Tory leadership candidate Liz Truss has been accused of “running scared” after pulling out of an in-depth BBC interview at the last minute. Ms Truss had been scheduled to appear in an interview with Nick Robinson on BBC One this afternoon, but her team now say she is “no longer able to make the time”. The BBC’s press team pointed out that Rishi Sunak interviewed Mr Robinson on August 10, while Ms Truss has yet to do an interview. Wendy Chamberlain, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, accused Ms Truss of “running scared of the media and proper public scrutiny”. “How can he lead our country into an economic crisis when he can’t even handle a basic media interview?” asked. Nick Robinson took to Twitter to share his disappointment, saying: “I was delighted to secure an in-depth interview with Liz Truss on BBC1. I am disappointed and disappointed that it has been cancelled.” It comes after Labor accused Ms Truss of “floundering” on helping families amid soaring energy bills, saying she was “floundering through one police idea after another”.
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Truss ‘to give green light to more North Sea oil drilling’
Liz Truss is expected to approve a raft of North Sea oil and gas drilling licenses if she becomes prime minister, The Times reported. Business Minister Kwasi Kwarteng and Brexit Opportunities Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg have reportedly met with oil and gas companies to negotiate a deal to secure energy supplies this winter. Their plan includes securing more natural gas from Norway and increasing domestic supplies, according to the newspaper. If Ms Truss wins the leadership, she is expected to invite new applications for drilling permits to explore new fields. Up to 130 new licenses could be issued. Green campaigners have argued that oil and gas produced in Britain will not benefit domestic customers but be sold on the global market. (PA) Holly Bancroft30 August 2022 07:47 1661840035
Truss’s cost-of-living plan has been halted until she receives “full support and advice” as PM
Liz Truss will not finalize her plans for critical cost-of-living support until she receives the “full support and advice” available only to the government of the day, her camp said. The public will likely have to wait to find out what help they will get with their skyrocketing energy bills until Ms Truss is expected to replace Boris Johnson in Downing Street next week. The Tory leadership frontrunner has been accused by Labor of causing families “unnecessary worry” with her “decisiveness” about possible measures to tackle the cost of living crisis. Read the full story here:
Truss’s cost-of-living plan has been halted until she receives “full support and advice” as PM
The Tory leadership frontrunner has been accused by the Labor Party of causing families “unnecessary worry” with her “reticence”. Arpan Rai30 August 2022 07:13 1661838276
ICYMI: Boris Johnson is already plotting his comeback, former Tory cabinet members claim
Outgoing leader Boris Johnson is already planning his return to No 10 and believes he can save the Conservatives at the next general election, former cabinet ministers have said. “We know he was ambitious to be prime minister and to remain prime minister,” David Gauke, a former justice secretary, said in a magazine article. Johnson is in his final week in the prime minister’s office after being forced out of office amid mounting scandals. Cabinet members say Mr Johnson will still be dreaming of how his party will turn on him “in desperation”. Read the full story here:
Former Tory ministers say Boris Johnson is already plotting his comeback
Scandal-hit PM believes Tory party will turn on him ‘in desperation’ Arpan Rai30 August 2022 06:44 1661837420
Liz Truss to declare China a formal threat to UK national security
Liz Truss is likely to declare China an official threat to the UK’s national security if she wins the Conservative leadership race, according to a report. Ms Truss is pledging to overhaul Britain’s foreign policy if she beats her rival Rishi Sunak into No 10. Allies from the foreign secretary’s camp have said he would put China in the same category as Russia – that of an “acute threat” – in the UK’s comprehensive review published last year, the Times reported. The Tory leadership frontrunner has taken a firm stand against China during her time abroad. He also pulled China’s ambassador to the UK for talks on the crisis over Beijing’s “aggressive and widespread escalation” in Taiwan earlier this month. Arpan Rai30 August 2022 06:30 1661835354
Johnson welcomes gigabit broadband expansion as he enters final week in office
Boris Johnson has hailed the rollout of gigabit broadband as he tries to highlight his achievements as prime minister in his final week in office. Gigabit broadband is now available in 70 per cent of UK homes and businesses, according to figures from website ThinkBroadband, according to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Mr Johnson is due to visit north Dorset today, where work begins on the first major contract under the Government’s Gigabit project, the £5bn scheme to roll out more reliable broadband connections in hard-to-reach areas. “From Sherbourne to Stirling, lightning fast broadband is flattening towns and villages across the country,” Mr Johnson said. He added: “In just three years we have increased gigabit broadband coverage from 7 per cent of households to 70 per cent and I am proud that today more than 20 million households, businesses and organizations are able to take advantage of fast and reliable internet, unlocking their potential, creating opportunities and driving growth across the country.” Read the full report here:
Johnson welcomes gigabit broadband expansion as he enters final week in office
The outgoing Prime Minister will visit Dorset on Tuesday as he seeks to defend his record at No 10. Arpan Rai30 August 2022 05:55 1661833233
Liz Truss only cancels Tory leadership race TV interview
Liz Truss has canceled her only TV interview for the Tory leadership campaign as her team claimed the frontrunner is too busy – sparking fresh concerns about her willingness to face scrutiny. Mrs Truss, considered the favorite to be the next prime minister, was due to be interviewed by the BBC’s Nick Robinson on Tuesday night but pulled out because she “can no longer spare the time”. The decision comes after Ms Truss’ economic plans were heavily criticized by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), which warned that massive unfunded tax cuts would “destroy public finances”. Announcing the cancellation, the BBC’s press office said: “Ms Truss’ team say she can no longer make time to appear on ‘Our Next Prime Minister.’ “We regret that it was not possible to conduct an in-depth interview with both candidates, despite the fact that we reached an agreement to do so,” it said – referring to Mr Robinson’s interview with Rishi Sunak earlier this month. Read the full story here:
‘Too busy’: Liz Truss cancels Tory leadership race TV interview only
The withdrawal comes after the IFS warned the next prime minister is likely to “collapse the public finances” Arpan Rai30 August 2022 05:20 1661832011
Liz Truss ‘slams’ energy bills causing ‘unnecessary concern’ – Labor
Liz Truss’ “missions” to support families facing skyrocketing energy bills is causing “unnecessary concern”, Labor says. The opposition accused the Tory leadership star and her rival Rishi Sunak of not having a plan to tackle the cost of living crisis. Neither Ms Truss nor Mr Sunak have spelled out exactly how they would further support households this winter, with days to go before one of them is named as Boris Johnson’s successor. Read the full report here:
Liz Truss ‘slams’ energy bills causing ‘unnecessary concern’ – Labor
The Tory leadership frontrunner has refused to announce her full plan to help households struggling with high prices before the competition ends. Arpan Rai30 August 2022 05:00 1661831448
Good morning! Welcome to our UK politics coverage for Tuesday 30 August. Arpan Rai30 August 2022 04:50
