British Banter

The scumbags in the 'nasty sleaze party' never learn. Firstly this latest scumbag is so 'out of touch' with what is actually happening, and secondly by opening his size 12 gob and sticking his foot firmly in it, he is now likely to be bankrupted by 'my learned friends' in an expensive libel case.


Jack Monroe hints at libel action against Tory MP who claimed they ‘make money off vulnerable people’
MP Lee Anderson claimed the campaigner made money of those she sets out to help

Zaina Alibhai
Monday 16 May 2022 05:33
12 Comments



Lee Anderson claims there is no ‘massive use’ for food banks in UK


Anti-poverty campaigner Jack Monroe has hinted at libel action against a Conservative politician who claimed they were profiteering from the poor.

Lee Anderson, MP for Ashfield, suggested the activist was “making money off some of the most vulnerable in society”.


His comments came during an interview with Reclaim Party deputy leader Martin Daubney where the pair discussed Monroe’s recent criticism of Anderson.


“I donate money out of my own pocket to this food bank, given up time delivering meals with the local chef in all weathers, getting out to people that’s most desperate in need,” the MP said.

“Isn’t it funny – I’m giving up my time and my money to help the people in Ashfield, and what is she doing?

He continued: “She’s taking money off some of the most vulnerable people in society, and making an absolute fortune on the back of people.


“It’s her that’s rich, I’m not rich.”

Daubney made his own allegations against Monroe in the interview, referring to them as the “self-appointed representative of the impoverished”, suggesting they “sold loads of books, done quite well out of it” and “no doubt, probably earns more than the prime minister”.


Anderson made controversial remark about food banks in Commons this week

(Parliament TV)
The clip was posted onto Reclaim Party’s social media, after which Monroe asked for it to be taken down, along with an apology. It is still live and has since been viewed over 900,000 times.

Monroe accused Anderson of making “outrageous, libellous statements” and Daubney of “encouraging and promoting” the behaviour, before reaching out to lawyer Mark Lewis, tweeting: “Got a job for you pal.”


Lewis is an established media litigator who pioneered the phone-hacking claims that led to the closure of News of the World.


Monroe later warned the “gloves [were] off” and a lawyer had been instructed, claiming Anderson and Daubney were “playing a very expensive game of chicken with someone who has a proven track record of crossing this particular road without fear nor favour”.

The road in question is in reference to a successful, high-profile libel case Monroe brought against Katie Hopkins in 2017 after she falsely alleged Monroe had vandalised a war memorial.

The row between Monroe and Anderson began after he suggested people needed to learn how to cook and budget, arguing nutritious meals could easily be cooked for as little as 30p a day.


Monroe outside the High Court in London, 2017, after a hearing in her case against Katie Hopkins

(PA)
Speaking in the House of Commons, the MP said: “What we do at the food bank, we teach them how to cook cheap and nutritious meals on a budget. We can make a meal for about 30p a day, which is cooking from scratch,” he said.

However, he continued to suggest food banks were not necessary across the country, adding: “I think you’ll see first-hand that there’s not this massive use for food banks in this country.

“You’ve got generation after generation who cannot cook properly. They cannot cook a meal from scratch. They cannot budget.”

His comments garnered much criticism from MPs and campaigners, including Monroe who claimed the issue of food poverty did not hinge on a lack of cooking skills but the Conservative party.


“You can’t cook meals from scratch with nothing. You can’t buy cheap food with nothing,” they said.

“The issue is not ‘skills’, it’s 12 years of Conservative cuts to social support. The square root of f*** all is ALWAYS going to be f*** all, no matter how creatively you’re told to dice it.”

 

bastard Boris trying to get Sue Gray report rewritten to ameliorate his involvement !!!


Downing Street Did Suggest Sue Gray Hold Meeting With Boris Johnson, Admits No.10

Ned Simons
23 May 2022, 0:14 pm
(Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)

Downing Street has admitted it was No.10 that asked Sue Gray to meet Boris Johnson to discuss her partygate report.

The prime minister’s spokesperson said on Monday the face-to-face discussion was “initially suggested by officials in No.10”.

Earlier, Simon Clarke, the chief secretary to the Treasury, told the BBC the controversial meeting was “instigated” by Gray.

And the Daily Mail reported an “insider” accusing Gray of “playing politics” and “enjoying the limelight a little too much”.

But No.10 said later this morning while Gray technically sent the “formal, technical request” for a meeting, it had been Downing Street officials who had first “suggested it would be helpful” for one to take place.

Gray’s long-awaited report is finally set to be published this week and could feature photographs of illegal gatherings in Downing Street and Whitehall.

No.10 has not revealed what was discussed in the meeting between the prime minister and Gray.

Asked if the minutes of the talks would be published, the PM’s spokesperson said: “No, it was a private meeting. We wouldn’t publish details of a private meeting.”

Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner has called on Johnson to “urgently explain” why the “secret meeting” with Gray took place.

The Lib Dems will also try to pressure No.10 to publish the minutes by issuing the demand in a “humble address”, a parliamentary procedure used to force government’s to release documents.

The Gray report will follow the Metropolitan Police inquiry into rule-breaching events in Downing Street and Whitehall during coronavirus restrictions.

A total of 83 people were fined for events spanning eight separate days, including the PM, wife Carrie Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

They all received one fixed penalty notice for an event for Johnson’s 56th birthday in June 2020, when indoor mixing was banned.

Despite not being fined, reports suggest that Cabinet Secretary Simon Case will come in for severe criticism in the Gray report and could face heavy pressure to resign.

 

Once Sue Gray's report is published and distributed, then the further evidence of Boris getting p*ssed is sufficient for the Metroplolitan Police to re-open their investigations on him !!!

Pictures show Boris Johnson raising glass during lockdown leaving party

Sam Blewett, PA Deputy Political Editor
23 May 2022, 4:49 pm


Boris Johnson can be seen raising a glass at a leaving party in Downing Street during the second coronavirus lockdown.

ITV News obtained four images showing the Prime Minister with a drink in his hand while he stands behind a table littered with wine bottles and food.

The broadcaster said the pictures were taken at a leaving party for then-director of communications Lee Cain on November 13 2020.


EXCL: @ITVNews has obtained pictures of Boris Johnson drinking at a No10 party during lockdown in November 2020.

The photos cast fresh doubt on the PM's repeated claims he was unaware of rule-breaking in No10 during the pandemic.

See all images here:Exclusive: PM pictured drinking at Downing Street party during lockdown | ITV News pic.twitter.com/iXopuPIQu7

— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) May 23, 2022

Eight days earlier, Mr Johnson had imposed England’s second national lockdown, which lasted four weeks.

People were banned from social mixing, other than to meet one person outside.

Mr Johnson was not fined by the Metropolitan Police over the event seen in the images.

Downing Street declined to defend the scene portrayed, saying the Prime Minister will comment after the Sue Gray report into partygate is published in the coming days.

A No 10 spokeswoman said: “The Cabinet Office and the Met Police have had access to all information relevant to their investigations, including photographs.

“The Met have concluded their investigation and Sue Gray will publish her report in the coming days, at which point the Prime Minister will address Parliament in full.”

Mr Johnson told MPs in December that “the rules were followed at all times” when asked during Prime Minister’s Questions about Mr Cain’s leaving party.

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner accused Mr Johnson of lying over rule-breaking parties at Downing Street.

She said: “While the British public were making huge sacrifices, Boris Johnson was breaking the law.

“Boris Johnson said repeatedly that he knew nothing about law-breaking – there’s no doubt now, he lied. Boris Johnson made the rules, and then broke them.

“The Prime Minister has demeaned his office. The British people deserve better. While Labour has a plan for tackling the cost-of-living crisis, Tory MPs are too busy defending the indefensible actions of Boris Johnson.”

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said the images show Mr Johnson “has taken the British people for fools” as she called for Tories to remove him from office.


The Prime Minister raising a glass at a leaving party on November 13 2020 (ITV/PA)
“It’s becoming clearer than ever that Boris Johnson lied to the British people and to Parliament.

“Conservative MPs must do their duty and sack this law-breaking Prime Minister. Every day he remains in office will do more damage to public trust and to our democracy.”

On December 8, Labour MP Catherine West asked Mr Johnson in the Commons whether there had been a party in Downing Street on November 13 2020.

The Prime Minister replied: “No, but I am sure that whatever happened, the guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times.”

 

Yet another party that bastard Boris has attended has now come to light, notwithstanding the Metropolitan Police have concluded their investigation into 'Partygate'

This leads to several possibilities:

1. The Investigation done by a bunch of incompetents,
2. Boris et al lied yet again to the Police investigators and hid the evidence which has now come to light,
3. Someone has paid a lot of money to bribe the Police investigators.

Anyone of those possibiities or combination of possibilities is possible.

When the news of this further party broke yesterday, I made contact with the Metroplitan Police and lodged a formal complaint against them.

I may consider taking out a Judicial Review injunction too !!!


Boris Johnson Pictured Drinking At Downing Street Party During Lockdown

Kevin Schofield
23 May 2022, 5:23 pm



ITV handout photo dated 13/11/20 of a photograph obtained by ITV News of the Prime Minister raising a glass at a leaving party on 13th November 2020, with bottles of alcohol and party food on the table in front of him. Issue date: Monday May 23, 2022. (Photo: ITV/PA)

Pictures have emerged of Boris Johnson raising a glass and appearing to make a toast at a Downing Street leaving party for his former top spin doctor.

The images, revealed by ITV News, were apparently taken at a get-together to mark the departure of Lee Cain, who was the Downing Street director of communications, on November 13, 2020.

Johnson’s ministerial red box is resting on a chair as he addresses staff members while holding a plastic glass in his hand.

The pictures were revealed as senior civil servant Sue Gray prepares to publish her report into partygate.

Cain’s leaving party was one of the gatherings investigated by the Metropolitan Police.

However, the PM was only fined for attending a surprise birthday party thrown for him in Number 10 in June, 2020.

The four pictures appear to show the prime minister addressing at least seven members of staff in the 10 Downing Street press office.

On a table in front of him are several opened bottles of wine and some snacks.

Covid rules at the time banned parties with people outside of your household.

Eight days earlier, England was placed under another strict lockdown as cases of the virus soared.


EXCL: @ITVNews has obtained pictures of Boris Johnson drinking at a No10 party during lockdown in November 2020.

The photos cast fresh doubt on the PM's repeated claims he was unaware of rule-breaking in No10 during the pandemic.

See all images here:Exclusive: PM pictured drinking at Downing Street party during lockdown | ITV Newspic.twitter.com/iXopuPIQu7

— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) May 23, 2022

The pictures also leave the prime minister open to accusations that he misled parliament.

On December 8 last year, Labour MP Catherine West asked him: “Will the prime minister tell the house whether there was a party in Downing Street on 13 November?”

Johnson replied: “No, but I am sure that whatever happened, the guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times.”

A No 10 spokesperson said: “The Cabinet Office and the Met Police have had access to all information relevant to their investigations, including photographs. The Met have concluded their investigation and Sue Gray will publish her report in the coming days, at which point the Prime Minister will address Parliament in full.”

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said: “While the British public were making huge sacrifices, Boris Johnson was breaking the law.

“Boris Johnson said repeatedly that he knew nothing about law-breaking – there’s no doubt now, he lied. Boris Johnson made the rules, and then broke them.

“The prime minister has demeaned his office. The British people deserve better. While Labour has a plan for tackling the cost-of-living crisis, Tory MPs are too busy defending the indefensible actions of Boris Johnson.”

Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “People will rightly be furious to see pictures of Johnson drinking at what is an obvious party, when he repeatedly told us that the rules were followed at all times.

“These photos show Boris Johnson has taken the British people for fools. While the public made huge sacrifices, he partied in Number 10.

“It’s becoming clearer than ever that Boris Johnson lied to the British people and to parliament.

“Conservative MPs must do their duty and sack this law-breaking Prime Minister. Every day he remains in office will do more damage to public trust and to our democracy.”

 

It makes one think: - The Tory Party = Encoraging disobedience
. . . .

 

Piss heads the lot of 'em !!!


BTW - the word encouraging - happens to have 'u' in it !!!

 

Does the word irony mean anything to you?

 

I'm demonstrating that you're not the only one who can be pedantic !!!

 

Oops - a Freudian slip !!!


Sky News' Sophy Ridge makes Jeremy Hunt C word slip without even noticing

Albertina Lloyd
7 June 2022, 0:34 pm

Watch: Sky News Sophy Ridge calls Jeremy Hunt 'C***' and does not even correct mistake


Sky News' Sophy Ridge has become the latest presenter to fall victim to the C word curse of Jeremy Hunt - and she didn't even notice.

The news broadcaster was discussing which prominent Conservative MPs were expecting to lobby against Prime Minster Boris Johnson in the vote of no confidence when she referenced the former Foreign Secretary and mispronounced his surname as a four letter expletive.

Ridge said: "Two figures who are significant, Jeremy C*** because he's a potential leadership candidate."

Read more: BBC apologises after Gordon Ramsay swears on The One Show

There was no indication that she was aware of her slip-up as she did not even pause and did not correct her mistake.


The report moved swiftly on to a discussion with Political Correspondent Ali Fortescue and no correction or apology was made to the obscenity being used on air.

The C Word slip up in relation to Hunt, currently the Chair of the Health and Social Collect Committee, is now a common curse among newscasters.


In 2010 BBC Radio 4 host James Naughtie called the then culture secretary "Jeremy C**t" live on The Today Programme.

He later apologised, saying he “got into an awful tangle” and explained he mixed up the words 'Hunt' and 'Culture'.

Andrew Marr fell victim to the same tongue twister in 2010.

Today Programme presenter Justin Webb made a similar mistake in 2018, and former BBC China Carrie Gracie also referred to Hunt as “C***” on television last year.

In 2019 BBC Radio 5 Live host Nicky Campbell was reporting on Donald Trump’s arrival in the UK and describing the public figures waiting at Stanstead Airport to meet the then US president as he disembarked Air Force One, when he made the mistake in referencing the then Foreign Secretary.


Campbell said: "He’s going to be meeting Mr Ben Julian Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex Police, who’s standing just behind Jeremy C***… Jeremy Hunt."

Shortly afterwards the presenter posted a tweet of “No comment.”

And Victoria Derbyshire made the error on ther BBC show later that same year.

Addressing Tory MP Steve Brine, she said: "You say the man you are backing, Jeremy C*** ... I'm so sorry, Jeremy Hunt.”

Sky News presenter John Craig has mispronounced Hunt’s name in the same unfortunate way on live TV more than once.

Other broadcasters to have made the same slip over Hunt’s surname include the Sky News health and science correspondent Thomas Moore, the BBC political journalist Ellie Price and the Sky anchor Claudia-Liza Armah.

 

Tell Boris Johnson - P*ss off !!!


Boris Johnson tells workers to accept pay cuts or UK faces 1970s–style ‘stagflation’
Prime minister blames Ukraine war for U-turn on promise to create a high-wage economy

Rob Merrick
Deputy Political Editor
1 hour ago
13 Comments

Workers will have to settle for real-terms pay cuts if Britain is to avoid 1970s-style “stagflation” and soaring interest rates, Boris Johnson has warned.

In a major speech, the prime minister performed a startling U-turn on a promise – made just months ago – to create a high-wage economy,

 

Johnson is a liar and a charlatan! Everything he touches is tainted! He is supported by a bunch of sycophants who are only interested in covering their own arses and spouting the Johnson line no matter how much they know it is lies and exaggeration!

 

I have heard from Wolfy.
He will return soon.

 

Look what the scumbag 'nasty sleaze party' think about parts of the uk !!!


Backlash after Tory minister says Blackpool and Birmingham are 'godawful'

Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
10 June 2022, 5:13 pm

Tory MP Heather Wheeler reportedly suggested Birmingham and Blackpool were "godawful" places. (Getty Images)

A government minister has been accused of showing "contempt for voters" after saying that Birmingham and Blackpool are "godawful" places.

Heather Wheeler, the MP for South Derbyshire, is the parliamentary secretary in the Cabinet Office, and also holds the post of assistant government whip.

The apparent slip on Tuesday came at the launch - in London - of an initiative to upgrade digital civil services to help the government focus on "the public's priorities".


Wheeler's comments were initially reported by freelance journalist and author Chris Middleton, who tuned into the event.

He told Yahoo News UK that he heard Wheeler, who was brought up in Wandsworth, south-west London, appear to go "off script" in her comments and say about the two cities: “I was just at a conference in Blackpool or Birmingham - somewhere godawful."

Yahoo News UK has contacted the Cabinet Office, which has declined to comment.

However, after publication, Wheeler issued an apology on Twitter.


Government minister Heather Wheeler has apologised for her remarks about Birmingham and Blackpool on Twitter. (@heatherwheeler/Twitter)
"Whilst speaking at a conference on Thursday, I made an inappropriate remark that does not reflect my actual view," the minister said.

"I apologise for any offence caused."

The timing of Wheeler's comments is particularly unfortunate as it coincided with the prime minister's visit to Blackpool, where he was delivering a speech on housing and the cost-of-living crisis.
"Blackpool is the second biggest destination for tourists outside London in the UK," said Johnson on Thursday during his visit.

"It’s massive, we think it’s got great potential.”

At the last election, the government pledged to "level up" parts of the country - with a focus on areas like North West and the West Midlands, which have historically received less investment that other regions.

Wheeler's remarks also come ahead of the Conservative party conference this year, which is due to be held in Birmingham. The city will also host the Commonwealth Games.

Read more: ‘Totally deluded’: Boris Johnson claims ‘convincing’ victory in confidence vote

Labour said Wheeler's comments show "contempt" and "disrespect" for voters.

"Heather Wheeler is causing embarrassment because she’s blurted out what Boris Johnson’s Conservatives really think about our communities behind closed doors," deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner told Yahoo News UK.

"The mask has well and truly slipped and she has put her utter contempt for voters on show.

"The level of disrespect is off the scale. It’s frankly embarrassing that she is still in her position as a minister.”
It is not the first time Wheeler has been been criticised for using controversial language.

In October 2017 the minister said rough sleepers in her constituency were "traditional type, old tinkers, knife-cutters wandering through”. She was appointed minister for homelessness in 2018.

Her comments garnered condemnation from Big Issue chief executive, Stephen Robertson, who called for her resignation. Wheeler subsequently apologised, describing her language as "inappropriate".

Read more: Boris Johnson booing fallout is 'overinterpretation', minister insists

Wheeler has been a strong supporter of the prime minister amid the civil war that has broken out in the Conservative Party over his leadership.

"It’s a great pity that at a time when the country is facing cost of living issues and a war in Eastern Europe, colleagues wish to engage in Conservative navel-gazing," Wheeler tweeted on Monday.

"A leadership election would take months, and I believe it is right that the Prime Minister focuses on dealing with the issues that matter to our constituents.

"He has my full support in doing so."

 

My new printed 'T' shirt arrived this morning - the motto reads: Party like its 1789 beside a picture showing a Guilllotine - the 'T' shirt fits perfectly !!!

 

Bastard Boris: This pisshead can remember trivial matters in minute detail but when it comes to something as important as disciplining of another scumbag 'nasty sleaze party' member, he very conveniently forgets that he was 'briefed' by the former Cabinet Secretary.


Boris Johnson ‘forgot’ about Chris Pincher groping claims

PA Political Staff
5 July 2022, 2:33 pm


Boris Johnson failed to remember he had been told that Chris Pincher was the subject of a official complaint about his conduct, Downing Street has said.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman confirmed that Mr Johnson was briefed on the complaint by officials at the Foreign Office in 2019, a “number of months” after it took place.

The spokesman said the complaint against Mr Pincher – who was Europe minister at the time – was upheld although it did not lead to formal disciplinary action.

No 10 had previously claimed Mr Johnson had not been aware of any “specific allegations”, after Mr Pincher’s dramatic resignation last week as deputy chief whip following claims he groped two men at a private members’ club.

“At the time last week that was the Prime Minister’s view. You will appreciate it takes some time to establish he was briefed, albeit we don’t think in formal briefing on this,” the spokesman said.

“This dates back a number of years. On Friday, it was our belief that he was not informed about that specific incident.”
The admission came after the former top civil servant at the Foreign Office, Lord McDonald, said the original No 10 account was “not true” and the Prime Minister had been briefed “in person”.

In the Commons, responding to a Labour urgent question, Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis told MPs: “The Prime Minister was made aware of this issue in late 2019, he was told that the permanent secretary had taken the necessary action, no issue therefore arose about (Mr Pincher) remaining as a minister.

“Last week, when fresh allegations arose, the Prime Minister did not immediately recall the conversation in late 2019 about this incident. As soon as he was reminded, the No 10 press office corrected their public lines.”

For Labour, deputy leader Angela Rayner said the latest disclosures revealed an “ethical vacuum” at the heart of Downing Street.
“The Prime Minister was personally informed about these allegations and yet he was either negligent or complicit,” she said.

William Wragg, the Conservative MP who chairs the Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, said ministers should consider how long they were prepared to carry on supporting the Government.

“I would ask them to consider the common sense of decency that I know the vast, vast majority of them have and ask themselves if they can any longer tolerate being part of a Government which, for better or worse, is widely regarded of having lost its sense of direction,” he told the House.

Since Mr Pincher’s resignation on Thursday, Mr Johnson has been under pressure to say what he knew about his conduct when in February he made him Tory deputy chief whip – a position in which he has responsibility for MPs’ welfare as well as discipline.

Over the weekend a series of reports emerged of allegations over a period of years that Mr Pincher repeatedly made unwanted sexual advances to men.

On Monday, Mr Johnson’s spokesman amended the Government’s line to say that while the Prime Minister had been aware of media reports and speculation, any issues had been resolved and they had not led to formal complaints.

But Lord McDonald said the position was still “not accurate”.

In a letter to the parliamentary standards commissioner he said that a group of officials had complained to him about Mr Pincher’s conduct along similar lines to his alleged behaviour at the Carlton Club.


This morning I have written to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards – because No 10 keep changing their story and are still not telling the truth. pic.twitter.com/vln9FU4V50

— Simon McDonald (@SimonMcDonaldUK) July 5, 2022

Following an investigation, the complaint was upheld, Mr Pincher apologised and promised there would be no repeat of his behaviour.

“Mr Johnson was briefed in person about the initiation and outcome of the investigation,” Lord McDonald wrote.

“There was a ‘formal complaint’. Allegations were ‘resolved’ only in the sense that the investigation was completed; Mr Pincher was not exonerated. To characterise the allegations as ‘unsubstantiated’ is therefore wrong.”

Lord McDonald acknowledged that his action was “very unusual” for a retired senior official.

“I did it by myself, because what I have seen and read over the last few days I knew to be wrong. Things get to a point where you have to do the right thing,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

In his letter to the commissioner, he said he was acting “out of my duty towards the victims”.

“Mr Pincher deceived me and others in 2019. He cannot be allowed to use the confidentiality of the process three years ago to pursue his predatory behaviour in other contexts,” he wrote.

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, who was foreign secretary at the time, confirmed there had been an investigation into Mr Pincher but that Lord McDonald had advised that it did not warrant formal disciplinary action.

While he said that the then chief whip, Mark Spencer, had been informed, he did not think Mr Johnson had been told, an impression the Prime Minister appeared to confirm when he spoke to him earlier.

“I have discussed this with the Prime Minister over the last 24 hours, it is not my understanding that he was directly briefed,” he told the Today programme.

 

Hmmmmm - seems the Japanese people have a more volatile way of dealing with their ex-Prime Ministers !!!


Shinzo Abe: Japan ex-PM 'in grave condition' after shooting
By Yvette Tan
BBC News

• Published

• 10 minutes ago

Media caption,
Watch: Aerials from the scene where former Japan PM Abe was shot
Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe is said to be in grave condition after he was shot at a political campaign event.

Mr Abe was shot at twice while he was giving a speech in the southern city of Nara on Friday morning.

He immediately collapsed and was rushed to the nearest hospital. Pictures taken at the scene showed him bleeding.

Security officials at the scene tackled the gunman, and the 41-year-old suspect is now in police custody.

In an emotional press conference a few hours later, prime minister Fumio Kishida told reporters that Mr Abe was in a "very grave condition".

"Currently doctors are doing everything they can," said Mr Kishida who appeared to be holding back tears, adding that he was "praying from his heart" that Mr Abe would survive.

He also condemned the attack, saying: "It is barbaric and malicious and it cannot be tolerated."

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed that Mr Abe had a bullet wound on the right of his neck, and also suffered subcutaneous bleeding under the left part of his chest.

It is unclear if both shots hit him, or if a bullet hit him on the neck and travelled elsewhere.

National broadcaster NHK said Mr Abe was "conscious and responsive" while being transported to the hospital, citing police sources.

But it also quoted a senior member of Mr Abe's party as saying the 67-year-old's situation was "worrisome" and that he was getting a blood transfusion.

Ex-Tokyo governor Yoichi Masuzoe had earlier said in a tweet that Mr Abe was in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest. The term is often used before a death is officially confirmed in Japan.

Eyewitnesses see man with large gun
Mr Abe was giving a stump speech for a political candidate in Nara at a road junction when the attack happened.

Eyewitnesses said they saw a man carrying what they described as a large gun and firing twice at Mr Abe from behind.

Security officers detained the attacker, who made no attempt to run, and seized his weapon which was reportedly a handmade gun.

The suspect has been identified as Nara resident Tetsuya Yamagami. Local media reports say he is believed to be a former member of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, Japan's equivalent of a navy.

Mr Abe's speech came as part of a campaign for his former party, the Liberal Democratic Party, as upper house elections in Japan are due to take place later this week.

Ministers across the country were later told to return to Tokyo immediately, according to local reports.
The first question many people will be asking is what was the gun used and how did the shooter get hold of it?

The answer appears to be that he may have built it himself. Photographs taken as the suspect was being apprehended show what looks like an improvised, or home-made, double-barrelled shotgun.

Gun violence is very rare in Japan, and guns are extremely difficult to own. Political violence is also extremely rare.

Mr Abe did have a team of security police with him. But it appears the shooter was still able to get to within a few meters of Mr Abe without any sort of check, or barrier.

The shooting of such a prominent figure is profoundly shocking in a country that prides itself on being so safe.


Mr Abe, who was Japan's longest-serving prime minister, held office in 2006 for a year and then again from 2012 to 2020, before stepping down citing health reasons.

He later revealed that he had suffered a relapse of ulcerative colitis, an intestinal disease.

While he was in office, he was known for his hawkish policies on defence and foreign policy, and has long sought to amend Japan's pacifist post-war constitution.

He also pushed for an economic policy that came to be known as "Abenomics", built on monetary easing, fiscal stimulus and structural reforms.

• The hawk who gave his name to 'Abenomics'

He was succeeded by his close party ally Yoshihide Suga, who was later replaced by Fumio Kishida.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Workers at the scene after an attack on Mr Abe at Kintetsu Yamato-Saidaiji station square
Incidents of gun violence are rare in Japan, where handguns are banned - and incidents of political violence are almost unheard of.

In 2014, there were just six incidents of gun deaths in Japan, as compared to 33,599 in the US. People have to undergo a strict exam and mental health tests in order to buy a gun - and even then, only shotguns and air rifles are allowed.

Prominent voices across the world have been quick to condemn the incident, with former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd calling it an "attack on supporters of democracy".

The US ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said Mr Abe had been an "outstanding leader of Japan and unwavering ally of the US", adding that the US was "praying" for his well-being.

 

..... which should be utterly condemned.
Thankfully in the UK Political leaders are ousted under a more civil manner, with words and votes the process of removal.

 

Not entirely true !!!

 

Surviving the Assassination of character since before time began are those who refuse to give up hope and keep believing in the possible of impossibility since it is still an ability to be disabled as I am always … Cheers