Today’s political headlines includes Labour’s concern over new antisemitisn documentary, May under pressure, Rudd announces review of benefits for terminally-ill patients and Brexit party switches will return to Tories if Brexit is delivered.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Labour figures express concern about allegations in new antisemitism documentary May under pressure not to appoint new ambassador Rudd announces review of benefits for terminally-ill patients Brexit party switchers will return to Tories if Brexit is delivered by end of October Von der Layen indicates she won\u2019t reopen Brexit talks Mordaunt announces new laws to protect sexual harassment victims Report funds culture of bullying and harassment in Lords Johnson intervened to try to save girlfriend\u2019s job
\n<\/strong>The BBC\u00a0reports<\/a>\u00a0that senior Labour Party figures have expressed concern about the claims made in its documentary on antisemitism in the Labour Party yesterday, with deputy leader Tom Watson saying he was \u2018shocked\u2019 and \u2018appalled\u2019, although the party itself claimed that the programme was inaccurate. Former party officials made a series of claims about the attitude of the leader\u2019s office towards antisemitism complaints, including interference by general secretary Jennie Formby and laughter from Jeremy Corbyn\u2019s aide, Seumas Milne.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Times<\/em>\u00a0says<\/a>\u00a0that allies of Boris Johnson have warned Theresa May not to appoint the new ambassador to the USA following the resignation of Sir Kim Darroch, saying that the decision should be left to the new Prime Minister. Friends of Darroch told the paper that his resignation was partially prompted by Johnson\u2019s refusal to confirm that he would keep him in place.\u00a0The Sun<\/em>\u00a0has been told<\/a>\u00a0by Johnson that he \u2018can\u2019t believe\u2019 that he is being blamed for the resignation, and that he is \u2018a great supporter of Kim\u2019s\u2019.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Times<\/em>\u00a0says<\/a>\u00a0Amber Rudd has announced an \u2018honest and in-depth\u2019 review of the system for fast-tracking benefits to terminally ill patients, following criticism from charities and MPs of the current limit which restricts it to those with six months or less to live. Recalling the death of her ex-husband, AA Gill, from cancer in 2016, Rudd has promised not to leave patients facing \u2018unnecessary hardship\u2019.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>According<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0The Daily Telegraph<\/em>, a poll of Conservative members shows that most switchers to the Brexit Party would return if Boris Johnson delivered Brexit by 31 October. It also found that just 56% of members will vote for the party if it isn\u2019t delivered by the deadline.\u00a0The Sun<\/em>\u00a0says<\/a>\u00a0that a senior Tory has called Sir John Major \u2018bonkers\u2019 after he threatened to sue Johnson if he prorogued Parliament.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Guardian<\/em>\u00a0reports<\/a>\u00a0that Ursula von der Layen, the European Commission\u2019s presidential nominee, has indicated that she won\u2019t reopen Brexit talks, telling a Liberal Democrat MEP that \u2018it is your responsibility and your noble task to sort this out\u2019. She added that \u2018the backstop in the Brexit deal is precious, important and has to be defended\u2019.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Daily Telegraph<\/em>\u00a0says<\/a>\u00a0that Women and Equalities Minister Penny Mordaunt has announced new laws to protect sexual harassment victims, with interns and volunteers to be given the same protections as staff, a \u2018proactive duty\u2019 on employers to prevent sexual harassment and a potential extension to the time limit for claims to be made.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Guardian<\/em>\u00a0carries details<\/a>\u00a0of a report into bullying in the House of Lords released yesterday. It found that there was a culture of harassment and bullying, with one in five staff having experienced these. Staff did not report incidents for fear of reprisals. The report recommends installing CCTV in \u2018hotspots\u2019, training for peers, and a new staff member to oversee allegations. A similar report on the House of Commons will be published today.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>In an\u00a0exclusive<\/a>, the\u00a0Daily Mirror<\/em>\u00a0claims that Boris Johnson personally intervened in an attempt to save the job of Carrie Symonds, his girlfriend, after Conservative officials decided that she wasn\u2019t performing well enough. However, a source told the paper that party staff thought his intervention was \u2018a bit half-hearted\u2019.<\/p>\n