Boris Hits Back After Obama's Brexit Warning

Anti-EU campaigner Boris Johnson has hit back at the Remain side following US President Barack Obama's Brexit warning.

The London mayor, one of the most high-profile figures in the Vote Leave camp, said the rival group "think they have bombed us into submission".

But Mr Johnson suggested they "think it's game over", were "crowing too soon" and could be "ignoring the resilience and thoughtfulness of many middle-of-the-road" voters.

His remarks in his Daily Telegraph column come after the president said Britain may have to wait a decade for a free trade deal with the US if it votes to quit the EU on 23 June.

Mr Johnson claimed a previously undecided senior public servant had been so outraged at Mr Obama's earlier "back of the queue" remark that he had decided to vote to leave.

The potential next Tory leader also launched a fresh attack on the EU, saying the "euro crisis is far from over, and that the EU remains a gigantic engine of job destruction".

And he claimed Prime Minister David Cameron achieved "two thirds of diddly squat" in his negotiations on EU reform in the lead up to the referendum.

UKIP leader and Leave campaigner Nigel Farage has accused Mr Obama of "parroting the Downing Street line" on why the UK should remain in the EU.

Another Out campaigner Michael Gove has warned Britain will be subject to a migration "free-for-all" if it stays in the EU, with millions more people from countries including Turkey and Albania set to join an expanded union in the future.

The Justice Secretary also told the Times that the NHS will face "unquantifiable strain" if Britain remains an EU member.

Mr Johnson has been widely criticised for suggesting that Mr Obama's Kenyan heritage might have given him negative feelings towards Britain.

But Labour former frontbencher Chuka Umunna told Sky's Murnaghan show: "What Boris Johnson said was disgraceful.

"For any Londoner, for our Mayor of London to raise the issue of the President of the United States' ethnicity and then very publicly have to be slapped down by that President for doing so... it's an embarrassment.

"This man is simply not fit to hold the office that he clearly aspires to, which is the Prime Minister of our country."

The London Mayor's comments prompted African for Britain to withdraw its support for the Brexit campaign saying Mr Johnson's comments were deplorable and alarming.

Mr Johnson, whose article contained a reference to Mr Obama allegedly removing a bust of Winston Churchill from the White House, wrote in Friday's The Sun: "Some said it was a symbol of the part-Kenyan president's ancestral dislike of the British empire - of which Churchill had been such a fervent defender."

But speaking at the Foreign Office alongside the Prime Minister, Mr Obama made clear his admiration for the wartime leader.

"Right outside the door of the Treaty Room, so that I see it every day - including on weekends when I'm going into that office to watch a basketball game - the primary image I see is a bust of Winston Churchill. I love the guy," he said.

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Hunt: Doctors' Strike Risks Safety Of Patients

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has claimed this week's 48-hour strike by junior doctors represents an "unacceptable" risk to patients.

Mr Hunt also appealed to the British Medical Association (BMA) to call off the strike in England, which will cause the withdrawal of the majority of NHS services, and meet him.

On Saturday, a cross-party group of MPs urged Mr Hunt to trial the contested new work contract in a small number of trusts rather than impose it widely without the support of the BMA.

But Mr Hunt has insisted the contract was already being rolled out slowly.

He tweeted: "Labour 'plan' is opportunism - only 11% of junior docs go onto new contracts in August."

In a letter to BMA chairman Mark Porter, he said: "The extreme action planned will be deeply worrying for patients and place enormous additional strain on our NHS at a time of intense pressure.

"I therefore appeal to you one final time to call off strike action that will see doctors withdraw potentially life-saving care, and to meet with me on Monday to discuss a better way forward."

Labour's Heidi Alexander, Conservative Dr Dan Poulter, Lib Dem Norman Lamb and the SNP's Dr Philippa Whitford said in a separate letter to Mr Hunt they wanted an independent evaluation of the so-called "weekend effect" which sees higher mortality rates for patients admitted at weekends.

The MPs wrote: "You will be aware that medical leaders, royal colleges and patient groups have said the imposition or unilateral introduction of the contract is the wrong approach and risks permanent damage to the future of the medical workforce.

"If it remains your intention to introduce this new contract, we believe it should be piloted in a number of trusts/across a number of deaneries and for its impact on patients, staff and the 'weekend effect' to be independently evaluated."

Shadow health secretary Ms Alexander told Sky's Dermot Murnaghan: "I feel very strongly that this whole dispute has gone on for too long.

"It’s really distressing for everyone in the NHS and it's time for Jeremy Hunt to put party politics to one side."

The all-out strike is set to start on Tuesday at 8am and the NHS has already cancelled 125,000 operations and appointments in preparation.

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PM's Anger Over 'Untrue' Tax Claims About Dad

David Cameron has defended his family's financial affairs as he faced MPs two days after publishing his own tax details.

He appeared before politicians for the first time since it emerged he had profited to the tune of over £9,000 from selling shares in his father's offshore investment fund Blairmore Holdings.

News of Ian Cameron's fund came in the leak of the so-called Panama Papers over a week ago.

The Prime Minister maintained Blairmore Holdings was not set up for tax avoidance purposes, and he hit out at "deeply hurtful and profoundly untrue allegations" about his late father.

The PM accepted he should have responded more quickly to the issues raised but added he was "angry about the way my father's memory was being traduced".

According to The Guardian, papers leaked from Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca are said to suggest Ian Cameron ran a fund that avoided having to pay tax in Britain by hiring Bahamas residents to sign its paperwork.

David Cameron said he sold all his shares in 2010 - the year he became PM - because "he did not want any issues about conflict of interest" and made clear he had paid all UK taxes due.

He said the Government should always support people who want to own shares and make investments to support their families lawfully.

"This is a Government and this should be a country that believes in aspiration and wealth creation.

"So, we should defend the right of every British citizen to make money lawfully.

"Aspiration and wealth creation are not somehow dirty words, they are the key engines of growth and prosperity in our country."

As he spoke in the Commons, it emerged Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had published his full tax return for the last financial year and had to pay a fine for filing it late.

Meanwhile, Chancellor George Osborne published details of his tax return for the year 2014/15.

London Mayor and potential future Tory leader Boris Johnson paid nearly £1m in tax in four years, a summary of his tax returns showed.

But Mr Cameron said he did not want all MPs to publish their tax returns.

The PM has announced new laws to crack down on tax cheats in response to the Panama Papers leak.

He unveiled plans for legislation making it a criminal offence for companies to fail to stop staff aiding tax evasion.

The PM said Blairmore Holdings, incorporated in Panama but based in the Bahamas, was not a family trust but a commercial investment fund for any investor to buy units in.

And he said UK investors paid all of the same taxes as with any other share, including income tax on dividends.

He quoted tax lawyer Graham Aronson QC as stating this was "a perfectly normal type of collective investment fund".

No 10 originally said the PM's financial affairs were a "private matter" and it was only several days and several Downing Street statements later that Mr Cameron revealed he had profited from selling shares in Blairmore Holdings.

Inheritance tax issues have also been raised by two £100,000 payments made to the PM by his mother Mary in 2011 after the death of his father, who had already left him £300,000.

Mr Cameron said it was "natural human instinct" for parents to want to pass things on to their children.

"As for parents passing money to their children while they are still alive, it is something the tax rules fully recognise," he said.

The revelations came as, in an unprecedented move for a Prime Minister, he released details of his income and tax information on Saturday night going back six years - but not the full tax returns.

Mr Corbyn dismissed the PM's Commons statement as a "masterclass in the art of distraction" and accused him of failing to appreciate the public anger over the "scandal of destructive global tax avoidance" revealed by the Panama Papers.

He said: "There is now one rule for the super-rich, another for the rest.

"How can it be right that street cleaners, teaching assistants and nurses work and pay their taxes, yet some at the top think that the rules simply don't apply to them."

On 12 May, the PM will host a London Anti-Corruption Summit aimed at stepping up global action to expose, punish and drive out corruption in all walks of life.

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Corbyn, Osborne and Johnson Reveal Taxes

Jeremy Corbyn has revealed he was fined £100 for a late tax return - as George Osborne and Boris Johnson publish their financial affairs.

Mr Corbyn published last year's return, as the row over offshore tax avoidance continued in the wake of the Panama Papers leak. 

The Labour leader's return was published as it emerged that Mr Osborne paid £72,210 in tax on last year's income of £198,738.

Of his total income, £44,647 comes from share dividends in the family wallpaper firm and £33,562 from renting out his London home.

The rest of his earnings - £120,526 - come from his role as the Chancellor.

Meanwhile, a summary of Mr Johnson's affairs showed he earned £1,985,901 between 2011 and 2014, paying £916,481 in tax.  

The latest revelations come after David Cameron published his tax return over the weekend.

Mr Corbyn's 10-page tax document, which was handwritten, showed the date of submission as 2 February, 2016.

The deadline for paper submissions was 31 October and for online submissions 31 January.

Returns filed up to three months late attract a fine of £100 - with higher penalties if longer.

The document also indicated that he declared £1,850 of additional income beyond his Parliamentary salary.

Mr Cameron attacked Mr Corbyn for taking so long to reveal his return to the Commons. 

The PM said it had been "convenient" that the Labour leader had failed to publish in time for scrutiny before Prime Minister's Questions.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell released his details in January during the row over the back tax paid by the internet giant Google.

Mr McDonnell earned £61,575 and paid £14,253 in tax.

Mr Cameron has also set out new measures to make it harder for people to hide the proceeds of corruption offshore.

In a Commons statement, Mr Cameron said it was right that those who aspired to run the nation's finances declare their own tax affairs.

"I am not suggesting that this should apply to all MPs," he said.

"I think there is a strong case for the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, and for the Chancellor and shadow chancellor, because they are people who are or who wish to be responsible for the nation's finances."

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Government Criticised Over £9.3m Pro-EU Leaflet

The Government has printed 27 million glossy 16-page leaflets explaining why "remaining in the European Union is the best decision for the UK" - to be sent out from next week.

The £9.3m cost will be taxpayer-funded and comes in addition to the specific provision for a mass mailing for both the official Leave and Remain campaigns.

The spending consists of nearly £6m on printing and delivering the leaflets, and nearly £3m on targeted digital promotion of an online version.

Number 10 says it is responding to a public desire for more information from the Government about the 23 June referendum.

Liz Truss, the Environment Secretary said: "This referendum will be a huge decision for our country, perhaps the biggest we will make in our lifetimes and it's crucial that the public have clear and accessible information."

She said that independent polling commissioned by the Government indicated 85% of people wanted more information from them to help make an informed decision.

The use of taxpayers' money has infuriated many Leave campaigners.

Brexit-friendly MPs had successfully amended the referendum legislation in Parliament to ensure no such leaflet could be distributed within four weeks of the referendum debate.

London mayor and 'Out' campaigner Boris Johnson said he was concerned the leaflet would be "biased" and "hysterical" - and called it a "crazy" waste of money.

"If this thing was genuinely going to help people understand what is going on in the debate, there might be a case for it," he said.

"But given that I think it's very likely it will be very biased and hysterical and warning unnecessarily about the risks of leaving the EU, I think it's a complete waste of money.

"If you are going to use taxpayers' money you should allow people to put the other side of the case as well."

UKIP leader Nigel Farage told Sky News: "We saw it all 40 years ago - the Wilson government did exactly the same thing. It's legally questionable and morally it was the wrong thing in '75 and it's the wrong thing now."

The Government has also been obliged to delay the mailout in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland until May, in order to avoid a clash with elections.

There are precedents for a mailing such as this from the Scottish referendum - and the earlier EU referendum in 1975, when the Government sent a similar document  to all households.

The 1975 leaflet had a personal letter and picture of Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Today's leaflet does not feature David Cameron at all.

The argument in the rather dry document focuses mainly on the economy, risk and uncertainty. It claims household shopping prices could go up, mobile phone roaming charges increase, and jobs put at risk. 

It aims to sell the PM's "special status" negotiation in Brussels from February, and warns of a "decade of uncertainty".

A Number 10 insider said: "It's not designed as a campaigning document.  It is a straightforward sober representation of the Government case".

The Leave campaign could try to block the mailing using the courts.

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Govt Moves To Close Terrorism Bail Loophole

The Government has moved to shut down a legal loophole blamed for letting terror suspects "waltz out of the country".

An amendment to the Policing and Crime Bill would make it a criminal offence for some terror suspects to skip the country between being arrested and being charged.

The measure follows the UK's senior counter-terrorism officer, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, claiming police bail is a "toothless" regime because terror suspects who break bail conditions cannot be prosecuted.

It was also prompted by the case of Siddhartha Dhar, who fled to Syria 24 hours after his release on bail and is thought to have replaced Mohammed Emwazi, known as "Jihadi John", in videos threatening the UK.

The new offence would apply to suspects arrested over a range of crimes, including membership of a proscribed organisation, fundraising in support of terrorism, and encouraging terrorism.

Anyone convicted would face a maximum of 12 months in jail and a fine.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "We are determined to give the police the tools they need to fight terrorism and keep people safe.

"This tough new criminal offence will help stop suspected terrorists from fleeing the UK to join Daesh (Islamic State).

"We have already taken action to deal specifically with the problem of foreign fighters, including introducing powers to seize and hold the passports of those suspected of planning to leave the UK and take part in acts of terror.

"The measure will help the police protect people from the threat of terrorism - it underlines the Government’s determination to tackle those who would do us harm or threaten our way of life."

Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham urged stronger action last month, saying: "People will find it truly shocking that terror suspects on police bail can waltz out of the country without any real difficulty."

Giving evidence to the Commons Liaison Committee in January, the Prime Minister had made clear the Government's intention to do more work to address the issue.

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Jeremy Corbyn To Appear At Glastonbury Festival

Jeremy Corbyn is to join the likes of Adele and Muse by appearing at this year's Glastonbury Festival.

The Labour leader accepted an invitation to speak in the Left Field, where pop and politics are brought together.

The line-up of speakers and groups at the Left Field is being arranged by the singer and activist Billy Bragg.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has also been invited to speak.

Union leaders have taken part in debates at Glastonbury in previous years but Mr Corbyn will be the first party leader to appear.

Many people attending the festival will be there on 23 June, the day of the European Union referendum.

However, it is understood Mr Corbyn has avoided a potential diary clash by speaking at the weekend.

The event runs from 22 to 26 June.

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Call For PM To Act On Tax Havens After Leak

David Cameron has been urged to take "real action" against offshore tax havens after a huge data leak revealed details about UK clients of a Panama-based law firm.

Six members of the House of Lords, three former Conservative MPs and dozens of political party donors are reported to be among those named, along with world leaders, as having hidden offshore assets.

The PM's late stockbroker father, Ian, is also reported to be identified in more than 11 million files leaked from the database of Mossack Fonseca, the world's fourth biggest offshore law firm.

There is no suggestion that any of those named in the so-called 'Panama Papers' have done anything illegal.

The PM's spokeswoman declined to comment on whether Mr Cameron's family still had money invested in offshore funds.

"That is a private matter, I am focused on what the Government is doing," she said.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has requested the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) give it access to the leaked data and promised to "act on it swiftly and appropriately".

The Prime Minister has previously promised to "sweep away" tax secrecy.

In 2011, he said: "We need to shine a spotlight on who owns what and where the money is really flowing."

Next month he hosts an international summit in London that will focus on the conduct of tax havens.

Following the disclosure of the 'Panama Papers', a host of politicians have called on Mr Cameron to act.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: "Cameron promised and has failed to end tax secrecy and crack down on 'morally unacceptable' offshore schemes; real action is now needed."

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron wants an independent investigation. He argued UK Government had "failed to act until forced to by a scandal" over tax havens.

Green Party leader Natalie Bennett said at the anti-corruption summit "pressure will rightly be on for him to abolish all of the UK's tax havens".

Meanwhile, HMRC tax enforcement chief Jennie Granger said: "HMRC can confirm that we have already received a great deal of information on offshore companies, including in Panama, from a wide range of sources, which is currently the subject of intensive investigation.

"We have asked the ICIJ to share the leaked data that they have obtained with us. We will closely examine this data and will act on it swiftly and appropriately.

"Our message is clear: there are no safe havens for tax evaders and no-one should be in any doubt that the days of hiding money offshore are gone. The dishonest minority, who can most afford it, must pay their legal share of tax, like the honest majority already does."

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Nothing Ruled Out In Steel Crisis, Says Javid

The Business Secretary has refused to rule out nationalising Tata Steel plants as the Government struggles to deal with the possible collapse of the entire British steel industry.

Sajid Javid said that while nationalisation was not the preferred option, "nothing" had been ruled out.

It will raise hopes at Port Talbot and elsewhere that the Government may be prepared to step in.

:: Public Sector Told To Buy British Steel

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Javid said: "I don't think nationalisation is a solution to this. Having said that, I also think it wouldn't be prudent to rule anything out at this stage, but I think that nationalisation is rarely an answer in these situations.

"I do feel, though, for lots of reasons after talking to Tata and many others involved in this, that there will be enough time to find the right buyer working with the Government and being able to take this forward.

"We will look at everything we can do to allow a sale going ahead and I wouldn't rule anything out at this stage."

The Conservative cabinet minister reiterated that the Government's aim was to find a buyer as soon as possible for Tata's UK business.

But he revealed Tata had accepted finalising any deal could be a lengthy process, potentially giving the Government more time.

"They know it is not just a matter of weeks. When they talk about weeks, that's the period you would take to get so-called expressions of interest. Then it will take much longer than that to work out a deal," Mr Javid said.

He added: "I want to see steel making continuing in Port Talbot, I want to protect as many jobs as possible, I want to find a buyer for the whole of the business.

"Tata will issue an offer document very soon. Alongside that, the UK Government know - I've known for a while - that we're also going to have to offer support to clinch that buyer and give that steel plant a long-term, viable future."

Shadow business secretary Angela Eagle has said it is crucial for the Government to protect the assets of the UK's steel industry in the event a viable buyer is not found.

She told Sky's Murnaghan programme: "Look what they did in Redcar. They sat on their hands they destroyed one of the most modern blast furnaces in Europe and the coke ovens went with it.

"We must not make same mistake with steel industry."

Mr Javid also defended travelling to Australia, instead of being in Mumbai where Tata made the decision. 

He argued while he had learned weeks ago the plant in Port Talbot could face closure, he did not expect the announcement it would be sold.

Upon hearing on Tuesday that Tata was selling his British operations, Mr Javid said he immediately made the decision to return to the UK and visit steelworkers in Port Talbot.

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