General election news – live: Hundreds of protesters march to Buckingham Palace over Trump NHS fears
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Hundreds of protesters marched to Buckingham Palace to protest Donald Trump's presence in London, amid fears for the future of the NHS.
Demonstrators, including some NHS staff, joined anti-war activists on the march as Nato leaders were hosted by the Queen.
It came after Jeremy Corbyn wrote to Mr Trump demanding he take the NHS “off the table” in any post-Brexit trade deal, though the president claimed the US wanted “nothing to do with [the NHS]”.
Earlier on Tuesday Dominic Raab admitted the US would be able to ramp up the cost of drugs bought by the NHS after Britain leaves the EU.
Corbyn says he would speak to Trump about NHS – if they meet at Buckingham Palace
Jeremy Corbyn has said he will tell Donald Trump he does not want US companies running the NHS if they meet at Buckingham Palace during the Nato reception this evening.
Asked what he would say under the circumstances, the Labour leader said: “That obviously we want a good relationship with the USA but the trade talks that have been undertaken by the government have been done in secret and we do not accept any idea of US companies coming in to run our NHS or the idea of extending the patents of medicine that will increase the costs for our NHS.”
Asked what he would say to Trump over security matters and Nato, Corbyn said: “That we need to live in a world of peace, we need to live in a world that includes dialogue and we need to improve the dialogue with Russia whilst at the same time being critical of their human rights record.”
Corbyn has dismissed Boris Johnson’s claims that he sides with “our enemies” as “complete nonsense”. Asked about the PM’s allegation, the Labour leader said: “Not for the first time Boris Johnson is talking complete nonsense.”
Corbyn was speaking after launching his party’s manifesto on workers’ rights.
Jeremy Corbyn at University of London (Reuters)
Leaked NHS document reveals plan to use cheaper staff to fill nurse vacancies
A leaked NHS document reveals that government plans to grow the number of nurses rely on using 10,000 cheaper and less qualified staff.
Even then, the health service will still be more than 20,000 nurses short of what is needed in five years’ time, according to the file seen by the Health Service Journal and The Independent, for the as yet unpublished NHS People Plan.
The projections could be problematic for Boris Johnson, who has promised 50,000 more nurses by 2024 – although 18,500 of these are existing staff he hopes to retain.
Our health correspondent has the details:
PM’s Marr interview prompts so many complaints the BBC site directs people to specific link
So many people have complained about Boris Johnson’s interview by Andrew Marr that the BBC’s website is now making it easier for viewers to criticise the presenter.
Those visiting the Beeb’s complaints page since are greeted with a message at the top featuring a link to a form in which viewers can raise objections specifically around The Andrew Marr Show.
The interview on Sunday prompted widespread criticism, with many suggesting the PM had not been challenged properly on false claims.
More details here:
David Gauke does impression of supporter Ken Clarke
The former Tory minister David Gauke recently caused some moderate amusement when he posted a video of his dad endorsing him as the independent candidate for South West Hertfordshire.
Gauke has now announced, in another moderately amusing video, that he’s got the endorsement of “all round good egg” and fellow rebel Ken Clarke.
He does a fairly good impersonation of Clarke as he reads out a message of support.
Boris Johnson told he has dandruff
The prime minister was given tips about looking smart while visiting veterans living near Salisbury.
“You’ve got dandruff on you,” Paul O’Rourke told Johnson as they chatted either side of the window of his room.
The 56-year-old, who served in the Royal Irish Rangers, said afterwards: “Someone had to say something.”
O’Rourke had explained how he previously lived in a tent before arriving at the Wilton Veterans Hub in recent days.
Paul O'Rourke meets Boris Johnson in Salisbury (PA)
‘Obviously I’m very sorry,’ says Corbyn on antisemitism
Jeremy Corbyn has been asked about antisemitism and the London Bridge attack by Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on ITV’s This Morning.
Asked by Willoughby about antisemitism and why “sorry seemed to be the hardest word” for him to say on the issue, Corbyn said: “It’s not at all.”
Challenged repeatedly by Schofield why he did not simply say sorry, Corbyn said: “Our party and me do not accept antisemitism in any form... obviously I’m very sorry for everything that has happened.
“But I want to make this very clear: I am dealing with it, I have dealt with it, other parties are also affected by antisemitism.
“Candidates have been withdrawn by the Liberal Democrats, and the Conservatives and by us because of it. We just do not accept it in any form whatsoever.”
Accepting the Labour government had introduced the system of automatic early release – under which London Bridge attacker Usman Khan was released – Corbyn said: “My own view of it is there should be a proper psychological profile before release and the parole board involved.”
The This Morning hosts also asked about the veracity of the leaked document detailing UK-US trade negotiations over the health service. The Labour leader said: “No minister has claimed it is inaccurate.”
Hugh Grant and the Lib Dems: is the rom-com over?
The actor Hugh Grant has been out campaigning for Jo Swinson’s party this week – but has also urged voters to think tactically to give Remain candidates the best chance of winning.
The star has just tweeted to complain about a “not true” claim made by the Lib Dems’ official account – “Only the Lib Dems can take seats off the Tories”.
Labour gets huge poll boost in London
Earlier in the campaign there was a lot of talk about a strong Lib Dem support in London, where Jo Swinson has her eye on several Tory seats.
But the latest YouGov poll makes grim reading for Swinson – and very good reading for Jeremy Corbyn.
Labour are up eight points in the capital, while the Lib Dems have slumped by four.
Tory party’s complaint about Channel 4 climate debate ice sculpture rejected by Ofcom
Ofcom has rejected a complaint made by the Conservatives over Channel 4’s use of an ice sculpture to replace Boris Johnson during its recent climate change debate.
Ofcom said it had decided the broadcaster’s “use of editorial techniques ensured that the Conservative’s viewpoint on climate and environmental issues was adequately reflected and given due weight”.
“The Committee also took into account that the globe ice sculpture was not a representation of the Prime Minister personally, and little editorial focus was given to it, either visually or in references made by the presenter or debate participants.”
Tory minister admits US could increase drug prices
Dominic Raab has admitted the US will be able to ramp up the cost of drugs bought by the NHS after Brexit – but claimed the prospect is “hugely unlikely”.
Asked if the US would be free to “jack up prices”, the foreign secretary replied: “The Americans will take their decisions.”
He then claimed: “I think it’s hugely unlikely, why would they do that?” – prompting Sky News host Adam Boulton to say: “To get money that’s why.”
Earlier admitted co-authoring a pamphlet that advocated increased privatisation of the NHS, as he was challenged on the issue during a live radio interview.
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