Ministers from the US, Japan, France, Canada, Germany and Italy began the two-day meeting at Lancaster House in London on Friday morning, ahead of next week’s G7 leader’s summit in Cornwall.

Rishi Sunak confident of getting tech tax deal

Finance ministers from the G7 group of rich nations are meeting in London for two days of talks aimed at moving closer to a global deal to raise more tax from giant corporations likes Google, Facebook, and Amazon.

G7 Finance Ministers summit to be held over 2 days

The Delta variant of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>, or the B1.617.2 highly transmissible <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kappa-delta-who-releases-greek-nomenclature-for-covid-variants-including-ones-found-in-india-388657">variant of concern (VOC)</a> first identified in India, has now become the dominant VOC in the UK as infections rose by 5,472 in a week to hit a total of 12,431, health officials in Britain said on Thursday.

Public Health England (PHE), which monitors all COVID variants in the country, said that experts now believe that Delta has now overtaken Alpha;&nbsp;the VOC first detected in the Kent region of England.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-agrees-to-add-japan-to-safe-travel-list-holds-off-on-britain-over-concerns-of-delta-variant-389198">EU agrees to add Japan to safe travel list, holds off on Britain over concerns of Delta variant</a>

PHE also said that early evidence suggests there may be an increased risk of hospitalisation with Delta compared to Alpha, although more data is needed to have a more definitive view on that.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/united-kingdom-pm-boris-johnson-cautious-about-lifting-lockdown-389211/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"With this variant now dominant across the UK, it remains vital that we all continue to exercise as much caution as possible," said Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive, UK Health Security Agency.

"The way to tackle variants is to tackle the transmission of COVID-19 as a whole. Work from home where you can, and practice 'hands, face, space, fresh air' at all times. If you are eligible and have not already done so, please come forward to be <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccinated</a> and make sure you get your second jab. It will save lives," she said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/signs-of-an-early-wave-uk-grapples-with-unlock-measures-amid-third-wave-fears-388604">'Signs of an early wave': UK grapples with unlock measures amid third wave fears</a>

According to the breakdown of official figures, this week 278 people with the Delta variant attended hospital in an emergency.&nbsp;Last week, 201 people attended the hospital.

"Once again, the majority of these had not been vaccinated," PHE said.

The areas most affected by the Delta variant remain in the northwest of England with Bolton, where cases have risen by 795 to 2149, and Blackburn with Darwen which has seen 368 new cases, bringing it to 724 in total.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-seeks-extra-astrazeneca-shots-to-combat-beta-covid-19-variant-389061">Britain seeks extra AstraZeneca shots to combat Beta COVID-19 variant</a>

PHE said there are 'encouraging signs' that the transmission rate in Bolton has begun to fall and that the actions taken by residents and local authority teams have been successful in reducing spread.

Experts continue to urge people to, remain cautious,&nbsp;as the country approaches the next stage of the roadmap, with June 21 scheduled as a date for an end of all lockdown restrictions.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-coronavirus-variants-are-coming-warn-scientists-behind-modernas-covid-vaccine-388394">'New coronavirus variants are coming', warn scientists behind Moderna's Covid vaccine</a>

"Variant cases are on the increase in several areas and it is absolutely crucial that everyone plays their part in preventing their spread," PHE said.

In Bolton, local teams have gone door to door in targeted areas on consecutive weekends to distribute test kits, share vital safety messages and encourage people to get the vaccine at a local drop-in centre.

Take up of both testing and the vaccine was described as "positive".

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-vaccine-passport-plans-to-be-scrapped-the-telegraph-388486">UK vaccine passport plans to be scrapped: The Telegraph</a>

Blackburn with Darwen has also seen local teams making door-to-door visits, and over 10,000 additional PCR tests have been given out.

Mobile testing units have been deployed to the area and wastewater sampling continues, in order to track the spread of the variant.

PHE said its health protection teams continue to work with local authorities and schools to carry out surveillance of COVID-19 cases in schools to understand and reduce transmission in these settings.&nbsp;

The Delta variant of COVID-19, or the B1.617.2 highly transmissible variant of concern (VOC) first identified in India, has now become the dominant VOC in the UK as infections rose by 5,472 in a week to hit a total of 12,431, health officials in Britain said on Thursday.

The Delta variant of COVID-19, or the B1.617.2 highly transmissible variant of concern (VOC) first identified in India, has now become the dominant VOC in the UK as infections rose by 5,472 in a week to hit a total of 12,431, health officials in Britain said on Thursday. Public Health England (PHE), which monitors all COVID variants in the country, said that experts now believe that Delta has now overtaken Alpha; the VOC first detected in the Kent region of England. Also Read | EU agrees to add Japan to safe travel list, holds off on Britain over concerns of Delta variant PHE also said that early evidence suggests there may be an increased risk of hospitalisation with Delta compared to Alpha, although more data is needed to have a more definitive view on that. "With this variant now dominant across the UK, it remains vital that we all continue to exercise as much caution as possible," said Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive, UK Health Security Agency. "The way to tackle variants is to tackle the transmission of COVID-19 as a whole. Work from home where you can, and practice 'hands, face, space, fresh air' at all times. If you are eligible and have not already done so, please come forward to be vaccinated and make sure you get your second jab. It will save lives," she said. Also Read | 'Signs of an early wave': UK grapples with unlock measures amid third wave fears According to the breakdown of official figures, this week 278 people with the Delta variant attended hospital in an emergency. Last week, 201 people attended the hospital. "Once again, the majority of these had not been vaccinated," PHE said. The areas most affected by the Delta variant remain in the northwest of England with Bolton, where cases have risen by 795 to 2149, and Blackburn with Darwen which has seen 368 new cases, bringing it to 724 in total. Also Read | Britain seeks extra AstraZeneca shots to combat Beta COVID-19 variant PHE said there are 'encouraging signs' that the transmission rate in Bolton has begun to fall and that the actions taken by residents and local authority teams have been successful in reducing spread. Experts continue to urge people to, remain cautious, as the country approaches the next stage of the roadmap, with June 21 scheduled as a date for an end of all lockdown restrictions. Also Read | 'New coronavirus variants are coming', warn scientists behind Moderna's Covid vaccine "Variant cases are on the increase in several areas and it is absolutely crucial that everyone plays their part in preventing their spread," PHE said. In Bolton, local teams have gone door to door in targeted areas on consecutive weekends to distribute test kits, share vital safety messages and encourage people to get the vaccine at a local drop-in centre. Take up of both testing and the vaccine was described as "positive". Also Read | UK vaccine passport plans to be scrapped: The Telegraph Blackburn with Darwen has also seen local teams making door-to-door visits, and over 10,000 additional PCR tests have been given out. Mobile testing units have been deployed to the area and wastewater sampling continues, in order to track the spread of the variant. PHE said its health protection teams continue to work with local authorities and schools to carry out surveillance of COVID-19 cases in schools to understand and reduce transmission in these settings.

Covid-19 Delta variant now dominant in UK as cases rise by 5,472 in a week

Member nations of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on Wednesday officially agreed to allow the United Kingdom to start the process of joining the pact, Japan's economy minister said. 
 
Japanese Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told reporters he welcomed the start of Britain's joining process after hosting an online meeting of ministers from the 11 countries that make up the trans-Pacific trade pact. 
 
"I think there's a big meaning to this from a strategic viewpoint of strengthening economic relations between Japan and the United Kingdom," Nishimura said. 
 
The United Kingdom's admission into CPTPP would bring the nominal gross domestic product of the zone covered by the pact almost on par with that of the European Union, he added. 
 
"The commencement of an accession process with the United Kingdom and the potential expansion of the CPTPP will send a strong signal to our trading partners around the world," the 11 member countries said in a statement. 
 
Britain made a formal request to join the trade deal in February as it sought to open new avenues for post-Brexit trade and influence. 
 
The CPTPP removes 95% of tariffs between its members: Japan, Canada, Australia, Vietnam, New Zealand, Singapore, Mexico, Peru, Brunei, Chile and Malaysia. Unlike the EU, it does not aim to create a single market or a customs union, and it does not seek wider political integration. 
 
The United Kingdom and Japan signed off on a trade agreement in October last year, marking its first major post-Brexit deal on trade. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Member nations of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on Wednesday officially agreed to allow the United Kingdom to start the process of joining the pact, Japan's economy minister said.

Member nations of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on Wednesday officially agreed to allow the United Kingdom to start the process of joining the pact, Japan's economy minister said. Japanese Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told reporters he welcomed the start of Britain's joining process after hosting an online meeting of ministers from the 11 countries that make up the trans-Pacific trade pact. "I think there's a big meaning to this from a strategic viewpoint of strengthening economic relations between Japan and the United Kingdom," Nishimura said. The United Kingdom's admission into CPTPP would bring the nominal gross domestic product of the zone covered by the pact almost on par with that of the European Union, he added. "The commencement of an accession process with the United Kingdom and the potential expansion of the CPTPP will send a strong signal to our trading partners around the world," the 11 member countries said in a statement. Britain made a formal request to join the trade deal in February as it sought to open new avenues for post-Brexit trade and influence. The CPTPP removes 95% of tariffs between its members: Japan, Canada, Australia, Vietnam, New Zealand, Singapore, Mexico, Peru, Brunei, Chile and Malaysia. Unlike the EU, it does not aim to create a single market or a customs union, and it does not seek wider political integration. The United Kingdom and Japan signed off on a trade agreement in October last year, marking its first major post-Brexit deal on trade. (With inputs from agencies)

Trans-Pacific trade deal members agree for UK to start joining process

The United Kingdom has reported zero daily deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, for the first time since last July last year. This comes as the country continues to face rising cases linked to the Delta variant.

UK reports zero COVID-19 deaths for the first time since July 2020

Britain plans to drop COVID-19 passports as a legal requirement for large events, The Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday. 
 
The UK officials working on the review into COVID-19 status certificates believe there is no chance the law will be changed to mandate their use within the UK, the report added. 
 
A government spokesman said in an emailed statement that the COVID-19 vaccine certification review is still in process and no decision has yet been made. 
 
There has been mounting concern over the prospect of vaccine certificates voiced by the UK's Conservative Party, as well as opposition lawmakers and civil rights groups. In April, Prime Minister Boris Johnson also signaled the ethical issues posed by COVID-19 vaccine certification.

(With inputs from agencies)

Britain plans to drop COVID-19 passports as a legal requirement for large events, The Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday. The UK officials working on the review into COVID-19 status certificates believe there is no chance the law will be changed to mandate their use within the UK, the report added.

Britain plans to drop COVID-19 passports as a legal requirement for large events, The Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday. The UK officials working on the review into COVID-19 status certificates believe there is no chance the law will be changed to mandate their use within the UK, the report added. A government spokesman said in an emailed statement that the COVID-19 vaccine certification review is still in process and no decision has yet been made. There has been mounting concern over the prospect of vaccine certificates voiced by the UK's Conservative Party, as well as opposition lawmakers and civil rights groups. In April, Prime Minister Boris Johnson also signaled the ethical issues posed by COVID-19 vaccine certification. (With inputs from agencies)

UK vaccine passport plans to be scrapped: The Telegraph

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson married his fiancee Carrie Symonds in a secret ceremony at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, the Sun and Mail on Sunday newspapers reported.&nbsp;

A spokeswoman for Johnson's Downing Street office declined to comment on the reports.&nbsp;

Both newspapers said guests were invited at the last minute to the central London ceremony, and said even senior members of Johnson's office were unaware of the wedding plans.&nbsp;

Weddings in England are currently limited to 30 people due to COVID-19 restrictions.&nbsp;

The Catholic cathedral was suddenly locked down at 1:30 pm (1230 GMT) and Symonds, 33, arrived 30 minutes later in a limo, in a long white dress with no veil, both reports said.&nbsp;

Johnson, 56, and Symonds, 33, have been living together in Downing Street since Johnson became prime minister in 2019.&nbsp;

Last year, they announced they were engaged and that they were expecting a child, and their son, Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson, was born in April 2020.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, the Sun had reported that wedding invitations had been sent to friends and family for July 2022.&nbsp;

Johnson, once dubbed 'Bonking Boris' by Britain's tabloid media, has a complicated private life.&nbsp;

He was once sacked from the Conservative Party's policy team while in opposition for lying about an extra-marital affair. He has been divorced twice and refuses to say how many children he has fathered.&nbsp;

Johnson's last marriage was to Marina Wheeler, a lawyer. They had four children together but announced in September 2018 that they had separated.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson married his fiancee Carrie Symonds in a secret ceremony at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, the Sun and Mail on Sunday newspapers reported.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson married his fiancee Carrie Symonds in a secret ceremony at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, the Sun and Mail on Sunday newspapers reported. A spokeswoman for Johnson's Downing Street office declined to comment on the reports. Both newspapers said guests were invited at the last minute to the central London ceremony, and said even senior members of Johnson's office were unaware of the wedding plans. Weddings in England are currently limited to 30 people due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Catholic cathedral was suddenly locked down at 1:30 pm (1230 GMT) and Symonds, 33, arrived 30 minutes later in a limo, in a long white dress with no veil, both reports said. Johnson, 56, and Symonds, 33, have been living together in Downing Street since Johnson became prime minister in 2019. Last year, they announced they were engaged and that they were expecting a child, and their son, Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson, was born in April 2020. Earlier this month, the Sun had reported that wedding invitations had been sent to friends and family for July 2022. Johnson, once dubbed 'Bonking Boris' by Britain's tabloid media, has a complicated private life. He was once sacked from the Conservative Party's policy team while in opposition for lying about an extra-marital affair. He has been divorced twice and refuses to say how many children he has fathered. Johnson's last marriage was to Marina Wheeler, a lawyer. They had four children together but announced in September 2018 that they had separated. (With inputs from agencies)

UK PM Johnson marries fiancee in secret ceremony: Reports 

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was found to have acted unwisely while refurbishing his downing street flat.

Downing Street Flat Row: Reports finds UK PM acted 'Unwisely'

Will you accept a robot for a President? People in 30 countries - including China, US, and UK want to replace lawmakers with Artificial Intelligence. What does this tell us about our future? Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas | Study: People want to replace lawmakers with A.I.

An 18-year-old London man was charged with conspiracy to murder in connection with the shooting of Black Lives Matter activist Sasha Johnson, who remained hospitalised in critical condition, British police said on Friday. 
 
Cameron Deriggs will appear at Westminster Magistrates` Court on Saturday, London`s Metropolitan Police said in a statement. Deriggs was one of five men arrested in the case on Wednesday on suspicion of attempted murder. The other four were released on bail until next month. 
 
Johnson, a 27-year-old mother of two, was at a party on Sunday when four men burst in and opened fire, media reports have said. 
 
Johnson has been a leading figure in the Black Lives Matter movement in Britain and is a member of the Taking the Initiative Party`s executive leadership committee. 
&nbsp;

An 18-year-old London man was charged with conspiracy to murder in connection with the shooting of Black Lives Matter activist Sasha Johnson, who remained hospitalised in critical condition, British police said on Friday.

An 18-year-old London man was charged with conspiracy to murder in connection with the shooting of Black Lives Matter activist Sasha Johnson, who remained hospitalised in critical condition, British police said on Friday. Cameron Deriggs will appear at Westminster Magistrates` Court on Saturday, London`s Metropolitan Police said in a statement. Deriggs was one of five men arrested in the case on Wednesday on suspicion of attempted murder. The other four were released on bail until next month. Johnson, a 27-year-old mother of two, was at a party on Sunday when four men burst in and opened fire, media reports have said. Johnson has been a leading figure in the Black Lives Matter movement in Britain and is a member of the Taking the Initiative Party`s executive leadership committee.

London man charged in shooting of Black Lives Matter activist

A statue of 17th century British slave trader will go on temporary display in&nbsp;London. The statue was toppled last June in Bristol

The statue of Edward Colston, a former top official in the Royal African Company, was pulled down during a Black Lives Matter rally in the southwest English city on June 7.

It was dragged through the city and dumped in the harbour, as anger at the death of George Floyd in US police custody the previous month prompted protests in numerous British cities and around the world.

Later this year, four people will stand trial after pleading not guilty to charges of criminal damage.

The statue was retrieved from the harbour and a conservation team at local museum M Shed cleaned it and stabilised spray painted graffiti to prevent flaking.

The statue will be centrepiece of a temporary exhibition opening next Friday.

Meanwhile, Bristol's city council is going to launch a survey, asking locals about what they think should happen to the statue.

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, who previously described its toppling as a "piece of historical poetry", said the exhibition and survey aim "to start a conversation about our history".

In response to the incident, Rees formed the We Are Bristol History Commission last September, which he said would "be leading that conversation with citizens over the coming months".

"The 7 June 2020 is undoubtedly a significant day in Bristol's history and had a profound impact not just in our city but also across the country and around the world," he said.

"The future of the statue must be decided by the people of Bristol," Rees added, urging all residents to participate.

(With inputs from agencies)

A statue of 17th century British slave trader will go on temporary display in London. The statue was toppled last June in Bristol The statue of Edward Colston, a former top official in the Royal African Company, was pulled down during a Black Lives Matter rally in the southwest English city on June 7.

A statue of 17th century British slave trader will go on temporary display in London. The statue was toppled last June in Bristol The statue of Edward Colston, a former top official in the Royal African Company, was pulled down during a Black Lives Matter rally in the southwest English city on June 7. It was dragged through the city and dumped in the harbour, as anger at the death of George Floyd in US police custody the previous month prompted protests in numerous British cities and around the world. Later this year, four people will stand trial after pleading not guilty to charges of criminal damage. The statue was retrieved from the harbour and a conservation team at local museum M Shed cleaned it and stabilised spray painted graffiti to prevent flaking. The statue will be centrepiece of a temporary exhibition opening next Friday. Meanwhile, Bristol's city council is going to launch a survey, asking locals about what they think should happen to the statue. Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, who previously described its toppling as a "piece of historical poetry", said the exhibition and survey aim "to start a conversation about our history". In response to the incident, Rees formed the We Are Bristol History Commission last September, which he said would "be leading that conversation with citizens over the coming months". "The 7 June 2020 is undoubtedly a significant day in Bristol's history and had a profound impact not just in our city but also across the country and around the world," he said. "The future of the statue must be decided by the people of Bristol," Rees added, urging all residents to participate. (With inputs from agencies)

Toppled statue of UK slave trader to go on temporary display

UK on Friday approved the single-shot Covid vaccine developed by Johnson &amp; Johnson, as per the announcement by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).&nbsp;

"This is a further boost to the UK's hugely successful vaccination programme, which has already saved over 13,000 lives, and means that we now have four safe and effective vaccines approved to help protect people from this awful virus," said Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

He added that the government hoped that the single-dose jab "will play an important role in the months to come". Britain has ordered 20 million doses of the vaccine.

Johnson &amp; Johnson Covid vaccine was found to be 72 per cent effective in preventing moderate to severe coronavirus infection, according to a US trial.

Britain has administered more than 62 million shots so far, mainly using the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines. It has also approved the use of the Moderna vaccine.

After months of falling cases, infections have started to rise again due to the emergence of the Indian variant, which has put in doubt plans for a full reopening of the country on June 21.

(With inputs from agencies)

UK on Friday approved the single-shot Covid vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson, as per the announcement by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

UK on Friday approved the single-shot Covid vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson, as per the announcement by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). "This is a further boost to the UK's hugely successful vaccination programme, which has already saved over 13,000 lives, and means that we now have four safe and effective vaccines approved to help protect people from this awful virus," said Health Secretary Matt Hancock. He added that the government hoped that the single-dose jab "will play an important role in the months to come". Britain has ordered 20 million doses of the vaccine. Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine was found to be 72 per cent effective in preventing moderate to severe coronavirus infection, according to a US trial. Britain has administered more than 62 million shots so far, mainly using the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines. It has also approved the use of the Moderna vaccine. After months of falling cases, infections have started to rise again due to the emergence of the Indian variant, which has put in doubt plans for a full reopening of the country on June 21. (With inputs from agencies)

UK approves single shot Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine

Number of European Union citizens being prevented from entering the UK has gone up in last three months, figures with UK Home Office revealed.

This spike has been seen in spite of the massive reduction in travel due to Covid restrictions. However, post-Brexit rules have kicked in and this is clearly having an effect.

3,294 EU citizens were barred from entering the UK over last three months.

In the same quarter last year, 493 EU citizens were barred from entry. This was even when air traffic was 20 times higher.

The passengers are often being held in detention before being expelled.

The Home Office ordered earlier this month that EU citizens should not be locked up and should be given bail so that they can stay with their relatives and friends until the matter is resolved.

Experts have been quoted in media reports expressing fear that the number of EU citizens expelled would go up once restrictions for air travel are eased.

Number of European Union citizens being prevented from entering the UK has gone up in last three months, figures with UK Home Office revealed. This spike has been seen in spite of the massive reduction in travel due to Covid restrictions.

Number of European Union citizens being prevented from entering the UK has gone up in last three months, figures with UK Home Office revealed. This spike has been seen in spite of the massive reduction in travel due to Covid restrictions. However, post-Brexit rules have kicked in and this is clearly having an effect. 3,294 EU citizens were barred from entering the UK over last three months. In the same quarter last year, 493 EU citizens were barred from entry. This was even when air traffic was 20 times higher. The passengers are often being held in detention before being expelled. The Home Office ordered earlier this month that EU citizens should not be locked up and should be given bail so that they can stay with their relatives and friends until the matter is resolved. Experts have been quoted in media reports expressing fear that the number of EU citizens expelled would go up once restrictions for air travel are eased.

More EU citizens are being denied entry into UK after Brexit

France is re-introducing tighter rules on arrivals from UK who are not French residents to curb the spread of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">Covid</a>, notably its Indian variant, the foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Britons and other non-EU arrivals will again have to prove that they have a "compelling reason" to enter France, it said.

The ministry did not define "compelling", but the government has previously said that family, health or professional reasons could be acceptable.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-quarters-of-new-covid-infections-in-uk-due-to-b16172-variant-of-concern-health-minister-387920" hreflang="en">Three quarters of new Covid infections in UK due to B.1.617.2 'variant of concern': Health minister</a>

France had relaxed that requirement in March for the United Kingdom, as well as a number of other non-members of the EU, which Britain left last year.

But again from Monday "compelling reasons will be required for non-EU foreigners who are not residents in France and who come to France from the United Kingdom", the ministry said in a statement.

It said in addition those visitors would have to self-isolate for seven days on arrival.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-to-vaccinate-children-over-12-from-june-7-387996" hreflang="en">Germany to vaccinate children over 12 from June 7</a>

The ministry added, however, that, for now, there would be "no systematic checks" to ensure compliance with the requirement, "given the low incidence of Covid in Britain".

Visitors from Britain will still need a PCR or antigen test less than 48 hours old to be allowed into the country.

The French move comes after Germany said that travellers arriving there from the UK have to submit to a quarantine period of two weeks, regardless of whether they can provide a negative test result for the virus.

A French quarantine order is already in place for arrivals from Brazil, India, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Colombia, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Bahrain, Turkey, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Police are authorised to carry out random spot checks to ensure that quarantine rules are respected, with non-compliance punished with fines of up to 1,500 euros ($1,800).

The coronavirus variant first detected in India has now been officially recorded in 53 territories, a World Health Organization report showed Wednesday.

France is re-introducing tighter rules on arrivals from UK who are not French residents to curb the spread of Covid, notably its Indian variant, the foreign ministry said on Thursday.

France is re-introducing tighter rules on arrivals from UK who are not French residents to curb the spread of Covid, notably its Indian variant, the foreign ministry said on Thursday. Britons and other non-EU arrivals will again have to prove that they have a "compelling reason" to enter France, it said. The ministry did not define "compelling", but the government has previously said that family, health or professional reasons could be acceptable. Also read | Three quarters of new Covid infections in UK due to B.1.617.2 'variant of concern': Health minister France had relaxed that requirement in March for the United Kingdom, as well as a number of other non-members of the EU, which Britain left last year. But again from Monday "compelling reasons will be required for non-EU foreigners who are not residents in France and who come to France from the United Kingdom", the ministry said in a statement. It said in addition those visitors would have to self-isolate for seven days on arrival. Also read | Germany to vaccinate children over 12 from June 7 The ministry added, however, that, for now, there would be "no systematic checks" to ensure compliance with the requirement, "given the low incidence of Covid in Britain". Visitors from Britain will still need a PCR or antigen test less than 48 hours old to be allowed into the country. The French move comes after Germany said that travellers arriving there from the UK have to submit to a quarantine period of two weeks, regardless of whether they can provide a negative test result for the virus. A French quarantine order is already in place for arrivals from Brazil, India, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Colombia, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Bahrain, Turkey, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Police are authorised to carry out random spot checks to ensure that quarantine rules are respected, with non-compliance punished with fines of up to 1,500 euros ($1,800). The coronavirus variant first detected in India has now been officially recorded in 53 territories, a World Health Organization report showed Wednesday.

France reimposes strict Covid curbs on travel from UK

Papers and a diverse range of personal items belonging to the late British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking have been acquired by Cambridge University and a UK museum group.

Under an agreement between Cambridge University Library, the Science Museum Group and the UK government, the entire contents of the world-renowned scientist's office and archive will be preserved for future generations.

The £4.2 million ($5.9 million, 4.8 million euros) deal means 10,000 pages of Hawking's scientific papers and other documents will remain in the university city of Cambridge in eastern England where he died in 2018.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/albert-einsteins-letter-with-famous-emc2-equation-sold-for-13-million-386673">Albert Einstein's letter with famous E=mc2 equation sold for $1.3 million</a>

Objects including his wheelchairs, speech synthesisers, and personal memorabilia including his entire Cambridge office will be housed at London's Science Museum and selected highlights will go on display next year.

The Cambridge archive, which includes documents dating from 1944 to 2008 including his academic papers and TV scripts from appearances on shows like "The Simpsons", will be housed alongside papers from Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.

The ashes of Hawking, who died in March 2018, aged 76, were interred alongside the graves of Newton and Darwin in London's Westminster Abbey.

Hawking, a theoretical physicist, dedicated his life to unravelling the mysteries of the universe, including the nature of time and space -- relativity -- and quantum theory, how the smallest particles behave.

He popularised the obscure science surrounding the governing rules of the universe and black holes in his best-selling 1988 book "A Brief History of Time".

- 'Legacy upheld' - 
As his stature grew, he became an instantly recognisable popular figure. Motor neurone disease left him using a wheelchair and unable to speak except through a voice synthesiser.

However, the rare amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that gradually robbed him of mobility did nothing to dull his mind or trademark wit.

"We are very pleased that these two important institutions will preserve our father's life's work for the benefit of generations to come and make his legacy accessible to the widest possible audience," his children Lucy, Tim and Robert Hawking said in a statement.

"Our father strongly believed that everyone should have the chance to engage with science so he would be delighted that his legacy will be upheld by the Science Museum and Cambridge University Library," they added.

Cambridge University librarian Jessica Gardner said it was "profoundly important" his archive was preserved in the city where "alongside the work of his hero, Newton, and so many other scientists".

"It's a really important part of the legacy," she added.

Papers and a diverse range of personal items belonging to the late British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking have been acquired by Cambridge University and a UK museum group.

Papers and a diverse range of personal items belonging to the late British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking have been acquired by Cambridge University and a UK museum group. Under an agreement between Cambridge University Library, the Science Museum Group and the UK government, the entire contents of the world-renowned scientist's office and archive will be preserved for future generations. The £4.2 million ($5.9 million, 4.8 million euros) deal means 10,000 pages of Hawking's scientific papers and other documents will remain in the university city of Cambridge in eastern England where he died in 2018. Also read | Albert Einstein's letter with famous E=mc2 equation sold for $1.3 million Objects including his wheelchairs, speech synthesisers, and personal memorabilia including his entire Cambridge office will be housed at London's Science Museum and selected highlights will go on display next year. The Cambridge archive, which includes documents dating from 1944 to 2008 including his academic papers and TV scripts from appearances on shows like "The Simpsons", will be housed alongside papers from Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. The ashes of Hawking, who died in March 2018, aged 76, were interred alongside the graves of Newton and Darwin in London's Westminster Abbey. Hawking, a theoretical physicist, dedicated his life to unravelling the mysteries of the universe, including the nature of time and space -- relativity -- and quantum theory, how the smallest particles behave. He popularised the obscure science surrounding the governing rules of the universe and black holes in his best-selling 1988 book "A Brief History of Time". - 'Legacy upheld' - As his stature grew, he became an instantly recognisable popular figure. Motor neurone disease left him using a wheelchair and unable to speak except through a voice synthesiser. However, the rare amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that gradually robbed him of mobility did nothing to dull his mind or trademark wit. "We are very pleased that these two important institutions will preserve our father's life's work for the benefit of generations to come and make his legacy accessible to the widest possible audience," his children Lucy, Tim and Robert Hawking said in a statement. "Our father strongly believed that everyone should have the chance to engage with science so he would be delighted that his legacy will be upheld by the Science Museum and Cambridge University Library," they added. Cambridge University librarian Jessica Gardner said it was "profoundly important" his archive was preserved in the city where "alongside the work of his hero, Newton, and so many other scientists". "It's a really important part of the legacy," she added.

Stephen Hawking's office and archive to be preserved in UK

Boris Johnson's former aide Dominic Cummings ripped into his former boss - blaming him for mishandling the pandemic. Cummings says the UK PM offered to get the virus injected on live TV to assure his citizens that it wasn't deadly. Why is Johnson's former right-hand man exposing him? How has the PM responded? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Did Boris Johnson ask to be injected with COVID on TV?

UK Health Minister Matt Hancock has published the allegations made by the Prime Minister's former chief aide who accused him of lying. Speaking in the House of Commons Hancock said that Dominic Cummings' allegations were unsubstantiated.

Hancock: Did everything to save lives, Cummings' claims unsubstantiated

Vijay Mallya on Wednesday lost an appeal to gain access to court-held funds to cover his costs for legal proceedings in India, as a High Court judge in London concluded that the 65-year-old businessman sought 750,000 pounds but there is not enough evidence to support the demand being made.

UK: Judge denies for more funds 'for legal charges' to Indian fugitive Vijay Mallya

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's former chief adviser will on Wednesday cast his former boss as a dithering leader surrounded by fools whose ineptitude led to a 'disastrous' response to the most devastating global pandemic in decades.&nbsp;

With almost 128,000 deaths, the United Kingdom has the world's fifth worst official Covid toll, and Johnson was slow to appreciate the significance of the threat from the virus in early 2020 as it spread from China towards Britain's shores.&nbsp;

Dominic Cummings, the strategist behind the 2016 Brexit campaign and Johnson's landslide election win in 2019, will be quizzed by British lawmakers from 0830 GMT on the lessons that can be learned from the pandemic.&nbsp;

Cummings, who left the government late last year, has said the British health ministry was a 'smoking ruin', that Western governments failed during the crisis, and that the secretive British state was woefully unprepared for the pandemic.&nbsp;

"The Covid plan was supposed to be 'world class' but turned out to be part disaster, part non-existent," Cummings said on May 18 in one of dozens of tweets forming a critique of Britain's response.&nbsp;

"If we'd had the right preparations + competent people in charge, we would probably have avoided lockdown1, *definitely* no need for lockdowns 2&amp;3," he said.&nbsp;

Cummings, played by Benedict Cumberbatch in the film 'Brexit: The Uncivil War', casts the British state as an outdated system run by incompetent amateurs, who are resistant to any innovation that would bring them closer to the modern world.&nbsp;

British officials, he said, failed to learn the early Covid lessons from Asia, were resistant to new ideas from young scientists, overly secretive, overly bureaucratic and lacked any real scrutiny from a compliant domestic media.&nbsp;

Asked about Cummings' criticism, Johnson's spokesman said. "At all times, we have been guided by the data and the latest evidence we had."&nbsp;

In a series of investigations, it was reported how the British government made several errors: it was slow to spot the infections arriving, it was late with a lockdown and it continued to discharge infected hospital patients into care homes.&nbsp;

The government's chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, said in March 2020 that 20,000 deaths would be a good outcome. Soon after, a worst-case scenario prepared by government scientific advisers put the possible death toll at 50,000. The toll is now close to 128,000.&nbsp;

Johnson has admitted that mistakes were made and that lessons need to be learned, but his ministers say they were working at pace in the biggest public health crisis in a century.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's former chief adviser will on Wednesday cast his former boss as a dithering leader surrounded by fools whose ineptitude led to a 'disastrous' response to the most devastating global pandemic in decades.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's former chief adviser will on Wednesday cast his former boss as a dithering leader surrounded by fools whose ineptitude led to a 'disastrous' response to the most devastating global pandemic in decades. With almost 128,000 deaths, the United Kingdom has the world's fifth worst official Covid toll, and Johnson was slow to appreciate the significance of the threat from the virus in early 2020 as it spread from China towards Britain's shores. Dominic Cummings, the strategist behind the 2016 Brexit campaign and Johnson's landslide election win in 2019, will be quizzed by British lawmakers from 0830 GMT on the lessons that can be learned from the pandemic. Cummings, who left the government late last year, has said the British health ministry was a 'smoking ruin', that Western governments failed during the crisis, and that the secretive British state was woefully unprepared for the pandemic. "The Covid plan was supposed to be 'world class' but turned out to be part disaster, part non-existent," Cummings said on May 18 in one of dozens of tweets forming a critique of Britain's response. "If we'd had the right preparations + competent people in charge, we would probably have avoided lockdown1, *definitely* no need for lockdowns 2&3," he said. Cummings, played by Benedict Cumberbatch in the film 'Brexit: The Uncivil War', casts the British state as an outdated system run by incompetent amateurs, who are resistant to any innovation that would bring them closer to the modern world. British officials, he said, failed to learn the early Covid lessons from Asia, were resistant to new ideas from young scientists, overly secretive, overly bureaucratic and lacked any real scrutiny from a compliant domestic media. Asked about Cummings' criticism, Johnson's spokesman said. "At all times, we have been guided by the data and the latest evidence we had." In a series of investigations, it was reported how the British government made several errors: it was slow to spot the infections arriving, it was late with a lockdown and it continued to discharge infected hospital patients into care homes. The government's chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, said in March 2020 that 20,000 deaths would be a good outcome. Soon after, a worst-case scenario prepared by government scientific advisers put the possible death toll at 50,000. The toll is now close to 128,000. Johnson has admitted that mistakes were made and that lessons need to be learned, but his ministers say they were working at pace in the biggest public health crisis in a century. (With inputs from agencies)

UK's Covid 'disaster' to be laid bare by PM Johnson's ex-chief adviser Dominic Cummings

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is being accused by his former adviser Dominic Cummings of overseeing a chaotic government whose failure to act quickly against the coronavirus caused thousands of unnecessary deaths.

PM Boris Johnson's former ally slams UK response to Coronavirus pandemic

The UK government on Tuesday faced accusations of 'confusion and uncertainty' after it introduced additional guidance to curtail non-essential travel in and out of so-called hotspots of the B1.617.2 variant of concern (VOC), first identified in India, as part of measures to control the spread of the virus.&nbsp;

Local authorities in the affected areas said they were not consulted or informed as the government's coronavirus restrictions website changed its guidance over the last few days for people living in eight areas of Bedford council, Blackburn with Darwen council, Bolton Metropolitan council, Burnley council, Kirklees council, Leicester council, Hounslow council and North Tyneside council.&nbsp;

The guidance also calls upon residents of these regions of England to avoid indoor gatherings, which is now currently permitted in most other parts of the country as part of the lockdown lifting roadmap.&nbsp;

"In the areas listed... Wherever possible, you should try to meet outside rather than inside where possible; keep 2 metres apart from people that you don't live with (unless you have formed a support bubble with them), this includes friends and family you don't live with; avoid travelling in and out of affected areas unless it is essential, for example for work (if you cannot work from home) or education," the website notes.&nbsp;

However, a row has broken out after the new guidance appeared to have been issued without a widespread announcement.&nbsp;

"This is a major change to policy that will have a huge impact on people's lives. Simply updating the government website without an official announcement is a recipe for confusion and uncertainty," said Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus.&nbsp;

"It seems crucial lessons have still not been learnt about the importance of clear messaging during a pandemic," she said.&nbsp;

Cabinet minister Therese Coffey told 'Sky News', the government had been "working in close contact" with affected areas and she was "surprised to hear that people think this has come out of the blue, "it hasn't".&nbsp;

"This is just part of a coordinated effort and the guidance is simply a formality recognising people need to be extra careful in those communities in particular where the issue has been spreading," she said, adding that all the guidance does is simply formalise what was already effectively happening in practice in the locality.&nbsp;

A Downing Street source told the BBC that all the areas were informed about the latest advice and pointed out that it was advice rather than law and therefore dismissed allegations of localised lockdown by stealth.&nbsp;

According to the latest Public Health England (PHE) data released last week, B1.617.2 VOC cases had risen by 2,111 over the previous week to hit 3,424 cases across the UK and experts are certain of its higher transmissibility than the dominant local B1.1.7 VOC, first discovered in the England county of Kent. The health officials continue to monitor both mutations to try and keep the UK's planned end to lockdown on track for June 21.&nbsp;

The UK has reported more than 4,480,760 confirmed cases and over 127,986 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 tracker.&nbsp;

The UK government on Tuesday faced accusations of 'confusion and uncertainty' after it introduced additional guidance to curtail non-essential travel in and out of so-called hotspots of the B1.

The UK government on Tuesday faced accusations of 'confusion and uncertainty' after it introduced additional guidance to curtail non-essential travel in and out of so-called hotspots of the B1.617.2 variant of concern (VOC), first identified in India, as part of measures to control the spread of the virus. Local authorities in the affected areas said they were not consulted or informed as the government's coronavirus restrictions website changed its guidance over the last few days for people living in eight areas of Bedford council, Blackburn with Darwen council, Bolton Metropolitan council, Burnley council, Kirklees council, Leicester council, Hounslow council and North Tyneside council. The guidance also calls upon residents of these regions of England to avoid indoor gatherings, which is now currently permitted in most other parts of the country as part of the lockdown lifting roadmap. "In the areas listed... Wherever possible, you should try to meet outside rather than inside where possible; keep 2 metres apart from people that you don't live with (unless you have formed a support bubble with them), this includes friends and family you don't live with; avoid travelling in and out of affected areas unless it is essential, for example for work (if you cannot work from home) or education," the website notes. However, a row has broken out after the new guidance appeared to have been issued without a widespread announcement. "This is a major change to policy that will have a huge impact on people's lives. Simply updating the government website without an official announcement is a recipe for confusion and uncertainty," said Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus. "It seems crucial lessons have still not been learnt about the importance of clear messaging during a pandemic," she said. Cabinet minister Therese Coffey told 'Sky News', the government had been "working in close contact" with affected areas and she was "surprised to hear that people think this has come out of the blue, "it hasn't". "This is just part of a coordinated effort and the guidance is simply a formality recognising people need to be extra careful in those communities in particular where the issue has been spreading," she said, adding that all the guidance does is simply formalise what was already effectively happening in practice in the locality. A Downing Street source told the BBC that all the areas were informed about the latest advice and pointed out that it was advice rather than law and therefore dismissed allegations of localised lockdown by stealth. According to the latest Public Health England (PHE) data released last week, B1.617.2 VOC cases had risen by 2,111 over the previous week to hit 3,424 cases across the UK and experts are certain of its higher transmissibility than the dominant local B1.1.7 VOC, first discovered in the England county of Kent. The health officials continue to monitor both mutations to try and keep the UK's planned end to lockdown on track for June 21. The UK has reported more than 4,480,760 confirmed cases and over 127,986 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 tracker.

COVID-19: UK issues localised directions on travel, gatherings to tackle B1.617.2 variant  

The European Union's tensions with former member Britain are not due to problems with the Northern Ireland protocol agreed by both sides, but Brexit itself, the head of the bloc’s executive said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Ursula von der Leyen told a news conference after the first day of an EU summit in Brussels that all 27 member states of the bloc agreed that there can be no alternative to a full and correct implementation of the protocol.&nbsp;

"There should be no doubt that there is no alternative to the full and correct implementation of the protocol, she said.&nbsp;

"It is important to reiterate that the protocol is the only possible solution to ensure peace and stability in Northern Ireland while protecting the integrity of the European Union single market," von der Leyen added.&nbsp;

"If we see problems today we should not forget that they do not come from the protocol but result from Brexit, that is the reason why the problems are there."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

The European Union's tensions with former member Britain are not due to problems with the Northern Ireland protocol agreed by both sides, but Brexit itself, the head of the bloc’s executive said on Tuesday.

The European Union's tensions with former member Britain are not due to problems with the Northern Ireland protocol agreed by both sides, but Brexit itself, the head of the bloc’s executive said on Tuesday. Ursula von der Leyen told a news conference after the first day of an EU summit in Brussels that all 27 member states of the bloc agreed that there can be no alternative to a full and correct implementation of the protocol. "There should be no doubt that there is no alternative to the full and correct implementation of the protocol, she said. "It is important to reiterate that the protocol is the only possible solution to ensure peace and stability in Northern Ireland while protecting the integrity of the European Union single market," von der Leyen added. "If we see problems today we should not forget that they do not come from the protocol but result from Brexit, that is the reason why the problems are there." (With inputs from agencies)

EU says tensions with UK stem from Brexit, not Northern Ireland protocol 

Islamophobia within Britain's ruling Conservative Party is a problem both at an individual level and beyond but falls short of "institutional racism", an independent investigation concluded on Tuesday. 
 
The centre-right party has been dogged for years by accusations of anti-Muslim sentiment that have been levelled against members, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson.&nbsp; 
 
The former journalist's comments comparing Muslim women in veils to letterboxes and bank robbers, in a newspaper column in 2018, contributed to a "widespread" perception that the Tories have a "Muslim problem", the report said. 
 
"Anti-Muslim sentiment remains a problem within the party. This is damaging to the party, and alienates a significant section of society," the investigation led by Swaran Singh, a former commissioner at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, found. 
 
Singh said he believed the report was "going to be very uncomfortable for the party", and hoped it would "spur them into action". 
 
The investigation said since 2015 the "bulk" of discrimination complaints had been made over anti-Muslim allegations. 
 
Of 1,418 complaints relating to 727 incidents of alleged discrimination, more than two-thirds of the incidents&nbsp;496 cases&nbsp;related to Islam. 
 
But while the report found "there were examples of anti-Muslim discrimination by individuals and groups at local association level", it said those problems fell short of claims of "institutional racism". 
 
The report said there was no evidence that complaints related to Islam are treated differently from those related to other forms of discrimination. 
 
Johnson told Singh's probe he was "sorry for any offence taken" over his 2018 column and added he would not use "some of the offending language from my past writings" now that he was prime minister.

'Unable or unwilling' 
The report also considered accusations made by the campaign of 2016 Conservative mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith claiming his Muslim Labour rival Sadiq Khan associated with extremists. 
 
Goldsmith told the investigation the accusations showed "poor judgement in the way his campaign was conducted" and he denied "harbouring anti-Muslim sentiments or using such sentiments for political advantage". 
 
MP and former Conservative finance minister Sajid Javid, the son of Muslim Pakistani immigrants, highlighted "distressing examples of anti-Muslim sentiment" listed in the report. 
 
"Stamping out discrimination, whether against Muslims or any other minority group, is an issue where our country's political parties have a responsibility," he said. 
 
Former Conservative chairwoman Sayeeda Warsi, a member of the House of Lords and a longtime critic of her party's handling of Islamophobia, tweeted the report revealed a party that was "at best unable and at worst unwilling to deal with the issue of racism". 
 
In response to the investigation, the Conservative Party said it accepted the report's recommendations and would work harder to counter discrimination in all its forms. 
 
"On behalf of the Conservative Party I would like to apologise to anyone who has been hurt by discriminatory behaviour of others or failed by our system," party co-chairwoman Amanda Milling said. 
 
She added the party would "continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination" and "take immediate action to improve our handling of complaints". 
 
The opposition Labour party has meanwhile been dogged for years by incidents of anti-Semitism, blamed particularly on far-left followers of former leader Jeremy Corbyn. 
 
In October, the Equality and Human Rights Commission said Corbyn's office had broken the law in its handling of complaints by Jewish members. His successor Keir Starmer has apologised profusely and suspended Corbyn from the party.

Islamophobia within Britain's ruling Conservative Party is a problem both at an individual level and beyond but falls short of "institutional racism", an independent investigation concluded on Tuesday.

Islamophobia within Britain's ruling Conservative Party is a problem both at an individual level and beyond but falls short of "institutional racism", an independent investigation concluded on Tuesday. The centre-right party has been dogged for years by accusations of anti-Muslim sentiment that have been levelled against members, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The former journalist's comments comparing Muslim women in veils to letterboxes and bank robbers, in a newspaper column in 2018, contributed to a "widespread" perception that the Tories have a "Muslim problem", the report said. "Anti-Muslim sentiment remains a problem within the party. This is damaging to the party, and alienates a significant section of society," the investigation led by Swaran Singh, a former commissioner at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, found. Singh said he believed the report was "going to be very uncomfortable for the party", and hoped it would "spur them into action". The investigation said since 2015 the "bulk" of discrimination complaints had been made over anti-Muslim allegations. Of 1,418 complaints relating to 727 incidents of alleged discrimination, more than two-thirds of the incidents 496 cases related to Islam. But while the report found "there were examples of anti-Muslim discrimination by individuals and groups at local association level", it said those problems fell short of claims of "institutional racism". The report said there was no evidence that complaints related to Islam are treated differently from those related to other forms of discrimination. Johnson told Singh's probe he was "sorry for any offence taken" over his 2018 column and added he would not use "some of the offending language from my past writings" now that he was prime minister. 'Unable or unwilling' The report also considered accusations made by the campaign of 2016 Conservative mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith claiming his Muslim Labour rival Sadiq Khan associated with extremists. Goldsmith told the investigation the accusations showed "poor judgement in the way his campaign was conducted" and he denied "harbouring anti-Muslim sentiments or using such sentiments for political advantage". MP and former Conservative finance minister Sajid Javid, the son of Muslim Pakistani immigrants, highlighted "distressing examples of anti-Muslim sentiment" listed in the report. "Stamping out discrimination, whether against Muslims or any other minority group, is an issue where our country's political parties have a responsibility," he said. Former Conservative chairwoman Sayeeda Warsi, a member of the House of Lords and a longtime critic of her party's handling of Islamophobia, tweeted the report revealed a party that was "at best unable and at worst unwilling to deal with the issue of racism". In response to the investigation, the Conservative Party said it accepted the report's recommendations and would work harder to counter discrimination in all its forms. "On behalf of the Conservative Party I would like to apologise to anyone who has been hurt by discriminatory behaviour of others or failed by our system," party co-chairwoman Amanda Milling said. She added the party would "continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination" and "take immediate action to improve our handling of complaints". The opposition Labour party has meanwhile been dogged for years by incidents of anti-Semitism, blamed particularly on far-left followers of former leader Jeremy Corbyn. In October, the Equality and Human Rights Commission said Corbyn's office had broken the law in its handling of complaints by Jewish members. His successor Keir Starmer has apologised profusely and suspended Corbyn from the party.

Islamophobia a 'problem' in UK's ruling party, probe finds

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