Tag: Priti Patel

UK Blames Russia for Hoax Calls Targeting Cabinet Ministers

The UK government has publicly accused Russia of being responsible for hoax calls targeting British ministers. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Priti Patel said they had been targeted by calls from imposters last week, and Downing Street revealed an unsuccessful attempt was also made to contact Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries. Prime Minister Boris…


UK Government to Ask Citizens to House Ukrainian Refugees

The UK government will ask the British public to open their homes to Ukrainians fleeing the fighting in their country, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed. The Daily Telegraph reported that ministers will ask individuals, charities, businesses, and community groups to offer rooms to Ukrainian refugees through a hotline and a webpage. Johnson told Sky…


UK Simplifies Visa Applications for Ukrainian Refugees

The UK government has simplified its visa procedures to enable Ukrainians fleeing the war with Russia to file their applications entirely online, Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced. Addressing the House of Commons on Thursday, Patel said: “From Tuesday, I can announce that Ukrainians with passports will no longer need to go to a visa…


UK ‘Doing Everything Possible’ to Speed up Visas for Ukrainian Refugees: Home Secretary

The UK is “doing everything possible” to speed up efforts to grant visas to Ukrainian refugees, Home Secretary Priti Patel has said. According to the Home Office, as of 10 a.m. on Sunday, 5,535 online applications had been submitted and 2,368 people had booked a visa appointment, but only “around 50” visas had been given…


UK Ready to Take Ukrainian Refugees in ‘Considerable Numbers’: Johnson

Britain is ready to take Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russian aggression in “considerable numbers,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday. Speaking in Poland, one of the main destinations for people fleeing the war, Johnson said more would be done to allow Ukrainians to come to the UK. The government is extending the family scheme, which…


UK Urged to Take Action Against ‘Golden Visa’ Recipients Linked to Russian Government

The UK government has been urged to take action against people granted so-called “golden visas” who have close links to the Kremlin and pose a security risk to the UK, following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order to send troops into eastern Ukraine. The main opposition Labour Party has written to Home Secretary Priti Patel demanding…


UK Government Rejects Bid to Make Misogyny a Hate Crime

The British government has rejected calls to make misogyny a new hate crime, arguing that it would only make it harder to prosecute sexual offences and domestic abuse cases. The House of Lords inflicted a string of defeats on the government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts Bill last month, passing a host of amendments including…


UK Scraps ‘Golden Visas’ for Wealthy Foreign Investors Over Security Concerns

The UK government has scrapped the so-called “golden visas” for wealthy foreign investors over security concerns. The Home Office announced on Thursday that the Tier 1 Investor visa route has been shut to all new applicants from all nationalities with immediate effect. The visa, launched in 2008, has often been called a “golden visa,” as…


Metropolitan Police Chief Resigns After Losing London Mayor’s Backing

Dame Cressida Dick, head of London’s Metropolitan Police, has resigned from her job after losing the backing of London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Dick released a shocking statement on Thursday evening, announcing she was stepping down from the job, despite having insisted hours earlier that she had no intention of going. She said in the statement:…


UK Terror Threat Level Reduced From Severe to Substantial

The UK’s terrorism threat level has been reduced from severe to substantial, Home Secretary Priti Patel announced on Wednesday. In a statement to the House of Commons, Patel said security experts at the independent Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) had made the decision on the basis of the latest intelligence available. The “substantial” rating means…