Day: June 18, 2017

    The biggest test of any prime minister is how they represent the country in times of crisis and grief. In her response to the Grenfell Tower fire, Theresa May is failing that test. Her botched private visit to the scene of the fire, in which she failed to meet any residents, reportedly because of "security fears" caused huge anger among those affected, as did her subsequent media interviews in which she failed to even acknowledge the anger that had been caused. Pictures of the PM at the scene, taken from a distance, helped crystallise what is fast becoming a settled view of the PM as a cold and distant figure out of touch with the public she represents. The contrast with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who spent a long time speaking, hugging and listening to those affected by...

    Theresa May will face a stalking horse challenge to topple her as Prime Minister if she waters down Brexit, senior Tories have warned. Leading Eurosceptic MPs have told The Telegraph they are prepared to mount an immediate leadership challenge if Mrs May deviates from her original plan. The revelation comes after a torrid week for the Prime Minister in which she faced fierce criticism for her handling of the Grenfell Tower catastrophe. Conservative MPs including Cabinet ministers have concluded that Mrs May cannot lead them into the next election and they are now discussing when she could go. Related video: What does the election result mean for Brexit? (Provided by Sky News) Eurosceptic MPs have warned that any attempt to keep Britain in the customs union and single marke...

    Cladding used on Grenfell Tower blamed for spreading the blaze is banned in Britain, Philip Hammond has said. The Chancellor said a criminal investigation would examine whether building regulations had been breached when the block was overhauled. Mr Hammond said the public inquiry set up by the Government following the tragedy would also examine if rules had been broken. "These are very complex technical issues" @PhilipHammondUK says public inquiry into #GrenfellTower will determine who's at fault #marrpic.twitter.com/Hzyu5In6H8 — The Andrew Marr Show (@MarrShow) June 18, 2017 He told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show: “My understanding is the cladding in question, this flammable cladding which is banned in Europe and the US, is also banned here. So there are two separate questio...