

Moscow has been accused of spearheading sophisticated disinformation campaigns around the world to further its interests.

The Intelligence and Security Committee, which oversees the work of the country's intelligence agencies, submits its reports to the government before publication to avoid the inadvertent release of sensitive information.

A former head of domestic spy agency MI5 and the committee's chairman have suggested Johnson is stalling on the release of the 50-page report with the December 12 general election looming.

Jonathan Evans, head of MI5 from 2007 to 2013, called on the government to explain the delay.

Foreign Office minister Chris Pincher has previously said that the report is going through "an intensive security review".

Pincher has also played down concerns, saying there is "no evidence" to suggest there has been any successful Russian involvement in the British electoral system.

Hillary Clinton said Tuesday it was "shameful" that the British government had not published a delayed parliamentary report into possible Russian interference in British politics ahead of December elections.

Hillary Clinton said Tuesday it was "shameful" that the British government had not published a delayed parliamentary report into possible Russian interference in British politics ahead of December elections. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government has previously rejected claims it was suppressing the report to avoid a scandal ahead of next month's snap poll. "Every person who votes in this country deserves to see that report before your election happens," the defeated US presidential candidate told BBC Radio 4 during a book tour. Clinton said there was "no doubt" that Russia is "determined to try to shape the politics of western democracies". "Not to our benefit, but to theirs," said the Democrat, who lost the 2016 US election to President Donald Trump in a race that US intelligence chiefs have said was marred by Russian interference. "I find it inexplicable that your government will not release a government report about Russian influence. Inexplicable and shameful," she told BBC Radio 5 Live. Britain's parliament was previously told a report by the Intelligence and Security Committee was sent to the prime minister for approval on October 17. The probe into suspected Russian covert actions in Britain's democratic process reportedly includes examining whether Moscow tried to interfere with the 2016 Brexit vote and the 2017 general election. Moscow has been accused of spearheading sophisticated disinformation campaigns around the world to further its interests. The Intelligence and Security Committee, which oversees the work of the country's intelligence agencies, submits its reports to the government before publication to avoid the inadvertent release of sensitive information. A former head of domestic spy agency MI5 and the committee's chairman have suggested Johnson is stalling on the release of the 50-page report with the December 12 general election looming. Jonathan Evans, head of MI5 from 2007 to 2013, called on the government to explain the delay. Foreign Office minister Chris Pincher has previously said that the report is going through "an intensive security review". Pincher has also played down concerns, saying there is "no evidence" to suggest there has been any successful Russian involvement in the British electoral system.

'Shameful' for UK not to publish Russia meddling probe: Hillary Clinton

Britain has not yet published a parliamentary select committee report on alleged Russian meddling in British politics because of the necessary procedure, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's deputy finance minister said on Tuesday.

The report by parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has been cleared by the security services but it has not yet been given approval for publication by Johnson's Downing Street office, meaning it is very unlikely to be released before a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-set-for-third-election-in-four-years-to-try-to-break-brexit-gridlock-258692">December&nbsp;12 election</a>.

"It is absolutely normal that reports like this go through a period of vetting which does take several weeks," deputy finance minister Rishi Sunak told ITV.

He said all donations to the Conservative party were transparent and fully in accordance with the rules.

Britain has not yet published a parliamentary select committee report on alleged Russian meddling in British politics because of the necessary procedure, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's deputy finance minister said on Tuesday.

Britain has not yet published a parliamentary select committee report on alleged Russian meddling in British politics because of the necessary procedure, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's deputy finance minister said on Tuesday. The report by parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has been cleared by the security services but it has not yet been given approval for publication by Johnson's Downing Street office, meaning it is very unlikely to be released before a December 12 election. "It is absolutely normal that reports like this go through a period of vetting which does take several weeks," deputy finance minister Rishi Sunak told ITV. He said all donations to the Conservative party were transparent and fully in accordance with the rules.

Necessary procedure: Britain on Russia meddling report delay

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said on Monday that his party would not contest 317 Conservative Party seats in the December 12 election but would contest nearly all other seats, a significant boost for Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Brexit Party's Farage says will not challenge PM Johnson's Conservatives in 317 seats

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - November 10th, 2019

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - November 7th, 2019

5-week election campaign begins in United Kingdom. Watch video to know more.

5-week election campaign begins in United Kingdom

UK Prime minister Boris Johnson launches the Tory Campaign, Conservative party's general election campaign.

UK Heads to Polls: Boris Johnson launches Tory Campaign

Will UK leave European Union by January 31? Watch video to know more.

Will UK leave European Union by January 31?

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/johnson-in-phone-call-urges-trump-to-lift-tariffs-on-scotch-whisky-260215">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> will formally announce a December&nbsp;12 election on Wednesday, urging voters to back him and promising to "get Brexit done in the next few weeks".

The early election was agreed by parliament last week, ending two years of deep disagreement over Brexit that has sapped investors' faith in the stability of the world's fifth largest economy and damaged Britain's international standing.

The outcome of the vote is hard to predict, with the immediate question of Britain's exit from the European Union scrambling voters' traditional loyalties and giving smaller rivals a chance to challenge the two biggest parties, Johnson's Conservatives and the left-of-centre Labour Party.

After dissolving parliament and paying a formal visit to Queen Elizabeth on Wednesday, Johnson will return to his Downing Street residence to announce the election. He will launch his party's campaign at a rally later in the day.

"I don’t want an election. No prime minister wants an early election, especially not in December," he will say, according to advance extracts of his speech.

"But as things stand we simply have no choice – because it is only by getting Brexit done in the next few weeks that we can focus on all the priorities of the British people."

Polls show Johnson's Conservatives are well ahead of Labour, but polling analysts caution that sentiment is unusually volatile.

Johnson, 55, is hoping to win a big enough majority in parliament to get the Brexit deal he agreed with Brussels last month ratified and lead Britain out of the EU at the end of December or in January.

Britain had been due to leave in March, but has had to extend that deadline three times after parliament rejected a deal negotiated by Johnson's predecessor Theresa May, and then forced Johnson himself to ask for more time.

His campaign launch will paint Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn as someone who wants to stall the Brexit process by holding another referendum, holding the country back from focusing on domestic issues.

Corbyn said on Tuesday he wanted to negotiate a new Brexit deal and then let the public decide between leaving on his terms, or not leaving at all. He has accused Johnson of negotiating a bad deal that would hurt the economy and erode workers' rights.

Attempting to capitalise on voters' Brexit fatigue, more than three years after Britain voted 52% to 48% in favour of leaving the bloc, Johnson will say:

"It’s time to change the dismal pattern of the last three years and to get out of our rut. It’s time to end this debilitating delay."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will formally announce a December 12 election on Wednesday, urging voters to back him and promising to "get Brexit done in the next few weeks".

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will formally announce a December 12 election on Wednesday, urging voters to back him and promising to "get Brexit done in the next few weeks". The early election was agreed by parliament last week, ending two years of deep disagreement over Brexit that has sapped investors' faith in the stability of the world's fifth largest economy and damaged Britain's international standing. The outcome of the vote is hard to predict, with the immediate question of Britain's exit from the European Union scrambling voters' traditional loyalties and giving smaller rivals a chance to challenge the two biggest parties, Johnson's Conservatives and the left-of-centre Labour Party. After dissolving parliament and paying a formal visit to Queen Elizabeth on Wednesday, Johnson will return to his Downing Street residence to announce the election. He will launch his party's campaign at a rally later in the day. "I don’t want an election. No prime minister wants an early election, especially not in December," he will say, according to advance extracts of his speech. "But as things stand we simply have no choice – because it is only by getting Brexit done in the next few weeks that we can focus on all the priorities of the British people." Polls show Johnson's Conservatives are well ahead of Labour, but polling analysts caution that sentiment is unusually volatile. Johnson, 55, is hoping to win a big enough majority in parliament to get the Brexit deal he agreed with Brussels last month ratified and lead Britain out of the EU at the end of December or in January. Britain had been due to leave in March, but has had to extend that deadline three times after parliament rejected a deal negotiated by Johnson's predecessor Theresa May, and then forced Johnson himself to ask for more time. His campaign launch will paint Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn as someone who wants to stall the Brexit process by holding another referendum, holding the country back from focusing on domestic issues. Corbyn said on Tuesday he wanted to negotiate a new Brexit deal and then let the public decide between leaving on his terms, or not leaving at all. He has accused Johnson of negotiating a bad deal that would hurt the economy and erode workers' rights. Attempting to capitalise on voters' Brexit fatigue, more than three years after Britain voted 52% to 48% in favour of leaving the bloc, Johnson will say: "It’s time to change the dismal pattern of the last three years and to get out of our rut. It’s time to end this debilitating delay."

Johnson to launch election bid with promise to 'get Brexit done'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-presses-election-rival-jeremy-corbyn-to-explain-brexit-stance-260104">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a>, in a phone call, urged US&nbsp;President Donald Trump to lift tariffs on goods including Scotch whisky, a Downing Street spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday.

Johnson also urged Trump not to impose tariffs on car exports, the statement added.

A White House statement about the call did not give any specifics on the two leaders' discussion of trade issues.

"The two leaders again reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Special Relationship through a robust bilateral free trade agreement once the United Kingdom leaves the EU," the White House said.

"The President also stressed the need for NATO allies to robustly fund their defenses," it said.

Last month, the United States slapped a 25%-tariff on Scotch whisky and other European products in retaliation for European Union subsidies on large aircraft.

Separately, the Trump administration has threatened to impose tariffs of as much as 25% on EU vehicles and parts. Washington is due to decide whether to enact the duties by Nov. 14. The tariffs have already been delayed once by six months, and trade experts say that could happen again.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in a phone call, urged US President Donald Trump to lift tariffs on goods including Scotch whisky, a Downing Street spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in a phone call, urged US President Donald Trump to lift tariffs on goods including Scotch whisky, a Downing Street spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday. Johnson also urged Trump not to impose tariffs on car exports, the statement added. A White House statement about the call did not give any specifics on the two leaders' discussion of trade issues. "The two leaders again reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Special Relationship through a robust bilateral free trade agreement once the United Kingdom leaves the EU," the White House said. "The President also stressed the need for NATO allies to robustly fund their defenses," it said. Last month, the United States slapped a 25%-tariff on Scotch whisky and other European products in retaliation for European Union subsidies on large aircraft. Separately, the Trump administration has threatened to impose tariffs of as much as 25% on EU vehicles and parts. Washington is due to decide whether to enact the duties by Nov. 14. The tariffs have already been delayed once by six months, and trade experts say that could happen again.

Johnson, in phone call, urges Trump to lift tariffs on scotch whisky

The&nbsp;United&nbsp;States&nbsp;and&nbsp;Britain&nbsp;remain&nbsp;committed&nbsp;to reaching a post-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdom-prime-minister-johnson-says-his-deal-is-only-way-to-get-brexit-done-259664">Brexit</a> bilateral free&nbsp;trade&nbsp;agreement, the White House said Tuesday,&nbsp;after&nbsp;President Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;questioned whether such a&nbsp;deal&nbsp;is possible.

Last week,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;warned Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the terms of his EU divorce&nbsp;deal&nbsp;meant that "under certain aspect... you can't&nbsp;trade" with the&nbsp;United&nbsp;States.

Trump&nbsp;used a lengthy appearance on Brexit Party leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-figurehead-nigel-farage-will-not-run-to-become-mp-259688">Nigel Farage's</a> radio phone-in show Thursday to share his characteristically blunt views ahead of a December 12 snap election in&nbsp;Britain.

Trump's remarks threatened to hurt Johnson at the outset of a campaign that has huge implications for&nbsp;Britain's future place in Europe and the rest of the world.

Both&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and Farage are deeply polarizing figures in&nbsp;Britain&nbsp;who could hurt Johnson's chances with more moderate voters.

On Tuesday,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and Johnson spoke, the White House said.

"The two leaders again reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Special Relationship through a robust bilateral free&nbsp;trade&nbsp;agreement once the&nbsp;United&nbsp;Kingdom leaves the European Union," deputy press secretary Judd Deere said.

Trump&nbsp;also insisted that NATO allies "robustly fund their defenses", a reflection of his argument that the US bears a disproportionate share of spending within the transatlantic alliance.

The United States and Britain remain committed to reaching a post-Brexit bilateral free trade agreement, the White House said Tuesday, after President Donald Trump questioned whether such a deal is possible.

The United States and Britain remain committed to reaching a post-Brexit bilateral free trade agreement, the White House said Tuesday, after President Donald Trump questioned whether such a deal is possible. Last week, Trump warned Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the terms of his EU divorce deal meant that "under certain aspect... you can't trade" with the United States. Trump used a lengthy appearance on Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage's radio phone-in show Thursday to share his characteristically blunt views ahead of a December 12 snap election in Britain. Trump's remarks threatened to hurt Johnson at the outset of a campaign that has huge implications for Britain's future place in Europe and the rest of the world. Both Trump and Farage are deeply polarizing figures in Britain who could hurt Johnson's chances with more moderate voters. On Tuesday, Trump and Johnson spoke, the White House said. "The two leaders again reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Special Relationship through a robust bilateral free trade agreement once the United Kingdom leaves the European Union," deputy press secretary Judd Deere said. Trump also insisted that NATO allies "robustly fund their defenses", a reflection of his argument that the US bears a disproportionate share of spending within the transatlantic alliance.

United States says committed to Britain trade deal after Trump expresses doubt

British Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-boris-johnson-rejects-calls-for-no-deal-brexit-in-election-pitch-259559">Boris Johnson</a> kicks off his election campaign on Wednesday vowing to "get Brexit done" in contrast to his main rival, whom he compared to Soviet leader Josef Stalin who sent millions to their deaths in labour camps.

Britons will go to the polls on December 12 after parliament agreed to an early election last week, seeking to end three years of deep disagreement over Brexit that has sapped investors' faith in the stability of the world's fifth-largest economy and damaged Britain's international standing.

Watch:&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/britain-set-for-dec-12-election-to-break-the-brexit-deadlock-258891/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The outcome of the vote is hard to predict, with the immediate question of Britain's exit from the European Union (EU) scrambling voters' traditional loyalties and giving smaller rivals a chance to challenge the two biggest parties, Johnson's Conservatives and the left-of-centre Labour Party.

While Johnson is keen to frame the vote as a means to resolve Brexit, domestic issues such as the future of the much cherished state-run National Health Service will also be key.

"I don't want an election. No prime minister wants an early election, especially not in December," Johnson wrote in an article for the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

"But as things stand we simply have no choice – because it is only by getting Brexit done in the next few weeks that we can focus on all the priorities of the British people."

After paying a formal visit to Queen Elizabeth, Johnson will return to his Downing Street residence to announce the election. He will launch his party's campaign at a rally later in the day.

Polls show Johnson's Conservatives are well ahead of Labour, but polling analysts caution that sentiment is unusually volatile. Surveys suggested his predecessor Theresa May had a huge lead going into a snap election in 2017, only to see her parliamentary majority wiped out.

BAD START

The Conservatives' campaign has already got off to a bad start after minister Jacob Rees-Mogg apologised on Tuesday for suggesting victims of the blaze at London's Grenfell Tower, which killed 71 people, should have used common sense to ignore firefighters' instructions to stay in the burning building.

On Wednesday, the party was then accused of putting out a doctored video clip of a television interview with a senior Labour politician.

Johnson, 55, hopes he will win a big enough majority in parliament to get the Brexit deal he agreed with Brussels last month ratified and lead Britain out of the EU at the end of December or in January.

Attempting to capitalise on voters' Brexit fatigue, more than three years after Britain voted 52% to 48% in favour of leaving the bloc, Johnson will say at his campaign launch it was time to "get out of our rut".

Britain had been due to leave in March this year but has had to extend that deadline three times after parliament rejected a deal negotiated by Theresa May, and then forced Johnson himself to ask for more time.

His campaign will paint Labour's veteran socialist leader Jeremy Corbyn as someone who wants to stall the Brexit process by holding another referendum, while also raising taxes and destroying prosperity.

"They pretend that their hatred is directed only at certain billionaires – and they point their fingers at individuals with relish and vindictiveness not seen since Stalin persecuted the kulaks," Johnson wrote.&nbsp;

"They would destroy the very basis of this country’s prosperity."

Millions of people were executed under Stalin and many more perished from abuse and disease in a vast network of prison camps, known as the Gulags. Relatively affluent farmers, known as kulaks, were among the groups targeted.

Corbyn said on Tuesday he wanted to negotiate a new Brexit deal and then let the public decide between leaving on his terms, or not leaving at all, saying Johnson's agreement would hurt the economy and erode workers' rights.

At his campaign launch on Wednesday, he will say Labour would deliver real change and he was seeking power to share power.

"The politics I stand for is about sharing power and wealth with people who don't have a lot of money and don't have friends in high places," Corbyn will say, according to extracts released by his office.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson kicks off his election campaign on Wednesday vowing to "get Brexit done" in contrast to his main rival, whom he compared to Soviet leader Josef Stalin who sent millions to their deaths in labour camps.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson kicks off his election campaign on Wednesday vowing to "get Brexit done" in contrast to his main rival, whom he compared to Soviet leader Josef Stalin who sent millions to their deaths in labour camps. Britons will go to the polls on December 12 after parliament agreed to an early election last week, seeking to end three years of deep disagreement over Brexit that has sapped investors' faith in the stability of the world's fifth-largest economy and damaged Britain's international standing. Watch: The outcome of the vote is hard to predict, with the immediate question of Britain's exit from the European Union (EU) scrambling voters' traditional loyalties and giving smaller rivals a chance to challenge the two biggest parties, Johnson's Conservatives and the left-of-centre Labour Party. While Johnson is keen to frame the vote as a means to resolve Brexit, domestic issues such as the future of the much cherished state-run National Health Service will also be key. "I don't want an election. No prime minister wants an early election, especially not in December," Johnson wrote in an article for the Daily Telegraph newspaper. "But as things stand we simply have no choice – because it is only by getting Brexit done in the next few weeks that we can focus on all the priorities of the British people." After paying a formal visit to Queen Elizabeth, Johnson will return to his Downing Street residence to announce the election. He will launch his party's campaign at a rally later in the day. Polls show Johnson's Conservatives are well ahead of Labour, but polling analysts caution that sentiment is unusually volatile. Surveys suggested his predecessor Theresa May had a huge lead going into a snap election in 2017, only to see her parliamentary majority wiped out. BAD START The Conservatives' campaign has already got off to a bad start after minister Jacob Rees-Mogg apologised on Tuesday for suggesting victims of the blaze at London's Grenfell Tower, which killed 71 people, should have used common sense to ignore firefighters' instructions to stay in the burning building. On Wednesday, the party was then accused of putting out a doctored video clip of a television interview with a senior Labour politician. Johnson, 55, hopes he will win a big enough majority in parliament to get the Brexit deal he agreed with Brussels last month ratified and lead Britain out of the EU at the end of December or in January. Attempting to capitalise on voters' Brexit fatigue, more than three years after Britain voted 52% to 48% in favour of leaving the bloc, Johnson will say at his campaign launch it was time to "get out of our rut". Britain had been due to leave in March this year but has had to extend that deadline three times after parliament rejected a deal negotiated by Theresa May, and then forced Johnson himself to ask for more time. His campaign will paint Labour's veteran socialist leader Jeremy Corbyn as someone who wants to stall the Brexit process by holding another referendum, while also raising taxes and destroying prosperity. "They pretend that their hatred is directed only at certain billionaires – and they point their fingers at individuals with relish and vindictiveness not seen since Stalin persecuted the kulaks," Johnson wrote. "They would destroy the very basis of this country’s prosperity." Millions of people were executed under Stalin and many more perished from abuse and disease in a vast network of prison camps, known as the Gulags. Relatively affluent farmers, known as kulaks, were among the groups targeted. Corbyn said on Tuesday he wanted to negotiate a new Brexit deal and then let the public decide between leaving on his terms, or not leaving at all, saying Johnson's agreement would hurt the economy and erode workers' rights. At his campaign launch on Wednesday, he will say Labour would deliver real change and he was seeking power to share power. "The politics I stand for is about sharing power and wealth with people who don't have a lot of money and don't have friends in high places," Corbyn will say, according to extracts released by his office.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson vows to 'get Brexit done', compares opposition rival Jeremy Corbyn to Stalin

British MPs on Monday selected veteran Labour lawmaker Lindsay Hoyle to be parliament's new speaker, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-vote-on-new-speaker-after-bercows-departure-259774">replacing John Bercow</a> in a role once little-noticed but now reshaped by the fractious turmoil over Brexit.

Hoyle, a Labour MP for 22 years and Bercow's deputy since 2010, beat out six other contenders in a protracted day of voting in the House of Commons, winning the support of 325 of 540 members of parliament in a fourth and final round of votes.

Bercow, whose shouts of "Order! Order!" have rung out across the famous chamber since June 2009, stood down on Thursday, having enraged the ruling Conservatives with a series of decisions they saw as trying to stymie Brexit.

The 56-year-old vehemently denied ever taking sides in the parliamentary tumult over Britain's stalled withdrawal from the European Union but earned praise from pro-Europeans and a global following with his rulings and outsized personality.

Hoyle, the favourite to fill his shoes ahead of Monday's vote, won the first three rounds of voting,&nbsp;knocking out political heavyweight Harriet Harman, the longest-serving female MP,&nbsp;but each time fell short of the required absolute majority.

But in the last round of voting which pitted him against fellow Labour MP Chris Bryant, he finally garnered 60 per cent of lawmakers' votes.

"It's about the challenges ahead for me and this chamber," Hoyle told MPs after being dragged to the speaker's elevated green chair, in keeping with parliamentary tradition.

"We've got to make sure that tarnish is polished away," he added, in reference to recent rancour in the House of Commons largely over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-boris-johnson-rejects-calls-for-no-deal-brexit-in-election-pitch-259559">Brexit</a>.

Welcoming him to the role, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "Over the years I have observed that you have many good qualities."

Johnson added Hoyle would bring his "signature kindness and reasonableness to our proceedings."

However, Hoyle will not have too long to get comfortable as parliament will be dissolved late Tuesday for the December 12 election, after which he will return to sit in the speaker's green chair.

The new speaker will now give up his party affiliation while rival parties are traditionally not expected to field a candidate to contest his seat in elections.

Chosing a new speaker has been an unremarkable event in the past, but Bercow became a key player in the chaotic process of Britain's exit from the European Union.

With the Commons divided over how, when and even if Brexit should happen, Bercow oversaw more than three years of crucial debates that defined the course of Brexit.

His supporters say he has empowered ordinary MPs by granting time for emergency debates and amendments, which had the effect of pressuring or even tying ministers' hands.

But critics accused him of subverting centuries of parliamentary tradition with the aim of frustrating Brexit.

Bercow, who was a Conservative MP before he took on the politically neutral role of speaker, has also been accused of failing to tackle a culture of bullying.

Last week, Johnson paid guarded tribute, likening Bercow's glare to a "trademark Tony Montana scowl", after Al Pacino's character in the 1983 film "Scarface".

Opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn praised Bercow's modernising reforms, which included increasing staff diversity, boosting public access to parliament and switching from traditional robes to suits.

But it was his colourful personality and eccentric performances in parliament that gave him an international profile.

A social media mash-up by German television of footage of Bercow calming rowdy MPs has been seen more than a million times. A Belgian newspaper called him "irreplaceable".

If Johnson succeeds in his goal of winning a majority in the December election,&nbsp;as opinion polls suggest,&nbsp;the next speaker's job could be fairly straightforward as chair of debates.

But if he fails and there is another minority government, the new arrival will have to arbitrate between yet another group of divided MPs.

As a veteran Labour MP and as Bercow's deputy Hoyle has often sat in the speaker's chair in his place, when his distinctive Lancashire accent would grace the Commons.

The 62-year-old is as unimpressed as his predecessor by the shouting and braying from MPs, once chastising Scottish Nationalists for humming the EU anthem "Ode to Joy" in the chamber.

Hoyle pledged in an interview published in the Sunday Times,&nbsp;in which he introduced his parrot "Boris",&nbsp;to repair what he claims has become a "toxic parliament".

"I don't want the abuse of each other and I think we have got to close that down quickly and make sure it is a calmer place to be," he said.

Bryant, an openly gay former Church of England vicar, was a surprise finalist in the contest, winning 213 of the 540 votes in the last round.

British MPs on Monday selected veteran Labour lawmaker Lindsay Hoyle to be parliament's new speaker, replacing John Bercow in a role once little-noticed but now reshaped by the fractious turmoil over Brexit.

British MPs on Monday selected veteran Labour lawmaker Lindsay Hoyle to be parliament's new speaker, replacing John Bercow in a role once little-noticed but now reshaped by the fractious turmoil over Brexit. Hoyle, a Labour MP for 22 years and Bercow's deputy since 2010, beat out six other contenders in a protracted day of voting in the House of Commons, winning the support of 325 of 540 members of parliament in a fourth and final round of votes. Bercow, whose shouts of "Order! Order!" have rung out across the famous chamber since June 2009, stood down on Thursday, having enraged the ruling Conservatives with a series of decisions they saw as trying to stymie Brexit. The 56-year-old vehemently denied ever taking sides in the parliamentary tumult over Britain's stalled withdrawal from the European Union but earned praise from pro-Europeans and a global following with his rulings and outsized personality. Hoyle, the favourite to fill his shoes ahead of Monday's vote, won the first three rounds of voting, knocking out political heavyweight Harriet Harman, the longest-serving female MP, but each time fell short of the required absolute majority. But in the last round of voting which pitted him against fellow Labour MP Chris Bryant, he finally garnered 60 per cent of lawmakers' votes. "It's about the challenges ahead for me and this chamber," Hoyle told MPs after being dragged to the speaker's elevated green chair, in keeping with parliamentary tradition. "We've got to make sure that tarnish is polished away," he added, in reference to recent rancour in the House of Commons largely over Brexit. Welcoming him to the role, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "Over the years I have observed that you have many good qualities." Johnson added Hoyle would bring his "signature kindness and reasonableness to our proceedings." However, Hoyle will not have too long to get comfortable as parliament will be dissolved late Tuesday for the December 12 election, after which he will return to sit in the speaker's green chair. The new speaker will now give up his party affiliation while rival parties are traditionally not expected to field a candidate to contest his seat in elections. Chosing a new speaker has been an unremarkable event in the past, but Bercow became a key player in the chaotic process of Britain's exit from the European Union. With the Commons divided over how, when and even if Brexit should happen, Bercow oversaw more than three years of crucial debates that defined the course of Brexit. His supporters say he has empowered ordinary MPs by granting time for emergency debates and amendments, which had the effect of pressuring or even tying ministers' hands. But critics accused him of subverting centuries of parliamentary tradition with the aim of frustrating Brexit. Bercow, who was a Conservative MP before he took on the politically neutral role of speaker, has also been accused of failing to tackle a culture of bullying. Last week, Johnson paid guarded tribute, likening Bercow's glare to a "trademark Tony Montana scowl", after Al Pacino's character in the 1983 film "Scarface". Opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn praised Bercow's modernising reforms, which included increasing staff diversity, boosting public access to parliament and switching from traditional robes to suits. But it was his colourful personality and eccentric performances in parliament that gave him an international profile. A social media mash-up by German television of footage of Bercow calming rowdy MPs has been seen more than a million times. A Belgian newspaper called him "irreplaceable". If Johnson succeeds in his goal of winning a majority in the December election, as opinion polls suggest, the next speaker's job could be fairly straightforward as chair of debates. But if he fails and there is another minority government, the new arrival will have to arbitrate between yet another group of divided MPs. As a veteran Labour MP and as Bercow's deputy Hoyle has often sat in the speaker's chair in his place, when his distinctive Lancashire accent would grace the Commons. The 62-year-old is as unimpressed as his predecessor by the shouting and braying from MPs, once chastising Scottish Nationalists for humming the EU anthem "Ode to Joy" in the chamber. Hoyle pledged in an interview published in the Sunday Times, in which he introduced his parrot "Boris", to repair what he claims has become a "toxic parliament". "I don't want the abuse of each other and I think we have got to close that down quickly and make sure it is a calmer place to be," he said. Bryant, an openly gay former Church of England vicar, was a surprise finalist in the contest, winning 213 of the 540 votes in the last round.

British MPs choose Lindsay Hoyle as parliament speaker to replace Bercow

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