Day: June 28, 2019

    Private firms have raked in millions of pounds through the Home Office’s newly outsourced visa system as people are forced to pay extortionate fees and travel long distances to apply for UK status. Immigration lawyers have warned legal migrants risk being thrown into the hostile environment after the visa processing service was outsourced to French firm Sopra Steria last November. Those affected include some people applying for EU settled status ahead of Brexit despite the government stating that this application is free. While visa applicants could previously go to their local post office to upload documents and provide biometric data such as fingerprints, they must now attend one of just six core centres across the country which offer a free service, or another 5...

    Boris Johnson today warned Vladimir Putin that he will be proved wrong by history after the Russian president suggested Western liberalism was obsolete. Speaking to The Evening Standard, Mr Johnson, the frontrunner to be the next Prime Minister, also hit back against the Russian leader over the Salisbury Novichok poisonings, stressing the need for justice, the rule of law and a simple of code of decency in international relations. His strong words showed that he would be prepared to be tough with Russia over aggressive acts if he gains the keys to No10. In an interview with The Financial Times, the Russian leader said the liberal idea had outlived its purpose. However, Mr Johnson rejected this argument and also highlighted how the West had united in horror against...