Transcripts For BBCNEWS Monday In Parliament 20200616

It was codenamed operation cygnus. Now on bbc news, monday in parliament. But when the Public Accounts Committee heard from top Civil Servants, they revealed there was no plan on the shelf and the economic response to covid i9 was worked out in the run up to the budget in march this year. Was there an equivalent to exercise hello again, and welcome cygnus, the pandemic to monday in parliament. Public Health Scenario . The home secretary condemns far right thugs who attacked Police Officers in westminster. They were violent, they were abusive was there an equivalent carried and aggressive towards the police. Out for the economic they were racist, and there are no response to the pandemic . Excuses for this behaviour. The housing secretary insists all the rules were followed when he approved a property scheme, we developed which he later accepted was unlawful. Our economic response and the weeks running up to the budget with the initial announcements but Opposition Mps line in the budget and then. Up to demand action. To reassure the public i refer to 2016. That the integrity of the planning process cannot be auctioned off at conservative Party Fundraising dinners. Also in the programme anotherfirst was there at that time for those arch modernisers when we were looking in the house of lords. At the Public Health response, this will be the first opportunity a simple exercise responding to remotely vote in the house to the economic crisis . I dont know the answer to that. Of lords in history. Im not sure the extent the treasury was involved in that. I dont know the answer to that. It strikes me that there were not schemes on the shelf for what was to happen in such a scenario. Did that lead to the delay here . What could possibly go wrong . Find out later. That is the case, we have been but first the home secretary priti designing the schemes. Patel has told the commons that we did not have the schemes ready far right protesters and designed a ready to go. Who demonstrated over the weekend were patently racist and had we have been designing them shamed themselves. She described their behaviour as hooliganism that was utterly indefensible, and said as we have gone along. There was no place for their sickening conduct so i dont know if there was an economic exercise as part of the pandemic. The treasury were part of the exercise, but it doesnt and hate in our society. Appear there was a blueprint developed. And then we had the pandemic that make. It wasnt prepared in 2016. On saturday, there were 137 arrests for offences including assault on Police Officers and violent disorder. A man who urinated near a memorial the 2016 exercise was between the Cabinet Office and department to pc keith palmer, who was killed of health and social care. In an attack on westminster three years ago, has been jailed for m days. I know it also had considerable impact for local resilience who make changes because they were a key part of the contingency act. The incident was condemned by mps on all sides. Im not aware that lead to any priti patel told mps direct action on the part that the government of the economic authorities. Is considering all options to stop you were a permanent secretary back then. In 2016, yes. People attacking statues and memorials, including you didnt do any work a new law as she condemned after the exercise . The weekends ugly scenes. Were you aware that exercise taking place . On saturday, 2,000 people attended not that i recall, no. Counterprotests in manchester, with eruptions of violence throughout the day. Racists and far right hooligans clashed with the police just to be clear. You finish. I think youre going to say and fights broke out. Smoke bombs and glass bottles were lobbied the same thing as me. At the police in shameful scenes. 38 officers were hurt across the country this weekend, as they were kicked, a big exercise in 2016 punched, or pelted with missiles. About a financial global its clear that the far right thugs who descended on london over Pandemic Health crisis, but there was no work done on the back of that the weekend with the intent to cause harm shamed themselves with some to prepare our economic response. Is that correct . Abusive and violent conduct. They were violent, they were abusive and aggressive towards the police. They were racist, and there are no i think like tom, im not aware of any direct action that was taken excuses for this behaviour. On the economic side. If that is true, that is extraordinary and im sure that some priti patel also confirmed that the government will set up a new commission to look at racial later questions we will be picking inequalities, as announced by borisjohnson. That up and im quite dumbstruck by that for once. The committee turned her labour shadow said action to the supply of personal protective equipment was needed now to help those or ppe needed by facing discrimination. There should be no attempt to draw health and care staff. Comparisons between those intent very taken by surprise at the massive quantity on violence this weekend of protective equipment and the legitimate cause that was necessary and taken of the black lives matter by surprise the difficulty sourcing that from reliable uk based suppliers. Yes. There was a very big increase in demand, we think Something Like about campaigners who have brought four fold in total. We had to buy an essential load, 1. 7 billion pieces of ppe and of course this is at the same attention to the impact that racism time as almost every other major and inequality continue to have both country is again trying here in the uk and across the world. To source that same material. Now is the time for action. And some of the materials that you use within the ppe are not in plentiful supply. To borrow a phrase from another there is a small number movement for equality and justice, of manufacturers of them. Whats required now are deeds, not words. And the machines involved the Prime Ministers decision are massive and not very mobile. To announce yet another review falls so it has undoubtedly woefully short of what is required. He said there were already oven ready reports on racial been a challenge. Inequalities the government could act on. The Prime Minister has the information to act now. The Prime Minister has im pleased to say we came tight at various points of the crisis at the peak, but we did not run out the recommendations of any of the items. And indeed we are now in front of him to act now. The Prime Minister has the power to act now. And isnt the reality that we are in the middle restocking and replenishing. Of a powerful National Moment where more delay is not the answer. Alex chisholm. Now, before we go, that little bit of history from the house of lords. Isnt the truth, mr deputy speaker, before i begin my speech on this amendment, i would like to note that by failing to act now, the Prime Ministerjust isnt the fact that this is a historic offering the leadership required . Moment, this will be the first there was cross Party Criticism of the gathering opportunity to remotely vote of so many protesters. Were still in the middle of a Public Health crisis, and people should not be taking part in the house of lords in history. In Mass Gatherings because its not safe. It puts health at risk and the historic vote via an online and potentially put lives at risk, system called peerhub obviously given the threat we are all still didnt end well for the government, facing from the virus. That said, its really important which lost by 19 as peers backed a move aimed at securing safeguards that we dont let this reprehensible around the extradition public disorder and the debate of international fugitives. About statues distract us from the most important issue well, that was monday in parliament. Which is the inequalities suffered by a black and minority ethnic thank you for watching. People in modern britain. I do hope you canjoin me at the same time tomorrow for tuesday in parliament, with borisjohnson due to give last week, priti patel a major statement to mps clashed with labour mps, on the brexit negotiations. Who claimed in a letter she had until then, bye for now. Undermined their own experiences of racism. The home secretary and i, along with other conservative colleagues, have been subject to torrents of hateful prejudice and, frankly, racist abuse from the lefts legions outside, as well as in the case of my right honourable friend, sadly from sources on the benches opposite, as we refuse to conform to their prejudices. Does the home secretary agree with me that the leader of the opposition should condemn hello there. The phrase sunshine and showers all these attacks and support can at times seem quite the full weight of the law being applied equally to everyone, trivial, cant it . But im sure if you were caught no matter how righteous in the thundering downpours on monday, you knew about it. There was a lot of heavy rain and a very sort space of time. If you take a look at the rain radar they believe their views are . And the thunder and lightning strikes as he went to the afternoon, they were quite frequent across southwest scotland, northwest england and north wales. I thank my honourable it looks as though tuesday, friend for his comments. We could see more showers he is absolutely right, ina similararea. Plenty of showers across europe as well, all under the influence of low pressure at the moment. He is absolutely right. Starts off with a fair amount of cloud across eastern half of the uk, rolling in off the north sea, that will we should be calling slowly burn away. Out collectively racist and intolerant behaviour. And im saddened, mr deputy speaker, that the leader of the opposition well see sunny spells has effectively failed to depart and chatters hours developing. From the divisive, hateful, racist showers widespread across england and wales but they have heaviest politics of its former leader. Across wales and northwest england and as for that letter, along with southwest scotland. There could be around an inch i will not be dignifying that letter with a response at all. Of rain falling within an hour, and that potentially is heavy enough to cause localised flooding. But dodge the showers, keep some sunshine, temperatures priti patel. In the house of lords, peaking at 23 degrees. Thats the mid 70s in there were commiserations at the sorry sight of Winston Churchills statue boarded up on parliament square. Terms of fahrenheit. Amid all the talk of statues from britains past, one peer proposed the erection of a new statue a National Slavery monument. For both sides of the argument as we move through tuesday evening, the showers are likely to continue for a while and then start on the removal of statues, to fade away overnight. Once again, well see some cloud filtering from the north sea. Every day that the statue but its going to be a relatively mild, foggy night. Of Winston Churchill remains boxed double figures across the country, up is a day when the banner in some areas around 13 14 degrees. Of anarchy is raised over parliament its a repeat performance almost square. As we move into wednesday. Lots of cloud or on the east coast. That burns away, sunshine comes through and we see more showers around on wednesday. Yet again, some could be heavy and thundery. The boxed up churchill is such temperatures still peeking a sorry sight to see, between 14 23 degrees. As we move out of wednesday and i understand it was boxed up into thursday, theres likely to be for its protection against some a change with more heavy, persistent of the protests that rain from a frontal system. Were going on at the weekend. Still a level of uncertainty the sooner churchill is freed where thats going to be sitting and commemorated once again as one of the greatest people who ever across england and wales, but it will bring some further outbreaks of rain through england and wlaes on thursday, friday. Just want to end on a glimpse lived, the better. Of good news as we had towards the weekend. Things will be likely to quiet down. Some peers were sceptical about the Prime Ministers dry and sunny for all of us and Just Commission on tackling racism. That little bit warmer. Take care. Racism is deeply embedded, and it affects every part of society, including the church. And we all have much to do to confront it. Indeed, it is possible to remove statues from Public Places without dealing with the fundamental nature of the problem. So will another commission be any more successful in stopping the demolition of statues than the laming review have already had, the angelini review, the windrush Lessons Learned review, the baroness smith review . Would it not be cheaper and quicker for her majestys government to implement the recommendations from those reviews, committing proper resources and leadership to try to affect the change we so desperately need . The minister said the government was working through the recommendations made in those reviews. The noble lord is absolutely right, there are a number of recommendations that the government is considering. But i think overall, i think the Strategic Response to everything that weve seen over the last couple of weeks is that, actually, we have to Work Together not only in government, but in society locally and nationally to affect societal change that is so desperately needed. Monuments are intended to commemorate important and significant events in our history. And black history needs to be addressed. So im proud to chair the Windrush Commemoration Committee which, under the auspices of the ministry of housing and local government, will be unveiling in 2022 a windrush monument at waterloo station, where thousands of caribbeans arrived. There will also be an educational element to it, celebrating the major contributions caribbea ns have made to britain. But this should not and must not be a one off. So will the government consider commissioning more such monuments like a National Slavery monument to document our history and demonstrate that black welcome to bbc news im mike embley our top stories another African American man killed by police, another family speak lives really do matter . Of their grief and call for peaceful action. This is going to be a long time before i heal. Lady williams highlighted its going to be a long time the interNational Slavery museum in liverpool. Before this family heals. A Landmark Legal decision in the us the Supreme Court rules it is illegal to fire someone based on their sexuality. Im racking my brains china races to shut down to know if theres actually a coronavirus outbreak linked a statue outside of it. To a massive market in beijing. But certainly, positioned and seeking real change as it is in the very heart of a city that was built in many ways how black lives matter has put on slavery, it is a reminder to us pressure on the Entertainment Industry to examine its role all of why black lives matter. In perpetuating racism in front of and behind the camera. Lady williams. Youre watching monday in parliament with me, david cornock. Still to come top Civil Servants face a grilling over their pandemic planning. It was a day that saw england become a nation of shopkeepers again. For the First Time Since the lockdown was imposed in march, nonessential shops in england were allowed to open. The queues began hours before the doors opened, with shoppers heeding the Prime Ministers advice to indulge in a little retail therapy. But the shops themselves were rather different, with social distancing in place to keep customers two metres apart. But amid growing concern about its impact on the economy and pressure from an increasing number of conservative mps, borisjohnson has announced a review of that two metre social distancing rule. A former cabinet minister asked an urgent question in the commons amid demands for that review to be concluded as quickly as possible. Will it conclude in good time before the 4th ofjuly so that if more businesses are able to reopen then, including hospitality businesses, they can plan for what social distancing to enforce . Millions of people, workers and pubs, cafes and restaurants, manufacturing industry, as well as children going to schools and young adults in colleges and universities depend on this decision. A Health Minister would not be drawn on when the review would be completed, saying said it would be done in a matter of weeks. One of the reasons for example that we have the two metre distance in place at present is because the Scientific Evidence from sage is a reduction in distance of two metres to one metre would carry somewhere between a two and ten fold increase risk of transmission. That is why we have the guidance in place that we do, but we are very clear that this review will give us the basis to make considered decisions on the most appropriate way forward in striking the balance between Public Health and economic impact. The governments own scientific adviser and the who have said measures should only be used when there is a fully Operational Testing and tracing system in place. Well the robustness of the system be considered in the review and can he tell us when we will have a fully functional system with an app in place . A hugely important part of that armoury of options to chase down this disease and allow our economy to reopen, we made a very good start in the first week of the operation of the new test and trace system. We also saw, and i will pay tribute to them, a very high willingness on behalf of members of the public when asked to self isolate to do so. Nhs leaders and leading scientists have said test and trace is not fit for purpose. And local authorities to have a Critical Role in tracing say their remit is still unclear as they dont have the Critical Data they need. The government cannot just wish away the fact that the risk of transmission increases as people get closer. And more than doubles from two metres to one. Is it not safer to keep the distance at two metres but work with all sectors to develop protective measures for when this is not possible . But there was pressure from conservative mps for a decision now to reduce the social distancing rule to one metre. I dont believe a single fact is going to change in that six weeks. The reality is the advisers are all divided. The government must make a decision and get this one right. He speaks about making the right decision at the right time. One metre is the right decision. Now is the right time. Not in two weeks. Other mps from all parts of the house argued reducing the social distancing requirement to a metre was premature. People will push that as well and will become even closer. I would urge the government to keep this in place for as long as this is required, knowing what human nature will do. If we were to take any move too soon, nobody would thank us, including businesses, if we have to go back down in the lockdown. It is about conducting this review so we have the best scientific and economic evidence and so we can make the right decision at the right time when it is safe to do so. The housing secretary has said hes confident that all the rules were followed when he approved a £1 billion property scheme which he later accepted was unlawful. In january, robertjenrick granted planning permission for the Property Developer and conservative donor Richard Desmond to build on the Westferry Printworks site in east london. He overruled the governments planning inspector who said it didnt deliver enough affordable housing. Mrjenrick later admitted what he did was unlawful by reason of apparent bias. Last week, it was left to a junior minister to answer an urgent question about the matter, but at housing questions, the secretary of state did appear in person. The secretary of state is caught up in a cash for favours row that now reaches inside number 10 downing street but last week, he didnt even have the courage to show up and answer questions in this chamber. I hope he will be answering now. Given the gravity of the allegations surrounding his unlawful decision on the Westferry Development, will he agree to make a full statement to the house, publish all correspondence, and disclose all conversations with other government ministers and officials relating to this case to reassure the public that the integrity of the planning process cannot be auctioned off at conservative Party Fundraising dinners . I took that decision in good faith with an open mind. And i am confident that all the rules were followed in doing so. It is not unusual for a secretary of state to come to a different conclusion to a local authority. It is not unusual for a secretary of state to come to a different conclusion than a planning inspector, no disrespect to the great people who work there. My predecessors did so on a number of occasions. All of the relevant information relating to this matter is with the cabinet secretary and i will take and have taken and will take again advice from my secretary about what further documentation we might be able to publish but as he said, we want to ensure that the correct processes of the Planning System are followed and so that means publishing documents, bearing in mind the legitimate interests of this case, which remains a live planning application. The secretary of state has admitted that giving full consent to Richard Desmonds a Westferry Development was unlawful because of apparent bias. Why did he not immediately recuse himself from taking the decision instead of unlawfully trying to force it through . Robertjenrick said all the parties involved agreed to, as he put it, redetermine the case. He raised the matter of how he came to sit next to Richard Desmond at a conservative fundraising dinner in the months before he approved the development. My department knew about my attendance at the event before i went to it. They knew about the fact that i had inadvertently sat next to the applicant. I didnt know who i was going to be seated by until i sat at the table. And i discussed and took advice from my officials within the department at all times. He accepts he acted unlawfully in overuling a local authority to grant planning permission to a wealthy tory donor. Helping him avoid £40 million in tax. Will he now explain to this house how he expects the public to have confidence in planning procedures given his actions and why he thinks it is appropriate for him to remain in post while a Police Investigation into his behaviour is ongoing . Im happy to clarify a number of those points. The vast majority which were factually incorrect. I understand that a labour member of the house of lords did make an allegation to the police that was swiftly assessed by members of the metropolitan police and they informed me that there were no criminal matters to investigate and they had no intention of taking it further so i would welcome him withdrawing that suggestion. In terms of the decision, i entirely stand behind the decision that i made. I made it with an open mind because we want to see more homes built in this country and in particular in our capital city. This development would have led to 1500 homes, 250 affordable homes. I would remind the house that this contentious decision came to my desk as secretary of state because the local council had failed to determine it in accordance with the law. Sunday was the third anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire in west london, in which 72 people died. Buildings across the uk, including 10 downing street, were lit in green light in tribute to the victims. Labour questioned the slow progress removing dangerous cladding from buildings across the uk. If you want a controversial billion pound planning application approved, it seems that high value Chicken Dinner get things done. Can the minister advise the house what influence can be applied to quickly make all our high rise buildings safe once and for all . I think the honourable gentleman is being rather ungenerous. We have made {1. 6 billion available to remediate those buildings that need it. 95 of all social sector buildings that had unsafe acm cladding on them 00 19 59,627 2147483051 46 44,528 have begun their remediation 2147483051 46 44,528 4294966103 13 29,430 or have completed it, 40