End of day summary
Here’s a roundup of the key developments from the day:
All asylum seekers being housed onboard a controversial barge are being removed because of potentially deadly bacteria in the water system, it has been confirmed. Home Office sources said legionella had been identified on the Bibby Stockholm, the 222-bedroom hulk hired by the Home Office as part of a £1.6bn immigration deal.
Treasury minister John Glen has said he does not back the UK leaving the European convention on human rights. He made the comments when asked on LBC’s Nick Ferrari if he is in support of “what we understand to be a growing sentiment within the Conservative party that the United Kingdom should quit the European convention on human rights”.
The Home Office is preparing for a large number of small boat arrivals over the next few days and has issued an appeal for contractor staff from across the country to work at Manston processing centre in Kent even if they are not rostered to work, the Guardian understands. Government sources have confirmed a high number of crossings are likely in the next few days. Weather conditions on Friday night are thought to be particularly favourable.
Mark Drakeford, the first minister of Wales, has said he could stand for election to a directly elected senate at Westminster if Labour follows through on its pledge to abolish the House of Lords. Drakeford, the Welsh Labour leader, has previously refused invitations to stand as an MP and instead devoted himself to the Senedd in Cardiff, overseeing the implementation of new powers for the devolved parliament.
The MP Angus MacNeil has announced he has been expelled from the Scottish National party (SNP). He was suspended from the party’s Westminster group last month after reportedly clashing with its chief whip, Brendan O’Hara.
Junior doctors in England have launched a fifth round of industrial action, with thousands going on strike just days after starting their first NHS jobs. Soon after the doctors began their strike action the chief secretary to the Treasury, John Glen, ruled out pay negotiations with the doctors.
Steve Barclay has urged the British Medical Association to end strike action and for junior doctors to accept the latest pay deal offered. The health secretary told broadcasters that he was concerned about the impact strikes are having on patients and “that is why I call on the BMA to end their industrial action”.
Humza Yousaf was branded a “pestilence on the land” by a heckler as he appeared at an Edinburgh festival fringe event. The Scottish first minister was interrupted three times when he took to the stage with broadcaster Iain Dale on Friday.
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