Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer launched a scathing attack on Boris Johnson yesterday, following the Prime Minster’s apology in the House of Commons.
The PM addressed MPs for the first time since he was issued with a fine by the Metropolitan Police for breaching Covid rules back in 2020.
Mr Johnson said that ‘people had a right to expect better of their Prime Minister’ and that he would like to ‘repeat my whole-hearted apology’ to the House.
But Sir Keir said that the public ‘don’t believe a word the Prime Minster says’ and blasted the apology as ‘a joke’.
He also said that the PM was ‘dishonest and incapable of changing’ and urged the Conservative party not to ‘insult the public with this nonsense’.
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Sir Keir Starmer labelled Boris Johnson ‘dishonest’ after his partygate apology. Credit: BBC
The partygate scandal – which has seen several Downing Street and Whitehall officials issued with fines for breaking the Government’s own Covid rules – was also labelled as not being a ‘glitch in the system’ by the leader of the opposition.
Sir Keir said: “What a joke. Even now, as the latest mealy-mouthed apology stumbles out of one side of his mouth, a new set of deflections and distortions pour from the other.
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“But the damage is already done. The public have made up their mind. They don’t believe a word the Prime Minister says. They know what he is.
“As ever with this Prime Minister, those close to him find themselves ruined, and the institutions he vows to protect, damaged. Good minsters forced to walk away from public service. The Chancellor’s career up in flames, and the leaders of the Scottish Conservatives rendered pathetic.
Boris Johnson apologised again to MPs in the House of Commons. Credit: BBC
“For all those unfamiliar with this Prime Minster’s career, this isn’t some fixable glitch in the system. It’s the whole point. It’s what he does. It’s who he is.
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“He knows he’s dishonest and incapable of changing, so he drags everybody else down with him.
“The more people debase themselves parroting his absurd defences, the more the public will believe all politicians are the same, all as bad as each other, and that suits this Prime Minster just fine.
“Some members opposite seem oblivious to the Prime Minster’s game, some know what he’s up to but are too weak to act, but others are gleefully playing the part the Prime Minster cast for them.
MPs in the House of Commons yesterday. Credit: BBC
“A minister on the radio this morning saying ‘It’s the same as a speeding ticket’. No it’s not. No one has ever broken down in tears because they couldn’t drive faster than 20mph outside a school. Don’t insult the public with this nonsense.”
Boris Johnson had repeated his apology to MPs yesterday too.
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He said: “Let me begin in all humility by saying that on the 12th of April, I received a fixed penalty notice relating to an event in Downing Street on the 19th of June 2020.
“I paid the fine immediately and I offered the British people a full apology, and I take this opportunity on the first available sitting day, to repeat my whole-hearted apology to the House.
“As soon as I received the notice, I acknowledged the hurt and the anger, and I said that people had a right to expect better of their Prime Minister. And I repeat that, Mr Speaker, again in the House now.
“Let me also say, not by way of mitigation or excuse, but purely because it explains my previous words in this House, that it did not occur to me then or subsequently that a gathering in the Cabinet Room just before a vital meeting on Covid strategy could amount to a breach of the rules.
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“I repeat that was my mistake and I apologise for it unreservedly.
“I respect the outcome of the police investigation, which is still under way, and I can only say that I will respect their decision-making and always take the appropriate steps.”
Featured image: BBC
UK News
Flashbacks: The timelapse of the Trafford Centre construction that’s gone viral
Danny Jones
The Trafford Centre might look like some decadent Roman emperor’s palace or as if it was plucked from the heart of Ancient Grecian city, but as anyone old enough to remember it’s opening and/or construction will tell you, it seems strange to think its not even been around for three decades yet.
As Greater Manchester’s and one of the North West’s most famous shopping centres full stop, the iconic attraction first began being built back in 1996, when John Major was Prime Minister, Manchester United were still Premier League champions, Britpop was at its peak and George Michael was number one.
It’s fair to say that a lot has changed since then and although Oasis might be back come 2025, The Trafford Centre and surrounding area are pretty unrecgonisable compared to nearly 30 years ago.
All told, it took approximately 27 months to erect the neo-classical epicentre of all things shopping, leisure, food and fanciness – and here’s what the process looked like:
With the initial 14 million sq ft shopping centre being completed in September 1998 following approximately 810 days of work, The Trafford Centre debuted to the Manc public and beyond.
It took more than 3,000 builders to bring the 60 hectare site to life at the peak of construction and since then the plot has only grown bigger, bolder and more ambitious over time.
Present day, it has everything from cinema screens and a mini Legoland to a Sea Life location, multiple bowling alleys and countless other forms of entertainment beyond just rows of shops and restaurants – hence why it remains busy pretty much year-round.
Back then, British celebrities, popular local names of note, politicians, dignitaries and prominent figures from the retail industry got to visit as part of exclusive preview events in the days before its launch date.
You can see the spectacle and fascination surrounding the official opening event here:
Seems surreal watching this today but the construction of the Trafford Centre was a huge moment not just for 0161 but all of the North.
But of course, the entire complex itself has seen multiple extensions over the years, including massive developments such as Barton Square and The Great Hall.
At the outset, it cost more than £600 million to build The Trafford Centre; the major renovations mentioned above which took place in 2008 cost another £100m and the Trafford Palazzo revamp around a decade later came in at around £75m.
There has and always will be lots of money put behind this intruguing monument to modern consumerism, and big brands will continue to flock to open units within the huge expanse whenever they can: some of the most recent being Archie’s, Flying Tiger, Sephora, Tiffany, Gymshark and more.
We’ll admit the aesthetic still makes us double-take from time to time (though not as much as confused Londoners visiting for the first time), but it’s not like this part of the world hasn’t boasted plenty of other curiosities in the past…
Featured Images — Charles Bowring (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Manc Group
UK News
You can win a free hotel stay for you and a friend as part of Random Acts of Kindness Day
Danny Jones
Fancy doing a loved one a solid and scoring them such much-needed rest and relaxation this month courtesy of a free hotel stay? You’re a kind soul, of course you do.
To help celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day this year, Travelodge are giving away a handful of free hotel stays at locations up and down the UK as a way of letting friends, colleagues and just all-around good eggs know that they’re top bananas.
Now that’s the kind of unconditional positivity we can get behind.
So, if you know someone who could really benefit from a fresh hotel bed, a ridiculously long shower and a lovely British mini-break this year, keep reading.
If you’re wondering how it all works, it’s quite simple – to enter the prize draw and nominate a bestie or beloved, you simply have to tag them in the Instagram reel above.
Alternatively, you can @ them in the comments on Travelodge’s Facebook or nominate them HERE, and make sure you give lots of lovely reasons as to why they deserve it, of course.
But wait for it, here’s the best bit: if they happen to be selected YOU get to win a free hotel stay too. Happy days times two!
Good friends = good prizes on Random Acts of Kindness Day 2025.
And that really is about as complicated as it gets; the lucky winners must book their stay at a Travelodge hotel within a month of winning the prize and enjoy the room within the next 12 months but, other that that, it’s all pretty straightforward and lovely.
If you love it around so much you have no interest in leaving, there of course multiple Greater Manchester locations (Credit: Travelodge)
One last thing, you must enter by before 11.59pm tonight (Monday, 17 Feb) in order to be eligible and all valid entries will then be selected via a random draw by 27 February 2024.
Daisy Jackson -
20th April 2022 
