Politics

Trade Minister Greg Hands was unable to name a single country that had expressed interest in a post-Brexit trade deal in response to a parliamentary question. With the second set of negotiations set to accelerate in 2018, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox will be stepping up efforts to find trade deals the UK can sign after Brexit in 2019. But when challenged by Labour MP Stella Creasy over which foreign governments were queuing up to trade with the UK, his department...

Lord Adonis, The government's infrastructure adviser has announced he is quitting his role blaming the fallout from Brexit for his decision. He has chaired the National Infrastructure Commission since 2015 and has been an outspoken critic of Brexit from the start. Adonis called Brexit a "populist and nationalist spasm," and that the PM was “pursuing a course fraught with danger” over the UK’s decision to leave the European project. In his resignation letter, he accused Mrs May of "allying with...

A politician has apologised after 'liking' pornographic content on Twitter - which he didn't realise other people could see. John Gollop, 54, a deputy for the States of Guernsey, had liked several adult tweets including posts from us pornographic actress Dana DeArmond. In a statement, Gollop said he was "profoundly and deeply sorry" if offence was caused. He has since removed all his likes on the social media platform. The experienced Guernsey politician has more than 4,000 Twitter followers, the...

Brexiters celebrating the return of the iconic blue British passport will be surprised to learn that we were entitled to have whatever colour passport we wanted within the European Union. The EU has issued guidance for member states’ passports in an effort to standardise official documents across the continent. But this is guidance, not an obligation. While most EU countries do have burgundy passports - Croatia still proudly issues blue ones. The UK passport is an expression of our independence...

A US ambassador has been caught out on a "fake news" claim about the Islamic movement in Europe. Pete Hoekstra became the US Ambassador to the Netherlands last week and has already come a cropper when interviewed by Dutch media about comments he made regarding Islam. The reporter questioned him about "no go zones" in the Netherlands and the claim that "cars are being burnt". Hoekstra described the claims as "fake news", but the evidence that follows seems to show...

In a moment resembling a scene from the Christmas classic Love Actually the World last night sent a strong message to US President Donald Trump that "we will not be bullied". More than 120 countries defied Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, voting it as "null and void". The move comes after the US President said he would cut financial aid to countries voting against this. Speaking before the vote, Trump told reporters at the White House: "They take...

Nigel Farage is among panellists speaking at an "Irexit" event in Dublin next year. The event, entitled "Freedom to Prosper", will feature the former UKIPer and MEP who was largely responsible for Britain's withdrawal from the single market. Other panelists speaking at the event include Independent Galway Councillor James Charity, Journalist John Waters and Sunday Times columnist Cormac Lucey. According to recent figures Brexit is costing Britain £350 million a week in lost output. A Financial Times study revealed the value...

The role of First Secretary of State is likely to be banished to the history books after Damian Green was forced to resign over porn allegations. Following the sacking Theresa May has been left in charge of appointing her second in command, but the odds suggest she could well abolish the ministerial portfolio entirely. Betway have slashed the price on the position being abandoned to 6/4 following Green's disgraced encounter. As it is simply an honorific title with no specific powers...

Jeremy Hunt is close to becoming the second-longest serving minister in charge of the NHS - taking over Anuerin Bevan. Bevan spent 1,993 days in charge of the health service during the Labour government of 1945-51. In that time he spearheaded the establishment of the National Health Service, which was to provide medical care free at point-of-need to all Britons; regardless of wealth. But in an ironic twist the second-longest minister for the NHS is set to be overtaken by the...