Boris Johnson news live: Post-Brexit plan for imperial system return

Nancy Pelosi has warned a London audience that a trans-Atlantic trade deal is “very unlikely” if the Good Friday Accord is destroyed.

“This is not a threat, it’s a prediction,” the US House of Representatives speaker told the Chatham House think-tank.

“I’m so glad that more time has been given for the negotiations and the discussion, because they have to reach an agreement,” Ms Pelosi added.

Downing Street has insisted that all the proper processes have been followed, in light of calls for the new housing secretary Michael Gove to return donations he reportedly received from a property developer.

The parliamentary register of interests shows that Mr Gove accepted two donations of £50,000 each from German property developer, Zak Gertler, on 6 August.

The PM’s official spokesman said: “All donations made to the secretary of state have been declared publicly and the proper processes followed.”

Downing Street has defended its review into the ban on marking and selling products in imperial units –but was unable to say whether Boris Johnson uses pounds and ounces himself.

“Pounds and ounces are an easily understood and widely used unit of measurement,” Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said.

“This is one small part of a wide-ranging drive across government to establish the right regulatory environment to support jobs and growth across the UK,” he continued, but was unable to give a timeline on when the review would return.

The people currently filling social media timelines with labyrinthine charts and diagrams showing the workings of the imperial system might have something to say about the suggestion that it is “easily understood”.

Downing Street has said no decision will be made over which minister gets access to the grace-and-favour residence Chevening until the reshuffle is complete.

The Times reported that both demoted Dominic Raab and his replacement as foreign secretary, Liz Truss, have staked a claim to the palatial 115-room country house in Kent.

Asked about the alleged stand-off, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “You will appreciate that the reshuffle is still ongoing. There is a long process in place for nominating the occupants of Chevening House and we will update in due course.”

The No 10 spokesman said there was not “one single post” that was entitled to use the property.

While it was largely held by Dominic Raab as foreign secretary, Boris Johnson also used the residence while Chequers was being renovated.

Jess Phillips has suggested that the “political will isn’t there” for “fundamental reform” of the law to prevent violence against women, after a watchdog called for police to prioritise protecting women as highly as counter-terrorism.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary has called for “fundamental cross-system change”, including a “radical refocus” on crimes that disproportionately affect female victims including domestic abuse, rape, sexual grooming and stalking.

“We can’t just police our way out of this, these offences are deep rooted, pervasive and prevalent across our society and if that is to change a whole-system approach is needed,” inspector Zoë Billingham told a press conference.

Ms Phillips’ comments came in response to this report from our home affairs correspondent Lizzie Dearden:

Our chief political commentator John Rentoul is running an “Ask Me Anything” event on the Cabinet reshuffle at 4pm this afternoon.

What does it mean for the government and what does it mean for Sir Keir Starmer’s opposition? How will it affect international relations? What will it do to the continuing Brexit complications, and how we continue to battle Covid – and what about the next general election?

You can submit your questions and follow along live on the article below:

Asked why he can’t do more to tackle politicians telling mistruths in the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle told Times Radio: “First of all, they don’t give me the powers. I’m an impartial Speaker, I’m not a political Speaker.

“I would have to make a political judgement on whether I believe it’s right or wrong. And that’s the reality of it. What I expect is politicians to actually treat the House with respect and give them the best information they can.

“Don’t forget there is a big assumption – we think they know the answer. And I think that’s part of the problem … they may not know the answer.”