Conservatives do not need a new leader - Duncan Smith

Political reporter(reuters/wp):
Conservative Party does not need a new leader to settle deep divisions over the government’s Brexit strategy, Iain Duncan Smith, a former leader and eurosceptic lawmaker, said on Sunday.
Speaking on Sky News, Duncan Smith said he was in favour of trying to convince Prime Minister Theresa May to change tack in her strategy to leave the European Union rather than replacing her by mounting an “insurrection”.

'Staggering' 72% of terminal breast cancer patients don't get dedicated nurse

Health reporter(wp/es):

Thousands of terminal breast cancer patients are being denied a designated nurse, new figures show.

Some 72 per cent of NHS Trusts across England, Scotland and Wales do not provide a dedicated nurse for people with incurable breast cancer.

The Breast Cancer Care charity said its findings, obtained under Freedom of Information laws, were “staggering”.

The stats come three years after the government promised all cancer patients would get a designated nurse.

Chief executive Samia al Qadhi said: “Our staggering findings reveal just how much NHS nursing care for people with incurable breast cancer has stagnated.

“After this life-changing and life-limiting diagnosis patients continue to be abandoned without the ongoing, specialist support they need to manage complex treatment and debilitating side effects, like chronic pain and fatigue.”

She demanded the government invest so that “everyone has access to the specialist support they need, when they need it”.

An NHS spokesperson said: “Everyone with cancer is unique and patients themselves say their experience of being looked after is getting better every year - which makes sense as your chance of surviving cancer is now at its highest ever.”

Jo Myatt, 42 from Chorley, Lancashire, was diagnosed with incurable secondary breast cancer in August 2016, 10 years after her primary breast cancer.

She said: “I was totally overwhelmed and mourning the future I’d never have – and yet had no dedicated nurse.

“That person to contact for emotional support, or to guide me through my long list of questions about available treatments and the side effects that I would experience.

“It’s incredibly disappointing to see such a lack of progress in getting people with incurable breast cancer, like me, the nursing support we so urgently need. We do not have the time to wait – we all deserve the best care possible today.”

Man, 77, suffers 'significant' head injuries

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A 77-year-old man has suffered “significant injuries” after he was attacked at a retirement home.

Staffordshire Police was called to the Gloucester Grange apartment complex in Clayton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, just before 5am after receiving a call about a man smashing his way into the building with a weapon.

Officers found an elderly male with head injuries after he had been “badly assaulted”.

Armed response officers were called to find the assailant. A 28-year-old male suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

The victim is in hospital and though the force said his injuries are “significant”, they are not thought to be life threatening.

It said in a statement: “Staffordshire Police want to reassure local residents and wider public that the assailant is in custody and police are not looking for any other individuals in relation to this incident. Staffordshire Police will be increasing patrols in the area to reassure residents.”

Gloucester Grange is a retirement complex of 39 flats let at social rent.

Boris Johnson calls for PM May to ditch Brexit border backstop

Political reporter,Balfast(Reuters/wp):
Brexit hardliner Boris Johnson, a former foreign minister, called on Prime Minister Theresa May on Saturday to rebuff the European Union’s demand for a special “backstop” deal to avoid a hard border in Ireland after Brexit.

“The only way to put things back on the right track is to ditch the backstop and then to chuck Chequers,” Johnson wrote in an article for the Belfast News Letter, referring to a set of proposals formulated in July at May’s Chequers country retreat.

Johnson resigned over the Chequers plan, which envisages maintaining close ties with the EU on trade in goods after Brexit.

Britain in 'secret talks over Brexit transition period extension to appease DUP'

Pic:Theresa May ( AFP/Getty Images )
Political reporter(wp/es):

Secret plans to allow an extension of the Brexit transition period may result in Britain remaining tied to EU rules beyond 2020, according to reports.

The move is said to be designed to convince DUP leader Arlene Foster that a “backstop” plan to avoid a hard border in Ireland will not come into force.

The potential extension of the transition period, which would see the UK stay in the EU single market and customs union, is being considered ahead of a crunch summit in Brussels on Wednesday.

Under the current plans, if there is a Brexit deal the transition period will last until the end of 2020. During this time the UK will accept Brussels' rules without having a seat at the table.

But the Guardian and Daily Telegraph that the option of a potential extension was being considered to allow extra time to drawn up a deal and avoid the need to use the controversial "backstop" arrangement.

The Department for Exiting the European Union said it would not comment on speculation.

The need to resolve the backstop issue is a political headache for Theresa May, who relies on support from the DUP in key votes because she does not have a majority in the Commons.

The European Union's version, which would see just Northern Ireland remain aligned with Brussels' rules, has been called unacceptable by Mrs May and is fiercely resisted by her DUP allies.

Mrs May's counter-proposal, set out in June, was for a "temporary customs arrangement" for the whole UK.

But Tory Brexiteers are suspicious this could turn into a permanent situation - restricting the freedom to strike trade deals around the world.

Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said that a provision on customs which was not "finite" would fail to deliver the result of the 2016 referendum.

And Downing Street insisted that Mrs May would never agree a Brexit deal with the EU which "traps" the UK permanently in a customs union.

The pledge came amid speculation over possible ministerial resignations if the Prime Minister gives too much ground ahead of the Brussels summit next week.

Mr Raab said: "What we cannot do is see the UK locked in via the back door to a customs union arrangement which would leave us in an indefinite limbo. That would not be leaving the EU."

However, the EU is mounting resistance to any specific time limit being included in the text of the UK's Withdrawal Agreement.

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney insisted the backstop should be able to remain in place "unless and until something better comes along" and told ITV News it was a "deal breaker".

Police appeal for witnesses after brutal assault at high-end country club in north London

Crime reporter,London(wp/es):

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward six weeks on from a brutal assault at a high-end country club in north London.

A 55-year-old man remains in hospital after he sustained a fractured skull and brain bleed at the Trent Park Country Club in Enfield.

Charles Joaque, 44, of Enfield, has been charged with grievous bodily harm. But the Met issued an appeal for more information and witnesses on Saturday.

The assault happened at about 12.45am on September 1. The victim was found unconscious.

The Standard has approached Trent Park Country Club for comment.

It acknowledged the attack at the time, stating on its Facebookpage: “We thank you for all the support and understanding following police investigations.

“Please join us for our continual thoughts and prayers, love and support to the family and friends involved.

“Please also contact Enfield Police station if you have any information that might help them with their investigation.”

The club describes itself as “north London’s friendly country club”, boasting a “unique and premium restaurant and bar with a luxury nightclub area”.

Joaque will appear at Wood Green Crown Court on Friday.

Robbie Williams performs at Princess Eugenie's royal wedding celebrations

Pic:The couple married on Friday at St George's Chapel in Windsor (AFP)
Royal correspondent(wp):

Robbie Williams reportedly hopped on stage during Princess Eugenie’s royal wedding celebrations last night.

The singer reportedly sang some of his greatest hits as Princess Eugenie celebrated her marriage to Jack Brooksbank.

Williams’ daughter Theodora was a bridesmaid at the ceremony at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on Friday.

The festivities are set to last two days with Saturday having a ‘festival vibe theme’

A source told the Daily Mail: “There will be dodgems and funfair rides, coconut shies, lots of food stalls, loads of cocktails, bloody Marys for the hangovers and a festival vibe.”

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank married in front of the royal family and 850 guests at a star-studded ceremony at Windsor Castle.

During the ceremony, classical singer Andrea Bocelli performed two songs accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Once the ceremony was over, the couple followed the example of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and rode through the streets of Windsor in a carriage

Members of the public lined the streets to get a glimpse of the newlyweds. 

The nuptials were being followed by a post-wedding lunch hosted by the Queen and a black-tie reception this evening at Royal Lodge, the mansion in Windsor Great Park belonging to Prince Andrew.

Many celebrities who attended the ceremony and wedding breakfast posted pictures to social media, flouting an alleged ban on publishing pics from the big day.

Cars Delevingne, Jack Whitehall and Demi Moore were just some of the celebs to post images to Instagram