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13 May, 12 tweets, 3 min read
Extraordinary scenes in Glasgow.
Bit of a briefing war emerging on this. UK Government source told me earlier that the First Minister "walked out" of a call with Immigration Minister Kevin Foster in anger. Scottish Government source denies entirely saying this is "completely untrue."
What seems to be beyond dispute is that the two sides disagreed vehemently about what is happening in Glasgow. The First Minister (and Justice Minister Humza Yousaf) told the Home Office that they completely disagreed with the raid policy and that it wasn't welcome in Scotland.
UK government said that the law had to be obeyed and this was in danger of becoming a superspreader event.

Seems the meeting ended at an impasse with Police Scotland being left to find a way to resolve things
Home Office source: "It is completely unacceptable for a mob to stop the lawful removal of people living in our country illegally. We 100% back the frontline in removing those with no right to be here."
But a Scottish Govt spokesperson said (of allegation that the call ended acrimoniously): “This is categorically untrue. The meeting – conducted as a video call – concluded in the normal manner. No one walked out..."
"The First Minister made crystal clear to the Home Office that their actions today were utterly unacceptable.

“She expressed the Scottish Government’s deep concern and anger about this operation, especially in the heart of a community celebrating Eid."
“To take this action in Pollokshields, a day after the First Minister warned of an upsurge of Covid cases in the South Side of Glasgow is completely reckless..."
“Assurances were sought from the UK government that they will never again create, through their actions, such a dangerous situation. They did not provide those assurances.”
Scottish government taking the complete opposite view about the demonstration to the Home Office. Saying instead that it should never have occurred and that it’s the HO’s own policy which is to blame.
Whatever happened in the conversations between ministers of both governments this afternoon, this was the outcome.
Inevitably there is now a Labour Party element to this.

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More from @lewis_goodall

Lewis Goodall Profile picture
13 May
For my money NHS waiting times is going to be the biggest public policy (and political) question in the months/years to come.

-5 million on waiting lists (greatest ever).
->400,000 waiting more than a year (most since 2007).
-17 million fewer outpatient appointments Mar-Dec.
As I reported at the start of the year from within the NHS, there's a myth about Covid and the service- that it coped or wasn't overwhelmed. It didn't really cope. It was overwhelmed. It *managed* by largely becoming a Covid service- because it had to.

That was the cost then for the disease getting out of control and very nearly breaking the service. It's going to have an enormous cost to come. Government has promised a £1bn to deal with it but those inside are saying it will take much more than that and a clear strategy.
Read 4 tweets
Lewis Goodall Profile picture
12 May
NEW: In a conversation with Northern Ireland’s leaders the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has “apologised unreservedly” on behalf of the UK government for the massacre in Ballymurphy in 1971. 10 innocent people were shot dead by the British army.
No 10 spokesperson: “The Prime Minister apologised unreservedly on behalf of the UK Government for the events that took place in Ballymurphy and the huge anguish that the lengthy pursuit of truth has caused the families of those killed.”
Many criticising Johnson for not making a full apology in the Commons, Does rather contrast with David Cameron’s response to Bloody Sunday- which was a full HoC statement. bbc.com/news/10322295
Read 9 tweets
Lewis Goodall Profile picture
11 May
NEW: I understand that the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has concluded that she will not decide whether to investigate the PM over donations and the refurbishment of his flat until after Electoral Comm investigation has concluded. In other words, could be a long wait.
Does have a logic to it- EC has greater powers to probe exactly what's happened. Presumably thinking is once that's transpired Commissioner is in a better position to adjudge.

Why we're still waiting for the Mustique investigation conclusion 16 months on is a different matter...
@margarethodge who was pushing for an investigation tells me: “I have a great deal of respect for the Commissioner, but I am concerned that we are not tackling the problem head on. The person who urgently needs to be held to account is the Prime Minister...
Read 5 tweets
Lewis Goodall Profile picture
11 May
NEW: Nicola Sturgeon confirms that Scotland (save likely for Moray) will move to Level 2 from Monday.
Public health experts believe that there is "widespread community transmission" in Moray.
FM says that if transmission doesn't reduce in next few days then travel restrictions in and out of Moray will be imposed.
Read 6 tweets
Lewis Goodall Profile picture
11 May
Queen's Speech: "My Government will strengthen and renew democracy and the constitution. Legislation will be introduced to ensure the integrity of elections, protect freedom of speech and restore the balance of power between the executive, legislature and the courts."
Prepare for a very big row about each element of these.
On Voter ID ministers saying that this is a "hole in the system" that needs to be fixed. Worth saying we haven't seen any evidence for the fraud that would have been prevented had this system been in place. Also true to say there are lots of other "holes in the system" in our...
Read 4 tweets
Lewis Goodall Profile picture
10 May
A reminder that electoral fraud is a tiny problem. There were only 164 cases of any kind at the 2019 general election. Across all elections in 2019 the police found it necessary to issue a mere 2 cautions. Electoral Commission says UK has “low levels of proven electoral fraud.”
That said Electoral Commission itself has recommended that the UK as a whole moves to some form of photo ID system, as in NI. They do acknowledge however that there are about 3.5 million people (mainly younger voters) without any form of ID. Big concern is it depresses turnout.
Electoral Commission has recommended that people be allowed to apply for a free form of ID from local councils. But clearly that requires effort which could be a disincentive for voting. It goes in a v different direction to Scotland & Wales, which have enfranchised 16 year olds.
Read 5 tweets

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