Francis Elliott
@elliottengage
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Journalist and author. Editor of The House magazine - migrating to @franciselliott .bsky.social over time
London, England
Joined June 2011
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This is a brilliant, brilliant question. (All too rare these days to see that look of terror..)
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To the guy with the bobble hat on the 56 bus who stood up to the three kids trying to start a fight with my son and his girlfriend: thank you, you are our hero.
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Labour is refusing to say what rule Corbyn is alleged to have breached. Which is...problematic.
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It seems Grayling has failed to be elected ISC chair after Julian Lewis mounted a coup with Labour help.
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Still bewildered by this claim - now repeated by a cabinet minister (Alok Sharma) - that the government were unaware of the EU ventilator procurement scheme. It will, I think, be hard to sustain in the weeks and months ahead.
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Having worked for Dominic Lawson I think Johnson will come to regret this denial.
No10 source says the line from the lobby briefing earlier in the week stands on this... PM didn't see the Reynolds email or know about the email & believed 20 May was a work event
Via
@robpowellnews
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EXCL: Iain Duncan Smith tells Joe Biden to tackle US rioting and not to lecture UK. Tricky election for Johnson just got a whole load trickier...
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Grayling "didn't see it coming" until he was told there were two candidates at 5pm.
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At his 40th birthday party William Hague listed Osborne’s rules of politics. Rule 1 - work out who the next Tory leader is going to be and stick to them like glue. Rule 2? See Rule 1.
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Friends of Sir Kim are hitting back at this account. Say that the ambassador made clear to Johnson that his answers in the debate were a factor on his decision to quit.
Excl: Boris Johnson has rang Sir Kim Darroch to express his “regret” over his resignation - as it's claimed the US ambassador told friends he planned to quit BEFORE the ITV debate and Boris didn't push him out
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A whole political career not showing emotion ends in tears. My word.
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I’d pay a lot of money never to see another Brexit thread.
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Andrew Bridgen on Radio 4 defends Jacob Rees-Mogg saying he would have made a "better decision" than official advice at Grenfell. When challenged that that suggests he's cleverer than those that died he says: "We want very clever people running the country don't we?"
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Everyone knew it was coming but still a moment. Boris Johnson commits to an independent inquiry into covid response
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This guy led the rebellion that downed planning reform two years ago - the one substantive supply side measure that might have made a real difference.
Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Griffith MP, says the BoE worked "very closely" to the chancellor to make a targeted and timely intervention, adding the govt's job is to give "confidence and certainty" on energy prices this winter.
📺 Sky 501
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Boris’ pollsters finds for Boris leads paper in which Boris has column.
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That's how to do it
@stephenctimms
- as good as get PM to commit to giving people with indefinite leave to remain access to public funds. that's huge.
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How the BBC report this story tomorrow should give us a reasonable fix on the health of our democracy
EXCLUSIVE🚨w/
@HarryYorke1
The BBC chairman helped arrange a guarantee on a loan of up to £800K for Boris Johnson weeks before then PM selected him for the role
Johnson was told to end Richard Sharp’s involvement in his financial affairs by Cab Office 1/7
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PERSONAL NEWS: Thrilled to say I’m joining as director of advocacy in February. Spent too long reporting failure - it’s time for some people-powered policy drawn from frontline wisdom. We must learn to value where we agree to tackle issues like social care
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So Donald Trump joins Chuka Umunna in a very small club of people that Jeremy Corbyn won't meet.
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Vaccine nationalism is the "wrong way to go" says UK's vaccine minister.
We have ensured Britain is leading the way on vaccinations by accelerating our Vaccines Delivery Plan, the largest vaccination programme in British history. 🇬🇧
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Two questions I asked on Friday remain unanswered. Was Andew Sabisky vetted? What was he working on? I suspect the answer to the second makes the answer to the first acutely embarrassing.
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As is becoming a pattern we get a bit of clarity from Scotland before London. Nicola Sturgeon: "In the coming days, I will say more about the different options under consideration and how we're going about assessing those."
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@jessicaelgot
Spent weekend in Glasgow. Massive difference. Venues all take details, enforce one way systems etc, masks compliance generally very high.
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EXCL: I understand Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn are meeting to discuss a new programme motion.
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Labour will vote against second reading and programme motion, I'm told.
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Read out from political cabinet:
May "went batshit" at Remain rebels
Clark's effort to defend himself "ended badly"
Rudd "bashful".
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One thing I’ll miss about May is her resignation letters. They afford the tiniest glimpse of real feeling. Cold contempt for Gavin Williamson to a murmur of genuine respect for a worthy adversary in Leadsom. They’d make a decent play.
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Told that Darroch leak inquiry much more advanced than most realise - looks like someone got a bit carried away.
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So Johnson's Brexit guru quits over.. covid regulations and his now his culture warrior quits over...Savile. It's almost as if people are looking for an excuse to get out...
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Here’s a set of opinions to annoy all. That Dominic Cummings and Ben Warner sat in on SAGE meetings is probably a good thing. But the tantrum over the report highlights a transparency deficit. The govt need to earn trust daily. It’s reaction does not help it - or ultimately us.
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EXCL: Iain Duncan Smith to be named as Boris Johnson campaign chief
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Boles is very much not alone in warning that May will be toast if she rats on her promise to hold MV tomorrow. Every Tory MP I’ve met so far - even those in the Malthouse Gang - think it would be outrageous
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Latest rumour is a May statement at 1.45pm. Full lectern job. Let's see.
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Keep thinking about this quote. Can't think why.
‘The thing about Boris Johnson is that he’s like a rat. He bumbles on amiably enough until he’s trapped. Then he’ll chew through bone, kill anyone, do anything to get free.”
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Has Foreign Office perm sec Sir Simon McDonald just thrown his boss under a bus? Asked about UK's non participation in the EU-led procurement of PPE he says off was flagged to ministers who rejected it. "It was a political decision." h/t
@EleniCourea
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Nice nugget from the Friday Spads meeting when Dom Cummings laid down the law. He suggested making 6pm Friday a regular gig. In the appalled silence that followed (Friday used to be lunch and drinks) said, "We could make it Sat or Sun..."
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Good to see others raising the alarm on this - a small but pernicious abuse of power and erosion of reporting ability.
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So far we've had Diane Abbott and Jeremy Corbyn on Assange. Another member of the shadow cabinet admits they are aghast at their support for him. The silence of others is becoming louder by the hour...
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Just seen very sick MP being helped out of a car to vote. Really not sure this is a good look.
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The cast list: Johnson , Corbyn, Brown, Spencer, Milne and Cummings. Is this the moment Brexit got done?
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Much better performance by NHS Test and Trace this week. 93 per cent of results returned next day, 93 per cent of contacts reached. Things finally coming together there (let's hope).
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EXCL: Rebel MP joins Lib Dems to make case for Europe
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Friends of Tracey Crouch say she has submitted her resignation over FOBT delay but it has not (yet) been accepted. May being told 'climb-down or get defeated in the Commons'. Julian Smith has until cop to sort
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What’s interesting is that this crowd asked the best set of questions I’ve ever seen on the campaign trail. NHS, Russia and then induced the tax scoop. Not a Boris love-in at all and frankly a performance that put the Lobby to shame.
If
@BorisJohnson
wins this election, this could turn out to be the most striking image of the entire campaign.
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EXCL: Cummings confronted over his “unkindness” at spad meeting tonight
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Should access to NHS contracts be part of a US and UK trade deal, I asked? The president - after a bit of interpretation from May - thought it should.
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It was very clear from last Saturday’s Election in One Room event that Johnson’s no show with
@afneil
had cut through. Voters are more media savvy than ever. They value long form interviews the most. That’s not being a snob about other formats, it’s just they don’t rank as highly
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"It is disappointing that Public Health England has still not disclosed the assessment they made which led them to reject the South Korean approach to testing. So I ask again for PHE to publish the evidence which informed UK testing strategy, without further delay."
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On the immortal words of Stormy Daniel’s lawyer, ‘Buckle up, buttercup’.
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This is going to be an awkward document for the PM to reconcile with his answer to Starmer
@JasonGroves1
@elliotttimes
The wording was written to specifically exempt the need to test.
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Remain bewildered about how Johnson got himself into this mess. It was obvious a week ago this was a trifling sum in the context. Like the threat to deport dependents of those dying on covid frontline it’s...odd.
"I once had to go through that same system"
In a TV exclusive with
#BBCBreakfast
@MarcusRashford
explains why he's calling for a u-turn over the decision to end free school meal vouchers in England over summer.
#maketheUturn
More here:
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Shouldn’t engage with this selective briefing nonsense but since I’ve seen journalists peddle it gotta reply. We get stories from sources. Northern lockdown, national lockdown, lots of different sources. We work to stand them up in the face of govt evasions etc. It is our job.
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Johnson finally confirms no deal preparations will continue
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Patel backs down on not deporting the grieving families of NHS porters and care home workers killed on the Covid frontline following reporting by
@EleniCourea
in
@thetimes
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A modest proposal: no MPs or journalists allowed on TV to talk about Brexit until it's sorted. No thread 1/1
#shutdownthegazebos
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Sam is a connoisseur of oddball. A sommelier of the absurd. When he says something is just plum weird it pays to listen.
Rishi Sunak X Elon Musk
One of the maddest events I’ve ever covered
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Downing Street has suggested Johnson could back LD/SNP plan if FTPA goes down tomorrow (which it likely will.) Big moment.
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Notes from the meeting: Nick Brown said a new programme motion could be agreed by the end of today. Cummings said the French were going to veto delay. Brown said Macron was playing them for fools. Cummings “threw his arms in the air”.
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There are exceptions and I don’t want to add to the abuse MPs receive but the general atmosphere of levity on show during last night’s vote was further proof of how much too many are just adoring the attention. Ditch the gazebos.
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Last effort as pol ed before handing over to the great
@Steven_Swinford
fun nuggets include Whitty on the commentariat, Johnson and black swans Sunak and the NHS and the extraordinary power of a policy that literally touches every adult in the land. Thanks for having me
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Welcome to your new house Mr Johnson - 17 Tory MPs voted against plus unknown number of abstentions
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I wouldn't be astonished if the position on immigration surcharge didn't, er, evolve by the end of the day
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Covid alert level seems to have disappeared completely from view. No mention on today's slides at all.
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Perilous moments for both May and Corbyn. If they can’t talk others will. Currents starting to flow around the leaderships of both main parties
Corbyn Snubs Brexit Talks. Labour shuns negotiations as May wins confidence vote by 19. Cabinet members split over demands for softer exit from EU -
@elliotttimes
@SamCoatesTimes
@oliver_wright
@hzeffman
@BrunoBrussels
#frontpagestoday
#UK
#TheTimes
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A lot of praise and rightly so for
@Tobias_Ellwood
I suspect he will be embarrassed but he's the best sort of MP and minister.
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One of my favourite things of the last year has been listening to various Westminster grandees tell me Starmer is no good at politics - and keeping my counsel with an inward smile.
Latest Labour selections confirmed tonight include lobby journalist Paul Waugh, Rachel Reeves aide Heather Iqbal, Labour Together director Josh Simons, Camden council leader Georgia Gould
Graham Jones is out, Sarah Smith in Hyndburn
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EXCL What really happened when the US’s third most powerful politician met Mark Francois
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Personally, quite keen to learn more about the "invasive" leak enquiry and what if any covert measures were taken in relation to the journalists who broke the second lockdown story. Not massively happy to learn that PM can order SIS to hunt for non national security leaks.
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Stonking scoop from top colleague
@estwebber
making waves this morning.
Exc: Parliament's bars are exempt from the 10pm curfew, rules on mask-wearing and gathering customers' details
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Understand Andreas Michaelis
@GermanAmbUK
was asked to attend what was once called an "interview without coffee" at the Foreign Office today after his rather punchy tweet yesterday.
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Well Matt I asked about funding st their press conference and was told they had so far funded their activities from their own pockets and would publish all donations in future.
A political party or group receiving this level of coverage and exposure but that hasn’t declared who’s funding it is dodgy as hell, and tbh it’s quite telling that liberal journos who have spent three years going on about campaign financing in the EU referendum are quiet on this
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Who is the Foreign Office minister in charge of Hong Kong? Oh, yes it's Mark Field. The cabinet office investigation into Mr Field's own protest-handling is "on-going"..
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Such a good shot. (Check out the wing mirror).
@PrivateEyeNews
can take the week off.
Photo du Jour: Prime minister
@BorisJohnson
visits
@NorthantsPolice
HQ where he met new recruits. By Stefan Rousseau/PA
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EXCL: Full story - Sajid Javid reveals his budget. Twice denied - now free to make the case for lower taxes, massive investment in skills and green infrastructure.
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I love this so much - from my very limited experience of such reporting I can confirm that the drinking of endless tea and witless banter are key tools of trade. Meet a master...
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Cameron's "terrorist sympathisers" comment has cost 20 Labour MPs already suggests a well-placed source. Touch of the Flashman.
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Greg Clark getting punchy with PHE over why it is stonewalling on what evidence it used to reject contact test and trace at the start of the outbreak. This looks like it will develop.
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BT shares are currently up on the day - looks like markets agree with John Curtice's view of the slim to zero chances of a Labour win.
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Some serious fun and games again in “The Failing Parliament” - ERG MPs now adding their names to Wollaston so they can force a vote on second ref is she tries to pull it. PhDs will be written about this week.
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Was told earlier today that the “absolute latest” the new COVID regs would be published was 22.30. Thought that 90 minutes before they come into force was cutting it fine....
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Let’s see what 670k PR advice buys you. (It’s funny til you remember we’re paying for it).
EXCLUSIVE: Kate Bingham, chair of Boris Johnson's vaccine taskforce, has charged taxpayers £670,000 for her own team of boutique PR consultants
According to leaked docs, eight full-time consultants from London firm Admiral Associates are on the equivalent of £165K salaries
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Confirmed this morning
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Great British Railways is clearly the first fruits of a new unit deep in Number 10 in which 20-something spads watch TV Gold on a loop. Next up Terry and June Motorways.
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That 6.7 million audience figure for ITV debate surprised me but perhaps it shouldn’t. Public are engaged in politics - watching, judging. Tory strategists braced for a slew of “why did they agree to debates” commentary if polls tighten.
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Worth remembering that extension isn’t a negotiation - it’s a request. EU know short delay presents cliff edge of April 12 after which it will become impossible for UK to hold Strasbourg elections. No deal exit now tantalisingly close for those that want it. How does deal pass?
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Anyone who has ever worked as a foreign correspondent knows you are only ever as good as your fixer and anyone who has worked in Afghanistan knows about the incredible bravery of its journalists. Please let's do the right thing.
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Labrokes’ Ratner moment.
If only gambling ads were as honest as gambling industry CEOs giving evidence to Parliamentary inquiries
Here’s Kenny Alexander, boss of GVC which owns Ladbrokes Coral
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Six cabinet rebels expected to be Hammond Gauke Clark Noakes Bradley Stewart
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